Misc. minor questions . . .

[Fat Guy]

What kind of name is Sietsema, how is it pronounced, and are you related to Robert Sietsema of the Village Voice?

[Tom Sietsema]

Thanks for asking! All too often, the way my name is (mis)pronounced makes it sound Spanish or Japanese. LOL

The correct pronunciuation is SEET-suh-ma. I'm German and Dutch.

I am only distantly related to Robert Sietsema, who I first met over a lunch in New York four or five years ago. His people stopped in Michigan, I believe; mine moved on to Minnesota. Odd, though, for two people with such unusual last names to share the same unusual occupation, no?

[Fat Guy]

Very odd. Suspiciously odd!

[Tom Sietsema]

People frequently confuse our bylines, or think we are the same person. (Robert is a good writer and knows his stuff, so I certainly don't have a problem with that!)