Oxford University Press's
Academic Insights for the Thinking World

Meet the New Assistants!

A few weeks ago, we were joined by two wonderful new publicity assistants, Nick and Bobby. Now that they’re settled in, I decided it was time to harass properly introduce them to you. Hopefully this (incredibly interesting) Q&A will show how lucky we are to have them on board.

Do you speak (or pretend to speak) any other languages?

Nick: Yes, Farsi. My parents were born and raised in Iran. They came to the US to continue their studies at college. They met here in the States and a few years later I entered the picture. My first language was, in fact, Farsi. I grew up in a house where my parents and grandparents both spoke to me in Farsi. I did not learn English until I was in early elementary school. Looking back, this now explains so much…

Bobby: I studied Spanish up until sophomore year of college, but I can’t really call what I do with the language “speaking” it.  I also studied some Japanese when I studied abroad, and I can now ask where the train station is, I think.

What is your favorite book that was not originally published in English?

Nick: War and Peace. I read it for the first time a few years back after my brother continuously insisted on my commitment to finishing the behemoth of a book. Finally, I gave in and I am now forever indebted to him. This book is my bible and is undoubtedly this best piece of literature ever created. It is both a beautiful story as well as a deep philosophical piece that proves to be a perpetually modern novel that will never lose its relevance in society. This is the only intellectual answer I will provide, promise.

Bobby: Labyrinths by Borges, which might not count since it’s a collection of short stories.  No other author has inspired so many moments of disturbed awe and wonder for me.  I like when a book freaks me out enough that I have to leave the room.

Fill in the blank: Don’t stop _____________.
(a) believing
(b) ’til you get enough
(c) the music

Nick: ’til you get enough.

Bobby: Believing, duh.

What’s your favorite viral video?

Nick: Does Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video count?

Bobby: Stalking cat.

Which is more awesome: a Jesus Christ lizard, or a sugar glider?

Nick: Jesus Christ lizard, for sure.

Bobby: A Jesus Christ glider.

What’s your favorite word/term of 2010?

Nick: It’s a tie between “Brown chicken brown cow” (the new way of saying “bow-chika-bow-wow”) and “Cobra yawn” (which is when you inadvertently squirt saliva from your mouth when you yawn–I know, it’s gross, but don’t judge. I wasn’t the one who came up with it.).

Bobby: “Insanity band.”

What’s the oddest job you’ve ever had?

Nick: Teaching English in Thailand.

Bobby: Working for a crazy old man’s travel firm, which was run out of his house.  He wanted to make me his protégé, but I soon discovered things in his garage which implied that he wanted me to be something more, at which point I promptly terminated the employment.

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Nick: Team Edward?

Bobby: Team Coco.

If you two went head-to-head on an episode of Wipe Out, who would win?

Nick: I don’t have the best center of gravity, so Bobby would probably win.

Bobby: I had to look up what “Wipe Out” was, and it looks like no one wins on that show.

If you had to pick a theme song to play every time you entered a room, what would it be?

Nick: Definitely would have to go with Beyoncé, “Single Ladies.”

Bobby: “Freshly Squeezed,” from the Twin Peaks soundtrack.  I think it was Cooper’s theme.

Recent Comments

  1. Candice Gius

    Bobby is the best!!! Bookstore <3 my friend!

  2. Cassie

    The Stalking Cat videos are hilariously awesome.

    Congrats on the job, guys! OUP is an amazing place. Hope you like it!

  3. LK

    Aw… new kids! Be real nice to Purdy and kiss Betsy’s a**.

  4. Sarah Noonan

    Nick and Bobby, congratulations! I interned with OUP publicity last year and it’s a great group to work with! Lauren, you’re doing a great job with the blog! Love the third question! (My answer is a).

  5. […] Nick Mafi, Oxford University Press employee extraordinaire […]

Comments are closed.