My nickname in high school (that still persists today) was Trac Y, (pronounced Track Why). Why? What an excellent question:
During the PSAT when I was filling out my name on my Scantron I skipped the bubble between the "c" and the "y" of my first name. *sigh* High on brains, low on common sense.
For the next year all of the mail that came to my house from various universities around the country was addressed to "Mr. Trac Y. Manford". Apparently, I had become an Indian man. I received several scholarship offers that even included beautiful certificates with my name in calligraphy: Trac Manford. It got so bad that my family would fight over who got to open my mail so that they could laugh at what the college was calling me. When the Head of Upper School announced the National Merit students in chapel he paused before reading my name, snickered, and then leaned into the microphone and said "TRAC Manford" in a booming voice. Well, that was all it took.
I'm almost thirty and I know that when I get together with Bob he's still going to yell "TRAC" at the top of his lungs when he first sees me. Would I correct my mistake if I could go back in time? Nah.
I'm suprised this hasn't caused you any Homeland Security-related airport problems. Or maybe it has, Trac.
Posted by: Chris | August 01, 2006 at 11:02 AM
Oh my gosh, between that picture, Nell's birthday pictures and your yearbook pic from a while back, I am having serious SJS flashbacks.
I don't think that's a bad thing -- seventh and eighth grade were pretty non-traumatic, all things considered -- but it sure is weird!
Posted by: kicks | August 01, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Chris: My time spent at Gitmo is NONE of your business, mister. I made a lot of new friends and I now know how to kill a man using only my bra. >:D
Kicks: Oh, now you've given me a great idea. I'm going to dig up middle school pics!!!
Posted by: Fuzzball | August 01, 2006 at 12:22 PM
That's my favorite Tracy story...
Posted by: Cealie | August 01, 2006 at 02:08 PM
Mine too!
Posted by: Torrie | August 01, 2006 at 02:46 PM
Well, that explains the "Trac. Y." nickname on the yearbook page you posted recently. But you still haven't explained the others. ;-)
I agree...So far, this is the best Fuzzball, uh, "Trac" story we've gotten. It'll be hard to top. :-D
Posted by: Gymshoes | August 01, 2006 at 04:32 PM
My friend Greg is still Gerg in certain circles after his high school diploma came back saying "Gergory." This has always cracked me up, but your story tops that.
Posted by: Joolie | August 08, 2006 at 10:10 AM
It wasn't really a good year for me and my friends. My friend Elisabeth's boyfriend James Whitehead had the last letter of his first name swapped with the first letter of his last name so all of his college mail was delivered to JAMEW SHITEHEAD. We had way too much fun with that one.
Posted by: Fuzzball | August 08, 2006 at 10:26 AM