Anyone who has ever dined out with me likely notices before anyone can touch their plate, my phone camera comes out and I take a quick picture or two of what is being served. No, it's not some show off to my friends to look at me where I am eating (I see plenty of that on Facebook daily). For me, it’s the simple pleasure of interacting with Google Maps, for which I am a heavy contributor. 

This started about five or so years ago when traveling alone to visit some properties in Florida, before we moved here. I was looking for something different to eat. I Googled “Best Breakfast near me” and was then provided with various lists. If you click on Reviews, you are welcomed with wonderful insights to almost any food in the area. I found a great little diner that was recommended that severed several items of interest and I was amazed at how much I agreed with that review. It prompted me to reciprocate and “give back” (a true Gotham motto) to other’s that may be interested. The next thing I knew, Google started to follow me and would ask if I could review wherever I just visited, not just food establishments, but stores, parks, hotels, etc. Wherever I traveled to, I would oblige. The biggest hits for me were my photos. I would snap something at Walmart or Home Depot to show my wife later on. Next thing you know, Google Maps asked me about it, so I posted it. Bingo, within about a year, my photos were showing up on store and restaurant webpages if you went onto their photo section. This led to a snowball effect where I now have about 12,000,000 photo views and over 600 reviews (viewed by over 600,000 people). I am currently a Google Maps top 10% contributor. I am also a top 1% reviewer for my area. Feel free to follow me as I continue my journey, hopefully helping others with their searches. It has become a hobby that I would never have imagined could be one.

What’s your unexpected passion?