What's in a name?

Now that we are 14 weeks (and counting), thoughts have started to turn towards naming the progeny. This is no easy matter. Subtle takes every name I suggest, shortens it, and then finds the worst possible way that it could be construed by a 10 year old in the school yard. He says that he is helping me by not choosing a name that may torture our child in years to come. Strangely, for him to delve into the mind of a 10 year old doesn't seem to be that difficult. Also, any other names I have suggested is often followed by comments that it is a name of some third cousin or something.

I tell you it is difficult! I have also tried hinting at the fact that maybe since I am getting all the issues/difficulties/pain, I should have veto of naming rights. This logical thought process does not work on my dearest husband.

Oddly enough, I find that I am attracted to names beginning with "L". I always have been. I personally think that this may be the only reason I married my first husband, as his surname was an "L" name. Although I might be harsh in hindsight. So, I have been examining lists of names starting with "L" to somehow fulfil this desire. There are not significant numbers of names beginning with "L", but this helps to shorten the list markedly.

But, I wondered, why "L"? What is my afinity for this letter driving me to find any and all names suitable for my progeny?

And then I realised.

I blame "Laverne and Shirley". I blame her cute little monogrammed "L" on every single shirt she worse. I blame her perky attitude and charming demeanour and her occasional guest visits on "Happy Days" and happy banter with the Fonz. Penny Marshall has a lot to answer for in the formation of my young mind.

It has been a long time since I updated. I seemed to have abandoned this poor little blog of late. What has everyone been up to?

Well, I did my three weeks singing in Germany and surrounding countries, which was great fun and an interesting experience touring in a large group. People, by and large, are stupid, and group tours often has to lower to the most common denominator to function. Nevertheless, our guides and drivers were wonderful, patient and exquisitely organised and got us to all our gigs, accommodation and tours on time and cheerfully.

I followed this with a few days in Dubai visiting a girlfriend of mine from High School, who I get to see roughly every 5 years. Time passes by, and yet some people remain just wonderful souls to be around. Her life in Dubai is so different from our upbringing in suburban middle-class Brisbane. She consorts with high-fliers, is featured in local magazines and dresses in labels and brands beyond my comprehension (and budget). But somewhere, underneath it all, she is still the same girl I have always known, and can laugh and talk with for hours on end.

I returned home to go straight back into choir rehearsals again, and of course, Tap dancing classes which barely seem to have ended from last year.

Hmmm... what else have we been up to.... oh yeah, there is this as well....



12 weeks as of last weekend. I am fine, if a little exhausted and moody on occasion. Subtle is currently fine, if a little frayed with dealing with an alternately sick and moody wife, and an increasingly clingy cat.