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.

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.

a frumpy old librarian

Ahem! Please put your librarian stereotypes away.

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

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.

What about Say Hey Willie Mays?

t admires Perkins' tats

In a complete change of topic, I saw this sign last night outside a place in Adams Morgan:

"Applesauce Wrestling" followed by something about being vegan.

t admires Perkins' & Sparky's asses

Miriam is a frumpy old librarian.

To me, Miriam is an earthy Jewish folk-singer with crazy hair and surprisingly sexy glasses. Well, CASG, I suppose.