Day 7 –
January 20th, 2014
3 sources of gratitude and/or inspiration
My taste buds—Tonight I went out to eat a nice meal with Rachel. After studying the various yelp reviews we decided to try Lark on the Park. More than three times I throught out loud, “I am so happy I have taste buds.” The server must have thought I was on drugs. But really, through the leg of lamb w/ Lebanese pesto and feta and a flight of various Texas beers (Live Oak, Peticolas, Revolver and Community, to name a few), I experienced a symphony of savory and sweet that would make a grown man weep like a dam baby. It nearly did.
What if all food had not taste and was purely fuel? I am amazed how taste buds trigger signals to the brain to create flavor and how the combination of sight and smell enhances the total experience. Isn’t it incredible that the shape of chemicals in the food match the receptor cells on the tongue to communicate a whirlwind of flavor?
Public parks and shared spaces— After a life-altering meal, we strolled around Kylde Warren Park surrounded by the towering lights from downtown. The walk around the park in the heart of the city reminded me of the Zocalos (squares) of Central and South America. No walls, no boundaries, just space and people. It does not belong to anyone, it exists for the people. The human energy is as much the attraction as the food trucks or ice-skating.
Conversation – To me, conversation is nothing less than an art. It requires listening, thinking, and responding— just for starters. My favorite thought about conversation is stolen from improv, the ‘yes and rule.’ That is, you listen to what has been said and you add something. Today I ran into my friend Channan at Ascension coffee and we swapped stories and ideas. The ‘yes and rule’ was in full effect. A good conversation can energize me more than the most potent triple shot of espresso.
charliesaginaw 