Those paying attention to the fine print might have noticed a subtle change to my forum signature. Andrew has become Drew. @MiniMpi picked up on it pretty quickly and made reference to me in an earlier post as Drew.

I thought perhaps an explanation is in order. My full name is Andrew, but I’ve always been known as Drew. When I hit adulthood, I started using Andrew outside of personal relationships because it was easier than the whole “I go by…” schtick. As people worked their way into my personal sphere, they’d pick up on and start calling me Drew.

I threw Drew in my signature on the forum because I’ve been around long enough that I feel like I know people here and have established personal relationships. Going by Andrew now feels a bit disingenuous.

I spotted the change when it happened and felt somewhat honoured that we were being invited in to call you Drew

As I said to you before Drew, my name is Fergal and on all official stuff this is what I am called but for people who know me, everyone calls me Ferg

Drew, would you help me out with jkbarnes please? Tikkathree/Tikka/Pete

Drew it shall be. It’s something I understand. I have to put Stephen on anything official, but if anyone calls me that they are soon put right.

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:59 pm but if anyone calls me that they are soon put right.

I don’t mind being called Andrew at all. At work, it’s predominantly Andrew except for my department and the people outside it I’ve gotten to know really well. I sign off work emails with Andrew consistently.

Now Andy…that’s a different story. Whoa unto he that calls me Andy!

tikkathree wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:52 pm Drew, would you help me out with jkbarnes please?

Jkbarnes = Jake Barnes, the protagonist in Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. I felt a strong connection to the character and the story during a darker period of my life. For a long time my forum signature referenced a quotation from the story that resonated with me quite a bit during this darker period - “I can't stand it to think my life is going so fast and I’m not really living it.”

Hi Drew, friends, family, work colleagues call me Rich but having lived in south Lincolnshire all my life( so far ) a few people, mainly from my school days still call me ****, which I’m not keen on

* tried typing in the name some people call me but it is being censored
Let’s just say it’s like Rick but starts with a D

I just thought you'd gone all hip ready for retirement.

What I do wonder about is the jkbarnes. Where does that come from?

JAFO wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:22 pm What I do wonder about is the jkbarnes. Where does that come from?

Here ya go…

Jkbarnes = Jake Barnes, the protagonist in Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. I felt a strong connection to the character and the story during a darker period of my life. For a long time my forum signature referenced a quotation from the story that resonated with me quite a bit during this darker period - “I can't stand it to think my life is going so fast and I’m not really living it.”

Rather than my first name which can be shortened or similar to, I didn't mind.

It was more my last name as it was a slightly awkward for spelling and pronunciation, so after getting married I took on my wife's last name and now my future is much easier xD

What’s up Drew! I’d spotted the change and was wondering. Thanks for the explanation.

I just started at a new company in November. Everything on my profile officially says Alexander, but that’s way too many syllables. I don’t ever go by the full name. I’m still trying to get all my new colleagues on board.

It’s a good job you made this post Drew, it would probably have taken weeks to have realised otherwise.

Hi, Drew. I’d wondered about jkbarnes name. It’s been many years since I read Hemingway. Not since I studied English, I think. Should dig out some of his books.

Hi Drew, I spotted it too...

My real name is Peter, definitely not a Pete though, not sure why just don't...Mrs gannet calls me Bobby though for reasons I don't really know!