My name is Rip Van Winkle and I can't sleep

[March 17, 2009]  CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- An Oregon man says people usually think he's joking when he introduces himself as Rip Van Winkle. But that's the name on his birth certificate. Really. Van Winkle told the Corvallis Gazette Times that his father and grandfather were nicknamed Rip, but his dad made things official for his son, figuring the nickname would eventually stick to him too.

Now, he has a little fun with it.

"I went to the doctor's office," the 37-year-old contractor said. "My name is Rip Van Winkle, and I can't sleep."

He owns and operates Rip Van Winkle Residential Contract and Repair, and prides himself on being able to fix almost anything.

Van Winkle said he would never change things.

"It's cool, because you get a chance to be yourself," he said. "How many Rip Van Winkles do you meet?"

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Information from: Gazette-Times, http://www.gtconnect.com/

[Associated Press]

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