Meet Dom. Well, “Dominic” is his proper name but I don’t call him that. As you can probably tell from the photo that he selected to share above, he is a pretty fantastical character with an outlook on life that I really admire. He also really loves kittens, but not in a scary cat-woman type of way. He is the type of friend that you know isn’t passing judgment on you when you tell him about the Italian man you took home with you, who fully supports you in crazy ideas like starting a potato chip company of chips cooked exclusively in animal fat and who will tell you that you are gorgeous when you have come to meet him after a spin class, having not showered and just throwing on a giant sweatshirt over purple leggings. He enjoys life and he makes it fun. He believes in trying things out, seeing what happens and figuring it out from there. He can scribble something on a crumpled up piece of paper and people will think his idea is genius-becuase it most likely is. We met almost four years ago via Seth Cripe (who was the first “character” I wrote about on this site. Dom, a long-time friend of Seth’s was the graphic designer whom Seth wanted me to collaborate with in developing the Anna Maria Fish Company brand. I loved Dom and his style right away. His work is playful but NEVER cheesy, uber detail-oriented and very textured/layered and his creations always have their own character. He is also very patient and matter of fact, which is very important when putting up with me. He is the only person I wanted to design my logo, business cards etc. and as I knew he would, he just got it. I swear, I still pet my business cards on a regular basis and ogle at my BBB cube. He is my go-to for all of my projects, I consider him my (un)official team member as well as a person with whom I will continue to share pints with (that is what he calls them 🙂 ), for many a years to come. When him and his partner James aren’t traveling the globe, and also when they are, they work on their El Mundo Feo brand. You will officially raise your coolness factor by sporting one of their t-shirt designs. In the meantime, you can get some insight into Dom’s brilliance, here (also, check out those legs!!!!):
How do you want to be described in introduction? I will be writing a little tidbit about you, but if have preferable title, etc. please let me know. Also please send along a preferred picture to be used if you would like one.
I always liked how one of my best friends in school would get me to meet people at bars – he would literally shove me at people to get me talking to them. Always worked.
How do you know BigBellyBloch?
Through Seth Cripe at Anna Maria Fish Company. We worked on his bottarga and caviar together, and I guess it went from there!
Do you have a nickname and if you are willing to, can you share its origin, please.
Not really… I guess any nicknames I have are very specific to people/places, and are probably not really suitable for any form of polite or respectable conversation! Ask me again after a few drinks.
What do you do in life?
I guess I like to make sandcastles. Most of the stuff I make is temporary, but I enjoy making it. Some of it sticks around though – I do like those castles a lot.
What is your theme song?
Top five most played songs in my library: Dolly Parton- I Really Got the Feeling, Morandi- Rock the World, Bloodhound Gang- Screwing You on the Beach at Night, Mogwai-Friend of the Night, Gravitonas- Shameless. I tend to obsessively listen to certain songs over and over again, so my top most played songs are a bit weird. Top 5 most recently played songs: Hot Natured- Benediction, Azari & Ill- Reckless (Psychemagik Mix), Gravitonas- Incredible, Justin Timberlake- Mirrors, Christeene- 39 49 39.
What food or drink most closely represents you and why?
Whiskey for drink (probably should say wine, which is definitely a large part of my life) and burritos for food. Burritos because I could probably live the rest of my life eating only burritos, and still be pretty happy.
Favorite herb or spice:
Anything hot or spicy I automatically like. Any kind of pepper: habanero, shishito, jalapeno, you name it.
Build a sandwich that represents ultimate deliciousness and describe it here:
Guigni’s sandwich on Main Street, St. Helena. Best damn sandwich in existence. Nothing comes close. Jalapeno cheddar, pepper turkey, sprouts, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, mustard, too much horseradish (yes please, a little more, thanks,) mayo, extra Guigni Juicy, all on Dutch crunch. Probably hike up Bell Canyon to eat it.
What is the biggest challenge you face on a daily basis?
Not a morning person.
How do you overcome it?
Stress that I ain’t getting shit done.
3PM snack, go:
Just a snack? Trail mix? Apple? Banana? I’m not good at feeding myself – if it’s in front of me, I’ll eat it. If it’s not in front of me, I’ll forget about eating until I’m too hungry to think properly. It’s really a tragedy how bad I am at feeding myself when I’m in working.
What are four things you are grateful for?
Two working legs, two working hands.
What are you doing for dinner?
Tonight? Why did you have to send this to me on a night when I didn’t do anything?! Normally I’d have a good answer, but tonight – pizza. We ordered pizza in from Waldy’s – added jalapenos to a margherita pizza. I’ll go hide in shame now.
Thoughts on leftovers?
Usually better than the first time around. Depends on the type of food though.
Please feel free to share a favorite BigBellyBloch moment if you have one.
First one that comes to mind is when you warned me you’d be coming straight from the gym and would be “McGrossy.” You looked fabulous. I think there’s a 3am at a bar story with Seth as well. Also the chips that you keep talking about that I haven’t gotten to taste yet! Look at my answer for 3pm snack. I clearly need help.
Tags: Anna Maria Fish Company Characters Dominic graphic design Mondavi
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