Brent Nichols is better than me. He dresses better than me, has carried a cell phone for three years more than me, is from a better suburb than me, and was even early to our meeting. He can probably even drink more beer than me. Observe:
 

I'm a Classics and Political Science major.
 

Brent, I haven't even asked you a question yet. Did you ever study abroad?

I never went abroad for an entire semester. I didn't want to miss college basketball.

But I did go to Rome for 4 weeks with the Classics department. It was pretty fun. I had to get up every morning at 7:00 to see a bunch of historical sites: museums, the Coliseum, and some historical baths. But I couldn't watch the NFL playoffs in Rome. I think I found the only bar in all of Rome that was televising the playoffs.
 

Are you a Macalester basketball fan?

I am a fan. I went to a few games but it's painful to watch the coaching.
 

Speaking of Macalester, what do you think about the decision to fund the construction of the windmill as the senior class gift?

I would have preferred the pool tables, but it seems befitting of Mac.
 

Again of Macalester, how did you decide to leave your LA roots for Minnesota?

I'm from West LA, James.
 

Sorry.

I interviewed a basketball player from my high school for the school newspaper. He was going to Macalester so that's how I sort of learned about it. As for coming here, I think it was temporary insanity.
 

Is it difficult being a member of MacGOP at a predominantly liberal school?

It's sort of softened me up over the past years. I'm an atheist, pro-choice, Republican. My first-year I think people were a little more shocked with my politics. But I think there were more and more kids that were of a more leftist-hippie movement. I was even embarrassed to talk on my cell phone my first-year.
 

What sort of advice would you give first-years?

Get off-campus more and don't major in English. That department has unbelievable turnover. I was an English major for a year before I decided to study Classics.
 

What's your comment on the recent discussion about athletics and wellness at Macalester?

I am sympathetic to the plight. I was a little concerned about John Leaney's comments concerning his opinion about Admissions at Macalester. I generally support Macalester's commitment to admit athletes that are both good students and good athletes.

My father went to Occidental College. They just accepted a bunch of Division I basketball transfers and are having a pretty good season—but at what cost?
 

What about a new facility?

I think a new facility would do a lot.
 

You used to be a mainstay of The Mac Weekly staff. Do you miss anything about it?

The camaraderie—
 

What are your plans for this summer?

I'll probably sit on my ass in LA. Next year, I'm trying to study law somewhere in California.
 

What's with dressing better than me, Brent?

It's not hard, James—just sweaters and slacks. You're a pseudo-preppie.
 

Ouch.

I'm going to Mexico over break with some friends from LA. I'll be back on Thursday to see the start of the NCAA tournament.
 

Great.

I bought a T-shirt that says "No War Until After the Final Four."
 

Hmm.

My UCLA Bruins are having a tough year.
 

There are no grizzly bears in California, Brent.

Really? They're extinct? We're working on the mountain lion, too.
 

This interview is over.