Signs of My Time…

You know the scenario.  You’ve seen it on Oprah, or read the question in a magazine.  You may have even considered your answer, but have you ever thought your dream dinner party might be possible? 

I too have thought about the question.  Mostly for fun, because I harbour no illusions of grandeur, but also because I think in general, it’s an intriguing way to discover what impresses and excites people.  And sometimes, even those you think you know may still surprise you.

In years past, I’ve dreamed about dining with such luminaries as renowned broadcaster and master conversationalist Charlie Rose, sometimes controversial urbanist and author Richard Florida, Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Magazine, interior design doyenne Charlotte Moss, and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté among others.  These “fantasy” dinner party mates of mine are respected leaders among their peers and celebrated successes in the wider cultural context.  They are some of the most iconic figures alive today, and if they were ever to come to my table just to talk, there is no doubt I’d be overwhelmed by the opportunity to learn from some of the very best in my personal fields of interest.

Interior Designer Charlotte Moss in her home office, via The New York Social Diary.

Increasingly however, it seems my own peers are beginning to distinguish themselves.   Old classmates and former colleagues are finding their stride, and all of a sudden their hard work, patience and steely determination is starting to pay dividends.   These days, I hear less fretting about getting ahead and see more focus on following through.  I suppose you might say I have come to a stage in life (note the distinct lack of reference to age) when the wise use of innate gifts, intellectual capacity and emotional resilience matter more than “what’s hot” and “what’s not”.  Well let me tell you, it’s a wonderful relief. 

Mine are interesting times, and quite inspiring indeed!  Here is what I mean:

Earlier today, I heard best-selling Ottawa author, philosopher and all around super-genius Andrew Potter on CBC Radio.  He was discussing his book The Authenticity Hoax with Living out Loud host Robin Brown.  After hearing this wide-ranging conversation, it seems I have to put yet another book on my Amazon wish list!  From its description, this non-fiction work offers a critique of the ‘modern authenticity movement’, characterizing it as a “form of exclusionary status seeking” that will ultimately erode “genuine relationships and true community”.  That is compelling stuff for a community oriented pop-culture junkie like me, and I’m curious too.  I went to high school with Andrew, and I haven’t seen him since, but wow – would I ever love to catch up now! 

Today was the second time since Saturday I’ve heard individuals with incredible intellectual capacity elaborate on ideas that have literally blown me away. 

While doing a few weekend errands, I happened to catch CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks host Bob McDonald already engaged in an enlightening Q&A session with an astoundingly articulate author and professor.  He and the professor were deep in discussion about the social, economic and environmental lessons we can learn by examining humanity’s historic approach to food production, distribution and consumption.  It was quite literally fascinating, and I learned as the program progressed I should also be getting the book!   Another one for the Amazon list.

Anyway, I found myself intensely interested in the subject matter, and utterly amazed by this particular professor’s ability to explain complex concepts in a simple and accessible way, to summarize entire periods of history succinctly, and to argue compellingly for a new way of thinking about how the world organizes its food systems.

As I was hanging on every single word spoken by this professor, I had the strange sensation that he sounded somewhat familiar.  Then, there were a few references to his former teaching position in the UK, and his recent move to Guelph, Ontario.   By that time, I knew for sure.  It was Dr. Evan Fraser co-author with journalist Andrew Rimas of Empires of Food:  Feast, Famine and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations.    

Dr. Fraser, you see, is also from Ottawa.  His family and mine were friends when we were young, and we knew each other well.  That is until after university, when we went in separate directions to pursue our futures.  For years, it’s been through our mothers that we’ve kept up on life’s happenings, and I admit I have been only vaguely aware of Evan’s success until Saturday.  I was officially “wowed”!

So, time can play funny tricks. 

One day, it hits you.  You’re a grown up. 

The conversation happening among your contemporaries is the “dream dinner party”, and the moment may have finally arrived.  You might just have to step it up and find your seat at the table.

The image of Dr. Evan Fraser is from Harper Collins, and as is the image of Andrew Potter.