Better Know A Classmate: Nick T

This week's interview features Nick, who is the first person I have interviewed that has both 1.> been inside my current home, and 2.> not broken one of the windows of my current home with a rock because he locked himself out and it was freezing cold and there was no one around to unlock the door. (Thanks again, Phil!)

And remember, I don't only interview people whose furniture I've moved up several flights of stairs (Thanks again, Nick!). If you'd like to be featured on a website that's already garnered several complaints, send me an email or leave a note in the comments.

Our team is what?
Dynamite!
Our team is what?
Dynamite!
Our team is Nick Nick Nick Nick Nick Nick Nick Nick
BOOM!
Dynamite!

* * *

Elena is your wife. Previously, she was not your wife, and she was in California, and you were not. What is your advice for successfully managing a long-distance relationship?

There are two schools of thought: 1) Absence makes the heart grow fonder, 2) Out of sight…out of mind. I suggest subscribing to the former.

In his interview, Frank ranked his Asian-ness a 7. On a scale of 1-10, how Hispanic are you? What about Elena? Please qualify your rankings.

Great question. There are few questions such as this that truly reach to the core of an individual. I often wonder precisely how “Hispanic” I am. You will be delighted to know, as I am, that I am now able to empirically answer this question. Based on the U.S. 2000 Census, there are seven Hispanic types of statistical significance. These are Mexicans, Puerto Rican, Central American, South American, Cuban, Dominican, and Spanish. Seven types. I am one: Mexican. Subsequently, I can say, with 100% certainty, that I am 14.28% Hispanic. Therefore, keeping the same ratio constant, on a scale of 1-10, I am a 1.4.

Elena is half-Mexican. Therefore she is .7 on a scale of 1-10.

I appreciate your precision. Circa 2004, I served you your first taste of summer sausage. Why were you so late in trying summer sausage, and how has your life changed since that fateful night?

In response to the first part of your question, I would pose my own question: Why is anyone ever so early in eating summer sausage? Has it been the “cool” sausage for years? When is the last time you had chorizo? What has taken you so long?

In response to the latter part of your question; Yes, it has changed my life. I now have an experience in common with rural America. I feel like the common-man.

Nick, you're not being fair. You know for a fact that I eat chorizo every morning with my huevos rancheros. You played tennis in your high school days, and I believe you have called BC's new courts, "The House that Tejeda Built". Does is sting to see the fancy new courts, knowing that you played your matches in what was essentially an occassionally dry pond, fit for nothing more than a Christmas tree fundraiser?

It does not sting to see the fancy new courts as much as it stings to be physically locked out of them. Seriously, do they need to be locked down like friggin’ Fort Knox? Oooo, I might try to wear black-soled tennis shoes on the court. That is the way I roll.

Please describe your previous occupation in horrifically mundane detail; also, please tell us about the classes you are currently taking.

In short, I served in a consultative and business development role for clients in a 22-state area for a healthcare technology company. Sorry, you get no more detail than that. I refuse to believe anyone gives a damn.

Currently, I am wrapping up my graduate degree in Health Administration (MHA) at KU Med. Theoretically, this prepares me to run a hospital. Current classes include strategic marketing, managed care reimbursement, quality improvement, health and social behavior, and policy. Under-water basket weaving was full.

Nick sports his facepaint at Browntrush Park, pre-tailgate party,
prior to a 1996 BC/KMC hoops game. I think.

What is your favorite word?

Leverage.

What is your least favorite word?

Whatever.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

People who try.

What turns you off?

People who won’t try.

What is your favorite curse word?

The f-bomb.

What sound or noise do you love?

Tires on gravel.

What sound or noise do you hate?

People chewing on crunchy food. I want to beat my television every time one of those cereal commercials comes one that brags about how freaking obnoxiously loud they sound when eaten.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Epidemiologist for the state of Kansas.

What profession would you not like to do?

Epidemiologist for any sub-Saharan nation.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

“I practice Affirmative Action.”

What was your favorite class at BC?

Study hall after Father Orr’s class.

Is there anything you would have done differently in your time at BC?

Actually, honestly wouldn’t change anything. Except for the way I approached my studies. Probably would have chosen entirely different friends. Might have gone with a different family. Otherwise, I’m good.