Made an attempt to break up with a restaurant this past week. Have you ever dealt with this scenario? It’s become part of your routine, the food is good when it’s right but it’s only right 50% of the time. The other 50% the food isn’t entirely in your bag when you bring it home. It’s a solid day when the food is on point and you get everything you ordered and paid for. It’s just not consistent. I’m all about supporting local but the owners have to give me the vibe that they give a shit and well let’s face it, they don’t.

So in a calm manner I relayed to my wife that I know longer wished to support this establishment. She took it in stride but since this isn’t my first time making this announcement I don’t think she’s taking it seriously.

Not sure if I would too but at that moment it was needed to get that off my chest. I’m more than willing to kick that particular restaurant to the curb. Right now it’s a 50/50 vote and for some reason I feel like I losing that vote.

*puts foot down

*no one hears it

I don’t go out to eat anymore. Or I should say I don’t go into establishments and dine. On occasion I’m expected too. Celebrations, gatherings or just putting on pants to be presentable enough to eat inside. I used to love to go out and eat. That’s how I always received my inspiration for food ideas and atmosphere. I loved the service chatter and professionalism when it mattered. The aromas and textures.

Now

I hear glasses clinking in dish racks, obnoxious loud musak, people talking over people, kids screaming, kitchen utensils clanking, hood rattling. I no longer smell good food. It’s burnt grease and fabuloso. You’re killing your customer’s taste buds with that scented shit all over your walls, floors and tables. The food and service isn’t the same. Owners are trying to save a buck and have cut back on solid ingredients and reputable brands. I get it yall I was right there with you which is why I’m no longer there with you. Service? Don’t get me started. Our food was brought out with sharp auctioning “STEAK?” “FRIES?” “CHICKEN?”. Can’t say anything to that manager it was her that was the auctioneer. Not that I would anyway.

I’m aware all of this makes me a dinosaur and that’s exactly what I am.

But

I’m a Dino with standards

My day yesterday was highlighted by finding my favorite pair of shorts at a Nike outlet. If you’ve seen me in public the last four years I’m most likely wearing running shorts. Its ironic because I don’t really run anymore but I’ve gotten quite attached to this style of shorts. I work in them, travel in them and lounge in them. 5in inseam, black 2 in 1 nike strides.

I bought 3 pair. My others were almost gray from usage and the base layers had holes in them. I just bought another pair online. Nike always discounts what it’s about to stop making so I’m on it. I’d have a 100 of these if I could.

I’ve become very quirky about the clothes I wear. Y’all don’t understand. I used to go out and by a party “outfit” every week. Always a new shirt and I’d buy a new pair of designer jeans every month. At one point I had 42 pairs of jeans.

I now have 5. I only wear one.

Hoodies I’d wear 365. I’ll wear my hoodie until June sometimes. I’ll wear it in my truck and take it off when I get out to pump gas. I don’t know where to allow my hands to rest without hoodie pockets.

My long break from camping has encouraged me to reflect on how I approach it now. I got into truck bed camping around 5 years ago. It was just me and my truck bed with a futon mattress. I had a sleeping bag, pillows and a string of $9 battery operated lights. You didn’t even know I was camping until I popped out of the tailgate.

Simplicity

It had its pros and cons. Set up wasn’t much just getting my food separated from my sleeping quarters and having my book of the month within reaching distance. The camper wasn’t insulated so cold was real cold but it wasn’t terrible in the mountains during summers. It was a tad cramped for long trips and the main reason I upgraded was rainy days weren’t much fun sitting in the back of the truck for half the day.

I wouldn’t mind going back to some of that but with more headroom. I’ve got my eye on something but there’s a lot of moving parts to make it happen or I just sell my trailer and keep my tent nearby in case I need it. I know it’s first world problems. I just want quicker set up, less hassle but also at 53 I don’t like laying down to change my clothes or hitting my head on aluminum every time I want to change positions while sleeping

My daughter turned 15 yesterday. I’m still speechless

I have one more busy day of charcuterie tomorrow before I can really relax. I’m pushing myself for some time off. Your boy is spent. With holidays comes socializing and it exhausts me. It truly does. If all of our entertaining keeps us going to Greer several times in one week I’m just going to move there next time. I enjoy the company. I don’t enjoy the 27 traffic lights to get there.

I’m journaling on my phone even though I now have a shiny new laptop to do this. I was halfway through with this before I realized it. I need to get into the habit of using the computer my phone is about to take a cut in my affection for it. It’s time

I work today on my day off. Hopefully this will be the last time for a bit it’s already caught up to me. My ass is wishing I could drive to Sedona in half a day.

Deli update is taking a break this time. I’m trying to break a routine of writing about the deli because it’s safe and easy and I’m becoming predictable with my words. Practice practice.

That’s about all I got this time around folks. Cheers