The 31st of October. “Celebrated” by a big chunk of people worldwide in a day called Halloween, where children run around for hours on end wearing makeup, costumes, and masks; asking strangers to give them things.

Sounds a lot like the Internet to me.

Let’s face it. How many people go from their computers to chat rooms, forums, BBS websites, or other websites as themselves? How many camgirl or camguy webmasters do you know on a first name - REAL first name basis?

Let’s get right down to it. My “legal” name isn’t John. I’m 99.6% sure that Joey Michaels’ name isn’t Joey, and I hope that’s not his real picture, otherwise that’s one ugly fuck.

Okay. Let’s say you do know someone’s “real” name. Odds are, the person you know and the person on the other side of the computer are two different people. I used to talk to someone who I thought was an incredible person, a true friend I could trust with just about anything. Turns out she was nothing more than a mudbug swamp-rat, lying, two-faced piece of crap.

Then, of course, are some people who have always been who they really are. People not afraid of being themselves in a world where being digital means being dishonest. I’ve yet to know Jessica, Sharya, Krissy, or Gail to be anything but who they say they are. That’s just a short list of people that come to mind as I write this, mind you. Maybe you, the reader, can add to the list in the comments of people who think are “real” online.

And why not? Why hold back from the rest of the ‘net real people? Aren’t you sick and tired of people who go online and try to be something they really aren’t?

I can understand many choose to use a different name. Privacy. Security. Hell, for some people, being “someone different” is the only way they can be themselves. Instead of being Mary Epstein from Long Beach, California, she’s The Seductress, living out all the reality she’s always dreamt of experiencing but was too afraid or ashamed to do before.

Maybe for some, you’re taking your costume off when you log on.

Happy Sunday. Don’t forget your costumes.