Fried Chicken and Waffles

Sometimes things just don’t seem to go together. When I first heard about the concept of fried chicken and waffles I thought to myself…. “This just may not work out”. But I pressed on as a group of friends decided to give it a go at Gladys Knight’s Fried Chicken and Waffles in Atlanta, Georgia.

When the plates arrived we all kind of circled around them not exactly sure how to approach this unholy concoction. I was afraid and uncertain on whether to slather syrup on the waffles for fear of it getting on the chicken, only to realize that the combination of the sweet waffle and the savory chicken was a natural combination. Our fears were wholly unfounded and we were both shocked and delighted.

I’ve tried it again in several places; Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles and Maxine’s in Indianapolis. Each time I am delighted by the combination and I think back to my initial trepidations.

Life is kind of like that. Sometimes your initial angst over a situation is overtaken by the joy that it brings in another moment. Maybe it’s a first date that leads to a soul mate or a sports tryout that leads to a full trophy case, but we’ve all had those moments when we realize that our initial fears were completely unjustified.

It’s ok to let a little self doubt fuel you, if you don’t let it stop you. It’s ok to fear an outcome, as long as you’re open to the possibilities.

Don’t worry about it…. that is the good stuff. That’s the fried chicken and waffles of life.

“Every tomorrow has two handles.

We can take hold with the handle of anxiety or the hand of faith.”

- Henry Ward Beecher

Help Wanted: Superman, apply within

I want to go to Darfur.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking…. “Well who doesn’t?” But, I’m serious. I want to go to the middle of that mess and see what I can do to help. I have no false pretenses about fixing the situation. I mean, this African region in Sudan has suffered through war and famine since before I was born and I know no one man can end the situation. But I am certain I can help.

“Don’t hesitate to do something just because you can’t do everything.”

I know me and I know that I would be forever changed. I know that I would be haunted by the memories and that I would never look at a steak from St. Elmo’s the same way ever again. I’m prepared to live with that. I’m at the point in my life when I want to be……changed. I want to feel. I want to be uncomfortable. I want to have nightmares. I want to wake up exhausted and feed kids. I want to feel grateful and be……forever changed. 

What’s the alternative; living a life wrapped in comfort and bubble wrap? Living some Ward Cleaver-esque existance, sitting around on a Saturday debating on whether to go to Ikea, The Gap or Bob Evans?

Well, I’ll tell you what……. Fuck Ikea.

I need to find more personal battles to take up my free time. I need to pick my spots, whether it’s Darfur or any of the dozens of causes that touch me at my core. I need to dig in and stop being a hypocrite.

“and hypocrite used to be such a big word to you,

And it don’t seem to mean anything to you now.”- John Mellencamp

I know that I can’t do everything, but I can do something. It’s time for me to pick my spots and fight the good fight.  I know that Darfur won’t happen anytime soon, but for now, I can help locally. I know that I can make a difference. Moreover, I have to make a difference.

“If not me, who? And if not now, when?”- Mikhail Gorbachev

I’m not Superman, I don’t have a cape and god knows the next time that I wear spandex will be the first. I am no miracle worker and my odds of walking on water are pretty slim. I know that I will not be able to help them all, but I can surely help one. I can, and I must and I promise you this…..I will try and carry the following words in my heart every day.

“There are two kinds of gratitude; the sudden kind we feel for what we take and the larger kind we feel for what we give.”

- Edwin Arlington Robinson

Join me, Wont you?