#NerdsUnite: All over with Oliver - Cost Efficient Travel, FTW!
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Oliver. We met not too long ago after he dropped me a nerdy little love note via email asking if he could write for us. Dudes, the email was so well written, and interesting that I didn't even ask for a writing sample. Cool dude. Seems like he might be kinda nuts too - but in the best way possible. I only have one more thing left to say ... HIT IT OLIVER!! </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @oliverdomer
What's a nubian?
I emailed Jen for a few different reasons. First, like most other writers, her website is actually pretty awesome and resonates with many, including yours truly. Secondly, I like to write but have never written for anybody other than myself or a teacher. Third, I have one twitter follower. Like seriously, I rarely interact with anyone on twitter. That needs to change.
The challenge posited by Jen: who am I and why am I nerdy? Hmmm. And so the wheels turned, but first I had to go on a trip (I'll come back to this). So, I'll start simply.
My name is Oliver and I'm originally from south Florida. My means of survival is primarily through my IT job. I work at a hospital helping implement and maintain their their software systems. Pretty common and typical you say. Well...
- Excel shortcuts. No really, any keyboard shortcuts will seriously make my day. Anything that makes things go faster and me more efficient. Plus, it impresses my colleagues. Current favorite: Windows key + Tab
- I have no Twitter followers. I have no online friends, though a healthy IRL social base. The former is not acceptable. I want internet friends. Nay, I need internet friends.
- I like lists. I make lists for everything. To-do lists. Countdown lists. Reasons I like/dislike something.
- I once picked up a girl at wedding while talking about the archaeological remains of a hominid found in a cave in South Africa. I guess, knowing really random things pays off.
- I love blogs. I read and follow around 40 of them. Anything from fitness to humorous to travel blogs. I visit my Google Reader at least 10 times a day.
Not nerdy enough?
Granted, I may not be nerdy. When I first saw the movie Chasing Amy, I didn't know what a nubian was. But here's what I do know, through people like Jen and other bloggers like her, I look to own whoever I am and do epic shit. For some, that means founding their own company, running a website, being on top of your class or ultramarathoning. The latter is defined differently from person to person and there is no right answer. That is what makes it so great.
For me, it's travel. Around the corner, around the US, around the world. The caves I mentioned above? I saw them on my trip to the World Cup in South Africa. For New Years, I went to Tokyo and celebrated 2012 from the second largest Chinatown in the world in Yokohama. Through the power of blogs, I follow people who are on legendary round the world trips, while others are riding their bikes across the US.
Travel for me is about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and, frankly, because the world was meant to be explored. The best part? You don't need to scour the ends of the earth. Exploration can take place anywhere and anytime, even your own city. You just need the time and will to do it.
TNTML shows the different ways people can open up themselves to new experiences. I want to show you how creative and cost-efficient travel has worked for me.
Party on Wayne.
#nerdsunite
Wanna follow @oliverdomer? Click the link - and make it happen!
P.S. - This is me in the arms of a moose during a trip to New Hampshire last summer.