Why "Buel's Blog"?

This morning I knew I wanted to write something. I had the time and the motivation, so why not? I had thought about writing about self promotion and how I have come to dislike it, but i think I will save that for next time when I have more space to write. Today I don't have the time - I will be helping good friends move into their awesome new home and I will be seeing some old friends at an annual bbq this afternoon. Fun and busy times await!

I think something better for me to write about today would be why I named this blog "Buel's Blog". At first glance it makes sense, it's short has a cadence to it. Also, I didn't want to make it anything at all self praising or grandiose, like my last blog which I called "Iphilosophize". Philosophy majors, sheesh...

But honestly, it goes deeper than that. Growing up, some close friends and family would refer to me as "Buel" in a friendly yet meddlesome / sarcastic manor. It had carried a meaning all on its own, it said "I know you well enough not to just call you Josh - I know you're a fun guy and a troublemaker, I know we're about to have a fun interaction". I feel like when people greet me as Buel, they are choosing to call out that fun side of my persona - It elicits fond memories of other such greetings that brings joy and familiarity for me. It set the tone for the interaction, with knowing smiles and signaled me to prepare for some lighthearted and sarcastic banter.

Maybe you are unfamiliar with this. Let me bring up another example, what comes to mind when I say the name "Dinkleberg..."? Probably memories of the early 2000s watching the Fairly Odd Parents, where Mr. Turner grits his teeth has he utters his accursed neighbors name. Meme for reference below!

The name is attached to a persona, in this case a negative one, but even though the character is fictional if you remember the show you immediately recall how it was said and what it meant. A better example might be "Bueler" as in Ferris Bueler. I don't even really need to explain what that name meant.

But, Buel for me is a fun and accurate persona of what I want people to know and love about me, hence why I wanted it to be a central part of this blog.

On a slightly deeper level, it elicits its a subtle desire in me to be known. I don't mean I want to be interviewed and have facts known about me like some celebrity, like how many board games I have or what date I was married. I mean for someone to be able to predict what I might do or think about a situation, to be reminded of a fond shared memory or to be notified of a link or news people know I have interest in. To me, "Buel" is an intentional way of displaying that, the speaker verbalising in tone what they know me to be.

Well, that went deeper than even I expected, but If I want this blog to be authentic I gotta not hold back. But, now you know why I called it Buel's Blog! Until next time! :)