Pruned bonsai

I used to throw parties that drew over 250 people. This was easy. You became known as a person who was good at craft beer, during a time when “craft beer” was both interesting and personal brand-worthy, and then you opened a lot of rare craft beer and told everyone about it. Six weeks of promotion would do it. Social media poured accelerant on the fire.

Fast forward 15 years, and a few things have changed. I became a good cook. I stopped being a “craft beer person.” I got into cocktails, but I’m not making cocktails all the time when people come over. And I came out of the Bad Times® with fewer friends, but deeper friendships. The pandemic poured accelerant on the fire.

The consequence is that you are my friend for two reasons:

• Food
• Immaculate vibes