What's the story of your handle, err username, err persona?

The internet is truly an amazing tool. People across the world can meet and make friends. In the blogosphere we have entire networks of friends that share daily experiences and observations. Some of us do this as ourselves and some of us do this as an online persona. Some persona’s, like Miss Snark, are widely known. Other’s, like mine, are not. The persona can hide who we really are… an older gentleman can act like a young school girl. A young woman can act like an older biker dude. People can create a fantasy of who they are and then share it as “fact”. I think this creates an interesting avenue for discussion.

If you’ve seen the username Rashenbo somewhere, more than likely it’s me. I’ve used it for years and to me, it’s as much my name as the name that’s on my birth certificate. I have friends who know who I am, yet to them, I’m Rashenbo.

What do you think about online personas? Do you use one? Why? What’s the story behind your username or online persona? Is your persona your alter-ego? Are you afraid of people finding out something personal and using it against you? Do you act out under your persona as if that “name” has its own behavior and attitude?

To start the discussion, I’ll tell you where mine comes from. My parents were told they couldn’t have children. Surprise! They were delighted. I was due on December 9th . On December 20th I decided to share my presence with the rest of the world. Unfortunately, I was breach. My legs were tight against my body and my feet were against my neck and along with my feet - my umbilical cord, wrapped nice and neat around my neck.

My heartbeat was failing and my mother weakened with each contraction. The doctors had to perform an emergency C-section. They warned my father that the infant might not survive. Now, my father is not a man who would be described as emotional. He also has an extremely, well weird, sense of humor that a lot of people don’t get. He does, however, love my mother completely.

When my mother and I arrived safely in the room following surgery she asked him what my name should be. He made an elaborate, and I’ve been told, highly entertaining story and told her that I should be named Rashenbo. They didn’t name me Rashenbo. But the story means something to me… and that name MEANS something, to me.

Now it’s your turn.