A year in the life of a Winebar Cul-de-Sac.
Two kids, restaurants, sommelier life. possible failure, and hope in the mitten.
Julian is 3 1/2. Ronan is almost 1. What a ride it has been. I’ve learned a few things. Compelling things.
Kids love farts. They laugh a lot at farts.
Most of us are terrible at self-diagnosis.
Character is decided when nobody’s looking.
Sexual predators and harassers are protected by friends, far more than we realize. Silence is complict.
The best feelings happen when your kids smile at you, when they laugh, when they say “I love you,” and when they hug their siblings.
Sometimes your moment of record is one email. Or a 30-second conversation. Be kind and thoughtful.
Education is forever. Keep learning. It makes us all feel alive.
The Good ol’ Boys Club is real. A lot of men do not want to deal with interference from those who don’t like their jokes, their drunken behaviour.
I’m stronger than I knew I was. I faced horrible moments and shite them off. I woke up, parented, worked, and moved on. And it was usually thankless moves across the board. But isn’t that what parenting is?
“Authentic” doesn’t always mean “good.” “Affordable” sometimes means “disgusting.”
We should be paying more for both Asian and Mexican cuisine.
Most folks don’t understand the true cost of food. But I really don’t think it’s their fault.
I love Michigan State, and I’ll never not. But man…the culture is concerning.
Cassius Winston is inspiring.
Owning your own business means you are the last to get paid.
Owning your own business means you are the last to get paid.
Owning your own business means you are the last to get paid.
Owning your own business means you are the last to get paid.
Owning your own business means you are the last to get paid.
Being kind is the best play, always. Care for the underdogs first. Those who need a voice.
Make me name 3 styles of wine to drink for the rest of my life, and I’ll say “Champagne, Barolo, White Burgundy.”
There were a few nights when I was unsure that I could last. But I did. And what I learned is that the next day always provides solutions. Always. It’s not easy, maybe. But listening to yourself is the key.
Listening is a difficult skill. When two kids are screaming, it’s an act of God.
Sometimes, people give you great advice. Listen to it.
Sometimes, people give you terrible advice. Listen to it.
Sometimes, people give you advice to absolve themselves of guilt.
Sometimes, people give you advice because they think their path is right.
Don’t hold a grudge because of shite advice.
I’ve lost some friends this year. I have no answer for why.
So….
I pull all this information down into my brain for Ronan’s first birthday, and I think of a half-dozen important things:
*Never listen to anyone else and 100% accept anyone but your core group of people: Wife, best friend, etc. Nobody else matters on this.
*Eat great food, drink great wine, share with everyone you can.
*Travel. Learn. Be afraid. Never Stop.
*Help your babies manage this. Help them be good. Help them be citizens of the world, friends to all. Help them be the best humans they can be.
*When in doubt, assume love. Assume hope. Assume positivity.
And last one:
*Cast out all toxic people with no second thought. If they want to come back, let them earn it.
See you around, friends.
