The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my cousin Matt.  When I left culinary school in Massachusetts and moved to Chicago to pursue a career in songwriting, I was a little overwhelmed. Matt had always been successful in business.  So I asked him if he had any tips for me.  

“Stay in your field.  Play any position, but stay in your field.” 

That is to say: whatever you do, stay in your area of expertise.  If you like to paint landscapes, but you make a living at painting houses, that’s ok: you’re still painting. If you like to photograph pro athletes, but you can make money by photographing weddings, that’s ok: you’re still taking pictures. 

This week, I’ve been so busy with the restaurant I’m opening that I didn’t have time to write songs.  But it’s ok: I spent the whole week writing a menu. 

And it’s been a hell of a lot of fun.  Coming up with perfect words to conjure perfect images of food is unlike any writing I’ve ever done before.  I’ve loved it.   It’s not the same as writing lyrics, but I still feel like I’m keeping up my chops. And I’m just as excited to share my menu as I’ve ever been to share a song. 

Reader, I hope you’ve had a wonderful week.  We’re all bushed here.  We had planned to stay up to see tonight’s eclipsing super moon, but the sky is clouded, and so we’re all hitting the hay early.  See you next Sunday. -Em