Why SuperMarina?

I have often been asked about this; why do I call myself SuperMarina?

Well, to make a long (and probably very boring) story short, I just suddenly one winter day while driving to work discovered I had superpowers. Or more exactly, at lunchtime the same day I was writing an entry in my Norwegian blog and I wanted to write about the difference in drivers education standards between Norway, where I learned to drive, and Iowa, where I live now. But, being unable to be serious on any topic, after starting out writing about that morning's commute and my amazement at the large number of vehicles which had ended up in the ditches and the number of drivers who were just inching along at probably less than 30 mph even though driving conditions were quite good, I couldn't resist adding a line about suddenly realizing I have superpowers.

I do have superpowers. I can keep a car on the road even if it snowed a little the nigth before. Even if there is snow on the road! Amazing, huh?

I ended that original blog entry where I invented my superpowers with a little anecdote about the superhero SuperMarina using her superpowers to drive, on a winter day no less, to the coffee shop for some drinkable coffe. On return to her office, SuperMarina trips on a rug (of course, superheroes are always klutzy!), spills coffee on her pants, and realizes that the only superpower truly worth having is invisibility.

Well, I may not be completely invisible, but for a six foot tall woman with red hair, I have a pretty good ability to remain unseen in a crowd. So I feel I can justify my name without any apologies.