Why do so many people have the same names?

Names are pretty important considering it is something that identifies us as an individual for our entire lives. Most people are given a name by their parents and will go by this name or a nickname unless they decide to have it legally changed later on in life.

With all the possibilities of unique names out there, many people still end up with common names and often the exact same name as other people. So how does this happen?

There are many lists out there with the most popular baby names for each year. It is possible people search for the popular names and then pick a name out of the most popular names. Also it may be out of tradition such as naming a child after a relative, historical figure, or celebrity.

Personally, I think people should try to give their children more unique name instead of the most common names that have already been done. It can be odd to come across someone with the same name as you. It is a coincidence, but strange because we associate our name with who we are and so it is odd when you find someone else who is going by the same name.

A unique name helps you stand out from the crowd. In a list of names, the common names get overlooked but when there is an interesting name you have never seen before, it stands out and gets more attention. This can have an effect on many things from job applications to general introductions and meeting people.

With the internet these days and the ability to search by name, a common name is almost impossible to narrow down in a search unless it is someone famous. A unique name can be found much more easily with a search. This could be a positive or a negative depending on how you look at it, but I think having the unique name has the advantage.

In my case, I have a first and last name that falls somewhere in the middle, not too common, but common enough that there are others with the same name. Given the choice of one way or the other, I would prefer a more unique name that no one else has.

Do you have a common name or a unique name? What are your thoughts when it comes to picking out a name for a child?

US Womens National Team Rio Olympics Wrap Up

I have been following the US Women's National Soccer team since the World Cup last year and since then, they quickly became my favorite sports team. They are a great team with lots of wonderful personalities and are just a lot of fun to watch.

While the roster has changed a bit from last year's World Cup team, they still have a lot of the same players and staff. The team was favored to win gold again this year but they struggled throughout the tournament. It seems the chemistry was not quite there this time as they had trouble converting on opportunities.

They ended up making it to the quarter finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics but lost a close game against Sweden in a penalty kick shootout. Throughout the game, the US seemed to be dominating at least on possession, but Sweden proved to be more efficient with the few opportunities they had. 

I don't blame anyone for the loss as it was a fair game and Sweden earned the victory. It is very disappointing for the US team, but it is a lesson that they are not unbeatable. I am still very proud of the US Women's National Team and will continue to follow their progress as they train for the next big tournament!

For more on the USWNT check out their Youtube and Twitter accounts here.

How to use a dishwasher if drain is clogged

A while back, my kitchen sink drain started getting clogged so when I would run the dishwasher, the water would back up into the sink. It was going to take a while before it could be fixed, so I had to figure out another solution. I didn't want to wash all the dishes by hand in the bathroom sink, so I figured out a way to still be able to use the dishwasher.

Under the sink, there is a hose that runs from the dishwasher to the drainage pipes or disposal. This is where the water is drained from the dishwasher. I found if you unhook this hose from the disposal and put it into a bucket or a wastebasket, you can run the dishwasher and the water will drain into the bucket. Then you just have to empty the bucket in a another drain that is not clogged such as a bathroom tub.

It is not the most convenient because it usually uses at least 5 gallons of water per wash so you have to keep an eye on the bucket throughout the cycle to make sure it does not overflow. I found that having 2 small buckets works best. It usually does not drain more than 1-2 gallons at a time so as long as you stay on top of it, it should be able to handle the water.

Check the instructions for your dishwasher to see how many gallons it uses per wash. It can depend on which cycle you choose.

Also remember not to use the sink when you have unhooked the hose underneath as water may get out from the hole where the hose has been disconnected.

Overall I find it works well and allows you to run the dishwasher even if your kitchen drain is clogged.