Turn around.

Turn around.

When I first logged into Second Life in 2004, I decided to create an avatar that was loosely based on my real-life appearance with some important modifications. Namely, some gigantic black hair. I also may have overdone the makeup a bit. Over the years, my avatar has changed — mainly hairstyles — but the salient bits have remained the same for about a year now: short stature, black wings, amethyst eyes, and a gravity-defying mohawk. I do not know why I consider this avatar to be so “me”. I don’t look at all like her in real life. But every time I try to change something up, it feels wrong and doesn’t last. This is not the first time that I have encountered this strange identification with avatar appearance. When I still cared...

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Posted on 14 Dec 2010 | 1 comment

The Coffee Identity

I have a coffee identity. It is the name I give at cafés that ask for my name with my order, because giving my real name led to conversations like: “Your name?” “Halsted.” “Awesome?” “Halsted.” “Houston?” “HALSTED.” “Halston!” “Yes, sure, that.” Several years ago, I gave up and started saying “Kelly” instead. Today, on my mid-morning break, I went to Sbux for a soy green tea latte. I gave my coffee name, as usual. The barista repeated it. Or so I thought. I wasn’t paying close attention through the fog of my LOST-hangover. When my drink was up, I glanced at the cup. In black marker, it said “Ally”. I made up a new rule on the spot:...

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Posted on 24 May 2010 | 7 comments