Maybe It's Time To Switch To Decaf

I love the name Shea.

It's simple, classic, androgynous, and--in my mind, at least--only subtly Irish.

And within the dynamics of our little family unit, it's also a perfect foil to Finnegan's three syllable, over-the-top, double Shamrocks first name.

It's also easily recognizable by most Americans as it graces one of the most famous baseball stadiums on the Eastern Seaboard.

But some people--particularly younger, less traveled ones--struggle with it, not quite sure how to put their mouth around the four little letters, S-H-E-A.

I've truly lost count of how many times someone has garbled out,

"What? Is that SHEEEEE-uh?"

...as they try to phonetically read it.

I've always been able to calmly counter with,

"It's Shea. Like Shea Stadium. And Shea Butter. Which comes from the Shea tree."

When what I'm really tempted to say is,

"It's really not that complicated, Twinkletoes. Just Shea, plain and simple. And, while we're at it, is it tough going through life so bewildered by alternative vowel combinations?"

Or, more definitively,

"Actually, no, I don't really think the S-H-A-Y spelling would be 'totally cute,' either, and much easier for people to read. In fact, I don't think the kinds of people stumbling over this one do too much reading to begin with, to tell you the truth."

(Note to self: Hmmmm, grouchy much, Karin?)

On Monday, unfortunately, my list of easy examples for the, um, less informed was significantly shortened after plans were announced to build a new home for the New York Mets. By 2009, the fourth-oldest ballpark in the National League will be reopened as Citi Field (you may commence cracking adolescent rhyming jokes now).

So, yeah. In sum:

I guess I'm sad about yet another old ball park closing. Piece of Americana, symbol of early '60s promise, yada yada yada.

And a little frustrated about having one less handy example at my--and my daughter's--fingertips.

And completely dumbfounded at the vapidity of many of the people I encounter on a daily basis.

But, really, mostly just jonesing for another strong cup of joe.