For those who don't know me, my name is Matthew Graham Atkins. And that’s Graham (my Dad's name) and its said grey-ham, not Gram like Canadians do. (Oh and also for their benefit, Craig isn't said like creg, it’s like cray-g)

Anyways, my point is, I like my name, there's not much wrong with it. (Yeah I know its going against my subject heading) But I'd rather be called Matt from my friends, and well Matthew is normally only said by my Mum (or most people) when I'm in trouble, or hot girls who are just pulling fun at me (or wanting something)

This comes to what I'm trying to say, I've never really had a nick name, not that its a bad thing, but a day or so ago, I was called big man, and I don't really understand but I got offended by it. I don't want me to be defined by my appearance. Then I was thinking about it a bit more. I've got a God-given gift for technology (even thought it in reality hates me) and because it’s a gift that few have, I'm constantly called the techie...

The problem is that it’s something that I don't want to be labelled. To people (*note* generality) being a techie it means, that techies have the inability to hold conversations, and that we'd rather 'make' love to a computer than to actually talk to people, and that we’re so valued and kinda put down at the same time.

I've heard it been called a curse... to me somedays I really feel like it is, and that I just want to throw it all away, but well that’s really being ungrateful to God, and he would just take it away from me if I do that, and its really going against his will for my life.

He has given me this talent for a reason, and to not use it is one of the greatest things you could do against him. But what do you do when you feel like it just degradation?

All the techies out there who read this, (which there would be a few), I'm not trying to diss any of this, and it’s just something I’ve been feeling for a time. And well needed to vent, and I would really appreciate some constructive feedback, not just pick me ups.

¶ 3:48 PM  

Kip said...
I love technology...

Not as much as you, you see...

But I still love technology...

Always and forever...

~single tear~

(couldn't resist)  

The @ said...
case in point!  

Heather Princess said...
Just for the record...there is nothing wrong with the way I say Craig...and I've been trying to let people know that over here too...but I've been constantly told I say it wrong ;)  

Keeler said...
Wow, Matt...seems that there was more than one person on our team who didn't like to be "labelled," "put in a box," or "defined by other people's terms." hmmm...interesting, isn't it?
Shall I smirk and make sarcastic remarks towards you?
Nah. Instead, I'll tell you the same thing I always told her: "you are who you are and it doesn't matter what others want to say about you, or call you. What other people say can never truly define you-Only you can define you (by your words and actions).Get over it."
The only way someone would think that you are a person who can't carry-on a normal conversation, or only wants to "make love to the computer" is if that's what you show them. You want them to think differently-show them differently.
In the meantime, don't let a name get you down...afterall, people are always calling me "crazy." I just have fun with it and realize that "they just can't understand my infinite nature." You need to lighten-up. Laugh at yourself a bit more easily.
We love you and understand that you are not just some cyborg.  

Danno said...
I can say that I have to agree with alot of what you said Matt. I'm in the same boat and after a while I let it bug me. It took a while, but I've decided to just give the gift back to God. Amazing things have happened! The way I look at it, not only are we techies, but we're the OFFICIAL techies for the God of the univers! ;)  

The @ said...
I'm guessing I really didn't make my point clear, or probably at all considering my english skills.

I guess I just don't like the stereo type that people put on us Techies. If I don't appreciate my gift or not is another blog, (which I'll get to) my beef was more with others idea of techies

But if I missed expressing that point, my bad....

(NOTE: never blog on 4 hours sleep ha)  

Keeler said...
Matt,
I love you! and I miss you. Hope you are having fun. See you soon...  

April said...
Nobody likes being put in a box....and everyone has some "box" or another in their life that they are sometimes put into, and assumptions are made. Whether it is your identity as a particular gender, age, nationality, belonging to a certain group, or your profession, there are gonna be stereotypes.

Case in point: I'm from Newfoundland (I know!! Stop laughing already!!)

I guess you just need to see people's hearts and not take the jokes personally. As someone above said, you don't have to be defined by the group/profession you belong to. Embrace the gift, and let people know you aren't just any 'ol techie :)

~april.  

The @ said...
Yeah I do believe we all have boxes that we're put in,

I'm just not liking how people percieve the box that I'm in, if that makes sense

i accept my box

oh and case in point, the Newf Girls in my life, have met 2 in the last 2 months, have both been huge blessings on my life, so no laughing at all  

Hadassah said...
There's a guy up here right now at Jacksons who is on the facility for Jr Music Camp who has been labelled as a techie, so he's got some pretty great shirts that he wears. Yesterday he wore a shirt that said "No I will not fix your computer" and today it's "i read your email." He says it doesn't stop ppl from asking him to do techie stuff for them, but at least they know he's not happy about it lol.  

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