What's in a Name? (Part II)

Yes, I admit it. I have, on a few occasions, tried to Google myself. I've been on the internet for years and years, so I figure hey, there must be something out there in Google-world that has to do with me.

Unfortunately, both my first and last name are extremely common. And the combination of Laura with Palmer seems to be particularly popular.

When I Google myself, the pages that come up all revolve around one question: "Who killed Laura Palmer?" accompanied by this lovely picture of a very dead Laura Palmer:

Great. I know.

I think the show "Twin Peaks" was a little bit before my time. But often when people first meet me and I tell them my name they exclaim: "Oh, Laura Palmer! Ever seen the show  'Twin Peaks?'"

No I have not seen the show. Yes I am aware that the entire premise behind the show is to figure out who killed Laura Palmer.

Thanks, Twin Peaks, for making sure that I can never Google myself without adding greater specifications. For instance: Laura Palmer +Newfoundland, or Laura Palmer +What in the World?

My name was even the answer to a question on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" at one point.

I just think that if my name was Sheniqua Palmer or Prudence Palmer I would be easier to find on the internet, that's all.

The other day I was watching MTV and a new song was being played called "Laura Palmer's Prom" by: "You Say Party! We Say Die!" Next day I got a message in my Facebook inbox with somebody telling me about that very song. How much do you want to bet that Prudence Palmer would not find her name being randomly used in a song?

My passport is set to expire in 2010. I haven't changed my name to the hyphenized version yet, so as of now I'm still officially Laura Palmer. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my last name. But, when my passport expires, I think I'll go ahead and get the name-change ball rolling so that my name can be my own instead of having to share it with a dead character from a dead show. :)

(FYI, I'm actually grateful that my parents decided against names like Shaniqua and Prudence. Smart move).

(FYI, I'm not really going to hyphenize my name just to make Googling myself easier.)

(FYI, sometimes sharing a name with a dead character in a once-popular TV series proves to be a great conversation-starter).