The following is from a post I put on Facebook…
I thought I would take a moment to explain my doppleganger selection. It’s actually a funny story. Along around 1967, I decided to dig a hole out of the fence in the back yard where the family often penned me up to keep me from burning down the neighborhood. I figured since they named me after two dogs and a jackass (Rex Francis Nipper), that digging under the fence was a good plan. I love irony..don’t you? Anyway…that’s not the point to the story. When I got out, I walked about a mile down to Guthrie, and E.12th streets where evidently, a large group of older children had gathered and were out riding their bicycles looking for a wayword two year old. Evidently, to my amazement at the time, that was me. I have no doubt I didn’t think I was lost. I was just trying to get away. Even at such a young age I knew I had to get out of Iowa.
Anyway, this group of individuals decided that it would be a good idea to call the police, since the entire neighborhood was out looking for me. When the cops got there, even at two, I knew it was best to lie low. So in my nieve state, figuring that other two year olds would be trying to break loose as well, I gave them a different name. And the name I chose was the only one I could think of at the time. Imagine my amazement, when ten minutes later, I was back in my fenced in yard, and in the arms of the people from whom I was trying to escape in the first place. I learned then, that I must be more stealthy.
The name I had chosen: Charlie Brown.
At the time I would have no idea how prophetic that name would be. In the past 42 years my life has mirrored that of a cartoon character in ways no one could have imagined. I mean I have a big round head with no hair. I was once in love with the little red headed girl. I looked for the great pumkin, and I think Christmas is far too commercial. Let’s face it, the only thing missing is the beagle! Still, I keep trying to kick the ball, even though Lucy is a bitch, because I know, in my heart, that one day I will knock it through the posts!
In the end it finally took me 26 years to escape Iowa. I’ve since learned how to use my talents in an effort to continue staying out of reach. For example, I have, in the past, made some money supplying my talents to Halmark. Something I share with Charlie indeed.
So, while others out there have found that person they physically resemble, I have truly found the one I mirror. Too bad that mirror was supplied by the Riverview fun house.
Rex