these are the people in my neighborhood

I started out my journal using aliases for everyone, including myself. Then I realized that I didn’t want an alias for myself, so I slowly phased it out. However, everyone else in the journal still has an alias.

Despite my efforts to be completely honest, I suppose I sometimes exaggerate people’s characteristics for the sake of humor or drama. If they were to run across unflattering depictions of themselves, I can at least offer the consolation that the people that I write about are, in a sense, characters. This is only my perspective, and only they themselves can convey who they really are.

	Note on nomenclature: I started out my journal using aliases for everyone, including myself. Then I realized that I didn’t want an alias for myself, so I slowly phased it out. However, everyone else in the journal still has an alias. Despite my efforts to be completely honest, I suppose I sometimes exaggerate people’s characteristics for the sake of humor or drama. If they were to run across unflattering depictions of themselves, I can at least offer the consolation that the people that I write about are, in a sense, characters. This is only my perspective, and only they themselves can convey who they really are.

	Monique Mo. Mo Pie. Moey. That would be me.

	Abby My younger sister. Gorgeous, intelligent, works in the entertainment industry in L.A. We’re very close. Her girlfriend's name is Ash, and she's turned into another sister, basically. Abby and Ash live together in tempestuous lesbian harmony. Sunshine My mother. She named herself Sunshine, if that tells you anything. Always perky, always happy, and usually clueless. The most loving person you’ll ever meet. Dad Still married to Mom after all these years. Grouchy unless people are around, but easy to please. Few hobbies, but he likes boats and wine and likes to talk politics. Sends hilarious email, and doesn't quite understand the "computor" yet. Grandma My grandmother was my hero. Constantly getting into ridiculous situations, but the bravest person I know. Which is a lucky thing, because I think I am turning into her-- at least the ridiculous situation part. Conny My older sister, who I didn’t know existed until 1997, and I didn’t meet until August of 1999. She’s my father’s natural daughter, whereas Abby and I were adopted. She has a husband and three kids. They are wonderful people who are great fun to be around, and I only wish they lived here instead of in Holland. Lucy We're cousins. Not identical cousins, but cousins all the way. One of my favorite people. The Parakeets: Cassie The yellow parakeet. Gone but not forgotten. Pigwidgeon My stupid, recently deceased, pale blue parakeet. Phoebe Olive green, extra-chirpy.

	Tim He’s witty, cynical, somewhat antisocial and the most brilliant person I know. He’s been my best friend for eight years. He was the great, unrequited love of my life. Bruce My high school sweetheart (first kiss, first… everything) and gay ex-boyfriend. He is kind and sweet and adorable and generous. Successful and adored by all. Laughs like a guinea pig. Matthew A great friend for many years, someone I know I can count on. An industry guy who is always networking, and who is friendly and super affectionate. He has a deep love for life, knowledge… and women. Bruno Married to Charlotte. His big hobby is gaming-- in addition to D&D and his PC games, he has an Xbox, a PS2, AND a GameCube. He's good to my friend, and so I like him. Eric Has a livejournal, but I knew him when. Funny, loveable, and fucking funny. Married to the coolest woman ever. Dan Dan is not easy encapsulated. We've been friends for probably ten years and if there's one thing I know, he's one in a million. Maybe one in ten million. Go read his livejournal.

	Charlotte Became my best friend ten years ago when we bonded over New Kids on the Block. We’ve had ups and downs, but we’ve been through so much together that she's practically family. Katie My oldest friend (since the fifth grade). If it doesn't sounds too much like a personals ad to say so, she enjoys travel and fine dining. Except she's not boring! Damn, this is hard. Megan I used to work with Megan at Starbucks. She's the good twin, and I'm the evil twin. Jenfu A journal friend who turned into a real-life friend. (I love when they do that.) She lives here now, and I see her often enough that here she is, on the cast page. She's Jenfu, man!

	Joey is named after Joey on Dawson's Creek, because she's sort of a pretty tomboy with long, brown hair. Laurie is just a nice, midwestern girl name. She's got long, strawberry blonde hair and she's from Texas. Of course, the more I get to know Laurie, the less of a nice, midwestern girl she seems. She's still nice, but she's got one hell of a wild side, and a wicked sense of humor. Toker is a low key, personable guy who runs the weekly poetry readings. He's engaged. I named him Toker because he smokes a whole lot of pot. Probst I started off thinking he was kind of smug about his brilliance. Later on, I got to be great friends with him. Later still, I started sleeping with him. Then I stopped. Life is funny. Mickey Blue Eyes A green-eyed southern boy, sexy, flirtatious, married. Has a twinkle in his eye that says, "Oh yeah. I know you want me." Checkers Named because once, he shaved check marks into his head. A totally "out there" guy in the program who writes really insane poetry. He's either a genius or a lunatic. Hard to say.

	Leah, Jane and The Kid The lesbian couple I live with, and their adorable two year old son. They all love me. And I love them.

	Matt My ex boyfriend. We lived together until August of 2000. The Useless Shagging Bastard I called him "Ian" until I acquired a very good friend named Ian. Now I will just call him the USB, and apologize to the members of my notify list for endless emails agonizing over my tempestuous relationship with him.