I took DH's name. Legally I'm Susan MaidenName MarriedName, though AFAIC my original middle name, Eunice (for my grandmother, whose birthday I share) is still there. Sometimes I wish I'd kept my maiden name, but at the time I was only beginning to step out of my conservative religious phase, and it would've felt like too big of a statement. Also, my maiden name was Stone, and I was sick of being called Sharon. Seriously. It happened ALL THE TIME.

But the W. name feels like mine now, eight years on. Not that I've stopped being a Stone or having strong ties to my family and heritage, just that Susan W. is me.

I agree on the shoulders.

Though I do not know why.

Odd convention, isn't it?

Odd convention, isn't it?

If you don't actually put it on, the cooties can't transfer?

Maybe it's the lack of armpit contact.

Armpits really are nast.

I think boys should shave them too.

How are you defining diminutive? As someone whose name is all diminutive and no name, I'm curious. Because I don't see why

Of or being a suffix that indicates smallness or, by semantic extension, qualities such as youth, familiarity, affection, or contempt

applies more to Stephie than Teppy (in the semantic extension sense, and certainly can be used in search of the same qualities). In my head it's derived more from the spelling than the sound, but similar enough.

I don't see any reason why one wouldn't be great and the other anathema. I just don't get the not-diminutive argument.

MMA Class Report (I know you're all just DYING to hear it)

Last night was the end of my first six weeks and now that I'm going on vacation there will be no hitting and kicking for thirteen days. I have SO drunk the kool-ade here, it is scary how bummed I am about that.

My forearms are getting all Popeye shaped. Hee. My muscle groups take turns hurting. Today its abs! Last night we did high round kicks and my legs can totally take that now -- not hurting. Oooh! And I got to hit with my instructor which is AWESOME because, apparently, the rest of the time I hold back a little. So. Much. Fun.

I know, I know... I'm as boring as people who talk constantly about weightwatchers points. But I could probably kick most of their asses...

sparky1 - I can if you want, but I can also get a rec for a dermatologist down your way. without telling the Committee On Excessive Worry (aka: mom1 and mom2) why of course. One member of said committee has had plenty of experience, given the fact that they used radiation to treat acne when she was a teenager. dumbest thing ever.

All the logic belongs to you, ita, but...I totally get it. Because I find 'Nicky' as applied to me just makes my skin crawl, whereas 'Nic' - which is just as much a diminutive - I like just fine.

I guess in my case there's partly the fact that Nic is more gender neutral and so doesn't ping me so much as a generic diminutive with overtones of common-and-vacuous-little-tart. And it's partly the repetition of the short 'i' sound. Er. It's really not a cool and logical squick at all.

I can see that Stephie is more generic and obvious a reduction of a given name, whereas Teppy only makes sense written down, and it pings me as more of a play on the name rather than a pat-on-the-head, make-you-less-than-you-are kind of thing.

Crumbs. I don't know whether this is making any sense outside of my head.

Would it be totally wierd to put it on?

I think it's weird because it's too close - like I would wear my boyfriend's sweatshirt, ot a close friend's, but otherwise no.

I got thrown in the pool by a bunch of (really hot and cut) Marines in Rio de Janeiro and one of them gave me his Marine sweatpants to wear home. I totally had a little crush on him forever.