Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix series, “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” was one of the primary inspirations behind my Power Lunch project this year. The conversations Jerry has with his guests reminded me of the back and forth I’d have with my own friends, and for me, a quick portrait at lunch was a great way to immortalize it. But until getting together with my friend Ben, the car angle to remained untapped. I’ve probably known Ben for the better part of fifteen years, but our friendship really got up to speed thanks to two primary factors. One was our regular encounters at the gym; the other was our shared love of sushi. Ben and I were both part of a group that used to crash the old Gateway Happy Sumo (RIP) to take advantage of their VIP discount nights. It was quite the undertaking, with groups of up to 20 people at a time, but in spite of the chaos, some valuable friendships emerged. As the years went on and people went their ways, the numbers shrank to more modest numbers, but I can still count on a nice sushi outing with Ben when I can pull him away from his nursing duties (ask him about the “biceps incident” if you want an action-packed work story). When I told him about my project, he took things up a notch, and had me drive his blue Chevy Camaro as part of our itinerary. The meal itself was a little more elaborate than usual, too. We decided to hit up @fujisushi_ut in Centerville, and I wound up winning a gift certificate for the pictures I took of our order. Of course, the conversation was great as usual, and Ben remains one of the most singularly optimistic and supportive people I know. Conversations with Ben are always a self-esteem boost. Tack on his taste in food and cars (and yes, hairstyles), and you have a winning combination.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of good conversations over a lot of good meals this year, but when I think of Adam I think of a different kind of conversation. I’m not sure whether to call it a “curb conversation” or a “driveway conversation,” or even a “doorstep conversation,” but often my favorite interactions with Adam happen when we spot each other across the street and just start shooting the bull. Adam and I have been neighbors for almost five years now, but like many of the friends I’ve profiled over the last few months, we’ve been in close proximity for much longer. While I was growing up and attending Viewmont High School, Adam was in nearby West Bountiful, and attending Bountiful High School (If you’re familiar with South Davis County, you’ll recognize the irony). And where I wound up teaching English composition, Adam has built a career as a seminary teacher at West High, and now Skyline. Teaching is one of the topics that brings our conversations together, whether on my sidewalk, after a church basketball game, or at lunch, like the recent stop we made at Salt Lake’s Thai Archer, pictured here (one notable conversation took place at about 4am, as we watched the Gun Range Fire last month). But inevitably the discussion weaves through a series of topics, from pop culture to childhood hijinks, and always winds up in a meaningful and thoughtful place. Now that it’s getting colder, those talks will likely move indoors, but even once the snow comes, I’m sure I’ll see still Adam outside, plowing half the driveways in the neighborhood. For a long time I lived in neighborhoods where I barely knew the people next door to me. I’m glad that isn’t the case now.
There’s a sad subtext to this week’s profile, since two of the things I most closely associate with my friend Mike are summer things, and looking at this picture is a reminder that summer is officially over. Plus Mike went and trimmed back that choice beard of his shortly after our lunch outing, which...just...hurts. Seriously, though, getting to know Mike and his family over the last couple of years has been great. For the last two summers we’ve played together on the ward softball team, and as I’ve settled into my unofficial role as team catcher (I figure I can do the least damage there), I’ve become intimately acquainted with Mike’s unorthodox pitching technique, expertly designed to keep opposing batters off-balance. Usually, by the end of these outings, we’re standing in the parking lot at the back of his work truck, next to a cooler loaded with ice cold drinks. Here is where Mike’s second “summer thing” becomes clear. Simply put, if you have any desire to embark into the magical world of smoked or grilled meats, Mike is your guy. He’s always the go-to guy in the ward for food-related activities, and often our post-game conversations involve a description of some elaborate and ambitious concoction he’s recently cooked. It was appropriate, then, that our lunch outing was to @garageonbeck in Salt Lake, a truly worthy venue. But even if those tailgate conversations start with food, but they always wind up at a much more meaningful place. Mike is an immensely thoughtful guy, with a wealth of interesting experiences. I just hope he grows that beard back out again, to match his sage wisdom.
