| On fannish names and my poor memory |
[May. 8th, 2008|07:09 am] |
You know, one of the slightly annoying things is that some people come up to me, or send me e-mail, LJ friend me, IM me, or whatever, and say, "Hey, Punkie! This is [fan name] from Katsucon Security/FanTek/Balticon..." Let's say the guy said he was "Grape Soda."
Now, maybe the name "Grape Soda" is a common fandom nickname, maybe it's not. It sounds familiar, but I am not sure if it sounds familiar because the name is a common noun or character outside of someone's nickname. So, I'll be like, "Heeeey..." hoping to God I can figure out who he or she is before it becomes evident I am an insensitive bastard who doesn't remember them. Because we fannish people are kind of a sensitive lot who see rejection as yet another blow to the head in our string of social disappointments, I don't want to be "that guy" who just blurts out, "I am sorry, but I have no idea who you are..." I fake it for as long as I can get away with, which sadly, is quite a while. Sometimes I try and add clues, like, "I can't recall the last time we met, how long has it been, man!" to see if they answer.
The problem is, if I fake it too long, I find it harder to back out and admit I forgot who they were. Sometimes, if it's over the cover of the Internet, I can do some research. Google the name... you know.
Today I had to do that. And I found his resume! What a bad idea to put one on a web site, but hey, I'll just download it and... his real name is... completely an unknown to me. Something like Joe Bob Smith from Frederick, and then I realize I don't know half of the fannish people I know by their real name. Rats!
And I really don't think people claim to be my friend when they are not, I am not that famous. This person probably does know me. Many times the light goes on, and I go, "Ooooohhhh! That's right!" when I find out, but now I have his real name, his fannish name, and where I should know him from and... no clue.
Sorry, "Grape Soda," if I seem a little distant until I do more research... |
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| Comments: |
Yeah, I can tell I'm a geek because some of my acquaintances have non-name names. Makes me glad though. I'd hate to be some jock who grew up to be a yuppy trying to pass himself off as some neocon asshole with an SUV and no imagination. Eff that. I love geekdom/fandom because the community allows me to be creative and trade ideas with others. Yeah, there's a lot of neurotics in denial within the society, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Heh... you & me both, my friend... you & me both.
I think my particular flavor dates back to early days on Security at EveCon when everyone knew the names of the folks at Central (after all, we were there all freakin' weekend!) but as for the names of all of the 2-4 hour volunteers? *rolls eyes* Not a clue!
Some of them folks haunt me to this day... and I still don't know who they are.
especially this one guy... somethingwalrus... never did figure him out...
I have a bad recal for names but do know faces. I can se some one and KNOW that I know that and have a gut feeming about them and if I like them and all but not there name or were I know there from just that they are dear to me. Side efect of drugs I am on and residue of a mild stroke)
Some peaple never are good at names or faces.
Being 6 3 a lot of peaple recal me that I do not know personaly .
Sigh.
I do miss the poetery reading at fanteck,That was one of the best things ever.
![[User Picture]](http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/71019085/14845792) | From: ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) uurdala
2008-05-08 03:22 pm (UTC)
Say My Name! Say it! | (Link)
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I hate that. Just hate it. I see it as one of my personal deficiencies. GREAT with faces, but I suck with names. My usual solution is the truth though. I've never been able to bluff my way through one of those things, so I stick to what I know.
"Ohmigawd, yeah that was so much fun. You're not going to believe this, but umm... yeah what was your name again? I totally suck with names, I'm so sorry."
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