On Day 241 I met up with the Russian Channel One team again. They came to my apartment and filmed a little and then we headed over to Dupont Circle to find a recipient. The first person I stopped was a young guy named Oliver. He said “no” originally and then he said something that was very interesting. After we spoke for a few minutes he made me an offer. “I’ll take your ten-dollar bill if you take my twenty-dollar bill.” I thought that was a really cool idea. He was pushing my concept to the next level. Unfortunately as you may know, I can not receive anything in return for my $10 so I couldn’t do that. That was his condition on taking my money and unfortunately things didn’t work out, but I loved his creativity. I didn’t get his information, but hopefully he will check this out and drop me a line! I liked his style!
I then approached another person who said they were running late and didn’t have time.
Eric at Dupont Circle (photo: Reed)
They say that the third time is a charm. Well, Eric helped make that statement come to fruition. He looks to be a twenty-something who works for an IT company where you can dress how you want and the hours are flexible. Well, I was pretty much right-on. He works as a software developer for a non-profit that uses the power of the Internet to catalyze greater government openness and transparency, and provides new tools and resources for media and citizens, alike. Basically it seems like they try to improve transparency and help the public connect with the government. And since it was close to 10am, I think I am right about the flexible hours too.
Eric is originally from the Catskills of New York but has also lived in Boston and NYC before coming to DC. “I really like it here,” he says. That might be largely as a result of his job as it turns out. Either he really likes it or hopes that his boss reads this because he told me, “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been working where I am now. There’s just 35 of us, it’s pretty cool.”
Eric talking to Andrey from Russian Channel One (photo: Reed)
He keeps himself busy outside of the office as well. “I like to do improv comedy and ride my unicycle.” That’s right, Eric rides a unicycle. He told me that one day when he was in Boston he saw a guy riding to work on a unicycle and he asked him if he could borrow it some time and the guy agreed. Apparently it’s a small trusting community. I mean, it would be easy to spot them if they don’t bring it back, right! I assume he has his own now and didn’t keep the other guy’s unicycle and flee to Washington. Hmmm…anyone missing a unicycle up in Boston?
Eric has “a few brothers” and is the proud father of a cat. He also has a girlfriend – sorry ladies. Speaking of which, he said that my $10 would help him take his girlfriend to dinner.
I finished and then the guys from Channel One had a chat with Eric for a while and we parted ways. Cool guy.
Year of Giving 