Atomictumor

The recent revelation about the Bos’ and Eaves’ newest edition has me thinking a lot about names. More specifically, how much of a person’s personality is a product of what they’re called? I think that’s a difficult, if not impossible, idea to quantify.
Once you start thinking about it, it really just boils down to a nurture/nature issue, doesn’t it? Is a person who they are strictly because of their genetic make-up and electro-chemical reactions, or because of life experiences? I’m sure the real answer falls somewhere in between, but how much does a name interfere with things? If you name your kid Charlie Brown MacGillicuddy, are you in some way responsible when he chops 50 people to bits with an axe?
Personally, I’m a fan of the more unusual names. If our boys had been girls, they would be Anastasia Plum and Sadie Blue. Say what you will, but by god, there would never be awkward moments in the classroom, wondering which Anastasia the teacher called on.
I’m not alone when it comes to being a fan of unique monikers; it seems to be a trend of late, including celebrities. From Apple to Zoltan, bizarre names are abounding. Why is that? I think that, at least in part, it’s because parents feel their children are special, and want others to recognize that. A person with an unusual name is going to receive more attention than a plain Jane.
That attention, however, is not always going to be positive. Childhood is an especially cruel time to have an unusual name. Rhymes will be made when possible, mocking tones used otherwise. But what kid doesn’t get made fun of? Even if you’re named John, some smart-ass kid is going to point out how your ears stick out funny. If all kids have to work with is a weird name, I’d say you’re getting off pretty easy.
I’m of the opinion that giving a child a unique name encourages them to own it, to become a more outgoing and interesting person. You can’t be a Moon Unit and do tech support for the rest of your life. An unusual name almost requires you to have a life full of excitement and adventure.
And if you don’t like your name, you can always change it.

The Missus had her first OBGYN checkup today and the news can’t be better. She called right after the appointment this morning and told me that, just as we’d figured, she’s six weeks along. A baby that’s six weeks along is about the size of a bean.

When the Doc did the ultrasound they were able to hear its heart beating. Now I don’t know about you, but that made my morning. Just think about that for a moment. We’re six weeks along and there’s a heart beating. All this time we’ve been thinking about names. We’ve redone the budget. We’ve searched, and not yet found, the first outfit. And somewhere along the way it’s heart began to beat.

It’s beating right now.

Life is beautiful.