what's in a name?

When I started this venture 3 years ago I had no problem coming up with a name for it, and I outlined way back then why I chose “during the meanwhilst” as this blog’s headline name.

But, fast forward 3 years and the name has become much more than just that.  I’ve renamed my Flickr page and have started a YouTube channel under the “meanwhilst” moniker.  It’s almost become my brand.

And the reasons for that are simple.  “During the meanwhilst” is actually more a way of life for me.  A means of escaping the hell of living with cancer.  The pain, the frequent illness, the lack of mobility.  I could go on…

While I face up to things, I have “meanwhilst” as an escape.  It helps me through the days, and weeks and months.

Yes, it’s a flippant, nonsensical phrase (I mean, meanwhilst isn’t even a proper word) but it makes a whole load of sense to me.  It helps me identify with the time I don’t have to suffer or worry about that new pain in my leg.  That’s my meanwhilst; and during it I don’t have cancer, or pain, or worries.  I have happy thoughts and peaceful times wondering what to write for this blog, what pictures to take and what video to shoot.  It really is my coping mechanism.  It’s become like work for me.  And I need that.

So, thank you Monty Python.  Thank you.