Don't Dude Me / Friday Five

Friday, May. 12, 2006 - 7:34 a.m.

Late yesterday afternoon, I was listening online to a breakfast talk show out of Brisbane Australia, and they mentioned an annoying habit that's becoming fashionable there as well as here.

Down Under, females are now being addressed as 'mate', which used to be an exclusively male form of address. Many women called in with their horror stories of being called 'mate.'

Here in the USA, it's also happening, and I am forced to ask --

When, in the name of anything you think is reasonable, did the term "Dude" become unisex?

I don't understand it, I am not used to it, and I don't like it.

Now, I realize within some military circles -- specifically the Naval divisions, if memory serves -- the term 'mister' is considered an appropriate unisex form of address. But that's an environment that women have chosen to be a part of, and if their superiors decide that the word 'dickhead' is a proper form of address, then so be it.

But my point is, I think I'm simply just too old for this shit.

Don't 'dude' me. If you've been 'duding' me, then stop it at once.

The next time a guy calls me "Dude", he's going to get it back from me in spades.

I'll refer to him as "Girlfriend" -- LOUDLY.

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Okay. This was just sent to me by the incomparable Hissandtell. It's making the rounds Down Under.

It's the front and back cover of the Solid Gold Tassie Rock mix CD by Brant and Todd!

Not bad! I don't have an attribution to include here, but if anybody knows who did this originally, I'm happy to include a credit.

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And now, the Friday Five:

Do you like your birth-name? Whyor why not?

My first two names are "Brin Marie". Despite this, and the fact that I am most definitely a GIRL, the first day of school was always hell, because teachers would without fail refer to me as 'Brian'. I hated meeting new people because they always got it wrong. But THEN -- I discovered science fiction fandom and it stopped happening.

If you could change your name to anything else, what would it be?

Well -- If I were ever to become a rap star, I guess my stage name would be Da Fresh BM.

What names would you consider giving your children?

Oh, gosh, normal things like Laura and Robert and such like that. If I wanted to do something unusual, I'd save it for their MIDDLE names. As a former child who had an unusual first name, I have to say it's just not worth it. School is its own special hell when you have a unique moniker.

If you had a band, what would you name it, and why?

I'd name it 'Free Steak Dinner' -- because no matter where I played, there'd be really big crowds.

Is there a name that you completely hate? Why?

Yes. "Andy" -- and my regulars know the answer to the question of why.

Friday Five links are to the left.

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Okay, I think that's it. If you're gonna snailmail your mom a card, try and do it today.

Have a nice Friday and a good weekend!

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