Why "Sparklegirl?"

If my dad were writing this posting, he'd begin something like, "The year was 1962." You know you would, Dad! :)

I don't actually remember what the year was, but the name "Sparklegirl" emerged from one of those conversations wherein folks discuss their superhero alter ego. (I'm amazed at how many people I've talked to that have had this exact conversation.) Sparklegirl's super-powers are:

a) The ability to create a magic snow that dissipates conflict. You'd think that, being fairly loud and opinionated, I wouldn't have a major aversion to conflict, but somehow I do. It doesn't prevent me from advocating for things I feel strongly about, but it does make me tend to avoid needlessly argumentative situations, e.g., conversations about politics. (One friend calls me a "political recluse" -- I stay informed and well-read, but I don't like to discuss politics with others.)

So the idea is that superhero Sparklegirl, when she sees an unnecessary (whatever that means) conflict/dispute/argument, could create a sparkly, magic snowfall that eliminates it. As soon as the snow touches you, you stop fighting. But in a good way, like not squabbling with stressed-out family members at the holidays, as opposed to the givingupallhopeoftriumphingoverevil kind of way.

Tangent: Snow (the non-magical kind) sort of has this effect on me, anyway. Maybe it's because I grew up in warm locales, but I get positively giddy during a beautiful snowfall.

2) The ability to fly. This part's important, too, because otherwise how can she get to where the conflict is? Clearly, Sparklegirl has to be able to take her snow on the road to prevent needless disputes or clashes. Plus, how cool would it be to fly?

So at the risk of making myself sound like a great big wuss (it's really not that, I just like it when everyone gets along), that's the background on the whole Sparklegirl name.

Do you have an alter ego with super-powers? If not, you should get one -- they're fun.

Sparklegirl gets a kiss from Pilot at the St. Paul Winter Carnival.