Userpics and nicknames

Hi!

I like the franchise and have read a lot of fantasy mixed in with classics and poetry when I was younger. Yet, I think that there comes a time to decide between giving time to fantasies and developing your inner potential of a Jedi. And I think it's a crucial topic for community.

Don't see me as attacker of your customs and habits. I just want to understand. So, the question:

- Why do you use fantasy nicknames/userpics?
- What is the core motivation behind this: the need for privacy or the need for escape from life?

I understand both. Truly..

Privacy. For sure.

Callan is my name, but I'm not a great one for plastering pictures all over the interwebz. I can't imagine anyone desperately yearning to gaze upon my lovely features (ahem) but I would consider sending a pic by PM.

But I'd need to have got to know the person first...

Is a legal name and a photograph of yourself required for developing your inner potential as a Jedi?

It is a common practice in many traditions I've studied that an initiate or beginner take up a new name when beginning their new path.

I personally find avatars fun and amusing at times (anyone remember Plokoons moving avatar a few years ago?) but am not against using my own mug now and again as I have in the past...

I'd rather not have to look at myself every time I log on.... I'm just too distracting :woohoo:

Though I think it would be kewl if the profile page had a mugshot instead of the avatar.

I use almost my full name here. So, no issue there.

I think names are fine. Different for everybody.

I like Windu. He wasn't perfect. But, I admire his strength and individuality.

I have used my picture on here... So, not privacy or fantasy.

Zenchi wrote: It is a common practice in many traditions I've studied that an initiate or beginner take up a new name when beginning their new path.

This is what it is for me with my username.. at each stage of my path I take a different name.. I've had three before this one and I doubt this one will be my last. The names we are given by our parents are the ones they felt for us... Edan is the one I chose for myself. Sure, there are members here who know my real name, but that is because trust has been built.

As for avatar, number one is privacy, and number two is that my avatars are a representation of how I feel, and not an escape into fantasy (even if the medium I use is fantasy art).

In my case it was actually about combining the fantasy with the reality. I've been writing various fictional stories for over 14 years. Kamizu is a character I came up with and he evolved into who I wish I was and got to do all the things I wish I could. He's been a lot of things but I noticed that for a year before I came here, he was almost solely a Jedi.

I made the decision when I joined here to admit what he was to me (a reflection of me and the hero I wanted to be) and took the name for myself to combine the two of 'us'. Nobody calls me by my first name anyway lol.

As far as the image avatar, I've used my real picture before, don't have a problem with it, but I sometimes find that other images can do better to represent WHO I am more than a real photograph.

I delve into books to escape life...or my own head. Kamizu is still running around saving the 'Verse there

Even if I were to use nom de guerre it seems that folks like to use my full name. I'm often addressed by both first and last names. My students called me Mister or Professor (not a doctor yet). At my other spiritual community, many persons are known my other names: Richard is Aero, Eric is Eldritch, Ellen is Etain, etc. When I arrived here it seemed best to use my common name and a current picture.

My Real Name is Will. Back in 2008 i started playing Star Wars Galaxies and joined a guild called WolfPack. I met a guy there who I knew as "ThisismyName" a wookie Light side Jedi. My Toons Names were SilverWolf NightWolven, and William-Vincent NightWolven both Lightside Jedi ( because of my love of Wolves) . He took me under his wing, and taught me everything about the game and became my best friend and taught me a lot about life. I was in essence his Padawan, and Every time he came into chat, he would say hey, SilverWolf, Silver, YO! WOLF! and for the last 6 years even though we've known each others real names,I still go by "Wolf" I've just gotten used to it I guess. I think the only people who call me Will is my Family and sometimes my better half Rachel. My avatar is because I just like the photo, but I don't mind having a picture of actually me. I just like Wolves. Another reason I chose the name SilverWolf is because a Silver Wolf in Dreams is supposed to be a rare, magical, Spirit guide that helps those in need. I do not claim to be Magical, or a spirit guide. However, I do try to help those in need. So for the Last 6 years SilverWolf NightWolven has just become a part of who I am, no different than the breath I breathe or the heart beating in my chest.

SilverWolf