N(ICK) Names
When planning out what I wanted to do with this website I, like many other folks who have taken on a similar challenge, was faced with the task of naming the thing. Among the various inside jokes to events in my life, people I know and love, or to names to encapsulate the content the website would contain, I came up with the idea to name it after a childhood nickname. After all, my love of writing started there (see my About Me for more info on that).
In my youth I had many nicknames. Some of these came from family and friends, and some came from kids at school. While I was home schooled growing up, I had attended the local high school in my town for a few classes so I could bowl on the varsity team. This is where I was given the nickname "CHK", by a Junior who thought I was a bit odd. This moniker lovingly stood for "Crazy Homeschooled Kid". I wore that nickname like a badge of honor. I thought it was hilarious and took it as a sign of acceptance and belonging. Should this have been the title of this blog then? CHK.com? It'd have fit the vibe I was going for. Ramblings and nonsensicalness from a guy who was homeschooled. Well Domain.com said it was taken, so I had to move on. This is where we introduce the progenitor of not only the majority of the nicknames I had growing up, but of part of my genetic make-up as well. My dad.
My dad is the single sweetest, kindest, gentle, and manly man I know. I use the word manly to finish off that small description, because the attributes that come before it, define to me what true 'manliness' is. He has given, and still gives me a wonderful example of what it truly means to be not only a good father, but a good husband, friend, and man. Among these attributes that were taught to me, there were other things my dad gave me. These were a slew of nicknames. Some of which, and I don't know how this didn't happen, could have confused me as to what my actual name was. These nicknames were, Rock, Rocky, Lou, Lewis, Rick, Ricky, Icky, Ick, and Ickickinkin. It's these last two, that I decided to use as the site title and URL respectively. They are the most unique and insane nicknames and I love them. I mean, who calls their young son "Ick" or "Icky"?
The best dad in the world does.
