The more I change...

...the more I stay the same.

I have some news, friends. I have changed my name!

It's been a long time coming and perhaps some of you didn't think I would actually get round to this, but I have finally done it and from now on you can all call me by new new name:

ANDY CURTIS

First of all, I hope you like it. It took me a while to decide on this name - and I wanted to get the mix of old and new just right. So, to be fair, i took the name "Andy" from my current forenames - and the name "Curtis" from my current surname. I figured this would give a feeling of continuity.

I know what you're thinking - it isn't very different, is it? Well, no, it isn't. That's the point really. It is exactly what and who I am. My middle name has gone, and my forename is "Andy" - being the shortened version of my original name "Andrew". From now on, I can say with some justification that my name IS Andy Curtis.

At the doctors. When I am in court. On my passport. In hospital. With the Police. At the drugs rehabilitation centre. At the Dentist's...etc.

To everybody and in every situation I am finally simply "Andy Curtis".

It's a situation that pleases me no end. I have achieved a level of conformity this way - by being the same thing to everyone. I found it hard being "Andrew Curtis" to some. It just didn't seem to fit. Better to be the thing I am and even everything out that way.

I know it isn't a big thing for most of you, but it is a big thing for me.

Comments

[Rebecca]

I was never happy with any of my previous surnames, but had the privilege of being a woman and upon marraige had the choice of changing it. I have never thought of you as anything else, but have the assurance of knowing thats exactly who you are.

[Jac]

Pleased to meet you, Andy Curtis. I look forward to becoming acquainted... all over again :-)

[Ian]

I seem to be having trouble finding your old name in my phone to be able to update my records.

[christine]

Look - I still may call you Andrew. Not to annoy you - it just sometimes slips out and I need to know you're not going to ignore me as if you haven't heard me or something. Of course I really like the name Andrew and if Amy had turned out to be a boy - then that was one of my many names for him. So there you have it.
You can call me Chris or Chrissie if you like - I don't like them but I don't really care that much either way.

[Rebecca]

I wanted Kieran to be Andrew too, Ian's middle name and he didn't want Andrew in any part of Kieran's name but I won.