FOMO Culture

"Zach?  You home?" my friend Brian asked knocking on my front door.  It was a Friday night after working Mad Munch from 5-9pm at Culture.  Kate rolled her eyes.  I opened the door.

"What's up guys?" I asked & let them in.  "We were just watching Dateline."

"We were on our way home from the AZ (a.k.a. Arizona Cafe, a local bar) & thought we'd stop by.  You guys have an extra beer?" Brian asked.  Him & his girl, Lisa seemed to have had a few.

"Sure," I said & grabbed a growler than we'd had filled at Culture earlier that night.

FOMO, or the fear of missing out.  It was something I was dealing with on the weekend nights when we had to work Mad Munch back in 2014-2015.  Being in my early thirties at that time, you'd think I wouldn't have that kind of problem.  But, there's a reason we often refer to OB as "Never-Neverland." 

While I was busy making Cheezers on the griddle, I was worried that I was being left out of having all of the fun.  But, after working two jobs on Wednesdays & Fridays, I was also pretty exhausted by the time Dateline came on at 10pm.  The sound of Keith Morrison's voice was extra soothing after a long week.     

But, I couldn't help but think, I could be doing something better with my time.  They say that's the hardest part of building a routine or good habits- keeping them going even after the thrill has worn off.  

After having a few beers with them in our living room they took off.  I was glad to see them, but realized that I had lived that Friday night lifestyle for years & done it pretty well, if I do say so myself.  

It was around that time that I subconsciously made the decision to push on with Mad Munch- stay the course- & that I really wasn't giving up that much of my social life to do so.  

Afterall, when you regularly set up in a tasting room, your friends will still come out to say hello, when they get thirsty.