There was such an overwhelming response when I asked readers to introduce themselves on a weekend open thread that I decided to give you all a weekly column to do just that. I’ve always said this site wouldn’t be what it is without the engagement and participation of its readers and this column is the place to learn more about who you are what makes you tick. After the jump, lets meet TheOtherMe.
1. What’s your name, age and whereabouts?
TheOtherMe a.k.a Isabelle. Some readers had abbreviated my screen name to T.O.M. which cause some confusion as to my gender, I assure you. I’m NOT a man ! I turned 40 in June and living just north of Montreal. Yes, I am french, no, I don’t say “ehh.”
2. What’s your relationship status?
Still dating “Single Dad” (he has 3 teens, they are awesome), still living alone but I am slowly warming up to the idea of getting a house together and losing all my privacy!
3. How do you spend your weekdays?
I am under contract as the art director for a sports licensing company in the US so I work form home. I love what I do, I get to do work for most of the Major League sports. Some weeks are brutal and exceed 75 hours, that’s when I disappear from the site for a few days !
4. How do you spend your free time?
On Dear Wendy, of course!! I also enjoy doing photography and reading, but what I love to do most is cook!!! It relaxes me more than anything. With a nice glass of wine and music, I’ll spend all day in the kitchen. I also love hanging out with my sister, and Saturdays are reserved for cooking dinner with Single Dad for us and the teens.
5. What are your top likes and dislikes?
I like: Music. I can’t breathe without it. I’m a “sensaholic” so I love all things that appeal to my senses, the smell of fresh coffee, beautiful images, fresh bed linen. I am always curious and would rather “want’ than “have.” Love family dinner where everyone speaks at the same time.
I dislike: rudeness and intolerance of any kind. I hate when people are not flexible. I hate when I see people litter!
6. What’s the best relationship advice you’ve ever been given?
Actually, it’s something someone told me recently and although it wasn’t exactly “advice” it sure helped me a lot. “What would you say to your best friend if she/he had the same dilemma?” It really made me look at my situation form a different perspective.
7. What’s the best relationship lesson you’ve ever learned?
Don’t ever take someone for granted.
8. Besides DearWendy.com, what are some of your favorite websites?
My homepage has always been Apple (R.I.P Steve Jobs). I enjoy a lot of the design sites/blogs like www.logodesignlove.com because I love getting to know the story behind the brand. By the way, thanks to all the commenters on DW, I feel that there is a strong, respectful e-community here.
*If you’d like to be a Reader of the Week, shoot me an email at [email protected] with “Reader of the Week” in the subject line and I’ll send you some questions to answer.
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Jess of CityGirlsWorld.com November 15, 2011, 11:07 am
Gorgeous hair!!!
SweetPea November 15, 2011, 12:21 pm
I thought the same thing!
bethany November 15, 2011, 11:12 am
“With a nice glass of wine and music, I’ll spend all day in the kitchen.”– This describes my perfect Sunday- however, sometimes if I start in the morning I like to watch Extreme Makeover Home Editition while cooking and drinking coffee. Sometime in the afternoon I switch to music/wine 🙂
6napkinburger November 15, 2011, 11:13 am
I think someone is lying about their age…
What kind of gorgeous 28 year old lies and says they’re 40? Coo-coo.
JK November 15, 2011, 11:21 am
I was thinking the same. Or TOM needs to start telling us her skin care secrets!!!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 11:24 am
heehe thanks ! Sleep and lots of it!
JK November 15, 2011, 11:39 am
Sounds like I´m out of luck then!! 🙁
Eljay November 15, 2011, 11:45 am
Yeah, that lets me out too!
honeybeenicki November 15, 2011, 11:54 am
Same here
MissDre November 15, 2011, 11:15 am
I haven’t read your profile yet but WOW you’re so pretty!
MissDre November 15, 2011, 11:17 am
And you’re a Mac lover! I already liked you but now you’re officially my friend 😀
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 11:34 am
Same here, I always thought we’d be friends in real life
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 11:36 am
I wanna be friends too!
MissDre November 15, 2011, 11:53 am
You can email me any time if you’d like 🙂
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 11:36 am
Seconded! You’re completely gorgeous, Isabelle!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 11:39 am
Should we start DW Google+ page ???? Anyone ??
JK November 15, 2011, 11:42 am
I´m not on google+ yet (I just started on twitter like a week ago, running a bit behind!) I´m getting more sick of FB by the day though, with all these stupid changes, so I might have to check it out! It would be good to have other interactions, sometimes I feel awkward hijacking comment threads with other stuff, and the weekend open thread is usually too far away!!!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 11:49 am
I think FB changes were made because of Google+, I really love the way permissions are different for everyone, you decide who sees what depending on the circles they are in.
In all seriousness, we SHOULD have a DW Google+ page 😀
lets_be_honest November 15, 2011, 11:58 am
What’s that? I’ve barely moved on from myspace 😉
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 12:27 pm
MissDre November 15, 2011, 12:32 pm
If Wendy starts a FB page I’ll join!
bethany November 15, 2011, 1:34 pm
She already does have a FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dear-Wendy/120020534730502
But it’s not updated very often.
silver_dragon_girl November 15, 2011, 11:18 am
Nice to meet you!!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 11:32 am
Thanks SDG 😀
honeybeenicki November 15, 2011, 11:27 am
Completely agree with you about music and littering. I HATE when people litter. I’m a smoker (yes, I know bad for me, should quit, etc) and one of my pet peeves is seeing people throw their cigarette butts on the ground when they stand outside or out their car window. My stepkids are great about helping pick stuff up when we see anything on the ground.
Ally November 15, 2011, 11:38 am
Arg pet hate, how hard is it to just make sure it’s not on fire and put it in the bin? Or find a suitable way to dispose of it that’s not on the ground. People are so lazy with rubbish in general, McDonald’s packaging out the car window is another one I hate and it seems to happen a lot here.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 11:41 am
I know! I once saw someone throw out 2 empty coffee cups STILL IN THE CARDBOARD TRAY out their car window,I was so pissed !
honeybeenicki November 15, 2011, 11:56 am
I always put it out and then make sure its not hot (by squishing it in my fingers – if it burns, its too hot to throw away 🙂 ) and if there is no trash can, I throw it in my pack until I get somewhere I can put it out. And its not that damn hard to put an ashtray in your car and a garbage bag in your car. I have a plastic bag in there at all times to throw things away.
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 11:29 am
Yay, I love The Other Me! It’s nice to learn more about you. This “Reader of the Week” thing is my new favorite feature. Single Dad sounds like a lucky fellow. And are you really French? Because I parlay Francay! I lived in Paris for a couple of years. Sorry guys, but it’s not every day I get to parlay Francay: Donc, on y va: j’aime tjr lire tes pensées sur DW. Je suis d’accord; on a un bon groupe sur ce site. Enchantée de faire ta connaissance, L’Autre Moi!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 11:37 am
T’es vraiment gentille ! French yes but from Montreal, totally bilingual city. In my family we speak french to each other, with SD, “Single Dad” it’s always english but in his family it’s Italian.
Eljay November 15, 2011, 11:47 am
No fair! I’m totally jealous!
FireStar November 15, 2011, 12:17 pm
I’m having flashback of Grade 9 french class!!!! So scary…but good to know I can at least still read French.
But nice to meet you and your picture is lovely.
PFG-SCR November 15, 2011, 11:46 am
Hi, Isabelle!!!! Another great reveal!! 🙂
I read your comment that you went to Italy recently – I’m so glad you were able to do that as I know it was a trip you were looking forward to for a while. After lessons and your trip, I’m sure that you’re fluent in Italian now.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 12:11 pm
Thanks PFG ! You know it never sank in that I was going until we landed ( then I a little bit cried, which happened a few times while I was there )
bagge72 November 15, 2011, 11:46 am
Yay! I got my work computer back just in time! I’ve missed a lot of the last week or so, and I’m glad this was the first thing I got to see!
Eljay November 15, 2011, 11:48 am
Hi Isabelle! So great to “meet” you. Gawd you are absolutely beautiful!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 1:04 pm
thank you, will we have the pleasure of “meeting” you as well ??
Eljay November 15, 2011, 2:10 pm
Probably not. I’m not nearly as interesting as my fellow commenters. You’d all be bored to tears! 🙂
lets_be_honest November 15, 2011, 11:50 am
no, I don’t say “ehh.”
🙁
lets_be_honest November 15, 2011, 11:53 am
Ok, now that I’ve finished reading…
I love that you would rather want than have. I think I’m the same way. And it sounds like you would love dinner at my mom’s. Always at least 5 people talking at the same time. I think that’s why I have a loud voice.
MissDre November 15, 2011, 11:56 am
Don’t be disappointed. I say eh all the time. And when I was servicing the States a lot of customers laughed at the way I say ‘about’ although to be honest I can’t hear the difference.
lets_be_honest November 15, 2011, 12:03 pm
Aboot! I love it!
A while back I found out TOM was Canadian and shared a little interoffice story with her…I have one client from Canada and my only information about Canada (because I’m so worldly) was that people say Ehh. Pretty sure I got that from South Park a long time ago. So every time he calls, my secretary says “Eh, its soandso” and I just think its the funniest thing ever. I know, not so funny, but I love it.
Now I’m hearing voices say ‘Eh, whats that Aboot’ and I’m laughing inside. Thanks!
MissDre November 15, 2011, 12:11 pm
I think the difference is that we pronounce the U, whereas the Americans I know pronounce it like Abowt (ow). But we don’t actually say aboot. LoL.
lets_be_honest November 15, 2011, 1:10 pm
Just kill the dream why dont you!
MissDre November 15, 2011, 1:28 pm
Sorry 😛 I don’t have polar bears in my backyard or use snowshoes to get to work either…. talk to AKchick about that one haha!
PamplemousseRose November 15, 2011, 6:43 pm
We Canadians also pronounce sorry and process differently – I always got teased about that when I lived in the States
6napkinburger November 15, 2011, 2:39 pm
haha… servicing the states… hee hee
honeybeenicki November 15, 2011, 11:58 am
When I went to Canada for the first time, I was extremely disappointed in the lack of accents (we were in Perry Sound). I think I was about 12 or so and we were in a store and a man came in with a Canadian accent and I think I frightened him when I asked him to talk again. Now, I have a little tiny bit more tact (I hope).
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 12:05 pm
You know I added that part especially for you LBH ! Well, if It’s any consolation, I might be caught saying it here or there, but I think I say “right?” A LOT though… 🙂
lets_be_honest November 15, 2011, 12:09 pm
I thought so! 🙂
jane November 15, 2011, 11:59 am
my goodness! you do not look 40! from the picture, i would have guessed 20 something!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 12:06 pm
thank you! That picture was actually taken the same day I answered the questions from Wendy.
McLovin November 15, 2011, 12:00 pm
So great to meet you again Isabelle! Those beautiful eyes sparkle every bit as much as your personality does.
Congrats on the Italy trip and I hope you get to go back very soon.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 12:14 pm
Thank you… you know I still get the feeling you’re an undercover fiend of mine…heehee
McLovin November 15, 2011, 12:38 pm
Under the covers, over the covers, without any covers…..nope we’ve never met. But I would be happy to call you my friend any day!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 4:53 pm
Well then get onto the MissDre inbox & join the “circle” !!
atraditionalist November 15, 2011, 12:41 pm
im from Canada as well! Et je peux parler francais aussi! Mais je ne suis pas de Quebec. You do not look 40. At all. You should share your skin care secrets to the world – I bet it’s all that good food and wine 🙂
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 3:26 pm
What part of Canada ?
atraditionalist November 15, 2011, 7:02 pm
Originally from Alberta but studying in Toronto – I plan on staying out east too
SGMcG November 15, 2011, 12:55 pm
I remember reading your profile on the other site that’s not to be mentioned here. I know this picture is more recent, but WOW, I cannot believe you’re 40. You totally give Scherbatsky a run for the money.
MissDre November 15, 2011, 1:10 pm
LoL @ the other site that’s not to be mentioned here!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 1:25 pm
yes but if it wasn’t for “TheOtherSite” —> hehe, see what i did there ? 😉 we would not have known Wendy !!
lets_be_honest November 15, 2011, 1:30 pm
TheOtherSite has gone to shh. Its awful and just keeps getting worse. If only Wendy did a What Are We Wearing I’d never have to go there again…
MissDre November 15, 2011, 1:32 pm
Maybe she could and the readers can email in their pics! Except that makes this less of a relationship blog…
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 1:53 pm
I look at What Are We Wearing exclusively to shake my head in utter dismay at the fashion travesties of a particular writer. Does the rest of the office not tell her that 9 times out of 10, it just ain’t working?? Sigh.
MissDre November 15, 2011, 1:56 pm
Hahaha it’s mean to say but it’s true!
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 2:01 pm
I found it funny that one of their staff got to be on “What Not to Wear,” when someone else needed Stacy and Clinton soooo much more. And yeah, it’s slightly mean…but you can’t really post your picture every day in what’s meant to be a fashionable feature and NOT get criticized when you’re looking worse for the wear the majority of the time.
MissDre November 15, 2011, 2:09 pm
Speaking of just ain’t working… this is not the greatest maternity choice…
http://bossip.com/497757/are-you-feeling-hilary-duffs-mustard-maternity-swag30346/book-for-brain-cancer-outside-arrivals-151111-8/
Eljay November 15, 2011, 2:13 pm
ugh….dreadful.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 2:15 pm
I didn’t notice the dress as much as the ginormous rock she’s wearing :0
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 2:24 pm
Eww! She doesn’t even look pregnant….just very, very plump.
MissDre November 15, 2011, 2:29 pm
I’m officially opening my inbox to anybody who wants to talk men, clothes, macs or life.. LoL… [email protected] – holla!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 2:38 pm
Awesome MissDre, can I invite you to my Google+ ?
MissDre November 15, 2011, 2:49 pm
T.O.M. yes you can invite me, I’m not on there yet tho! I do need to check it out since I’m a media coordinator… all this new technology makes me feel old and I’m only 25.
bagge72 November 15, 2011, 3:31 pm
Any one can google+ me, I’m bagge72 same as here. Feel free to friend request me on facebook or twitter aswell!
bethany November 15, 2011, 2:52 pm
Not particularly flattering, but it’s nice to see her finally look pregnant! This is the first time I’ve seen her with a noticable bump.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 7:56 pm
Bagge! I can’t find you on + 🙁
Sarah November 15, 2011, 2:29 pm
Right? She (the unnamed but obvious fashion challenged girl) gets so offended when people point out that a particular cut doesn’t work well on her. And then she’ll like, wear it twice as much to spite everyone. I had to force myself not to comment when she wrote this article about a friend of hers getting ridiculed publicly for being over weight and she’s like accusing the commentors of being bitches like that to her….girl….girl.
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 2:42 pm
My least favorite thing is that she is OBLIVIOUS about how to dress to flatter her body type. We all have problem areas! For some of us, it’s our butt and thighs (me!), for others, it’s weight carried mostly in the midsection. And that’s fine, because we’re human. But there’s a way to dress to flatter your type, not to emphasize your problem areas. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cringed at the dresses and shirts that make her look like she’s 4 months pregnant. GIRL!!! Please!!
Sarah November 15, 2011, 2:49 pm
I know! Its like, no we’re not saying you are less attractive than anyone else, we are saying that you are making some tragic fashion choices. If anything, she should be pleased that we hate the empire waist clothing because that makes every girl with big boobs look like she’s pregnant. How does she not know this? I live in the land of short shorts and ugg boots and even I know not to buy clothes that pucker at the problem areas!
Oooo, you know what we should do? We should write an article and send it to frisky that shows images of clothing we would dress those girls in. You know who needs help the most, but I would love to dress the others too!
MissDre November 15, 2011, 2:51 pm
Girl could use a lesson in blow drying with some mousse a round brush too… are we being mean?
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 2:59 pm
MissDre – You’re not wrong about the hair. Or the makeup. And it’s not mean so much as it is…I want to HELP!!
lets_be_honest November 15, 2011, 3:25 pm
DITTO!
Eljay November 15, 2011, 2:15 pm
AMEN!!!
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 3:34 pm
I hate not knowing what you all are talkin’ ’bout.
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 4:20 pm
I’ll clue you in during our next email sesh.
Budj November 15, 2011, 1:36 pm
Agreed with the above statements that you certainly do not look your age. (not that 40 is old :))
Nice to meet you!
Budj November 15, 2011, 2:20 pm
Also, Isabelle is a very nice name.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 2:25 pm
Thanks Budj, you better be next !!!
Budj November 15, 2011, 2:37 pm
I might get around to filling it out (sorry for not responding, Wendy) – mostly just terrified of having a face shot up there….I’ll get over it eventually.
silver_dragon_girl November 15, 2011, 2:55 pm
Do what I did and be a stick-in-the-mud and don’t send one 😛
Budj November 15, 2011, 2:58 pm
haha – I feel the social pressure of the pic expectations!
silver_dragon_girl November 15, 2011, 3:01 pm
I think of myself as the “Reader of the Week Hipster.” 😉
Budj November 15, 2011, 3:02 pm
Don’t forget your American Spirits, cheap sunglasses….and really tight / long cut off jean shorts.
Budj November 15, 2011, 3:03 pm
cheap and over-sized* (lack of edit button)
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 3:07 pm
We all got over it — you will too – excited to read about you, Budj!
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 3:11 pm
I broke my “reveal” cherry over a year ago ! BTW Budj, we kinda have a good idea with the music links you posted & all 😉
Budj November 15, 2011, 3:36 pm
TRUE – but I bet like .001% of dearwendy readers actually click my name links, haha.
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 3:54 pm
Haha, I hadn’t clicked on your name links…. until now. Which one are you?
Budj November 15, 2011, 3:58 pm
Top picture most left. 6th picture down. And I have a pseudo-fro in the video (gray shirt) with the blue jaguar.
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 4:04 pm
You’re cute! I want to set you up with this amazingly brilliant girl I “know” – Regina Rey.
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 4:16 pm
You’ve tried this before, Addie. He’s just not into me. Sigh.
Budj November 15, 2011, 4:18 pm
I think she mentioned before she is near DC. Those logistics might be tough to work out 😛
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 4:23 pm
I’m from Chicago. My understanding is that all those cities over there are, like, right next door.
Budj November 15, 2011, 4:23 pm
And hey – I’m not saying I wouldn’t meet up if I found myself in that part of the US. 😉
Budj November 15, 2011, 4:23 pm
I think it’s like at least 6 hours from me.
Budj November 15, 2011, 4:26 pm
285 mi, 5 hours 32 mins US-15 S
Ok – I round up.
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 4:27 pm
6 hours? That’s it? It took me 6 hours to get to work today. But that’s because I had some tv to watch first.
I think everyone should come to Chicago and meet up.
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 4:28 pm
Ohh, now we’re gettin’ somewhere! Haha. You know where to find me if your adventures ever take you to DC.
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 4:30 pm
Oh and 5.5 hours ain’t nothin’ if there’s a cute girl on the other end. Juuuust sayin.
Budj November 15, 2011, 4:46 pm
You speak truth – maybe something will have to come up in the near future.
In response to the DW matchmaking game – Addie Pray gets the points.
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 7:37 pm
Budj – I “liked” your band on Facebook and am now following you on Twitter. I’d friend you for realz on Facebook, but I felt three follows at one time might verge on stalker territory. I’m a lady. I’ll wait.
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 8:44 pm
ReginaRey, if you don’t friend-requet me first, before you friend rquest Budj, I will be very jealous. Friend request me already.
McLovin November 16, 2011, 9:01 am
Dude, 2 tickets to the “Gun Show!” Nice.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 4:25 pm
I think Addie’s on to something, can we play the “DW Matchup Game” ?
ReginaRey November 15, 2011, 4:29 pm
I love this idea…but the ratio of men to women here is abysmal haha.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 3:58 pm
Oh I am a big stalker of yours !! but was it you in the Bee suit ???
Budj November 15, 2011, 4:01 pm
haha – no. one of our good friends.
What was supposed to be a small highlight video on the make up (my roommate was the guy pulling the latex off his ear) turned into a spontaneous behind the scenes video when someone started playing “imma bee” on the jukebox.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 4:11 pm
Can you post the link here ? ( i would do it but it’s not mine to post ) I think people would get a kick out of it
Budj November 15, 2011, 4:14 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiKvM0NCbCI
Tuesday – “pre-fun” day?
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 4:18 pm
HAHAH Thanks Budj i LOVE that video, cracks me up !!! ( the views will certainly go up now !! )
bittergaymark November 15, 2011, 1:39 pm
Always so very nice to see another fellow 40 is the new 30 example on here and in the world at large… 🙂
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 2:41 pm
Thanks Mark, I feel like I’m 40 going on 25, sometimes when I realize that I have a mortgage, car payment & 2 pets, I remember how old I am 😀
SpaceySteph November 15, 2011, 4:55 pm
I have a mortgage and a car payment and I am only 25. Some days I feel 40 though. Want to trade?
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 5:18 pm
Hmmmm only if i can skip ages 31 to 33 🙂
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 5:15 pm
Yea, well I own a keurig coffeemaker and an electric toothbrush. So that makes me…. single with good hygiene.
Addie Pray November 15, 2011, 5:19 pm
And def in my 30s.
TheOtherMe November 15, 2011, 5:19 pm
Tassimo owner here !
rangerchic November 15, 2011, 3:28 pm
So nice to meet you and I love reading everyone’s comments here everyday! Reading DW is my favorite part of my work day (not a lot of work getting done to say the least!) 🙂
Your job sounds like fun – wish I had a cool job like that!!!
fast eddie November 15, 2011, 8:39 pm
We’ve been on line friends for quite a while and now I get to see your lovely face, WOW. How do we connect on google+? I have an account but only a few in the friends circle.
TheOtherMe November 16, 2011, 8:56 am
Eddie, I’ll connect through your blog email 🙂