Writing from my college library computer station. This is the first time I've done that since I was at university a few years ago, and the girl sitting beside me said "Oh my god! You're larrielou!" Since I'm the only one here, I feel quietly confident that I'm safe in my anonymity. As a means of procrastination, I will share a few of my name stories from work. I just love the names people come up with, and all the various spellings. Like Ashlee/Ashleigh/Ashley/Ashlie. Etc. It's getting to the point where I even have to double check the spelling when parents come up to me with their child "Tom". "Now, that's T.O.M?" "NOOO", with a roll of the eyes. "T.O.M.N" It hasn't happened yet, but one day soon, I promise I will be able to come online and tell you about it. I've had two siblings with the same name - "Fantasy". Why one of them wasn't enough, I have no idea, why they chose to name both their children the same, I will never know. Perhaps they simply just forgot they'd already used it? Possibly the best name story I have from working in Emergency involves a doctor picking up a chart and going out to the waiting room. "Is there an "Anferne" here?" she called, pronouncing the name as it was spelt. "Nah", the mother called out with disdain. "It's ANFERNEE" (as in, Anthony.....) Like, Der... My other favourite will only be relevant to those who know Brisbane. But think of the suburb with the lowest socio-economic population you can, and you get the drift of the story. There was a girl called "Alani" in the department a couple of months ago, and the nurse looking after her asked the parents "That's a pretty name, how did you come up with it?" A shrug, and a reply "It's Inala spelt backwards." ......
