Hello: The other guy

Submitted by Heiko on

First of all, how do you pronounce my name?

Well, it's a German name (I know, right?), it looks Japanese, my last name is Chinese, my driver's license says I'm from Ohio ... now everyone's confused.

It's okay. I have no idea, either.

The story goes like this. I was born in China while my dad was doing grad school in Germany. My family moved to the US when I was three, at which point we anglicized my Chinese name, which was Hui ==> Huey. 

But that wasn't good enough for my dad. The summer before second grade he decided I should drop the Chinese name and use a not-Chinese name. I said okay. How about Michael. Or Tom. Or Raphael because the Ninja Turtles RULED. 

My dad said, "No, how about 'Heiko.' It's my favorite German name." I said, "What?"

That was the end of the conversation. 

Second grade started, and my teacher asked me how to pronounce my name. I had no clue, so I sounded it out. "Hay-ko." And that's what I've called myself ever since. My parents call me "High-ko," which is also what Brian and, incidentally, German people call me. "High-ko" is correct. "Hay-ko" just sounds right.

Why am I working for MGoBlog?

Because the past three years of Michigan fandom taught me that if someone breaks your heart, the only way to feel better is to get closer to them and then write mean things about them. I'm just kidding. I would never write mean things about Denard (or anyone!).

For real now: I love writing, and I love Michigan sports. When I started the research phase of my training, my time became fairly flexible, so I joined Daily Sports where I assumed the role of the weird older guy. I covered women's volleyball first, and that taught me how to become very good at keeping track of a roster that reads "Alexandra (Zimmerman)," "Alexandra (Hunt)," and "Alexandra (Erwin)." (If you've been following volleyball, here's a programming note: Lexi the senior setter graduated, and she'll be replaced by Lexi the freshman setter.) In the spring I wrote for water polo and followed them all the way up to their unstorybook-like postseason demise at the hands of ... Indiana. 

Obviously, by joining mgoblog, I won't be writing for the Daily anymore. So, while the feelings are fresh, here's my plug for them: You guys are great people, you all do a great job -- tremendous, even -- and I'm going to miss you. 

But I'm still not convinced any of you know what I do during the day.

And I hate that you start all your sentences with conjunctions.

Am I really getting an MD/PhD?

Yes, really. Are you ill? If you're nice about it and present me an organized list of symptoms, I will tell you if I think you should go see a doctor.

Comments

JeepinBen

August 22nd, 2011 at 4:18 PM ^

You've already gotten the "ask yourself a question in bold then answer your question under the bold" part of writing for MGoBlog down.

Now we just need to see you make a

CHART?

Chart

Michigasling

August 22nd, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^

Thanks for clarifying the name business. I always wondered why this German artist I knew had a Japanese name (also Heiko, of course).

Welcome aboard. (So what's your thesis topic and how can we make it relate to football?)

turd ferguson

August 22nd, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^

welcome to the family.  nice introduction.

i like that after reading several paragraphs about your name, i still wouldn't have any idea what to call you if we met.

 

dennisblundon

August 22nd, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^

If the Freshman leaves the program, which is the rumor, is it Hoke trimming the roster for next year's class? Tim would say possibly and we would then proceed to burn him at the stake. Heiko what say you?

profitgoblue

August 22nd, 2011 at 4:31 PM ^

I promise to never show your statement about diagnosing whether a poster needs to see a doctor to my wife.  This may be the best gift "Hello:" gift you receive.  You're welcome.

 

Maize.Blue Wagner

August 22nd, 2011 at 4:36 PM ^

Not sure if anyone has made this observation yet, but it would seem appropriate to welcome Heiko with a thread of haikus.  Not that I'm any good at them, but it would be entertaining.  

In any case, welcome, glad to have you aboard!

Waters Demos

August 22nd, 2011 at 4:36 PM ^

Sir: I'd offer you a "welcome," but I am part of the Spartan contingent here, so I really have no place from which to welcome anyone.  Some here like us for a rival's honest POV, some here don't like us because we're rivals or for altogether different reasons, some are indifferent (respectably). 

Whatever the case, it sounds to me like you have an interesting background and I look forward to reading your work. 

Lampuki22

August 22nd, 2011 at 5:43 PM ^

Did you play the game?  Anywere?  Even as a kicker?  Pee wee? Band doesn't count.   Because I come from a school that maintains that if you didn't you'll never quite "get it" and you're just a nerd compensating for your inadquacies by pretending to understand football. 

 

 

\s

 

 

 

   

ryebreadboy

August 22nd, 2011 at 6:38 PM ^

Welcome to the site.  I admire your ability to find free time for reporting.  I feel supremely busy just getting my MD; I have no idea how you juggle this and a MD/PhD.  Kudos.