My name is ME-LIS-SA

For the record, this blog is not about work. This blog is about something much BIGGER.

So two days ago I returned a call from a defense attorney. It went something like this,

"Hello, Lawyer Y's office"

"Hello. This is Melissa calling in reference to the message you left me regarding client X."

"Ah yes. Blah blah blah"

"Blah blah blah?"

"Blah blah."

"Okay great, I will see you tomorrow then."

"See you then. Thanks Mel."

I hung up the phone and sat there in shock. Did she really just call me Mel? Like we were old school friends going to get a beer? And is Mel really that commonplace to call a Melissa that you would automatically shorten it like you would Benjamin to Ben or even Danial to Dan?

I was super irritated by it for some reason. I mean tons of people call me Mel, but only people...I don't know....I'VE MET BEFORE. And quite frankly "Mel" makes me think of an overweight man flipping burgers in the back of McDonalds. Just like "Missy" make me think of a French Poodle on a pillow getting her nails done. I have never been fond of either nickname.

I proceeded to ask everybody in a twelve foot radius around me whether that was appropriate or not.

Before I even had a chance to come to a consensus the phone rang again. This time it was Witness Q.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hi. I'm looking for Mel."

"Mel?"

"Yes. Mel ."

"Oh. YOU MEAN MELISSA . That would be me. How can I help you?"