Mikkelus

  
Name: Mikkelus
Alias/Nickname: Mikk, Cabbie 
Occupation: Teaching/Research Assistant, Doctoral Candidate (Materials Science and Engineering), University of Washington, Seattle    

Nationality: US/Canadian (Dual Citizenship)
Hometown: Vancouver
Date of Birth: 11 JUN 1990
Height: 6' 2"; Weight 175lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Ice Blue
Noticeable Traits: Average appearance, slightly above average charisma, exceptional grace and stamina, warm and energizing presence

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Brief Description and Mannerisms:
    Teaching assistant and doctoral candidate by day, occasional velocab driver by night and weekends, and a regular donor at various plasma and blood services donation centers, Mikkelus is a warm and effervescent soul that energizes everyone around him. Approachable and easy to talk to, he has a way of setting people at ease and making them feel included. Few people who have met Mikkelus would deny that he is different: some might say something special, in a good way. Likened to the first sunny day of spring after a long dreary winter, he is likened to a force of nature: a quiet, pleasant, balmy, relaxing and rejuvenating force of nature. Nature finds him pleasant, as well: plants thrive in his presence (even chronically neglected office plants), and animals adore him. (The feeling is mutual.) 

   Yes, with a Ph. D., he could be known as Doctor Feel-Good! Though he'd be the first to point out that he has no intention of becoming one of THOSE kind of doctors.

    A generally positive and diplomatic person, he chooses to distance himself from those who choose to put on airs, act like fools, or actively attempt to bully others; such people get a polite and diplomatic dismissal, when they must be dealt with, and are otherwise avoided as much as possible. As a rule, he makes it a point to steer clear of dealings with ruffians, scoff-laws, sociopaths, and various miscreants and delinquents; one is known by the company one keeps, after all, and illicit dealings (or the appearance of illicit dealings) puts an otherwise legitimate business (to say nothing of his on shaky, morally ambiguous ground.

    Possessing an average build and looks, little about the appearance of Mikkelus draws attention or serves to make him stand out in memory. Except, perhaps, his pedicab 'uniform': high-tech cycling clothes printed to look like a tuxedo. He's generally helpful, cheerful and friendly; he is, after all, a businessman providing a service, and a service delivered in a pleasant and friendly manner is more apt to get repeat customers and referrals. His business philosophy is "take care of customers, and the customers will take care of you". As far as attitude? It costs nothing but a smile to be pleasant, it might result in a referral, and there's no telling who will be calling for a ride or a pedicab tour.

 

    Of far more interest is the modified Velotaxi CityCruiser pedicab Mikkelus drives. He will gladly talk about the practicality and sensibility of the CityCruiser, handling characteristics, hybrid human/electric powered vehicles in general, and the future he envisions for such vehicles. Thanks to advantageous gearing, human power provides ample motive force to propel up to 1400 pounds of people and vehicle at city traffic speeds, or sometimes, at speeds exceeding that of automobiles in downtown Seattle. A lithium polymer battery pack, charged by a flexible solar cell, provides electricity to power lights, charge cell-phones or cameras, and run the multimedia infotainment receiver. 

Brief Personal History (Common Knowledge):
   Mikkelus grew up in Vancouver, attended Vancouver Community College, and moved to Seattle where he found employment driving a bicycle rickshaw. He attended University of Washington at Seattle; in 2016 he completed an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, and in 2018 received his masters degree in mechanical engineering. He is currently a non-tenured teaching and research assistant at University of Washington Seattle, a doctoral candidate in materials science and engineering, an independent pedicab driver, an accomplished bicycle mechanic, and a great person to know if you need any custom manufacturing or repair work done on carbon fiber or other advanced composites.