Sean’s name came from the fact that for generations the firstborn male was named John (even though Jason theoretically holds that position), and someone had to break that tired tradition — not by petulance, but rather a return to Irish roots. Another reason is that ‘Sean’ also has a Chinese homophone, meaning ‘kind.’ (Hence, Bo Shan — with Bo being the characted for pine tree). As for middle name, however, we hit an impasse: Thomas for my brother, Robert for our favorite uncle, Dharma just for fun, and finally Langston, perhaps the best one of all.

I play it cool
And dig all jive.
That’s the reason
I stay alive.

My motto,
As I live and learn,
is:
Dig And Be Dug
In Return.

Langston Hughes