This is so timely, Garrett. Thank you. I'm hosting my third, Build-Your-Own Community Dinner tonight (burrito bowls this time!). I had to postpone from last Friday because last week was just too much. Also, I thought changing to a different weeknight might increase rsvps, but it didn't. And so, I might only have a couple of folks at my table tonight. And a whole ton of leftovers.
Part of me wants to crawl under a rock. But instead, I'll set out food, talk to whoever shows up, and do it again next month, trusting that it will build over time. And if it remains small, sometimes very small, that's okay, too. It's not nothing, and that's the only way they win. If we actually do nothing.
Holy crap Asha you're doing it. You're not actively crawling under a rock, though boy do I get it. I'd love to hear how it goes, wherever on the spectrum you land between "actually, better than expected" and "oh my god that was awful and now look at all these leftovers."
On a separate note, I was pining for Columbia City as I was reading your essay. I don’t know if it’s still there, but there used to be an affordable and DELICIOUS Ethiopian place right off the main drag back in the day. If you have a chance while you’re in town and it’s still there, check it out.
I am generally of the opinion that any cuisine that involves family style service and you get to eat with your hands is the best for community building. If I had any talent with Ethiopian food, that would be my next BYO dinner for sure.
A core potluck memory I don’t share about enough was the class potlucks we used to have when I was a refugee English teacher in Chicago. We had folks in the class from a dozen countries, but a critical mass from Ethiopia and Eritrea and when I tell you about the absolute PILES of injera.
Nod for my fellow introverts here: I am particularly grateful for friends who know that my "no" is no reflection on them, just of my own disturbingly low capacity for socializing (especially in groups), and that they keep inviting me, even if I can only manage a "yes" every tenth time.
Literally mixing up a batch of snack mix with the same iconic flavors as we speak. Can't stop won't stop with the salty sweet! Maybe the mix is also your personality 😄
This is so timely, Garrett. Thank you. I'm hosting my third, Build-Your-Own Community Dinner tonight (burrito bowls this time!). I had to postpone from last Friday because last week was just too much. Also, I thought changing to a different weeknight might increase rsvps, but it didn't. And so, I might only have a couple of folks at my table tonight. And a whole ton of leftovers.
Part of me wants to crawl under a rock. But instead, I'll set out food, talk to whoever shows up, and do it again next month, trusting that it will build over time. And if it remains small, sometimes very small, that's okay, too. It's not nothing, and that's the only way they win. If we actually do nothing.
Holy crap Asha you're doing it. You're not actively crawling under a rock, though boy do I get it. I'd love to hear how it goes, wherever on the spectrum you land between "actually, better than expected" and "oh my god that was awful and now look at all these leftovers."
On a separate note, I was pining for Columbia City as I was reading your essay. I don’t know if it’s still there, but there used to be an affordable and DELICIOUS Ethiopian place right off the main drag back in the day. If you have a chance while you’re in town and it’s still there, check it out.
I am generally of the opinion that any cuisine that involves family style service and you get to eat with your hands is the best for community building. If I had any talent with Ethiopian food, that would be my next BYO dinner for sure.
A core potluck memory I don’t share about enough was the class potlucks we used to have when I was a refugee English teacher in Chicago. We had folks in the class from a dozen countries, but a critical mass from Ethiopia and Eritrea and when I tell you about the absolute PILES of injera.
You're an inspiration always, Garrett!
Nod for my fellow introverts here: I am particularly grateful for friends who know that my "no" is no reflection on them, just of my own disturbingly low capacity for socializing (especially in groups), and that they keep inviting me, even if I can only manage a "yes" every tenth time.
That tenth time yes, though!
Garrett + Garrett's Popcorn is always a winning combo. Good luck and have fun!! ❤️
Would you like to know if it gets old having the best popcorn in America have your name on it? It does not get old.
Literally mixing up a batch of snack mix with the same iconic flavors as we speak. Can't stop won't stop with the salty sweet! Maybe the mix is also your personality 😄
I am now going to spend the rest of the day considering this. What's all in the snack mix though?