It started years ago with me and a group of friends at high school. A group of us were sitting in the hallways of 'level 5' and saw a gaggle of beaners hanging out and giggling and being 13. There was one in particular that caught my eye. The one with the set of house keys. She shook them with all her might - insinuating to the world that she actually may have a vehicle that went along with them. OH she rattled them, and threw them, pointed at other people with them, dropped them and asked people to carry them for her... it really got on my nerves. She was in grade 8 for cryin' out loud. So... it was just fitting that we all started calling her 'Housekeys'. Today I still refer to her as this.
I never forget a face, when someone's birthday is, where they live etc... but I WILL forget their name. That's why I give nicknames - and some of them aren't all that glamorous, and usually for good reason. But most of them are kind of funny. For example (and some of you will know who these people are):
Pantload - a Realtor that used to work in the same office as me. I never was too quiet with this nickname and actually had a few others calling him this too.
Cat Boy - the tween at our old condo complex that always had one of his cats in tow.
Cat Boy's Mom - self explanatory, but she was the epitomy of the term 'cougar'.
Captain Hairdo - One of my medical professionals in town
Stupid - my stupid old neighbor that let (encouraged) her dogs to shit in my yard
Stupid's kids - her stupid kids that did the same
Dream Easy - Tamara knows...
Top Gun - My Doctor. John thought he rode a motorcycle like Tom Cruise had in the movie Top Gun. He didn't, but the name stuck.
The Kulbasow - I'll take this one to the grave and NO - it's not me!
Spanky - the heavy set kid up the street that would cry on his 2-wheeler
And the list goes on...
Now these are REAL nicknames. I'm not going to open up the whole can of worms with regards to internet handles and online profiles... that's a different creature altogether.
One thing I find sad is when people try to give themselves really cool nicknames (think George Costanza trying to call himself T-Bone, and ending up with KoKo). My husband refuses to call/refer to an aquaintance by the nickname he is known all over town for, because he gave it to himself, and I have to agree.
Most people have nicknames that others have bestowed on them, and usually for good reason. Cute, funny, happy nicknames...
And it's those nicknames we must embrace, as ridiculous as they can be. They have been given with love and we should be honored. Be proud - be true - tell the world!!
~Deener Wiener
This was given to me at the tender age of maybe THREE by one of my dad's friends back in the day. So get your head out of the gutter and stop thinking John is one hell of a lucky guy. Which he is, of course but I mean that's pretty obvious... isn't it?
JSCHHEFF.... aka heapmaster flash
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