Many years ago, I came across an article in a magazine poo-pooing trendy baby names. It had a list of similar alternatives to overused favorites, like this:
If you like the name:
ASHLEY
Consider:
AINSLEY; AUBREY
If you like the name:
JASON
Consider:
JUDSON, JACKSON
Today, as I was picking up a copy of Rick Steves' Spain 2008 in anticipation of my upcoming trip to Espana, this crossed my mind:
If you have a smart-girl boner for:
IRA GLASS
Consider:
RICK STEVES
He's got his own show on PBS, he travels to Europe nine months out of the year, and is way better looking than Garrison Keillor. Plus, he's responsible for bon mots such as these:
"Like a grandpa bouncing a baby on his knee, Spain is a mix of old and new, modern and traditional."
"Rick Steves' Spain is a tour guide in your pocket, with a balanced, comfortable mix of exciting cities and cozy towns, topped off with an exotic dollop of Morocco!"
Any man who pairs "exotic" with "dollop" is a man after my heart. Can't you just see Rick cavorting around his room in a pension with nothing but a tan money belt resting comfortably on his middle-aged pudge? I own a R.S.-brand tan money belt, so I know what I'm talking about.
And what's up with his name? Two masculine nicknames common to football coaches. Richard Stevens, qu'est-ce que c'est? So soft, so smart, so goofy, a little bit naughty with all this "through the back door" trademarked business. Give Ira a run for his money, please!