So, changing your name isn't very easy, and nicknames aren't usually something that you can give yourself and make stick. I think, however, I've outgrown my "online" name of Neko. Most of you don't know my real name, which is how I like it, as I DESPISE my real name. But I've finally decided on a pseudonym that I would like to use for my writing and I have decided to start trying to transition my online name over to that. Don't get me wrong, I still like Neko, but most people don't know how to pronounce it if they have to say it aloud, and it kind of represents a part of my life that I've moved past now. Since I've finally moved on to trying to be published, I would like to establish the name I want to be known as.

After much thought and going back and forth, I've finally decided on Josylen Read. Not only have I yet to find another Josylen who spells it that way, but it's also much easier to pronounce than my real name (which no, I will never tell you, if you don't already know it). I'm actually hoping someday to legally change my name.

I'd like to know your opinions though. I know it's hard to compare when you don't know what I'm changing it from, but I'd like to know just what you think of this name and if it's book-friendly. I also kinda like the punny-ness of it. Yes, I'm aware I just totally made up a word.

Lemme know what you think, pretty please?

Just in case anyone was wondering what I'm doing with my life in lieu of working, I thought I'd do a quick update. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I've worked in non-profit outfits for a large part of my life and I'd like to keep on doing so. All my retail experience has been pretty horrendous, I can't stand sales and I can't stand most of the customers who shop where I've worked. When it comes to money, people are just nasty.

Anyway, jobs have been few and far between right now, even with my having just graduated with my English degree, so I decided to spend my summer volunteering at various non-profits, because a lot of them get their employee base from their volunteer base. In fact, I was up for a job at the state park that I volunteer at every week, but it was taken from me (I suspect for political reasons) by a guy who had just moved here from Texas. No offense to anyone who lives in Texas, but please, stay there. I'm not mad because he got the job, especially if he is better qualified. I'm mad because I'm native and he just moves in and takes it, and after meeting him, I realized he really doesn't know anything about the park OR Oregon, which really, really ticks me off. I'm the first to admit I'm an elitist and I don't like non-natives moving here. Especially when they take my jobs. The nice thing about the park is that the people that I actually volunteer for (part of it is run by one group and part by park rangers) are extremely nice and really like me too.

Moving on, I've decided to take a grantwriting class in the hopes of becoming more appealing to non-profits, and I want to start taking feline behaviour classes and become perhaps a feline behaviour expert. I love working with cats as much, if not more, as I love working for the environment. Of course, these are all just plans B and C, because writing can be both hard and fickle to make it in and I realize I need a backup.

So there you go, whether you wanted it or not.

In case you guys hadn't noticed, I renewed my sub for a year. No, I didn't get the job I was going for (which is an entirely different story that I just ranted about), but I did just recently get in some graduation cards from relatives, most of which I've never met, and used that money to renew. I pay mostly for the privilege of having the unique journal skins, as I have adblock and don't see ads anyway. But I'm okay with that.

I've known of Liz through another site for quite some time, but I actually just discovered her here, and I just discovered she is very talented with a camera AND with a pencil! I strongly recommend you give her a look and some love!