My newest novel
I’m a writer, sometime software consultant, and gadabout living in the dead-center of San Francisco. I’m currently selling a novel, I run a bunch, and I probably spend far too much money on consumption and experiences…wait. No, I spend just enough. Consume and experience is what one should do. Thanks for stopping by!
Posted By Dan on May 8, 2012
One of the people I read pretty religiously online is Chris Guillebeau, and he’s come out with a new book today. People should buy it (I know I’m going to). But not necessarily for the reason that the book exists. It’s an advice book, a guide for breaking free of 9-to-5 work and building a lifestyle business.
But…what intrigues me is that it’s also a book of stories. Stories of people who chucked it all and started something that they believed in. I want to read those, and that’s why I’m going to buy the book.
I mean - I’m closer than some to the ideal that Chris writes about. I’ve got my own side business doing something I enjoy, and it’s not made me much money, but it’s not designed as a money-making venture. I could take what I do during the day to a freelance basis, but it’s not something that I really want to do at the moment.
But if I ever decide to move on, I’ll use Chris’s book as a guide.
Posted By Dan on April 29, 2012
I’m an Apple user - as most of us are in some way or another. Today, I’m trying to get something from the Apple App store. Every time I do this, I get really irritated. See - I have no idea what my Apple password is, because the following thing always happens:
1) I try my password
2) It fails
3) I try another password
4) It fails, and Apple locks me out
5) I reset my password, and Apple doesn’t let me use any password that I’ve used in the past year.
I’ve done this something like twelve times, because I reset the thing once, a year ago. And now…well, I have to reset it every time, because I’m twelve passwords in and I have no idea what password I used, because it’s been reset so many times. Frustrating.
Posted By Dan on April 16, 2012
Or, at least, I hope so. I’m down in Thousand Oaks for the seventh time in fourteen weeks (give or take a week or two. I’m sitting in a hotel room watching Anthony Bourdain have barbecue with the Black Keys. I feel like I’m too old to be judging the Keys (I’m not the world’s biggest fan), but the barbecue - a KC pit joint - seems like it should be OK.
I did end up at, I think, the best place in Thousand Oaks tonight - Akrey’s Tavern. In a town full of strip malls and a Levittown-meets-Taco-Bell style of architecture, the place is…well, it’s real. I sat at the bar and had a Pacifico with lime and wondered at the jukebox (Sammy Hagar, Nirvana unplugged, remixed Bruno Mars), the drunk guy shooting pool and dancing after every shot, and the UFC/World Poker tour mix on the television. The bartender was nice, the drinks were cheap, and it was loud and alive.
Did I mention that it’s straddled by a trailer park and a tire shop? Little things like this make business travel kinda fun.
Posted By Dan on March 31, 2012
I’m having one of those couple of days because…well, I’m tickled. We’re headed to Japan in September (another fantastic vacation), and
(pause for the amazing)
We’re flying in business class and first class. I’ve never done this before (well, except for the time I got bumped up to Virgin Atlantic Upper Class ten years ago, but that was before flat-bed seats), and I couldn’t be more excited. I should also give a shoutout to the guys at PointsPros; they were incredible - got us tickets to/from Japan on miles. Well worth their consulting fee for my peace of mind. That’s in September. In the meantime, I’ve got things to write and a not-selling-much book to promote. But at least I’m in a fantastic mood.
Posted By Dan on March 26, 2012
I was driving through Los Angeles (Westwood, to be precise). We had to stop and get something to eat for dinner because I was starving and hadn’t eaten since my 2:00 burrito. So, no burritos. We stopped at a place that did kinda-Asian rice bowls.
And donuts.
I was the only person there at 9:30 pm who ordered a rice bowl; the other people all got donuts. Now, as I lie in my hotel room bed…I kind of wish I’d bought a donut to go.
