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I recently had the chance to sit down for a very candid one-on-one interview with Nick Sandbulte, who I have known since our freshman year at DSU in 2001. While Nick has always been a popular character here on the website, I realized just the other day that he had never been an interview subject! Well, I needed to put that subject to rest once and for all, and find out just what makes Nick tick.
Hello Nick, how are you today?
I’m doing pretty well. The weather is starting to shape back up, so that’s nice.
What is the most exciting thing happening in your life right now?
Honestly, it’s probably that Jason and I have been pretty committed so far to playing tennis on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. We played another 21 games today. Neither of us is that good, but I’m really glad we’re doing that. If I can start adding some racquetball to that, as well as starting to play softball again, this should be a much more active summer than the last few have been.
It took some prying and convincing, but you were able to leave Eden Prairie for Minneapolis with the group. What made you change your original stance against moving to Uptown?
It was largely the comfort factor in continuing to live with someone I already knew what living with was like and the fact that rent is so much cheaper. Plus I figured I should just give it a try. It was never so much that I was against living in Uptown (well, other than the traffic issue) as much as it was that I didn’t see any real benefits to it. And if I’m entirely honest I still don’t get what the big deal about living in Uptown is. There’s nothing wrong with living there, but I don’t really see many benefits to it either. Most of the things I was told when you were trying to sell it to me don’t seem to be true – I think I do less walking now then I did in EP, and I actually eat out less than I used to as well. But it’s not bad. I just don’t understand why there is always a fire somewhere near us.
What are the best and worst parts about living in Minneapolis?
Best part is being able to bike to the Metrodome, the worst is traffic coming home from work. Getting to work I don’t have as much trouble, but coming home, especially on Friday really sucks.
What are your thoughts on living with two girls?
I’m just glad we’re not living with two girls that are super anal about making sure the house is always nice. Honestly I don’t see much difference between living with girls and just living with guys.
Are you enjoying having a dog at the house?
I think it’s pretty clear that Roscoe is my favorite roommate, and if I may speak for him (and I can) I feel that the feeling is mutual. He loves me.
How is work going at Quest?
It’s going pretty well, I think we’re about to have our first major release as part of being Quest, so that should be an interesting learning experience. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of testing, but I’m learning a lot about Foglight (Quest’s main product) and so that’s good.
Do you foresee any promotions or will you be a coder for life?
Well, Quest has 5 level of programmers, and recently I went from the lowest level to the second lowest level, so I kind of got a promotion, although they actually called it a ‘level correction’ or something like that. Apparently they still had me at the level you’re supposed to be at when you’re first hired out of college, not when you have 2 years of experience. But it came with a nice raise, so I’m not complaining.
I understand you are going to Mexico this summer. Tell us about your big trip.
You understand correctly. I forget how many of us are going, but we’ve got three teams each building a house somewhere right over the border. Should be an interesting experience. I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be my first time to Mexico. A big thank you to all those that bought Twins tickets from me to help pay for supplies etc for the trip
Are there any other summer trips or activities planned?
I was hoping to convince everyone to go to California in Aug to see the Twins play down there and see my cousin, but no one really seemed that excited about it, and now it’s looking like Aug. isn’t going to be a good month for me to be vacationing in anyhow, with a wedding and my sister due both being in that month. Plus this Mexico most of my vacation time will have been used, but we’ll see. It would still be fun to do, even if we don’t make it a week long thing like we did with New York last summer.
Are there any young ladies in your life right now, or are you still fighting them off with sticks?
I’m focusing on Roscoe at the moment.
Clearly football is your favorite sport. What do you make of the Vikings offseason so far, and can they compete for a Super Bowl this season?
I’m really pleased with the moves they’ve made. Their defense was good last year and adding Allen should really help. And most of our skill players on offense were really young last year, so hopefully they’ve benefited from having that year of experience under their belt. If Jackson shows any improvement whatsoever from last year, I really think they have a chance to go deep into the playoffs. But it’s early, and I don’t want to get too caught up in how the team looks on paper. That’s for Lions fans to do.
Would you say you are optimistic or pessimistic when it comes to your favorite sports teams?
Pessimistic, I’ve been disappointed too many times. There are times when I get ridiculously optimistic, like I am right now with the Vikes, or when the Twins won the division on that last day two years ago, but usually the teams beat it out of me before too long.
What one thing would you change about the Twins after their poor showing in April?
I don’t know that there is anything I would change, I knew this was going to be a hard year for them, but hopefully one where we could really see what we had in certain players, mainly our pitchers and Gomez. I guess I wouldn’t have minded getting a bigger name for one of the infield spots, none of the players we picked up there have done anything to impress me. That fact the Punto still sees so much time really says a lot.
Do you miss the college days at DSU?
Surprisingly, not as much as I figured I would. I really loved being in college, but I also really like my job and it’s nice having money when I want to do or buy something. Just two weeks ago I randomly dropped $200 at Best Buy – I never would’ve been able to do that before. The only thing I really miss is if you feel like it it’s not hard just to skip class and have a slack day. That doesn’t happen so much any more.
You have been a good sport as the group's designated driver for years. What are your feelings on carting drunks around the city?
We were talking about this coming home on Sat. In the car I was driving 3 out of 5 people in it had been caught driving drunk, and if you would’ve been in the car it would’ve been a 4th person. That’s actually pretty sad. But anyhow, I really don’t mind or really even think about it much anymore. The only weird thing about it is that I’m actually not that good of a driver.
You amazingly have still not tried alcohol to this day, which is all the more impressive considering our group of hard-partying friends. What has been the hardest part about not giving in to peer pressure?
I don’t know why, but it’s not really hard for me. I think it’s due to the extreme arrogance I have. I’ve very convinced that I know what I want/like, and if I don’t want something I just don’t do it, no matter what other people think/say. It’s the same thing that allows me to be completely convinced that American Idol is a awful show no matter how many people like it.
If 912 North Egan had taken off and become a big TV hit, would you have agreed to star as yourself on a national TV sitcom?
You know, I don’t know how much I would enjoy being on a TV show, but at the same time I feel that that would’ve been an opportunity I wouldn’t have been able to pass up, just for the experience of having done it.
What are your feelings on this season of American Idol?
It must not be that special of a season, but I’m seen very little and hear you talk about it almost never. So it’s been one of my favorite seasons.
Which of your friends would give you the biggest challenge in racquetball and/or tennis?
Well, Jake is clearly a better racquetball player than I am, as is Liz’s brother. But if we’re talking about people I actually play against semi-frequently, Patrick usually gives me the most trouble. Tennis I think a lot of people are better than me, I’m not that good. But Jason is the only one who plays me, and we’re actually pretty even.
What is your most impressive personal athletic achievement of all time?
Probably the sheer number of games I’ve won in racquetball.
At what point in your life do you think you will banish roommates and purchase your own home?
I don’t know. I was thinking about trying that route after our year lease was up, but thus far I have saved up a grand total of $0 towards doing that.
Why don't you take flattering pictures?
Because I’m ugly.
What are your thoughts on a possible makeover by the girls?
Interesting idea, but I really don’t think it’ll ever happen. I’m home almost every day at 4-5, and it hasn’t happened yet, so I feel like it’s one of those ideas that is always going to be tossed around but never gains real traction.
Do you think you will ever see Mark Theisen again, and if so, do you think he has changed any since college?
That’s an interesting question. I don’t know, I feel like if I was going to see Theisen again it would’ve already happened at some point, or at least he’d have facebook and we’d keep in touch that way. I hope he never changes.
What is the best place to eat in the Twin Cities?
Qdoba. I really like their queso burritos. I’ve eaten there twice already this week, and it’s only Wed.
What is the best show currently on TV?
Boy, that’s a tough one. Nothing really excites me at this point. There’s certainly no Arrested Development right now. The Office is up there, but right now I’ll give it to Lost – even though that show pisses me off a lot.
Well, thank you for joining us today, Nick. Any closing remarks?
Racquetball?
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