A Rose By Any Other Name...

So, I mentioned before that I am thinking of legally changing my name to Jodi Beck. The only negative response was from my brother Jim, who felt the need to tell me the history of my name. I am well aware of the meaning behind it all, but I have to say that if it really were as important to everyone else, then they probably would have called me Joyce all my life. I do appreciate the history. I love the name Joyce (I've always thought it was beautiful) and I think it's cool that it was my great-grandmother's last name, but it's just not me. And I loved my grandpa (Lester) to pieces, but Jodi Leslie sounds dreadful. I briefly tried to go by my real name in college, but it only lasted about half a semester. Every time someone would call me Joyce I would think that they were talking to someone else. I think that some of my professors thought that I was deaf because I wouldn't respond. Just imagine their confusion when this over- confident, college freshman walks up to them and says, "Hi, I was wondering if you would call me Jodi. It's my nickname and I don't respond well to Joyce." I was taking a full load of courses and I said that to all the professors I had that didn't teach a lecture. I think it was four people and they all looked at me like, "Wow, this girl is deaf and a bit crazy." I also think its kind of funny that at my wedding when we arrived at the reception the sign said, "Congratulations Craig and Joyce" and people commented that it was strange to congratulate the groom and the groom's mother-in-law. It kind of makes me laugh...

So, I want your help to select a middle name. Mom, you get extra points for any names you come up with. The prize for the name selected will be that I will come visit you after I get it changed and we'll go to dinner, and I'll pay with my debit card and officially sign my new name on the line. Because this is a public blog and people I don't know may feel the need to comment, if the name you suggest is chosen, I will not meet you for dinner, so don't expect it. I'll send you a bottle of wine and you'll just have to be content to know that you named a complete stranger. I will update you on all the names suggested each week, by whom they are suggested, and after four weeks I will bring the list to my mother and she and I will decide on the top three. Then you can all vote for which name you want me to have. Sounds like fun, right? I think so! So without further ado....

The Give Me a New Middle Name Contest
Fill in the blank. Click on the comment button below and write down your idea in the space provided. If you want to give a brief reason for the choice, all the better!

Jodi _______________ Beck