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If you've known me long, you know I have great love for the stories by J.R.R. Tolkien, so you could be forgiven for thinking that might influence my choice to use inititals rather than my name. The truth has to do more with my identity (and it's theft).

When I was young my parents set me up with my first checking account. This, as I recall, was the first time I ever needed to lay my signature on anything. I wrote it, in my best cursive, as Scott Swope. My dad stopped me and asked the banker if I could try again. This time he instructed me to also use my middle initial. He explained that it was good to include as it might be helpful someday.

As usual, he was right. Jump forward another 15 years or so and I was the victim of identity theft. It's an entertaining story now but I'll save it for later. The short version is, there are a number of guys that share my rather unique first and last names and one of them isn't particularly awesome. The thing that helped clearing the matter up, in the end, was my middle initial.

Also, fun fact: I grew up with quite a lisp. Scott Swope was particularly tough for me to get out - but Scott R. or S.R. seemed easier for some reason. Still does some days. Maybe that's the story I should lead with?  Either way, S.R. it is.

And if that makes someone think of J.R.R., well, I can live with that.

Bob Dylan once wrote about a young man who told his father he would "know my song well before I start singing."  He understood the power of his words and had experienced the world before being confident that he could contribute meaningfully.

Words are where the deep magic lies.
To harm and to heal.
To cause chaos and peace.
To destroy and to create.

I have spent a lifetime studying and refining my understanding of the power of words.
I hope that I've healed more than I've harmed along the way, but I know that I've done both.
Now it is time to sing.