www.chrisdriggers.com

There’s a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip that I think about from time to time. In it, Calvin is talking about rituals, and that his favorite ritual is to get up early on a Saturday morning, eat tons of cereal (Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs) and watch cartoons all day. I am a man of habit and ritual. My personal favorite ritual is to get up on Saturday and go to the Grit.

I can’t begin to express to you how much I love that restaurant. I tell people that it’s one of the main reasons I wanted to move back to Athens. While I was in exile in Erie PA, I used to dream about eating brunch there. My ritual is to go to the Grit, order 2 scrambled eggs with cheese, grits, and a multi-grain bagel with cream cheese. Oh, and some sweet tea (the other reason I wanted to move back south). I will then proceed to drink at least 5 glasses of tea and eat a lovely breakfast, all while reading the book du jour, which lately has been The Dharma Bums, by Kerouac. I don’t read this book at any other time, just when I’m eating brunch. I usually choose a book that helps me reflect on my life in a spiritual way. Again, this is part of the ritual. I’ve been doing this for as long as I have been in Athens and it’s very important to me.

My wife doesn’t much care for the Grit. And this particular ritual is one I practice by myself. But I’m always looking for new rituals. The brunch ritual I share with Meghan is to go to Bischero on Sunday, order two Caeser salads (they make the best I’ve ever had) and order the special, whatever it is.

Another ritual is to go to the Engine Room Friday nights, drink myself into a stupor on PBRs (yet another reason to move back south) and play pool with Brent.

Rituals are an important part of my life. I like the regularity. I can depend on them.