I’m Dannis Cole and I write Young Adult Science Fiction.
Being a Local Guide is fun!
I began collecting maps when we went on vacation at age 7. Dad and Mama taught me to read them. I’ve been passionate about maps ever since and use them a lot in my genealogy research. So yeah, Google Maps have been my passion since I worked at Georgia State University in 1991 and got introduced to the new search engine, Google, shortly thereafter. A coworker in the Reference Department [she worked in maps, by the way] introduced me to the World Wide Web. When Google came out, all the librarians were using it, so I tried it and liked it better than any of the other search engines of the day. I’ve been a Google fan ever since, and a Google Maps user, too, all these years.
I’ve been reading reviews of places on Google Maps for years, and have put them up, long before I knew about Local Guides. When I put a review up, I try to include pictures and accessibility info. Since I grew up in a family of writers and artists, I have a little different way of looking at things. My family taught me to take pictures at age 11. They learned a good bit about photography taking pictures for the local newspaper and writing stories for it. They taught me how to write, too.
Working in libraries taught me to pay attention to details, but so did writing. In 2009, I decided to self-publish and began learning about 3D modeling. Designed my own book covers. Got a better camera.
I’m very happy to be able to contribute to my community through being a Local Guide. Most of my days, I spend in bed, but when I go out, I bring my camera, and I try to put a review up, to help other people plan their journeys.
Since I know first-hand what’s involved in a simple trip when you have to lug a wheelchair, I know some things that are helpful. How wide a doorway must be [36"] to accommodate wheelchair, walker, or even someone using elbow crutches! Nothing is simple when disability equipment is involved. People think it’s indestructible when even big wheelchairs are easily broken.
Being a Local Guide gives me a sense of purpose. Sometimes as a writer I feel invisible because I’m not healthy enough to do the heavy marketing involved to get my name out there. When I get an email saying a lot of folks have seen my pix, I feel like I’ve accomplished something nice. I’m very happy to be a Local Guide. Thanks so much for this wonderful program!
I love Google Maps! I love people and I’m passionate about meeting some of my fellow Local Guides. There haven’t been many opportunities to attend a local meetup so far. So I am very grateful just to be applying to #LocalGuidesConnect 2019. It’s exciting to think that this 60-year old has a chance to be selected to go to California. If I got to go, I’d get to meet local guides from all over the world and see Google Maps from the inside! But, if I don’t get to go, I’m still happy to be posting in my little corner of this huge world. Little things mean so much to a disabled person, and it’s wonderful to think that little me can make a difference to someone I shall never meet.
Link to my YouTube application video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdfIrWCtTW8
My Google Maps List is Best Eats Near Chattanooga here:
https://goo.gl/maps/F5t7ShmGaTp