“Alex Jefferson,” he said.

“How did you know?” I asked.

“Know what?”

“My name.”

“I don't know your name.”

“But you just said it.”

“When?”

This went on for a few minutes until I realized his name was Alex Jefferson, too! I couldn't believe it.

3/5/07—OK, I looked up how many Alex Jeffersons there are in my state-83! Can you believe that? It makes me feel so . . . ordinary. I've decided to change my name. I'm taking suggestions, so e-mail me some unique ideas.

3/7/07—Wow, you guys are nuts! What kinds of names are these? Nervous McShaky? Ishmael Von Thermometernose? Petry Dish? Brad the Lionhearted? Libertyman? I can't use any of these!

3/11/07—I talked with the other Alex Jefferson today at church. “Do you know 83 Alex Jeffersons live around here?” I asked.

“So?”

“Doesn't that make you want to change your name?”

“No way. I like my name. It's my dad's name, and my grandfather's.”

This didn't make me feel any better.

He continued, “I want to be like my dad. He was a missionary to Uganda. When the people in that African village hear the name Alex Jefferson, they remember the love he showed. I'm proud of my name.”

3/12/07—I went online and researched these 83 Alex Jeffersons. I found an Army captain, a basketball player and a pastor. They seem like a pretty good bunch. And it appears I am the only Alex Jefferson with a blog, so maybe I am unique after all. And I think I prefer it to being the one-and-only Nervous McShaky.