Conflicts of Interest

Alright. I'm frustrated. And I need to just write to get a few things out. I'm going to try to very matter of factly give you two situations here. I need feedback, I want to hear your take on this. And don't be afraid to tell me I'm wrong or unreasonable if you think I am. I want honesty.

Situation Number One:

We've tossed around the idea of going on a lake trip sometime soon with our desert group. I was (and am) totally keen on this idea. Sometime last week, the bf and I head down to visit Renee at work and there is a date for this trip that they've already discussed and checked with our desert friends. Cool, I'm excited.
I get home that night and see the weekly young adult email from our leader and a date catches my eye. The date for the retreat. I quickly go to my calendar and check. Sure enough, the retreat (that I've been planning to go on since I couldn't go to the one back in like, September) is marked clearly on the weekend they planned to go to the lake. I immediately start to text the bf (he was out shopping). As I was texting, he calls. I tell him about the scheduling conflict that I just saw. Long and short, the trip ends up being rescheduled for a few reasons, partly because of me.
Please note: at no point during the planning/decision making of date was I asked once if that date worked for me. Additionally, while I was disappointed by the conflict, I never asked for the date to be rescheduled. I wished them a good time and said I would miss them.

I was upset about situation number one for two reasons. Reason number one: I was annoyed that plans were made for me without any of my input. Reason number two: the bf got mad at me for the scheduling conflict...when he had neglected to ask me about the date before planning it.

Situation Number Two:

I'm talking to my cousin (Ariel) today. We've been talking for a week or two to try and figure out a weekend for her to come visit me. I'd given her a few dates that were clear on my calendar. She asked about a date and we settled on the weekend of the 20-22, two weekends from now. There are zero other plans on my calendar or that I've been spoke to about.
I mentioned it to the bf, that she was going to come the weekend after our next desert trip. (which is this weekend, obviously) I did not ask the bf for input/permission before giving my cousin the green light.

My Question:

Are these situations the same? Did I do the same thing today that he did to me last week?

I'll save my commentary until I hear back from at least a few of you. I don't want to color or influence your responses to me. Please, please be honest with me.

Help Me Choose An Etsy Name!

Jen made a suggestion back on my Christmas Card post that really made me start thinking. All the positive comments from everyone else on there made me think even more. (don't worry, my head hasn't exploded yet) I'd idly thought of opening and Etsy shop in the past, but now I'm seriously considering it. I make a wide variety of crafts, it's a stress release for me. I'm starting to make cards (as you saw in the Christmas Card post). I'm working on Advent calendars for my brothers (post and pictures to come) I make some great spray painted photo boards that I could also turn into bulletin boards, frames and ornaments. Eventually I want to learn how to make candles and soaps, but haven't had the time or money to get into that.

So I've decided to open the Etsy account. Only I can't decide on a name, particularly since I plan to have multiple kinds of crafts, not just cards. Here are some names I've come up with that are available. (not all of them are very good) Do you think I should go with any of these? What other name do you think I should use? I'd love to hear your ideas. Basically, the username is the store name, so it needs to be fairly simple and memorable. Those are really the only guidelines.

A Touch of Class
A Touch of Creativity
A Touch of Inspiration
Art and Inspiration
Art and Style
Crafting Sanctuary
Creative Haven
Creative Inspiration
Creative Sanctuary
Inspired Art
Paint and Brush
Rainstorm Designs
Rainstorm Sanctuary
Sapphire Designs
Sapphire Studio
September Dreams

Expanding the Reader

Have you ever gone to comment on a new blog that you stumbled across or linked to from another page, and gotten self-conscious or nervous, wondering how exactly to introduce yourself without sounding like a complete idiot or scary, bizarre person? Have you ever agonized over submitting an initial comment, picturing the blogger wondering who the heck this strange person is and what are they doing on my blog?

I have.

And I got to thinking about how silly that really is. It's like the blogger version of the fish bowl. Or something like that. (my metaphors are a little off I think...) I had to spin it to look at myself. I don't think it's bizarre or weird when someone new comes and comments. In fact, I love it. I'm secretly a comment junkie (though lack of doesn't send me into depression or anything...but I do love and appreciate feedback, just to know I'm not talking to myself) So why should other's reactions be that much different than mine to them?

Kind of silly, right? I'm interested, how do you go about commenting on a new blog for the first time? Do you introduce yourself or do you just comment as if you've been doing it forever? How do you respond to comments from new readers?