BajaNomad - Whats in a name or an avatar?

Whats in a name or an avatar?

castaway$ - 5-2-2008 at 08:40 PM

Anybody got a good story behind their Nomad name or Avatar, some are obvious some aren't, tell us your story so we can get to know our fellow Nomads.

jodiego - 5-2-2008 at 09:19 PM

I am Joe from San Diego, hence jodiego and my avatar is a coyote skull that we found hiking through the desert at Punta Rosarito one day when the surf was flat and the winds were mild. He/she's got a whiffle ball in his/her mouth, which is something else we did to pass the time away on our trips. Amazing what a whiffle ball can do when the offshores are about 30-40 knots. The cap belongs to a friend who donated it for el coyote and the purple ribbon is of unknown origin. Try to get down to baja 3-4 times a year, usually for surf and mostly to relax and get away from the big city. :cool:

[Edited on 5-3-2008 by jodiego]

bajalera - 5-2-2008 at 09:52 PM

What's a whiffle ball?

Diver - 5-2-2008 at 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalera
What's a whiffle ball?

A hollow, hard plastic ball with holes in it to let the air through. Usually a kid's toy.

David K - 5-2-2008 at 10:22 PM

Nomad Name is MY name and last initial... like when in school and there was more than 1 David in the class... I figured there was more than 1 David who loves Baja, so when I started posting on Amigos de Baja, I used 'David K'.

My nick name in high school was 'Baja' and that was my CB handle, too (we're talking mid 1970's)... because I was going to Baja all those years, and wrote 2 small Baja guidebooks while I was in high school... so yelling out "Hey Baja" to me was natural! However, everyone on Amigos and Nomad loves Baja... so there is nothing unique here in using just 'Baja' for a handle!

When the new Baja Nomad forums were created by Doug in 2002, I registered with the same name here... I had an avitar on Amigos that was a smiling sun and asked Doug if he could find one close to that one... Doug's is a really happy sun, and I like it!

Here's me in 1972 (age 15) on the 'new' road to the 'new' observatory... Mt. Diablo is in the distance

scan0013 (Custom).jpg - 49kB

jodiego - 5-3-2008 at 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalera
What's a whiffle ball?

A hollow, hard plastic ball with holes in it to let the air through. Usually a kid's toy.

Grab yourself a whiffle bat (also made of plastic) and you're all set to play a wild and crazy version of baseball. If you're good and the wind is blowing, you can make the ball dance crazier than a Hoyt Wilhelm knuckleball (for all you old timers out there)

BAJACAT

BAJACAT - 5-3-2008 at 10:09 AM

Real name -JOSE
Putting,National city Ca. in the map.
Heavy equipment operator, for 12 years.
Now with the nameB^J^C^T

BAJA- the place I love to explore?
CAT-Short for CATERPILLAR, the brand of machine I operated.
My Avatar,is the logo from and 80"s cartoon,"THE THUNDER CATS.NOT A FORD EMBLEM FOR COUGAR.i DRIVE DODGE ALL THE WAY.
Short ,story about my handle.While buying stuff in E-BAY, the seller wich it was a girl, sent me an e-mail that read like this.
"Hi, i didn't know you like cats!,that's the reason for your Internet handle , right?." to wich i reply, I don't hate cats, but that is not the reason for my handle,and then I explain her the real reason behind my handle

[Edited on 5-3-2008 by BAJACAT]

My "handle" is one of my license plates.

vgabndo - 5-3-2008 at 10:15 AM

It started in 1992 a couple of years before I started going back to Baja after a long respite. My new wife and I drove a heavily modified half ton Ford camper van to Belize and back. 8400 miles. When the old truck got us home without difficulty I awarded her with her own plate: VGABNDO It was all I could do with just seven letters! :coolup:

I've had a lot of avatars since. Only the one with the monkey wrench going into the gears has attracted much attention when one of the denizens of the off-topic forum used it as an excuse to cast insults and espersions. :lol:

Mexitron - 5-3-2008 at 10:49 AM

My real name is Steve...after a couple beers in Baja my friends started calling me Esteban...after a couple beers more it morphed into Exetron, and finally a few shots of tequila later it became Mexitron. Cool side fact: unknowingly my friends gave a name that in Mexi-slang means "really smart". :bounce:

My avatars lately have been paintings I have done...the current one is an Agave shawii bloom and was done on a 7'x3' door panel during the El Nino of 1998 in San Clemente when I couldn't work because of so much rain.

jodiego - 5-3-2008 at 11:05 AM

Quote:

Mexi, that is a beautiful painting. I love those plants.

AcuDoc - 5-3-2008 at 11:10 AM

I am a state licensed and nationally certified acupuncturist in traditional oriental medicine, thus AcuDoc

Oso - 5-3-2008 at 01:49 PM

Fairly obvious, my name's Barry. Friends have called me the bear, da bear or just Bear for years. Funny thing on the spelling, the original Gaelic is "Bearrach", so Obama is not far off when he says his first name is Irish :lol:

In fact, he was called Barry Obama in school.

My memory is so bad I can't remember where I got the avatar. Maybe another Nomad gave it to me. :?:

Oso - 5-3-2008 at 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by castaway$
Anybody got a good story behind their Nomad name or Avatar, some are obvious some aren't, tell us your story so we can get to know our fellow Nomads.

So... You gonna tell us about yours?

Bob and Susan - 5-3-2008 at 02:02 PM

castaway$...my guess is...

Camp Castaway (miliitary) is 90 miles from Gold Hill, Oregon and that's where castaway$ says he's from...

Roberto - 5-3-2008 at 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
castaway$...my guess is...

Camp Castaway (miliitary) is 90 miles from Gold Hill, Oregon and that's where castaway$ says he's from...

So, where does YOUR handle come from? :lol:

Bob and Susan - 5-3-2008 at 02:29 PM

bobby...i can't say someone MAY complain...again

turtleandtoad - 5-3-2008 at 03:49 PM

Turtle; as in "I travel with my home on my back".

Toad; as in "my car is toad (towed) behind me".

Hence; TurtleandToad.

We are full time RVers. The RV license plate is "TRTL-1" and the truck license plate is "MYTOAD". Both from Texas, where our homebase is.

Of course, my website is www.turtleandtoad.com

The avatar was given to me by MulegeMarv.

Thanks again Marv. I've had a lot of fun and comments about it.

sylens - 5-3-2008 at 05:09 PM

my avatar (also given to me by mulege marv--gracias) is the eclipso, a frequently used symbol in mexican art. like the chinese yin and yang, it speaks to the dualities that pervade living--night/day, male/female, life/death, etc.

bajalera - 5-3-2008 at 06:06 PM

"Bajalera" is the name I chose because it seemed unlikely that anyone would suspect that it is being used by a terrorist.

sylens - 5-3-2008 at 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalera
"Bajalera" is the name I chose because it seemed unlikely that anyone would suspect that it is being used by a terrorist.

now, if you only had a sense of humor, i'm sure we'd get along great, us "ilk" folk. :cool:

Packoderm - 5-3-2008 at 07:29 PM

I chose log-in name because it is easy enough to remember when logging in, yet it was not too likely to already be taken.

DENNIS - 5-3-2008 at 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalera
What's a whiffle ball?

A hollow, hard plastic ball with holes in it to let the air through.

As well as an accurate model of Gulls brain.

DENNIS - 5-3-2008 at 07:52 PM

I had to use all caps for my name 'cause everything else except dENNIS was taken. It wasen't a screaming thing as has been suggested.

vandenberg - 5-3-2008 at 08:21 PM

Hiding my madrassa upbringing.

Paula - 5-3-2008 at 08:26 PM

I use Paula because it is my name and lacking imagination, I couldn't think of a clever little bunch of letters that neatly summed up who I am and why I love Baja. Also because I was sure with a name like Paula, no one could think I might be a terrorist.

Thanks Lera, that is a great line and I'm gonna use it often :spingrin:

oladulce - 5-4-2008 at 02:07 AM

Ola dulce, because my first avatar (as well as my current and other avatar pics) have been of a beautiful wave (ola) in front of our other future home location, El Estero Dulce de Playa Colorado, Nicaragua. So Oladulce I became.

I don't have any pics of Baja waves that are as pretty as these.

Unfortunately, we've just returned from a trip to Nicaragua after a 4 year absence and our remote dreamhome property now sits smack dab in front of the latest overly-hyped surfing hot spot and has become way too crowded.

We're currently rethinking our upcoming retirement plans and may unload our Nica properties. But I've grown fond of the handle and think I'll keep it to remind me of those beautiful waves.

[Edited on 5-4-2008 by oladulce]

Santiago - 5-4-2008 at 06:26 AM

My father was the founder of the Bakersfield Rescue Mission (think hard-core Salvation Army) and one winter in the late 1950s he spend about 8 weeks in Mexico helping establish baptist churches. When he came back all us kids had mexican names. James = Santiago. Of course, as a kid my name was 'Jimmy' . On my first trip to Camp Gecko, I'm in the bathroom and a local comes in and asks my name. I say 'Santiago'. He looks a little funny and says' "I mean your american name", so I say 'Jim' or 'Jimmy'. When I ask him how to pronounce 'Jimmy' in spanish he says "Hi-me". I rejoin with "But I'm not jewish" and the conversation grinds to a halt. Cross cultural jokes don't work.

bajamigo - 5-4-2008 at 07:45 AM

Quote:

[quote:

My avatars lately have been paintings I have done...the current one is an Agave shawii bloom and was done on a 7'x3' door panel during the El Nino of 1998 in San Clemente when I couldn't work because of so much rain.

Wow! Do you have a website showing your paintings? Any for sale?

shari - 5-4-2008 at 08:03 AM

Shari is my name which I used because I figured I might be able to connect with some amigos I had lost touch with when I found myself living in a tent in mid baja and it worked! Several old friends recognized the name and contacted me..."hey...are you the shari from the lagoon?". I also like to be up front and open...sort of...what you read is what you get...type thing.

My avatar reflects my roots...vancouver island orcas...and my pod mentality.

castaway$ - 5-4-2008 at 08:37 AM

Sorry guys I got sidetracked or better yet hijacked by my grandkids and couldn't get back till now. Castaway$ actually started when I opened a tackle shop on the Oregon coast called Castaway Rod & Reel, I sold refurbished used tackle hence castaway$. The idea was to be able to spend time at the coast in the summer and get a little fishing in (and a write off) but it turned into a job and there wasn't much fishing

. The Salmon stocks got poor and tackle sales dived, so once again castaway$ sitting on the shelves, the name just stuck. Steve

[Edited on 5-4-2008 by castaway$]

Tomas Tierra - 5-4-2008 at 12:03 PM

My name is Tom. At the end of my favorite dirt road in BAja are some of my favorite people in a BAja. When I would get to end of the moon dust road, my buddies would say "Tomas!" as I coughed up dust, and handed out beers, they would then say" Tomas no mas Tierra" (don't drink any more dust! loose translation)

My last name also translates to "Tierra" in Spanish..

Don Alley - 5-4-2008 at 12:28 PM

I used my name. I didn't feel like using my usual internet message board name when I signed up here. "Alley" sounds like "Ali" but I don't care if anyone thinks I'm a terrorist.

I signed up before "Alley" became a common last name in Loreto.

My current avatar is based on the name of my boat, Jack of Diamonds. And that name is from old folk songs.

HaHaHaHa.......

CasaManzana - 5-4-2008 at 12:52 PM

I'm thinking the avatar doesn't need much explaining...I mean like we ARE the ONLY ones that live here at Posada Concepcion during the four summer months :tumble:

And with a last name like Apple ya jus gotta go with the Manzana thing

Gadget - 5-4-2008 at 02:19 PM

Gadget = Will

The crew I run with passes out the handles. It usually, but not always, is for some comedy you have created. BCG (beer,chips,gas) Sippycup, Lamont, 3-ball, Naughtynurse, Paulyanna, Bajatym are just to name a few. Mine was not.

A friend, Bobbyfix, his crap is always breaking, came up to our Bronco back in the un-modified days while we were at the trail head of an off-road ride. I had my auto deflaters screwed onto the valve stems of all 4 tires and was setting my hand held GPS for a track log. No-one in the crew had even seen the deflaters before, and vehicles were not equiped with GPS which was still pretty new except for water craft.

Bobbys comment, "dude, you got all the gadgets". As a contractor, I have always embraced any tool that makes life or the job easier, so the handle stuck.

The Avatar is of GSB (the now modified Bronco ie, Gadgets Strokey Bronco), another story. I plan to change the avatar frequently as the mood strikes.

Bob and Susan - 5-4-2008 at 05:23 PM

CasaManzana...your "season" is ALMOST here :lol:

El Camote - 5-4-2008 at 06:14 PM

The Camotes are an ancient and proud family line with our roots planted firmly in this country's soil. Witness my avatar, our most famous member, Truman Camote.

oladulce - 5-5-2008 at 01:49 AM

"BigWooo" was a name given to my esposo at work after some letters fell off of the name on his helmet and he was walking around wearing "WOOO" on his head.

Not sure when Wooo became BigWooo, but I imagine there was a volcano connection and this was his first Nomad avatar:

Volcano Avitar.gif - 9kB

Mexitron - 5-5-2008 at 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajamigo
[quote:

My avatars lately have been paintings I have done...the current one is an Agave shawii bloom and was done on a 7'x3' door panel during the El Nino of 1998 in San Clemente when I couldn't work because of so much rain.

Wow! Do you have a website showing your paintings? Any for sale?

Here's my website--its a little unsophisticated as yet, but enjoy:

http://www.bajaartgallery.com

[Edited on 5-5-2008 by Mexitron]

David K - 5-5-2008 at 07:57 AM

Mexitron has some great Baja outback photos, too... LOOK: http://vivabaja.com/mexitron

L to R: Taco de Baja, Huddo, Mexitron, Pappy (when we met in April, 2004, near Parral Canyon, Valle Chico).

[Edited on 5-5-2008 by David K]

bajaretreat - 5-5-2008 at 10:24 AM

"Retreat" - A place affording peace, quiet, privacy, or security.

Thought that word was a very appropriate description of our past and future life in Baja. My avatar is a photo of our home in La Paz, although we aren't there yet. Hope to make the move south in the next year or so.

Taco de Baja - 5-6-2008 at 02:21 PM

"Taco", because I drive a Tacoma
"de Baja" because I, and the Truck, like going to Baja.

.....And, "bajataco" was taken by another Taco owner

My Avatar is of one of my favorite beaches in Baja.

Oh thank God!

Sharksbaja - 5-6-2008 at 02:41 PM

I had visions of something like this:

bajadock - 5-6-2008 at 03:10 PM

My home has always been the "pub". My food and beverages are always available to visitors. Frog refers to my enjoyment of these amphibious creatures. 1925 is the year my father was born.

Taco de Baja - 5-6-2008 at 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
I had visions of something like this:

Oooh! my new avitar! :cool:

But, I think that's a Chalupa.... :lol:

langostita - 5-6-2008 at 05:42 PM

I'm a sea kayaker and love the stretch between Loreto and La Paz
A few years ago , one of our guides called me Langostita - I thought it was cute - maybe it because I
get a red-ish tinge when on the water all day - he said that was not the reason, he said it is because
I "carry all of my meat in my tail" !

Sallysouth - 5-6-2008 at 06:50 PM

My name is Sally and I love to go South! I actually got my "name" from the "sallyforth" cartoon in the Sunday paper.My family has mucho history in Baja, starting with my Great Uncle,Grandpa(1950's).Mom and Dad drove the silt road (much of it was) before the road was paved,had a bajabug they would convert into a bed for two(??:wow

and explore during the day, Gonzaga being a favorite back then(1970's)Family had a nice place at Estero Beach back in 1966-69, right next to the "point House, Novelos", and Mija was born in Ensenada in 1968.I was 16 and married!I could go on forever, but....sooooo much more.. henceforth, Sallysouth!!!

Sharksbaja - 5-7-2008 at 01:30 PM

Quote:

Oooh! my new avitar! :cool:

But, I think that's a Chalupa.... :lol:

What the hell IS a chalupa? Sorry I am Taco Bell challenged.

:lol:

How's this:

TacoMan3.jpg - 44kB

bajaboolie - 5-7-2008 at 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja

... Sorry I am Taco Bell challenged.

That's not something to be sorry about!!

Taco de Baja - 5-7-2008 at 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Oooh! my new avitar! :cool:

But, I think that's a Chalupa.... :lol:

What the hell IS a chalupa? Sorry I am Taco Bell challenged.

The warts on the taco skin from deep frying give it away. However, a real chalupa looks nothing like the TB Americanized Chalupa.

Quote:

A chalupa is a kind of tostada platter in Mexican cuisine. It is a specialty of south-central regions of Mexico, such as the states of Puebla, Guerrero and Oaxaca. It is made by pressing a thin layer of masa dough around the outside of a small mold and then deep frying it to produce a crisp shallow corn cup. It is typically filled with shredded chicken or pork meat, chopped onion, and a piece of chipotle pepper or red or green salsa.

An Americanized form is also widely sold in Taco Bell restaurants. This version, made with a piece of deep-fried wheat flatbread, filled with ground beef, chicken, or steak and topped with nacho cheese, lettuce, tomato; sour cream, lettuce, 3 cheese and tomato; or baja sauce, 3 cheese, and fiesta salsa more closely resembles American-style tacos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalupa

DanO - 5-7-2008 at 03:07 PM

If you need help figuring out how DanO and the avatar match, you're too young. My name is Dan, often referred to as DanO by friends and colleagues. And IMHO, Hawaii Five-0 was one of the greatest TV series of all time.

bajajudy - 5-7-2008 at 03:19 PM

Bajajudy was my first sign-in name when I opened my internet account. My VHF handle has always been EZDC here in Baja but they wanted more than 4 letters.
My avatar also came from Marv...thanks Marv.
I like it because even though I live in Baja, I have always had a tropical soul and it looks like a tropical island. Now I know that I live in the tropics but the avatar does not look like Baja to me!

teadust - 5-9-2008 at 04:48 PM

Book 'em, DanO!

My user name isn't Baja-themed but it's the one I use on message boards everywhere.

"Teadust" is a monochrome glaze developed by the Chinese potters long, long ago and I try to collect 18th century pieces with that glaze, it's one of my favorites.

(Now, one CAN tie Chinese porcelain to Mexico with cargo that came over on Spanish galleons in the 16th through 19th century, and the Chinese workers in Mexico in the early 20th century...)

-Katie

jeans - 5-9-2008 at 05:10 PM

Simple....my middle name and my last initial.

motoged - 5-9-2008 at 09:06 PM

Preferred activity in life is riding motorcycles in Baja...hence the "moto" part ...

Name is "Gerald", but was called "Ged" by brother as a kid and it stuck....

Preferred Place is Bahia de San Francisquito...hence the avatar...

Paulina - 5-9-2008 at 09:15 PM

Great photos Motoged!

What's in a name or avatar?

Sharksbaja - 5-9-2008 at 09:58 PM

My pet shark, Fang. Want a hug?

Sharksbaja - 5-9-2008 at 10:00 PM

Thanks Ged. Brings up memories.

motoged - 5-9-2008 at 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Thanks Ged. Brings up memories.

SB,

It's what keeps me going at times....

Paulina....thanks :yes:

toneart - 5-10-2008 at 05:00 PM

Toneart= Tony (name), Tone (as in this trumpet player's distinctive sound) and Art (as manifested in several disciplines).

The avatar is a Polaroid photo taken of me holding my trumpet after which I pushed around the emulsion before it dried, thereby creating a painterly, French Impressionist-like image.

Skipjack Joe - 5-12-2008 at 09:59 AM

I've been fortunate to have led two baja lives: before Alex and with Alex.

My avatar reflects the second.

My forum name and avatar

Pompano - 5-12-2008 at 11:20 AM

Easy enough.

My avatar...most everyone who has spent time in Mulege over the last 50 years knows of this fine old character. He has passed from the scene now, but his memory lives on.
I knew him for many years as Rudolfo..but that's a private joke on me. His real name is/was Adolfo and here is a thread about him..and his passing:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=23108#pid2107...

My forum name, Pompano, is also my Baja boat-name.

It/they were named that for a special little bay within Bahia de Concepcion where many years ago I always could count on catching some good-eating pompano. If the wife says 8 for dinner tonight..no problema...I boat over to Pompano Cove and catch 2 nice fat ones. Bon appetite.

FISHING AND BOATS (7).jpg - 47kB

Natalie Ann - 5-12-2008 at 11:29 AM

My birth certificate sez Natalie Ann.
My avatar pix was taken from a rooftop porch in El Centenario. If you could see it larger, it shows both the moon and the sun during the time a little chubasco was passing over... which sometimes reminds me of me.

Nena

debindesert - 5-12-2008 at 02:11 PM

My avatar is a self-portrait painted during the lowest time in my life:

At 9 AM my employer informed me legal proceedings were started to fend off a hostel take-over.

At 3 PM my Doctor called and informed me that I had cancer.

At 6PM my Hubby informed me that after 10 years, he didn’t want to be married anymore.

Oh, by the way, did I tell you it was my Birthday.

By Midnight, I locked myself in my studio. For three days I drank my way through a case of Zinfandel. The results was this self-portrait and an oath never to drink Zinfandel again.

That was 17 years ago. Now, I keep the painting around to remind me how great life is today. I also toast it on my Birthday, but a cool Pacifico seems more to my liking.

My name is simple as where I am in life “debindesert“. It does change for short periods of time to “debinbaja”. That’s what really pleases me. Maybe, a few more trips and I’ll just have to paint another self-portrait. This time with a better influence of liquor! :lol:

Mexitron - 5-12-2008 at 04:17 PM

Interesting...intense, Debindesert! You really showed your emotions in that one...that's one heckava bad day. Glad things are good again.

eatin drt in baja...

eetdrt88 - 5-14-2008 at 01:28 PM

drivin down some backroads in baja,my buddies suburban covered in dirt and dust....instead of "wash me",we wrote "eat dirt" on the back window....it just kinda stuck.so when i was thinkin of an online handle...thats what popped in my mind,cant remember why i added the 88 :biggrin: