What's in a name? What what?

I spent a good chunk of yesterday trying to think up a name for this blog before finally giving up this morning and just simply calling it by my own name.

Coming up with a catchphrase or slogan for it was equally as challenging.  How do people come up with these essential blog pieces?

I'll tell you right now that mine is subject to change -- frequently!

In trying to come up with a good line, I reflected on the mottos of some other blogs that stuck out in my mind.  Marlena De Lacroix refers to her blog as "Soap Criticism for the Thinking Fan."  The (famed) Julie/Julia Project proclaimed "Nobody here but us servantless American cooks...."  I've even come up with good lines for my own blogs before, like "Passionate Pondering of Life, the Arts, and Worthwhile Causes," and "Diary of a Daytime Devotee."  Obviously, I'm a big fan of simple, descriptive lines like the one at We Love Soaps -- "Soap opera news, reviews, history and more!"

I also realize it is important for a blog to have a purpose, and when you find that purpose, you'll already have your catchphrase.  Well, I assure you this blog has a purpose -- my experiment in keeping my sanity.  You see?  Right there -- the perfect phrase.  "My experiment in keeping my sanity!"

I intend for this blog to be a place for me to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the articles I write, my commentary on the food I eat with my "Certified Culinarian" boyfriend, my opinions on the religious views that people throw at me (for some reason people seem to like to hear me talk about that), and a way to proclaim and monitor my progress on my goals in life.

I know.  That's very general, isn't it?

On top of that, I fully expect for this blog to be filled with photos I take, recipes (or at least descriptions of food, since I'm not at all a cook and don't pretend to be), theatre/acting/actor-related stuff, and lots of commentary on One Life to Live -- not just because spending less than 60 minutes every weekday watching the show is one of my favorite hobbies, but also because I am the One Life to Live Examiner at Examiner.com and a big supporter of the show and the extremely nice and talented actors that star in it.  (More on that later, of course.)

That being said, my sister tried to help me come up with some good slogans for this new blog.  Here are some of my favorites:

• Because I know me ... and you don't.
• I'm not delusional -- I'm optimistic to a fault.
• Letting Her Light Shine Since 1981
• Best if Used By Feb. 2011

We were at our wits' end and coming up with lines like, "I like root beer," so when my sister suggested "What what?" it was about the most perfect suggestion I'd heard yet.  "What what?" is a little bit of an inside joke between the two of us, and originated with the character of Dorian on One Life to Live in one of the best episodes with the least storyline impact I have ever seen.

Dorian had finally chosen to divorce her absentee husband and was going on her first date with her adopted daughter's uncle, Ray Montez.  When they were nearly immediately confronted by Dorian's nemeses, who warned Ray of Dorian's sometimes surprisingly backstabbing ways, Ray asked her privately what it was all about.

"Yeah, what was that all about?" she replied, perturbed and flustered.  "What what?"

My sister found that line to be hilarious and we have used it ever since.

I also need to point out before I wrap up this blog post that this particular episode sealed the deal for Ray Montez with fans like me who want a perfect partner (in crime?) for Dorian.  This is how the conversation at the dinner table went:

Dorian:  Sometimes ... I do bad things.
Ray:  By reputation you do bad things better than anybody.
Dorian:  Is that a turn-off?
Ray:  On the contrary.

How perfect a man?!

A Martinez, who has popped up on several soaps but is most known as Cruz on Santa Barbara (or Cimarron on The Cowboys for the rough western or John Wayne fans), played Ray and was soon let go from the show, so the budding romance ended abruptly and painfully.  (But hey, you can read more about that on my Examiner page -- because A Martinez is extremely awesome and answered my questions!)

Anyway, that's why, at least for the time being, my blog title is "Jen Snelling - 'What what?'"

Enjoy!