Just a regular guy living in Suwanee, GA with a love and passion for my family and practicing the art of enjoying life.
I love music, raw oysters, philosophy, the mountains and entrepreneurs.
With the arrival of Autumn, I usually like to check in with the good folks of Geiggityville! So, how about another episode of ‘Seven Or So‘ a little G-ville spin!
1. Dervin has never spoken
2. The name ‘Dervin’ came to be because it was supposed a name no one had so I could not get sued for using it. However, there are 994 people in my LinkedIn network with the name ‘Dervin’
3. Every single strip follows the same logical progression, without fail
4. Every character is based on a real person with the exception of ‘Mooper’, Dervin’s best friend. Mooper is a combination of several people
5. Dervin’s fascination/appreciation with paper towels was born from a visit to a local hospital. (This could arguably be my finest moment – The paper towel episode)
6. Only one character from Geiggityville is identified by their real first name
7. The ‘secret sauce’ for Dervin is explained on the website, on the ‘Back Story’ page
If Dervin is new to you…please feel free to visit Geiggityville and get to know the good folks who make it home.
After the models of the same machine, we finally upgraded our main (Kitchen) unit to this sweet beauty!
The coffee tastes the same but other than looking much cooler, the best feature is the reservoir hold about half again as much water. Now we are set for a new season of that wonderful elixir straight from Heaven! If you want to learn more about this miracle of science and technology here’s a link: https://amzn.to/3ZhBImH
Well, it’s been a while and no better time than they present to drop another seven or so of something. This time, here are some apps that I use a great deal and love everyone of them. In no particular order.
Spotify – Even though I said these are in no particular order, this is my number one app. I use it daily, all day and most of the night. I work from home, alone for the most part. If I am not on a web-conference with a client, I am listening to music while I work.
For the most part, I listen to instrumental music so I won’t be tempted to sing along. However, if I am doing research, the kind that does not require too deep of thought, I can sneak in some easy tunes with lyrics.
I use Spotify on my phone, my iPad and my PC. I have 74 public playlists so feel free to jump in and share a few tunes with me.
Weather – My weather app is just called ‘Weather’ so I can’t give much more details than that. I use this at least four or five times a day, mostly to check temperatures and/or chance of rain. Not much to add here.
Banking App – I actually do most of our banking on my phone, mainly because I can log in with the face-recognition feature.
Evernote – If you are unfamiliar with Evernote, it is a cloud-based, note-taking and task management application. I use it from my phone, iPad and PC and is great because it syncs automatically. Think of it as a ‘junk drawer’ for thoughts, ideas, notes that can be reached from anywhere.
Waze – My go to GPS app that I use even when I know how to get there. It is interactive so it will re-route you to avoid traffic, crashes, road construction, etc. It also lets you know if you need to slow down or not. However, if you know me, I am never in a real hurry to get anywhere.
Sleep Machine – Definitely a favorite of my favorites. Sleep Machine allows on to select up to three different sounds and mix them to our liking. I like to mix things up a bit but my top three settings lately have been:
— Medium Rain, Distant Thunder and Wind — Inside Car (Wipers), Light Rain — Airplane Cabin (Jet)
This app has a ton of choices and I can’t sleep without it.
World Clock – The past couple of years, the world has gotten even smaller. Thanks to one Japanese client with offices around the world and partners in Chennai and Dubai, I rely on this app to help me sound smarter than I am by saying ‘Good afternoon’ or ‘Good morning’ to the people I am speaking with as ‘World Clock’ allows me to store several cities while displaying the local time for each.
Shazam – Many, many moons ago, I was in a store and heard a song that I found to be quite catchy and sounded like three different artists singing the same tune. I just had to find out the name of the tune and artist. So I asked the store manager who told me he had no idea, that they subscribed to a service and just play the tapes throughout the day. (Yep, you read that correctly…tapes. I told you it was a while back.)
So, I was able to talk the manager into going to the back and giving me as much info as he could while I waited to hear the next couple of songs to help ‘mark the spot.’
He came back with the volume and tape number as well as the name of the service provider, which was a company out of Seattle. With the new information, I called the company and convinced the person on the other end to help me locate the artist and song title using the two songs that followed.
Now, with Shazam, I just hold up the phone and within seconds, I have my answer.
A fun game I like to play is when I am driving late at night, I will turn the radio to ‘way down the dial’ to some funky jazz or college station and play ‘stump the band’ with Shazam. It is rare that it cannot tell me the name of the song and artist.
Oh, if you are wondering about the song from the store, it was Susan J Paul – One More Time. (Link)
Guitar Tuner – I don’t get to play as much as I would like but I do play every day…even if it is just while I reboot the computer or print/scan something. I don’t have perfect pitch but I have enough to know when a guitar is out of tune. With Guitar Tuner, I am ready to find EADGBE at the drop of a hat!
Welcome to the first, of what I hope be many, offering that fall under the heading: People I Know. Think of this as an audio-free podcast you ‘listen’ to at your leisure. In our first episode we will be profiling Dr. Michael L. Kinsley, DMD.
I have known Michael Kinsley since we were both in grammar school. Michael and I graduated the same high school, attended Georgia Southern and the University of Georgia together, pledged the same fraternity, were in each other’s wedding and I hold the distinct pleasure of the title of godfather to his oldest son.
When I first started paying attention to our discussions about the future, Michael wanted to be a dentist and as best I recall, that never wavered. He not only fulfilled that goal…he crushed it and continues to do so at his practice, Dentistry At Houston Lake, just outside our hometown of Perry, GA.
There is no one I enjoy making laugh as much as I do Michael. One reason is he has a most unique qualification…a deep understanding my very thin slice of the humor spectrum. It is fair to say I ‘customize’ most of what I share with Michael because it makes him laugh while it would leave others scratching their heads.
Michael is one of the smartest people I have ever known and his energy level is sometime to be admired. As I record this ‘podcast’ he is preparing for the production of ‘The Secret of Six Guns‘, a murder mystery dinner theater play.
The Secret at Six Guns
This is not Michael’s first rodeo either. When the curtain is pulled on February 28, 2022, the presentation of ‘The Secret of Six Guns‘ will be the 222n full production by playwright, Dr. Michael Kinsley and the theater company he started with his wife, Diane, CenterStage For Christ.
(How does he do it? I started writing this podcast a week ago!)
There is so much more I could write about Mike but I am trying to appeal to a wider audience than just him. I could write for days sharing anecdotes few would appreciate beyond the two of us but suffice it to say, I am delighted that after all these years, Michael Kinsley is still one of my nearest and dearest friends.
But all the stories we could tell If it all blows up and goes to hell I wish that we could sit upon the bed in some motel Listen to the stories we could tell
Stories We Could Tell ~ Jimmy Buffett
If you are in the middle Georgia area and have not seen one of Mike’s plays…do yourself a favor.
Because I am a fan of lists, and have many in my personal notes, I thought I would share a few here from time to time. I am calling this ‘feature’ ‘Seven or So‘ because I don’t want to tie myself down to a set number. Some of my lists peter out at seven, some go beyond.
That said, let’s get started.
I was fortunate in the first part of my career to have been able to travel to most of the major cities in our country…and not for just a few days, but weeks and months. Because of that, I have complied a list of some of my favorite restaurants from those days.
To qualify for this list, I had to have eaten there at least five times. (I have another list of ‘Restaurants I Want To Visit Again’ for those ‘faves’ under five.)
Seven or So – Favorite Restaurants (In No Particular Order)
7. Portillo’s – Chicago, IL
Portillo’s Original Location
In 1963, Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a small trailer to open the first Portillo’s hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL, which he called “The Dog House.” Years later, Portillo’s has become a brand synonymous with Chicago.
Portillos reminds me of Chicago’s version of ‘The Varsity’, similar but different. A bit more selection but still has a cool, funky vibe that highlights what I love about Chicago.
I came to learn about Old Ebbitt Grill when I asked a colleague, a local, where we could go that was the epitome DC restaurants. She did not hesitate, or disappoint when she said, “Old Ebbitt Grill”.
The Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington’s oldest saloon, was founded in 1856 so the history is there. One of the things that makes this place special to me is their oyster bar. If you know me, you would know raw oysters are my favorite food and probably my second and third favorite as well.
Lou Malnati got his start in the 1940’s working in Chicago’s first deep dish pizzeria. He took his pizza expertise to Lincolnwood, a northern suburb of Chicago, where he and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria on March 17, 1971. Lou was known for his fun-loving character as well as making Chicago’s best pizza.
Now, Chicago-style pizza is pizza prepared according to several different styles developed in Chicago, widely referred to simply as deep dish pizza. However, the old ‘When in Rome…’ adage does not apply to me and Chicago pizza. I am not a fan of deep dish. (If I want lasagna, I will order lasagna.) I like thin crust and Lou’s is the best in my opinion.
Leave your misconceptions of buffet dining at the door – The Buffet at Bellagio is an experience like no other. The history of the Bellagio makes for a great story and I remember my first visit there…it totally trumped anything in town. Alaskan King Crab, already ‘cracked’ (sawed in half, length-wise actually) is hard to beat.
3. Hana Haru – Los Angeles, CA
Hana Haru
There is definitely nothing special about Hana Haru except that it is where I learned to love sushi. There was a time when I believed the only reason people said they liked sushi was because they were too embarrassed to admit, the ‘Emperor was not wearing clothes’. In other words, they couldn’t possibly really like raw fish.
I was so, so wrong.
If raw oysters are the number one, two and three favorite foods of mine, sushi/sashimi would be number four.
I have definitely had better sushi elsewhere but the good times this little restaurant, in the quaint LA burg of El Segundo, represents the halcyon days of the late 1980s for me.
2. Baker’s Square – Minneapolis, MN
Bakers Square
Another restaurant that makes the list more so for representing a season of life than amazing food.
I traveled to Minneapolis for 18 months, starting in October, so I cycled through two winters…which are just a shade different than we have here in Georgia. Still, I loved my time there, love the people, loved the work we did and loved eating at Bakers Square.
In terms of food, think of Shoney’s but with more pies.
1. The Kettle – Manhattan Beach, CA
The Kettle
I know I said, ‘in no particular order’ but that does not ring true with The Kettle…it is definitely my favorite restaurant in America.
My very first business trip was to Los Angeles…as were my next 23 business trips. So I spent a lot of time out there and once I discovered ‘The Kettle’ I ate there at least two or three times each week.
It is open 24 hours a day, a couple blocks from the Pacific Ocean, on the main drag of one of the coolest little towns I have ever visited.
This is the day I wait for since the day in Spring when wearing a sweatshirt is too much. Cooler temperatures, fires in the fireplaces, soup, gumbo, coffee on the porch…under a blanket. (Coffee on the porch is a year-round thing, but the blanket is not.)
College football, raw oysters, family game nights, more trips to the mountains, long weekends exploring different cities, writing more.
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas on the horizon.
Movies in the movie room surrounded by snoozing cats and pups.
I wish I could live where it is late October ten months out of the year.
For those who have never heard of Geiggityville, or its most well known resident, Dervin, the answer to the question, ‘Where exactly is Geiggityville?’ is probably meaningless.
To those familiar with either, you may already know the answer.
I am pleased to report I have forwarded to my publisher the contents of what will be the next ‘Time For Dervin’ book. Though technically it will be the second book, in many ways it will be the first.
‘Living Large In Geiggityville‘ is very much like a musicians first custom album…made up mostly demos. ‘Living Large In Geiggityville‘ would have never found its way between two covers had it not been for my amazing brother, Tony Darnell. It was his prompting, and with his most invaluable help, that a bunch of poorly drawn comic strips, done for the most part for the entertainment of a small circle of humor/philosophy ‘aficionados’, became an actual book.
The new book will be different in that, unlike the first one, I actually used software to help produce the final product. Many of the strips in ‘Living Large…’ were draw much like a tattoo…ink directly to the finished product with no room for error. Now, when one is talking about stick figure drawings it would be natural to question, how much is there to enhance? More than one would think.
So, I am pleased to announce that I hope to soon be able to share with everyone a portion of an interview I did recently on Dervin, its history and exactly where is Geiggityville.
In the meantime, have a great day and keep living large.
It seems as if we are now living in an age where we ‘text’ someone to set up a time to actually call them on the phone. How crazy is that?
So, when I hear our front doorbell right, or knocked, the first thought that runs through my head can often be, “I wonder if they saw I was home.”
This was not the case back in November of 2012 when Gabriel Mendez, came to my house to tell me about his company, ‘Mendez Painting’. Admittedly, I probably view these encounters a bit differently than most due to how I make a living. (I work with architectural and engineering firms, commercial general contractors, subcontractors, building materiel companies on building new business which includes marketing, branding, posturing, etc.)
Gebriel politely introduced himself and began telling me about this company and I was loving every minute! I am a fan of the free market, capitalism, the pursuit of the American Dream, small business owners, etc. and Gabriel was the personification of all the above.
He walked me through his brochure, explained his company’s experience, value add and then, he asked for the business. He wanted to know if we had any projects for which he could submit a proposal.
“And the wino and I know the pain of street singin’ Like a door-to-door salesman knows the pains of bell ringin’ Strange situation, wild occupation Livin’ my life like a song”
~ Jimmy Buffett
Gabriel’s timing was perfect…I indeed had a project, though a small one. The gutters of our three level house has developed ‘weepy’ rust stains so I asked if that was a project he would consider, painting the gutters of our house.
He submitted a proposal, which I could not believe was accurate only because it was an amazing deal. His team would sand, prime and paint all gutters for a price I won’t mention because I have to believe it was a ‘we are just getting started and want to earn your business’ price.
His team of two guys, spent 10 hours at our house and the results were as close to perfect at it could be. This was the first of several projects Gabriel and his team have done for my family. Others include:
— Repairing my poor attempt at stripping wallpaper from our foyer 1/2 bath and painting.
— Wood rot around our house on the eaves, front door pediment and upstairs windows
— Repair siding on Chimney
— Paint entire exterior of our house
— Re-drywall our basement, trim and paint after a small flood
— Bathroom renovation
If Mendez Painting was a public company, I would purchase as much stock as I could possibly afford. Each time Gabriel had a crew here, we witnessed some of the hardest working people I have ever seen and each time, they surpassed our expectations.
As Warren Buffett once said, “Price is what you pay, value is what you get.” I cannot recommend Gabriel Mendez and Mendez Painting enough. The value he has added to our home is outstanding. I am so very proud of how he has grown his company since that first day we met.
The two main things one is not suppose to talk about, politics and religion…are two things I love to discuss. However, I won’t do it on social media.
I believe the list of ‘converts’ of people refusing to stand during the national anthem, who changed their mind by seeing a meme of the American Flag, is small. The same goes for the list of ‘converts’ who always stood for the national anthem deciding they should kneel after seeing some athlete do the same is equally as small.
The point being…who has time for drama?
Heck, it’s not just politics! Join a group online, post a picture of the brand of pet food you feed your dog or cat and watch what happens! Or, post a picture of a snake and ask what kind it is.
Anyway – keep posting pictures of the rack of ribs you just pulled off the grill, your weekend at the lake, your kid hitting a triple or shots of the band you are listening to live! I have plenty of time for those!
“People quarrel because they do not know how to argue.” ~ G.K. Chesterton
We are back in Western North Carolina and will be sad to leave. Our goal has not changed…we will one day look for some lane to build our second home.
Our Front Porch View
We discovered a wonderful little restaurant, ‘The Rural Seed’ and it was/is all one could ask for. Lane had, what she called one of the best salads of her life and that is saying quite a lot. I had a cup of the ‘Soup of the Day’ which was potato leek and a half of a Cuban sandwich.
For me, this was a bit risky as while I like potato leek soup, I have found it can often be too ‘thick/rich’ but this was neither. As far as the sandwich goes, one would not expect the mountains of western North Carolina be the place to order a Cuban but again, I was more than pleasantly surprised.
Now, to be fair, when we first drove by the place, my initial thought was, when I saw the building, “Someone really wanted to open a restaurant!” It was definitely not designed for such when it first was built as, if I had to guess, it served as some time of construction and or fabrication facility/warehouse. Don’t let the exterior fool you.
The Rural Seed
We ate in the ‘front of the store’ but there is a much larger back room where is appears they offer live music. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the interior has a funky vibe…it does not. However, the back room comes much closer than the main dining area as far as having a personality. We would definitely love to return when someone is on stage.
We will be back and I will do my best to try something new. I have a habit of ordering the sure thing and my soup and sandwich was exactly that.
For What It's Worth 