Alan Shepard is RP char. Sometimes I have a feeling about integrating some oorp story in this characters life but I follow my basic rules:
1. This is a game where I can be child again again and again.
2. I dont want to influence RP with my oorp / RL things because RP is island of peace for me which keeps away my RL worries.
3. Professional, RPing can be a personality disorder but it can also be used as therapy in anxiety and in other psychosocial problems.
4. well ...