Who is Popeye?

Most of the world knows Popeye as a sailor man that's in love with Olive Oyl and spinach. But when my brother, sister, and roommate hear the word "popeye," they think of someone else other than the beloved cartoon character. They think of me.

Popeye was a nickname penned over Christmas break 2008. One day I got really excited about something, and started laughing, really hard. Up until this time all I knew about my laugh was that it was loud, and that I probably looked a little ridiculous. WRONG. I looked big time ridiculous, and my brother let me know it. Apparently when I laugh at fullest capacity, my right eye contorts and becomes different in size than my left. How embarrassing. From the moment my brother noticed it until now, he, my sister, and roommate have not let me forget that I have this weird physical quirk. 

When thinking about a blog name, I could not figure out what it should be. I've never been terribly good with creative names, phrases, or word play. I tried to be all cutsie, all creative, but it just wasn't working. I realized I could be as cutsie as I wanted to be, but when it comes down to it, all I am is me. I am the Ultimate Popeye. Ultimate Popeye is me. Even though I am one of the unfortunate few whose quirks manifest themselves outwardly, those quirks encompass who I am. And even though my family will make fun of me for decades to come, they love me anyway, and embrace Popeye. This blog is for them to keep tabs on me while I am studying abroad, so in the end I figured the name had to incorporate some aspect of my family. 

All of us have an inner Popeye. My inner Popeye comes out when I become really excited about something. I'm sure while I'm abroad Popeye will come out quite often because I'll be really excited about what I'm doing. Look for Popeye during these next few months, and let me know when you figure out who and what your inner Popeye is.