Good question! Most times, I don't know the answer myself.
My parents named me Kathleen Ann. Dawson - the surname I carried for 22 years - came courtesy of my father, but I acquired Heijtink (proper Dutch spelling!) when I married my best friend Roger in 1969.
I've been called Kathleen by my teachers, and by my mother (whenever I had incurred her wrath). Kathie or Kath by friends and relatives. Kate - on occasion. Kat, because I like it, and Chatty Kathie by those who think I talk too much (Moi??). Just don't call me late for dinner!
I am also HockeyKat, Cyberkat, Kat-in-the-hat (because I love wearing hats!), Mrs. Hockey, and the Boss (by my ever-so-wise husband).
I offer all of this information, not as a boost to my ego, but rather to touch kindred spirits. One of the truly great aspects of this virtual community called the Web is that you can reach and get to know people who you would never meet in "real" life. I've even met some of my closest friends on-line, but that is another story all together. If any of the ripples spawned by the stones I've tossed into the water touch you, please e-mail me, I'd love to hear from you.
I live with Roger (of course!) and two cats - Dusty & Domino - in northern New Jersey. Though I was born in Staten Island ::mumble-mumble:: years ago, I'm quite fond of the state I've called home since I was a tot. You should be warned that I consider myself a NJ chauvinist, so if you make derogatory remarks, I will not be held accountable for my response. I have been known to pummel people with a velvet bola - so watch it!
Now, if you haven't drifted off yet, you may be wondering how old I am. All I'll reveal on this matter is that I'm old enough to remember bomb shelters, "I like IKE" buttons, Winkie Dink, poodle skirts, the first Mickey Mouse Club, Andy's Gang, and hoola-hoops.
I've lived through the birth of the Beatles, and the Age of Aquarius. And though I may be growing older, I refuse to grow up - so let's just say I'm "old enough to wear purple," and be done with it.
I'm a drop out from the business end of the fashion industry, and now I've finally fulfilled one of my dreams - I'm getting paid to do something I love! I work at JR Cigars.com, the Worlds Largest Online Cigar Store, where I am part of the web services team.
I've been creating stories in my head ever since I can remember, but I never had the patience to write them out by hand or peck away at a typewriter. When I discovered the wonders of computer word processing with the "cut and paste" and "drag and drop" features, it finally set the writer in me free. I have completed 2 novels (unpublished) and have started a third which I never got finished. I have written some essays, short stories and fanfiction of the Highlander (movie/TV series) variety. If you want to see some examples of my work, they are linked from the library.
I love cats (all animals, actually) and hats. Hockey (especially the 1995, 2000 & 2003 Stanley Cup Champion NJ Devils) is both a passion and an obsession. And I guess you could say the same for writing, graphic design, web making and computers.
I have a particular affinity for water, as in lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, the ocean, and I would love to live in the house Frank Lloyd Wright built over the waterfall.
Some other things I enjoy are: Oriental art, books of all kinds, watching old movies, visiting Bermuda, all kinds of music, sailing the ocean on a cruise ship, walking on the beach, cooking (and eating!), dancing, traveling, studying trees, and engaging in philosophical discussions.
I possess an insatiable curiousity, a thirst for knowledge and a burning need to add to my store of wisdom. The Internet provides a full slate of possibilities for satisfying all these urges, which is why I'm here.
I'm also a Gemini and I figure that explains anything I may have left out.