Huffman Coding

Occasionally my name was “Timken” growing up. Halfway through the first syllable, my Dad would realize he was calling me by older brother’s name and correct himself. To a lesser extent, my brother was referred to as “Kentim.”

I can now relate. I get Katie and Claire’s name mixed up all the time. Like a generation earlier, it annoys Katie to no end. Claire, after all, is just a toddler so there should be no confusion, Daddy.

To empathize with Katie, last week I told her I would give her a nickel every time I mixed their names up. She likes this idea. There is now a tally sheet on the fridge. She started quizzing me throughout the day with “What’s my name?” to see if she could earn money for a My Little Pony.

I figure this would also break me of this bad habit, but after about ten days Katie is now 50 cents richer. To stem the tide, I’ve now amended the rules to deduct a nickel from the count every time she uses the word “gots.” That may keep us even.

Funny thing is, I don’t confuse Marissa’s name with either of her siblings. I think it is because it starts with a different consonant sound. We should have gone with my choice of “Paige” for our last child’s name. Just think of the money we could have saved.