I realized after an email from Eileen that my "academic" identity has remained "Timothy" even though my "poet" identity seems to have become "Tim." There's a very particular reason for this. For years, when I'd be introduced to people as a poet, a certain number of people would lavishly praise my work, even though at that point I'd probably published like two poems. I was flattered but confused for a while, until I realized what was really going on: they thought I was Timothy Liu. (Actually, now that I look, there is a very slight resemblance. Well, all we Asians look the same anyway.)

So I decided becoming "Tim Yu" might prove a little less confusing. I think it's working. No one ever praises my work anymore.