In the name of experience, bon appetite…

Tonight I will be dining in the next restaurant scheduled to be eviscerated by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Seems somewhat illogical to me to eat in an establishment that is doing so poorly it has elected to appear on an internationally syndicated program that will show it at its worst and have them laced into by an acerbic and volatile Brit. It’s along the lines of agreeing to go on a date with someone when you know they’re going to be on Maury next week – if Maury had a posh accent. I even have to pay for my own dinner. Blimey!

But still, the idea is to get out and do interesting things. And I’ve done some pretty wacky things over the years in the name of experience – and of journalism. I’ve stayed in a castle that was run by Scientologists and resembled the set of  “Clue.” I spent the night in a room with preserved amphibians floating in large jars of formaldehyde. I’ve been serenaded on my birthday by drag queens. I once attended a Playboy pajama party – in pajamas. I’ve eaten snails. I even went on a truly disastrous date with an Australian. (The accent has lost all appeal.)

Still, I don’t think of myself as a particularly adventurous person. I like to play things safe. I don’t jump out of planes, gamble with real money or participate in competitive sports. I’m Safety Girl. Every adventurous, risky or wacky thing I’ve ever done, I’ve been dragged kicking and screaming by my less-than-safety minded friends. I don’t want to say, “Thank goodness for them” as this will only encourage them, but I have to admit none of them have brought me to death or ruin – so far.

Despite my protestations to the contrary, however, I truly believe in trying new things, living life to the fullest, dreaming big and aiming high. I just think people should wear their seat belt is all.

In the spirit of living life fully, I leave you to read my favorite poem while I dine in sub-par surroundings. It’s by Dawna Markova and I keep it taped to my mirror to look at everyday.

fully alive
~
I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or of catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible,
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance;
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.

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