Thursday 28 June 2012

What's in a name?


For a while I've been choosing names for my future children. This will not be for a long time yet... but it's good to be prepared! Here is a list of my chosen names to date and why I love them.

Boys:
1. Irwin. It's the middle name of the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg (who I love) and you don't come across many Irwins these days...
2. Winston. Well, this is the middle name of John Lennon (who I also love) and I did think it was unusual until Billie Piper named her son Winston. Additionally, whenever I tell people I like the name they say 'as in Churchill?' and I would never want people to think I named my child after him... so this one might come off the list.
3.Woody. It's the name of one of my favourite film directors, Woody Allen. I think it's a really lovely, interesting name, but I have a feeling my child would hate me if I named him this - everyone would say 'like in Toy Story'!
4. Edward (but called Teddy). I think this is a nice, classic, timeless name. But I would never accept anyone calling him 'Ed'... that would be horrific. 
5. Darwin. For the obvious reason that Charles Darwin is amazing. I would like to name my child after someone who made such a significant contribution to our understanding of how we are here today.

Girls:
1. Lara. I adored the video game character Lara Croft when I was younger. She is just so cool. And how great would it be to say that you are named after a video game?... maybe not. But it's still a lovely name.
2. Olive. Although most Olive's these days are like 90 years old, I love this name. It has a vintage-y feel to it... if a name can be vintage? I think it's interesting and different!
3. Sylvia. I love the poet Sylvia Plath - she's brilliant. I wouldn't want my children to have names that are in fashion for a while and then seem silly. I think this is a perfect example of a beautiful, timeless name.

Monday 11 June 2012

The most pessimistic birthday ever


Last birthday was a good birthday. 16 is a good age. I turned 17 yesterday and I don’t like it. The only positive side to being 17 is the fact I can learn to drive. But even then... learning doesn’t equal having a car to drive. 18 is how old I want to be, for obvious reasons. I don’t see the point in getting older when I still don’t have the things that come with being 18.
I’m also very aware of the fact that time is going. This is no joke. Most people get depressed about reaching 30, or 40 or whatever. I’m having a ‘semi-quarter life crisis’ or something like that. I would actually be happy to be 16 forever, but with the advantages that come with being 18. I don’t want to grow older. Because the older I get, the closer to death I am. And I am nowhere near accepting the fact that I’m going to die. No.
Oh well, never mind. Next year’s the important one.