About

It's a valid question.  What kind of self-serving, self-absorbed narcissist creates a website all about themselves?  Well, I don't see it as much as a way to be self-absorbed but rather an avenue for connection, because at my core that's what I'm about.    I'm all about creating experiences that connect people.  At work that means experiences that both connect humans to information they need to do their job better and also connect with their co-workers and customers.  Outside of work, it means crafting experiences that are designed to connect you to yourself, to the people you care about, to God.   I also have a strong desire for you to connect with me.  I want to share these areas of my life so we can connect more deeply.  To hell with shallow connection.   You can learn about me, and hopefully reflect on your own unique life experiences and learn more about yourself in the process.   We share much in our humanity- longings, fears, joys, pain, suffering, and pleasures.  Our lists will look different, and yet many will be the same. 

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While I believe the above is all true, if I'm totally honest with myself, I first and foremost created this site for me.  To reconnect with myself.   

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I'm in a new season of life, a new chapter.  My wife and I are empty nesters.  We moved to a new community three years ago.  I'm about to become a freakin' grandfather this year.  This site is a way for me to reflect on my life, what I believe, to remind myself who I am as I journey forth into this new season of life.  To practice what I preach in #4 from the Dean's List: "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken".   I want to be centered and ensure I'm authentically Dean moving forward.  

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I’ve chosen to mostly stay off of Facebook and most social media.  I found the documentary The Social Dilemma quite compelling.  I tend to feel like an insecure teenage girl when I'm on LinkedIn, comparing myself to another's "perfect" aesthetics and confidence and finding myself lacking.   Sends me down a path into a pit- never leads anywhere motivating, creative or courageous.   (see Dean's List #3, "No Comparisons"). 

 

So this is my social media.  I wanted a space to share my story, the uniqueness of Dean for my family and friends, and anyone else that may stumble upon this space.  It's helping me use my voice and better understand myself.  You'll see that I'm all about relationships- this is what I care most about.  Brings me the most joy and fulfillment and also the most pain.  A couple key ways I express my passion for relationships is through my other passions- music and filmmaking.  

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Here's what you'll find should you accept the challenge of spending a few minutes diving into the life of Dean:

The Dean's List: Musings on my seven life mottos crafted over 50 plus years of being Dean. 

Dean's Favorites:  We all have favorites.  These are mine, and it was darn fun putting this section together.   Favorite artists, music, movies, TV shows, quotes, favorite things that piss me off. 

Dean's Media:  Music, audio, and film/video/slideshow productions I've created or been a part of.  Storytelling via the power of music and images.  

Dean's Merch:  Because every narcissist website needs some merch.  

 

I'm glad you're here to join me on this journey of connection.  Please connect with me by leaving a comment or two with thoughts and questions, or your own list of favorites, because that's just fun.  Also, sign up for The Dean's List so you'll get notified when I drop new posts about my remaining life mottos.  I'll do my best to give you something to think about in a five minute post.