I’m an idiot. This is a well-known fact I must cope with. Don’t believe me? Here are two convincing examples:
EXAMPLE NUMBER ONE
I was 17 years old – a senior in high school. I was interviewing for a college scholarship. I couldn’t have been more prepared. The night before the interview I wrote down every question they could possibly ask me. I mean, how many questions can you possibly ask a 17 year old? I thought the answer was 4; but I later found the number is actually higher.
I spent hours in front of the mirror practicing my introduction (not kissing my hand) much like you would before a date. “Hi.” “Hello.” “Greetings gentlemen.” BINGO! I’ll enter the room with a “greetings gentlemen.”
I didn’t stop there. I was told the interviewer’s name before the interview. I was going to go around the table, shake their hand, and give them a personalized resume (with their name on it). Impressive huh? The three men and one lady were going to be wowed.
It’s interview day and it’s my turn to go into the conference room. “Mike, Steven, Rick and Shannon,” I kept reciting. When I walked into the room, all hell breaks loose. Because I was so focused on saying my name, I didn’t collect exactly who was who. To make matters worse, there were 4 guys! When I get thrown off, I typically throw out a joke and everything works out.
I quickly gather myself, remember the names I was given before the interview and offer a light-hearted comment.
“So I guess Shannon couldn’t make it today.”
“I’m Shannon,” said the angry looking architect.
“Of course you are. Why wouldn’t you be? That’s not a girl’s name!”
Needless to say I didn’t win the scholarship. It’s a memory I rarely relive but was forced to tonight, thanks to Sam Dogen.
EXAMPLE NUMBER TWO
A few weeks ago I got an email from the Financial Samurai. He told me I was going to become a member of the Yakezie Network. I was ecstatic. I spent the next few weeks drafting my member post – the last hurdle. I read member post after member post so I could follow respectfully in the footsteps of those before me.
I had the perfect post. It was all revolving around the one simple phrase: “You Make It Look So Easy.” It works on so many levels. I was explaining how successful blogs become when they surround themselves with like-minded individuals – especially those willing to lend a helping hand. It also works because I can replace “easy” with “Yakezie.” It’ll be perfect. It flows off the tongue.
At least this is what I thought until tonight. Tonight I stumbled upon an interview with Sam on BlogcastFM (Jan 8, 2011). Great interview if you’ve never heard it. In the conversation I got to hear Yakezie pronounced for the first time. Yah-KAY-zee (“It’s leviosa, not leviosa”). Are you serious? For the past 6 months I have been mispronouncing (and believe me, I say the word a ton). Can you say embarrassing?
It was like I was introducing myself to Shannon all over again.
WHO AM I?
Apologies for the long-winded introduction. I bet you thought you were on FinancialSamurai.com huh? I blog under the name A. Blinkin at Funancials.biz. Given what I’ve written not-so-recently in the Emancipation Proclamation, I hope you’ve heard of me. Regardless, I look forward to connecting with you in the future.
I am 26 years young and live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I regretfully run the site anonymously. I do so because I have to.
After graduating with a degree in Economics, I immediately began working in the banking industry. Even with my limited work experience, I have had the privilege to dabble in everything from consumer lending to investments (and everywhere in between).
I understand money and I love talking about it.
WHY I BLOG?
I get to help a lot of people with their finances. It’s extremely rewarding but it’s not enough. I created a blog to reach more people and educate them on both the simplicities and complexities of personal finance. Becoming wealthy is extremely simple but it starts with education.
Both my mother and brother were teachers with similar incomes and similar expenses. My mother; however, was less educated when it came to money. Refinancing mortgages to get max cash out. Spending entirely too much on credit with no definitive plan to pay it down.
The worst part about it: she did it all for me.
Two short years ago, my mom passed away from a brutal battle with breast cancer. Sometimes I think I cry too often, other times I think not enough. Either way, I know I want to honor her and the life she lived.
The money generated from Funancials will go towards a scholarship of some kind. I could easily donate proceeds directly to an organization such as Susan G Komen but I don’t think my mom would’ve wanted that. Children and education were the two most important things to her.
In my eyes, investing in education will essentially be donations to everything else.
Editor’s Note: One of the most hilarious, yet heart-wrenching Member Posts I’ve ever read. Thanks for the laugh! Yakezie is indeed pronounced “Yah-KAY-Zee”, but we won’t cut out your tongue if you can’t say the word properly. Everybody go check out Abe’s site! SD
What a post! Good to learn more about your background and why you started your blog. I’ve enjoyed seeing your comments around the blogosphere, as they’re always just as humorous as your member post.
Best of luck with the blog!
JT – I’m slowly opening up to everybody. It’s unfortunate that I can’t completely put myself out there until I completely switch careers.
This is one of the most hilarious posts I’ve ever read! Thanks for sharing Allen, and also digging up the interview I did w/ Srini more than a year ago now. It’s funny to look back on what one’s thoughts were in the past one year ago, and compared to now. I’m thankful pretty much everything still holds, and we’ve evolved to way beyond Alexa. We gotta kick off the Yakezie Writing Contest/Scholarship in 2Q!
I’m sorry to hear about your mom. If I, or the Network can do anything to help you realize your mom’s vision, and her memory, please let us know! One idea is having a Writing Contest question that encapsulates what you have in mind, and attribute it to her and your site.
In fact, that could be a great idea! We’ll have 3-5 Writing Contest questions, and each contest, we’ll choose one question and associate it with one Yakezie Member’s site next to it. A good way to increase involvement, help out the applicant, decide which essays will be finalists, and so forth.
Thanks!
If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought the interview took place just the other day. It wasn’t until you mentioned the number of members that I realized how dated it was.
Definitely a lot of brainstorming we’ll have to do around the scholarship and writing contests. Lots of potential. Thanks for the everything.
I am so glad that I am on your team. I am deeply amused by your posts…especially by your optional entries for contests!
I have to admit, I haven’t been the best teammate thus far. I visit everyone’s site everyday but I need to up the number of comments I leave.
LOL! Hilarious about Shannon. Also great to hear about your plans to donate to blog revenue to charity….you don’t hear about that nearly enough.
BTW- Thanks again for your tips tweaking Thesis on my other site, I love the result!
Wow. You are a very talented writer and blogger. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us; I’ll admit I’ve visited your site before, but now I think I’ll become an avid reader. This was a terrific introduction. Welcome to the Yakezie -officially now. :)
Thanks for the kind words :) I’m beginning to enjoy writing more and more – even if it’s about nothing. The fact that you are reading my thoughts about nothing make me happy.
I loved this post! Another awesome fellow Delta class member!
I started something on my site this year–Bloggers Give Back–and I’d love to donate to your scholarship fund.
Thanks Jana, I’m thrilled to be a part of this delta class. We need a special handshake or something…I’ll let you know when I get everything officially set up with the scholarship. Lots of work to do.
Hi Shannon, nice to meet you I’m just gonna run down the hall and smother myself in shame! Great stuff, we’ve all got those memories!
haha smother myself, I did. As soon as we sat down I should’ve said something along the lines of “I should just leave, shouldn’t I?” (heads nodding).
Nice post! Great way to introduce yourself. You’re not alone in mispronouncing Yakezie though!
Thank you. I feel better knowing that I’m not the only one. Even though I know how to say it now, I knowingly say it incorrectly.
Actually, I’ve yet to meet a female Shannon! I think that’s a great idea for putting your blogging earnings towards a good cause.
Really?!! I wish I hadn’t. It probably would’ve kept my foot from entering my mouth.
I didn’t realize it was pronounced that way either! Thanks for the heads up. Welcome to YaKAYzie!
You have to snap when you say it to: YAH (snap) KAY (snap) ZEE (snap and stare).
Congrats on being a member!
Thanks Michelle. I’m thrilled myself.
Glad to have you as a member. I always have fun reading your posts. You were probably expecting to meet Shannon Elizabeth, the dude must have been a disappointment.
I was! He wasn’t nearly as attractive. I wonder who felt worse, me or him?
Awesome post – congratulations on your membership. Really cool that you blog for charity.
Thanks John. Don’t get it twisted…I blog for chicks primarily; but charity is a close second.
I laughed so hard at this post, my dogs came running in here to check on me. The Shannon thing sounds just like something that would happen to me! (My claim to fame is introducing a woman named Betsy Clark as “Cletsy Bark” from the podium at a huge conference, and not realizing why everyone was laughing.)
You already know I love your blog, and I’m so glad you’re a member! Congratulations!
Haha – Cletsy. I’m going to have to use that. You knew you loved my blog before you met my blog. I think I’m more glad than you are that I’m a member. Couldn’t be happier.
Excellent post! You will fit in very well. The part about Shannon made me laugh. The part about your mom made me sad! I dont know that I could handle such a thing myself. I hope to learn more on the charity to honor your mom and her dreams, I would be happy to contribute!
Thanks Justin. Sorry for the rollercoaster of emtions! It’s not entirely difficult knowing that she’s in a better place. It’s my understanding that the economy in Heaven is thriving right now.
Awesome member post – really liked the personal story #1. Totally hysterical!
Thanks – I’m glad other people are entertained by my embarrassment.
Oh My Lord! You are not just funny you are hilarious! Thank you for making my Friday. You are not the only one mispronouncing Yakezie. I do it all the time. :) I just blame it on my accent.
Thank you for sharing, congratulations on becoming a member and I am heading over to your blog.
I actually laughed out loud reading this, not just like LOL on the internet.
Eric- have you seen the Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry’s friend constantly says LOL in face to face conversations? Amazing…
Aloysa – thanks for the kind words. I’m ecstatic to be a member. When you head over, make sure you stay a while. Put your feet up and I’ll take care of the rest :)
A., how do you feel about Sam outing your first name? How many bankers with that first name in North Carolina?
I’m also surprised no one has challenged your “becoming wealthy is extremely simple” comment.
You must have had em laughing so hard they couldn’t help themselves….
I’ve enjoyed your blog and your sick sense of humor. Keep it up and welcome to the big leagues…
If that were my real first name I would probably be upset!
What a colorful way to introduce yourself. If only I could write words as well as you do :) Congrats on becoming a member!
Very hilarious indeed. One question, does your blog spell “Foo-nancials” or “Fun-ancials”?
I put the “fun” in “financials.” That’s the idea behind the blog; but you can pronounce it however you like!
Great post. A! You took me back some years with the recollection of the interview; I’ve done worse! Well done on becoming a member of the Yakezie (whatever it sound like) and I am very sorry to hear about your mum. Setting up a studentship is a great way to honour her.
Thanks Maria. I’m looking forward to hearing about your embarrassing moments (mainly to make myself feel better!)
Great post. Filled with your usual humor. So… when are you going to start posting 7 days a week?
7 days a week is extreme. I risk running out of things to say!
Thanks for the shout out. That part about the interview made me LOL Sometimes we say whatever is on our minds, especially when we’re younger. been there done that.
Absolutely! It was a great interview. Yours…not mine.
Great member post! My tendency is to clam up instead of shooting my mouth off. I guess either ways are not that great. :)
Neither are good tendencies but anything is better than diarrhea mouth.
This was a hillarious and touching post! I’m glad I have had the prouncing part correct :)
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I recently lost a family member to cancer and I know how difficult it can be, let alone losing your mother. I’m certain she’s looking down and is very proud of your accomplishment and in your wonderful way of honoring her memory. Please let me know of what donation I can make in her memory :)
and….Congratulations!
Absolutely. Still a lot of work to be done around the scholarship but it’s great to see how many people would be willing to help.
Great introduction… and thanks for the chuckles =)
Someday I hope to become an accredited Yakezie member. That’s when you know you’ve “made it” in the world of financial blogs!
You’ll make it, no doubt. When did you officially begin the challenge?
You are quite the wordsmith! Funny, informative, and tugging at the heart strings. Bravo, welcome, and continue making your mother proud!
I’ve been called a lot of things but wordsmith is not one of them! Thanks Buck.
Congratulations! You deserve the honor of becoming a member! And I agree with Buck… your momma is proud of you!
Thank you. Very excited to be a member.
Congratulations on becoming a member. I absolutely read the title of this post the way it was meant to be. I’ve been pronouncing it wrong as well.
Thanks. It makes me feel better knowing I’m not the only one.
Hey Allen Congrats but if you think that is bad try dancing in a competition and doing a split to find out that your shoe falls off and your pants rip… Oh and toss the word TV in the mix. :)
Tell me more! I love a good embarrassment.
Great post funancials. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Im sorry to hear about your mother. I think it is great that you are blogging to give something back in her honor, it would be great if we could all come together and do it on a grand scale for her.
Thank you. Seeing how many people are willing to help is inspiring. May be on a grander scale than I was imagining.
Great post, Funancials. Glad you’re a part of the group. Funny story about the intereview, I think we’ve all had crazy moments we can laugh at later. I actually showed up to an interview as a student wearing pants from one suit and a jacket from another – what a mind-boggling mistake. Was just a student, but wow was that about the dumbest thing to do. Got the internship offer thought:)
On another note, I’m sorry about your mother. It’s great that you speak with such respect toward her, and try to honor her in the way you stated.
Thank you. Did you get dressed in the dark and not realize it until you got there? Or did the interviewer actually point out the mistake to you? I love embarrassing moments.
I have read a lot these Funancials.
Best. Yakezie. Member. Intro. Post. … ever?
I’ll. Take. It. Thanks SPF!
Awesome writing! Indeed, finance is fun. Congrats on your achievement.
Thank you. It’s been a long six months. Finance is so much fun. Our job is to convince everyone else.
Been to your site before, pretty funny stuff. welcome to the club :)
Thank you. Very excited to be a part of the club.
That was indeed the best Yah-KAY-zie member post I have ever read. How can I possibly compare when it’s my turn to do a member post? Maybe Shannon will have some pointers I can use.
Seriously though dude, just absolutely stunning and riveting member post.
Thanks Steve. Very kind.
[…] You Make It Look So Yakezie! – via @yakezie […]
Great post, Abe. We could all use a few more laughs, snorts and chuckles.
Absolutely. With the exception of Whitney Houston, everyone could use a few more snorts. Too soon?
Hey Abe, you might be surprising some of these folks, but I would expect nothing less! On par for you means always entertaining and hilarious. Great Intro post buddy… I knew I should have got mine up before yours… how do I follow that up? Damn procrastination… shouldn’t you be off do some staff writing or something ;)
haha touche! I’ll get back to work boss.
You always have such entertaining posts! You have a gift of creativity, glad to see you are using it ;) Sad to hear what happened but think it’s amazing how you want to help others in this way! Let me know if there is any way I can help. Best wishes!
I absolutely will. Thanks Mary.
You seem like a good laugh. Definitely going to have to check out your blog. I’m sure you’ve got a lot of good advice to give. I’m hoping to follow a similar path to you. I graduate in Economics this summer and after 3 years in one of the Big Four I hope to move into the banking sector. I’ll look out for you :P
If you visit my site enough, in 3 years I’ll be blogging full-time from my beachfront villa. With that in mind I hope to see you at the blogger conference rather than the trading floor.
Really a good post. You have a great writing style and had me hooked immediately. I’m not sure you ever get over the death of a parent, but don’t apologize for doing so!
Thanks Thad. It’s easy knowing she’s in a better place.
Congrats on your membership Funancials! Very entertaining post. Your nickname A. Blinkin totally reminds me of the scene in Robin Hood Men In Tights between Blinkin and Achoo when Blinkin goes “Did you just say Abe Lincoln?” and Achoo goes “No I didn’t say Abe Lincoln. I said Hey Blinkin” lol Sorry for the off topic commentary I just love that movie!
You’re the first person to bring this up! This is actually where I got the name from. Well played :)
I love that photograph of the money origami!
I felt like I was watching an Adam Sandler movie. Hilarious in the beginning, tragic at the end. Awesome, nonetheless. Welcome! Love your writing style.
Adam Sandler? I’ll take it. Thanks
Welcome, good sir! So after looking in the comments I’m really happy that Blinkin and I weren’t the only shlubs mispronouncing Yakezie. Sam, we may need a phonetic guide to joining the Yakezie Network now, and I need to stop saying it wrong in my head.
What’s great is that now I know how to say it and choose to say it incorrectly.
I’m sorry to hear about what happened, but I think she would be proud to know how you plan to remember her. Thanks also for making me laugh, I enjoyed the part about the guy called Shannon! Sometimes a sense of humour can see us through any adversity.
Welcome to the network!
If we don’t laugh, we’ll cry. I appreciate the warm welcome from everyone. Very excited to be a member.
Mind. Blown.
This is on par with learning that Sean has an ‘h’ in it, Penelope is four syllables, Warwick has a silent W and Siobhan has a ‘v’.
It was quite awakening, no doubt.
The Shannon story was hilarious, thanks for giving me a good laugh! :-)
I have no problem with you laughing at my expense. You’re very welcome.
Toss me in the ‘you’re saying it wrong’ camp! Luckily, you’re hilarious enough that one ruined joke didn’t spoil the whole batch. Thanks for sharing, and congrats!
Thanks PK
I bet you will never forget that interview as evidenced nearly 10 years later in this post. We are all an accumulation of our experiences and it shapes us forever. Thanks for sharing.
I try to forget but it follows me…
Well done. And, great personal goal to remember your mom!!!! Love the blog name; funancials :)
Thanks Barb
Although I knew the correct pronunciation from the first day I found Yakezie, I still pronounce it wrong on purpose. As long as I spell it correctly, right? Pronunciation isn’t that important anyway, as I’m pretty sure I won’t be a guest on an internet talk show anytime soon. Thanks for that link by the way. Listened to the whole thing. Fascinating! Congratulations on your acceptance into the network.
Oh, you never know Matt!
Thanks Matt. Wasn’t the interview solid? How did you know how to pronounce it from the get go?
Love it! I’ve never bungled an interview like that but we’ve all had our moments!
I’ve bungled enough for the both of us!
huckin’ filarious indeed…(the story) and very noble (your intentions). and now that I know your first name and where you are from, I know exactly who you are! not…
Thanks Sunil. Come and find me! I’ll let you know when you’re warm.
That’s a really great post man! :) Congrats on passing the entrance exam and being a part of the group. Obviously it was Yak-easy for U!
Cheers
Thanks Ninja – love you site. Believe me, it was anything but easy.
Funny enough Abe, I’ve always said it “Ya Keez Ee” or “Yak Easy” haha, so you’re not alone!
Congrats on making it!
The question is: now that you KNOW how to say it, are you still mispronouncing it? Because I am…
Wow…that post got my emotions going in all directions! I’ve always said it the wrong way, too. Three’s comany.
I believe they call it menage trois!
I can’t believe you did that at the interview, wow, I can’t imagine what was going through your head at that moment. Great introduction. Thanks for clarifying the pronunciation as well.
Glad to know I’m not the only one who’s been pronouncing it like that! Always enjoyed your humor and it’s good to know you a little better as a member now.
As the mom of someone about your age, I was struck by the end of your post. How wonderful of you to honor your mom with charity.
I have a family member that is battling breast cancer right now and plan to participate in the 3 day walk in November.
Welcome to the Yakezie.
Don’t feel too bad about the mispronunciation; at FINCON11 I found that several of us Yakezie members had no idea how it was pronounced either! I know a moderate amount of Japanese, and assumed it was a Japanese word. That means that the pronunciation is actually “Ya-ke-zii”. Ya-kay-zie sounds so funny to me!
I hope that Shannon wasn’t built like Shannon Briggs they boxer. That would have been a real scary mistake to have made! Don’t feel too bad on the mispronunciation. I was on the radio and in an attempt to get the network a pop, I said it wrong! Of course it was on a Saturday, a San Fran station and @ 6:00 PM west-coast time so I doubt there were many people listening at the time. Congrats on making it in!
haha..that’s awesome. I hope I get the opportunity to mention Yakezie on the radio.
Well… I’m glad to see I have been pronouncing it correctly (in my head, I mean who do I ever talk to about Yakezie in real life?) Sorry you didn’t get that scholarship… but you made Yakezie which is way awesomer.
[…] Funancials […]
What a great post and it’s great to learn a bit more about you. I can probably bet I have just as many “Shannon” stories as you – so I know the feeling. :)
[…] * You Make It Look So Yakezie – We welcomed a great group of new Delta Class Members in February of this year. A. Blinkin writes the absolute most hilarious Member Post yet! […]