Putting the "W" in Jason W. Dean

You might have noticed recently here on The Dean Files that I have added my middle initial to my "display name." I did this only after overcoming a large reservation on my part - people that use their middle initials all the time (seem to me) to be a bit, well, snooty. So why did I choose to ignore this reservation and add my middle initial? Well, there are two salient points to this little discourse, I think.



The first arises out of the act of Google searching oneself. I'll freely admit that I Google myself on occasion - and I feel sure you have as well. Well, when I google my name, here is what I see: a magician, an artist, and some horror movie character. I am obviously none of those things. So, when I add the W to the search, I find myself (ha). So that's the first reason why I put the W in my name here.

The second is a very different reason. My middle name represents my familial heritage through my mother's family - something I am very proud of. It has been passed down from grandfather to grandson for several generations now - and it links me to one of the greatest men in my life - my grandfather Jack:


(Image Copyright 2009, Jason W. Dean)

It also links me to my ancestor that signed the death certificate for Charles the 1st, and was expelled to the United States for doing so by Charles II. It is a very real reminder that the best efforts of those who have gone before me have placed me where I am today, and I owe it to their memories to give my best effort for them and for those that come after me.