Ground rules

So, since I have a few moments, let me summarize what I think will be the ground rules for this blog.
(All ground rules are subject to change at the discretion of the management)

If I've programmed this site correctly, comments should be disabled. That is not meant to stifle or prevent responses from anyone who is actually reading this blog with any frequency. Rather, it's an attempt to filter all comments through a more interactive forum: I hope that anyone wishing to contact me in response to any of my posts will reach out directly, either in public (via Facebook) or privately (email, direct message, etc).

For my part, I hope to use this space to post what I'm thinking, feeling, and seeing as I begin the next chapter of my life. Sometimes it will just be photos that I want to share or think that others will enjoy. Sometimes it will be more personal, such as what I'm feeling at the moments. Like I said in the description of this site, I'm accepting more risk and taking more chances by just "putting out there" what I feel. A "behind the scenes" look at what's on my mind or in my heart, so to speak (now there's a scary thought ... a public glimpse inside my head!)

I don't want to use this space to comment on or reflect negatively about anybody other than me. Names or circumstances May be changed in order to protect people's identities. I realize that deliberate changes or adjustments like these may seem to run contrary to my pledge to be honest and express whatever I need to. I recognize that disconnect and, frankly, don't care. This space is not going to disparage or hurt anybody not named Nik. If anyone thinks that I've posted something that could be construed as hurtful or harmful to another - whether or not they read this blog - then I would ask them to contact me right away.

Overall, this space is about looking ahead and moving forward. Reflecting on the past is certainly a part of that, but I will not allow it to be a central or majority part.

For any friends or complete strangers who are reading this, I hope you'll bear with me as I strive towards that goal.

What's in a name?

Very little has happened to me just in the "nick of time."

So why title a blog after such an expression?

The answer is: it's something slightly-to-moderately clever that plays on a common misspelling of my last name.  If my family ever formed a band, it would be a moderately clever name for said band, for example.  As it is, it is my slightly-to-moderately clever name for a blog.

But why start writing something here at all?

That answer is a little more complex.  For many years I've been very reserved about my personal life.  Right or wrong, I felt like I didn't want to "burden others" with my issues or troubles, that somehow I would be a better friend (or a better leader) if I presented a public image that everything was fine in my life.  For some time that wasn't a challenge: things were fine in my life.  Until they weren't.

This blog is part of my efforts to grow, and reach out, and be a better guy.  I want to accept more risk, put more out there for friends, colleagues, and even total strangers to see and read.  It's also a vehicle to share photos and stories about the adventure that I'm about to embark upon.

If things are programmed correctly, these first few posts will be up before anybody is specifically invited to view this blog (although there are no filters or security features to stop total strangers from visiting this site, either).  So I won't go into excruciating detail about my expectations or "rules" or anything else tonight.

As will frequently be the case going forward: More to come ...