KlonDICK

We found out a little while ago that we didn't make it to the final round of the Klondike Bar Video Contest. I'm not gonna lie, that sucked a bit.

What sucks even worse is that I'm traveling around the Yukon right now and every third word I see is 'Klondike'. Seriously, they need to start naming stuff something else. For example, how about instead of 'The Klondike Hotel' they name it 'The Don't-Worry-About-It-Nick-You'll-Get-'em-Next-Time Hotel". Already that makes me feel better.

 

-nicholas

Into the Wild: The Journey

I had to take a series of flights to eventually arrive in Haines, Alaska (my father's new home).

First, I took a 6 hour flight from New York to Seattle. 

At New York's JFK airport I underwent about an hour-long security check. I had to present my driver's license several times, I removed my laptop from my backpack and placed it separate from my shoes, belt, and jacket; all of which I had to run through the x-ray machine. I was also randomly selected for a complimentary weapons pat-down from an airport security officer.

Second, I took a 2 hour flight from Seattle, WA to Juneau, Alaska.

At the Seattle airport, the security check was much less lenient. I didn't have to remove my shoes, belt or jacket. I did have to separate my laptop from my backpack, though. I still don't know what that separation is supposed to accomplish.

Third, I took a thirty minute flight from Juneau, Alaska to Haines, Alaska. 

The security check at the Juneau Airport consisted of an elderly woman asking me if I was carrying bear mace. After a stunned moment of silence I replied that I was not and she ushered me onboard a plane roughly the size of a riding lawnmower. 

If I ever decide to give up acting in favor of terrorism I've got a pretty good idea which airport I'm going to infiltrate first.

-nicholas

Into the Wild: The Prequel

My father lives in Haines, Alaska. 

This was not always true.

My family used to live in Atlanta, Georgia. We lived there for my entire pre-collegiate life. Except for six months (right after I finished third grade) when my father quit his law firm and moved our entire family to Franklin, North Carolina. His goal was to start a career in canoeing and live there for eternity. He ended up painting for a little while and then taking us back home. 

Fast forward to about three years ago. I had a phone conversation with my father that went something like this....

Dad

So, I'm not working at the law offices anymore.

Me

What? Why? What happened?

Dad

I retired. I'm an ambulance driver now.

Me

What the hell?

So then he was an ambulance driver. A year later there was another conversation that went something like this.

My Brother

So, dad bought a house in Alaska.

Me

What?! Why?! What?! What's going on??

My Brother

I'm not sure.

A few months later, my father was living in Alaska almost full time. Did he quit his job as an ambulance driver in Atlanta, you ask? Certainly not. Did he take on several other, even more ridiculous jobs? Naturally. 

When he's not making the two day commute to Atlanta to drive ambulances; my father works in Alaska as a river raft guide, a EMT for a bobsled race, and a radio DJ. 

'Insane', you scream?

'Par for the course' I soothingly whisper. 

My father has been having a mid-life crisis since before I was born. He's an expert at it.

I will be visiting him in Alaska until August 20th. More updates to come.

-nicholas

Clean as a whistle

What the hell does this phrase even mean?

-nicholas

One of my roomates

This is one of my roomates who just came into my room talking some bullshit. His name is Grant. He is exactly as ridiculous as this photo would lead you to expect.
Need clarification?
He just tried to convince me that he could scale the Empire State Building without any climbing equipment. Also he thinks that vampires don't exist.
Ha! Ridiculous.

Klondike Contest

Alright,

So Klondike is having a contest to see who can make the best Klondike themed video. Brian and I made one a few weeks ago. Huge thanks to the help of our talented friends Jessy Hodges, Noah Lagin, Daniel Platzman, and Pete Scalzetti.

You can watch and rate the video here

Give it a high ranking and get yourself a guarantee that I will like you a lot!

-nicholas

My music career.

Recently, I took a trip to San Antonio for my cousin Lauren's wedding. I spent a few days at my grandfather's lakehouse. It was awesome and it led me to the decision that I need to get off my ass and start a solo music career. How did I reach this decision you ask? Well, my good man, because I now have the perfect album cover.



I'm MAJESTIC!

-nicholas

A nice photo.

This is an old photo but I like it a lot. It was taken using 'Photo Booth' (I had just purchased a Macbook) in the middle of a flight to San Francisco. Five days from when the photo was taken, we, Brian and I and the rest of our cast, would be performing live for the first time under the name BriTANicK. It would also be my 22nd birthday, and we would meet Robin Williams. Not a bad January at all.

-nicholas

1st post

Alright,

So after being pretty against blogging for a while, I've decided to try my hand at it.

I initially was against the idea of blogging mainly due to the pressure (possibly irrational) that I, myself should start a blog. I worried that I would lack the motivation to update it daily. I have the same fear when it comes to journals. I love the idea of journals. Of, many years from now, being able to read anecdotes and observations from my youth. I also love the idea of being one of those cool people that others see writing god knows what in their trendy moleskine booklets. I've always been jealous of those people. They're so cool. What the hell are they writing?? About something more interesting than my life? Probably. Cool.

I've tried keeping a journal, believe you me I have tried. I have ultimately failed each and every time because (a) I lack the motivation to update it daily and (b) I assume that eventually it will be read by others. Because I assume that other people will read it, I feel the need to make sure that every thought in it is well-written, not mean to anyone, and does not reveal any personal secrets. This completely removes any of the possible therapeutic benefits I've heard that keeping a journal has.

To sum things up, journals are not for me. Maybe blogging is. Let's find out.

-nicholas