Clarke

I heard about Clarke's stickers before ever talking to them about their laptop. It seems their laptop had developed quite a reputation. Looking at the vibrant and diverse display, it's easy to understand why. There's something for everyone. From cute cartoonish faces to symbols of intimacy with loved ones, this laptop contains multitudes.

When asked about their favorite sticker, Clarke pointed out the "Queso Machego" one in the upper left corner, one of the more unassuming labels. While not as bright or colorful as the others, it held the most personal significance to them. The sticker was acquired from a place Clarke worked at with their partner, and served as a reminder of an inside joke between the two. This semmingly mundane example of everyday writing was actually a symbol of closeness in a relationship. Such an association suggests that everyday writing can provide the dual purpose of emotional reassurance and aesthetic appeal to its users when in sticker form.

Interestingly, Clarke's least favorite stickers were the frog ones. I asked why. "No personal connection," they responded. 

While the stickers would appear to convey a confidence and emnbracing of their identity, Clarke did experience some hesitation in putting their Pride stickers on the laptop. No matter how comfortable one is in their sexuality, there is still something truly vulnerable in sharing that with others, Clarke states. But a small sticker is worth a thousand words, and Clarke cared more about putting themself out there and embracing their identity than what other people would think. At the end of the day, their rationale was that putting stickers which recognize queerness on the laptop functions as a reclaiming, and signifies an empowerment of the self. 

Clarke doesn't feel a strong desire to change anything on their laptop. When I asked if they would feel compelled to modify it upon entering the workforce, Clarke replied, "Professionalism is stupid." It would seem that Clarke chose their everyday writing not with the overt intention to impact others, but to validate and embrace their own identity. This has proven to be a common pattern through the stickers thus far.