What's in a name? Paracetamol by any other name (like Tylenol) would taste just as sweet.

So catching up with folks has been a lot of fun. Cafe Soleil, Yakitori Taisho, the Dessert Truck, Lombardi's, overpriced Cafe Ferrara, and Opilac's birthday party has been a lot of fun. Recounting my adventures, on the other hand, has been a little tough. I think I've nearly forgotten bits and pieces since it feels like I'd been away for an entire year.

I will say that a funny incident on the way to looking for a Cafe in Little Italy has led me to think up a serious alias for my nights out on the town. It has also made me think of how I just can't seem to find any other name for me aside from Kyle. I am a Kyle. Albeit a female Kyle, but a Kyle nonetheless. I am not a Sapphire, for example, since I was not in this life ever a transgender stripper. I most definitely am not a Jen since everytime I pulled out that name, no one seems to believe me (including the Romanian waiter on the corner of Cafe Ferrara who was intent on making friends).

I am far too polite to not offer a name when asked, and this, friends, is a huge problem whenever I am outside my house. There have been a couple of times where random strangers on the train have come up to start a conversation (and my I'm-not-interested face doesn't seem to deter them). Once I had some weirdo pull out his blackberry and ask if he could take my picture to keep. The sentiment was, I guess, kind of sweet... but it was still really bizarre.

Being unreasonably impolite is just plain rude, but there are days when you just don't want to be bothered. In New York, you never know if the person bothering you is a genuinely nice person or a psychopath therefore courteousness is always the rule of thumb.

But back to the topic. Names. Why is it that some people just look like Bobs, Jakes, Alices, Daniels, and Marys, but I can't seem to fit the mold? Does your name eventually define you? I mean I do want to name one of my future children Aidan for the pure and simple fact that names like Aidan, Dylan, Blaire, Zoe, Quinn, and Penelope give a very promising future of hotness and intelligence. Yes, names like these destine one to greatness, or at least an adolescence free of being bullied... particularly Aidan. And names like Ernest, Burt, and Miss Piggy will probably destine one to a future of being a muppet.

But names. Nature or nurture? What Thursday-night-alias will fit me enough to have strange and creepy men believe it? I'll just have to keep a list of freaky and out-there names. Names like Persephone, Clitophon, or 2.0. Names that are too far-fetched to be made up that people would actually believe it. Like Guava. Guava Viterbo.






PS - Why do spaniards think that Paracetamol is the answer to everything?
Hangover? Paracetamol.
Fever? Paracetamol.
Bleeding? Paracetamol.
Dead baby? Paracetamol.