A Famous Name

Inevitably, you have met someone with a famous name; a Michael Jordan, a George Bush, a Michael Jackson, a Betty White, or even a Tom Cruise. I have heard of many famous names, spanning the depths of the entertainment industry to the pits of history. I am the lucky recipient of a famous name, as are hundreds or thousands of other people around the world.

Unless you have a famous name, you really do fail to understand the daily happenings that occur, involving the name. If you have a "normal name" I'm sure you go about your daily routines without giving your name any thought. You probably do not receive funny stares as if you are pulling the bank teller's leg when they read your checks or deposit slips. You are most likely not asked if you are serious when you state your name. You probably do not receive blank stares as people read your license or other form of identification.

Consider yourself lucky, or maybe, unlucky. I have been on the receiving end of all those comments, stares, questions, and looks of disbelief, as well as many more. My name is none other than Jesse James.

"No, I don't have a brother Frank; I've never even robbed any trains, banks, or people." I have actually never even been on a train.

"No, sorry, I don't fabricate my own motorcycles." In reference to the Jesse James of Monster Garage and West Coast Chopper fame.

I've never been a wrestler in the WWF or WWE, or any other wrestling establishment.

And despite my assurance otherwise, I don't stake claim to a sausage company (Jesse Jones) nor am I a civil rights activist or minister (Jesse Jackson). How lucky I am to be mistaken for someone else famous with a name, close, but not quite my own.

The best part of having a famous name is watching the people you are interacting with just itching to say something clever, as if you haven't heard it before. Trust me, I have heard it all. You are not clever nor is what you are about to say original.

Despite everything I go through, I am attached to my name; I wouldn't change it for the world. My father had six brothers and none of their sons were lucky enough to end up Jesse James, and so I received the name, by default. Lucky me!

The next time you meet someone with a famous name, surprise them. Do not say anything about their name, at all.