The Meter’s Running

I’m at a loss.

I did not want to write this. This one wasn’t so fun. I’m not a fan of admitting defeat.

While narcissistically attending U of M’s final, misery-inducing, cold, home game (during which it was somehow simultaneously raining and snowing which served to simultaneously dampen my six layers of clothing and my spirits) of Michigan’s worst season since football and academia became so inexplicably and intricately involved, I received a phone call from Tahiti Green. He informed me that I lost. Apparently, the Texans had won.

Now, just to answer … Continue Reading

Before we set off on this road trip, I considered betting Chris (whom I furtively refer to as “Tahiti Green” as that is the vehicle color he was assigned to / bestowed upon and what I saved him in my cell phone under) that I would win this contest. Not that I would be parking a brand new Aveo5 in my drive way, but that one of my passengers would rise to the challenge.

My pride is on the line. And I’m honestly quite nervous. Tahiti Green’s videos get a lot of views. His three finalist videos average 31,440 … Continue Reading

For anyone who actually reads my weblogs, I want to apologize for yesterday’s. Truth be told, it was lame. I painted a standard picturesque scene of Any College, USA, and threw in a notable mountain. I’m sure much more elegantly spoken people have written about how pleasant Seattle is before me. Perhaps how the mountainous skyline seamlessly thread tree line to Seattle skyline to sea lions… Who cares? It’s nice. And even worse, I threw in some sympathy-seeking, “I’m not feeling well *cough cough*” sentiment with some sentimental garble … Continue Reading

I just wanted to thank everyone at U-Dub who participated in the promotion, and even the students who politely let me tell them why I was offering them a free ride. Of the three campuses I had the pleasure of escorting students around, in my opinion, UW was the most beautiful. Following along a path that runs through the center of campus, buildings have an ornate, studious European quality to them. The path eventually leads to a huge, circular geyser-like fountain with the picturesque Mount Rainier centered as … Continue Reading

Nate visits a local attraction…

I’m an addict. It’s official. I just have to come clean. I’m addicted to America’s number one abused drug: caffeine. I just hope I can live with this stain on my record (and my teeth).

Seattle is known for its coffee. And I’m taking full advantage: Almost too full of advantage. See, I like coffee. I’m a “fill ‘er to the top, no room for cream” black-coffee drinker. And since I’ve been living out of hotels the past month, free coffee is as regular as rain in Seattle. However, similar to other popular beverages, the more I drink, the … Continue Reading

This evening, I attended a discussion between the University of Washington’s Dean of the Business school and a prominent figure in Seattle—William Gates, Senior: the father of Billy Gates. And I must say, I can see how such a smart apple (or should I say PC? Oops.) fell from this tall tree of a man. He attended the University of Washington for both undergrad and law school. In fact, the UofW Law School’s building is named William H Gates Hall in his honor.

I wasn’t sure what to expect: Perhaps a frail, tight-fisted, crotchety man with a grey bowl-cut. … Continue Reading

I proudly proclaim a prophetic premonition: The prominent promoters prolifically promoting their provocative production will promptly proclaim this promotional prize. I promise. In other words, this promotion is all about PR.

While my official stance is still that I love all my passengers’ videos the same—as though they were my own children—there are some videos that especially stand out in my mind. You might even call them my favorites. (Hey, even Jesus had his favorites! Isn’t that right, John?) For instance, Colin’s “The Story of Mary” video blows me away. My jowl droops while his jaw drops the well-spoken … Continue Reading

Have you heard the song, “One Down” by Ben Folds? I consider it inspirational.

I try to get all my rides before nightfall. The dark is not conducive for this promotion for a few reasons:

1. The camera’s auto-focus has trouble with the poor lighting, making the passengers appear as though they’re in a lower-budget Blair Witch-like film.

2. There’s much less foot traffic at night.

3. Students are already leery when I ask them to get into a car to make a video in broad daylight, so the darkness doesn’t help the creepy factor one bit, especially if they can’t read the usually conspicuous “Livin’ Large” screen print decorating the Aveo.

4. … Continue Reading