... or, 'is my name really that hard to grasp?'

I think I've mentioned before the tendency for people to call me 'Rose' when introduced to me. In light of recent events, I'm thinking that's not such a bad thing...

Last week, when I registered at the hotel in DC, the clerk asked for my name:
'Clarke.'

'Bark?'

'No, Clarke.'

'Oh. No, ma'am. I can't find that.'

'Maybe it's under my room-mate's name. Traphagen.'

'Traphagen. Clarke. Brinks.'

'Yes, that's it.'

'No, ma'am. Only those three names are listed.'

Me, a little confused. 'Yes?'

'You're not registered. Do you want to call them?'

'I'm sorry?'

'Brinks?'

'No. Clarke.'

'I've only got Traphagen, Brinks and Clarke.'

'Yes. That's me.'

'You didn't say that, ma'am.'

'Yes. I did.'

He was still a bit uncertain and asked for my ID card, which finally convinced him that my name was indeed Clarke.

But that's nothing...

A couple of days ago I emailed someone I've never met. I signed my name 'Ros Clarke'. My name also appears as the sender of the email 'Ros Clarke' and in my email address.

He replied promptly:

'Dear Ross,'

Oh yes. Just to make certain:

'Are you the guy at Westminster?'

No. I'm the girl. Called Ros Clarke. Not Ross Park. Or even Rose Barks.

Hope that's clear now.