Elyah, as is his usual style, is succint and lucid. I really enjoy his posts here, and find them indespensable in my recovery.

This really isn't my battle. While I agree with Dov and others on this issue (and disagree on some others), I am not gonna go to war for it, and if someone feels they are getting the full benefit of this forum without having to announce their real name, more power to them.
I agree very much with Elyah's saying: So, using a real name on this forum, I think, helps a person feel more honest, and more of an obligation to be honest, about what they write here. Also, keeping one user name and sticking to it, as virtual as this forum is, I think helps a person start to build up healthy relationships on some level.
As I made personal contact with many people here, I was relieved to learn I don't need to address a buddy by "QWERTY12345". And signing off with my real name certainly helps me keep my lying in check. The Ontheedgeman, whose real name remains to be announced, posted somewhere: "how do you know an addict is lying? His lips are moving (or fingers are typing)". Well, that's me. By using my real name, it gives me some level of accountability. Afterall, I do care if someone thinks Mottel is a liar; and not so much if someone thinks Unomas or Fantomas or Derek Krugerman is a liar.
Also, I was merely commenting on Kevin's:
" This forum is a lifesaver. it is not just a place to help you stay clean, it's also a place where you can be your real self. "
I found it humorous that someone hiding behind a fake name (and as Elyah pointed out, not the first fake name he used in the forum) takes delight in being "your real self".

And finally, Machshovo wrote on 22 May 2012 16:22:

Someone here posted that his voice was recognized on one of the phonecalls, and the recognizer is now this someone's closest friend.
Who do you think is listening in on those phonecalls? Fellow perverts.
And again, as Elyah pointed out, there a lot of Mottels out there, even the ones with cooking fetish, or an abrasive sense of humor. I doubt anyone can find me out.
But if they can (or have), please approach me, and I'll be thrilled to share with you my recovery progress. Keeping my dark secrets to myself is the stumbling block for recovery.
That is a simple fact for me.
Hatzlocho, whether you decide to "come out" or not,
Mottel

To Elyah and Mottel - and Dov if you're already awake.

I'm trying to digest this first name thing (not yet completely sinking in), and I have this follow up question (forgive me if too blunt, but I am struggling to understand the subtleties of 'fake' vs. 'real'): Does it also make a difference whether in the 'real' world you are also called exactly Elyah, Mottel and Dov, or it's real enough even if you're actually called Eliyahu, Mordche and Berel, or some other variation thereof?

MT

I guess "real" means "real", the name you identify with.
If I identify equally with Mr. Krugerman as well as Mottel, then it should be real enough.
In fact, if in highschool your nickname was Machshovo Tova and you still think of yourself in those terms, it may qualify for real, too.
Or am I wrong?

Hey! I already identify myself as TeeZee by now, is it good enough?

Thomas Zundel?! Is it you?!

obormottel wrote on 23 May 2012 15:05:

Still deciding between Tankhum and Tarphone, but the Z is definitely Zeeshe!

Wow!! I would have never of thought the issue of first name carried such importance. I'm going to continue with status updates on the Wall of Honor as head through my 90 days.

kol tuv everybody!

obormottel wrote on 22 May 2012 19:25:


I agree with that.

obormottel wrote on 22 May 2012 17:57:


Thanks. :-[

Actually, that last post about real names was rather long-winded for me. ;D

--Elyah

obormottel wrote on 22 May 2012 15:52:

Please use his real name. It is more effective.
For the record, Meir isn't my only name, the other name is a dead giveaway. I am satisfied because I also get called just Meir, and I therefore identify with it.
By the way, if anyone on this site knows me, I'm certain they just figured out who I am. I welcome real world contact with anyone who does- we can help each other.

Meir _____

I went through this awkward phase when I was just starting to get more involved in real-life recovery, when in real-life I found it necessary to introduce myself as Eye.Nonymous!

--Elyah

E-Tek wrote on 24 May 2012 00:49:

i think i may have stood next to you at President Obama's (first) inauguration? were you eating corn chips during the poetry recital?

Zemmy, YOU WERE NOT PRESENT AT YENNER'S INAUGURATION! I was with you you-know-where and I carried you home because I was still fairly sober. You probably don't remember.

:-[

I was in yeshiva at his inauguration, during which I caught precisely ten minutes of his speech between seder and shiur. I WAS eating corn chips, though...