The Last....

If you've read my blog (or know me IRL) for any length of time, you know that I hate to cook. Not a fan of the kitchen. Unless I'm cleaning it. Cooking...the act of buying ingredients, mixing them together- correctly- then putting said ingredients together to form something resembling a tasty, healthy and fun meal....scares the hell out of me.

I mean yeah, I can cook. I can survive. It's not my favorite thing in the world to do...probably one of my least favorite things to do. In my last house, I used my oven 4 times in almost as many years. And on one of the nights I did use it, my roommate at the time was astounded...he figured the oven was broken, which is why I never cooked.

I may (may?)  (No! Will!!) be heading in a new direction which will change my concept of kitchens and what they mean to me.

Last night I got together with Terry, who I met when he presented at Ignite Boulder 5. And by meet, I saw him on the stage, loved his presentation, and started following him on Twitter. And last night was the IRL meeting.

Over the weekend, Terry put out a call asking for people who hated that they hated to cook. Which sorta kinda described me.

Last night at bSide lounge over tasty organic mint Mojitos's we can up with a plan in where we cook...and like it, dammit!  Or maybe we cook, and no longer quake with fear? Or? We cook and don't run screaming from the kitchen in utter horror.  You can guess which description fits me.

And before you go getting all judgemental and stuff, please remember what you may find easy I may find impossible, and vice versa.

So Terry and I are off to a smashing start. It was cathartic to trade tales with someone that GETS IT like you GET IT!  Terry didn't look askance when I shared that the first dinner I made for my college boyfriend sent his brother (who came along for the ride) to the ER. (Musta been a bug going around, cause my family was fine...but whatever). And that I might enter my kitchen once a week, if that, and if there's no milk or Coke in the fridge why do I even bother going into the room, which instead of calling it the kitchen I now call it the room at the front of the house.

Anyway.

I got to thinking

What if this were my last Summer on earth?  I mean really...what if it was? Knowing me, if I KNEW that for a fact, I would try to do as much fun, crazy, wild, passionate, transforming activities and events as possible. So I decide to act like it is. Then REALLY act like it is.

I know peple say 'life is short' and 'live each day as if it were your last'. But how many people actually DO THAT? Practice what they preach. 

As of last night, me! I'm gonna do it.

So between now and the end if Sept, I'm gonna go all out. If it's fun, I want to be there. Same for educational. Inspiriring. Thought provoking.  Helpful. Challenging. Especially the challenging. Techgeeky. That too!

I want to love to cook. And cook at least 5 meals really well. I want to spruce up my deck. Go on a hike. Climb more than 2 feet upwards in a climbing gym (me and my huge fear of heights). Take a trip to Royal Gorge and cross the bridge (again with the height challenge) To sit perfectly still and quiet in a secluded space and watch the stars. A concert at Red Rocks. Film on the Rocks. Margs at the Rio Rooftop. Run a mile. Capture the most beautiful sunset ever and make a holiday card from the picture. Spend a long weekend in the mountains in an area I've never visited (and since I've only been to Estes Park and Vail, that leaves a sizeable list of choices). See some killer concerts where I scream my head off and dance the entire time (ahem, Green Day Aug 15 have awesome tickets...oh yeah!).

If I could do each and everything on my list I'd be thrilled. Beyond thrilled. And if this summer really was my last, what a fitting way to go! 

So I challenge you to do the same. Go balls to the wall and live it like it's your last. Don't waste a day, an hour, a minute.

Get out there and attack Summer like you really mean it.

Then get back to me in early October and regale me with tales of your Summer of 2009.

Comments

[Raf]

Kath,

That's a great story, and a great way of looking at things. Thanks for sharing! :-)

[Jess]

This stuff is all so cool! It sounds like it's going to be an awesome summer.

Also... if you like cleaning kitchens... want to come over?

[rosalicious]

I just decided to start cooking more, too! (Although, I happen to like cooking. I just don't like the routine of making dinner).

We've started listing out our weekly menu on the chalkboard in the kitchen. Since it's so lame to see "tomato sandwich" (my summer staple) up there, we've been making some good stuff this week.....gazpacho, quinoa salad, potato salad, thai, etc....

So there's my Martha tip for the day. You're welcome :)

[Alma]

I love cooking. My Daddy was a chef, and I have lots of foodie/chef friends. But I find it's difficult to cook for just me. I make huge amounts of over-the-top food, typically, and well...it all goes to waste. :( My challenge this year has been scaling things back--both size-wise and health-wise. I am still the takeout queen, but doing the menu thing is helping.

And everything you described--it's how I live my life. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

[Heather Clisby]

I love cooking but didn't always feel that way. It wasn't until my stint as a restaurant reviewer and food writer that I began to appreciate the creativity involved. It's basically art you can eat! Don't shy away from making something big or fancy for yourself - that's what freezers are for.

If you really want to set a goal for yourself, throw a dinner party! I'll come - I'm really skilled at eating.

[w0nderm0nkey]

The Flaming Lips are at Red Rocks in August! You're welcome to join us :-D

[Jillian]

I wish I had the time to enjoy fully my summer - but I suppose the whole "getting married" thing is an adventure in itself! I'll make my "last season" autumn instead - go hiking and camping more, go to a live concert that leaves me full of energy, make cookies and muffins 'just because' for folks, go rock climbing more, learn to breathe and be happy, find a bigger place where I can entertain more!

Good luck on the cooking - I used to hate it (mostly intimidated) but now I love it and cook every chance I get! Get a few beginner cookbooks (or recipes online) - that may help ease the transition. The library is a great resource for that, and I love epicurious.com!

[hubs]

We cook tons at my house. grilling is really easy (few dishes to clean) in the summer time. let's get moving summer is half way over!. This entire post reminded me of my big list (put together way back in 2003, it needs to be updated): http://www.artifacting.com/blog/2003/04/23/the-big-list/