July 10, 2011

Life as a Robbie Part II

I survived middle school as a Robbie partially-scathed. But most importantly, I left with the same name as when I began, and I never wore socks with sandals (after seventh grade). Upon beginning high school, I briefly thought of attempting the name change, but this time I knew Ryan or Dion just were not options. At 15 years old, I knew my only choices would be Rob or Robert. But both seemed too mature and/or boring, so Robbie it was. It had fit me that long and it still did. Who wants to act like an adult as a teenager anyway?

I was adamant about owning myself as a Robbie in high school. I cringed on the first day of classes when the teacher would have Robert on the class list. I corrected them to my preference quickly and awkwardly, hoping no one in my school would ever learn my common birth name. I was even able to convince many that Robbie was my birth name, including the Colorado DMV. I don't know how I got away with having an alias on my driver's license for years, but it was surprisingly easy. Thankfully my next move was to Montana where the DMV shares a parking lot with the local Wendy's. Coming down off a Frosty buzz, the woman gave me no trouble changing my name to something legal on my ID.

July 7, 2011

Life as a Robbie Part I

It's not always easy being a Robbie. It is easier than being a boy named Courtney or having a 4-syllable Indian name, but it still has its moments even dealing with adults.

It began simple enough. With my birth name being Robert, that seemed a little too mature or formal for a toddler or a kid on the playground. So like thousands or millions (or possibly billions) of others, my parents called me Robbie as a child. Then, it's up to the child to address his name crisis later in life.