Hey There

... big blue eyes!

Behind The Name

This is a very cool website that provides etymology and history of first names. I've seen a lot of name websites that give strange (and almost always different) "meanings" for names. I've often questioned their accuracy, so I was pleased to see a site that had an academic focus on first names.

Here are some examples from my family:

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THOMAS
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, Biblical
Pronounced: TAHM-as (English), TOM-as (English), to-MA (French), TOM-ahs (German) [key]

Greek form of the Aramaic name Te'oma which meant "twin". In the New Testament he was the apostle who doubted the resurrected Jesus. According to tradition he was martyred in India. Famous bearers of this name include philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas, philosopher Thomas Hobbes, inventor Thomas Edison, American president Thomas Jefferson, and novelist Thomas Hardy.

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JENNIFER
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: JEN-i-fur [key]

From a Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar (see GUINEVERE). This name has been popular only since the beginning of the 20th century, when it was featured in George Bernard Shaw's play 'The Doctor's Dilemma'.

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ADRIAN
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Romanian, Russian, Polish
Other Scripts: Адриан (Russian)
Pronounced: AYD-ree-an [key]

English, Romanian, Russian and Polish form of Hadrianus (see HADRIAN). Six popes have borne this name.

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ELLA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: EL-a [key]

Short form of Germanic names containing the element ali meaning "other". This name is also used as a short form of ELLEN.

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BARRY
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: BER-ee [key]

Anglicized form of the Irish name Bairre, which is a pet form of FIONNBHARR.

And Now I Have Proof

Grilling In The Rain

Now THAT is grilling dedication.

Backyard -- Before and After

I'm getting fresh with you!

Do you like the new look? What about the orangish-yellowish links? I love this new layout but I'm not 100% sold yet on the link colors... Does it grow on you at all?

Three Years Old

On July 3rd Adrian turned 3 years old this year. One of my co-workers, Tushar Pandit, saw the birth of his first child, a baby girl, on that very day this year. I don't know why it is so special when you know of another baby born on your baby's birthday, but it just is. Happy Birthday to all!

Happy Belated Anniversary

To my husband of nine years. Here are a couple of pictures of Tom and I on our wedding day those many years ago. Yesterday was the official date, May 24th.

Nine amazing years and one fantastic little boy.

It's Been a While

Well I'm ashamed. I haven't blogged in a long time, and my blog rate is lousy these days. So here's a start with a recent picture of Adrian.

Funny Video of the Week

Herding Cats

Gotta love video.google.com, especially late at night. It's funnier after a few martinis -- go get some then come back and watch.

New! Adrian Backgrounds!

This one is available in 1600x1200 or 1280x1024.

Lookit Daddy!

It's bokeh!

Now Get Back To Work!

Hope everyone had great holidays!