Sunday, December 11, 2011

How Annie became Annie


A reader discovered that my daughter Annie's real name is Diana and wondered how and why she made the change. Annie herself has graciously agreed to answer.

There has been an inquiry about my going by Annie rather than Diana. Most of you probably had no idea that my name was Diana unless you've either a) known me since birth b) are a friend of mine or c) have read my father's book (so that's what like two of you?). There was no "Kafka-esque metamorphosis". It was more of a Bruce Wayne/Batman secret identity thing although now that its been revealed I guess my crime-fighting days are over. So you are all to blame when Two-Face starts wreaking havoc again.

Actually my parents always called me "Annie." Other delightful nicknames include Dow Chemical, Porntip and Youngster Fishman. So its not too surprising that I chose to go by Annie instead. Though you're all welcome to call me "Porntip."

18 comments :

  1. OK, now we need a posting on how "Porntip" became "Porntip." The mind boggles.

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  2. I think we need a contest to see which reader can come up with the best story on how "Porntip" came about. Me? I got nothin'.

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  3. And how much is that anyway? It still 15%?

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  4. Oh how the mind is going crazy over 'Porntip'. Of course I am sure that is the point :)

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  5. Well I don't know about the rest of you, but my mind immediately leapt to the 1988 winner of the Miss Universe competition, Porntip Nakhirunkanok.

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  6. I'm gonna confiscate that damn iPhone, Cliff.

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  7. I bet her middle name is Rosebud.

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  8. "Hey Porntip!"

    *Porntip bursts through the wall*

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  9. And who could forget:

    "Porntip's complaint"?

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  10. Well, "Cliff" is probably joking, but my mind actually DID immediately leap to the 1988 winner of the Miss Universe competition, Porntip Nakhirunkanok. It's a name that, once heard, can never be forgotten. I knew a Thai girl at that time, and impressed her the day after the pageant by being able to pronounce the winner's name.

    I don't know how old Annie is, but perhaps Ken and the Mrs. were considering baby names in '88, saw the pageant and discovered comedy gold.

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  11. Gee, what a lovely, smart, and funny young woman...by ANY name!

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  12. "Goodnight, Daddy."
    "Goodnight, Mama."
    "Goodnight, John-Boy."
    "Goodnight, Mary-Ellen."
    "Goodnight, Porntip."

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  13. I can't tell you what "Porntip" is. But, I know it when I see it.
    Justice Byron White.

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  14. MikeBo - Actually, it was Potter Stewart who defined porntip

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  15. Her middle name can't be "Rosebud". Everyone knows Rosebud is a boy's name. C'mon, man!

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  16. steve macdonald12/13/2011 4:19 PM

    Okay, I'll grant you that the serious (so to speak) comedy writing was done on Fraiser, not The Great White Way, but what you may not realize is that today, on the cusp of 2012, ALL the serious writing--including the greatest funny stuff--is done on the internet. And here in the interwebs, Ken, you are an award winning king.

    Believe it or not, your place in history is assured. A hundred years from now bored college sophomores will be mining your blog posts for pithy term paper quotes. I'm honored to be reading it as it rolls off your key board.

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  17. I still want to know how Mr. Sutton became Phoef.

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