TickTockMan
"Repent, Harlequin!"
For the last few days I have been thinking about peoples names and how they relate to the overall effect of their lives. Over the years I have gone by many names. Screen, user and the all important nicknames besides each of my real names. I have gone by Toad, RJ, Thy night, AFTandahalf, in addition to others for many years. I didn’t even know my real name until I was 12.
Everyone referred to me by my middle name until I asked my mother why I was named the way I was. I thought my first name was my last name spelled backwards. Turns out my middle name is backwards from my last and what I thought was my middle name was my first when in this country. When in my fathers country my name get longer and my first name is not recognized as a name at all, but as a title.
I know that my full real name has helped me out in life by people having a fascination with it. I have had more conversations started by people that know my name than any other way. And because I have a unusual name, people tend to remember me for longer than they would otherwise.
Because of this it is much easier for me to do certain types of things, as years down the road I have been stopped and been reacquainted for a period of time with people I went to school with, worked with or knew in another way. And while my name has helped me at times, since 9/11 when ever I fly I wonder why I bother to get dressed. I get searched almost every time.
I suppose the question I want to ask is have you ever felt that your name has helped or hurt you in anyway? And for those that don’t mind, what is your real first name?
Everyone referred to me by my middle name until I asked my mother why I was named the way I was. I thought my first name was my last name spelled backwards. Turns out my middle name is backwards from my last and what I thought was my middle name was my first when in this country. When in my fathers country my name get longer and my first name is not recognized as a name at all, but as a title.
I know that my full real name has helped me out in life by people having a fascination with it. I have had more conversations started by people that know my name than any other way. And because I have a unusual name, people tend to remember me for longer than they would otherwise.
Because of this it is much easier for me to do certain types of things, as years down the road I have been stopped and been reacquainted for a period of time with people I went to school with, worked with or knew in another way. And while my name has helped me at times, since 9/11 when ever I fly I wonder why I bother to get dressed. I get searched almost every time.
I suppose the question I want to ask is have you ever felt that your name has helped or hurt you in anyway? And for those that don’t mind, what is your real first name?
