February 2, 2001

Today is Nathan's last day at work. He's a contractor and his contract is up. It's not like we wouldn't like to renew his contract, but it is never quite that simple. In some ways, I envy him. He's going to be spending his time off work in Hawaii. I could spent time in Hawaii, I suppose. I could do many things to rationalize it, but the bottom line is that I just haven't made time for it. I have no one to blame but myself.

I like Nathan. He's a percussionist with amazing finger dexterity. I remember the first day I met him at work, he had a number of drumsticks in his bag. Now, I can twirl drumsticks, but I can't play the drums; my friend Tom can play the drums, but he can't twirl drumsticks. It's really a simple concept of using the knuckle of your index finger to rotate the drumstick; after the first loop, maintaining the motion is fairly easy due to angular momentum. Sorry, I'm an engineer and have to use physics terms. Oh, but we digress. Not only can Nathan due this simple twirling between his index and middle finger, he can also maintain this rotation and continue spinning the drumstick between each of his successive fingers and back. The effect is a bit mesmerizing.

Nathan was the one who refered me to Chuck and the Lucky Devil. He is one of maybe three people in our group with piercings. I, of course, have my right nipple pierced. I'll admit to feeling a bit lopsided now, but I plan to get the other one done, maybe on the first birthday of my first piercing. We had exchanged a number of piercing stories, we have drastically different stories, but that's because we have different piercings. Still we have exchanged some information on what is normal swelling, bleeding, healing, etc. Maybe it is some sort of brotherhood. We even exchanged chatted about the piercer, Chuck and how cute she was.

I remember him for his sense of style. He wore t-shirts of 80's video games, and though some might have seen it as a bit silly; it certainly did not deter him. I like that; that's conviction.

As I wondered by his desk to say goodbye to him. He gave me a parting present. He gave me a can of WhoopAss. I cannot make this up. See the picture… He really game me a can of WhoopAss. To tell you the truth I didn't even know the stuff existed. It's an energy drink that is loaded with thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6. I was grateful and a bit curious. Admittedly, I also want to save it… call it a memento. I should just chill it and if I ever get the urge I'll drink it.

I suppose the moral of the story is… you really can open up a can of WhoopAss.

February 2, 2001