[Ipg-smz] From a LinkedIn discussion

[Stephen Satchell]

Today I had a new connection presented to me in LinkedIn.  She works for 
$DAYJOB, with connections to all the other employees and contractors in 
my contacts.  So I told LinkedIn "yes", and sent a message to this person.

I told her she was the third "Michelle" in my contact list.  I only know 
this because I dated a lady with that first name in high school, and 
"would have put a ring on it" (cf Beyonce, "Single Ladies") had I not 
moved away and lost track of her.  So the name rings a little bell.

(Not that the song by The Beatles has anything to do with it.)

So, my new contact accuses me of collecting Michelles.

Not at all, I replied.  It's just a statistical observation, sparked by 
my fond memories of the above-mentioned date.  I opined that I had no 
idea "how to set Michelle bait."

Her retort: "All you would need to do is bring up the debate about the 
spelling of my name.  I don't know a Michelle or Michele that doesn't 
have strong opinions."

Now, there is a similar religious war between "Satchel" and "Satchell", 
both last names stemming from the occupation of "maker of little brown 
bags."  At one time in the past, my family name was "White", but in a 
community of too many Whites one of my ancestors decided to adopt the 
occupation-based name.

Anyone here have stories of similar arguments about the spelling of names?

(And why would I want to collect Michelles?)