Kabalarian Philosophy of Names:

The name of Jeff gives you a very inquisitive, restless, seeking nature. You feel impelled by intense desires that you cannot comprehend or satisfy. You have had the desire to accomplish something outstanding and to do something very worthwhile for humanity, especially early in your life. This name gives you a versatile, clever, analytical mind, but unfortunately you cannot direct your interest toward an undertaking for long, as you do not have the patience and practicality for systematic hard work and attention to detail. You resent obstacles, delays, and restrictions. This name gives you ambition, high ideals, and much creative ability, but the intense dynamic nature is too often spent in feelings and in moods, rather than in constructive action.

Your name of Downer creates an idealistic, sensitive nature and a desire for culture and the refinements of life. You would work best in a relaxed environment at tasks involving writing, mathematical, or analytical skills that require concentration. You appear calm to others, but at times you suffer inwardly with nervous tension. You can find it difficult to express your deeper thoughts and feelings verbally. It is much more natural for you to express your deeper thoughts in writing. A lack of positivity and confidence is a source of difficulty in making decisions in business dealings.

(apparently Madonna, the singer, is a strong believer and follower of this philosophy)
Find yours here: http://www.kabalarianphilosophy.org/name.cfm

I was in Harvard square buying stationary and envelopes, paying with my credit card, when the woman looked at the name on the back of the card and sent me this link:

Ancestry-based scholarships for undergraduate students at Harvard College

Charles Downer Scholarship Fund
Restrictions, in order of preference:
1. Students who bear the surname Downer and who are descendants of Joseph or Robert Downer of Wiltshire, England;
2. Other students bearing the surname Downer;
3. Descendants of members of the Harvard Class of 1889.


I picked the wrong school. I am going to look into this further.