Does anyone really understand the Parisians?

[rebecca_in_blue]

On Friday night, Sara and I pulled out the sleeper sofa and watched Gigi, me for the first time. I loved it, and I didn't know how I didn't see it sooner, because I'm such a big fan of old-school Hollywood musicals. (The Sound of Music, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, My Fair Lady, The King and I, Gypsy? All love. The only exception in Singin' in the Rain, which I absolutely detested. I feel it's a rather cruel caricature of Clara Bow.) But the best thing about it was Maurice Chevalier, who has to be the most devlish, most French man who ever lived! I added him to my wish-list of grandfathers.

I hadn't intended to change my middle name, because while I don't really love it, I don't really mind it, either. But of course my name-obsessed sister couldn't miss this opportunity, and she started lecturing me nonstop about how I had to pick a new middle name, one that I really loved. I tuned her out until she suggested Eloise, which has been growing on me. I like the sound of it, and it was my great-grandmother's name, even though I never knew her and even though she personally hated that name and went by Louise her entire life. I believe she's buried under the name Louise, but I'm not sure since I've never been to see her grave! Shame on me. Maybe when the weather gets cooler I'll make a drive out there. (Update: Finally saw it!)

Anyway, I haven't decided on Eloise for sure, because my current middle name, while boring, still creates better flow. But since my new last name comes from my dad's family, Eloise would be a nice way to keep the other side of my family (I won't use the words "my mom's family," because it sounds wrong) in my name. I never knew my great-grandmother Eloise/Louise, but from what I've heard, she was a bad-ass old Cajun lady, just like Grandma. She refused to speak anything other than Cajun French, even after everyone else in her family had learned English. Have to admire that kind of stubborness. [/Sara-influenced name rant]

I really should get my hair cut soon. It's been over two years now, and it's just getting ridiculously long. But having my hair cut is not an experience I enjoy. *sigh* Along with my hair and name, I'm considering making other changes to my life.

Comments

Have a piece of cheese.

[(Anonymous)]

REBECCA ELOISE. DOOOOOOOOOOOOO IT.

That was a message from God, via Me.

[guihong.livejournal.com]

I changed my middle name, in use but not legally. I just chose something with the same initial so my signature wouldn't change. My name was Rogers, who was my grandmother's adoptive family, and I changed it to Rachelle, which I thought was much more feminine. At the same time, I added an "e" to my first name and usually spell it that way. I think it's empowering to make your name what you want :)).