The Other Nick Schweitzer 

I'm not speaking metaphorically here... there are two of us. I know for those of you who know me well, that idea drives a stake of fear and dread deep into your heart. I found out about him in 7^th grade English class. My teacher had gotten together with a teacher at the other Wauwatosa middle school, and arranged a pen pal project where we had to write to a student in the other class. They got a kick out of assigning Nick Schweitzer to Nick Schweitzer.

Every couple of years since then, someone will see my name and look at me as if they know me, but aren't sure. Usually it happens at some kind of professional office. My orthodontist used to post newspaper clippings from the paper that featured his patients. I went in for an adjustment and the receptionist said "We put your picture from the paper up on the board". There was a picture of the other one putting yellow ribbons around neighborhood trees. "That's not me, that's the other Nick Schweitzer." All the assistants laughed and said to each other "I told you that wasn't him."

When we were both applying to different colleges, we both applied at MSOE and Marquette, among other places. The college recruiters at both schools kept getting us confused, and almost screwed up our scholarships because of it. Hello... ever hear of a Social Security Number?

I was at my eye doctor one time when the receptionist looked at me with a strange look when she saw my name.

Her: Nick? Oh my God, it's so good to see you.
Me: Do I know you?
Her: We went to high school together. Class of '96 right?
Me: Yeah... I'm sorry but...
Her: You went to Pius right?
Me: No... I went to Tosa East... you're thinking of the other Nick Schweitzer.

It's been a few years since this sort of thing has happened... so I guess I was over due. This afternoon at work a woman came by my cube and knocked. "Nick Schweitzer?" I have a name plate outside my wall from the client company, and another one from my consulting company on top of a shelf. I also have a couple of certificates on the wall with my name on them, so I thought the question a little strange. "You're John's son right?" Actually no I'm not... and we went from there.

As it turns out, the other Nick Schweitzer is a doctoral student at Arizona State University. His website is here if you're interested... or if you're reading my blog realizing I'm not the Nick Schweitzer you thought I was. When there is someone from the same city as you, with the same name as you, whose the same age as you, it's probably good to know these things.

Recently I've been seeing in my Site Meter traffic more people finding my blog by searching for my name. At first I thought I was being stalked... now I wonder if he's the one being stalked.

Stalker: You bastard Nick... I've been searching for you for so long. You broke my heart! Now I'm going to take my revenge for the way you treated me at Pius!
Me: Pius? No... I went to Tosa East.
Stalker: Really? You aren't the one who ignored me in French class all those years?
Me: Nope. Actually I took Spanish.
Stalker: Oh Jesus. I'm so sorry.
Me: No problem. You're not the first to make that mistake.
Stalker: You wouldn't happen to know where I can find the other Nick Schweitzer do you?
Me: Actually, he lives in Arizona. He goes to ASU.
Stalker: Thanks so much... you're really nice.
Me: Glad to help.