Name Spellings

So my good friend Ellen sent me this article that I found interesting - 13 signs that he'll be a bad partner.

I can't help but notice #8, which is near and dear to me.  I have a name that often gets misspelled.

There was a guy I went out with a handful of times a couple months ago.  He misspelled my name a couple of times in email/text, etc.  I definitely gave him my name (and spelled it correctly, obviously).  Needless to say, it didn't work out.

I am currently talking to someone I may go out with.  We have been texting.  You guessed it - he is spelling my name wrong.  Should I hold it against him?

Here's my thought - these people, in theory, are trying to put their best face forward.  Is this like a person applying for a job, but spelling the hiring manager, or even worse, the company's name wrong?  Is this what one wants from someone who is 'trying his best'?  Am I just being sensitive?  Should one date a person who spells her name wrong?  Your thoughts?

Spelling Bees & Childhood Trauma

So the other day, I was talking to someone about another person who is going through a rough time, but he is a quiet person who is not overly emotional, so it is getting forgotten.  Now, I immediately feel for this person because I am not necessarily vocal about my emotions.

This reminded me of a personal experience.  I was in the fourth grade.  I was one of two representatives for my class for the spelling bee.  I will protect the not-so-innocent and not mention anyone in this story by name, despite the fact that I really, really want to.  I can only imagine this other individual doing a quick google search of himself and seeing himself exposed for this not-so-shining moment.... Anyhow.

In short, both the other representative and I got eliminated and did not go on to win the bee.  I held it together like the mature composed serious young woman that I was.  This other individual did not.  I remember lots of crying (we're talking hysterical sobs) and the rest of the afternoon was dedicated to making this individual feel better.  We all got homework (myself included) to do something to make him feel better the next day (make a poster, bring in a snack, etc.).

The next day we had a huge party for him.  There were banners, there were balloons, there cookies galore!  I remember there was one tiny sign that said 'Good work, Jaime!' - I guess someone remembered I'd participated in the bee as well.  I remember thinking this was largely unfair.  It wasn't that I wanted this big fest for my own swing-and-a-miss, or even that I was upset about not winning.  And, what about all the other students in the class (who didn't even qualify for the spelling bee in the first place)?  Weren't we all equally failures?  How come the one person who was being all loud and emotional was getting all the attention and celebration?

I know they say 'the squeaky wheel gets the oil', but is that really fair in life?  I can't help but think that sometimes people like me, who aren't overtly emotional, at times have their feelings forgotten.  Is anyone else out there like me and feel this way?  Has anyone else had a similar experience of being forgotten because he or she was not throwing a hissy fit? I know I've had some friends say to be more vocal about my emotions at times, but it's just not my nature.  Your thoughts?  

Know Your Stuff

Remember, you can blame Jeannine for the someecards kick.

Romance

This caught me this past Valentine's Day.  

Word.

Lazy typing trumps bad spelling any day - just sayin'.

Bad Grammar

This amused me. 

For My Spelling and Grammar Enthusiasts....

Nothing wrong here...move along, move along....

Spelling and Grammar Watch....

Continuing on a theme of 'things people don't give a shit about'....

On page 76 of this month's cosmo, the word 'weirdly', is, ahem, 'wierdly' (SIC) spelled....

Wow.

I suppose this is one of the main problems of the written (or should I say 'printed') word....

Misspelled Words....

Ok, I remember once seeing a trivia question about what is the most commonly misspelled everyday word...the correct answer (drumroll please):

DEFINITELY

I DEFINITELY agree with this assessment. I'll give people credit; it is a more difficult word. However. SERIOUSLY. It drives me NUTS every time I see it misspelled. Not because it's misspelled, but because of the alternative choices of spelling.

Definatly (has to be the most common). Definetly. Definately. Defiantly (different word but based on the context of the sentence, I knew what they meant...). Definitly (so close, but yet, SO far).

I am, secretly, a grammar snob, but I try not to be outward about it 1) because I find grammar snobs obnoxious and b) because then, the second I have the least of typos, I know it's going to be thrown back in my face.

A simple way to remember how to spell this word....it's DEFINITE with an LY on the end. Sounds overly simple, but I never really see definat, definet, etc. People don't seem to have trouble with the root word, so I dunno why it suddenly gets difficult when adding two letters. Anyhow.

Other grammar pet peeves out there? I DEFINITELY have a problem with the you're/your and to/too/two confusions. Any other horrible misspellings that I'm missing?