This month marks my 14th anniversary of blogging. When I started, I wasn't quite sure what a blog was, but a friend encouraged me to start one to share some of the stories I had told her. As it turned out, the stories I thought I would be telling were not mine to tell, so I wasn't quite sure how to proceed.
But I kept writing anyway, trying all kinds of things, hoping to find my voice. Sometimes, I wrote something meaningful, and other times, I felt like I had nothing to say. But I had made friends over the years, and this blog is where I visited with them, so I started Speed Blogging—meaning I'd set a timer (usually 15 minutes) and write for that long about whatever. When that was done, I was done.
Some day, I am going to revamp and update my blog, but until then it will be my little place to share my thoughts and visit with friends.
But until then, below is my first post --the post that started it all.
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Sunday, April 17, 2011
What's in a name?
I've been toying with writing a blog for a while now and decided it was time to put my thoughts into action. It all seemed so simple. Use one of the free blog sites and start writing. But wait, what was it going to be about, and what would I call it? My kids advised me that I needed a subject, or it would be nothing more than an online journal. Well, since I'm not that knowledgeable or passionate about any one subject, I decided that it would be personal reflections. My idea was to make comments about things I experience or see around me that other people may be able to relate to. Now, what to name it. It's not as easy as it would seem. With the millions of blogs out there, there's not much left to choose from.
My first idea was Observations of an Everyday Boring life. However, it was suggested that I don't need to tell people ahead of time that my life is often boring. Next, I played with Run of the Mill, Matter of Fact, and So on and So Forth. All taken. Next was Watching paint Dry, but that was taken also with actual web cams set up to watch paint dry. How about Dull as Dishwater? Maybe that was giving too much away ahead of time again. (BTW, the original phrase was supposedly "Dull as Ditch Water.")
I was going to have to get creative. The family started brainstorming. Running with safety scissors and Your guess is as good as mine. Taken. My personal favorite was one I thought up- Lend me your nose. A play on Lend me your ear but using nose indicating that you should Take time to stop and smell the roses.
After several more hours of deep thought, I settled on Live and Learn-Toss and Turn. This title is supposed to indicate that no matter what happens to us, we can always learn from it, and the unknown can still be a little scary and cause us to toss and turn. Or maybe the title just means, that I was really tired and the rhyming of the words seemed good enough. This morning, my son asked me what name I came up with, and after I told him, he replied, "Well, it's not as bad as I thought it would be." I don't think I will ever be able to live down, "Lend me your nose."
My first idea was Observations of an Everyday Boring life. However, it was suggested that I don't need to tell people ahead of time that my life is often boring. Next, I played with Run of the Mill, Matter of Fact, and So on and So Forth. All taken. Next was Watching paint Dry, but that was taken also with actual web cams set up to watch paint dry. How about Dull as Dishwater? Maybe that was giving too much away ahead of time again. (BTW, the original phrase was supposedly "Dull as Ditch Water.")
I was going to have to get creative. The family started brainstorming. Running with safety scissors and Your guess is as good as mine. Taken. My personal favorite was one I thought up- Lend me your nose. A play on Lend me your ear but using nose indicating that you should Take time to stop and smell the roses.
After several more hours of deep thought, I settled on Live and Learn-Toss and Turn. This title is supposed to indicate that no matter what happens to us, we can always learn from it, and the unknown can still be a little scary and cause us to toss and turn. Or maybe the title just means, that I was really tired and the rhyming of the words seemed good enough. This morning, my son asked me what name I came up with, and after I told him, he replied, "Well, it's not as bad as I thought it would be." I don't think I will ever be able to live down, "Lend me your nose."
Until next time...
I like the name of your blog, but would disagree with whoever shot down the idea of Observations of an Everyday Boring Life. I think that is really funny, because most of us have long periods of boringness in our lives, with occasional excitement splashed in. I've lived long enough to know that boring isn't necessarily a bad thing--I mostly prefer it. There is a lot of beauty to be found in the mundane, if you look for it.
ReplyDeleteI like boring, too. We joke about being the Borings, but it's just the way we like it. Of course, what sounds boring to one sounds exciting to another. It's all in your perspective.
DeleteI think many of us long-time bloggers remember we were clueless when we first started. I'm glad you've been blogging for this long.
ReplyDeleteYep. Clueless is a good way to describe it. :)
DeleteI, too, like your blog name and how wonderful that you've been blogging for 14 years! I enjoy reading your blog posts and hope you'll continue to blog for many more years. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been doing it for this long, so I might as well continue. :)
DeleteOh I tried several names that were taken and also abandoned a blog that a stalker found and began harrassing me on it and anyone who followed me. Your life is interesting! I like the names you have given your family too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you life is much more interesting than mine. Blogs are great for giving us insights to others.
DeleteWow! 14 years is amazing! I remember trying to name my blog when I first started and just the sheer excitement of it all. You've built a great little home for yourself on the internet!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you said that, " You've built a great little home for yourself on the internet!" That's what it is, not fancy or big, but home.
DeleteI like the idea of speed blogging - it creates a sort of schedule to write posts. I also started blogging similiar in that I post whatever until somethings becomes habit.
ReplyDeleteLive and Learn-Toss and Turn - it's quite a unique name I think it seems like it suits you and your blog. Blog names can be difficult to come up with.
14 years is a long time to be blogging and with the same blog is amazing as I have seen people quit their blogs after a few months. Congrats on your blog anniversary.
Have a lovely day.
I have seen so many people and their blogs come and go over the years. I sometimes wonder what happened to them.
DeleteI've always enjoyed your speed blogging posts.
ReplyDeleteI definitely keep going because of the blog friends I've made over the years.
I should do more speed blogging. I often think I don't haven anything to say, but speed blogging forces me to say something. It's the push I need sometimes.
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