A Rose by any other . . .

As I am sure is obvious, I am a family oriented person and am fully of the opinion that all members (except myself) are of great charm, although there may be slight doubts at occasional times when the needs of the moment lead to less than polite actions. A cold may bring a surprise.

As may other things, Alistair Michael Whitfield Sadler, son of Charles Michael Whitfield Sadler, son of Bernard George Whitfield Sadler, has decided that he would prefer to be called George instead of Alistair, and appears to be enforcing this rigidly at school. My sister (the author, Caroline Stickland) was known for many years by her second name (Amanda) before opting for Caroline, which then took me many years to say instantly without thinking first.

I have always been known by my second name, or rather the short version of it. My father was also known as Mike from his 20s, this arose since he acted in three plays one after the other and in each his character, although different in each play, was called "Mike".

In spite of the difficulties of being known by a name that is not necessarily obvious to all I therefore can understand our youngest son's desire to choose George and think I will go along with it. There may be times when "Mr. Alistair" is called out and he misses his turn, certainly I have not always realised that I was being called when "Mr. Charles" is called but what the hell, life has is slight problems - we can deal with them.

Oh, and by the way, the above is in fact a posed picture with mozzarella cheese at our new haunt of Tony Roma's rib place in Suntec City, which seems nicer than the one in the Orchard Hotel.