NOM DE PLUME

My real name isn't Annie.

So why the pen name?  It's not because I'm a big deal, or live a life full of mystery and intrigue.  I'm also not trying to hide from an evil past or from vicious creditors.  The reason is actually incredibly boring: I'm a lawyer, and my blogs could interfere with my professional life.   By being anonymous, I can get away with a lot more.  My name, although splendid, just isn't that important. 

I've changed the names of my family and friends too.  After all, they never signed up to be part of these blogs. They were all conscripted. I did, however, give everyone the opportunity to choose his or her own name.  How magnanimous of me.

My husband wanted to be called Athelstan, after a Saxon king.  I told him no way.  In his defense, he told me that there were actually a number of Saxon kings named Athelstan, not just one.  Somehow, he thought that would help me change my mind.  As if he had multiple personalities.   It didn't work.  Plus, the name is just plain stupid, and hard to spell.

As a last-ditch effort, he tried to convince me that he should be called Godfrey.  I noted a pattern.  First, a strong, ruthless king.  Then a name with "God" in it.  I told him this wasn't trending well. So he decided on Duncan.  

Everyone else was a lot easier. Most of my family members and friends immediately had a name in mind.  Somewhere, in our quiet moments, each of us must think about who we would want to be if we could choose to be someone else. I've always wanted to be Julie.  So, naturally, I chose the name Annie for this blog.  

Why Annie?  Sagebrush Annie was an iconic women who lived in California along historic Route 66 (the epitome of freedom and wind-in-your-hair fun).  She was a spitfire, and a legend unto herself.   She owned a roadside bar and was known for "trafficking in moonshine" and "catering to some wild goings on."  She was also incredibly loyal.  Once, one of her female friend wanted to dance with a certain bar patron, and asked Annie to help "in case she got killed."   That's the definition of a wing(wo)man.  

Other than the names, however, everything in my blogs are 100% true.  You can trust me on that.  I promise. 

Someday, people may figure out who I am.  That's OK, I guess.  In the interim, however, I can write without inhibition about challenging, sensitive, and even down-right embarrassing moments that make life extraordinary.  And keep my day job.