I don't use the search feature.
The regular Friend Code thread is obviously going to be in the Friend Code forum. It was on the first page, so it wasn't that hard to find.
I remembered that the "real" Friend Code thread was created by thatguy, so I opened up his profile, select "show the last posts of this person", and then select "view member topics". Since we were using the term "hula-hoops" instead of "friend codes", I hit control + F and searched for the phrase "hula". The thread came up on the first page.