I recently found out that there are several people who know about my blog or are now reading it. This includes my Mom who asked whether she should have a look. Of course it did help that I posted it on Facebook. However, it got me thinking that perhaps another explanation is required. I told the story of how I chose the name of my blog, Fat Man’s Hustle. I think it would be important to explain why I use “Wave hog” as my blogger name.
"Wave hog” is a nickname that only one person uses. His name is Vic Janzen. There is a fun story around that name. But first it would be prudent to let you know how much nicknames mean to me. I believe that a nickname is a term of endearment used to describe how a person sees you. Some names are mean, but those are rarely used to your face. Each nickname in this list has a story but those will have to wait for another time. These are some of the names that have been used throughout my life:
Buller – Used for over 2 years to the point where my first name was almost nonexistent
Bull – Given by Sammy
Big G – Use often
Wave Hog – Only by Vic Janzen
Wave – Use by Marlene Janzen, Vic’s wife
Big Guy – Used by customers when I was running a furniture store in Winnipeg
G Man – The younger generation at many of the theatres I worked at
Eclipse – My Brother-in-Law
The Janzen family will always hold a special place in my heart. Vic and Marlene have 4 boys and I was their baby-sitter. Just imagine 5 boys in a house with near free rein. I was a very responsible teen, but really, how could we not play cops and robbers, hide and seek all night long. I loved to look after those boys and from what I have been told; I was the family’s favourite. The Janzen family and I share a bond. They trusted me to look after their family so I did the best I knew how.
Here is where the name came from. It was the summer and my Mom had just gone shopping to buy me new clothes. I got shorts and t-shirts. Nothing out of the ordinary for a young teenager. However, as you may have noticed from the list, most of my nicknames are related to my size. I was at least 280 lbs at this point and over 6’ tall. I was not small.
I was going over to the Janzen's cottage to baby-sit their kids. It just so happened that I was wearing one of my new t-shirts. It was red with a pig surfing and the words “Wave Hog” were written across the chest. One look from Vic and that handle bar moustached face smiled from ear to ear. I think he said something like, “Oh that’s perfect, Wave Hog.” They have never looked back. It has almost been 20 years since that time and Vic still uses it.
It is one of those names that I secretly enjoy. At the time it described me perfectly. I would spend hours in the lake swimming and body surfing the waves. Add the shirt and it was the perfect way to describe me. It was and still is a wonderful term of endearment saved solely for the Janzen Family.
"Wave hog” is a nickname that only one person uses. His name is Vic Janzen. There is a fun story around that name. But first it would be prudent to let you know how much nicknames mean to me. I believe that a nickname is a term of endearment used to describe how a person sees you. Some names are mean, but those are rarely used to your face. Each nickname in this list has a story but those will have to wait for another time. These are some of the names that have been used throughout my life:
Buller – Used for over 2 years to the point where my first name was almost nonexistent
Bull – Given by Sammy
Big G – Use often
Wave Hog – Only by Vic Janzen
Wave – Use by Marlene Janzen, Vic’s wife
Big Guy – Used by customers when I was running a furniture store in Winnipeg
G Man – The younger generation at many of the theatres I worked at
Eclipse – My Brother-in-Law
The Janzen family will always hold a special place in my heart. Vic and Marlene have 4 boys and I was their baby-sitter. Just imagine 5 boys in a house with near free rein. I was a very responsible teen, but really, how could we not play cops and robbers, hide and seek all night long. I loved to look after those boys and from what I have been told; I was the family’s favourite. The Janzen family and I share a bond. They trusted me to look after their family so I did the best I knew how.
Here is where the name came from. It was the summer and my Mom had just gone shopping to buy me new clothes. I got shorts and t-shirts. Nothing out of the ordinary for a young teenager. However, as you may have noticed from the list, most of my nicknames are related to my size. I was at least 280 lbs at this point and over 6’ tall. I was not small.
I was going over to the Janzen's cottage to baby-sit their kids. It just so happened that I was wearing one of my new t-shirts. It was red with a pig surfing and the words “Wave Hog” were written across the chest. One look from Vic and that handle bar moustached face smiled from ear to ear. I think he said something like, “Oh that’s perfect, Wave Hog.” They have never looked back. It has almost been 20 years since that time and Vic still uses it.
It is one of those names that I secretly enjoy. At the time it described me perfectly. I would spend hours in the lake swimming and body surfing the waves. Add the shirt and it was the perfect way to describe me. It was and still is a wonderful term of endearment saved solely for the Janzen Family.
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