Thursday, August 07, 2008

What would it be?

If you have recently created an online account for anything (like a credit card), then you know that many companies have created additional layers of security beyond just usernames and passwords. Sometimes, one is required to choose some sort of a photo and associate a phrase with that photo. Sometimes, there are several "security questions" to select and answer.

This security question is unique and certainly thought-provoking:

If you needed a new first name, what would it be?

Hmmm...I guess if I were on the lam, I'd need a new first name or if I were avoiding bill collectors, I might need a new first name. (And last name for both of those, by the way.)

I guess this is an opportunity to fantasize about being someone else? Replacing that name you've hated all your life with another one?

When we played "house" in our youth, we always made up names. Mine was always something like "Maxine." I just thought it was sophisticated and different and exciting. Of course, that card hag named Maxine with the cigarette hanging out of her mouth came along later. I would not want my new first name to be Maxine now.

I'm pretty fond of my name, so this is a hard question to answer. So, I ask...if you needed a new first name, what would it be?