Robert Silvernail

From: Robert Silvernail
To: Jarrod Blundy
Subject: Letters with Robert/Jarrod
Date: October 9, 2023

Dear Jarrod,

I have to admit, it feels a little odd to be writing you a letter, much less to be included in this series. But here I am, I’ve had months of notice and yet I’m typing this at the last minute in my true ADHD procrastinating fashion. I’m sitting here with a Fresca Vodka Spritz, spilling my thoughts into the Notes app while Last Week Tonight with John Oliver prattles on in the background.

To be quite honest, when you invited me to be a part of this project, I was quite surprised, and incredibly flattered! What could I possibly have to say that is interesting to your readers? Well, I still don’t know… But we’re all on this journey together! I’ve been an avid reader of HeyDingus since day one. It has truly been a pleasure watching it evolve and transform into your unique voice on the internet. I’ve really fallen behind in keeping up with my favorite blogs and podcasts these days, but my daily news/blog reading starts with HeyDingus before I move on to my local newspaper, and then Apple News App headlines.

I suppose I should introduce myself and share a little more about me! My name is Robert, I’m 36 year old and grew up (and also left and have now returned to) a small town in Michigan. Like you, I grew up as a member of the Boy Scouts of America, but my first major hobby and first job was in technology - I worked in the technology department for the school I graduated from. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to serve the largest Boy Scout council in America- first in Marketing, then a few cities and promotions later- as a Senior Executive. I traveled all over the state and met tons of really awesome people. I even successfully directed the pilot [of] two brand-new summer camp programs! Flash forward (and insert a long story here) and I’ve returned to my hometown and the Education sector as a Technology Coordinator where I lead [a] small team to provide IT Services to a small school district.

But all the boring stuff aside… I’ve recently found a new way to volunteer in my community - volunteering for the Free Fair Association! I answered a Facebook post in the spring where they were advertising for a volunteer to manage their wireless networks. No weekly or monthly standing meetings? And I can use my skills? And I can expand some of my skills? Sign me up! A few meetings, a few walkthroughs, and a few months later- the fair was in town! Armed with a box full of Mesh Access Points, a DC to AC Inverter in the back of my car, and some Alien Tape (The carnival company hadn’t hooked up their power yet), we set out in the pouring rain to install the temporary radios inside of ticket booths all over the midway… It hadn’t yet dawned on me that I was now responsible for the scanning of around 20,000 tickets per day… but little did I know this was only the beginning; I come to play a surprisingly critical role in the “World’s Largest Free Fair” and it’s 300,000 visitors.

More stories to come about my newest adventures in education and carnivals, but at the risk of too much rambling in this letter, I’m going to take this chance to sign off.

Until Next time - Kvetha Fricai!

Robert

From: Jarrod Blundy
To: Robert Silvernail
Subject: Re: Letters with Robert/Jarrod
Date: October 17, 2023

Hey Robert,

Writing this letter to you also feels very strange to me. And also very familiar. That’s because (as you well know but other readers won’t because you carefully avoided revealing it in your letter) you’re my best friend! We’ve spent nearly two decades in each other’s lives, the physical one and the digital one. You’re the Robert who is frequently mentioned here!

We haven’t written asynchronous letters to each other like this for a long time, but, honestly, it’s like we’re blasting back to the beginning of our friendship. Remember how I would sneakily email back and forth with you on the (gasp) Windows PC in my bedroom because I wasn’t supposed to be on the computer that late at night?

Oh man, it’s all coming back now. Before we figured out how to IM with Google Talk, do you remember what we did to have a more instantaneous chat? We used LogMeIn so that I could share your screen and we’d take turns typing into a TextEdit window! Well, “take turns” might be stretching the truth. I recall a lot of fighting over control of the mouse and keyboard.

Honestly, anybody enjoying HeyDingus owes you a debt of gratitude. If it wasn’t for your generosity in letting me play with (and eventually keeping) your Mac, and your kindling of my technological interest (let’s be honest, I had no other computer nerd friends) I don’t know that I’d be publishing anything to the web. We’d probably still be emailing — email has been my love language since those sneaky beginnings — but the world wouldn’t get to see it. So thank you for reading and encouraging my writing. It means a ton to me that despite having my phone number, you still go to heydingus.net to check in what’s on my mind.

And with those formalities and thank yous out of the way, I can actually jump into responding to your letter!

Mine, too, is a procrastinatory letter. I’ve been meaning to get to it for nearly a week, but couldn’t. You see, I still had to respond to my previous Letters project correspondent. And my brain wouldn’t let me move on to yours until I first fulfilled that obligation. I think you can understand that brain logic. But that means that it’s 1:30am here. I long since finished my Saranac Clouded Dream IPA. My wife is working the night shift, and Ollie and Phin are keeping me company while occasionally shooting me looks that say, “When are we finally going to go to bed, Dad?”

Something that jumped out to me as you kindly introduced yourself and relayed that condensed version of your bio is that you seem to jump between BIG projects and small (in size, though not in stature) ones. From serving the LARGEST Boy Scout council to leading a small team in a small school. Working in a school in Traverse City, which Wikipedia tells me is “the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region,” back to serve a very small school near Ionia. Now you’ve jumped back into a project that serves more visitors than all of the population of Barbados!

Do you feel a conscious pull toward these bigger and smaller projects, or has it just worked out that way? What skills have you learned from small team initiatives that have aided you when taking on huge responsibilities? And vice versa?

I, too, have been thinking about dipping my toes back into some volunteer work. After leaving my professional job with the Boy Scouts in 2021, I haven’t given much of my time to any particular organization. Signing up as a Climbing Merit Badge counselor would be of interest. A local friend also recently told me about an organization in town that takes kids on backpacking treks. Apparently, there are a bunch of youngsters that live here, in the heart of the Adirondacks, but never get the opportunity to explore the backcountry. It boggles my mind that it’s not included in some part of the school curriculum here, but I would enjoy helping to introduce kids to the great outdoors for the first time. Oh, and I guess there’s a local concert band that plays throughout the winter. I might give that a try too.

I’m curious to hear about more escapades from the Free Fair! What was super memorable about the experience, and do you think you’ll pick up the same job with them next summer? Other potential topics for next time: What are some of the goals you’re working towards? What’s piquing your interest now that would have surprised the you of ten years ago?

I’m very much enjoying getting back to our roots here, and eagerly await your next letter. I can’t wait to see it up on your new site. 😉

Thanks for doing this with me!

Take care,

Jarrod

From: Robert Silvernail
To: Jarrod Blundy
Subject: Re: Letters with Robert/Jarrod
Date: November 8, 2023

Hey Jarrod,

I was sitting at my desk digesting my delicious lunch brought in by a coworker (more about that later), and it dawned on me that I had not replied to your last email yet (yes, even after your nudging me the other day…). Please forgive my procrastination, this month has been a whirlwind of chaos involving training, conferences, and a very expensive feud with the local squirrel population.

It hardly seems so long ago that we used to write this way, staying up well past our bedtimes talking tech, Scouts, or just generally being goofy. Those were the days… but here we are recreating a small part of them with letter writing. I am glad that those shenanigans sparked a fire that would light up this small part of the internet!

In your last letter you asked about what it is like to make the change from medium to large and back to small organizations throughout my career and volunteer roles- and whether it is a conscious pull between them. I have never really given that a ton of thought, until you posed the question. I don’t think the size and scope was ever on my mind when I took on any of these roles, but they all have given me an opportunity to develop new skills and improve existing ones. This was especially evident while I worked for the BSA. I was given impossible tasks covering a huge geography and still managed to be productive and mostly successful. Remember the section of NYLT that teaches us you’ve got to learn to lead yourself before you can lead others?! My role in the BSA was an incredible way to learn time management, productivity, and people management skills. These have translated well into my role as a Technology Coordinator — While it isn’t without stressful, busy days and it’s own unique challenges- it’s a cakewalk in comparison to BSA day-to-day.

As for volunteering again, I certainly would encourage you to reach out to your friend and find out more about the climbing with kids gig — what a great way to practice your skills while potentially opening up a whole new world for kids! And as for the band- do that! 100%! You are a remarkable trumpet player, it would be so wonderful to hear you play again!! As for me and the Ionia Free Fair- that’s a year-round volunteer gig, so not just the “10 Best Days of Summer” 😉 I’ve actually volunteered at a few weekend events. I didn’t do much in the way of IT related things, mostly helped run the beer stand, but it’s been a nice change of pace. We are currently putting together a long term plan for expanding there network and it’s reliability and reach. That’s going to be a multi-year plan which is stretching my skill limit for sure. Then in a more time-sensitive matter- we are seeking a new ticketing and POS system. Turns out, the home-spun based on some wordpress plugins on an underpowered webhost doesn’t have what it takes to power such a large event… Online ticket sales start in like February, so I’ve got to really channel some of that ability to hyperfocus my ADHD gives me once in a while…

I know it’s now November… but I think there are definitely more topics you’ve asked about that I would very much like to expand upon… Let’s keep this going- even if it’s just for us and not the world 😊

In Brotherhood,

Robert

From: Jarrod Blundy
To: Robert Silvernail
Subject: Re: Letters with Robert/Jarrod
Date: November 7, 2023

Hey Roberto,

All is forgiven regarding timing. It’s a pretty loose project, and you, of all people, know I’m no stranger to procrastination. 😉 We’ve been having our own feud with the local squirrels. They’ve taken a keen liking to our bird feeder out back, and Phin (our Golden Retriever for folks who don’t know) loves to chase them around. They create an awful chatter when they “yell” at him for preventing them from getting to the tasty treats. I like to imagine that they’re cursing him to kingdom come.

I’m totally with you on how working for the BSA has left me feeling, and I hope you’ll forgive me for this, Prepared. For Life.™ You would think that each subsequent job would build in complexity and necessary effort, but no, I agree that my current career path where I’m not pulled in every direction — rather than the multitude of events, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and care, program development, and the rest of the “impossible tasks” — has been a godsend for my sanity. But I so appreciate, and it sounds like you do too, that our previous jobs have instilled the ability to successfully juggle so many things at once.

You’re too kind about my musical ability. You say “remarkable” but I’d say “remarkably adequate”. But I did very much enjoy playing. I’d love to have that feeling of being a member of a band again. Okay, I’ll reach out! I didn’t realize the Free Fair gig was ongoing! I suppose they do have things going on for the rest of the year, but I guess I assumed it was rented-out space…not managed by anyone in particular. What kinds of weekend stuff have you been helping with? Best of luck figuring out the new hosting/ticketing/POS. Sounds like it was somewhat of a miracle that it all stayed taped together as long as it has. I’m sure you’ll find a more robust system for the long term. Have you heard the good news about Squarespace? 😝

I’m staring at my clock that I haven’t yet changed for Daylight Saving Time. It says “It is Eleven O’Clock” It feels like it too, even though it’s technically only 10 PM. I’m finding that I don’t bounce back as gracefully from staying up until 3 AM as I used to. But that doesn’t stop me from trying! How did the time change treat you?

I’m all for keeping this going! It really does bring me back. And, as I’ve probably told you before, email is my love language. Oh, and I have to say, you have a real knack for writing and storytelling. I’d love to see you exercise it more…maybe at a cool domain like ultrasexybeast.net or something. 😉

In Cheerfulness,

Jarrod

From: Robert Silvernail
To: Jarrod Blundy
Subject: Re: Letters with Robert/Jarrod
Date: November 8, 2023

Hey Jarrod!

After my last email, I realized I forgot two things I said I would discuss later in the email! I can only imagine that you- and your readers- are on the edge of their seats wondering about my delicious lunch add my (now valued at $80k) feud with the local squirrel population.

Starting with food in this email… which is always on my mind whether it’s what to eat next or what I can cook next for others. In my office of about 8 people we have a bad habit of eating takeout basically every day for lunch. It’s delicious. It’s convenient. But the cost and the calories add up. So, I pitched the idea to everyone that we try out “No-takeout November” in which we not only attempt to not have takeout meals for lunch, but provide an opportunity for those of us who love to cook to bring in the main course for lunch on one or more days of the month. So far it’s been a big hit! Even our part timer who is a college student has not eaten fast food so far! The setting in of cold midwestern weather has definitely provided a theme… we have had Bean Soup, White Chicken Chili, and Potato soup so far. Today, I refuse to acknowledge the cold weather, so I brought in grilled BBQ chicken and Breaded chicken tenders for chicken sandwiches- which, as the kids say these days, “smacked and were Bussin” - no cap, on God! I must admit, the side dish I chose was a bit of a cheat, although a last minute impulse buy, we had Arby’s brand Curly Fries from the freezer section at the local Dollar General. But hey, at least the BBQ sauce I used was a sugar free (read: also low calorie) sauce. Tomorrow someone is bringing hot beef sandwiches and pretty much every day is filled until December 1st when we celebrate by getting takeout. It’s a fun way to share our favorite recipes while eating slightly healthier as we plummet towards the holiday season.

In my next email… Squirrel Season begins…

Robert

From: Jarrod Blundy
To: Robert Silvernail
Subject: Re: Letters with Robert/Jarrod
Date: November 10, 2023

Hey Robert!

You know, this is the first time that I’m actually responding to one of these letters by actually writing in my email app. I’ve always done a bunch of copy/paste rigamarole first to get the text into Drafts as Markdown first. But this feels better, more organic. Anyway, with that meta comment out of the way, onto No-takeout November!

That is a wonderful idea. Not just because it’s nearly dinner time and I’m pretty hungry. I love that you’ve got that camaraderie going with your coworkers and that you’re all keeping each other accountable with it. After you mentioned it, I thought about suggesting doing it with my coworkers too. But that idea lasted all of about 10 seconds. Then I remembered that 1) I basically only eat leftovers for lunch and have little interest in cooking every day, 2) all of us at work take different lunch breaks so there is always coverage on the floor and we’d never eat together, and 3) I still don’t want to take the time to cook. 😝

But I’m glad that you’re having a great time with it and get to show off your awesome chef skills. Cooking for other people, I’m told, is very satisfying. Having the whole month filled is impressive. It sounds like you’ve discovered an untapped potential in your colleagues. Maybe it’ll extend beyond December!

Alright, you’ve teased this squirrel story long enough. I know the broad strokes of what’s going on from our private conversations, but it’s time to spill the beans for everyone else. Have they racked up a $100k bill yet? And how did that conversation go with the insurance company? You did cough up for the Squirrel Safety add-on package, right? Right??

I’m on the edge of my seat,

Jarrod

P.S. I’m both horrified and proud that I have never heard those “hip” terms you used to describe the food. And I’m convinced that you should never use them again.