On the name Linger
I had a good think about what title I should choose for my new blog. Should I just use my own name? Or rather think of something funny or use a reference to a story I like? I asked ChatGPT to brainstorm with me on a name, but I quickly decided I actually don’t want to have anything written or inspired by AI on this blog. Isn’t it the whole point after all to write something personal and have fun with it?
For inspiration I looked through my spotify playlists and looked for titles or lyrics that might work as a name. That is how I stumbled across Faye Wong’s cover of Linger, originally by the Cranberries. It’s a song I’ve regularly been listening to ever since I watched Chungking Express for the first time last summer. This movie inspired me to cut my hair short again and it was one of the reasons my husband and I traveled to Hong Kong earlier this year. The Cantonese version of Linger is on the soundtrack of Chungking Express and has made its way into my personal playlists as well. Finally I found the inspiration for my blog title.
The title Linger can be explained in different ways. Most obviously this blog is a place for me to write down the thoughts that keep lingering in my brain. The name also refers to myself. Even though this blog is mainly meant to be a bit of fun, I won’t shy away from writing about my illness and my approaching death. The truth is, I was diagnosed with colon cancer at 28 and despite several surgeries and many courses of different types of chemotherapy the cancer progressed to the point it cannot be cured anymore. I know I am in the final years of my life and I will linger on for as long as I can to enjoy my time on earth. Finally, the name Linger is also a look into the future, when I will no longer be here but my blog will remain here to be read by whomever is interested.