Issue #10: My Best of List for 2024
A few of my favorite things from the last year.
The Silvert Lining is a place where I talk about real estate, cool homes for sale, things I’m looking forward to, and how I’ve been spending my time. In addition to this newsletter, I also post regularly on Instagram. You can follow me at Dan Silvert Homes.
I have been closely following the news on the wildfires in Southern California. My sincere condolences to everyone whose lives have been upended by these devastating wildfires. There are many organizations doing exceptional work in the recovery effort, and I personally donated to World Central Kitchen (recent Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient José Andrés’s non-profit), the Pasadena Humane Society, and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
I’m back! I missed writing this newsletter over the holidays, and am excited to commence a new year with my tenth issue. When I started thinking about writing a weekly newsletter, I was concerned that my audience would not match my enthusiasm. But I am happy to report that those concerns were unfounded as over 3,400 people subscribe to the Silvert Lining! To everyone that subscribes, reads, and shares this newsletter, thank you for your support and engagement.
As I’m easing into 2025, I thought it would be fun to look back at my favorite things from 2024.
Career Accomplishment
Favorite: Moving to Red Oak Realty
I made the move to Red Oak Realty, a local boutique, woman-owned real estate brokerage that gives me the tools and resources to better help my clients achieve their real estate goals.
Runner-up: Officiating college lacrosse
I got “the call” to wear the college stripes and began to ref MCLA and NCAA lacrosse games. One of my favorite sports accomplishments was having my mom watch me play a college game at Nickerson Field versus her alma mater (Boston University), and another cool moment will be reffing my alma mater’s season opener (UC Davis hosting Stanford) on February 1.
Hobbies
Favorite: Brazilian jiu jitsu
I went to southern California and trained with Brian Glick at Renzo Grazie Los Angeles and … in a garage in the Hollywood hills, which was a super throwback to the roots of Brazilian jiu jitsu in America. Brian’s jiu jitsu is exceptional and the experience was amazing. If you’re interested in the origin story of Brazilian jiu jitsu in the United States, I enjoyed this documentary.
Runner-up: Disc golf
With the help of my friend and business mentor Peter Ferioli, I built out my bag, started to get serious about the sport, and made my first hole in one!
Concert
Favorite: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
What a trip of a show! It’s not for everyone, but if you are intrigued by the notion of an Australian band that touches on Phish, Pink Floyd, thrash metal, and about a thousand other influences, give them a listen. It was an absolutely face melting live show.
Runner-up: Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes
Chuck Prophet is a local musician who is a Hardly Strictly Bluegrass regular who also puts on a monster live show. He played his first show at the Chapel in San Francisco with his new band (the Cumbia Shoes) and the standing room only crowd (which included me!) loved every minute of it.
Meal
Favorite: Charlie’s (a late addition!)
On December 27, my girlfriend and I went to the Elizabeth Spencer Winery to pick up her wine club order (and taste some of their goods, of course!) and ended up receiving a recommendation to check out Charlie’s in St. Helena. Charlie’s owner is a former Executive Sous Chef at The French Laundry, and his new spot is exceptional. We did not have a reservation, so we sat at the bar and chatted with the friendly staff between bites. I’m already planning my next visit!
Runner-up: Bull Valley Roadhouse
I ate at the Bull Valley Roadhouse in Port Costa on multiple occasions in 2024, concluding with their special menu to celebrate the final night of Hanukkah.
Vacation
Favorite: Honolulu, Hawaii
I went to Waikiki Beach in 80-degree October weather, paid my respects at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, ate at delicious local restaurants, and sat around by the pool for a few days with my girlfriend. It was a relaxing and recharging trip.
Runner-up: New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is my favorite city in North America. It’s a diverse melting pot that captures the complicated history and essence of the United States, and I always manage to come home with a few more restaurants and experiences to rave to friends about.
Item of Clothing
Favorite: LL Bean field jacket (I did not think I could love a jacket this much!)
If I’m ever stuck on a deserted island with only two items, I would choose this jacket and a “best of” Led Zeppelin box set. If “box sets” and CDs are before your time, my apologies. Also, hopefully the deserted island would be tropical since I did not list pants in my top two.
Runner-up: Custom John Fisher critique t-shirt
You suck John Fisher! The A’s leaving Oakland saddens me, and I hope this shirt expressed those emotions well.
Movie
Favorite: Saturday Night
Saturday Night is about the manic and uncertain first episode of Saturday Night Live. The movie is a frenetic ride directed by Jason Reitman, whose father (Ivan) was a big part of the National Lampoon universe that was the forerunner to SNL.
Runner-up: Challengers
With a soundtrack by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers is a smart, hip romp through the world of professional tennis with three professional players whose careers and lives intertwine in thrilling (and sometimes nefarious) ways. It’s left to the viewer’s imagination who the protagonist(s) is/are, and it’s a lot of fun.
Podcast
Favorite: The Daily Stoic
Hosted by author and Stoicism enthusiast Ryan Holiday, the Daily Stoic provides me with food for thought to be intentional and balanced in my approach to my business and life. Along with the movie Gladiator, the podcast is responsible for me constantly thinking about the Roman Empire.
Runner-up: History Daily
Host Lindsay Graham (no, not THAT Lindsey Graham!) takes a historical event and produces a 15-to-20-minute daily show that details said event. I love history and trivia, and I fall asleep to History Daily most nights.
Book
Even though it was written in 2002, Live From New York can be viewed as a companion piece to the Saturday Night movie I referenced earlier. Featuring interspersed interviews with Chevy Chase, Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell (and many, many more) writers, hosts and cast members, it’s an in-depth and uncensored look at what drives the show.
Runner-up: Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics
Triumph is a detailed look at how the U.S. Olympic Committee, American athletes, and others thought about American participation in the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. It’s both chilling and a cause to celebrate the human condition in the face of evil.
New year, new houses for sale! Generally speaking, fewer homes are listed for sale between Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl. Despite the lower inventory, there are some great places that are new to the market for 2025.
Let me know if you are looking for a new home, and I can create a customized search based on your wants and needs that will email you homes that meet your search criteria. You can schedule time with me to discuss your search for a new home or selling your current home by emailing me at DanSilvertHomes@gmail.com. DRE #01963734