Friday, May 16, 2008

Friday Rerun (for Natalie)- Ce N'est Pas Une Blogger

This is an old post, but what the hell, it's Friday. Plus I wrote it when the only person reading my blog was ScienceMama. It answers some questions you might have, including why I call myself "arduous." If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. I'll answer all those I feel comfortable answering. Because I mean really, a lady must retain some element of mystery. :)



Oh, right. I should maybe introduce myself. I'm arduous. That's me and this is my blog. Moving on.

NYAQ (Not Yet Asked Questions)

Q: Arduous? That's an ... interesting name.
A: Thanks! My dad named me!

Q: Wait so it's your given name?
A: Well ... yes, in that it was given to me. I mean, it's not the name on my birth certificate. But it is pretty much all he ever called me.

Q: Why on earth would he call you 'arduous?'
A: Because it's the word I missed in the fourth grade spelling bee.

Q: Really?
A: Basically, yeah. Well, and also, because I can be a difficult person (see my profile.) And also because arduous sounds a little like an iteration of my birth name. But it never would have happened if it weren't for that bee.

Q: Does your dad still call you 'arduous?'
A: Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago. That's kind of why I'm using it here. Names fade away if they're never used, and ... I don't want this name to fade away.

Q: I'm sorry.
A: Hey, as my dad, would say, LILT.

Q: LILT?
A: Life Is Like That.

Q: He sounds great. Hey one more thing?
A: Hmmm?

Q: The picture?
A: I know, right! Can you believe that I am NOT an artist?

Q: It kind of sucks. Even for a stick figure.
A: Shut up.

11 comments:

Natalie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Natalie said...

Wow! A whole post for me!!? Okay, a rerun. Not as flattering. But still!

This makes me sound really pathetic, but I recently went back to the beginning of Arduous time and read this post. My husband travels a lot. I stay up waaay too late when he does, so cruising around my favorite blogs helps me...okay I'm pathetic! ;-)

My earlier comment was really about you not being difficult, which used to be the sole descriptor in your profile. (I knew how you came by the name Arduous and how you wear it as a badge of honor.) In the discussion for Top Priority someone congratulated you for viewing the world in "greys". Your response was, "That's why I'm difficult."

I disagree. Viewing the world in "greys" is what makes you, Arduous, so compelling. Saying that you are difficult might be an easy way to explain to co-workers why you take the bus when they all drive. It's hard to *politely* point out that driving in shiny metal boxes isn't actually as expedient as they think. But calling yourself difficult for examining the "greys" is sort of like counting yourself among the boring old YAWN's when you could announce that you're with the APLS.

I see you've recently updated your profile. I'm glad to see that the d-word is no longer featured!

Let me again congratulate you for looking at the "greys". It's what keeps me anxiously waiting for your next post!

ruchi said...

Natalie, that was very, very sweet. Thank you.

P.S. I've gone back and read the archives of most of the blogs I love. It's not at all pathetic. It's simply reading a story from the beginning. :)

Sam said...

Once I like a blog I too read it from the very beginning (hope that doesn't sound too stalky). But it helps me understand where they are now. This is one of my favorite posts here btw.

Chile said...

Bean stalk. hehe

Anonymous said...

LOL Chile!

Anonymous said...

Hey, that's great. This is where I learn about arduous all over. Your dad sounds so awesome!

Mad Hatter said...

That was a great post! Thanks for re-posting it. And that stick figure is way better than anything I've ever drawn! :-)

ruchi said...

Thanks Beany! Glad you like the post.

Chile, you ARE punny. :)

Thanks Cindy. He was. :)

Thanks Mad Hatter. I actually used to be able to draw much better, but I never doodle anymore, so my drawing skills have taken a huge hit. (I mean I was never Picasso or anything, but I could draw stuff that wasn't a stick figure.)

Cath@VWXYNot? said...

Hey, that picture looks just like me! Except I hardly ever wear skirts.

ruchi said...

We're twins!