The people have spoken and they want more, so here is today's Friday Five (more commonly known as "I can't think a single interesting topic to write about, so I'm taking the easy way out, and you can't stop me, so there!")
1. Is the name you have now the same name that's on your birth certificate? If not, what's changed? No, I got married, and since Patrick wouldn't concede to taking my last name, I had to take his. Curse that patriarchal society!
2. If you could change your name (first, middle and/or last), what would it be? What a weird thought. Not to offend my parents, who named me, or my husband, who gave me his last name, but I'd change the WHOLE DANG THING. No, I'm kidding. I like my name. It would've been cool if I'd had hippie parents who gave me a nature name, like "Sycamore" or "River", but c'est la vie. Actually, I knew a girl named River in highschool, and she was, hmm. interesting. Her parents WERE hippies, and she would only bathe in natural bodies of waters. So, she stank most of the time. I guess that happens if the nearest natural water source is the Muddy Mississippi.
3. Why were you named what you were? (Is there a story behind it? Who specifically was responsible for naming you?) My mom heard it and liked it, though she didn't like the girl she knew who had the name. I kinda wish she hadn't told me that part. Oh well. I inherited my middle name from an aunt and uncle. Slightly used, but in good condition.
4. Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why? I really dislike Yuppie names, or as Aaron would say, chuddy names, mostly because they lack imagination. I like names that mean something, have significance, or history to them.
5. Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com accurate? How or how isn't it? It's pretty durn close. I don't know how they determined this stuff, I just hope there was no graveyard dirt and the death of a chicken involved. This is what they had to say:
The name of Shannon creates a very quiet, practical nature and a clever and inventive mind. Being analytical and naturally studious, you are interested in a factual understanding of the mysteries of life. Your methodical nature requires that you like to finish what you start without interruptions and also to have everything in its place and properly organized. An ability to concentrate could take you into computer programming or accountancy or any work requiring concentration and attention to detail. You have, also, a flair for creative expression with your hands. You take life seriously and can be easily and deeply hurt and go into moods which can be quite extreme at times, causing much turmoil and unhappiness. Finding it difficult to join in conversation with those with whom you are not well-acquainted, you could feel quite alone and uncommunicative with new acquaintances or in a large crowd. As a result, you could be accused of being unfriendly. You desire so much to be understood, but your name has limited your verbal expression to such an extent that it is very difficult for you to divulge your innermost thoughts even to those closest to you. One of your greatest salvations is being out in nature, for it is there that you find the peace and serenity you so much desire.
Your turn!
Posted by Shannon at September 12, 2003 06:15 AM | TrackBackKabbalah (or any of it's many other spellings) is a form of Jewish mysticism, mostly involving numerology and some other weird things. I've never heard of graveyard dirt or dead chickens but I have heard that some pretty weird stuff can go on.
1) Same name as I was born with on the certificate.
2) I don't really mind my name, not particularly fond of it, but there's nothing I'd really rather change it to either.
3) Named for the disciple Matthew. Middle name has been passed down through the males of our family for way to many generations to recount. We're talking centuries here.
4) I really really really... really like the female name Yuki. It's Japanese for "snow" and for some reason I just find the sound of it combined with the concept of snow to be so incredibly beautiful.
5) "Your name of Matthew has created a most expressive nature, idealistic and inspirational, driven with a strong inner urge to be of service in some way that would uplift humanity as a whole. However, there is a tendency to assume too heavy a burden of responsibility for others, which leads to worry and undue concern. People with problems are drawn to you as they recognize you as one who has understanding and gives not only sympathy and comfort but provides also some constructive advice or assistance. You have a generous quality to your nature, but you must guard carefully against giving more than you receive or you will find yourself doing without because you have helped someone else. You love people, family, home, and friends and try to be a parent to the whole human race. While you have generally stable conditions in your personal life, you may experience some problems in business affairs through a tendency to be scattering and inattentive to details. "
I'd say I could relate to that analysis, but then its so generic... I don't really feel like I'm the parent of the whole human race but the first part is fairly accurate. I spend a lot of time listening to people who just want to tell me their problems and need someone to listen. My primary complaints about my current work is that I don't really feel like I'm doing anything worthwhile and so I've been looking at a career in law enforcement, which would fit with the whole "service" thing. Anyway, interesting.
Posted by: mkrueger at September 12, 2003 09:10 AMI don't see anything at Kabalarians.com that ties them to Jewish Kabbalah. Strangely enough, despite all their stuff on name signifacance, I can't find the meaning or source of their name. Obviously there's some overlap in numerology, but I'd still like to know why they chose the name, Kabalarian. Could it simply be etymology? "To receive; received doctrine, tradition"?
Posted by: jon amos at September 12, 2003 11:34 AM1. No- my name has changed from White to Mason due to marraige.
2. I do not think at this point in my life I would ever change my name because I have grown used to mine. But if I could go back 24 years and change what my parents named me then....I think I would like to be named something classic and simple. Something that knows no age or genre or decade. Ashley is a decidedly 80's name, even though people are still naming their children this, it screams stirrup pants and splash paint tshirts. I love the name Grace. Or even Anne (with an "e" of course!) But then something memorable and cute would be nice too, like Lucy or Layla. But probably Grace.
3.My name came from a baby name book I think. I am sure my parents just thought it was a nice name.
4. Not really. There are definently names I do not like, but I won't say in case any one reading has those names. But I just do not like them because of how they sound. Of course I get bored with a lot of the name trends that go around, and I don't think I would ever give into that when naming my own child. I guess the best kind of names are those that have a meaning behind them.
5. Here is my analysis:
Your first name of Ashley has given you a rather quiet, reserved, serious, studious nature. You have sensitivity and appreciation for the finer and deeper things of life, the beauties of nature, music, art, and literature. The people who mean the most to you are those who can offer you intellectual companionship. It is only when you are among those who understand your deeper nature that you can really be yourself. The experience of having your remarks taken lightly or belittled, particularly during the early years of your life, has caused you to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself. You do not express yourself spontaneously when conversing with others; hence other people may often regard you as being aloof, and even unfriendly. Your difficulty in putting your deeper thoughts and feelings into words can lead to problems in more intimate associations. This name has caused you to live much within yourself. You are rather easily hurt or offended. At such times you can withdraw into a mood, and may not even speak to others. Aside from these points, this name contains many fine qualities. You are a thoughtful, analytical person, and you know your own mind, even though you may not speak it. You are very conscientious and competent in all that you do. You take seriously any responsibilities that you have--in the home, in the community, or at the job.
~I guess this may be accurate to some extent. I am definently not as dark and aloof as it may suggest. I think I am pretty friendly.....
Posted by: ashley at September 12, 2003 11:41 AMGraveyard dirt and dead chickens- the old classic voodoo techniques. Run, devil, run!
Posted by: Shannon at September 12, 2003 12:45 PM1. Is the name you have now the same name that's on your birth certificate? If not, what's changed? No, I got married, and divorced.. but kept his name.
2. If you could change your name (first, middle and/or last), what would it be? Hmmm... when I was about twelve, I decided to go by my middle name, Dianne, but that only lasted a week or so, til somebody called me and whoever answered the phone told them they had a wrong number. And once I thought it would be cool to have Dylan (as in Bob Dylan’s wife) for a last name... lol....
3. Why were you named what you were? (Is there a story behind it? Who specifically was responsible for naming you?) I think Momma was the one who picked the name, and she just thought it was pretty.
4. Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why? I really love old-fashioned names, like Iva, Elizabeth, Miranda, Tabitha, Wrenn, Elias, Clinton, Travis, Edgar, Henry, Malcolm, John... and romantic names like Shannon, Ashley, Brittany, Gatlin... and family names like Eric, Patrick, ... as Shannon says... names with significance, or history to them. Don’t much like those those Puritan names you were talking about... things like Through-Much-Tribulation-We- Enter-into-the-Kingdom-of-Heaven Smythe.
5. Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com accurate? How or how isn't it?
Hmmm... lol... I’m a complicated creature...
the first sentence of the description of Vickie fits... and the rest of it doesn’t seem to...
and the first sentence of the description of Dianne does not fit... but the rest of it seems to...
sort of...
or maybe the whole thing is wishful thinking... lol
Vickie... a strongly independent and highly creative nature, with drive and ambition to have experiences and accomplish things out of the ordinary. You can work intently at whatever is new and holds your interest at the moment, but your interest wanes quickly when drudgery and monotony set in.
Dianne....has the gift of tact and diplomacy, and possess a charming, easy-going nature which endears you to others. You have a serious desire to understand the heart and mind of everyone, and could be very effective in a career or in volunteer work where you are handling people and serving in a humanitarian way. This name also gives you a love of home and family, and as a parent you would likely be fair and understanding. You remember the thoughtful little expressions of affection and appreciation that mean so much to others, and you have the ability to create a warm and loving environment. However, you tend to put things off and avoid facing issues because of a lack of confidence and uncertainty. You often need encouragement from someone before you can come to a decision.