Table of Contents -- Ax da DangerDude
- What's the deal with the 'danger' imagery?
- And what about 'rastrum'?
- I've heard you studied German in college. What the hey for?
- What goofy goals in life would you like to accomplish?
- Can you tell us a little more about yourself?
- What is the meaning of life?
- What is your record for free T-shirts?
- Could you tell us your favourite free T-shirt story?
- What are your favourite films?
- If you were a Spice Girl, who would you be?
- What other sobriquets are you known by?
- What is your latest revelation?
- Are you living la vida loca?
- How many Wombles can you name? How about the Banana Splits?
- What nationalities have you been mistaken for?
What's the deal with the 'danger' imagery?
In my former life (job) I used to work in the Data Processing department (hated it!) of a minor financial institution. I inadvertently brought the mainframe to its knees on more than one occasion, so I earned the sobriquet "Peligro." Instead of being insulted, I actually like the appellation. Then about that time one of my office mates went to Peru for vacation, and he reported that over there, the James Bond movie (that's right, it wasn't worthy to be called a "film") "A View to a Kill" was released as "Mi Nombre es Peligro" ("My Name is Danger"). The rest is history.
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And what about 'rastrum'?
'Rastrum' is Latin for 'rake' or any (gap) toothed implement that sweeps things clean. Or the other definition of 'rake' could be a libertine or licentious person. Take your pick. I also part my teeth in the middle. Coincidence? I think not!
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I've heard you studied German in college. What the hey for?
The quaint and true answer to this was that ever since I was a senior at high school (Glen A. Wilson High in Hacienda Heights, CA), I started listening to grand opera, and Wagner in particular. So in college, in order to more effectively appreciate Wagner's libretti to his Gesamptkunstwerk, I studied the German language for over two years. To this day, when writing long hand, I would rather use the German '�' instead of 'ss' and pronounce all Germanic names the way they should. I also say "Gesamptkunstwerk" instead of "Gesundheit". But that's a German/Wagnerian in-joke and could be the subject of another FAQ. Some folks just don't believe that I did speak and study German. So for proof I would offer sing the "Preislied" from "Die Meistersinger von N�rnberg". That would shut them up!
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What other goofy goals in life would you like to accomplish?
For starters, I would like to learn how to juggle and ride a unicycle (doesn't have to be simultaneously).
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Can you tell us a little more about yourself?
I am currently working for a software configuration shop in Roseville, after a short stint working the Y2k scam at a wireless telephone company. That's what Y2k preparation was, just a scam. I defy anyone to tell me otherwise! I received my Certified Quality Assurance certification in 1998. And in the same year, my Certified Software Testing Engineer certification. My wife, Merly, and two kids: Stefan (11) and Genny (9) live in a suburb of Sacramento, CA. That's where the women are strong, the men are good looking, and the children are above average. Oh, that's for Lake Wobegon! I just hit the big 4-0 a few moons ago. Have you seen my letters published in Mad Magazine? Here they are: #183, #296, and an honourable mention in #332!
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What is the meaning of life?
The meaning of life is ... fish. And also 42.
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What's your record for free T-shirts?
That would be the 5 T-shirts in 45 minutes, 15 overall in three hours at Software Development 98 in San Francisco. At the same conference last year, I harvested 20 of the buggers in a 7-hour span; I average about 30 a year during the trade show season. Sorry, this is a talent and a skill that is difficult to teach.
Update: During Software Development '99 West/San Francisco, my first day haul was 28 T-shirts! And the next day, 20 T-shirts and a windbreaker. I could have gotten a lot more if I didn't have to go to class! (Contrary to popular belief, I do have some class).
Other update: At Software Development '01 in San Jose, my haul for 8 hour's work was 26.
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Could you tell us your favourite free T-shirt story?
Many moons ago, I took my wife, Merly to a software trade show in San Francisco. One of the exhibitors was WordPerfect, and they were doing a demo of their new karaoke software. So Merly and I sat down to see what the fuss was all about. The booth babe (presenter) axed for volunteers to try out the software, and get a (free!) T-shirt in return. Without any hesitation, and before Merly could do anything, I up on the stage in a flash and belting out "Wild Thing" while a hundred or so technogeeks watched in awe and admiration. While Merly was cringing in embarrassment, I didn't care; nobody knew me and I got a free T-shirt, and she didn't! Needless to say, that T-shirt holds a hallowed place in my wardrobe (along with the 70 or so free shirts I've managed to be "given" over the years.) Her punchline: "I can't believe you did that to me"!
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What are your favourite films?
In no particular order, they are:
- Citizen Kane
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Cinem� Paradiso
- Casablanca
- Gone with the Wind
- Godfather I & II
- Saving Private Ryan
- Disney's Beauty and the Beast
- War and Peace (directed by Sergei Bondarchuk)
- Pulp Fiction
- Dr. Zhivago
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
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If you were a Spice Girl, who would you be?
Old Spice.
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What other sobriquets are you known by?
Howzabout, "The Man with the Plan," "The Dude with the 'tude," "Man, Myth, Legend", "The Host with the Most", etc. "Hey you" is surprisingly effective also.
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What is your latest revelation?
That I am actually a good lookin' sumbitch!
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Are you living la vida loca?
No.
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How many Wombles can you name? How about the Banana Splits?
I can only name two -- Bulgaria and Orinoco. Fleagle is the only Banana Split I remember.
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What nationalities have you been mistaken for?
The most common mistake people make is that I'm Indian (Indian Indian, not woo-woo Indian). Then I've also been confused for Pakistani, Thai, Arabic, Indonesian, Malaysian, even Tibetan or Mexican! It's a losing battle trying to explain how I look Flip!
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Val A. Balagot
[email protected]
Copyright � DangerDude Productions. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 07, 2001.