Over the past few weeks, I have picked up many new readers--thanks to all of you who have shared, referred, or just plain told people to visit my site. I owe you the drink of your choice! I'm taking today to re-introduce one of my first posts, explaining what a Blix is, and how I came up with the name. Hopefully, things will make more sense...and I will have more steadfast readers.
I'm thankful to all of you. My blog is growing, because you tell others. I appreciate your feedback, comments, and suggestions. You keep me focused and on the right path.
That sincerely said, let's take a step back and reminisce...
Welcome to BoomerBlix!
Like all bloggers, I spent a good amount of time trying to come up with a fascinating blog name. A name that captures both my spirit and intent. Also a name that identifies my demographic target. A name that doesn't mislead, no matter how clever; no one wants to be Googled for the wrong reason, and end up being an unintentional source of irritation. Think "BoomerGarden" or "BoomerBabe" here...cute names, but I'm probably the world's most reluctant gardener. And "Babe" is definitely a stretch. Anyone clicking on those links would be vastly disappointed.
I consider myself to be fairly creative, so a few ideas cropped up right away. However, since I am not early to the blogging party (did my invite get lost in cyberspace?), I was surprised to see my first potential names already in use: "Boomerlicious" and "Boomerific." Just as well, really. I'm sure those are fine blogs, and I wish their authors success.
My friend Melinda, a marketing whiz, offered up a few suggestions, then promised to think up more while she was at her Minnesota cabin over Memorial Day weekend. Alas, "BoomRoom" and "VaVaVaBoom" didn't capture the sophisticated and eloquent image I was hoping to create.
While Melinda was cavorting at her cabin, I was reading The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson. Fascinating book about the history of the English language. Funny book because Bryson wrote it. It turns out that William Shakespeare invented almost 2,000 words! Bryson writes, "Imagine if every tenth word you wrote were original. It is a staggering display of ingenuity." He lists some of the words that Shakespeare contributed to our everyday conversations: barefaced, critical, leapfrog, monumental, castigate, majestic, obscene, frugal, dwindle, countless, radiance, excellent, fretful, gust, hint, hurry, lonely...plus 200-300 other words that appear in early plays, then vanish. (page 76)
So, this got me thinking. Why settle for a used word, when I could have my very own, new word?! A word without connotation, a word that could adapt to my purpose, a word with a certain zing. I favor alliteration, so I spent a few days letting any "b" possibilities float into mind. Somehow, Blix came to me...maybe as I was battling blackberries, getting bloody, and developing blisters. A diligent check on Dictionary.com assured me that it's not a "real word"...yet. Just wait.
I consider this my personal contribution to the English language. Bryson doesn't say what Shakespeare did, but If I had champagne or chocolate or cigars to distribute to celebrate the birth of this fine word, I would share them with you now.
Or, you can just wish me well on this Blix, and the others that follow.
Send me your ideas. Share your thoughts. Tell me I'm brilliant...or crazy. Let's start the dialogue today. [email protected]
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