Names

Since I was little I've been fascinated by names. My sisters and I created a game we very cleverly called "The Name Game" in which we found unusual names in a name book, wrote them down on paper, and drew them out of a basket to create names. We were obviously quite easily entertained. Some of our favorites included Honoria and Cordie-Cordie. We named all of our dolls, we talked about names for our children someday, we went through great rituals in choosing names for make believe or paper dolls. If a name could be chosen for something, we went to great lengths to choose the perfect name.
With such a background, I find myself listening to names at the store where I work. Today I was intrigued by a mother and her three children--who were incidentally undoing all the tidying work I did in the kid's section. Throughout the course of their lengthy and noisy stay back in my section I heard her call the kids Hattie, Mabel, and Nash. I am familiar with the first two names, but only through literature in my childhood (Hattie Be Quiet, Hattie Be Good and The Grandma's Attic Series). But I've never heard the name Nash. The names didn't seem to fit the tow-headed kids, either. Another name I heard today was Sally. This obviously isn't a strange name, but I realized that I've never seen a Sally that looked like a Sally. And therefore, I'm not sure what a Sally should look like. It seems more like a fictitious name and not something a real person should have.
Back in my first semester of college I had a teacher called Estrella Sybinsky. She was a strange and flighty woman who seemed more concerned with the birds and the bees than the American Government we were to study. She called role every class and she never seemed to know where I was in the room--as I am a creature of habit, I always sat in the same seat and I always sat with the same two guys who she always knew. Finally one day she looked at me after seeing me respond to my name (for the record she said the last name and then the first name which I found a little bothersome) and said, "You just don't look like a Stephanie." I asked what I looked like and she thought for a moment and replied, "I don't know, maybe a Tiffany." Now I ask you, how different is Stephanie from Tiffany? Honestly they both kind of sound like preppy, cheerleader girls from the late 80s, early 90s. This is of course my personal stereotype and not one that I fit at all. :) But still, the names sound pretty similar to me. However, I am quite happy my parents chose Stephanie because I personally prefer it over Tiffany. And there is something to be said for contentment.

Sunday

During a personal prayer this week, I happened upon a realization that surprised me greatly: I edit my prayers. Seriously, I was praying about a particular situation and I mentally used the word things and I backed-up and carried on a brief mental conversation about my weak word choice and what noun would be more concrete. I couldn’t believe the writer in me coming out, because truly I do know that I have a perfect intercessor that brings my prayers before God. If I don’t use the perfect word or pray the most elegant prayer, God understands. Honestly, I should be more concerned with a consistent prayer life instead of the perfect words in my prayers.

My cleaning earlier in the week resulted in a crate of dolls—porcelain and plastic—I wanted to pass on because I just had too many left from childhood. However, the dolls were mostly given to me by family and they held some sentimental value so I decided I’d rather give them away to little girls I know and not just pass them off to Goodwill. To that end I lugged a yellow crate to church this morning with the following message taped to the side: FREE to good home as long as parents are asked first. Have fun. I was so pleased to see the many little girls at church delightedly choose a doll and take her home. I only had one doll left, and frankly her wig comes off which I believe wasn’t terribly appealing to anyone. I’d say it was a success. I didn’t even feel a twinge of sadness giving away pieces of childhood with the way it brought pleasure to the girls. Hopefully all the parents were happy enough with the addition of a new toy to the house.

Happily Ever After

The elephant is whole again and watching over the Factory Furniture Outlet parking lot. All is well and returned to normal. :)

Going Solo

I conducted an experiment today. At the urging of the boyfriend, I attended a movie alone. I'm not entirely sure what this experience was supposed to prove, but I came away feeling like I would have been just as well watching a movie alone on my couch. I was a bit appalled at the matinee price of $7 and I shared the theater with only three other people and I didn't enjoy the movie as much as I thought I might. Not that it was an entirely negative experience, I just realized that I'd rather go to the theater with someone and if I want to watch a movie alone, I'd rather do it in the comfort of my own home.
I watched The Golden Compass which has received particular attention and hype from within the Christian community--this being negative attention. Being of a literary mind as well as in the book business, I figured it might be worth my checking out. I'm typically pleased with fantasy stories, but this lacked something. I know the book is quite long and I'm certain the writers of the screenplay did a lot of cutting out and condensing. Although I have not read the book, I got the feeling that the movie lacked some purpose and movement because of the missing material. It wasn't all bad or anything, but I definitely wouldn't take a young child to see it, portions were a little intense and there was also a bit of a weirdness with the humans' souls being contained with an animal (these were all sorts of animals and it was a bit strange to see an animal continually beside each human) which they referred to as daemons (each of these did have another name as well and could communicate with their human). From what I understand the Christian community is concerned about the anti-God influence of these stories. I didn't perceive that this installment of the story was pushing an anti-God message; however, there was no god. And I believe as many fantasy stories go, this trilogy gets darker the further it goes. I wouldn't compel you not to see the movie, but I might recommend waiting until it comes out on DVD if you have great interest in seeing it. If you have any comments about the movie or book (particularly if you have watched or read it), I'd love to hear them because I am far from an expert on knowing the enjoyment and concerns regarding this story (although I was given an article to read about Philip Pullman, so I know he is no friend of Christianity).

Purging

For the purpose of detoxing I fasted today and therefore have felt somewhat hungry all day. This is the third time I've fasted this year and I've found that in general it is easier than I think it will be, but nevertheless, I am quite excited to eat the next morning.
I used my day to pray as well as do some major cleaning in my bedroom. I have accumulated too much. To anyone that knows me, I can be a little fanatical about organizing and such so it is probably not much of a surprise that I felt the need to purge some belongings while I was purging my body. I still have too much, but I did downsize by a couple boxes and for now I am content with that.

Rediscovering an Old Friend.

I've long been a fan of books and feel that everything I read leaves some sort of impression behind. I can list countless books I read growing up and some of them I see as catalysts for turning points. I am amazed by the longevity of print friends.
Several years ago I was introduced to Helene Hanff through her book 84 Charing Cross Road and I felt some kinship to her. Last year in my stocking I received an old copy of Q's Legacy also by Ms. Hanff. It was the first book I completed last year and I loved meeting an acquaintance within the pages of another book. About a month back an assuming book fell into my possession and with great delight I opened the pages and began to read another chapter in the life of a not quite forgotten friend. Underfoot in Show Business is another one of Ms. Hanff's memoirs. This one about her early attempts at screenwriting. Although busyness has kept me from completing this book, I found that I once again connected with the quirks and humor of this friend met only in print.
Often people have not heard of Ms. Hanff and if you are one those, I'd encourage you to consider finding one of her books at the library or a bookstore (although I believe most of her books are out of print) and giving her a read. Perhaps you will meet a new friend as well.
Happy reading!

Saturday night rambles...

It's bad enough we're paying $3.19 a gallon for gas, but a VP in town had the following listed: $31.9. Can you imagine? We'd never drive anywhere at that price.

And since I drive the same path frequently you, my dear readers (few as you may be), are going to be treated to a final episode in the life of the elephant. Now the poor animal is standing on its stumps, with the 4 legs carefully lined up beside it and the trunk rather haphazardly tossed in front of the broken nose. It's such a sad sight, I don't know why the store doesn't just dispose of the elephant.