Email from a friend: "Go back to writing more about yourself  / people and less about media events. Sorry to be so dugri.*

Reaction from a fellow blogger at our first meeting. "I thought you'd be more of a leftist. Maybe a lesbian or a hippy or something."

Warning from a friend during a fascinating conversation at a cafe: "Don't you dare blog about this conversation!"

Article in the New York Times Sunday Magazine: Where have all the Lisas gone? Reminded me of how amusing - in an irritating sort of way - it is to have a name that is basically the Jewish equivalent of Jane Smith.

My favourite name-related anecdote: When I lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan (where it's pretty much assumed you're Jewish unless you say you're not) I went to take out a membership at a neighbourhood video library. The guy who entered my details on the computer asked if I had a middle name. Yes, I said. Why? "Because we have 94 Lisa Goldmans registered here," he answered.

My mood today: Hmmm. Pensive and moody. My neighbour is playing Albinoni's Adagio at full volume. Yo, Yaniv! You are not helping my mood!


*Blunt (Hebrew slang adopted from Arabic)