K? K, 'bye!

I've seen this happen to other people but never thought I would count myself among those numbers. I'm trying to regard it as a good thing, like when we used to call Hakeem Olajuwan "Akeem" or before we realized that the "O" in "Oswalt" (as in Roy) has a long sound instead of a short sound. I mean, those guys had/have had pretty solid careers.

So, how do I figure into this? (For that matter, how do I figure into anything?)

I will tell you. The "K" has disappeared from my name in the press. And, yes, I recognize the nascent diva-like behavior that I am indulging here. The very fact that I can lament the treatment of my name in the press is intrinsically good, after all. I am thinking once again of that gift horse and how I should stay away from its teeth.

But I have to be honest. I don't like it that I am Erin Rice in the media. I want to be Erin K. Rice. The K stands for Koeroghlian, which is my maiden name. It was a really big deal for me to drop Susan and adopt a different middle name when I got married. There was never any question about taking Rice as my new last name. But I put a lot of thought into using Koeroghlian in place of Susan. I decided it was way cool.

And now? Gone. PFFFT! [I'm shaking my head in discouragement.]

As far as I'm concerned, it would be like someone deciding to call me Erica--also not my name, just to be clear. Or if perhaps my full name were Elizabeth and a book reviewer decided to call me "Liz."

It's like that "Seinfeld" episode (everything is like a Seinfeld episode, yes), where Peggy, the graphics designer at J. Peterman, mistakes Elaine for someone named Susie. Elaine is upset--not because her name isn't Susie, but because of the woman's familiarity. She should call her Susan, or Suzanne, or Susannah.

I want my K back. :-(