The concept of using pseudonyms is nothing new. Authors throughout history, including Mark Twain, Charlotte Bronte, and George Eliot, used pen names to either highlight some aspect of their personal history or to ensure their work could transcend sexist notions and receive the praise it deserved. Journalists frequently use pseudonyms to protect the anonymity of their most crucial sources, especially if the story itself is controversial. So, in the spirit of these great writers who have come before me–and in some deference to my newsroom background–I’ve decided to assign pseudonyms to the majority of the people who make an appearance in my blog posts. These people are usually my friends, and in particular, my girls: the women who have supported and loved me unconditionally as I’ve made important life decisions and who have been by my side as I’ve done things that probably could have gotten us into some crazy trouble had we been caught. You know what they say: a friend will bail you out of jail, but a best friend will be sitting in the cell right next to you saying, “Damn, that was fun.”
So, to protect the reputations and future employment prospects of the girls who have done it all with me, I’ve referred to them by a pseudonym (or, at the very least, by initials) in most posts. But they’ll know who they are–both by the story and by the pseudonym that I hope is easily identifiable only to them.
As for the men in my life, let’s just say they aren’t so lucky…or, more accurately, aren’t as lucky. I won’t be using their full names, but I’ll be referring to them by their first initial: guys come and go, so to ensure I don’t confuse one for another, I need more obvious indicators of who they are should I look back on this blog many years from now and not remember. Friends, on the other hand, are forever–I will never need my girls’ actual first initials, or actual initials for that matter, to remember who they are. They will always be in my life, at least for as long as I can help it.
So to the friends, dates, loves etc. who are reading this: have fun finding yourselves. To everyone else: enjoy the stories–I’m sure many of them could easily be your own.
Suit Yourself 