I was questioned earlier this week about my PURPOSE.
Not like in a police station, I’d not been brought in for loitering, more in a ‘what drives you?’ kind of way. I wasn’t sure how to answer because what with the midlife unravelling I’m not sure I have one at the moment.
‘Does brunch count?’ I asked hopefully. ‘I really like going out for brunch.’
Apparently brunch does not count, not as a life calling at least, but the more I thought about it the more I realised how much I really do love brunch. You remember when I moved back to Taunton and cried in the street because there was nowhere good to get eggs florentine?*
Brunch matters.
Brunch matters not just because of the toasty muffins and runny yolks, but because of what it represents. Brunch is a lifestyle – I wanted to create a way of working that gave me flexibility in my life to do more of the things I enjoy and to not have to show up for a job every single day that felt like it was sucking at my soul. And I did, which I should probably acknowledge more, and now I can have brunch any goddam day I want and no one can tell me otherwise.
Hoorah!
Brunch is also about people. Working on my own for ten years hasn’t always been easy, but brunch is a way to get that much needed human contact. ‘Do you fancy brunch?’ you can say to someone, and they’ll say yes, and off you’ll go, knowing that as well as the joy of a smashed avocado you’re going to get an hour with a person who adds something to your life and, in return, you can add something to theirs.
And so, new for 2020, I’m introducing my new regular feature – BRUNCH CLUB!
A couple of times a month I’m going to go out for brunch and then tell you about it. It might be in the style of a proper food review, but more likely I’ll get distracted and tell you a story about the time I once tried to make my own baked beans or had an awful brunch related date. I might use it as an excuse to show you how to make the perfect poached egg, or maybe I’ll have brunch with someone incredibly interesting or important and share their story with you.
That’s my idea anyway – to show that brunch can be turned into a life’s work.
What do you think?
If you have any suggestions of places you think I should go for brunch then let me know – I’m happy to travel for something special (in the name of research). Or maybe you fancy coming for brunch with me and telling me an interesting story?
Leave me a comment with your brunch inspiration!
*Since I wrote that blog post, with the line ‘there was not a single Boston Tea Party in sight and I started to cry’, a Boston Tea Party has opened in Taunton! That’s the power of my blog for you, right there. What shall I cry about next I wonder??
Brunch club! I LOVE it! I genuinely believe that everyone’s purpose is related to something they are totally passionate about – WHATEVER that something is. Wish we could do virtual brunch one day! I am still reading your book (and often re-reading it as I forget where I got up to and then enjoy re-reading the same bits over and over) and although I’m a slow reader anyway, it’s more because it is a real treat for me to read on train journeys so I like to keep the book going for as long as possible! Unless you’ve got plans for the next one underway in which case I will get a move on and read it.
Author
That comment has made me smile so much, thank you :-D No plans for a second book as yet so make it last!
Za Za cafe in Bournemouth .. I was there yesterday. The food looked so yummy I had to go in and I’m definitely going back for more…
Author
We’ll have to come and stay with you in the name of brunch research :-)
Happy to have brunch anytime! White Feather in Bridgwater might be worth a try. Xx
Author
It must be genetic – our family calling is to get places just in time for lunch!
I had a brilliant New Year’s Day brunch at the King Alfred in Borrowbridge. Would love to do it again, and with you! (though sadly it seems to be only an annual event :-( )
Author
I don’t think I’ve been there before Ed. I like the idea of special occasion brunch though – perhaps if they did it all the time it wouldn’t be as fun?
Superb post … made me smile. However the downside is, you need more time to have brunch. With our busy lives … but consider me signed up for the Brunch Club
Author
That is the slight issue – with all the brunching will I actually have time to write about them?
What a great idea, I bet your bruches will generate new ideas and projects. I used to BNI for a while and miss the freethinking environment and ongoing conversations the weekly breakfasts generated.
I love this, my three friends and I get together for brunch for each of our birthdays, and several in between. I absolutely love them! I’d love to join your club ☕️ and would definitely join you for brunch if I lived closer! X