What's In A Name?

I have been cursed with many names through my lifetime.
Originally, the product of living under Cold War rules.
It was like living in witness protection.
Only the bad guy you are hiding from is the product of American paranoia, not reality.
Though father lived in fear the majority of his life!
Soviets, Americans, ex-wives .....
Only the Soviets and ex-wives were actually a danger to him!
And father lived under at least half a dozen names that I know of.

So, every 3 years, roughly, we were moved to new locarions.
New homes, new friends, new names!
I never actual have gone by my name except until father's death.
Much easier not having to explain US laws which governed us as Paperclip citizens!
So complicated!
And no one believes you until they actually look into the maze of law and rules we are governed under.

So, I went by nicknames for the whole of my life.
Chip, Scotty, Chris, Kris, Cris, Flake, Dork, Nerd and a host of derogatory terms!
Yeah, the first five by family, the remainder by teachers and co-workers!
When you are not exactly on this planet mentally, well I was lucky to get Flake.
And my friends all went with Dork usually....
It is easy to tell the difference between derogatory and affectionate - "dork-isms"!
Well, and then there is, Bird-Beak!

As I slowly work on laying out a series of paintings, which name do I use?
I finally have decided on my Grandmother's.
Her birth name was Scott.
I was called Scotty because of my flaming red hair.
Of course around 15 all of that beautiful red hair turned - brown!
My mother was so freaked out she took me into emergency.
And Scotty no longer fit real well.

And I want to honor my favorite step-mother's name, Ivie.
Hmmm, Scotty Ivie?
Only way to get more Scotch would be to use Angus MacAngus!
MacIvie?
Scott MacIvie ..... ?
Luckily, I am months away from finishing another picture.

But what of my Plattner grandparents?
My father dishonored them in life.
I was never allowed to even know them!
His brother and sisters were my only key to there being any living family in Switzerland.
It stung when I found out the grandparents had died.
The death of my cousin and uncle hammered me hard.

I guess there is always Ivie Plattner.
But that might sound a little non-male-ish.
One of the artists I talk with, suggested KJP.
But that was used back before World War I by an Austrian Plattner.
And there are tons of painters named Scott.
Even Tschech, my ultra secret birth name the Americans gave me.
The government changed our name following my birth, no idea why.
But there are noteworthy Tschech painters.
And I am not related to anyone named Tschech!
Sigh ...

Well, I have time to figure it out.
But I am pretty sure I do not want to use my name or initials
I really do not want to even be identified with my father ....
As my pastor told me one time, when I asked how do I honor my parents?
His reply was, "don't tell anyone you have parents!"
Yeah he had crossed swords with them a few times .....

Well sorry for the blathering.
It is the only thing on my mind today other than the tremendous pain I am living in because of the dialysis.
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday I am in good shape though.