Blue Eyes, DNA, and Geneology

Ten years ago, a paper was published that discovered the genetic mutation that causes blue eyes.  They also concluded that it seems that the mutation only occurred once in human history, and that anyone with blue eyes is descended from that person.

Comments I have seen online on the topic show that some people get confused by this.  Some think that means they aren't related to people without blue eyes, while others find it hard to understand that we are all related.  Having blue eyes myself, the topic is interesting to me.  I also find it interesting to see how closely the human family is related, so I want to talk in more detail about that.

2018 -- A Year in Brief

This was a pretty good year. I had some different adventures, and I overcame new challenges. Let’s take a look at what happened:

• Based on contributions I made in 2017, I received a raise at work.
• This year, I solved some interesting problems at work that people are pretty happy about.
• Throughout the year, I did a more intense weight-lifting program than I had been doing. I feel a lot stronger. Probably the highlight is that I can do several pullups with 30 lbs strapped to my waist.
• I bought a new pair of suits.
• I bought a new pair of glasses.
• I went on dates with several beautiful women. I appreciate the Single Adult Ward’s dating activity, which contributed a lot to that.
• The above also contributed to me having a better emotional health. I’m doing a lot better than I had been doing the previous year about not putting myself down all the time. I still have to work on that, and I’m still confused about other things, but I’m not constantly being negative all the time, like I was.
• I went on vacation down to St. George, and saw sights I hadn’t seen before while down there.
• Went to Lava Hot Springs for the first time.
• Went to nearby Camp Lamondi with the Single Adult Ward.
• Hiked King’s Peak for the second time.
• Went to Gen Con, the largest board game convention in the United States.
• Went to Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Went to Fort Collins Temple for the first time.
• Went on a day hike up Antelope Island for the first time in forever.
• Played a bunch of Ultimate Frisbee.
• Tried Pickle Juice flavored Slush at Sonic. It was exactly as good as you’d think it would be.
• Went to FanX Comic Convention for the first time, and I got to get my photo with David Tennant!
• I bought the visual novels for Steins;Gate.
• I hit 30,000 miles on my car, and so of course immediately one of the tires I got with the car from the dealer goes out on me. I bought four new tires, and they should actually last me a while.
• I became team lead at work.
• I bought a Nintendo Switch, and Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu! and played a little bit until I got bored.
• I got a new Niece and Nephew.
• In the movie theaters, I watched Coco, Avengers: Infinity War, Venom, My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
• Got some new board games: Photosynthesis, Iron Dragon, Isle of Sky, and all the remaining expansions for 7 Wonders.

Like I said, overall, it was an enjoyable year. I feel like I talked myself into and then right back out of so many things. Some of that I regret, but I’m happy about the things I convinced myself to do, and I’m happy that some of my plans worked out. I hope 2019 brings me more success.

This year, I plan on getting back into the habit of running, and I want to do better with my gospel study, particularly of the New Testament, since that is what the church is studying this year.

2017 -- A Year in Brief

Another year over, another year older. Maybe wiser? Well... let’s see what happened this year.