Avatar. That's what Daily Kos actually calls it on every member's Edit Profile page, an image or figure visually representing someone online. So, for now, representing me is . . . me! That's what I look like and I don't care who knows it.
The image of me representing me on Daily Kos can be discerned enjoying a sandwich, to the right side and a tasty beverage to the left of the picture. The tasty beverage was a Kentish Ale and the setting was a pub in Sandwich, U.K. That's right, friends. I went to a pub in Sandwich and couldn't figure out anything else to order. It was a really good sandwich and a nice little salad, too. The ale was totally kickass.
My previous avatar was indecipherable by anyone with merely human visual acuity and Earth technology. I now clarify that the image in the previous avatar was an old phone camera photo that I once took in poor lighting conditions. The snapshot portrayed my favorite Interstate Highway exit sign in America.
In Southern Wisconsin, on Interstate 94 between Chicago and Milwaukee, lies "Exit 340 Bong Recreation Area". With my work requiring me to drive this route from time to time for a number of years, these wry signs always bring a smile. The signs as easily and less provocatively could have read "Richard Bong State Recreation Area". But the slightly more ambiguous and much more amusing shorter version has been on the signs for years. I wonder if the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has to contend with people absconding with signs by night for display in private residences. I wouldn't be surprised if real bong people are too laid back and generally law abiding to pull that sort of heist.
Anyway, goodbye Exit 340 Bong Recreation Area, hello . . . me!
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