The name that almost was

It’s funny how things work out.

The site you are reading was almost called something else.

When I first decided to write a regular blog, I was considering a few different ideas. One was to continue the blog I’ve been writing for a few years which appears with my comic, Todd and Penguin. Another was to start a new blog and new journal comic. Another idea, and the one I chose, was to simply start over with something different. I’ve wanted to write regularly about parenting since my son was born in 2007.

I had a few names I was considering. The one I liked most was WriterDad.com and surprisingly it was available. As anyone who has ever bought a domain name knows, finding a good available domain name can be difficult. Especially when the name is made of common words like writer and dad. I was this close to purchasing the domain (holds index finger and thumb about a quarter inch apart), but I wasn’t sure if the name was right for the topics I wanted to write about. In fact, I wasn’t even certain WHAT I wanted to write about yet. I’d just been laid off from my dream job as a reporter and I was going through an emotional rollercoaster trying to decide among dozens of ideas.

After lots of careful (perhaps too much) consideration, I decided what I want this site to be. However, when I went to purchase the domain, I discovered that it had been bought! Some jerk bought MY domain name!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had an idea for a comic or domain name, only to find that someone else already owned it and was wasting it. Right now, there is some blogger holding a name to one of my other comics, who hasn’t posted in more than a year! And it drives me crazy to see the domain wasted while I’m forced to use a longer url.

So, I decided to visit WriterDad.com just to see how this jerk was wasting bandwidth. Imagine my surprise to find not only a great website from a guy who can really write, but also a site which motivates and touches the soul!

And, the guy isn’t even a jerk!

In fact, he’s a pretty nice guy who I’ve had a chance to talk with via email. He’s also agreed to be my first interview subject in an upcoming post here.

Like I said, its funny how things work out. My inaction allowed someone else to snatch a name I wanted. Yet, if I had bought the name first, I would never have discovered WriterDad’s work, and that would’ve been my loss.

As a result, I was forced to go with my second choice for a name. And now that I’ve had the name for a week or so, I’ve come to embrace it. It fits the nature of this site.

I am BloggerDad.

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5 Responses to The name that almost was

  1. Writer Dad says:

    Blogger Dad is a great name. Writer Dad is no better. Promise.

  2. Blogger Dad says:

    Yeah, I’m just happy that BloggerDad was available. My third choice, SometimesWritesFunnyStuffSometimesWritesSeriousStuffSometimesDrawsDad.com didn’t exactly roll off the tongue.

  3. Sal says:

    And there he goes again. You know, I kind of like the 3rd choice, after my eyes crossed, tongue decided to wrap itself around…itself and the whole room started spinning, my inner ear said “kinda has a nice sound to it doesn’t it?” That is when I realized it was just my ears ringing.

    When I start reading posts first thing in the morning, it is usually a close call between you and Writer Dad as the first blogs to open up.

  4. Blogger Dad says:

    Sal – LOL.
    And as far as choosing between me and Writer Dad, I guess it depends what kind of eater you are. Do you eat the really good and healthy part of the meal (WriterDad) first, or do you go right for the ice cream (BloggerDad)? Either way, I’m honored to be on the same plate.

  5. Dave Fowler says:

    And now with the passage of time, it’s all so clear…..

    You are Blogger Dad.