What's In A Name...

It’s funny how some things get started. I have this website now, and I am posting my original writings here. I have become CaliforniaBlonde, it seems…..

When I signed up for an SNS, ten months ago, it took me all of 45 seconds to think of a name and find out it was not taken.. Imagine my surprise when friends told me how hard it had been to get their screen names.

When I chose CaliforniaBlonde, I had no idea that it was the name used by a company that distributes guitar amps. And they are cool looking guitar amps at that. Oh, and if you Google CaliforniaBlonde, you will also find some “Escort Services” with which I am NOT affiliated. And now, for about the last month, if you Google CaliforniaBlonde, you will also find my website, CaliforniaBlondeWrites.com.

Well, getting the screen name was the easy part. Within a month after joining the SNS, I had a new nickname: Cali. Since it is derived from the screen name, and since I like it, it stuck.

But, not completely.

First, there was Calidonia. It is another name for Scotland….and since, I am Irish, and Ireland is nearby, it seemed like a good nickname for my nickname for my screen name. Right? After all, people give me nicknames because they like me. Or my screen name is just too long to use…….

And, of course, since it rhymed and I do live in a valley, I became Cali, Queen of the Valley. I also have a tee-ARRA so, I qualify to proclaim myself as the queen of the valley, I guess. For awhile, it was Cali O’Malley, Queen of the Valley but, that was just too much to put on my stationery and monogrammed towels.

And, yet, there were others who simply reduced my screen name to initials: cb, CB, and even one person who addressed me simply as “C”……I am not sure if it was for California, or Cali. I don’t think I will worry about it.

Then, a few months ago, there was an onslaught of new people on the SNS and in my groups. Members of this onslaught started calling me “Blondie” and that has stuck, too. In the group I manage, I try to comment on every post and, from one post to the next, I may sign Cali, or Blondie, or even Cali Sue.

Cali Sue is one of my newer monikers, self-appointed, to describe a character I have created. Cali Sue is about my age, about my height and weight, and has similar facial features. She doesn’t work, though, and she is married. Her husband, JD, doesn’t want her working outside the home. And their home? A double wide mobile home in a park, hence, Cali Sue is also Queen of the Trailer Park.

Her home is beautifully appointed: she has a special-order davenport in the front room with upholstery depicting cowboys on bucking broncos. Can’t get that in the local store, that’s why she special ordered it. And her kitchen is also beautiful: all the appliances are pink, or “pank” as Cali Sue says, and her decorative accents are all “tur coys”. When she redecorated it, well, it was the talk of the trailer park!

I also have friends who call me “Sis” “Sunshine” “Darlin’” and “Hey you!” I really don’t mind. I see all these names as terms of endearment…..people like me, they really like me!

And I like you, too!