Lasting Impressions

You may have read me griping or sarcastically commenting on how flat the food industry is right now. Since we have closed I have been thinking about the reasons for this. There seem to be many reasons for this, many of out a person’s control, but these past few weeks I have been meeting up with people I haven’t seen for some time and also chance encounters in my wandering. And one thing seems to be a common thread: a loss or lack of lasting impressions. To be general, there’s not a lot of things worth remembering and many influences in life whether teachers, friends, or strangers may be more negative than positive. Usually I like to point the finger at social media or that we never have any time anymore, which are in play no doubt, but there are always wider and deeper factors at play. That is something for another time. For now on the surface when was the last time someone or something left an impression that helped you to improve or level up?

What does this mean? I’ll give you a few examples. I went to DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, and I had two teachers who made a lasting impression on me. One was a gym teacher I’ll refer to as Coach Sis. The guy wouldn’t even remember me today, but his manner of going about things taught me about respect, honor, and knowing when to tell people to shut the fuck up. The guy was almost always angry, he seemed to hate everyone but his daughter, and unless my memory is fading I swear he started every sentence with “let me tell you something.” During gym class, lunch break, or random classes he would share his maxims about everyday life on various things like how to communicate properly, not to waste your time, standup for yourself, and be ready to go at all times. I’m not saying the guy was some genius, but at that time in my life, his mannerism and perspective is what I needed to take with me throughout my life. And I’m a better person for it.

Another teacher was a monk. Sadly, as I write this I can’t remember his name. He was a religion and music teacher. I’m not a Christian of any type though I have been accused of being a Calvinist, but I have a warm heart for people who take their faith seriously. And monks always seemed to be the most serious, they are like the mechanics working on cars and priests are like used cars salesmen. This particular monk helped me to be more critical about ideas and concepts than any science teacher I ever had. And during one particular class where we had to ring these stupid bells and read musical notes (it’s making me angry thinking about it) I learned the beauty of working hard to not only do something well but to do so in sync with others. Classes like that also taught me what awful sounds like and how to spot someone who is either a moron or doesn’t give a shit (they’re usually a moron). He taught me a kind of religious kindness, as I call it, where you open your heart to people but also expect them to put their heart into everything they do. It is of no good to be a child of a god in a god’s world when you go about life lazily. I’m not religious, by the way, but I agree with the concept, if in a sarcastic manner.

Even before high school there was Ms. Edwards. She was one of my earliest lasting impressions. She was a defiant woman who was all Jersey. Through her I learned to stand up for what I believe in, embrace creativity, and to critique the system. Without her I’d not have the strength to look at an issue and steer my heart towards the victims or marginalized. In the long run I learned about the value of redemption and things aren’t always black and white. At a young age she took us into New York City and showed me anime and movie that challenged what I understood as society at the time. She was the first person I encountered that took a moment to try and compress grief even if it was just about the death of Tupac.

There are countless others, who were of a particular standard, throughout my life who have taught me things along the way to level up (I’m still meeting people and leveling up). You also have to be open to these impressions and eventually trim the bullshit and keep what is important. No one person is an island. But things don’t get better, more beautiful, or more interesting if you aren’t open and focused on wanting it to be so. Many people who have made lasting impressions on me I don’t necessarily agree with on 90% of things, and that is okay. The point is looking for that high level shit and making it part of you. That is what I don’t see these days when I encounter people. I feel like many people never had lasting impression throughout their lives to show them how to strive for better standards whether in their work, relationships, and beliefs. You have to share with others if anything is going to get better.

But let me tell you something… I have no control over this and it is what it is, but I’ve loved cuisine all my life and it ain’t nothing to smile about right now. People can fight over left wing, right wing, capitalist, socialist, and whatever else. Just make some god damn good food. Don’t send out those damn fries if it isn’t proper. No, I don’t need some old bay seasoning or dill because they weren’t fried right. I’d rather have something seasoned properly than something piled with truffle and caviar.