09 December 2008

Spin Cycle: Birth of Blog

The lovely Jen at Sprite's Keeper was inspired by the nappy Jen at Steenky Bee to do a spin on the birth of a blog. Why you started, what it's named what it is, and so on. Here is my humble tale:

I started blogging mainly so I could kick around and just write. I was writing short stories and freelance stuff but I wanted to have something that I could do with a little more regularity -- to keep in practice and try out new stuff. I already had a nickname of "Heinous" from when I was a gamer. (I don't have time for that anymore, but once my son is old enough for some pwnage, I'll make sure I school him well.) I tried to use it for my blogger name but some fiend (who never seems to have used it -- the lousy mofo) had taken it. I had to resort to my 'leet' spelling, because I'm just all cool like that (read: geek), and that's where 'h31n0us' came from.

The first part of my blog name, 'Irregularly Periodic', just came from the fact that I didn't post with much regularity originally. I still skip days, so it still sort of applies. The 'Ruminations' part came from the way I like to sit and look at things, generally with a touch of humor. I silently curse my choice of blog name just a little bit whenever I have to type it out. Thank the heavens for spell check. A find myself using IPR a lot nowadays.

It started off smallish (as we all do) with a few visitors here and there and has grown a lot in a small time...much faster than I could have ever expected or even hoped for.

I blog now because I love it. It has helped my writing in general, so that's been good in itself. Most important to me now though is the fantastic community of bloggers that I am fortunate enough to be a part of. I'm grateful for all the comments I get and the fact that people seem to enjoy reading my blatherings. I've made quite a few friends that I rarely, if ever, have to pay to talk to me. Now if I could just get my wife to read it...

I'd just like to give a big, sappy thanks to you all for coming by whether you're new here or have been here from the start.

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm sure glad that I found your blog. I enjoy your writing very much!

Dory

Casey said...

Well that's just pure cheese right there. I enjoy reading your blatherings and I'm glad I came across your path. Great name for the blog too, I love it. Keep it up and I'll keep commenting. Woo hoo!

blissfully caffeinated said...

I like the leet version better anyway. Wait, what is leet? And pwnage...Never mind, that's irrelevant. Love your blog, that is all.

Captain Dumbass said...

That's what I forgot in my post, the name. If people aren't going to use the names they've taken, they should give them back. I tried to set up an email account for my page with "Cpt. Dumbass." Every last possible choice was gone. Bastards. And 'Us & Them?' Because I got bored with having all my other choices shot down.

Ann Imig said...

New to it. Love your writing. Love the humility.

Diane said...

I don't care why you started it... I'm just glad you did... xo

Lola said...

All the names I really wanted were taken by abandoned blogs. Very annoying!

I'm glad I wasn't the only one lost on the geek speak.

Love your blog!

The Stiletto Mom said...

The world with out your blog? I can't bear the thought of it. :)

...no, really, I mean it!

Khadra said...

You are PAYING people?
Wait, let me send you my address...

Michele said...

You keep writing and I'll keep reading, okay?

And the paying part, I want in on that.

Unknown said...

Dory: Thank you :)

Casey: I know, I get like that.

Jen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leet#Owned_and_pwned poof! you are enlightened.

Cap'n: Damn skippy...give us back our names! I'll get out the pirate flag, you load the cannons.

Ann: Thank you. Why weren't you in my reader? Fixed.

Diane: The same goes for you, cutie.

Lola: We should start a petition...

Mary Anne: You're too sweet.

Khadra: Just Petra...she's a meanie.

Michele: It's a deal...the writing and reading part. I'll pay you double what you're earning now ;)

Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommy said...

Hey! I am no meanie...I only faithfully worship and admire you and your blog and profess my adoration every day, putting myself in danger of being labeled a stalker.

If that ain't love, I don't know what is...

jerk.

mo.stoneskin said...

Interestingly, "stoneskin" was my gamer name too. These things stick.

Unknown said...

Petra: awww...you're too sweet. You know it goes both ways, right :)

mo: It's a good thing though. It keeps us grounded.

Sarah's Blogtastic Adventures said...

Well I love your blog and I'm not ashamed to admit I think I love it more because you are a guy. Its great to read a male's perspective on the world and on life. Don't ever stop! : )

Momma Trish said...

I love reading your blog. And I love the title of it, too. All good stuff!

Sherendipity said...

Hai.
I really don't have anything to comment, but I didn't want to feel left out. You know, now that I've joined your community and made your life so enriched.
(you can smack me later)

Anonymous said...

All I know is I cannot go without reading your blog. When I see a new post I get all giddy like a school girl!!! Yeah I do!!! Honestly - no lies!!!

Vodka Mom said...

I'm just here for the great sex.

Vodka Mom said...

I mean food.

Vodka Mom said...

yeah, I'm kidding. I'm here because I've enjoyed reading your humorous musings on life, your poignant thoughts about life, and most of all for your friendship. You're the man.

Anonymous said...

After hearing all about the legend that is Heinous, I had to start stalking um, I mean, following you. Recently added to you my reader, looking forward to visiting lots!

Unknown said...

Sarah: You got it!

Trish: It's all that deep thought, isn't it.

dipity: We couldn't have you feeling left out. It would just be a little smack ;)

Krystal: Thank you for that :)

Debbie: Have I been missing out on some sort of blog sex somewhere? Dammit, always the last to know. Thanks, babe.

Robin: legend? crap, that's a lot to live up to.

Anonymous said...

Your writing is fun and incentive in my opinion. The fact that I can relate to you as an 'in the trenches IT guy' is a bonus too.

Umm...I would pay more attention to Vodka Mom though if I were you... lol

zipbagofbones said...

So, incredibly, barf-inducingly, corny. Gotta love it! I know what you mean about typing out the URL man. I'm glad you're here though, love to read your site!

Meg said...

I love reading your blog--but be careful what you wish for. My family found out about it, and also my kids' friends, and now I feel totally hampered by what I write.

creative kerfuffle said...

dude--if you DO become pope you're totally going to need a bigger hat because all of this comment love has to make your head explode. do you read them and then strut around the rest of the day? and it is cool to read guy blogs, nice insight.

Unknown said...

Wayne: Thanks, man. I think Mr. VM beat me up.

Cat: Yeah, I do that every once in a while.

Meg: I try to keep it all above board and if they take offense? Screw them if they can't take a joke ;)

ck: Nah, I just appreciate them. Well, they DO make me feel good, but no big head.

for a different kind of girl said...

My blogging life started on a dare, then, two years later, it's allowed me to cross paths with all sorts of people. I'm glad our paths crossed!

p.s. - My husband doesn't read my blog, either. I think all the wordiness would overwhelm him! :)

Anndi said...

I'm just happy you write... and that I have another catholic that's going to hell on Sundays right along with me. ;)

Keely said...

I'm sure that Heinous is a fairly common gamers' name, but now I'm wondering if you're THAT GUY.

I bet it was you. Ganker.

Anonymous said...

@Keely - No, that was a different Heinous - Dethoroc, right? My cousin.

Love your blog, bro. I know, I'm too old to use the word 'bro'. Or 'blog'. Or the phrase 'proper hygiene'.

Anonymous said...

Well, I might be a newbie here, but I'm sure enjoying your blog - so keep all the goodness coming, even if it is "irregular"!!!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Muwah backatcha.

Unknown said...

That was nice to hear. The birth of the blog. Nice idea. It's too early for me to write about the birth of mine 'cause I'm still in labor with it. Lots of screaming and pushing going on but not really born yet....

not sure when.

If I ever push this baby out - I think I may steal this idea for a post.

McMommy said...

This is so crazy that you wrote about this because I seriously was just wondering...where did he get the name Heinous from???

I loved this! And I'm totally stealing it to play along on my blog...

Sprite's Keeper said...

Sorry! I was packing! Bad Sprite's Keeper!
John would love this reason for Heinous. Since he games and all. I love the title of your site. Have since I started following you, even if seeing the name Heinous around the blogosphere DID intimidate me a bit in the beginning.
You're linked!

Bee (the one who muses) said...

I love the name of your blog! Mine is lame but I'm afraid to change it now. I almost did but... I'm a wuss when it comes to weird things.

I started mine because I had way too many work stories that made the family laugh and my husband give me blank stares. Well, really it started because I wanted to post a comment on a Lost blog but I needed a google account.

Now, as lame as it sounds, I am a blogger first. I'm not kidding. Something happens and I make a note to blog about it no matter what it is.

My whole family and circle of friends read my blog except my husband. He will sometimes but I'll have to say "Don't get mad at what I wrote about you today..." then he's all over it. ;op

Anonymous said...

Yes, the birth of a blog is an interesting thing.

What things about your blog would you change if you started anew? I'd not tell ANYONE who I was, where I was (even in general, like my state), and I'd use ALL code names. (then I could bitch about work/family more.) But, too late now. Ah, if I only knew then what I know now. lol.

Unknown said...

fadkog: I'm glad they crossed too.

Anndi: The more the merrier.

Keely: It wasn't me...I was mostly a Guild Wars kinda player with some UT thrown in.

goodfather: nah, you're never too old.

GP: You got it. It's nice to have you here.

Tracey: ditto ;)

Lee: That's when all the details are still nice and fresh.

McMommy: Glad I could solve the mystery.

Jen: Say Hi to Minnie for me!

Bee: I like your blog name. It's not lame at all to be a blogger first...at least in my book.

Mrs.D: I don't think I would change anything. I don't mind who reads it. It keeps me less snarky that way ;)

That Janie Girl said...

I like your blog! Thanks for sharing...and I'm new here, too.

Anonymous said...

Gotta love it! Damn...we have a lot in common. Well, I don't even know where "Bedside" came from on my blog....It used to be much more fitting to me...then I had to go 'stealth.'

I love reading your blog

Ron said...

I soooo should be thanking you for the ton of great people I would have never met were it not for your ruminations.

Lorraine said...

Whew, I'm so glad you cleared that up - about the blog name I mean. When I first saw it I thought it might have something to do with perimenopause. Good thing I kept reading otherwise I would've missed out on some great writing.

Red Cup Mom said...

Keep it going. I love your blog! Mr. IPR!

Jenni

Anonymous said...

I don't even remember how I came to your blog, but I do enjoy it very much. I remember when I went on vacation I used my cell phone to read it - didn't have access to a computer. I still see you as an Obi-wan type

♥ Braja said...

Heinous, that was manly-sentimental. I'm totally glad you started writing it. I started mine as writing yoga too; a way to flex my writer's muscles. Works for me too, and yeah, took off big time. Not as big time as you but hey, NO ONE is you :)

Lee said...

They are funny beasts, blogs. A window into another's world. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Janie: I'm glad you're here and thank you.

BTM: Thanks, man. Sorry you had to go all stealth...there's always the ninja field.

Ron: I think they would have found you ;)

Lorraine: I'm pretty sure I would have really messed up that subject.

Jenni: Will do. You had better do the same...

Tony: Glad to hear it. Obi-wan...it's the facial hair isn't it?

Braja: I get like that sometimes. You're getting there. You've got some great stuff.

Lee: Yes they are. I never realized when I first started how engaging they would be and what great people I would meet.

Unknown said...

Mama: Thank you for your blog too.

DeeMarie said...

And we're all so glad you did!!! :)

Henry the Dog said...

Heinous - I found your blog through Diane, and am glad I did. Mom's had a great time reading it. Hope you don't mind if I pop in from time to time.

Anonymous said...

Great post! You've "taken off" because you're authentic AND talented. I don't know you, but I bet you're really, really nice in person.

Blogging's really somethin' - can't imagine not doing it now... Glad you are!

Cape Cod Gal said...

Here's some love back at ya! I'm psyched I found your blog and deem it worth enough to read. You're a wonderful writer and I look forward to your posts!

I'm gonna go wipe the brown off my nose right now.

Unknown said...

DeeMarie: Thanks, I'm glad I found yours too.

Henry: I don't mind at all. I'll leave kibble out for you and chocolate out for your mum.

Chris: As long as you don't ask my end users, I seem to be okay ;)

CCG: The love goes both ways :)

- Cindy - said...

1. I still think it's a good thing the wife doesn't read sometimes.

2. Your son is plenty old enough for pwnage. I was playing at age 3, and the younger siblings might have started even earlier. All the other kids his age will pwn him if you don't jump on that.

Kids like my little brother. :)

I remember when my little bro used to play Jazz Jackrabbit and other shareware on the PC before he was old enough to not know better than to drag stuff to the trash or out of folders.

Some parents are wary of letting kids play vids at a young age. Just kick 'em outside at least daily. Vids at a young age are a good path to growing up and being in tech I think. :)

Or, my sister is a musician. She was inspired by Final Fantasy music from a young age and to practice would teach herself to play it on the flute, the oboe, the keyboards... etc...

I just get sad when kids watch TV, for example, yet aren't allowed the vids.

So sad.

Anonymous said...

It's a little odd to read this on my first visit here, kind of like watching The Phantom Menace without the context of the Star Wars or The Empire Strikes Back backstory.

But still so far I like what I see and think I might just have to stick around. Just don't pull a Jar-Jar out on me and we'll be okay.

WeaselMomma said...

First time reader, first time commenter. Do I have to turn my Blog down or off?
Anywho, neat start and with 58 comments, to to shabby how your blog has grown. This was recommended to me as hilarious, so I'm gonna go stalk around a bit.

Unknown said...

Celes: Oh, he's allowed...unless there's lots of gibs. He just doesn't have much interest. Sigh.

bejewell: Thank you for coming by. No Jar-jar. He's evil.

WM: It was McMommy pinning labels like that, wasn't it? I'll get her for that ;)