What's in a name?

Nick - Name:
1.
a name added to or substituted for the proper name of a person, place, etc., as in affection, ridicule, or familiarity: He has always loathed his nickname of “Whizzer.”
2.
a familiar form of a proper name, as Jim for James and Peg for Margaret. –verb (used with object)
3.
to give a nickname to (a person, town, etc.); call by a nickname.
4.
Archaic. to call by an incorrect or improper name; misname.

I happen to have this passion, or dare I say, obsession with giving people nicknames... Don't really know why but I always have... Perhaps I can trace it to the 1990 classic, "Dick Tracy" starring Warren Beatty... the film that brought you great names like Mumbles, Little Face, Lips, Flat Top and Kid. The list (so far) is published below... but in this effort i have always wanted a nickname for myself... having discussed this with Damian, he aptly pointed out that you can't create your own nickname... they are bestowed on you... I flashed back to what they called me in the Army... A name that I didn't care much for, but I guess if I'm looking for one I already have it... FATBACK. I was called this because according to Army standards I was overwieght. Sergeant First Class Brian Haynes had to administer the Army "tape test" and upon removal of my shirt, he stated, "why are you in here? your not fat..." and from then on he called me FATBACK. if you have a nick name, I'd love to hear it...

So far I have (or had):
Dad - Floppa
Mom - Maude
Nana - Rip-Eye
Josh - Janks and Broseph
Sydney - far too many to mention, but Hambone has seemed to stick
Damian - Dai-Dai
Jadey - The Rappahanock Panic
D.C. Washington - The District
My boss Gordon Pauly Sr. - GPS
Chad - Penfold
Robert - Flat top (he thinks he's still in the Army)
Beth Jordan - BJ
Jason Pelt - Dr. J.M. Pelt
Colby - the Garmanatior

I'm certain there are many more that I have forgotten, but if you read this blog, refresh my memory...

The Greatest Show on Earth

My personal opinion is that DC Washington is truly the greatest show on earth, but to give credence to the originator of that phrase, Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus was really a sight... Sydney and I went to see the Spectacular show and she was all about it!!! as gay as this sounds, i was so proud to be a dad that day, it brought tears to my eyes to see my little girl jumping up and down with excitement as the circus lead on... her favorite was undoubtedly the elephants, so much so that she had to make one when i took her to build a bear... the only downfall from this is every weekend i pick her up, she asks, "when are we going to the circus?" hopefully, next year when we go to "Mickey Mouse's House" she will understand that we are just visiting....

Josh and I "kicking off the tune"

So Joshua, Jadey, Damian and I have small band what I refer to as "genius in the works"... sincerely, my brother (and I'm not saying this because he's my brother) is ridiculously talented at songwriting, I love the time that i get to spend with them creating music, and Joshua has really been a driving force behind me working to become a better musician. we are currently looking to give this band a label... any suggestions?

Standing in the Shadows of Motown

For the people who know me, you know i love music... for the people who know me well, you know i LOVE Motown music from the 60's and 70's... Ashamedly, I was unaware that Motown had a studio band that played on almost all of Motown's biggest hits... there is a documentary called "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" that depicts these highly talented and influential artists. They played on more #1 records than the Beatles, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones combined... these artists were known as..... THE FUNK BROTHERS, pay homage to some of the greatest musicians in history.

http://www.standingintheshadowsofmotown.com/