Permissions

When I started writing this blog I hadn’t asked anyone yet if I could have permission to include them in my blog. This started me thinking about copyrights and using people’s names in my blog. I realise that copyright laws are a complicated matter attested to by the fact that copyright lawyers are a sub-set on their own. I figured since I am writing about friends and family mostly and would only ever use first names I am ok. I decided to tell them and send them links (for those who are on the internet) and print off copies (for those who are not) so they could see the sections where they are mentioned. They can either decide to leave comments (anonymously if they want) or they can call me or write and I will amend anything I have written about them if they wish.

I told my Mom about using her name in my blog and she said it is ok to use her name, Kathy. I cannot however use her full name and surname. I will probably continue to use Mom and probably only very seldom Kathy. I will also always capitalise mom when I refer to her. I know this is not technically correct, but as she is my Mom it always feels more appropriate. My Mom and sister are quite particular about names, nick-names and abbreviations of names. My sister, Judith does not like her name to be abbreviated to Judy, Jude, Judes or Juff (all names I used at various times during our childhood for her). Only my Dad really got away with calling her Juff! and continued to do so until he died. The rest of us get lambasted and reminded that her name is Judith. I asked her if she was ok with me writing about her and pretty much got the same reply as the one my Mom gave me. As long as I refer to her as Judith I think I will be ok.

Now in my home we don’t mind nick-names and in fact they have become part of our vocabulary and are used as terms of endearment. Goblin’s father is the same. He calls his wife a whole host of nick-names, all rather strange and funny to hear. They are mostly long and go along the lines of snookey-pookey smidgey-widgey lovey-dovey (as one full nick-name not used individually). That is a bit over the top for me and would never sound right in our home. We are more of the “Screaming Ninja” (when I am angry) or “Sparkling Hero” (when I want something from Gobs) or “Pumpkin” (often used for Maya and Rosco when they are being particularly cute and good). In fact Goblin’s real name is Paul but I call him Goblin more often and don’t even realise I am doing it. He came with the name when I met him over 20 years ago and it just stuck. It has proved very useful, especially when you are in a shopping centre. Call out Paul and about 5 guys turn around but use Goblin and he pays instant attention (20 people turn and look instead but at least the right one is Paying Attention!). Other strange names we call each other include “My One Choppers”; Goblin just said that when I closed the blinds in his study: “Thank you My One-Choppers”.

One the subject of names it got me thinking about one of my favourite characters from literature. “Winnie-ther-Pooh”. An interesting thing about Winnie is that it is considered to be a girls’ name. Of course we all know Winnie-ther-Pooh is not a girl. Winnie-ther-Pooh is a bear. Strangely enough the character was based on a female bear. The first chapter of the book clearly establishes Pooh's gender.

Milne wrote:

"When I first heard his name, I said, just as you are going to say, "But I thought he was a boy?"

"So did I," said Christopher Robin.

"Then you can't call him Winnie?"

"I don't."

"But you said---"

"He's Winnie-ther-Pooh. Don't you know
what 'ther' means?"

"Ah, yes, now I do," I said quickly; and I hope you do too,
because it is all the explanation you are going to get. "

I have included some pictures of Pooh related cards I made recently. Yes I really do love these characters that much!