Nicknames

Up until a few years ago, I didn't have a nickname. People just called me by a shortened version of my first name: Raymond.

Then, they started calling me Ray Ray. Because they have no imagination.

Now, since I sing karaoke, and have a wide range of songs, I've gotten a new nickname.

White Chocolate.

It happened when I was singing at the Corner Inn in West Seattle years ago. I had just finished singing "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye, and happened to walk past a couple black friends of mine having a conversation. I overheard Shawna tell another friend, "Oh, that's Ray Ray. He's not white." Apparently, they decided that I'm an albino black man with red hair. After that, they started calling me White Chocolate.

Now, I have a different nickname. Well, it's not for me. It's a nickname for a PART of me, if you catch my meaning.

Velvet Hammer.

You read that right. Velvet Hammer. It's cuddly soft, even when it's hard. These are not my words. It's just how it was described to me.

You probably didn't need to know that.