What's in a Name? A Million Different Selves.
I don't really have a nickname.
When I was in 6th grade (grade 6, Canadians!), I decided "Camille" was a nasty name, and I'd much prefer to be called "Cammie." I got my entire class in on it--teacher and all--and was quite sure that my future as "Cammie" was bright and empowering.
Me captured in my element, chopping down a Christmas tree when I was 12, during the height of my "Cammie" self.Until I got to 7th grade and met a whole slew of Cammie/Cammy/Kami girls. Suddenly, my new personality--in its entirety--seemed less like me and more like everybody else. I had to go back to Camille.
But shortening "Camille" is a difficult task--"Cam" is rather masculine, and I'd already ruled out the "Cammie" bit. "Mi" sounded too much like something from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and "Mille" was out of the question.
But I can't help the fact that most everyone in my family calls me "Millie." Not just that; it's "Millie," "Millie Vanilli," and--in my sister's case--simply "Mill."
For aunts and uncles, my parents and grandparents, this is perfectly normal. But if anybody else--friends, in-laws, anonymous commenters--called me "Millie..." It is not pretty. The first boyfriend I ever had tried to call me "Millie" on more than one occasion, which effectively ruined his chance with me, because it made me feel like I was dating an uncle. And who wants to marry their uncle? (Okay, I did want to marry one uncle once upon a time, but I was really little then--I haven't wanted to marry him since I was 5 or 6.)
So don't call me "Millie," or any version of the name. I would have to then stop blogging so as not to ruin my relationship with any of you non-relatives.
Oh. And also? Evidently there is more than one way to pronounce my name. I've always called myself "Camille" as in "cuh*mill." It wasn't until I was 18 or 19 that I realised some people pronounce it "cuh*meal." Yeah. And I never knew, until I moved to Canada and people started asking me if I prefered Cuhmill or Cuhmeal, and I was like, "Oh, I have that option? Cool." I stuck with Cuhmill.
So if you ever meet me...whatever. Like anyone cares about this. I don't even care. Someone, please...give me something to write about. I'm grasping at straws here.
Labels: change, looking back, what I'm about
posted by Camille @ 11:00 AM
19 Comments:
Well, I'm dying to know if you were telling the truth about the obama thing. I'm asuming you were since it wasn't mentioed this post. and don't worry if your going trough a tad of blogger's block- you're entertaining nonetheless.
Camille,
Interesting dichotomy. What does the hubby call you, besides "Woman"?
(From "Woman, get off me", some past post).
camille...what really needs to happen here is MESA!!! Your post are always so good when you are in MESA!!! Please please move down here. It would make all of us "mesanites" so very happy to have you back where you belong! Also...I want you to write about you and Kyle. Also write something about what you think of Palin. OR write some more about preston. OH...I just got the best idea...post about your house. I really want to see some pictures of what it looks like. What have you used from nesting place?
OK, but I do think that "Millie" is kinda cute. But if you say it's cuhmill then I can live with that too!
Dude, I've got writer's block something fierce over here too. I guess I need another x-rated toy from McDonalds or something because.....bleh...
I have honestly never even come close to cahmill; I have never heard it pronounced that way! Sorry for calling you cahmeal since the day I found you here, and likely in person, as well. Guess I need to get out more!
K so weird. I just got home from school. My last class was sixth hour. My sixth hour was English with Mrs. Akers. Today our entire class was about "What's in a name?" We had to write about our real name. A name we wish we had. What our name would be if it were an object. And our feelings on a name that someone else picked out for us. Mine were Natalie (of course) Andee, Danger, and Sam (JUST SAM NOT SAMANTHA!) What would yours be? Yes I know this is an outrageously long comment but I just thought it was a fun coincidence.
Oh I am so sad that i didn't know you during the cammy stage of life. I am sure that it was so fun. You have guts to put old pictures on your blog. I have put off posting my "I was switched at puberty" blog because i don't want to post my pictures.
I think it is sad that you seem to only be happy when you are with your own family. Like Poor Kyle doesnt satisfy you in the least. You say your blogs are improved when you are in Arizona and your readers are all begging you to return. Isnt the idea to get married and move on? Maybe you could blog about being happy in Canada. Is there anything?
I really dont mean to be rude, I am an outsider to your world as I have never met either of you. You just always seem so glum when you are back home with your husband who is supposed to make you happy.
I think I used to wish my name was Jessica or something...
My little sister's middle name is Camille and I've always said it Cuhmill, so that means I'm on your side.
It's kinda like the name Leslie. Some people say it the RIGHT WAY Leslie, some people say it Lezlie. I would really hate if that was my name and people called me Lezlie, wouldn't you?
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Camille, I am glad you stuck with the good old original. Cuhmill. I think it fits.
I (sort of) agree with your anonymous commenter too. The part about you sounding a bit down when you are in Canada. With Kyle. Lets hear some more about him. I loved the endearing post you wrote about his missing teeth! What are the other quirky things you love about him?
Also, take some pictures with your snazzy camera of your surroundings. Are you guys getting a beautiful and colorful fall like we are?
Cuhmeal,
You're right.
Nobody cares.
Read a book.
Grab an idea.
umm. above commenter- i really can't tell if you are being rude or if you just can't express your ideas clearly. you make no sense.
Cuhmeal...;teasing, in reference to blog authour summarizing post with, "Like Anyone cares about this.".
You're right, Nobody cares...;another reference to previously mentioned sentence.
Read a book. Grab an idea.
A SARCASTIC suggestion to do something else for awhile, something might come to said authour.
Makes perfect sense. To smart people. Now, THAT was rude.
What do you care, anyway? Are you the blog monitor?
Get outta mah face.
Camille, what's up with your readers? Do you know these Anonymous people and therefore know they're just kidding around with you or are they a bunch of haters?
I hope they're just joking.
I like you whether you're in Canada or AZ.
camille, I feel bad that my "I want you back here in mesa" comments have created such hatful comments. I know that you are happy in Canada, but I am a selfish person. You are a wondeful person, and I know that I am not alone when I say that you are fun to be around. That is why I would love to have you back. Also, what is up with the anonymous making fun of your blog...AREN"T THEY READING IT. They say they don't care...but then they make repeated comments?? Sounds to me like they are STUPIED, and they have no sense of themselves!
Okay, People, grow a sense of humour. You see, chidren, sometimes we say things that are not meant to be taken literally.Sometimes, this reader tries to make
Camille laugh with RHETORIC.
(look it up. Then turn your spellcheck on.) If you don't get the joke, stay out of it. Calling me STUPID sounds like we're all 8 years old, and fighting at recess.
Positing my intellect or sense of self is unwise. You'll always be wrong.
Don't worry Heather, Camille knows who i am, and she knows my intent. There are no haters here. Thanks for getting the joke.
I honestly don't know which way I have pronounced your name now in the past. I hope I didn't offend you. I think I will never use your name again to speak to you in case it is wrong. JK.
I'm like Joel, i always thought it was cuh-meal. I had never heard it said otherwise, in my part of the world. Thank the Blogger, for letting us know.
Personally, i have one name and only one, if you call me anything else, i'll break your nose.
Or maybe just call you names.
JUST KIDDING. DUH.
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