The research interests of grown men

The other day I was at work at my rather technical job. During a bit of down-time, I started on some research for a question and before long found myself reading the Wikipedia page on the Teletubbies.

Sometimes I wonder at the things we do.

Colors

I was talking with a friend today and the name "Amber" was mentioned. I decided that I think it's a pretty name, and if I were the type to keep a notebook of potential names for children, I'd write it in there. I'm not that type, but it dawned on me that the name would be quite appropriate, since it's also a color. It then became my quest to find other colors that could also be used as real names. I figure if I'm going to have children, I might as well continue the family tradition.

So far, I've got:

• Amber
• Violet
• Lavender

If we include fictional characters, we can add

• Peach (As in "Princess")
• Scarlet (As in "Miss")

These are all female names. So either I need some male names, or I'm only allowed to have female children. Any suggestions?

In Memoriam

One year ago today I was accepted as a probational writer for the 100 Hour Board. I suppose that makes today my "Boardiversary," so Happy Boardiversary to me. For curiosity's sake, my first answer ever appears on a question about our appearance in the Spirit World. My favorite answer so far is still one I answered in my first week about GatoRain, but I'm also very happy with the following:

• that one about refilling Lake Bonneville
• my recent one about solar shades
• the question about a secret room in the Maeser Building. (I ended up with a bunch of cool pictures I couldn't publish, but I really liked doing the research.)
• this one about priesthood authority and the restoration
• any question in which I can link to Calvin and Hobbes
• my personal analysis of the entire Myst series
• a question in which I found a map depicting the use of the Spanish word "regordo" to mean "very fat"
• the best dating advice I ever gave
• that na counting question
  
• the question about tacos and bells. My answer wasn't actually that amazing; I just enjoyed the pun.
• this one about genetics, inbreeding, and Adam and Eve

Things have changed a bit in the year I've been a writer. Back then I was the very newest of writers. I'm now the 9th most senior, and a few of those above me haven't been writing much lately. We may see them disappear before long. I'm exactly tied for 5th place for the number of questions answered by a current writer. I'm also heavily involved with the day-to-day operations of the Board; far more than I ever expected I would be.

I've made a lot of friends through the Board. I shared a ward last year with Uffish Thought and Novel Concept, I'm currently living in Optimistic.'s apartment, and I recently bought a toy weasel for Lavish's cat. I introduced both bismark and Wally III to the board, back when we were all working in the same place. I've been in group photos with a bag over my head, I've asked awkward questions over the phone, and I've received no less than 12 dating applcations over this last year. It's been quite a ride. It's not always easy, but I wouldn't give any of it up.

In unwitting celebration of my Boardiversary, my friend up in Salt Lake invited me to attend the recent concert by The Fray at the USANA Amphitheater. It was a great show, the lighting effects were fun, and I heard a lot of new songs. My favorite by far, though, when they mixed Look After You with Oasis' Wonderwall as the final song of the encore. You should be able see it here. (I haven't listened to this version as I'm at work right now, so let me know if it's not working.) It was really cool, and made for nearly a perfect Boardiversary. The only thing missing was female company, but I can't complain too much, now can I?

Thanks for a great year, everyone.
Oh, and by the way, this is being published two days late. I got distracted. My Boardiversary was the 31st.