Best-possible-outcome vibes for your procedure, ita.

Aliki is also the name of a children's author who is a friend of one branch of my family, and her books and posters and little friendly doodles are such a part of the background of that whole side of my life that I had to read the name over and over and repeat it aloud several times before the unfortunate teasing possibilities occurred to me.

My family doesn't use their given names. My sister Norene has always been called Mona. My sister Mary we call Judi. My brother John we call Jim. They call me by my name.

I have a cousin of sorts named Fintan, who is called Mike. I love Fintan, I think it's a fabulous name.

It is time to remind everyone of my Uncle Expedite? People called him Ex. Except fro his family, who called him Howard, which is his surname. I guess it's strange that his wife and children refer to him by his last name, but there are...unique circumstances.

Because of the role that my teddy bear played in my life (long story), and repeated viewings of the BBC Brideshead Revisited while young, I adore Aloysius. I would never seriously foist that upon a child though.

My bear's name is Algernon, and I had another bear named Sebastian.

For girls it's easy, for boys, not so much.

Is Pierre to foreign sounding in the US? Or my grandfather was Louis, which works as long as people don't default to Lou-isss.

They call me by my name.

To be fair, marrying Brendon resulted in you having possibly the coolest name ever. It'd be a shame not to call you by it.

What Pete said times 100.

Totally what Pete said.

ita, best thoughts for the procedure. I think you're due an unprecedented level of success and relief from the pain.

nods

What that the charming guy I married said. I hope this procedure brings you the relief we're all hoping for.

Timelies all!

Happy birthday MM!

Also, what Pete said.

Is Pierre to foreign sounding in the US? Or my grandfather was Louis, which works as long as people don't default to Lou-isss.

Pierre would probably work, although the pronunciation would be slightly off. But that's a good example of the fact that boys names don't match up (i.e., Peter/Pierre).

As opposed to so many of the girls names, which are spelled exactly the same with fairly close pronunciation (i.e., Charlotte, Isabelle, Ariane, etc.).

See, I approve of all this "what Pete Said" stuff.

Universe, please give me several million dollars pronto, taverymuch.

Okay, everyone make with the "what Pete said"s. I think it's only right.