A blog by any other name…

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Right now I’m lying in bed feeling sorry for myself. I’ve a cold that hits in waves. One minute I’m fine, the next I feel like I have cotton balls stuffed up my nose and swallowed a wad of steel wool. If it weren’t for a laptop, this post wouldn’t be going up today. But I have a new Mac and really feel I should use it, even if my brain and fingers aren’t on speaking terms. Let’s hope I don’t regret this decision.

Due to my mopey disposition of late, I’ve cooked nothing interesting to show you. I’ve done nothing but blow my nose and complain, which I’ve already covered. [See paragraph above for disturbing details.] So, what’s there to talk about?   

I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify a consistent point of reader confusion. My name.

And it’s all my fault.

Allow me to walk you through a typical email correspondence / chat.

Hi Christie!
Hi XX, [Fascinating email response goes here.] All the best, Charmian.

Charmian?! Sorry, I thought your name was Christie.
Close. My LAST name is Christie. My first name is Charmian.

Sorry about that Charmaine.
No problem. Everyone gets it wrong. But my name is spelled Charmian. Like, “Charm Ian”. Lucky Ian!

That’s an unusual / pretty / nice [ridiculous] name. How do you say it?
It’s pronounced SHAR-mee-ann.

Charmian? Is that French?
No. According to the baby books, it’s Greek. It means “Little Joy.”

Are you Greek?
No.

At this point I try to get back to the topic from which we wildly veered. I want to avoid the next question. Yes, there is a story of how my parents came up with my name, but it’s a bit long and has nothing to do with food, so I’ll skip it.

The one question everyone is too polite to ask is: If your name is Charmian, why the $%^& did you name your blog Christie’s Corner?

I know it’s confusing. I started the blog on a whim and named it without thinking things through. I’d no idea anyone who didn’t know me would actually read it. If I had to do it all over again, I’d think of something funny and clever. Like these people did.

See, these are good names.

In light of my dissatisfaction, I’ve created a poll so you can weigh in on the issue. If you have suggestions for a new name (for the blog, not me) or know of other food blogs with great names, drop me a note in the comments.

All the best,
Charmian

PS: That Creme Brulee book is still up for grabs!