Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Multiple Personalities

Remember that episode of Friends where Monica had her credit card stolen, and realized that her alter-ego was having more fun being her than she was? This is, I realized last night, much like what happens when you Google yourself. (And don't tell me you haven't tried it, cause I won't believe you...)

A quick search on Trish Ryan reveals that I'm a busy, multi-faceted girl! For the most part, I'm still my usual writer/superhero-wannabe. But in Australia, I'm a huge football fan who paints my face for big games, and the head of some sort of government initiative to process data. In the U.K., I'm a midwife (not sure how that happened, given that I get queasy being in the same room with blood pressure cuff). Here the U.S. I'm a fitness coach (my sessions must be done in 7 minute increments, as that's really all I know about fitness), a PhD in physics, and the backup singer for a band. One site has a line about me being a hot wrestler, but I decided not to click through to that one...I'm not sure I want to know.

Kind of makes me wonder what the other TR's think when they self-google and find my blog? Have any of them been inspired to try baton twirling, or deep fry macaroni? Or is there an aspiring chef out there desperately wishing I'd stop posting about my love of baloney and setting the kitchen on fire?

My favorite thing I found, though, was actually about the real me: a review of my book that said exactly what I hoped for when I sent the last copy off to the publisher:

With a candid, earthy approach that’s reminiscent of Anne Lamott and Eat, Pray, Love’s Elizabeth Gilbert, Trish Ryan vividly addresses the trials of love and heartache...Much like a lead in a romantic comedy, Ryan’s been through it all with guys. While some of her accounts of love gone wrong are humorous; others hit a little too close to home for comfort. And that refreshing honesty makes He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not a journey worth taking whether you’ve already found Mr. or Ms. Right or not. -- Christa Banister

When I read that, I felt a little bit like Dorothy, realizing that there's no place like home. I guess that career as a backup singing woozy midwife will have to wait!

How about you? What are your many facets of Google?

28 comments:

Nilsa S. said...

I love this post. Because although my name is way to unique to have multiple Google personalities, I have certainly Googled others before (particularly when I started dating guys I met online) and run into their many personalities. Sometimes, when you barely know the person, it's hard to figure out what's really them versus someone across the country. Really? You mean the CPA I'm about to have dinner with moonlights as a freaky-scary clown during his off hours?

Michelle and the City said...

i've googled myself before but never found anything too exciting from what i remember. but i may have to go back and revisit!

i did get a friend request on facebook from a girl with my same name. it was really weird. but we're friends in the virtual world and chat every once in awhile.

Anonymous said...

Yup. I do this all of the time. Apparently, I'm one-of-a-kind. Links to my professional website, my personal blog, and articles I've written pop up. In addition to stuff about me owning a bedazzler, going to hoop class, and attending MediaBistro cocktail parties. I guess life ain't so blah after all!

Pre-marriage, the first hit that always came up was "masturbation poetry." Unfortunately, that was really me as well. It was a poem I had published right after college called "Going to Town."

Unknown said...

apparently i'm also a flamenco instructor in san antonio...and a female boxer in mexico. :) quite the life i could have had!

Alyssa Goodnight said...

I'm also a high school (now possibly college, I'm not sure) soccer star in Indiana. So...I'm vicariously athletic if not the real thing.

Peter Rogerson said...

hello there,

Im an english author whos has penned some 17 books, im just really putting the feelers out for similar minded people


peterrogerson5.blogspot.com

Jane said...

I'm going to google myself..that it. I'd like to know what deep fried macaroni tastes like :)

Sarakastic said...

I haven't googled myself, but I once got an email asking if I was Sara ...... at this Ohio business convention. I was happy to be mistaken for someone who would be allowed in a convention.

LEstes65 said...

One of the most odd things is, there is another woman in this country with my same first and last name who is an actress as well. I found my name referenced in some play and I was like...I didn't play the mother in that! What are the chances, eh? At least she's not a singer. So my current reign as superstar in my own mind isn't threatened.

Anonymous said...

Love google, but am very pleased that I am finally ungoogleable... for the most part. There's one or two odd jobs that I used to have still listed there, but for the most part I am absent and untrackable. :o)

xox

L Sass said...

There are, strangely, quite a few Laurels out there with my last name, so not much comes up. A few academics who have widely published research get a lot of hits, a realtor, etc... Fortunately, none of the hits are the real me!

Keri Mikulski said...

Oh yes, googling myself.. My full name itself is unique, but my last name is a Delaware senator, a college swimmer, and some has been college wrestler (my hubby). :)

blog author said...

when i google my name, i come up with a match for a girl who just got married in San Pedro, which is where i just went on Vacation. and i have an unusual name, so it's kinda like WHOA! really?

and my last name is swedish, so i get a lot of results in a language i can't read.

Two Date Diva said...

I did this a few months ago and realized that all of the Jodi Rileys of the world are workaholics and most of us work in the social services field. Weird, huh? All of the references tended to be work related things for myself and my alter egos. We may all be working ourselves to death but at least it's for good causes, right? There was one Jodi who had a wedding page up. I was a bit jealous, but happy that at least one us had a personal life.

Tonya said...

I have googled myself but nothing surprising really comes up. I have an unusual name too and I'm pretty sure I'm the only one in the world with it. I often thought it would be fun if someone else had my name though. but, I think I'm having a pretty fun time as myself. :)

Jess said...

My biggest one was big into college soccer. I myself have almost disappeared from Google now that my college debate results are too old to pop up first.

Anonymous said...

If all of my Google matches are to be believed, I am a highly motivated volleyball playin' episcopalian reference librarian who breeds beagles. Say THAT ten times fast.

ramblin' girl said...

only I come up... too unusual of a name, I suppose. but it is funny to read others multiple personalities.

robin ann mcintosh said...

thanks for dropping by. when I google myself I get ... men. (I'm a woman). My parents didn't work too hard figuring out a name.

Congrats on the book, can't wait to read it!

Beck said...

That's WONDERFUL! what a fun thing to find about yourself!

Larramie said...

Congratulations, Trish! I Pre-ordered my copy even before reading this review.

Unknown said...

that's awesome, Trish!! It's been a while since I googled myself...but I'm totally intrigued now:)

xxxx said...

Ohhhhh, what a great review! There is some botanist with the same name as me, but that's it ... who knows, though--plants might be REALLY exciting :)

Jess Riley said...

Aaaahhh! (That's me squealing for your awesome review!!!) Way to go, Trish!

Um, my most famous U.S. alter ego is a call girl in Las Vegas. This is why I don't go by "Jessica Riley." Yeah.

Allie said...

Googling myself became more fun when I became seventh on the list with Halfway Down the Stairs! I'm a French professor at Bucknell University, poet who writes for the Leprosy Mission, a resource designer/illustrator from Cornwall, a TV editor, and a famous actress whose name, when spelt with an extra 'a', is the same as mine and who plays Mrs Bennet in the BBC Pride and Prejudice!

Congrats on that review, I'm sure you deserve it and can't wait to read the book!

Allie said...

I mean, whose name when spelt WITHOUT the extra 'a'...

Lisa-tastrophies said...

I'm scared to google myself. Too much real life crap has happened and I am afraid that some other lisa-tastrophie is having the same bad-kick-in-the-@$$ karma. Or worse, that she is a fabulous supermodel who doesn't get out of bed for less than 10K a day; while I get out of bed for roughly $80 a day to teach kids....

WeightingGame said...

congratulations - what a phenomenal review of your book! It makes me want to buy it asap. To have your name listed with those two...nice company!