I’m only kind of a geek. For being a professional geek, I’m not that geeky. I’m not really into gadgets or mobile computing. I have tried the texting, but I’m not into it all that much. I don’t read Slashdot or white papers or other technical publications. I basically spend my weekdays in the world of computers (pronounced com-PYOO-ters) only long enough to support my golf habit.

Funny thing is, I’m not that good a golfer either. I mean, I’m pretty good, relatively speaking (I’m an 8 for those interested), but I’m not turning pro this year or anything. The important thing is that this year I’m better than I was last year, a trend which has persisted for the past 6 years or so, which is about as long as I’ve been golfing very seriously.

I can’t imagine a more perfect life, however. Well, obviously if we’re talking about no-holds-barred ideals, I can imagine some improvements. For one thing, I’d be a heck of a lot richer. And my abs would be harder, like in the old days of 23. But considering the reality of the world we live in, I really couldn’t be much happier. My wife is stunning and brilliant and funny and all the things most men only wish for. We have a humble little home in a great neighborhood, surrounded by good people and golf courses. For the most part I work on my own terms.

Some might say my existence is kind of unremarkable, even boring. To you I say, only from the outside looking in.

I guess I should comment on the name. It comes from a 7-year-old Chinese boy that I met in Montreal some years ago. He had a large collection of stuffed animals, all of unique and imaginative names. This particular one was a bear with a funny hat on. I asked his name, to which the boy replied, “Mr. Hatty Hat.”

“Oh, Mr. Haddy Hat,” I said, softening the T’s as we American’s are wont to do in pronouncing T’s.

“No!” he corrected sternly. “Mr. HaTTy Hat,” making sure to emphasize the hard T sound.

Needless to say, I never made that mistake again, and I have been true to the integrity of the name ever since, correcting those who would mispronounce it.

Like in the case of my friend and fellow Word conspirator, Donjuanica, when I it came time to register a name on IM and other web services, I had difficulty finding anything remotely related to my real name that wasn’t taken. So, in a fit of frustration, I tried MrHattyHat. No suprise, it worked.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

P.S. I’m far and away the funniest of the Word bunch, so read us all, but if you’re looking for something to really laugh at, look at me.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 at 2:10 pm and is filed under Meet the Minds, MrHattyHat. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.