I thought for the longuest time that both my sis and I were named after a famous Quebec singer from the 50′s and 60′s… His name is Michel Louvain and one of his big hit was the song Sylvie… I have just now debunked that as Syl was born 2 yrs before the song came out, but it doesn’t change the fact that I blame him for my lame name.

In French-Quebec, Michel is a very common name for boys, and especially for my generation, it wasn’t uncommon to have 5 or 6 Michel in my classes every year in grade school… so fun… and I’ve learned to HATE The Beatles’ Michelle. Let’s just say I prefer the harsh cystic acne I had in my late teens more than this song. Man I hate that song… just as much as when people ask me about Lavagirl… yeah… that much.

Since I’ve moved to Ontario, my name is not common at all for boys, but somehow is for girl but with a different spelling, two in fact: Michele and Michelle… I often disregard it the first few times someone spells my name incorrectly #17, it’s a cultural thing, but I get annoyed with repeat offenders, especially if I’ve already done the: “who’s Michelle bit”…

It happened twice this week:

#1
I get back to my desk and there’s a sticky note on my computer that reads:
Michelle,
Please come see me when you are back!
Janice

So I take the note and walk to her office and when I come in I say: hi, I wasn’t sure who this was on the note. She replied: Janice, that’s me, I wanted to see you….

OK, this is going to be a fun meeting….

#2
I get an email telling all staff about a series of meeting we all have to go too but cannot all go at the same time, so different meeting dates and times were set to make sure coverage is still in order. I look it up and see that Michelle is going on December 10. So I reply to my supervisor and ask if I should go in the place of Michelle or is my name going to be added to the list.

A day later I get this reply: No, we wanted your evil step-sister there, she’s more fun.

At least I know I have a supervisor with a great sense of humour. I laughed and walked in her office to commend her.

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