The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers.

Caution is often a worthy pursuit. Yesterday, the local rag tallied up the names registered in all of their birth notices for 2008, with few surprises on the popularity lists. Yes, there will be many more calls of “Jack”, “Charlie”, “William” and “Oliver”, and wails of “Ella”, “Sophie”. “Mia” or “Charlotte”. And no, poor old Henry and Ezra failed to make the top twenty yet again!

But let’s be honest, that’s not what we’re interested in. The real action can be found lower down, in the nonconformist department.

How could you go past the fonetik [sic] charms of Jaxon, Deklan, Febie and Koen?

A favourite of mine was sweet little Shakyla (beloved sister of dear little Jakayla).

Other standouts include Avah, Maja, Jagger, and who could forget Bayliss-Jay?

If we are blessed with another boy, I must keep in mind Ajay, Jakem, Brumby, Bensig, Cayd, Fearghas, Taz and Bruck (yes, Bruck!)

Obviously if we break the run of boys, we shall have to steer towards Akashia, Brinkly, Aradia, Oscara, Jazlyn, Mimosa, Sosanne or the angelic Lional (Lional!).

The best part of all of this is that we can rest assured that schoolyard bullying will remain alive and well into the future. For that, we should all be thankful!