1) Elisabeth posted a fun post about names (do you like your name? do you go by a nickname? your middle name?). While I was writing a novel in her comment section - boy, don't we all love to talk about our names? - I came to a somewhat disturbing conclusion.
I like my first name a lot. My middle name is boring, but I think it sounds great with my first name, so I'll allow it. But my last name. Oomph.
When I got married, I did not change my name. There are good reasons for this - professional, political, and social. Dr. BB and I took an afternoon off from work and went to the Hennepin County Courthouse to get our marriage license. We had to put the names we were going to use after the wedding on this form and I realized that we had not once talked about it. Dr. BB comes from a Catholic family. They go to church every week and take communion, but they aren't the types of Catholics who want mass to be in Latin or for women to wear chapel veils, right?
I looked up at him in panic. "I'm not going to change my name."
"I never thought you were."
And that, my friends, cemented that I was getting a good guy.
But now. My last name is the name of my father. The name of my father's family. And as my relationship with my family of origin gets more and more strained, I have this name.
I still think the reasons for keeping my name are sound. But sometimes I wonder why I didn't take this fabulous man's (and his family's) name. This has been hard to think about.
2) Speaking of his fabulous family, do you remember my nephew who I was helping with the ACT? Well, he took the test in April and his score improved, but he took it again in September and NOW HE HAS A 30. I'm just so chuffed and proud of him.
3) My friend Rob (he has no idea who I am) said in his 60 Songs That Explain the 90s: The 2000s podcast episode ostensibly about Lee Ann Womack's song "I Hope You Dance," but was really somehow about The Blues Brothers and Dolly Parton, that "Jolene" is the quintessential Dolly song. I mean, I don't know that I disagree, but then Dr. BB and I had a discussion about Dolly's top five.
"9 to 5"
"Jolene"
"Coat of Many Colors"
Now I have some thoughts. Personal favorites of mine include "Romeo," "Islands in the Stream," "The Grass is Blue," and "Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That," but I think there are some strong arguments for "Hard Candy Christmas," "I Will Always Love You," "Joshua," and "Rockin' Years."
ANYWAY. What's your Top Five Dolly list?
4) It's my bi-annual insanity time at work in which priority registration is just around the corner and this is what my work calendar looks like.
Don't worry. It doesn't usually look like this. But if I seem a bit distracted, you'll know why! (I have a periodontist appointment this morning. I have had that time blocked off for six months.)
5) Gentle reminder that our read of Convenience Store Woman for CBBC starts on Monday! I can't wait to hear what you all think of the first half of the book.
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Does anyone else have podcast host "friends"? What's in your Top Five Dolly songs?
I dont have podcast friends, but I have my friend Jeff who sends packages for me. ( though my sister met him in person, and he was rather abrupt. )
ReplyDeleteI really like Here you Come Again and Coat of Many Colors by Dolly. I'm not fond of Jolene or Islands in the Stream, but I admit I've only listened to country music more as I've gotten older.
I didnt change my name when I married ; given how traditional I am it surprises people. I told my husband I wanted to keep my name, and all he asked was if it would cost money. Which it didn't, so he was happy with my choice. . (However, in the university universe, much more typical for a woman to keep her name. ) People call me by his last name sometimes ( because the kids have his name), but I don't mind. Legally and in my heart, I know I'm my last name.
Congratulations to your nephew! Those are great scores! Its nice to see someone put in some hard work and improve!
I did not change my name when I got married either and Rob never thought I would. It was a non-issue for us, but whoa, was it an issue for my mother. Crikey. She flipped out and gave me the gears about it for years and years. My MIL also used to address things to Mr and Mrs R Husbandslastname. It was a sore spot for the longest time. Now if someone calls me Mrs Husbandslastname I sometimes correct them and sometimes don't, depending on the circumstance.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your nephew!
Top Dolly: I Will Always Love You, Here You Come Again, Islands in the Stream, 9 to 5.
I went to the library yesterday and picked up Convenience Store Woman AND The Nightingales! And I read about 20 pages of Convenience Store woman- it's an easy, interesting read and it goes quickly. Speaking of podcast friends, Ariel from Books Unbound said she thinks Convenience Store Woman is one of the best books of the decade. We'll see about that! I'll be curious to see what people think of it.
ReplyDeletei did change my name when I got married, and it was an easy decision. My old last name was super boring, my husband's name was much more interesting, my sister had already gotten married and changed her name, and I just didn't feel much allegiance to my old name. Overall I think it makes life easier, especially when you have kids. But to each his own! Either way works.