Why Magellan?

I'm often asked why I have a middle name of Magellan. On my original birth certificate it was spelled more or less the Portuguese way Magalhaens (the 'n' is added because the ae when pronounced in Portuguese sounds like an 'n'). Magellan was my father Edward's middle name too and is the middle name of my oldest son Andrew and my grandson Christian. Magellan was the maiden name of my grandmother Maude nee Magellan Horth. She was of Portuguese origin and was Malaysian (I think). She met my grandfather Charles Edward Horth in England when they both attended Cambridge University.

My father told me a white lie when I was about 9 years old and very impressionable that I was the direct decedent of the great Ferdinand Magellan (Fernao de Magalhaes he himself had several ways of spelling his name - particularly when he moved from the court of Spain to the court of Portugal)- the first human to circumnavigate the world. Imagine what that metaphor has done for the way I live my life!

I say a white lie because my own research shows that Magellan had one child who died as a child while he was globe trotting. He may have had an illegitimate son who didn't carry the same name. Nevertheless it is true for me. I have lived the metaphor in many ways.

What do I want to get out of the 23Things experience? What would I like to learn more about?

I want to learn more about iGoogle, deli.cio.us, gadgets, jott. You name it. I am a registered techno freak who loves to learn new things but is often too lazy to figure out how to.

Looking forward to surprises!

David (Monday 10th September 2007)