On Catering

When a very good friend of mine asked me to cater a meal for a meeting he was hosting, I eagerly jumped at the opportunity to use my skills for something big. He said I'd be feeding 12-15 people, which is bigger than I've ever done on my own, though I knew I could handle it.

He requested a traditional Sunday roast beef dinner. Over the six days I had to plan, my mind frequently reviewed the menu and everything that would happen on the big day. Roast, potatos and gravy, carrots, corn, and, of course, my incredible dinner rolls. Chocolate crinkles for dessert. Perfect.

Preparing the meal was so exciting for me. Chocolate crinkles first, so they'd be out of the way. Bring the roast to room temperature. Cover with carrots, onion, water, salt, and pepper. Pop it in the oven. Make roll dough. Let rise. Dishes. Rest for a few minutes. Check roast. Looks awesome! Punch down dough. Form rolls. Let rise. Check roast. Still awesome! Peel 14 potatos. Oops. Cut finger. Boil potatos. Boil water for corn. Make lemonade. Set roast out to redistribute juices. Pop rolls into oven. Make gravy. Mash potatos. Plate up. Serve. Breathe sigh of relief. Listen to seven happy men talk about how great the meal is. Dishes. Success.

On Waiting

Life Left To Go
Safetysuit

Sometimes the edge serves
As more than a friend
Than you thought it would be
And the pages you write
In your journal each night
Are your only release
And the mask you put on
It's like words in a song
But there's more to be seen
And the failures you see
Don't seem failures to me here at all

Oh
I'm begging you no
There's more life left to go
Oh
I'm begging you please
Cause I don't want you to leave

Alone as you walk
Through a crowd and its awkward
Like nobody sees
And you can't help but wonder
Would anyone come after you
If you'd leave
So a pain grows inside
And a fear comes alive
Like you'll never be free
But there's no pain you feel
That I know love can't heal here at all

Oh
I'm begging you no
There's more life left to go
Oh
I'm begging you please
Cause I don't want you to leave me

To leave me here on my own
There's nothing to run from
Oh
There's nothing but fear inside you
Oh
I just hope I can find you
And tell you that I know you'll smile again

Oh
I'm begging you no
There's more life left to go
Oh
I'm begging you please
Cause I don't want you to leave