I get one question very frequently. Do I prefer to go by Brian or Scott? In an effort to clear up the confusion...
I was born Brian Scott Barnett. But because my father's name was also Brian, I was always called 'Scott' by family in my early years. This greatly reduced confusion, so that when telemarketers called for Brian Barnett, as they invariably did, I was no longer handed the phone by my dad (not a true story, by the way... back when I was young in the 1970's, we didn't have phones. we used tin cans tied together with string [also not a true story... see? I never promised that I'd be honest in my weblog].)
Anyway, sometime in later life, I had a not-so-brilliant idea that I would begin to go by my first name, Brian. Up until that point, when I went to a new school or job, things would go like this:
New Teacher: "Class, I have a new student here. Could you all welcome looks at paperwork that I had brought into the class 'Brian Barnett'?
Class (in unison): "Hi Brian."
Me: "Actually, I prefer to go by my middle name, 'Scott'."
New Teacher: "Ok, Scott. Whatever."
Class (in unison): "Whatever."
But somewhere along the way, I decided that this was too time consuming. So when the teacher/new boss/whatever said 'Brian', I never corrected them. Henceforth, confusion reigned.
My family and longtime friends all call me 'Scott'. My co-workers, some later acquired friends, and telemarketers from Credit Card companies all call me 'Brian'. When the two groups meet, they each call me their preferred name, then look confused and irritated when someone calls me something else.
Upon getting married, I have tried to reverse this mistake, by getting everyone to call me Scott, but people who'd been calling me Brian, refused to believe that I prefered Scott, and continued to call me Brian. My current employer codified this in my Email address. I even gave up, to a degree, and registered BrianBarnett.com as my domain name. But secretly, deep down, I still long to be called Scott by everyone (except Telemarketers, who I'd prefer not call at all).
Does that help? Are you still with me? God. I've bored them off the site already. After only 3 entries.
When I, as a beautiful pregnant 19 year old, chose the name Scott, it was my intent you would be called by that name. Your first name was meant only as an honor to your dad. He also never wanted you to be a junior. I think you are a pretty terrific guy, and if you want to use two names, it is fine by me.
Love,
Mom/Tommie Rae
I am not at all surprised that my Mom was the first to join my user community. As always, Mom, you're number one!
Love,
Brian and Scott
PS: you did say that I could use two names.