So, it turns out I do like doing this. I suggested in my IntroductionA Previous Article that there was a possibility that this may fizzle. I guess it still may, but I really do like sitting down and reflecting on our Dining Experiences (all 50+ of them - see how I came up with that clever title? - since I got this idea earlier this year).

Things I thought would happen:

• This would be so insanely popular I'd have a movie made about me in the vane of Julie and Julia.
• Well, um, nothing.  I didn't have any idea what to expect, how interested I'd remain, how much I would enjoy it (or not), how crazy my wife would think I was.  Nothing.

Things I've learned:

• It has clearly proven that not choosing any form of Journalism as a career was the correct decision (actually, it never even crossed my mind but my point stands).  I'd never make a dead-line.  Never!  Almost without exception an article takes me a 2 or 3 sit-downs (sometimes a whole lot more) to get it where I'm trying to get to - yep, including this one (thanks Privacy option!).
• I recognize that I try and write the way I talk.  I recognize that technically, this is not correct.  I reject this technicality.  Initially I tried to write how I'm used to reading (which would make it more technically correct) but I didn't like re-reading my 'work'.  I'm not sure what made me decide to try my now current 'style' but I much prefer re-reading my articles as I work on them this way.  I know I have invented words.  I know I've probably used words in a way not really intended by their 'inventors'.  I know my English teachers would be able to blast away with their red ink. I don't care.  I hear my 'voice' this way and I'd prefer to think that you do to.

Things I think I knew, but now have documented (in a way):

• My wife and I eat out at some pretty cool places.  
• We have a few favorite places that suit little niches in our eating habits, but by and large we like to try new places.
• We're getting braver in what we try - but never will we be Anthony Bourdain brave!
• Our happiest meals are when we get to linger. Sometimes we're on a tight schedule, but by and large the meal is the only plan for our evening and there's always another bus (or cab) to get us home.
• It rarely suits us to eat a traditional 3 course meal
  • We look at the menu and decide what we'd like to try and sometimes that steers us only towards appetizers, sometimes only main courses, and usually something in between.  
  • We're never really sure how filling our choices will be so we'd much prefer to order one or two things, enjoy and then order more.  Rinse and repeat...  It's rare for us to end up with just 3 courses.  Servers often don't like this (by blaming the kitchen).
  • I wonder if I could start a rebellion over this...
    • I guess start with our friends who we've confused by not wanting to order our whole meal the first time the Server comes by?

Things I'm surprised by:

• Something that never crossed my mind when I started tinkering with this was how often I'd re-read old articles.  I don't go out of my way to do so, but if something else causes me to bump into an article and I have a few minutes to spare, I do get a kick out of remembering.  A pleasant side effect that more often than not brings a smile to my face.
• I don't think I look around the Restaurant any more than I used to, but I certainly take it in better (if that's the right word?).  There are quite a few clichés out there, but we've seen a lot of funnly and creatively decorated places.

I know that there aren't all that many of you out there reading my observations, but I'm totally ok with that.  Really!  I'm totally ok with that!  My 'process' won't change regardless of how many readers I have.  For those of you that do, I'm happy to have you listening in!

I guess the 'technically correct' closing is to say something like I look forward to you listening in for the next 50...  I guess I'll try report back then.

Stay JOLLY!
D