What's one
of the first questions we ask when we decide to meet up with someone: Lunch or
coffee? If you
really wanted to crash our economy, ban meetings in restaurants or coffee
houses.
I'm sure it
goes back to primitive times. It's conceivable (at least to me) that early
Australopithecines at day's end gathered around a half-devoured gazelle and
discussed their events on the plains. After all, a leisurely grunting session
with some close hominoids after a long period gathering, scavenging, and
escaping from carnivores would be welcome.
Although the
evolutionary train has pulled out, our habits have not. We celebrate with food. We do
business over dinner. Relationships begin - and end - at restaurants. Even our
last tribute, the wake, is deeply intertwined with eating.
There's
nothing wrong with these; don't get me wrong. But one has to admit, that for
most of us, it's hard to picture doing anything else with each other. If we're
looking to adjust our collective waistlines and get in shape, maybe we need to
examine some options. After all, there are book clubs, quilting circles, or
even video games.
My son was
in town; this usually involves copious amounts of food. Under the television
lies our unused video console; the wireless type specializing in sporting
events, where one creates icons to compete against each other.
Said he to me, "Bet I can take
you in a sword fight."
I might be
30 years his senior but I still have testosterone; I couldn't let that stand.
Our
characters faced each other. The battle was joined. After several close rounds,
lots of laughter, a great deal of sweat, and exclamations of "You're
toast!" or "Take that," age indeed triumphed over youth.
More
important, I can already tell it will be one of my favorite memories, far more
than yet another trip to yet another restaurant. Plus the added bonus is I got
to show him he'd still better not mess with his old man. (Of course, I still
can't lift my arms; but I'll deny it if you tell him.)
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