nick-duval

[nick-duval]

Most stylish backpack -- there, I fixed it for you.

Sweet, then I don't actually have to lure you into the woods with candy. Which... sounds super sketchy when I say it like that, but is... not? If you need a ride let me know, we'll make it work. Pffft, as if Max doesn't already immediately roll over for belly rubs every time you get within ten feet of him, he's such a sucker, 🙄

Hi hello

Your resident backpack is reporting for duty.

I can't join the gang on Friday, but I'll be there the rest of the weekend with snacks galore. I'll also bring pet toys for my son since I need to remind him who loves him mostest.

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I'm literally an inch taller than you, Jefferson. Don't make me get the tape measure.

I mean, I AM very charming and your mom is an excellent judge of character, but I can do you one better: I'll get my mom on it. They're thick as thieves anyway, if I just happen to tell Mama Duval you could use a break and are a little worried about leaving the Spider-kitties alone, she'll be on the phone to your mom and have it sorted in seconds.

Sure, sure, you might be marginally cooler, but let’s be real—I still have the height advantage! 🌟

I've actually been thinking about joining you guys for the camping trip. It sounds like a blast! So how about, instead of staging a one-man sit-in at my office tomorrow, you use those smooth-talking skills of yours to convince my mom to look after Frodo and Samwise while I’m off pretending to be a rugged outdoorsman? I’d hate to leave my little troublemakers home alone. If you help me out and work your charm on Mama Sterling, I promise I’ll bring the s'mores! 🏕️🐾

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That’s still statistically fewer dad jokes attributed to me, Jefe. Which makes me marginally cooler than you by your own admission, no take backs.

Oi, you coming camping with us? I will literally park myself in your office tomorrow and make a nuisance of myself until you agree, and you know how good I am at being a professional nuisance.

No regrets here! Seriously, the world could use all the dad jokes it can get. 😂 I’ll own up to it—I might be the king of cringe-worthy humor at work, but let’s be real: you’re totally responsible for at least 36.4% of the bad ones too. So, we’re in this together! Just picture us as the ultimate duo of dad jokes—saving the world one pun at a time!

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This is how you convince yourself: say those words out loud in front of me, and then sit back and watch me be persuasive. Office is closed for Labor Day, and if I have to kick you out at noon the Friday before, don’t think I won’t do it. Especially since I fully intend to drag Jeff along for the ride, and that’s BOTH of us to stare you down until you have a little fun. And doesn’t Sunnydale want to be best buds with Max? 🥺🥺🥺

There's a part of me that wants to do a hybrid of both tents and cabin, but to be honest if this is the vacation I'm finally going to agree to go on - I'm going cabin. I don't think I've ever taken Sunnydale on any sort of vacation, so I'll probably just bring him with; he deserves the break too. Now the question is how do I convince myself to actually take a vacation?

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Absolutely, and delighted to have you, Rory! I'll add your name to the list -- do you have a preference on bring-your-own-tent, the campground provided 'glamping' tents, or cabin? I'm already planning to bring a metric ton of marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate so you can tell us all about what's been keeping you so busy over s'mores by the fire pit.

I'm a little late to the party, considering I've been in my own world for a little over a month now. Honestly? I'm down to go camping. I've been meaning to do it all summer, but life has kept me busy. I appreciate you for doing all the research and such, lad.

Please, put me down as interested in joining.

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Okay, so I think I've found an option that might work for both tent and cabin camping, so let me know if you're actually interested in joining, yeah? It's pet friendly, of course -- I wouldn't pick someplace I couldn't take Max, not so soon after leaving him for two weeks. I'm looking at Labor Day weekend, and I figure we can all convene at one campsite or cabin during the day and evening, and then scatter to our respective accommodations at bedtime.

For those who might be interested: Keen Lake Camping & Cottages. It's about a 2 hour drive. Includes tent camping, lakefront "glamping" (tents with beds, but communal baths), and rental units with private baths. Plus it looks gorgeous, with lots of water activities on the lake, including a 'pet beach' that I think Max would LOVE to explore with some of his buddies!

And for anyone who's curious about the poll -- results below!

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I didn't say I was mad about it.

If we're getting technical here, I don't even like wearing a tie -- I have to for court days and when I'm meeting with clients, but half the time that thing's off and tossed halfway across the office by mid-afternoon. Be glad you don't have to wear one.

...Well now I want to see it. Smudged eyeliner and everything.

I am offended by that.

FINE. Just for you I won't wear a tie, that can be a Nicky only thing.

You better - otherwise I was going to turn into an early 2000's emo chick and go sit by the water for a looooooooooooooooong time.

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Legal briefs, you absolute nightmare, 😂 Now everybody can see what I have to deal with on a daily basis, and who’s responsible for the vast majority of the dad jokes at work. And anyone who thought that would've been me? ...Well, I can't really blame them for that, but they're wrong.

So, have I officially dropped my intro on Tumblr yet? If not, let’s change that: here I am! Your boy Jeff is finally making his debut. How’s everyone doing today? I’m super pumped to connect with all of you. Come say hi if you didn't already. And I’ve got a quick, fun question for you: What kind of underwear do lawyers usually rock?

You guessed it—BRIEFS!!!

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Who says they're unchecked? I check them religiously. Checked and double-checked. I have a checklist and everything. The fact that you just said they left behind no photographic evidence, keep up, Lots, 😜

Just because I made it up doesn't mean it's not valid! The sound of surf crashing against the shore is totally calming white noise, they even have it on apps for that sort of thing. And I DID post photographic evidence of ocean views, but you called their validity as evidence into question. Which: rude. Gonna make Stace show you half her camera roll from Mexico, see if you call her an unreliable witness.

Whimsy-friendly firm or not, you’re just lucky I haven’t started drafting a strongly worded memo on the dangers of unchecked shenanigans. Could be a landmark case. Might even have my name on it. Imagine the precedent. And — just what makes you think I don't have photographic and videographic proof of these tomfooleries?

And please, the “seaside exception” is obviously something that you made up to justify pretending you’re not technically on vacation and working. If I hear so much as one seagull or the faint sound of waves in the background, I am totally calling you out. Also — I’m going to need documented, photographic evidence of these alleged ocean views. Strictly for legal purposes, obviously.

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Kinky. I've never considered a sentient treadmill up until right now, but my relationship with my non-sentient treadmill might be longer than most of my actual relationships, and I'm not entirely sure how sad that is. I'm kind of a sucker for getting outside, and living in NYC and Philly never did entirely break me of that habit -- 'outside' is just a lot nicer when there's trees and streams and squirrels for Max to try his little puppy best to befriend.

The one in Date Everything would want to wrestle you, though how sexual you let that become would depend on how attractive you find a sentient treadmill built like a Viking. But that is neither here nor there in this scenario. I've finally gotten back into some strength training and it feels so good, but I do find myself missing the feeling of a good outdoor session.

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That is... kind of ingenious. Terrifying, but ingenious. I have a carrier for Max for bike trail days, but nothing that fancy -- he just peers over my shoulder like a wiggly furry menace, 😂

Huh, I could have sworn I had pics, but no... I do, however, have a video. *sends video* Open carefully, bunny cuteness overload.

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You've already been camping this year and didn't invite me?? I'm gutted, Schuester. Gutted. I have basic supplies I can share, but I'm slightly concerned if naked camping is actually an option for you. There are bugs, Matt. BUGS.

That’s the way I roll, too. Done the camping thing a couple times this year but I’m down for a third. Cabin, tent, a sleeping bag by a campfire. I’m good. Just need to have the supplies because if this is a naked and afraid type thing I’m fucked.

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Max is the BEST boy, and I'm not just saying that because I'm shamelessly biased on his behalf. So what I'm hearing is that you've got Spider-kitties -- I support their wall-crawling adventures, ngl. Max is the best pillow though, except for me when he decides that I really don't need to get anything done on a Saturday and my lap looks comfy.

I feel like this might be slightly more harrowing for the interns and junior associates who don't have offices with doors that close, but I also feel like Max could make it worth their while, especially if treats are involved.

Befriending squirrels, so cute... Max is a good boy. (I plead the 5th) I'll let my little demons—who figured out they can climb up walls when there’s wallpaper on them, that's why the new nickname—chase a laser for a while to tire them out before you and Max come over. Should work out fine. They’ll probably just end up using him as a pillow anyway.

Bring Your Pet to Work Day… madness waiting to happen, and because of that, it's an A+ idea we should make happen ASAP!

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I do many things for shits and giggles, and also for spite. Poll results have been largely inconclusive, but it was kind of fun to see what everyone thinks anyway, you know? I'll have to leave the ghost stories up to folks who have a bit more talent at spinning a yarn than I do -- I'm willing to bet that's an Evans specialty, am I right?

Doing things for shits and giggles is a great excuse, and I'm happy to see you actually just made a poll. S'mores, singing around a campfire... all that's missing now are some good ghost stories, and you've got yourself one heck of a cool camping trip.

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@matt-schue mentioned you on a post “Would you be interested in a long weekend trip...”:

Which one do YOU prefer @nick-duval ?

​Ahhhh, I'm an equal opportunity enjoyer of nature -- I'm just as happy in a sleeping bag on the ground as a fully-stocked luxury cabin, as long as Max and I have plenty to do during the day (and plenty of people to do it with). Hence the poll -- I'm easy, I can roll with anything!

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...I don't think I've ever actually tried to make a poll, I didn't think of that. Now I might have to just for shits and giggles, even if we don't end up following through on it. But s'mores are definitely non-negotiable, that is a thing that HAS to happen, and even better if folks bring their very best campfire songs. I'm the first to admit that I'm a little too attached to my wifi, but it's nice to just unplug for a few days every now and then -- the Mexico/Florida trip was a much needed reminder of that.

Honestly, I prefer a tent, but yeah, there might be people who will come along if you decide to go for cabins. Maybe you can do one of those poll things and see what people think and if they want to go with?? Camping isn´t really camping when there aren´t any s'mores, so we at least have to have some kind of open fire. Plus, we need one cuz where else are we going to have a night of singing around the fire, right? (btw; that's a good hill to die on) And it would be nice to be somewhere where there's no wifi, so people can totally relax. Or get stressed over the fact that there's no wifi, but I've got a feeling nobody who can't live without social media and stuff like that would sign up for a camping trip.