I think I’m turning old fogie. Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to an Alton Brown live show. Alton Brown is the cinematographer turned chef turned celebrity who created the long running Food Network show, “Good Eats.”
I grant you, this was not a symphony concert nor a Broadway marquee performance, but it wasn’t the Grateful Dead either. As such, I was not dressed in my Sunday go to Meeting Clothes (even though it was Sunday), but I looked respectable in a collared shirt, slacks, and blazer. My daughter was with me in a flowy spring dress. Sprinkled among the crowd were others like us but most looked like they would have been more at home at that Grateful Dead concert. One particular couple who caught my eye, she with what appeared to be a beach coverup (although I don’t know what it was covering, not even close to beachwear weather) and he with a sweat stained t-shirt, cargo shorts, and grass stained work boots. She was wearing a rock on her left hand the size of the Hope Diamond and they were in the VIP session with us so I guess the lawn business is a profitable one for him and perhaps she just flew in from the yacht to catch the show.
This is all on the heels of another event on Saturday. I can’t recall if I ever mentioned here that I am a member of the Toastmasters. We are in the midst of contest season. Every year, Toastmasters around the world compete for a spot at the World Series of Speaking, moving through Club, Area, Division, District, and Regional contests in search of that spot on the International stage. Saturday was the Division contest and drew about 100 people from 18 local clubs. Of the 12 speakers, four looked like professional speakers, suits and ties, or at least blazers for the men, and a dress on the one woman. The others looked like lawn boy’s cousin. I’m sorry, but that is not how you present yourself if you want to be taken seriously. (Unless the style of dress is a reflection of the topic like a tropical shirt if you’re discussing surfing. Nobody talked about surfing.) (Or even lawn care.)
But…through it all, whoever it was and whatever anybody looked like, I noticed a lot of people nodding and saying hello. I was flabbergasted! It was just last week in the ROAMcare Uplift post that we talked about how the world needed more Hi Guys. If you haven’t already, take a look at it.
Did you notice I was late this week? If you did, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. If you didn’t, why not!?
The Real Reality Show Blog 
I did notice you were late. Also, in the included Alton Brown material, he’s dressed nicely. It seems you should match the dress of your host, right?
But I’m laughing about the lawn boy because I know exactly what you mean. How funny!
I know it’s an old fashion concept but I still treat going out, going anywhere, as an event. I have to chuckle though about matching the dress of your host. There was one segment that he began with breakfast and came out in pajamas and bathrobe.
I noticed, too! Thanks for taking us along. 🥰
Thank you for noticing. It means a lot to my fragile ego 😁
Hardly…you’re the sanest among us in the blogging bunch, I’d say. 🥰😜🥰
Some day we’ll compare definitions of sane! 🤣
Blogging fodder all around us! 😜
I did notice as well! But I was tickled anyway by the comments on the dress of the gathering for Alton Brown. Back in the day, dressing for success was a thing. Living in Florida, people wear all kinds of things to all kinds of places–most of those things being of the “less than” motif. Your lawn boy obviously could care less what others thought about his appearance, and maybe that’s healthier than dressing for success. I don’t know anymore. All I know is I can wear my soccer flops just about anywhere.
On the one hand I respect those who aren’t afraid to do their thing as they want to, but on the other hand I still respect the idea that there are still societal norms and strive not to offend others even visually. Except of course for Florida. You guys do have your own definition of normal!
You’ve got that right, my friend. But down here, normal isn’t a real thing. It’s what you’re doing or being in the moment–everyone calls themselves “normal,” even though there is no sense of normalcy.
I must keep that in mind the next time I pass through your state. 🤓
Good Eats! I loved that show… especially the sock puppet gas bubbles. We still laugh about them. I didn’t know Alton Brown had written books so this is something for me to look into. Thanks for the smiles.
Oh my, Good Eats was a favorite of mine! The sock puppets made an appearance. He has written quite a few books and I have most of them. There is a 4 book set of Good Eats recipes and stories, Feasting Asphalt, tales from his short lived cross country motorcycle tour exploring local foods. I Believe it came to an end when he broke his leg. A couple more on cooking techniques and at least one (the current one in the picture) or two collections of essays he wrote.