The Elusive Search for a Name

Most who are regular readers here (if there is such a thing) know that we're expecting another little one in the near future. It's a big event, full of anticipation, excitement, joy ... and trouble deciding on a name.

It seemed so easy for the first one, and we just knew what it should be. This time? Not so much. We've thought we had it a couple of times, only to discard our ideas when we found a deal-breaker. Hint to the wise: make sure you check the meaning before you get too attached to your latest idea.

Last night, we really went to work on it, and after much browsing and negotiating and thinking, we might have decided on the one. You'll have to wait until the big day to find out, since there has to be some surprise left.

In any case, we did find some cool websites for names:

behindthename.com is my favorite. Type in your name and click the "ratings" link to find out what connotations your name has. Apparently mine is classic, mature, wholesome, and just a bit nerdy.

If you're into fancy graphs, try babynamewizard.com. You can find out how your name has fared in popularity since 1880.

And of course, there is the old standby: the US Census site. "Jacob" and "Emily" are the current leaders as of 2006.

Have any other good sites? Leave a note in the comments.

The Quicken the Dead

I'll just come right out and say it. I've never been able to stay on the Quicken wagon. Numerous times, I've gone through the following cycle:

1. Look at most recent bank statement, become horrified about how much has been spent, and say to self: "This is ridiculous. It's time to get organized."

2. Setup accounts for checking, savings, credit cards.

3. Struggle to find and download transaction history and load into Quicken.

4. Painstakingly categorize all the transactions.

5. Feel good about having everything up-to-date.

6. Forget to upload the latest statements at month's end.

7. Fall behind and give up hope of keeping current.

Why the struggle? Not sure exactly, but I think the biggest roadblock for me has been the cumbersome process of downloading and categorizing transactions. The user-interface is clunky, and I look forward to keeping my accounts current about as much as a trip to the dentist. Plus, what I really need is a way to see how I'm doing in the middle of the month, while there is still time to meet the budget. With Quicken I would update everything after I got my statement, which was too late to have an impact on my spending.

Anyone else have the same Quicken experience? I'm ready to try something new. I'll let you know how it goes.

Farewell, Old Cell Number. I Knew Thee Well.

Yesterday I finally did it. I picked up my phone and made the fateful call to *611. The call to say "I'd like to cancel my cell plan."

The Verizon rep pleaded with me to stay, but to no avail. As of March 22, the phone number that has been my constant companion since my first year at ISU and I will go our separate ways. Nine years isn't a big deal when you're talking about a home number. But in the cell-phone world of merging companies, changing plans, and two-year contracts, it's an eternity.

The rift started with a botched attempt at merging my wife's number into my existing plan. The mall rep said it would work without a hitch--just fill out some paperwork and her number would be ported no problem. We would even be able to share minutes! But after being double-charged for five months and many calls to customer service the ugly truth was revealed. My Boone number could not be joined with her Des Moines one. And of course then we were already hooked--trapped into paying more money for two lines on two accounts with unshared minutes. From then on, I knew it was only a matter of time.

So I waited. Patiently counting down these many days. Patiently waiting for my contract to end. And at last that day has arrived. My revenge is underway. A meager six months remains before the second contract is done and my exodus from the evil clutches of Verizon will be complete.

But alas! The unfortunate casualty in this dirty business is my number. 230-0620. Many a time I have left those digits behind. On bills. On credit cards. On friends and families cell phones. I will miss it greatly, but the memory will live on. Parting is such sweet sorrow.