dimondites

100% PURE DIMONDITE

I met Daniel at the Farmer Joe’s opening celebration. Who could have missed the frantic guy running around making sure things would go as planned? You should thank him for going to Caffe Diem with me. I was not going to stop posting raves about it until someone agreed with me.

It’s not an easy task meeting up with this fellow. He’s a busy guy, and what impresses me is the fact that his schedule is filled with all these do-good activities. He was training for a bicycling fundraiser for the YMCA, where he is a board member. He is on the board for the D.I.A. (Dimond Improvement Association). He helps students with special reqruirements at Laney College. He’s remodeling a home that has been within his family for three generations. Geez. I’m tired just talking about it.

Q + A (also known as The Kristine Interrogation)

Q. Tell me more about your family history?
A. My grandfather went to Fruitvale Elementary School. He met my grandmother at the Oakland Tribune, where they both worked. The house I live in now is the same house they lived in.

Q. How’s the remodel going?
A. At first I thought it would never end. When my grandmother died, my parents rented the house out. It was a mess. Five years ago I took over the house and worked on remodeling it to be as Grandfather had built it. There was a fire once, and he rebuilt a large portion of the house himself.

Q. Aside from remodeling the house, what was your favorite job ever?
A. At the Devereux Center, I was the Residential Facilities Manager. I basically supervised the dorm, handed out medications and liaisoned with the therapists, doctors and parents. I bonded with those kids. It felt rewarding when you see them happy or well. 

Q. (At this point, I was thinking to myself I’m the most selfish person in the world because I never did these things. I changed the subject quickly.) What was your first job?
A. I was paid to smash concrete. That was for my dad, so maybe it doesn’t really count. My first ‘real’ job was delivering cardboard point-of-sale boxes to shops all over Oakland. I lasted two months (laughs).

Q. What would be your ‘ultimate’ job?
A. I would love to get paid for speaking or writing. I enjoy that so much, that it would be awesome to get paid for it.

Q. Can you think of one achievement you’re most proud of?
A. No. But I can name 3. I was really proud of myself for finishing that 130-mile ride for the YMCA. That was hard! I feel really good about the Farmer Joe’s event.  And I am personally happy with how I’ve learned to focus more on the bigger things in life, like making the effort to connect with people and feel that flow of energy. It wasn’t always there.

Q. If you had one opportunity to travel to the past, which time period would you choose? And why?
A. The 1960’s. It was a volatile time, and the things that happened shape our lives now. I’m curious to find out why those people driving VW busses are driving BMW’s now (giggles). (Pauses and looks at me.) Oops. Do you drive a BMW? (Yes.)

Q. Other than the reformed hippies you mentioned, if you were given the chance to meet one person, anybody, who would that be? What would you ask him?
A. You know? I really would like to meet George Bush. I would ask him what the heck he’s thinking when he does some of the things he does (chuckles).

Q. What about one place you would visit?
A. Tibet.

Q. How would you spend $10,000 if I handed it to you right now and gave you 24 hours to spend it, but it can’t be a donation. Something selfishly indulgent…
A. An open-ended ticket around the world. I love traveling.

Q. If you can change one thing about Dimond, what would you change?
A. I would love to see more community involvement. It takes effort and time to make things happen.

Q. Your favorite ‘thing’ about Dimond?
A. I am sooo excited about the vegan food shelf at Farmer Joe’s.

Q. If you can relive one moment of your life, which moment is that?
A. I would love to crawl back in bed again.

FACTS SHEET:

He’s a Mac person.
Likes to watch the Simpsons.
Can watch over and over again The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly and The Big Lebowski.
Will never get sick of the Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Clash and the Beatles.
Three people he can count on are his sister Kristina, his buddy Chris and his gal Tami.
Favorite Oakland eatery is the Golden Lotus.
Favorite food is gourmet prepared tofu.
His mom thinks his favorite food is macaroni salad.