What’s In A Name?

A little bird (aka the internet) just told me that rap legend (I’m using the term legend super loosely these days) Snoop Dogg is making some changes. He’s changing the genre of his music from rap to reggae as well as his image. Basically just picture Snoop Dogg in a rasta hat with sunglasses. The most important change is his name. Snoop Dogg has changed his stage name (surprising right? I thought that was his birth name too…) to Snoop Lion. Just let that sink in for a minute. Say it out loud if you have to. It took me a while to get used to it, but it took me a while to get used to Snoop Dogg too. A while = my entire life.

Snoop Lion’s new image.

I’m probably just bitter because my official rap name would be Lil’ Lil and well…yeah. Can’t really do anything with that one. The thing I don’t understand is how people change their names. Like, your name is what people know you by. It’s what YOU know you by. I’m all for nicknames. Nicknames are fun and cool. But changing how people know you is just too weird.

I know a couple of people who have changed their names. Actually, one of them changed their name to Lily. This the effect I have on people. They just want to be me. I’m joking of course. But seriously.

How can people in the media change their names? Remember Puff Daddy? Of course you don’t. He changed his name to Puffy, then P.Diddy, then Diddy. Who knows what he’s called now. Guy with tons of money? Guy that once dated JLO? That reminds me–JLO, you slut. You changed your name too! Well, kinda. JLO is more of a nickname. But still. Just be Jennifer Lopez. Okay, I’ll level with you, Jennifer is a super boring name. No offense to anyone else named Jennifer. But tons of offense to the person that named you Jennifer.

Epitome of class.

Countless celebrities have changed their names. I guess to make it easier on us common folk. For example, Woody Allen sounds way better than Allen Konigsberg. Well, it sounds less Jewish at least. I don’t understand why celebs change their names to something super weird though. Like Whoopi Goldberg. Really? That’s the name you choose for yourself? Her birth name was Caryn Johnson. Super normal. Except for the fact that Caryn is spelled like a third grader tried to sound it out, but whatevs.

Two musicians whose name changes I allow and fully embrace are Farrokh Bulsara (Freddy Mercury) and Reginald Dwight (Elton John). Good choices on the stage names. For what it’s worth, I’m pretty sure Farrokh Bulsara translates to “best voice ever”. And Reginald Dwight translates to “huge gap tooth”.

 

Finding My Inner Jew

Is it weird that I automatically think of Woody Allen when I think of Jews? Nope, just offensive.

In Victoria, B.C. today there was a vigil held at a Jewish Cemetery. The cemetery had recently been vandalized (swastikas were painted on head stones). This makes me sad. An act like that is so irreverent.

The good news is that thousands of people showed up for the vigil. It’s nice that there are so many people that want to stand up and comfort those that were disrespected.

Ever since I moved to Victoria, Paul has pointed out when I complain. I never thought of myself as a complainer. I’ve always been a go-with-the-flow kind of gal. But I’ve noticed that Paul’s right. I realized that it must be a trait that I picked up from my family. I asked my mom if she’s ever noticed that I complain about things. She and I agreed that they aren’t really complaints, per se, more like observations. I wondered why I act like this, and why I feel the need to tell people around me that I hate waiting in line, or that there should be more people working so that the line doesn’t move so slow. To me, these were all normal comments.

My mom reminded me that my great grandfather was Jewish. I’ve always known that, but I’ve never thought of myself as Jewish. Not to be stereotypical, but I can see how that characteristic would come from his side of the family. Oy vey. Now, more than ever, I want to embrace it! I don’t know how many of you have been Keeping up with Kourtney and Kim Take New York, but Scott, Kourtney’s bf is Jewish and there was a whole episode about how he had lost his Jewishness and decided to talk to a rabbi, go to temple, and find it again. The only thing that really interested me was Shabbat dinner.  Seems like so much fun! Plus, I just really want a reason to say “Shabbat Shalom!”

Just so you know, I’m not converting to Judaism or anything, I just think its crazy that there’s part of my genetic makeup that I haven’t fully embraced yet! Also, my new goal is to become fluent in Yiddish. I feel like this will come in handy in day to day convos with both Jews and Gentiles.

Unfortunately, I think I had some Nazi sympathizers laced throughout my family tree. I inherited some pro-Hilter books which are INSANE. Having studied History, I really appreciate their value and content. Inside there are pictures of Hilter holding babies, and laughing with people. I wonder who the authors of this book were trying to fool. After everyone reads this they’re going to realize what a great guy he was! These books were probably handed down to me because, out of my family, I look the most Aryan. So not kosher.

“Germany Awakens”