Friday, June 15, 2012

What's in a name?

My December 2011 header

"What is the name of that geranium on the window-sill, please?"
"That's the apple-scented geranium."
"Oh, I don't mean that sort of a name. I mean just a name you gave it yourself. Didn't you give it a name? May I give it one then? May I call it--let me see--Bonny would do--may I call it Bonny while I'm here? Oh, do let me!"
"Goodness, I don't care. But where on earth is the sense of naming a geranium?"
"Oh, I like things to have handles even if they are only geraniums. It makes them seem more like people. How do you know but that it hurts a geranium's feelings just to be called a geranium and nothing else? You wouldn't like to be called nothing but a woman all the time. Yes, I shall call it Bonny. I named that cherry-tree outside my bedroom window this morning. I called it Snow Queen because it was so white. Of course, it won't always be in blossom, but one can imagine that it is, can't one?"
"I never in all my life saw or heard anything to equal her," muttered Marilla.
~Anne of Green Gables, chapter 4

I have decided...

...that Yet Another Period Drama Blog needs a new name.  When I first began blogging, this blog was intended to be a place where I could write movie reviews and occasionally a character analysis or two.  Since then, it's evolved into something much more diverse.  I've been writing posts on a very wide variety of subjects, not just period dramas.  Plus, with my joining of the Classics Club, books are going to figure predominantly here in the coming months.  So though period dramas and classic literature are still the focus of this blog, I think it's time for a new, all-encompassing blog name.

I've put a poll on the sidebar so you can vote for the name you like best... but I can't just leave it at that.  I have to elaborate at least a wee bit.  You know me.

~The first name that comes to mind (the first on the poll, what a coincidence) is Raindrops on Roses.  It's a line from "My Favorite Things", a song from The Sound of Music, and I thought it was appropriate because this blog has become a conglomeration of my favorite things.  (And the title "My Favorite Things" is much less interesting than "Raindrops on Roses".)

~The second name I thought of (the second on the poll, how brilliant) is Shelves in the Closet.  It comes from Lizzy's famous line in P&P95-- "Shelves in the closet.  Happy thought indeed." I like having reasons behind names, and the reasons for this one are threefold.  First, because the second half of line ("happy thought indeed")  is appropriate for blogging--I'm writing about my happy thoughts, indeed.  Second, because shelves in the closet are a great place to keep books and period drama DVDs.  (Yes, I'm nonsensical and proud of it.)  Third--which perhaps I should have mentioned first--because it is the express wish of my noble patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh.  What more could you want?

~Third on my list is Miss Dashwood's Writing Desk, which I don't really like, but I thought a poll ought to have several choices, so there it is.  Heehee.

~And then, of course, there is the "what do you suggest" option--and if you DO have a suggestion, please leave a comment!  (And hey, even if you don't have a suggestion, comment anyway, because I like to know what people voted.  No secret ballots here.)

So... please vote!

18 comments:

deryn joy said...

shelves in the closet. no debate. ...I love that part :)

Abby said...

I do like the first one simply because I love the song - every time I see that line I have to add 'and whiskers on kittens!' and stop myself before I jump up and start dancing :')

But I think my favourite is the second - that scene has always made me chuckle and I think it's quite wonderfully original :)

~Abby

Allison said...

Love "Shelves in the Closet" 'cause it's so original! Love it!

Melody said...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

You can change the name of your blog!! *sniffs* Do not speak of such a reprehensible thing! I like your name... and it MEverybodyG. You has a good reputation.

Oh wait, not changing it wasn't an option.

WELL IT SHOULD BE.

Leave well enough alone, I say. If it isn't broken, don't fix it. :P

But if you MUST change *low, growly sigh* I would be partial to Shelves in the Closet. But then people might get it confused with *clears throat* Something Else, if you know what I mean. Raindrops on Roses is delightful, too. And then you can make a new blog and call it Whiskers on Kittens.
Kidding.

It IS true, I suppose, about the period drama thing. Sigh. Although I tend not to read conglomeration blogs as much... with you, of course, it is different, and *looks at your followers box* heh, obviously that's just me. :P

I think in the end I'm going for Raindrops on Roses. It sounds romantical.

NO NO NO YOU SHOULD CALL IT MISS HICKENLOOPER!!!!!!!! Bahahaha, ages ago you made a joke about changing the name of your blog to Miss Hickenlooper... :P
Or Romantical Perils?
Heeheeeheee.

Shutting up.

Anonymous said...

*snorts*
Um. I meant you CAN'T. (I mean, of course you CAN, but that's not what I meant to say. :P)

~Melody (don't want to bother signing in :P)

Elizabeth said...

Oh dear. You're changing the name of your blog! Tsk, tsk, tsk! Ah, well. I like "Shelves In The Closet."

Unknown said...

I am going with "Shelves in the Closet". Anyway, I was a little surprised when I saw your post!
I mean what is wrong with the name you have right now. BTW, I'm changing the name of my blog to...

Pussywillow bud.

Original, isn't it? :-)

Maria said...

Ooooooooh... I never thought YOU'd post something like this. I agree with Melody that the current name MEverybodyG, but if you wanted to change, I'd say do 'Raindrops on Roses'. 'Shelves in the Closet' is also a good idea, but I didn't really get it until I read your reasons.

Unknown said...

Miss Dashwood,
I have a question.
Would you be interested in being one of the founders of a hero and heroine blog for literary heroes and heroines?

Eva-joy is designing it and we would like you to be one of the authors.

I'm waiting for your answer!

Miss Dashwood said...

Thanks for asking me, Abilaine, but I've got several other projects piling up for this summer-- I wish you all the best in creating the blog, though!

Isabel said...

I love your blog name the way it is, but if you absolutely
must change it, I like Shelves in the Closet!

Julia Rogers said...

I think it should TOTALLY be "Shelves in the closet" because:
1. it sounds like you
2. I know like 4 blogs that already have the first one and they are NOTHING like that
3. Shelves in the closet is just right for your style of blog.
So yes that is my opinion.

Alexandra said...

Am I the only one who likes Raindrops on Roses? :-P But I just love that song. :-D I love all of them - I know, I'm TERRIBLE at making decisions. :-P

And bravo to changing it - I admire folks who can do that. Me, I get too emotionally attached to my names. It's terrible. I even get emotionally attached to my layout, which is why I've never changed my background or header. :-D Sigh.

Hayden said...

Hmmm.... I do like Raindrops on Roses best, but I like the reasons for "shelves in the closet" and do think it's more original...maybe if you posted a gadget that told readers why your blog was called so, that would be nice, if you went with that one :)

Arielle Melody Bailey said...

I vote for Raindrops on Roses. I've always loved that song! And, I agree with you that it would be appropriate for a blog about your favorite things.

Jujube said...

I belong to the minor group that thinks you should change your blog's name to Raindrops on Roses. It's a lovely song! But I do believe I'll miss your old blog title.

Anonymous said...

Weeeell... if you HAVE to change your blog name, I'd chose Shelves in the Closet. I voted for that one. : )

Finally reading your blog again after a week of being gone!! WAHOO! : )


Eowyn

Anonymous said...

Random, but I can't comment on your new blog. Please know that I am reading it, though!!! : ) I'll be able to comment whenever my dad lets me get a Google account... whenever that is... : P

Eowyn