The $20 Falafel
I had already eaten a big lunch in a diner, but I knew the night wouldn’t be complete without getting takeout for dinner.
So I went back to the trusty $20 falafel. A food that used to cost $5 takes on a new status at this price point.
One part of it is inflation - the cost of food has gone up. The other part is gentrification. The shop is in a neighbourhood where it knows the local customers will tolerate the price.
And finally, there is the sharing economy. I was able to order this on Uber Eats for pickup because I had Teddy and wanted to make it as seamless as possible by waving to the staff from the front door.
Some days I feel the weight on my shoulders. As an adult you’re expected to answer to capitalism, report back to the family construct, behave in accordance with all the laws, and if that’s not enough you must have a point of view on every situation going on and have a plan for how to fix it.
So I think I’ll just stick with this $20 falafel for now. I’ll just wait and see how it all plays out.
Three Ideas from My Notebooks
Be a mensch but dont be afraid to look like a shlub. Carry yourself with a sense of dignity and grace, but understand that you can only make progress by failing and looking like an idiot. Get back up like someone who tripped on the street and keep moving like no one noticed even though five people clearly did.
Constraints push you forward. If you didn’t have limits, you wouldn’t be aware of what you can break down. Embrace the stresses in your life and see how you can work with them rather than against them.
Keep a whiteboard on your desk. I use them to jot down what I’m working on and what needs to get done. You can get a pack of 6 for $20.
All of the ideas going back to May 2023 are now located in The Ideas Index:
Always Be Tinkering
Lately I try to roll the tape when I play, and then we can see what is interesting afterwards.
This one was played by sitting on the floor and creating a background loop on the lap steel guitar.
Bagel Glossary: Picker
A Picker is an extra bagel you buy for the trip home. It’s preferably warm and has no seeds which will end up all over the car.
Have a great week ahead,
Elliott