Thank you for the update, Emily.

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But surely, if someone requests a tubal ligation or a vasectomy, it can be made clear that it is a usually irreversible sterilization technique

When we snipped the ex, the doctor wanted to make it very clear that it was totally reversible and children were still an option. Um? Thanks, can you make sure they're NOT an option because we're sure.

Emily, thank you for taking care of the bug and letting us know that she's okay.

Where'd the warm go? It was sweaty hot here yesterday and today I was eating my burger outside at InNOut and was shivering like mad. Also looks like rain. I like rain.

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Grrrr. Apparently the jacket I returned to Newport News in mid-August hasn't shown up there, yet. And that I shouldn't be worried by that, because it's perfectly normal for returned merchandise to take up to 8 weeks to get to them and be credited. Hmmph.

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Jilli, I think your jacket is there and the people who should be checking it in and making a note of it to your account are out wearing it somewhere.

I have suspected this about return departments for a long time, now.

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Catching waaaay up. First, let's pop the wife's bubbles.

Oh, I love Alistair. I doubt I could ever talk Dylan into it

Correct!

I like Harriet, but I'm afraid it might sound too frumpy alongside Annabel.

I like Harriet. I think it even made one of the final name lists for Annabel. I'd still consider it strongly if Proposed Family Expansion #2 is another Female.

I love Maria and Miriam, but I don't think Dylan does.

Not really. Maria has never appealed to me, and Miriam is a frumpy old librarian.

We all have our name things. I nixed Caroline because I think it sounds prissy and straitlaced, much to Dylan's disappointment.

Charlotte was the compromise Charles-root name, but I still think Annabel Caroline would flow better.

I had to point out to her that she needs to let go of her tweedy Brit-boy love because a child named Alistair is going to get his ass kicked on the playground on a regular basis. It is an Invitation To Abuse name.

I'm with Hec on this. It's too old, too English, too hothouse, too... not guy.

My rule is that if you wouldn't snicker to hear the name announced in a baseball or football or basketball lineup, it's OK. And I'm sorry, but "Now pinch hitting for Willie Bloomquist, #57, Alistair Smith" doesn't sound all that good.

Two words for you, Hec:

Jug. Band.

Plei, dear? Your name, in Japanese, means "Cars that lesbian yuppies drive." Not that there's anything wrong with that. The lesbian part.

I am still clinging to the belief that SOMEONE I know will name one of their offspring 'Clovis'.

Clovis Wilbanks. I like it!

And as for the whole don't want children thing, I totally respect that, and I make it a point to never rub my fatherhood in anyone's face.

True conversation:

Me: "I was up at 3 trying to get the girl back to sleep."

Him: "You're doing a bad job selling me on this fatherhood thing."

Me: "Uh... when the hell am I supposed to be selling you on fatherhood? It's not like I'm gonna get steak knives for every couple that gets knocked up."

Thing is, I give respect, and I expect it in return. I'll tell parenthood like it is and never, ever ask anyone when they're going to have kids, but you tell me how I'm a "stupid breeder" and I'll cram the spare pacifier in my pocket up your ass.

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My rule is that if you wouldn't snicker to hear the name announced in a baseball or football or basketball lineup, it's OK.

Bah. That doesn't work for people who roll their eyes at sporting events.

I'll tell parenthood like it is and never, ever ask anyone when they're going to have kids, but you tell me how I'm a "stupid breeder" and I'll cram the spare pacifier in my pocket up your ass.

That's a perfectly reasonable response.

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a frumpy old librarian

Ahem! Please put your librarian stereotypes away.

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Sparky beat me to saying it, but yeah, it would be nice.

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My rule is that if you wouldn't snicker to hear the name announced in a baseball or football or basketball lineup, it's OK. And I'm sorry, but "Now pinch hitting for Willie Bloomquist, #57, Alistair Smith" doesn't sound all that good.

Alistair is better than Willie. William is a fine name, and Will, Billy, and even Bill are acceptable nicks for the same. But there's nothing manly about Willie. Too much of a wee association there.

I'll accept that not everyone conceptualizes Alistair the way I do. But I really don't hear how it's so different from Aidan, Ian, Sean, Dylan, Owen, etc.

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What about Say Hey Willie Mays?

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