I've been taking some serious flack from someone's who's opinion means a lot to me over my gamble to focus on my cookbook and not pursue other contracts or full-time work. I admit that the stress of the past six months has been extraordinary, largely from external events of which I had no control, and that it has probably cost me a relationship that meant the world to me. Despite this all, I found myself awakening this morning with re-invigorated determination that I'll find a way. The book's concept is too cool and unique (as echoed by a well-known veg'n bookbook author who I've been discussing it with for two years), and I've got to do it.
While making tea in the kitchen I happened to listen to an interview on TeeVee about a play on Broadway about Vince Lombardi that's been getting much notice. A little research led to the following two quotes that relate somewhat to how I feel, and may be helpful to many of you out there advancing your own causes or endeavoring to evolve and sustain a relationship:
"The extraordinary question Lombardi posed that day was this: “What is the meaning of love?” Yes. What is the meaning of love?
He was serious. There was a method to his madness. He explained: “Anybody can love something that is beautiful or smart or agile. But you will never know love until you can love something that isn’t beautiful, isn’t bright, or isn’t glamorous. . . . Can you accept someone for his inabilities?”
Now keep in mind, this was Lombardi, the leonine coach who also made famous the statement: "Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing."
According to Skoronski, the great coach then proceeded to connect the dots. Lombardi explained to the players that any of them may not regard any particular teammate as equally talented or equally capable. But a loving commitment to the team and to all the teammates would enable a better player to help a lesser player." [source]
------------ and the following fine quote:
"I don't say these things because I believe in the ‘brute’ nature of man or that men must be brutalized to be combative. I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle — victorious." --- Vince Lombardi [source]
...time to get back to work...
Well, of course you've got my attention now....a vegan cookbook? No, a unique, cool vegan cookbook? There are way too many on the market now that are quite ordinary so this would be a welcome change. Can we get more details?
[Probably shouldn't have brought it up. I was still smoking from the explosive temper experienced. That person holds it all in for days, weeks, months, and the all of a sudden: "boom." The post was in part vent, in part trying to look at all from a larger vantage point. I'm very hurt inside.
Yeah, it is a unique concept, and I wish I could say more. But until I'm at a point where until I know for certain, in my mind, that it will be done (and when), I just can't say any more. Granted it'd be hard for someone to do in two months what I've spent over four years experimenting on, I don't want to give it away in advance. Once the book comes out, I fully expect a lot of "carbon copying."
Suffice it to say that the recipes will incorporate the philosophies of diet I wear on my sleeves in this blog. I'm dying to say more, but just can't right now. I agree with you that there is a sudden glut of vegan cookbooks on the market.
IMHO, there's a wide range of quality and health to them. Chef Tal's stuff is awful, 4 or 5 ingredients vegan has some astoundingly high fat recipes. I see incremental progress, though, and it's better than there not being many vegan cookbooks. But yeah, admittedly, many are somewhat "ordinary" (especially to an more experienced vegan cook).
My concept is not incremental. It's a new direction, or so I think. I wanna drop hints, but I know better. Believe me, as soon as it's clear it'll be done, I fully intend to blog about the project.
Soon. Thanks for your interest! Best regards, Mark]
Posted by: BJ | 2010.10.27 at 10:47