Derrick's views on just about anything.
I almost didn’t write this one. On Tuesday, Chicago police Sergeant Timothy Martin was found unresponsive at the Albany Park District station on North Pulaski. He was 49. He’d been on the job since December 2000, so almost 26 years. Police are calling it an apparent suicide, though the medical examiner hasn’t made a final […]
The Room I Almost Didn’t Walk Into Walking into a room full of people I don’t know has never been my thing. I’m almost 58, and yes, I can already hear someone saying, “Get over it.” Easier said than done. LOL. But today, I went anyway. I showed up for the street dedication honoring Al […]
Save the Recipes You Actually Cook (New in Pantry Chef) You know the feeling: Pantry Chef suggests the perfect weeknight dinner, you make it, everyone loves it. Two weeks later you can’t remember what it even was. It is buried in last month’s meal plan, gone the moment the week resets. Not anymore. You can […]
Staying Active During this stretch of being between jobs, Staying Active helps me keep my mind fresh as I navigate transitions. Additionally, I’ve leaned into experiments with AI in various forms to stay curious, learn continuously, and protect focus. This routine keeps me productive while I search for new opportunities. On my business site, SiteCraft […]
I have a complicated relationship with blogging. It’s not a tragic story, but it’s not a fairy tale either. It’s more like a long, winding road with detours, distractions, and a few unplanned exits — and somehow, I’ve found myself back here again. Version 1: The World According to Derrick My first blog — The […]
When Using AI to manage HTML – Makes Blogging Feel Like Work Yesterday, I set a deadline for myself: write a blog post by the 16th. Simple enough, right? Except when you’re maintaining a blog in pure HTML, that “simple” task turns into a mountain of prompts, code, and instructions. The blog entry didn’t get […]
WordPress Isn’t Dead — And Here’s the Real Reason Why Every few months, someone confidently declares that “WordPress is dead.” I hear it from friends, colleagues, and the occasional tech contrarian who’s convinced that AI can’t replace everything WordPress provides. The argument usually goes something like this: “AI can generate entire websites now. Why would […]
Today is one of those rare, perfect Chicago days — sunny skies, highs in the mid‑70s, and just enough breeze to make the city feel alive in a different way. Maybe it’s the weather, or maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t had a drink in a week, but I was up early this morning […]
Hi everyone, I’m back! It has been over two years since my last post, and a lot has changed during my hiatus. Most of my time was spent consolidating my wife’s online presence. I merged her book site, blog, and publishing elements into one cohesive site: https://katarapatton.com. I am very happy with the results and […]
Green River Distilling Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a remarkable expression that pays homage to the rich heritage of Kentucky bourbon while offering a bold, modern twist. This high-proof offering from the revived Green River Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky, is a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and tradition. Upon first glance, the […]