Saturday, December 29, 2018

Introduction

It’s called vexillology (the study of flags, that is), and it’s something I’ve been fascinated by since I can remember.  In fact, one of my favorite Christmas memories is getting a first edition of Whitney Smith’s Flags: Through the Ages and Across the World as a pre-teen.  And, if that title doesn’t mean anything to you, that’s okay.  If it does, though, you’re probably a flag nerd like me – and should really enjoy this blog.


My hero

I’m pretty sure I know what it is about flags that’s always been so appealing to me.  One, I’m a huge history buff, and a geography nerd to boot.  Second, I have some artistic skills, and even have a minor in art history.  Put ‘em all together …  It’s probably what’s been behind my love of coin-collecting, heraldry, and old maps as well.

It’s also what's behind the theme of this blog. So, instead of just sharing flag trivia with you, I’ve decided to be more of a critic. I’ll definitely share some of the stories behind the flags along the way, but what I’m really interested is whether a flag is effective, or too plain, too much, beautiful, hideous, or whatever.


Or just downright peculiar

The name? Well, I had actually been planning this blog for quite a while ... when I wandered into the family room to see what the wife was up to, that is. She’s a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory, so I wasn’t too surprised when I saw that on the telly.  What really surprised me, though, was that Sheldon and Amy were doing a vodcast called “Fun with Flags.” That was, in fact, the title I had been thinking of for this blog.

Well, there went that idea.  Sure enough, somebody else had already taken funwithflags.com, as well as funwithflags.blogspot.com (where I have all my other blogs).  Realfunwithflags.blogspot.com?  Hey, it’s a winner!


My other heroes

Now, will I be dressing up as a pretzel?  Nein!  Will LeVar Burton make a guest appearance?  Uh, probably not.  Should you prepare yourself to surrender to fun?  Most definitely!


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