Wary Wonderlust

What’s in a name?

Dear reader, can I tell you a secret? I’ve pondered possible names for this blog in the same way I pored over baby names before my children were born.

This was harder.

With names, everyone has their own sensibilities. Sounds they like, spellings they prefer. Naming my children was easy, I know what I like. I knew what I wanted and my husband’s wishes overlapped mine.

But this blog?

I had attempted blogging a few times before I created this one. Each time I tried to pick a specific issue or topic to concern myself with. I would blow through pages worth of posts, only to find that I was bored. So when I started Muggle in Converse, I tossed that rule aside.

I’ve written about what I wanted to write, when I wanted to. I have been rewarded with relationships and conversations that I didn’t expect. But things evolve, they change. I wanted a new look, so I changed the layout I loved. I’m still not completely convinced by the new one, so we’ll see.

But the instant I came to the ‘Blog Name’ field, I knew I wanted a new one. A new identity. One that fit better than Muggle. One with a little magic. I got some new shoes, even though I’ll always love my converse. I went with the first thing that came to mind. Amazed and Afraid. I am those things. I try to convey those things. But it just wasn’t right.

So I went with something a little more boxy, a little more defined – to the point. I am a skeptic. And quotes are my thing. I’ve always been fascinated by a good turn of phrase. (And I’ve never been very good with concise titles.) The Skeptical Quoter fits, but it doesn’t feel free. It leaves me a little bored.

I’ve written lists and thought of meanings and sounds, letters I like. Who do I want to be? What is my goal with this blog? I think I’ve finally figured it out. I’m letting you know now, I’ve confused your inboxes enough.

There are a lot of things to worry about in this world. Potential and current harms that exercise my anxiety. And yet, and yet. There is so much to awe-inspire. I try to bring you both. I try to live on the line between harsh reality and astonished fascination at actuality.

I hope you’ll continue to accompany me on this bumpy journey. I hope you’ll find your name. Next time you hear from me, it’ll be from a blog named Wary Wonderlust, because that’s exactly what this is.