Mary Ann, I really want to tell you …

It is with great sadness that I need to report about the passing this week of American actress Dawn Wells. Ms. Wells is most famous for playing “Mary Ann Summers” on the legendary 1960s TV comedy program Gilligan’s Island.

Boxers or Briefs? Football or Baseball? Mary Ann or Ginger? These were questions posed to men in my generation used to gage what kind of a guy you are. I am definitely in the “Mary Ann” choice (that is, if I can’t have both). The late Ms. Wells played the pretty “girl-next-door” persona perfectly. A generation of adolescent boys grew up in love with the Mary Ann from Kansas. Millions of us were in love with her. Her “short shorts” were a good point of discussion for teenage boys. Sure, we teenage wannabes wanted to have our fun with the Gingers, but we wanted to marry a Mary Ann. 

Years later, while listening to Marshall Crenshaw’s Mary Ann song, I was reminded of the youthful beauty of Ms. Wells, and I would always slip into a reverie … 

I know the song lyrics do not describe the Gilligan’s situation, but I could stretch my fantasy a little.  What if Mary Ann(e) was my girlfriend? I know that there is the extra “e”, in Crenshaw’s fantasy-girl, but I think what the song captures the impossible, unrequited longing of a young boy in love with this everyday-encountered-but-impossible-to-reach girl next door. Also, thinkin’ about those “short shorts” is part of the nostalgic mood of the song. 

Here are the guitar chords if you want to learn the song.

https://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.azchords.com/m/marshallcrenshaw-tabs-25569/maryanne-tabs-661866.html

More importantly — Please enjoy this gallery of Mary Ann moments:

She was a great comedian and a great, life affirming woman. I drink a toast to you dear lady …

Starlight: 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-dawn-wells/actress-dawn-wells-castaway-mary-ann-on-tvs-gilligans-island-dies-from-covid-19-idUSKBN294289

Pokémon Nicknames: Delibird

Delibird (in Japanese: デリバード  or just pronounced “Delibird”) is an ICE and FLYING dual-type introduced in Pokémon Generation II. It does not evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

Delibird is the “Delivery Pokémon” which explains the “deli” part, in case you were thinking the corned-beef sandwiches kind of deli.

This Santa is packing some gifts for sure!

Delibird wears a Santa Clause outfit, and apparently has a feather beard. The beard is problematic for naming, as the male/female ratio is 50-50. There is some gremlin algorithm in my Sord and Shield games where the only Delibirds I encounter are female. When I do encounter a male, it always faints itself.

On the off chance I will encounter a male, I name it “Festivus” – after the made-up pseudo-Christmas holiday introduced in the TV Series Seinfeld.

With that extra bit of challenge, let me proceed with my favorite names for this Christmas bird.

“Santa Baby” is a good name for a female, as the song is best when sung by a woman.

I like to use “JustBearding” if I catch a female, as we can pretend that the beard is a fake. Note the term “beard” or “bearding”.

Thanks to this cosplay, I do not mind a female Delibird. I like to think that maybe I will receive something nice.

“New Deli” as a play on the name of the capital of India (New Delhi).

“Hello Deli” after the New York city delicatessen often featured on the old David Letterman show.

“N.D. Sack” which is a phrase you should always add to the end of ANY Chinese fortune cookie note.

“X-mas Bill” because you are going to be gifted with a lot of bills after Christmas!

Speaking of mail, another user suggested “Going Postal” as a name. You see, working at the US Post Office is so stressful that some workers have been known to freak out. They start shooting random people with automatic weapons instead of just sorting and delivering the mail. Hence the American saying “going postal”.

Here we are between Christmas and New Years … I suppose you could name it “Kwanza” except no one knows what the hell that is.

Sources:

https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/delibird

https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Delibird_(Pok%C3%A9mon)

https://www.deviantart.com/heatheraftercosplay/art/Delibird-Gijinka-04-344524553