Open Thread - What's In My Thermos?

Since it's inception, My Thermos has always just been a place to share stuff about me. I've never had a formal theme or agenda here other than the general Thermos motif - basically things I like = hot and things I don't = cold.

In an article I wrote the other day I talked about how I like to present alternatives to the norm, to challenge folks to think differently, and encourge people to make informed choices. I got to thinking about what I've written since I started here, and I realized that is really what the content of My Thermos is about - because that is what I am about.

I like to think I bring a different slant to things, that my opinions might just be different enough to get people to think about their own, and that what interests me might just spark something in someone to lead them on to a discovery of their own. Whether it's introducing new music, or recommending great songs from your old favorites, pointing out cool sites and interesting things I find on the web, or sharing my own unique perspective on family.

I tend to think in song lyrics - I've always liked this one:

Different eyes see different things,
Different hearts beat on different strings.

Lifeson / Lee

I think it fits my philosophy quite well.

Anyway, a while back I bought the domain name ondifferentstrings.com and was planning on starting a blog for entrepreneurs there. It was to be for those who have stepped away from corporate America and working in alternative work environments, those who are redefining their own success.. I really get to address a lot of this on Web Worker Daily now though so the project got sidelined.

The My Thermos name has served me well but it has led to considerable confusion, and has always had me worried about getting some sort of cease and desist from the very real Thermos Corporation.

So with the confluence of the above events, could it be time to retire My Thermos and let it evolve into On Different Strings? I can leave things as they are and just put the new bit of creative energy I am feeling into some changes here. I can rename and redirect - put a new coat of paint on things and move forward or I can leave this up as an archive and start fresh in a new home. I could maintain both but not sure what would get posted here rather than there. I am like 7th or 8th on the first Google results page when you search for Thermos. Maybe I should sell?

And what of jamminestjams - a domain which was to hold my music blog.

How do my readers feel? Your Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

Come on - I expect to hear from all three of you...

SB

Comments

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I've had similar thoughts about my blog's URL/name. My blog is called Traces of Inspiration. It started as a notebook to share sites and do concepts that inspired me during a particular project (it was called "TRACE"). I was really just testing out WordPress.

But here I am, 2 years later, wondering if that name even applies anymore. Plus, I'd much rather have the blog at my top domain level, not darowski.com/tracesofinspiration. But if you move and rename, you are setting all tour blog ranks and link love to zero. So I dcided against a change.

I guess it all depends what you have invested in this blog. There always the choice to spin off the additional blogs and use a top level domain (scottblitstein.com?) to aggregate them. I use my FriendFeed stream on my top level now, treating the blog more as one feature my "site" has to offer

#1 Adam Darowski (Homepage) on 2008-06-16 22:56 (Reply)

Thanks Adam for your comments - that's an interesting take on things. I do own my name and my various handles like scoblitz and scottblitz so that might be an option.

Thanks for making the decision even more difficult

#1.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-06-18 22:09 (Reply)

Pro's & Cons. Aren't we always looking at every decision as this. I, personally will follow you whereever because it is the easiest way to keep tabs on you and your life. The 1000 miles are easy to cover by following My Thermos or whatever else you decide to post on. How many sites do you want to maintain at this point and how much time do you want to spend on them. When you decide that, there is your answer. All I want is to be kept in the loop.

#2 Bob Grauer on 2008-06-17 01:43 (Reply)

Thanks - I'll always be posting somewhere, I've got too much to say.

SB

#2.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-06-18 22:13 (Reply)

I had similar thoughts a few times, since people used to ask me what a "Mini-Ob" was. (Name of my gossip column in my high school newspaper...means mini observations.) I just kept the status quo, since I didn't want
the three or four people who read my blog to have to look for it.

That's just me, though. Besides, I am too lazy to change.

I've been thinking of getting a new design, though.

#3 nat (Homepage) on 2008-06-17 18:09 (Reply)

So that's what a mini-ob is!! I've wondered but never got around to asking.

I really like the My Thermos title but I really do fear the cease and desist, and am sort of excited at the possibilities of what a change can bring.

But don't change yours - I've got you all bookmarked and subscribed and everything already.

SB

#3.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-06-18 22:18 (Reply)

When I stumbled upon your blog last November during NaBlah...after I picked my jaw up off the floor after staring at the Red Rocks photo you posted...I chuckled at the name and slogan of your blog. I thought it was great, and the slogan fits the blogosphere so well! So I became a return reader, and very soon after, a subscriber.

I know how it feels to want to stir things up a bit, maybe move into a new home and rearrange a few things. So ultimately only you can decide if it's time for that change.

But I always learn something here, or get a good laugh, or am treated to a piece of good, solid writing. Most times all three at once!

I'll keep reading whether you stay here and continue to fill My Thermos, or set up shop in a new location.

#4 Gregg (Homepage) on 2008-06-18 01:36 (Reply)

Thanks Gregg - that's very nice of you to say.

Thanks for your comments, I'll try to keep up the good work for you. I am proud of what I've done here, and am glad to have met some great folks through my little spot here on the web.

Perhaps it is just a bit of restlessness - renewed energy with the change of seasons and such.

SB

#4.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-06-18 22:29 (Reply)

Likewise, I'd probably read your stuff whatever it's called, but that's because I'm basically nosey. Remember I found you via Last.fm anyway, I already knew everything I needed to know about a Thermos. I often wonderd about the title of the blog, so thanks for explaining.

The main purpose of a Thermos is to keep hot things hot and cold things cold. I've got a cup of coffee and a lemon popsicle in mine

#5 naryaxword (Homepage) on 2008-06-18 10:16 (Reply)

Thanks - last.fm has been a great place to find like minded folks, glad you stumbled across my site. You've certainly given me quite a bit to listen to there, turned me on to some great stuff.

I used to tell a joke about how the thermos was the most amazing invention, better than the airplane, automobile and telephone. The reason - it keeps hot things hot and cold things cold - but how does it know?

Am glad this here site manages to do both.

SB

#5.1 Scott (Homepage) on 2008-06-18 22:35 (Reply)

To be honest, I don't think you have to worry about the cease and desist, I think that Thermos has become too generic to be defended as a trademark, unless you started using the exact same font, etc. Answers.com defines it as "A vacuum bottle used to keep beverages hot or cold".

Anyway, I thought My Thermos was pretty catchy, that and the on different strings is a really, really good domain name for people who have left the corporate world. I think you'd do well if you started that project.

If you do switch, I'll follow. It might make more money if you served up thermos ads on my thermos.

#6 Mike Scott (Homepage) on 2008-06-19 13:02 (Reply)

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