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Nicole Drum joined The Hudsucker in May of 2013 and is a senior writer, contributing weekly recap series. She is also an economic advocate for victim’s of domestic violence, presently residing in the American Midwest. She is a makeup artist who is ecclectic by nature, and passionate about movies, music, comic books, dystopian literature and all things weird.
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Name: Nicole Drum
Nickname: Nix, Cola
Favorite word in the English language: Imperious
Least favorite word in the English language: Amazing
Biggest strength: I’m very well-spoken.
Biggest weakness: I have a very soft heart.
Biggest pet peeve: When people try to give a fake impression of who they are (ie bragging on Facebook about how awesome their kids/lives/jobs are all the time. Kids/lives/jobs are not awesome all the time.)
Favorite Food: Cheese, specifically a good Cheddar.
Favorite Movie: I have two, The Dark Knight and an old classic film, Laura.
Favorite TV Show: Nothing has topped Alias for me, but I am sort of in love with The Americans.
Favorite Musician/Band: Third Eye Blind.
Favorite item of clothing that you just can’t live without: My flip flops.
Favorite sport: Baseball.
Favorite team: St. Louis Cardinals.
Favorite travel destination: Seattle, WA.
Favorite fast food joint: I don’t like fast food, but in regards to quick sit-down, I love Five Guys Burgers and Fries.
Favorite season: I like the gaps in seasons, like that week before Spring becomes Summer and when Summer becomes Fall.
Funniest thing that ever happened to you: I once had this really awesome bra that had strawberries printed on it and I thought it was a really good idea to stand in front of my university’s sign and show off my bra (it was the middle of the night and I was with my sorority sisters). One of my friends snapped a picture…and later showed it off to the rest of our sorority for “embarrassing moments.” The actual night wasn’t embarrassing, but man that meeting where the picture was showed off was!
Within reason, what are your craziest goals and dreams? I’d love to win a Nobel Peace Prize. For anything. Or I’d like to be an astronaut.
Most outrageous thing you’ve ever done: It’s not “outrageous” but I packed up all of my stuff and moved to the big city sight-unseen knowing no one at all right out of college. It took the most courage I have ever had to muster.
If you had to sing one song at a karaoke bar, which one would you choose? Maroon 5’s “Love Somebody.” I’m actually good at it.
What movie title best describes your life? “I Don’t Know How She Does It.”
What is one of your most life-changing moments? The last time I saw my grandfather. We both knew he was dying and had the luxury of a true final moment. It was Christmas day and we didn’t choose to say goodbye. Instead, we talked about seeing each other later (and how now I had to live for both of us.) It was really powerful for me, that realization that a big part of what drives our lives is an idea of an unseen future where we may all indeed meet again. It changed how I look at the world and turned grief into hope. I like hope.
Describe yourself in a single sentence: I’m an enigma, wrapped in shininess and glitter.
If you were a superhero, what would be your super power? Accelerated Probability.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, which one book, movie and person would you want to take along? Great Gatsby, the book; The Dark Knight and probably my best friend, Sarah. We could entertain ourselves forever.
If a genie granted you 3 wishes, what would they be? I’d ask for financial happiness/comfort for my family, a better quality of life for my mother, and then I’d wish for the genie’s freedom. It must suck to be stuck in a bottle (unless it’s a bottle of something good.)
Last Song Played on your CD player/iTunes/iPod, etc: One Republic, “Everybody Loves Me.”
What made you want to write for The Hudsucker? I love to write and I love a good conversation. The Hudsucker is a place where writing and conversation merge.
What is your favorite article on the site and why? Not a Book Report, Just a Thought: Why It’s a Sin To Kill A Mockingbird. The book is one of my favorites, but I have read so many reviews or critiques of it over the years. This article provoked me to think about the classic tome in a way that no article before had, but wasn’t preachy. I appreciated that.
Who is your favorite author on the site and why? It’s not in my nature to really play favorites, especially when there are so many awesome writers here, but since I have to select one it has to be Drew Bryce. He’s a fun, funny guy and that we have the same taste in haggis earns a lot of points in my book.
What is one of your own favorite articles on the site and why? My review of The Great Gatsby. I am so very proud of it.
Where do you see The Hudsucker in 5 years? I see the site as being a hub for intelligent conversation and contemporary culture, a go-to place with more class than the Gawker network.
What do you think of your fellow peers here at The Hudsucker? Love ‘em!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself having at least three novels published and no longer working in social work. Maybe.
What words of advice would you give writers? Write. Just keep doing it. Even when it comes out weird, even when it comes out nonsense. Just. Keep. Writing.
Who do you look up to? I have a former client in my social work line of work who has overcome so many things that would kneecap anyone else. Every time I think of her I am inspired to be a better person. I truly admire her.
What is one of your favorite life lessons? Everything will be all right in the end. If it isn’t all right, it isn’t the end.
Favorite quote:
“Only the phoenix rises and does not descend. And everything changes. And nothing is truly lost.”
– Neil Gaiman
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