Just call me Jenny.

My name is not hard to pronounce. I know that because my 3-year-old niece, who can't say 'birthday,' can say my name with out a hiccup. Even still, people are constantly fumbling over my name. The most common flub, and the most understandable, is Foh-Lay-Oh. It's as if there is a mental block when I tell someone my name. I say Foh-Lie-Oh and they say Foh-Lay-Oh; this goes on until I express that it's "Layo, like eye-oh," to which they usually respond "Oh...Foh-LAY-Oh," at this point I tend to concede. At one point a girl even argued with me over the meaning of my name; she was convinced that it was Greek for 'love.' Even after I explained to her that my name was not Phileo, we left the conversation agreeing to disagree.

I must say that as annoying as "Foh-Lay-Oh" is, I get it. People are trying to assimilate with something they've already heard. That makes sense. That I can forgive. What I cannot forgive are the people who must really think that my parents were on an acid trip when they named me. These are the people who say things like..."As Folappi was saying" or "Hey, Falafel (today's offense)." It's important to note, that they're not kidding by the way. The one that will forever stand out in my mind is years ago I met a girl (who has since become a very dear friend of mine) that was embarrassed to say my name because she honestly believed it to be Fellatio. What kind of sick parents would name their kid Fellatio?!?! I mean come on people, if you're not sure just ask!

When I was younger there were certainly times when I wished my name were Kelly, or Stacey, or Jessica, but now I couldn't imagine having any other name. I love my name. It's part of me; it's part of what makes me me...all of those conversations, and explanations, and awkward pauses during role call; my life wouldn't be the same without this name. I've grown into it, and appreciate its beauty and uniqueness, and the fact that when my parents saw me they knew that it was me.

So while I suppose life would've been simpler if my name were Jennifer; my name is Folayo.

Ingrid Michaelson.

It is an incredible thing to find truly gifted musicians these days; Ingrid Michaelson, is a true find. I just got back from her concert at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, and I must say that I left totally blown away. For those of you...probably most of you...who are thinking, "Who da' heck is Ingrid Michaelson?" Please allow me to introduce you. She is a young, up & coming, talented, poignant lyricist with a voice that is both calming and beautiful, that lives with her mother in Staten Island, or more simply put...she's a f**king rock star. For you Grey's fans, her song "Keep Breathing" was featured at the end of last season's finale.

Tonight's show was an acoustic duo with just Ingrid, her back-up singer Allie, a guitar, and a piano. There was no smoke and mirrors, no gimmicks; it was simple, but it was awesome. You could tell that she felt what she was doing, and she loved it and in doing so, made you love her. in case you hadn't guessed it, I highly--highly--suggest familiarizing yourself with this girl. She sweet too, she even signed my CD...

www.ingridmichaelson.com

www.myspace.com/ingridmichaelson

I wish I could explain this.

I've had this in my head for the last five hours. I don't where it came from, I don't know what reminded me of this, and I would say that it's been at least 15 years since I saw this movie, but here it is...



There's no way that a live-action Chipmunks could compare to this.

Blessed.

In spite of the fact that I woke up with a wicked charlie horse in my calf this morning, I felt genuinely happy as my eyes blinked open. I don't know why, but I woke up thinking about the people in my life and how lucky I was to have them. I don't have an enormous quantity of a friends, but what I do have are people who at one point were strangers and who now are as close to me as family. Some are new friendships; some have had 20 years to develop. Some I talk to daily, others weekly, some monthly, some fewer and further between, but regardless of how often we talk or see one another it's who they are and what they mean to mean that's important...it's what got me up with a smile on my face. I don't know...I guess I just felt pretty blessed when I woke up this morning.

Now that's advertising!

Anyone who can take these lyrics, and turn them into my total amusement is fine by me. I don't watch this show...but I just may start.

This would only happen to me.

This morning as I walked to work; blissfully basking in the sun, listening to my learn French CD, enjoying the general splendor of the morning...I got hit by a guy on a bike. I wish I had it on video; we both went tumbling to the ground and my French book flew in front of me...I guess you probably shouldn't read and walk (and listen and repeat). I got up, a little dirty and a bit scratched, and flooded with apologies from the bike guy, laughed, told him it was fine, picked up my book, and kept on the road to work. Sometimes you've got to start your day off with a bang.

Post Secret.

I love this website...

...if you haven't gone there, you should definitely take a look.

www.postsecret.com

Rocked to my core.

My sister liked DREAMGIRLS, and all of a sudden I just feel so lost. I mean you think you know a person, and then they say something that just makes you question your entire universe. Colors look different, there's no comfort in music...my sister liked DREAMGIRLS...I just, I don't know what to do with that.

Finally.

After months of unofficial protest, I finally washed my car...

Look how "The Captain" sparkles.

More family time.

Here is a picture from when Tolu came to visit...

...it was a fun trip.

The right article at the right moment.

There is a woman at my office that doesn't like me. It's strange; she walks past me and glares. I say good morning, and she just glares and says good morning to the person behind me. I don't really understand it; we've never really talked, we don't interact much at work except for passing in the hallway or a few emails, but she is really unfriendly and I don't feel that I'm being overly sensitive in saying that it is blatantly directed at me. I'm not someone who thinks everyone should like me, or needs everyone to like me for that matter, but ordinarily there's some reason to not like me. I don't initially put people off...it takes time for that. First impressions are sort of my specialty. So, either I remind her of someone that she really doesn't like, or she's just an asshole.

It can be quite uncomfortable when the distaste for someone isn't mutual. I don't know her well enough to not like her, so instead I find myself overcompensating and smiling around her like a lunatic. It's quite exhausting. Anyway, this morning after another ignored greeting I walked back to my office and in front of me on my computer screen was a link to an article entitled, "How to Cope with the Jerk at Work." It was as if God had tapped me on the shoulder and said "Here you go." I read it, printed it, and tucked it away for the next time I need to refer to it. It's funny when things work out like that.

Auntie Fo.

I never get to see my neice and nephew, so it was great to spend a couple days with them (and their mother) while I was in Denver...

Miss Maya & I.

Abi at the park.

Cole.

Grandpa & the babies.

Peekaboo.
Shades.

Maya.

One thing I really don't like about LA.

There was an earthquake about 5 minutes ago. I stood in my doorway terrified, watching my shaking reflection in my mirrored closets. Thank God it was a small one.

Yellow Watermelon

Today at work I had yellow watermelon. I never even knew it existed, but there it was cut and beautifully displayed for all to eat. I tried it and it was just like regular watermelon, except maybe a little happier because it's yellow...not that regular watermelon is particularly filled with angst. In fact I find most fruit to have a light and cheery disposition...except maybe the cumquat. I've never actually seen or eaten a cumquat, but the name sounds angry or at the very least seriously annoyed. Then again I've never had it so I probably shouldn't pass judgment because it could be delicious, and that would make me happy. Anyway, long story short, I changed my mind...I do like watermelon. Well, at least yellow watermelon, it is happier after all.

Conversation w/ my dad.

Dad: What is 7 days plus 18?

Me: 25 days.

Dad: Is that a Tuesday?

Me: ...What?

I love my dad.