Today’s Starbucks Alter Ego is a Pat’s Papers first. Reader Colleen says she’s amassed so many alter egos that she’s started an online album. But her favorite (and ours) is the one that was correctly spelled until the barista decided at the last minute that things were looking a little too…correctly spelled. Colleen’s advice: “Always trust your instincts, dude.”

Mary is one of the most common names on the planet. It is, however, not the name of Pat’s Papers reader Perri. She writes: I’ve been to Starbucks about three times in past four weeks and every time they write down my name as “Mary”. I don’t mind but if an actual Mary pops up and steals my alter ego drink, it will probably ruin my morning.” That’s when you start calling yourself ‘Bob’, Perri, and pick up that tall vanilla latte with your new alter ego on it.

I was connected to famed fashion blogger Leandra Medine (The Man Repeller) this weekend on Twitter. She’s a fan of my morning show on NY1. Somewhere in that exchange of messages I promised to read her blog aloud.

This morning, we got an email from Jeff. He had just returned from Starbucks and noticed that “Jeff” was not the name written on his iced Grande Americano. So here it is folks, Jeff’s official apology to “Amgand S.” for stealing his/her/its coffee.

Reality TV has nothing on real-life reality. A gay soldier who’s been uploading YouTube videos with his face obscured decided, with the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, that he should finally tell his father he’s gay. He posted the video online early today.

Strange things happen in strange cities, like this Alter Ego, submitted by Pat’s Papers reader Caroline. She writes: “My parents just flew in to NYC and stopped at a midtown Starbucks. My mom’s name is Marlene, but my dad grabbed this drink for her anyway.” Turns out, it was hers…

I haven’t been able to find a story that explains who this couple is. But they are great together. Just trying to find their way around a confusing webcam installation. Watch the VIDEO.

As we get near the mandatory switch from conventional light bulbs to energy-saving models in this country, I thought this video was particularly apt. Isang Litrong Liwanag, which means a liter of light, is a non-profit started in the Philippines. Their mission? To bring sunlight to households that would otherwise exist in the dark. Their materials? Empty soda bottles, water and some bleach. This amazing video shows how they do it:

I was in Alberta a month ago and the only snow I saw was high in the mountains. But I got a funny tweet today from a friend in Edmonton that the last pile of snow there from Winter 2010/2011 just melted. I didn’t quite believe it until I saw the video.