John Noble (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
jackofallgeeks) wrote2003-02-11 02:22 am
jackofallgeeks) wrote2003-02-11 02:22 am
(no subject)
So, right -- somewhere down the line, talking about sex and love, Mel asked me what this whole 'Steve' thing was about. Yeah, it was an interesting train of ideas. But anyways, since the topic of names came up, and I actually feel very strongly (some would say TOO strongly) about the subject, AND since I was interested in getting other people's opinions on the whole thing -- I decided to post it all here.
I suppose I should start by explaining the whole 'Steve' thing once and for all. If I can remember it all. ^_^;;
I actually think it's quite a recent development, though most of you haven't known me excfept since. It's odd how 4 years can at once be 'recent' and 'so long ago.' But I digress.
I was amused to see that quite a number of people that that my Middle Name was Steve, but alas, I'm not so reasonable. I imagine that perhapse Steve (or Steven, more precicely) was the name I always wanted to be called, but I'm personally quite content with Andrew.
Little known fact -- I was supposed to be named 'Anthony,' but wasn't when the time came. My dad's name is David Anthony and so they liked the idea of Anthony David. The trouble was, my uncle is Anthony, and they wanted people to 'know' I'd been named after my dad. My mom had always liked the name Andrew, and here I am today. Good thing, too -- I don't think i'd like being called Tony, much (though Anthony has a good sound to it).
But I again digress. Steve as a name was actually a long time coming, and like alot of who I am today, started with Youth Group back in 10th grade. I'd started going because my friend, Sara, was stranded there and, being suddenly homeschooled, I had alot of time on my hands. A pair of pretty eyes assured the fact that I would continue to go. -shrugs- I'm a simple guy.
Anyways, one thing they liked to do was Icebreakers, little games that 'break the ice' and loosen people up. I loved them -- I was an Icebreaker Junkie. There was one inparticular that I liked, called Trainwreck. Everyon sits in a circle with one guy in the middle. They say something about themselves (I'm a senior, I have 2 sisters, I like pickled beets, or something) and anyone who shares that trait must get up and switch seats. Except, the guy in the middle wants to sit, too, so someone new ends up without a seat.
The way we played it, you would get up there and first thing tell your name -- we're supposed to get to know you, anyways. Somewhere along the lines, I decided it would be clever to say a different name everytime I got up -- I don't know if I thought saying 'Andrew' all the time was boring or if I was just feeling especially goofy that night. In anycase, I got up a number of times, first as Bob, then Jim, and George... Everytime, a new name. It got the the point where it was an inside-joke with the 'regulars' of the Youth Group -- I would get up, declare my name, and half the people in the room would giggle.
Deep down inside, I think I always wanted to be the class clown. ^_^;;
So, at some point, I decided I liked the name Steve, and I used it more often than other names when I ended up in the middle. I started putting it on my name tag (as I'm not a big fan of name tags), and eventually used it near-exclusively in Trainwreck. 'Steve' was slowly becomming a joke, and was one step closer to becoming my 'name.'
The next step was at Freshman Orientation, and I admit I don't really remember this part. Somehow I'd managed to introduce myself to a number of people as Steve -- so much so that my friend Brooklyn (who herself is really Michelle) thought I really WAS Steve up until late last year, early this year. We had a pseudo-Youth Group prayer-group thing Freshman year, and I necesarily went. And, of course, we introduced ourselves. And, of course, I was Steve.
The best part was when Sally asked Dan to pass 'Andrew' something and Dan was like, "Who?" -Grins for Days- He honestly didn't know who I was. My job was complete.
And, so, Steve has pretty much stuck, due to my efforts if nothing else. Like I said, I think Steve is the name I always wanted, or something.
Wow, that took alot of telling. ^_^;; I rather enjoy the story, though. But onto my other point: Names.
I'm big on names -- they mean a lot to me. Some have said too much. I put an extraordinary amount of importance on names. I can't really explain it... it's like, a name defines a person more precicely than any other combination of words. I am Andrew, you know? I'm not so particular about my own name -- I'll always introduce myself as 'Andrew' (if not Steve), and there are only certain people who can call me 'Andy' or 'Drew' (those I care deeply about, and Stephanie Horton, respectively).
I'm more particular with people. Generally, I don't refer to people by name. I think it's just out of habit, but if you were to follow me around for a day, it's rather rare that I call anyone by their name (most of the time it's unnecesary, anyways). Almost exclusively, if I refer to someone by name (and especially if it's a full name, like Melissa or Amanda), it's done quite deliberately. Names hold a speceial kind of significance for me, which I can't even adequetly explain.
^_^;; Yeah, I'm such a weirdo.
Now that I've successfully lost my train of thought by trying to explain the unexplainable (once again I fail in trying to express my thoughts), I suppose I should get going. Curiously -- what do all of you think of your names (and their derivatives)? Is there any name you think you would have chosen for yourself (I can't decide if this is more significant than someone's True Name or not yet)?
A few interesting notes on names:
Andrew originates from "manly," "strong," and "protector." I don't know about the first two, but I definately have a very wide protector-streak.
Anthony has origins as a Roman surname, though I can't find any further meaning than that. Some claim it comes from greek anthos, "flower."
Steven is the English version of Stephen, which originates from "crown." Apparently, there were alot of Kings named Stephen.
Melissa is greek for "bee." I find this amusing, some how. ^_~ Apparently she's also a faerie in greek myth who cared for a young Zeus.
Amanda was created in the 17th century by an English Playwrite. It was based on the latin word for "lovable."
Katrina is actually a variant of Katharine, which itself has fuzzy origins. It could have come from the goddess Hecate, the greek word for "torture," or the greek word for "pure."
I suppose I should start by explaining the whole 'Steve' thing once and for all. If I can remember it all. ^_^;;
I actually think it's quite a recent development, though most of you haven't known me excfept since. It's odd how 4 years can at once be 'recent' and 'so long ago.' But I digress.
I was amused to see that quite a number of people that that my Middle Name was Steve, but alas, I'm not so reasonable. I imagine that perhapse Steve (or Steven, more precicely) was the name I always wanted to be called, but I'm personally quite content with Andrew.
Little known fact -- I was supposed to be named 'Anthony,' but wasn't when the time came. My dad's name is David Anthony and so they liked the idea of Anthony David. The trouble was, my uncle is Anthony, and they wanted people to 'know' I'd been named after my dad. My mom had always liked the name Andrew, and here I am today. Good thing, too -- I don't think i'd like being called Tony, much (though Anthony has a good sound to it).
But I again digress. Steve as a name was actually a long time coming, and like alot of who I am today, started with Youth Group back in 10th grade. I'd started going because my friend, Sara, was stranded there and, being suddenly homeschooled, I had alot of time on my hands. A pair of pretty eyes assured the fact that I would continue to go. -shrugs- I'm a simple guy.
Anyways, one thing they liked to do was Icebreakers, little games that 'break the ice' and loosen people up. I loved them -- I was an Icebreaker Junkie. There was one inparticular that I liked, called Trainwreck. Everyon sits in a circle with one guy in the middle. They say something about themselves (I'm a senior, I have 2 sisters, I like pickled beets, or something) and anyone who shares that trait must get up and switch seats. Except, the guy in the middle wants to sit, too, so someone new ends up without a seat.
The way we played it, you would get up there and first thing tell your name -- we're supposed to get to know you, anyways. Somewhere along the lines, I decided it would be clever to say a different name everytime I got up -- I don't know if I thought saying 'Andrew' all the time was boring or if I was just feeling especially goofy that night. In anycase, I got up a number of times, first as Bob, then Jim, and George... Everytime, a new name. It got the the point where it was an inside-joke with the 'regulars' of the Youth Group -- I would get up, declare my name, and half the people in the room would giggle.
Deep down inside, I think I always wanted to be the class clown. ^_^;;
So, at some point, I decided I liked the name Steve, and I used it more often than other names when I ended up in the middle. I started putting it on my name tag (as I'm not a big fan of name tags), and eventually used it near-exclusively in Trainwreck. 'Steve' was slowly becomming a joke, and was one step closer to becoming my 'name.'
The next step was at Freshman Orientation, and I admit I don't really remember this part. Somehow I'd managed to introduce myself to a number of people as Steve -- so much so that my friend Brooklyn (who herself is really Michelle) thought I really WAS Steve up until late last year, early this year. We had a pseudo-Youth Group prayer-group thing Freshman year, and I necesarily went. And, of course, we introduced ourselves. And, of course, I was Steve.
The best part was when Sally asked Dan to pass 'Andrew' something and Dan was like, "Who?" -Grins for Days- He honestly didn't know who I was. My job was complete.
And, so, Steve has pretty much stuck, due to my efforts if nothing else. Like I said, I think Steve is the name I always wanted, or something.
Wow, that took alot of telling. ^_^;; I rather enjoy the story, though. But onto my other point: Names.
I'm big on names -- they mean a lot to me. Some have said too much. I put an extraordinary amount of importance on names. I can't really explain it... it's like, a name defines a person more precicely than any other combination of words. I am Andrew, you know? I'm not so particular about my own name -- I'll always introduce myself as 'Andrew' (if not Steve), and there are only certain people who can call me 'Andy' or 'Drew' (those I care deeply about, and Stephanie Horton, respectively).
I'm more particular with people. Generally, I don't refer to people by name. I think it's just out of habit, but if you were to follow me around for a day, it's rather rare that I call anyone by their name (most of the time it's unnecesary, anyways). Almost exclusively, if I refer to someone by name (and especially if it's a full name, like Melissa or Amanda), it's done quite deliberately. Names hold a speceial kind of significance for me, which I can't even adequetly explain.
^_^;; Yeah, I'm such a weirdo.
Now that I've successfully lost my train of thought by trying to explain the unexplainable (once again I fail in trying to express my thoughts), I suppose I should get going. Curiously -- what do all of you think of your names (and their derivatives)? Is there any name you think you would have chosen for yourself (I can't decide if this is more significant than someone's True Name or not yet)?
A few interesting notes on names:
Andrew originates from "manly," "strong," and "protector." I don't know about the first two, but I definately have a very wide protector-streak.
Anthony has origins as a Roman surname, though I can't find any further meaning than that. Some claim it comes from greek anthos, "flower."
Steven is the English version of Stephen, which originates from "crown." Apparently, there were alot of Kings named Stephen.
Melissa is greek for "bee." I find this amusing, some how. ^_~ Apparently she's also a faerie in greek myth who cared for a young Zeus.
Amanda was created in the 17th century by an English Playwrite. It was based on the latin word for "lovable."
Katrina is actually a variant of Katharine, which itself has fuzzy origins. It could have come from the goddess Hecate, the greek word for "torture," or the greek word for "pure."
no subject
Funny thing is: when I was little, I really hated being called "Jamie". I like it now, though, 'cause it's androgynous. ^_^;;
As for what I've have chosen for myself for a name, I don't really know. Something as common as "Joe", or something nice and exotic, like Alexander.
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