My Evil Twin(s?)

[dr_pretentious]

Things I learned by googling myself:

It seems there's another Dr. Pretentious out there on another social networking site. He may or may not be the same guy who used to play bass in a goth band in the early 1990's and took Dr. Pretentious for his stage name. I had no idea about the bassist.

The bass player had the name before me. If he googles himself, there I'll be. He'll probably be annoyed. I know I was, when I found someone making posts full of spelling errors under my lj handle over on topix.com.

So, if you're the other Dr. Pretentious (or one of the other Doctors Pretentious), you might be wondering how I got your name.

When I'd just finished grad school, one of my aunts asked how I'd use my degree if academia didn't work out for me. On the spur of the moment, I said I'd start an advice column called "Ask Dr. Pretentious."

Around the same time, when cthulhia would mention me in her blog, the pseudonym she gave me was the name of the first character I ever played in an RPG--a character I hadn't rolled up or named myself, so it never quite fit. "Well, what should I call you instead?" she asked. My imaginary advice column still amused me, so I had an easy answer.

Not long after that, twoeleven called my bluff. I'd been talking about getting an lj account for ages, and not getting around to it, so he made one for me and sent me the password. I really thought I'd only be using it to read other my friends' blogs, because, you know, blogging is such a time sink, but it got away from me. Four years later, here I am.

The handle suits me, and I don't mean to give it up. Which is probably just what my evil twin(s?) think(s?), too.

Comments

[happy-dr-friend.livejournal.com]

Not long after that, twoeleven called my bluff.

Oddly enough, that's how I got my LJ account too...I'm not nearly as good as you about updating my site, but do occasionally post things. And comment on others' sites.

[shakti-lemaris.livejournal.com]

I've been using Shakti in the Pagan community for 22 years. Recently, Peter and I have started dancing at belly dance showcases under the names "Shakti and Obsidian." I was recently advised that I should think about changing my name, as there is a local professional belly dancer who goes by that name. I go back and forth on whether or not to take that advice.

google(self)

[leapfaith.livejournal.com]

Happily, my leapfaith pseudonym was the result of moderate dissatisfaction with previous email names (unicorn, philosopher-king, et al), and a couple days brainstorming. Upon googling my full, legal name, I discover that I am a family practice doctor in Texas, and a lawyer in Oklahoma. Nothing negative. No evil twins. The things I never knew about myself!

[radiotelescope.livejournal.com]

I just turned out to be a fictional transsexual rock star one day. Life is full of uncertainties.

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

I'm a yoga teacher, a counsellor, several journalists, a novelist, an insurance specialist, and senior partner in a court reporting firm. Oh, and various people whose emails get sent to me by an array of hotel chains, car hire firms, camp counsellors, and wedding planners.

And if I Google my lj name, I discover that, weirdly, my LJ appears to be the subject of an RSS feed. Huh. But no other vgnwtchs around.

Mango-rific

[laradionne.livejournal.com]

When I google my last name I get me, a few other family members, and a variety of Mango grown in India.

Re: google(self)

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

I thought philosopher king at crystal palace was a very fine email address, while it lasted.

David was very pleased when his google-fu beat the guy with the same name who writes technical manuals.

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

I keep getting email intended for this actress (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1725367/), some of it from Hollywood people I've vaguely heard of. I always reply to tell them they have the wrong person. Her actual email address must be very close to mine. It happened just today, when some guy who's in a stage production of something thanked her for coming to his performance. His daughter "thinks you look like a model!" Um, no.

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

I'm not at all surprised by the RSS feed. You make a great news aggregator for left-leaning Americans who want to find articles of interest in the British press.

Re: Mango-rific

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

At least you're the most delicious mango variety in India. And not a commercial type, though I could have told them that.

Re: Mango-rific

[laradionne.livejournal.com]

Neither do I ship well... although I have managed to travel internationally without completely turning into goo a couple of times.

[oaktavia.livejournal.com]

when I googled my RL name it came up a bathing suit designer, and a tropical ecologist biologist (which if you say it fast enough sounds like a line from Pirates of Penzance! LOL)

My own evil twin

[violet-moon25.livejournal.com]

Yes, I decided many years ago I would be my own evil twin (if you have to deal with the consequences you should get to have the fun too). As a kid I discovered being quiet, having a good reputation and being a little sneaky allows one to get away with all manner of behind the scenes mischief.

There are far too many people with my last name to bother searching, including a cousin with the same first and last name. But it is nice a good friend just aquired the same last name (by marrying someone comepletely unrelated to me).