Mispronouncing tamale-molly.

About three years ago, my boss' boss Willie started calling me "Tamale". She was passing through the department and stopped at my cube to say "did you know everytime I spell your name in outlook, it tries to correct me to "Tamale"?" I laughed "Yep, I know.."

Growing up with a name like mine wasn't easy. I always liked my name, but never understood why people didn't pronounce it right. "Pamela with a T." I would say in response. "Ta-ME-la" is what I was called the most. Just because it is spelled that way doesn't mean I want to be called that. How can Pamela be easy but Tamela isn't?

Substitute teachers were the worse. There was a 99% chance that if we had a sub, my name was going to be mispronounced. "Tampela" "Tamula" "Ta-ta-tam..-" "Tamela!" boys in the class would shout.

Josh Haffner would purposely mispronounce my name is Mr Lampy's class. He sat in front of me, turning around - his eyes teasing "TaaaaMEEElaaa...lemme copy." he would drive me crazy, and he knew it. Now I would give just about anything for him to do that again.

As an adult, I have grown used to it all.

Customers on the phone mispronounce my name as "Pamela" and I just agree "Uh huh." It really is no use. I'm too lazy to correct it. Co-workers will transfer me calls, "she asked for Pamela, I figured it was you."

But the Tamale nickname has taken on a life of it's own. Willie calling me Tamale was nothing new, I never even thought about it until one day when Kari (Easley) walked by my desk and said "Hey Tamale!" I looked at Julie and said "Wait, did she just call me Tamale?" I laughed "this person whom I've known since 7th grade is now calling me that!"

I asked Willie "Do you call me "Tamale" in your staff meetings?" "Yep, sure do."

Now about 97% of my floor calls me that. I don't mind, I embrace it. It's fun. I'll even joke when someone compliments my outfit "Yep, I'm one hot tamale!" Willie says I need a shirt with that phrase on it. I can't find one I like.

Sweeney switches it up, calling me "Tamale-molly" "Tamoolie" or just "Molly" when she's in a hurry.

Jen-Ben will be flying by for a quick hi - "Hi Ta-ME-la". I smile. For some reason, I don't mind it as much when she does it. Or maybe I'm just used to it.

As long as it's not Tammy or Tampon.

Single Resident.

Single Resident.
Current mood: rockin

"I wish that just once people wouldn't act like the clichés that they are." - Claire, Six Feet Under

I always hated the term "singles". It gets on my nerves. And it signals in my brain that "single=sad".

One thing I especially dislike are those ads you get in the mail. Instead of putting a name or 'resident' on the address label, the put 'single resident'. Meaning "if you're married, nevermind. Give this to your lonely friend."

Not everyone who is single is lonely and sad. I fall into the single by choice group. Sure, sometimes I miss companionship. And sometimes I do get lonely. But, even married people get lonely. Anyone who says they don't get lonely is probably lying.

"Singles" though...the reason why it gets on my nerves so bad is the fact that the advertisers ASSUME we are lonely and desperate. "Lonely? We have the perfect place to meet singles!"...right.

Just because your not in an exclusive relationship doesn't mean that there is something wrong with you. Which is usually what is implied to me, at 29.

I have the same conversation with a girl-friend of mine every few months:

Her: "So, what happened with...so-and-so..?"
Me: "Meh, that didn't really work out."
Her: "Awww ...well, you'll find someone."

I dislike this conversation so much. I have now started replying with 'do I look worried?' it's kinda like she's saying "you are so sad...waiting for the knight to rescue you." Puleaze, life isn't a fairy-tale. And if it is, I'm most definitely not that bitch Rapunzel.

I've met some of the men on those "singles" sites. They were all unwashed masses or guys looking to get laid. While guys are always wanting to get laid, these guys made me perfectly clear that it was the only thing they were after.

Hey, I'm all for the sex. I do enjoy that part of a relationship (as my girlfriends all can vouch for my adoration of the physical romps). But, if I'm going to actually talk to one guy and focus on him, he's going to have to give me more than just physical. If you don't stimulant my mind as well, I'm going to get bored, realize that I am wasting my time and there will be no more romping with me.

Kinda like the time that Carrie Bradshaw dated the 20-something guy - he was all seductive in bed then they woke up in the morning for him to say "WHOA! I had this dream where I had these really big hands...and they were like....big. Big hands, man...and I could like....see 'em...and they would reach out...heavy like big hands..."

That's probably why I'm single by choice at this point. I wasted my time on too many. I'd rather just waste my time with myself. At least I'm interesting. I don't have big hand, I don't need to be rescued and I'm not a single "sad & lonely" resident.