What's+In+a+Name?

Gary Gygax. That is one hell of a name, don't you agree? Think about it for a second, even if you have no idea who in the world I am talking about—don't stop reading this to go look it up either, because I will know. (Seriously. I will. HEY HEY HEY! Eyes on the words, got it?) Now keep thinking about that name, all right? Just let it sink in for a minute. Gary. An average sort of name, but it is a good one. It sounds strong, doesn't it? Gygax. Now that name sounds fantastic. Roll it off of your tongue a couple of times for me. Go ahead, I can wait. Guy. Gax. (I mean fantastic in the sense of elves and orcs and evil rings of power, by the way.) He is the first guy to pick up the dice, to spin tales of adventure and excitement that involved others in a way that had not been seen since Tolkien. From bookworm, to wargamer, to the first Dungeon Master. Gary is the archetype for the modern gamer geek. Though for me it went bookworm, Dungeon Master, and then wargamer. Of course, there was no chance for him to have had that sort of progression because he is the reason that there is something called a Dungeon Master. It is funny, but nobody remembers Dave Arneson (the original idea for the game was his, even it the game was Gary's.). That is because there is power in a name. Dave. Pah, that is a simple name! Gygax is a man's name! Ranks right up there with Fightmaster. He might not have kept control of his creation, a tragedy to be sure, but it was still his creation. It makes my own name just sound boring by comparison.

Liam Gerard Cassidy. If my name was any more Irish then I would turn into a leprechaun. Seriously, just look at that name! I am the American equivalent of the freakin' Blarney Stone. One of these days I really should just go ahead and visit Ireland, since it is the homeland and all. Of course just because that is where my family comes from doesn't mean that is who I am, right? As much fun as it is to say “I'm Irish!” it has about the same amount of significance as saying “I'm might have pizza tonight!” I didn't grow up there, I have never visited, and I have no special customs or traditions beyond eating certain foods when Saint Patrick's Day rolls around each year, while mumbling about how everybody uses it as an excuse to get blitzed. Hmm... tangent much? Regardless, my name really has not been all that kind to me. True, it is the name of an excellent actor (who tends to get killed in a lot of his roles, come to think of it.) and it is certainly a rather unique name. Or was until a few years ago. But it got me teased horribly throughout elementary school and pretty much made sure that my life was a living hell for a while. I still don't like the sound very much, I hate saying my name. It sounds... soft? I guess.