From "Flaubert's Parrot" ... one little sound ...

I'm reading Flaubert's Parrot by Julian Barnes. Because I'm pretty much a non-fiction reader, I really like this book ... creates the sense of poetic believability... and for whatever reason, I seem to need that in my fiction ... no doubt, a character flaw.

Anyway, the section I read this morning struck me as interesting ... especially in the wake of my post yesterday ...

"Beneath the window is a bilingual rubbish bin with a spelling mistake. The top line says PAPIERS (how official the French sounds:'Driving license! Identity card!' it seems to command). The English translation underneath reads LITTERS. What a difference a single consonant makes."

What a difference, indeed (though vowels too may be the culprits) ... and sometimes the single letter can be a life-changing event ... I went to the gym yesterday (a New Year's resolution that I haven't kicked to the curb yet) and as I was leaving, the young woman -- who had taken so much care to ensure that I stood in exactly the right spot to get the gym's logo in my membership card photo -- handed me my new ID ...

And there, in bolded letters that jumped out at me like a lightning bolt was my new persona ... I was transformed ... I was delivered to the world anew (through the power and care of an establishment devoted to remaking the person I am) ... I was now ... TOM ROGERS.

Now, this may seem a small distinction ... as Tom or Tim, I would certainly be the same person ... or would I? ... imagine the possibilities ...

Tom Edison -- inventor & genius
Tim Edison -- small-time bookie in Hoboken, NJ

Tom Wolfe -- author & journalist
Tim DeLay -- performance artist & amateur parachute tester

Tom Jefferson -- president, author, & statesman
Tim Jefferson -- 6-time "Dos Tacos Grandes" employee of the month

So, the question is ... do I continue on my present path as Tim or change course and instead become something very, very Tom?