Author: John Schultz

Comments…
I know you all are dying to submit your own restaurant reviews but it looks like comments are currently messed up.

Why are restaurant reviews so boring?
I was reading this while drying my hair this morning and thought – why do I want to take my own life when I’m reading a restaurant review? It is the pedantic use of metaphor or the romantic-era descriptions of the decor? Am I envious that someone gets paid to eat and write about eating? Or am I just hungry?
Here’s an example of what kills me about restaurant reviews:
One forkful of Roberto Donna’s meatballs, shaped from pork and soft as custard, and I’m hooked on his new bar menu.
Like most Americans, I don’t relate well to the word “forkful” because it’s never, ever used in normal conversation or writing. “How about another forkful of custard, Bobby?” Mouthful is better. That thought actually makes me hungry. Of course, if writing for people outside the Washington beltway the writer would be advised to use the word “Helpin’.”
Custard is not what I want my meatballs to be like. Meatballs should be made from beef, veal and pork and have no resemblance in look and feel to custard. Meatballs: it’s all in the name. Meat in a ball shape. And using the word “shaped” instead of “made” is just silly. I also don’t trust writers who use the phrase “I’m hooked” – it’s cheesy like a savory french souffle! (HA! I am just making fun of his style.)
Restaurant reviews would be more fun with phrases like this:
You’ll need to skip breakfast and lunch if you want better than 50/50 odds that you’ll enjoy your dinner at…
I read “Game Sampler” on the menu with the description “the Chef’s assortment of wild game served with vegetables and rice” and I thought: What’s the wild game available around DC? Pidgeon? Squirrel? Stray cat?
The restaurant was just dark enough that I didn’t notice the bernaise sauce on my tuxedo coat until after I after I arrived at the Washington Opera for the gala opening of “La Boheme.”
Ever have dreams about Pop tarts, corn dogs, fish sticks or Cheez-its? You will after an evening at x.
You have to work hard to mess up breakfast.

Family Blog
I got an e-mail from this gentleman, here’s the text for you all as he requested I post it on the blog.
My name is David Reuter and I am a Professional Counselor with 22+ years of counseling experience. (See: http://www.peaceinthefamily.org/phone.htm#train) My wife Jane and I are Catholic and alumni of Franciscan University (we met there 25 years ago!). We have been married for 22+ years and have three wonderful children–Matthew 17, Rachael 16, and Monica 5!
Our love for our family and our Faith have inspired us to do all that we can to help support and strengthen marriage and family life in the Church–therefore we are currently in the process of developing The Center for Peace in the Family, an outreach of The Apostolate for Peace in the Family which we formed several years ago.
We are now offering Professional Marriage, Family and Personal Counseling by telephone. We are on the list of “Best Catholic Sites” at CatholiCity and are linked to by The Internet Padre and New Advent among other Catholic sites.
We also are developing a Resource Page with many links to Catholic family supportive sites: (see http://www.peaceinthefamily.org/resources.htm), articles, mental health links and a printable Marital Health Inventory. (More to come…)
We now provide a day-to-day reflection on, or simple presentation of Familiaris Consortio at: http://peaceinthefamily.blogspot.com/
We are making an effort to “cast our nets” out into the deep of the internet community and support those who are struggling to maintain “peace” in their marriages, their families, and their own hearts and minds.
We are a Catholic family trying to make a difference—and a living! We fully support and appreciate your internet presence and beliefs and would love to have your support as well. We believe that there is a great need for Catholic-oriented marriage and family counseling that is not available in many communities. Will you help us get the word out?
Please stop by for a visit at http://www.peaceinthefamily.org/ . I believe that our sites could be excellent additions to your Apostolates or Links section.
If you do not think our sites appropriate, it would be most helpful to receive such feedback.
Thanks for your time. Happy Blogging!
Sincerely In Christ,
David and Jane Reuter
The Center for Peace in the Family
Become What You Are
Arkansas, USA

St. Blase yesterday
Teresa and I got home around 4pm, unpacked and she went down to the office. I went to the grocery store to get important provisions like chicken wings – wife.com was going to make me wings “from scratch.” We didn’t get a chance to eat before Mass at 7:30pm at our parish.
Mass was packed – I think the blessing of the throats is a big deal for many people. I kept thinking the priest would need the intercession of St. Blase after saying the blessing 100+ times.

I’m back
Had a wonderful time in Charleston, SC with my wife. Went to Mass at the Cathedral in downtown Charleston and was treated to a prayerful, solemn liturgy befitting the Presentation of the Lord. More details after I unpack and restock the fridge.