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The other day while on You Tube, I saw an advertisement for Carnival Cruise Lines and was suddenly reminded of what it was like growing up with the last name Carnavil. *please note the spelling of Carnival versus Carnavil, yet they look and sound almost the same. As most of you can attest, children in school could be quite the tormenting little buggers; especially when it came to their fellow classmates’ names. If your name wasn't John, Joseph, or Mary Smith, you were considered UNUSUAL. Yet, growing up you didn’t relish being unusual. Your only wish was to blend in and be as normal and traditional as possible. But growing up with the last name Carnavil, I blended in about as much as a zebra would sitting in my desk. As you know, I’m Italian. But what you may not know is that my last name was originally Carnivale (pronounced, Car-ne-vahli). However, back in the 1940’s my grandfather had it changed to Carnavil because he decided to open a hairstyling salon in Philadelphia, and thought that our original family name would make it sound too much like an Italian pizzeria, rather than an establishment where women could come and have their hair coiffed. Yet, isn’t it funny that nowadays the name Carnivale etched across a glass storefront window in a scripted font, would be considered something very chic and stylish for a hair salon. Growing up with the name Carnavil was NOT easy. Let’s see, in grammar school I got teased with…. “Hey, Carnavil….does your father own a CIRCUS?” Or “Hey, Carnavil…is your family a bunch of CLOWNS?” Or “Hey, Carnavil…can you get me free tickets to the CIRCUS?” Then in high school I got teased with….. “Hey, Carnavil….does your father own a CRUISE LINE?” Additionally with my first name being Ronald, after the fast food chain McDonald’s opened up, I was then referred to as "Ronald McDonald The Carnavil Clown." Which is hysterical, because when I was a teenager I actually got a job at a McDonald’s. I was assigned to the bun toasting machine. And how appropriate, considering that I like looking at a nice set of toasty BUNS. It took me many years to get comfortable with my last name. I don’t think I ever fully embraced it until I got into show business, where many people will often change their names to something more catchy and creative in order to get noticed. And what’s totally ironic is that whenever I would go to an audition and the director would read my last name on my resume, they would inevitably say, “Wow…I like your stage name, it’s very clever!” Which I would retort, “Thank you, but it’s not my stage name, it’s my ACTUAL name.” Replying,“Really? Your last name is CARNAVIL? How cool!” Suddenly my last name became a show business commodity. I truly believe in destiny and fate, therefore there was a reason why my last name was changed to Carnavil. When looking back at all those years in school being tortured for my name, I realize those kids were right. I am a clown. I am a circus. I am a cruise line. And perhaps even unusual. But I've grown to love my name. It suits me....

60 comments:

  1. Ron! I LOVE this! I do believe that to some extent...we are all clowns and circuses and cruise lines....and even ZEBRAS! All mixed up and blended together. Then shaken and stirred!! That's what makes each and every one of us unique!! I also agree with you about destiny and fate...there's a reason why that was your last name!! Look where you are today, my friend!!
    xo
    Jeanne

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  2. I spent my youth being teased about my name - Pearl was unusual, in fact I've only every met two other Pearls and that was only in the last 10 years! Now I'm happy with it and often get compliments people saying "Oh what a lovely name"! I know where you're coming from Ron.

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  3. OMG I love that picture. The way you superimpose is brilliant.

    Although understanding that it was a serious issue when you were a kid, I got a BIG smile reading about it now. It's the way you tell it.

    Kids are cruel. The only comfort I get in that is that those that mock or deride have their own suffering. My surname was a straightforward TOMES. Ah, that means books you might think, being a responsible adult. However, my school mates twisted it to TOMBS and then lengthened TOMBSTONE. With the ridicule over my red hair I quickly became RED TOMBSTONE. I kid you not. I hated it so much I got a complex about it. Oh the crosses we have to bear!

    By the way, I too think your name is cool. It matches your personality. Have a peaceful day and week.

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  4. What an interesting post, Ron! You are so right about as kids, you just want to blend in and be a Smith or a Johnson. My girls were the same way about their first names - they always wanted to be Rachel or Katie, like half the other girls in their grades. College Daughter is finally appreciating her unusual first name. The advantage is that people don't forget your name when it's different.

    I had a very strange German last name growing up that most people have never heard of. And now I have a strange Italian last name that no one can ever spell right. I just embrace it like you do, Ron!

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  5. Hi there Ronnie,
    It's nice to be back on your blog. How are you today?
    I can relate to today's post; you know my love for Family History. I drug you into that, too. Your Grandfather’s reaction is pretty common. Or other times, the original spelling from the Old World gets mangled as the immigrants go through Immigrations( such as Ellis island).
    It’s funny how what we perceived as a kid a real slap in the face leaves us sometimes with total indifference or total laughter. Yah, why be upset with it today? It might have been a sort of taste for your future role of entertainer. “It was that Carnaval man again!”. Oh yes it was !
    xox

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  6. Loved this post. Kids can be cruel and thankfully you used that to make you stronger.

    I have to tell you that is the best looking Ronald McDonald clown I have EVER seen! Looks like he might have some nice toasty buns too!

    Hope you have a wonderful week.

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  7. All right, Ron! I love this post! And I'm so glad you've come to love your name! It is a great name. It's amazing how our ancestors changed their names in an effort to blend in, but, as you rightly point out, these names are chic now. My last name is Lenihan and kids in school--and some adults in later life--you used to call me "Lend A Hand." And each one thought they were the first ones to come up with it--like they discovered electricity. Oh, well, it's nothing that a tasty set of buns can't cure! Have a great week, buddy!.

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  8. Growing into loving ourselves, names, looks, all that is us, is so important.... yet at times hard. My body is now changing and I am having to learn to love it in a different, healthier form. Your post gives me punch!

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  9. Good morning Jeanne~

    I LOOOOOOOVE how you said this......

    "I do believe that to some extent...we are all clowns and circuses and cruise lines....and even ZEBRAS! All mixed up and blended together. Then shaken and stirred!! That's what makes each and every one of us unique!!"

    LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! And you're soooooooooo right - that's what makes each and every one of us UNIQUE!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by this morning, dear lady. And thank you for sharing your insightful words!

    Have a faaaaaaabulous week!

    X

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  10. Good morning Akelamalu~

    Pearl was unusual, in fact I've only every met two other Pearls and that was only in the last 10 years! Now I'm happy with it and often get compliments people saying "Oh what a lovely name"!"

    That's right, I sometimes forget that your name is Pearl because of your blog name (Akelamalu). I remember the first time I got an email from you and read your real first name and LOVED it, because it was so unique. Honestly, I think I've only know one other blogger with the name Pearl.

    Thanks for stopping by, m'dear lovely lady, Pearl!

    Have a maaaaaaaavalous week!

    X

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  11. Good morning Valerie~

    Thank you. I made that Ronald McDonald picture over at Face In Hole dot com. It's so much fun!!!

    "Although understanding that it was a serious issue when you were a kid, I got a BIG smile reading about it now. It's the way you tell it."

    Me too. When I look back on it now, I honestly do think it's amusing! And it's funny because as long as I've had this blog, I've never shared the story of my last name with my blogging friends. Yet, seeing that Carnival Cruise Line ad on You Tube gave me the idea for this post.

    "My surname was a straightforward TOMES. Ah, that means books you might think, being a responsible adult. However, my school mates twisted it to TOMBS and then lengthened TOMBSTONE. With the ridicule over my red hair I quickly became RED TOMBSTONE. I kid you not. I hated it so much I got a complex about it. Oh the crosses we have to bear!"

    WOW! I think your surname is sooooooooo cool! And yes, I did immediately think of books when I read it. Can't kids in school sometimes be mean? And btw, I love red hair on a woman! It's so attractive! When I was a hairstylist, I was always trying to convince my clients to try red hair. One of my favorite red-headed actresses is Julianne Moore!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, dear lady. Wishing you a glorious week!

    X

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  12. Good morning Bijoux~

    "My girls were the same way about their first names - they always wanted to be Rachel or Katie, like half the other girls in their grades. College Daughter is finally appreciating her unusual first name. The advantage is that people don't forget your name when it's different."

    So said it! I always wanted the first name of Michael because I thought Ronald was so weird. Yet, when I got much older, I asked my father WHY he and my biological mother named me RONALD? He told me that my mothers' favorite actor was Ronald Coleman, so she said that if she ever had another boy, she would like to name them Ronald. After I heard that I ended loving my name. And it's so ironic because it was almost as if my mother knew I would end up being an actor one day.

    'I had a very strange German last name growing up that most people have never heard of. And now I have a strange Italian last name that no one can ever spell right. I just embrace it like you do, Ron!"

    You GO, girl!!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by this morning, dear lady. Have a wonderful week!

    X

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  13. Bonjour Barb~

    Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! So glad to see you here, my friend!

    "I can relate to today's post; you know my love for Family History. I drug you into that, too. Your Grandfather’s reaction is pretty common. Or other times, the original spelling from the Old World gets mangled as the immigrants go through Immigrations( such as Ellis island)."

    Thanks to YOU (and your genealogy studies) I was able to found out SO MUCH about my family tree! You're right, back then people's names were either changed to something more "American" to fit in, or simply got mangled up going through Immigrations. Your interest in genealogy got ME very interested too.

    "It’s funny how what we perceived as a kid a real slap in the face leaves us sometimes with total indifference or total laughter. Yah, why be upset with it today?"

    It is, isn't it? And you're right, why be upset with it today?

    "It might have been a sort of taste for your future role of entertainer. “It was that Carnaval man again!”. Oh yes it was !"

    HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Right you are! But even today, people will still look at my last name in puzzlement, and ask, "Am I reading this correctly, is your last name CARNAVIL?????" To which I giggle and say, "That's right.....just like the CIRCUS!"

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, my friend. Have a spectacular week!

    ((((( You ))))))

    XOXO

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  14. Hiya Peg~

    Yes, kids can sometimes be cruel, but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that they don't understand stuff that's not traditional or usual. Later, as they get older, they begin to appreciate the uniqueness in others AND themselves.

    "I have to tell you that is the best looking Ronald McDonald clown I have EVER seen! Looks like he might have some nice toasty buns too!"

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Thanks, dear friend!

    And thanks for stopping by this morning. Wishing you a terrific week!

    X

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  15. Hey there Rob~

    Thank you. And for some reason, I was thinking of YOU when I wrote this post because we're roughly about the same age and went to Catholic school, therefore I kinda figured you would TOTALLY relate.

    " It's amazing how our ancestors changed their names in an effort to blend in, but, as you rightly point out, these names are chic now."

    What's really funny is that when I first moved back to Philly, I applied for a job at a retail store in which the manager was married to guy with the last name that my family originally had - Carnivale. And when she knew this, she hired me on the spot!

    " My last name is Lenihan and kids in school--and some adults in later life--you used to call me "Lend A Hand." And each one thought they were the first ones to come up with it--like they discovered electricity."

    OMG....how ironic because while living in NYC, back in the mid-70's, I worked for an apartment cleaning company called "Lend A Hand" - I kid you not!!!!

    "Oh, well, it's nothing that a tasty set of buns can't cure!"

    Bwhahahahhahahahaha! Cracked me up!

    Thanks for stopping by, buddy. Have a super week!

    X

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  16. Ron, I knew a guy named Robert Roberts. I don’t think HIS parents liked him very much.


    My maiden name was Depenhart and I got DepenFART. Yeah, that was lovely let me tell ya, especially since, along with NOT liking to talk about “pooping”, I also don’t like talking about letting out gas either! (An FYI, that’s where my name D. Hart comes from).


    I JUST love Carnivale (I’m partial to EVERYTHING Italian!) I definitely would’ve gone to your grandfather’s hair salon. The fancy names always get ME! And men hair stylists ROCK! They don’t chop your hair OFF when you tell them to TRIM it! Oh, the horror stories I can tell you!


    And if Ronald McDonald looked like THAT—I’d be there every damn day!

    Too bad your family doesn’t own Carnival Cruise Lines; you could take all of us on a trip! lol.



    Great post!


    Have a super duper day!

    ((Hugs))

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  17. Bonjour Susu~

    "Growing into loving ourselves, names, looks, all that is us, is so important.... yet at times hard. "

    Yes it is, and it IS hard at times. Yet, it's part of the journey into embracing who we are and loving it.

    "My body is now changing and I am having to learn to love it in a different, healthier form. Your post gives me punch!"

    You GO, girl!!!!!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, beautiful lady. Wishing you and chic and stunning week!

    Ciao....X

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  18. Gooooood morning Pamela~

    "Ron, I knew a guy named Robert Roberts. I don’t think HIS parents liked him very much."

    Bwhahahahahahhahahaha! That made me HOWL!!!!!

    And do know what's really funny? My middle name is Robert (after my father's brother). There was a time in my life, when I first got into the cosmetic industry, when I wanted to create my own line of cosmetics and call it 'Ron Robert Cosmetics."

    "My maiden name was Depenhart and I got DepenFART. Yeah, that was lovely let me tell ya, especially since, along with NOT liking to talk about “pooping”, I also don’t like talking about letting out gas either! (An FYI, that’s where my name D. Hart comes from)."

    Bwhahahahhahahahahaha! OMG, Pamela, I don't mean to laugh and make fun of of your maiden name, but the way in which you shared that made me fall off my chair; DYING from laughter!!! You are soooooooooo funny!!!!

    "I JUST love Carnivale (I’m partial to EVERYTHING Italian!) I definitely would’ve gone to your grandfather’s hair salon. The fancy names always get ME! And men hair stylists ROCK! They don’t chop your hair OFF when you tell them to TRIM it! Oh, the horror stories I can tell you!"

    I too love EVERYTHING Italian, and think it's funny how today that name would ROCK as a hair styling salon, wouldn't it? Very chic!

    "Too bad your family doesn’t own Carnival Cruise Lines; you could take all of us on a trip! lol."

    OMG....wouldn't that be a BLAST???? We could have a bloggers convention on board one of the Carnival Cruse Lines!!!!!

    Thanks oodles for stopping by this morning, dear lady. Always a delight to read your comments!

    Have a wonderful week!

    ((((( You )))))

    X

    P.S. Can you believe how COLD it is today, here in the north east???

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  19. Glad you could take the heat! I noticed a Ronald McDonald on the side of a MD building the other day, and I was surprised....but now I know why he looked so familiar after I saw your pic here...It was YOU!

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  20. Good morning SuziCate~

    "I noticed a Ronald McDonald on the side of a MD building the other day, and I was surprised....but now I know why he looked so familiar after I saw your pic here...It was YOU!"

    Bwhahahhahahahahahaha! Yes, I just did that ad campaign last month. I'm surprised it's out already - HA!!!

    Thanks oodles for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you a flawless week!

    X

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  21. Oh I can totally relate to this. Growing up with the name Meleah was VERY tough. Besides the fact that no one could spell it or pronounce it properly, I used to get called: Medusa, Malaria, Himalaya Mountains, and Melanoma.

    NOT GOOD TIMES!

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  22. Hi Ron. Yet another thing that we are the same in. My maiden name was Leach. You'd think that Babette (being French) as a first name would get noticed, yet nobody ever remarked on that. I only ever knew one Babette, aside from me, in my life and she was Polish. What they used to do was call out "Leachy, bleachy, peachy!" continually. It never bothered me at all. Was it supposed to? Water off a ducks back to me :)

    BTW. I think my feed is messed up again. Is my post showing up in yours?

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  23. ...hee,HEE! That last photo - KILLER! LOL! lol...lol... :oD

    ...Yes - I agree, I think your entire name is awesome. It does have a certain presence or weight to it. My first name got caught up in rhyme games so instead of Tammy, I was, "Hammy". Lovely, yes? ;o)

    ...And that is so cool that your Grandfather owned a Beauty Salon! Do you have photos of him in his salon? Funny how you both were/are in the beautifying business. Was your father in the same business too? So interesting. :o)

    ..."I was assigned to the bun toasting machine. And how appropriate, considering that I like looking at a nice set of toasty BUNS." - THAT's what I thought! *giggle*snort* ;o)

    ...I hope this finds you having a spectacular Monday and thank you so much for the laughs my friend! You're priceless! (((hug)))

    ...Blessings :o)

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  24. Hey there Meleah~

    "I used to get called: Medusa, Malaria, Himalaya Mountains, and Melanoma."

    OMG girl, I don't mean to laugh AT you, but that was HYSTERICAL!!!!

    Can't kids in school sometimes be mean???

    Anyway, I ADORE you name because it's so unique. Honestly, you're the first Meleah I've ever known!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my Libra friend! Have a grrrrrreat week!

    X

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  25. Oh I can laugh about those names now!

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  26. Hey Babs~

    "What they used to do was call out "Leachy, bleachy, peachy!" continually. It never bothered me at all. Was it supposed to? Water off a ducks back to me :)"

    *applause*

    Good for you, girl!!!! And btw, I LOVE your name (both first and last). And I never knew that Babs was short for Babette. For some reason I assumed it was short for Barbara.

    "BTW. I think my feed is messed up again. Is my post showing up in yours?"

    No, I haven't received any updates to your posts at all. In fact, this pass weekend I checked your feed on my reader and refreshed it, but didn't find anything. I'll be sure to stop over to your blog tonight to catch up on your posts, okay?

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing on this post, Babs. Have a wonderful week!

    X

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  27. Good evening TJ~

    Tee, hee! Thank you, dear lady. I had so much fun putting that photo together using two photos.

    WOW...I had no idea your first name was Tammy!?!? I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

    " My first name got caught up in rhyme games so instead of Tammy, I was, "Hammy". Lovely, yes? ;o)"

    OMG...they called you Hammy?!?!? Damn kids :(

    ".And that is so cool that your Grandfather owned a Beauty Salon! Do you have photos of him in his salon? Funny how you both were/are in the beautifying business. Was your father in the same business too? So interesting. :o)"

    No, I don't have a single photo of the hair salon. I wish I did though. And yes, both my grandfather AND father ran the salon. And what's really ironic is that I ended up going to school for cosmetology and got my license to do hair too. Both my father and I both had the bug for the beauty industry!

    "..."I was assigned to the bun toasting machine. And how appropriate, considering that I like looking at a nice set of toasty BUNS." - THAT's what I thought! *giggle*snort* ;o)"

    Yup! There's nothing like looking at a nice hot set of buns, is there?

    Hubba-Hubba!

    Thanks oodles for stopping by, dear lady. Always FAB to see ya!

    Have a lovely week!

    (((( You ))))

    X

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  28. It's the same with me!

    But back then I wanted to say, "Hey assholes...BITE ME!"

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    X

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  29. Everybody assumes Babs is short for Barbara, but without wishing to offend any Barbara's out there, it's a name I really don't like. I haven't known many, but those I did know were not particularly nice people. That has a way of putting you off a name, doesn't it?
    I'm mad about my feed. It really could be what ends my blogging days if they don't get it sorted out somehow. I have lots of posts lined up, and was going to post 2 or 3 a week, but I don't see much point if feed isn't getting through.

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  30. "Everybody assumes Babs is short for Barbara, but without wishing to offend any Barbara's out there, it's a name I really don't like. I haven't known many, but those I did know were not particularly nice people. That has a way of putting you off a name, doesn't it?"

    Yes it does, because I feel the same way about certain names because of negative encounters I've had with the people had them, so know exactly what you mean.

    "I'm mad about my feed. It really could be what ends my blogging days if they don't get it sorted out somehow. I have lots of posts lined up, and was going to post 2 or 3 a week, but I don't see much point if feed isn't getting through."

    For the life of me, I can't understand why that's happening to your feed?!? Oh, but PLEASE don't stop blogging because I would miss you terribly. The alternative would be that I could just stop by your blog every couple of days to check to see if you've posted. Honestly, I wouldn't mind doing that at all. In fact, when I first starting blogging I NEVER used a feed reader, I would just stop by the bloggers blog and check to see if they had posted.

    Maybe (until you get the feed thing worked out), you could set a schedule to post, like twice a week on certain days, so then we would know when you were posting and could just stop by.

    X

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  31. Whoa......sorry--I was side tracked by the Panic Room scene. I actually saw that one! (gosh.....I'm soooooooooo not a movie freak....LOL) Oh, that one made me jump more than once! Good film!

    Anyway..... This is the sort of crap that you and I got to grow up with--small wonder we're walking around with warped senses of humor. LOL We learned to take it and keep walking--or come up with our own solutions which involved interesting things being placed in lockers and a stoic look on our faces when it was discovered. Today--that kinda problem and solution is known as 'bullying'. In my day it was called 'solving the problem'. Oh man I was such a vindictive little poop once upon a time. I'm so glad I grew up!

    So yes, I know all about the name calling, poking fun at, better than/less than crap that went on in at that time in life. I don't believe it's gotten much different--kids are still kids and some people's kids are PITA's. Plain and simple.

    Sadly, I've found that apples don't fall far from their trees. Children live what they learn. And they're chronically watching who? Yeah.......the adults! No, I'm not blaming the parents--kids make choices too. But let's seriously look at how effective the "DO what I say, not as I do" actually is, for crying out loud....

    I guarantee you that we had one incident of belittling another student in our home and that was that!
    Funny how walking your child into the classroom in front of their buddies and fellow students to apologize to the one that was belittled is an effective intervention--well, that and coupling it with a good old fashioned grounding. And grounding in our house meant that you weren't unsupervised...and wherever the mom went, so went you! To the grocery store......to the post office.......to the gas station....even taking out the trash required your presence! Definitely aspire NOT to get grounded in that house, lemme tell ya....LOL

    I'm rather proud of the end results of the efforts--this same 'sassy sally' ended up working as a peer helper in the school for several years, helping other students find some friendships in new environments--which is as it should have been in my humble opinion.

    I think we should ALL get along....every day--every single last one of us.
    *sigh* Wouldn't that be lovely........

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  32. Hiya Mel~

    "Whoa......sorry--I was side tracked by the Panic Room scene. I actually saw that one! (gosh.....I'm soooooooooo not a movie freak....LOL) Oh, that one made me jump more than once! Good film!'

    OMG, you've SEEN the Panic Room?!?!? How cool! Is it not one of the BEST thrillers of all time??? Yup...made me jump MANY times!! And I love Jody Foster!

    "Anyway..... This is the sort of crap that you and I got to grow up with--small wonder we're walking around with warped senses of humor. LOL We learned to take it and keep walking--or come up with our own solutions which involved interesting things being placed in lockers and a stoic look on our faces when it was discovered."

    HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA! You KILL ME, Mel!!! And you're so right, it's no wonder we're walking around with a warped sense of humor!!!

    "Funny how walking your child into the classroom in front of their buddies and fellow students to apologize to the one that was belittled is an effective intervention--well, that and coupling it with a good old fashioned grounding."

    Woot! Woot! Yes....THANK YOU!!!!! Both my parents were very lenient parents, but god help us if we did something they thought was 'unbecoming' - watch out!

    "I'm rather proud of the end results of the efforts--this same 'sassy sally' ended up working as a peer helper in the school for several years, helping other students find some friendships in new environments--which is as it should have been in my humble opinion."

    ((((( Mel ))))))

    "I think we should ALL get along....every day--every single last one of us.
    *sigh* Wouldn't that be lovely........"

    Yes it would, wouldn't it?

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by and sharing on this post, dear lady. LOVED your comment!

    Have a super-duper week!

    X ya!

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  33. Bwahaha! Hey, speaking of bad names, I once had a dentist named Michael Meyers (just like the Halloween movies) and another dentist named John Grimm.

    So...."Carnavil" isn't all that bad :-)

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  34. Kids can be such little shits sometimes. I remember being teased regularly too. Pretty cool that the tables turned when you went into show business.

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  35. OMG, Jeff....I swear to god I was thinking about you today and wondering how you were!!!!!

    Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay...it's so great to see ya!!!!

    Yeah, can't some kids be little shits? But it is funny how the tables turned when I got into show business; never thinking it would work in MY favor - HA!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, bud! After it slows down for you at work, I sure hope you get back to some blogging.

    Have a grrrrrrrrrrreat week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    X to you and the family!

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  36. Howdy Herman~

    "Hey, speaking of bad names, I once had a dentist named Michael Meyers (just like the Halloween movies) and another dentist named John Grimm. "

    Bwhahahhahahahahahahaha! OMG, that totally made me piss my pants!!! MICHAEL MYERS?!?!? Did he use a BUTCHER KNIFE to do his ROOT CANALS?????

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing the laugh, buddy! Hope you had a super Monday!

    X to you, Karin, and Mr. Tyler!

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  37. Good morning, Ron!

    I so agree that your personality matches your name and matches it well. A Carnival describes you PERFECTLY.

    Honestly, when you sent me your mailing address, a huge smile came over my face when I saw your last name. I told Stump that if that wasn't an appropriate name I didn't know what was!

    I think our names do have a tendency to guide us to whom we become, and I can't think of a more fun, inviting, and happy place than a Carnavil!

    Have a VERY silly, happy, fun, crazy week!

    XOXO

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  38. It is funny how things end up and are meant to be. I love your last name. Kids can be so cruel. I guess it's just part of growing up. It does make us a bit tougher. One day we wake up and appreciate who we are and what we have.

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  39. Good morning Diane~

    "Honestly, when you sent me your mailing address, a huge smile came over my face when I saw your last name. I told Stump that if that wasn't an appropriate name I didn't know what was!"

    HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, how funny!

    Often when people read my last name for the first time they'll look at it with a puzzled look on their face like to say, "Is this name what I think it is!?!?"

    "I think our names do have a tendency to guide us to whom we become, and I can't think of a more fun, inviting, and happy place than a Carnavil!"

    Aw....thanks, girl!

    And thanks so much for stopping by this morning. Wishing you a spectacular week!

    XOXO

    P.S. hope you're enjoying your new kitchen gadget!!!

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  40. Morning Jen~

    Thank you.

    "Kids can be so cruel. I guess it's just part of growing up. It does make us a bit tougher. One day we wake up and appreciate who we are and what we have."

    Amen! Perfectly said!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, my friend. Have a wonderful week!

    X

    P.S. I just recently met a new blogger who also lives in Minnesota, and he was sharing on one his blog post how the winter there was very mild this year. I immediately thought of you!

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  41. Having a very Catholic name, and a last name as common as white bread, I can't quite relate to being teased for that but I made up for it years later regarding a couple outfits. I tried to do my own thing every now and then but purple parachute pants never did become popular in my school. Right back to corduroys and earth shoes! ha!
    Hubby had it rougher. Born in Korea and adopted, his birth name was changed and he was given his father's name.. Ronald. An asian kid named Ronald? I guess it was better than Andre, which is what his mother wanted to name him. So probably getting the Ronald McDonald thing too AND having a last name that rhymed with 'farts' must have been hellish at times.

    Sorry my first comment got lost in Blogland! I think I had a p.s. about the weather we're supposed to have the end of the week. Mid-60's on Thurday. Ack!! Are we to have winter at all????
    FUNNY last photo! You're such a clown, Ronald McCarnavil. ;)
    xo

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  42. Hey there Mary~

    "Having a very Catholic name, and a last name as common as white bread, I can't quite relate to being teased for that but I made up for it years later regarding a couple outfits. I tried to do my own thing every now and then but purple parachute pants never did become popular in my school. Right back to corduroys and earth shoes! ha!"

    OMG....how FUNNY!!!!! And I remember those parachute pants, and wanting a pair for myself - HAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Back then I wished to God Almighty, that I had the name John or Mary Smith if only be more traditional. Oh, but nooooooooooo....I got stuck with RONALD MCDONALD CARNAVIL!!!!!

    "An asian kid named Ronald? I guess it was better than Andre, which is what his mother wanted to name him. So probably getting the Ronald McDonald thing too AND having a last name that rhymed with 'farts' must have been hellish at times."

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! And that's right, I forgot your hubby had the same name as me!

    Aren't some kids in school just terrible?

    "I think I had a p.s. about the weather we're supposed to have the end of the week. Mid-60's on Thurday. Ack!! Are we to have winter at all???? "

    Holy cow, I didn't hear that, but now since you've told me I'm going be dreading it! What is it about this winter? One day it feels like summer, the next day it's colder than Alaska!

    I WANT SOME SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    And we might just get some in March, who knows.

    Thanks sooooooooooooo much for stopping back and recommenting, my friend. You're a sweetheart and I really appreciate it!

    ((((((( You )))))))))

    Have a FAB week! And I'll be thinking of you on Thursday when I have to get out my shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops!

    X

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  43. l.addie skjødt :)Wednesday, February 22, 2012

    did you know that the ship that went over in italy and sank in the sand bar-however i do not know but think i recorded something on discover channel...anyway they were owned by the cruise line you own! do they really get the norovirus on them and why don't you do something to fix that???? it's very baad for business and very obnoxious too. worse stink than my little ronnie pup makes when he does his doodie..

    you know ron, you bring out the very worst in me and you're not even here in the room--aren't kids the meanest? i was a 'burn' with a y and so first, nobody knew how to remember to say it and secondly all kinds of jokes can be made about it, linda linda pants on fire sorts of things....and then of course in high school, it became of the usual tacky sort, leeringly said over a cup of coke.

    lately i got mad @ google and it's new rules and took husband's original spelling of our name of skjødt, no first name, just l. and middle of adelaide. they can't say it's not my 'real name' hahahah.....i am beginning to very much not like google. oh well...

    you are right, your italian name would be grand for a styling salon and it's too bad he didn't do that as you would probably still be there styling hair! did you like my pink streak? isn't it just the cutest?

    well, must run now, take care of you and those boats...no more bad capts and no more making the old ladies swim to shore in their grannie panties....nononon. xoxoxo

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  44. I love your name Ron. It suits you so well.

    Kids can be very cruel and any name or small difference gets picked up on. Why kids like to tease so much I do not know. Maybe it's the undeveloped sense of humour.

    My surname is Taylor... go on, say my full name quickly a few times and you'll suddenly realise how close it sounds to something else. You'll also understand why in 8th grade, I had to develop a tough skin and a sense of humour. Now I find absolutely nothing that makes me blush.

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  45. Hey Ronnie! Good to hear you grew into your name. My name being "Shaeleen" caught me alot of flack and still does. I love when I am on the phone with people and they constantly tell me they cant hear my name. I want to scream "its not that you cant hear me its that you are not familiar with it and you are trying to fit it into a common name box, it doesnt fit stop trying and listen!" To top that off my initials is SMP. Seems innocent right? Wrong! When SMP is etched across what you thought was a cool LLBean backpack you soon learn that SMP is actually PMS backwards. Oh the kids had a field day with that one! Somehow I dont think I will be growing into my name any time soon!

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  46. Greetings Jeni~

    Aw...thank you.

    "Kids can be very cruel and any name or small difference gets picked up on. Why kids like to tease so much I do not know. Maybe it's the undeveloped sense of humour."

    Yes, then can. And I think it's because of the peer pressure to be like everyone else. Therefore, if someone is different (like having an unusual name), it kinda scares them.

    I just put your full name together and said them quickly a few times.

    OH. MY. GOD. I see what you mean!!!!

    "You'll also understand why in 8th grade, I had to develop a tough skin and a sense of humour. Now I find absolutely nothing that makes me blush."

    You GO, girl! It's funny how those challenging things we experience as kids, DOES cause us to not only develop a thick skin, but also a sense of HUMOR!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Always so nice to see you!

    Have a great week.......X

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  47. Good morning Linda~

    ".anyway they were owned by the cruise line you own! do they really get the norovirus on them and why don't you do something to fix that???? it's very baad for business and very obnoxious too. worse stink than my little ronnie pup makes when he does his doodie.."

    HAHHAHAHAHAHHAA! OMG...that was HILARIOUS!!!! And no, I honestly didn't hear about the Carnival Cruise Ship that sank!?!

    "i was a 'burn' with a y and so first, nobody knew how to remember to say it and secondly all kinds of jokes can be made about it, linda linda pants on fire sorts of things....and then of course in high school, it became of the usual tacky sort, leeringly said over a cup of coke."

    Can't some kids be mean?

    "skjødt" I saw that name on your comment form and had no idea it was your actually name. I thought it was something you made up. And what a cool name that is, Linda! It sounds Scandinavian!

    "you are right, your italian name would be grand for a styling salon and it's too bad he didn't do that as you would probably still be there styling hair! did you like my pink streak? isn't it just the cutest?"

    Yes, as I shared in my comment to you on that post, I LOVE your pink streak. It's faaaaaabulous!

    Thanks so much for stopping by today, dear friend. I will be sure to drop by your new blog home sometime today.

    ((((( Linda )))))

    xoxoxoxoxoxo

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  48. Ron, I loved that last photo. Oh, how funny and appropriate for you, Mr. Ronald McDonald The Carnavil Clown!

    I can so attest to what you say about kids sometimes being little buggers in school because I have curly RED hair, and was teased by the other girls that I looked Orphan Annie. Back then it was torture, but now I love my red curly hair because it's easy to take care of and red is a color that's rare, and many women pay to have it!

    Have a nice week, Ron.

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  49. Hola Denise~

    "but now I love my red curly hair because it's easy to take care of and red is a color that's rare, and many women pay to have it!"

    You GO, girl!!!! And you're sooooooo right, red is color that many women PAY to have. I happen to LOVE red on women, and when I was still a hairstylist I was always trying to get my clients to try it. Not all women can wear it, but on some it looks faaaaaaaaaabulous. I think red hair is SEXY!

    Glad to hear you love your red curly hair. Be PROUD!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Denise. Hope you're enjoying a great week!

    X

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  50. Yes, but were ever called "Jayne, Jayne, vomit brain?" I think not. "Carnivil" isn't looking quite so bad now, is it? ;)

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  51. I have an Italian last name too, the kind people can't pronounce or spell it right. Which I find funny, because it's really not that complicated.

    And having "Juliette" as a first name... I'm being asked "where is Romeo?" at least once a day! :lol:

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  52. HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Jayne, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

    Oh, DAMN those kids!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady! Have a great week!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  53. Greetings Zhu~

    Welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by, my fellow-Italian!

    "And having "Juliette" as a first name... I'm being asked "where is Romeo?" at least once a day! :lol:"

    Bwhahahahahhaahahah! OMG, that's HILARIOUS!!!

    But I have to tell you, I LOVE the name Juliette, it's beautiful!

    Again, thanks a bunch for stopping by. And CONGRATS on winning Barb's faaaaabulous photo!

    Enjoy the rest of your week!

    X

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  54. kids can be so weird. I grew up with the last name Arrowsmith, which sounds just like Aerosmith. My dad is not Steven Tyler. I do not tour with the band. I do not buy their albums. I do not have a house decorated exclusively with scarves.

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  55. *waving*

    Hiya Lora!

    "I grew up with the last name Arrowsmith, which sounds just like Aerosmith. My dad is not Steven Tyler. I do not tour with the band. I do not buy their albums. I do not have a house decorated exclusively with scarves."

    Bwhahahahahhahahahahaha!

    OMG....HILARIOUS!!!!!!!

    I had no idea your maiden was Arrowsmith. VERY cool name!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. And thanks for introducing your Reiki Master and I, she's faaaaaaaaaaabulous!

    Have a great weekend......X

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  56. i probably would have jumped on that ronald mcdonald bandwagon only because it rhymes. kids can be so mean and i probably would have told them that i'm heir to the throne of carnival cruise lines. good thing you weren't born later, your name could have been apple blue-ivy carnavil.

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  57. Hey ladyV~

    "i probably would have jumped on that ronald mcdonald bandwagon only because it rhymes."

    HA! True, it DOES!!!!! Ronald McDonald The Carnavil Clown!

    Has a nice 'ring' to it!

    "good thing you weren't born later, your name could have been apple blue-ivy carnavil."

    Bwhahahahhahahahahahaha! CRACKED ME UP, GIRL!!!!!!!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, Val! Always FAB seeing ya!

    Have super Sunday......X

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  58. My last name is Russian for parsley. All things considered, I'd rather be named after a cruise ship instead of a condiment that you will no doubt find on a plate on a cruise ship!

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  59. Hey there Mark~

    "All things considered, I'd rather be named after a cruise ship instead of a condiment that you will no doubt find on a plate on a cruise ship!"

    HAHAHAHAHAHHHAHA! HILARIOUS!

    "My last name is Russian for parsley."

    I had no idea your name is Russian for parsley!?! But, hey...I honestly like it!

    Thanks for stopping by, buddy!

    X

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