Username meme (invented by navrins)

You picked a LiveJournal name. It's probably not your real name. What does it mean to you, and why did you pick it?

It's a diminutive of my Hebrew name, Chana-Rivka. I identify fairly strongly with my Hebrew name; as many of you know, or most of you may have noticed, I wear it on a chain around my neck at all times. (Though as chaiya has pointed out, I don't necessarily respond to it in conversation, so maybe it's not so internalized as all that. Maybe if more people tried, I'd get used to it. :-)

My real name doesn't lend itself to diminution very well, so I've never had a nickname in regular RL use. And the only other regular username/nickname I've ever had was taken when I signed up on LJ -- not that I minded too much.

I did a ketubah!

About a month ago, I got an e-mail inquiry from a couple who wanted the calligraphy (Hebrew and English) done on their ketubah. They live in my neighborhood and found my web page through Google. They had ordered a very lovely print from someone online, but needed the text customized (it's an interfaith ceremony), so I agreed to do it.

Of course, I'm not all that up to speed on my hand work, so I spent a lot of time over the past few weeks scouring art-supply stores (with C's help and expertise), experimenting with pens, and practicing up. ( Technical notes )

But I finally finished the thing late Wednesday night (good thing, 'cause the wedding is this Saturday), and the groom picked it up from me this afternoon. I (spoiled by the flawlessness of electronic type) wasn't totally thrilled with the way it came out... but he was! and that's the important thing.

So... it's official, I have professionally calligraphed my first ketubah! He promised me a picture, so I'll put that up on my web page after I get it.

And now, perhaps, I can rest. :-) Cheesecake with tapuz, laurens10, and msmidge tonight. Chag sameach, everyone.