Patrick Corrigan  / The Toronto Star

A Fascinating Life . . .

I come from a long line of obituary readers, and yes, I too love a well written obit. I have learned since reading them that there are journalists who specialize in the craft of obituary writing,  that there is an an association that serves these journalists, and that the grand stage of obit writing, the Met, if you will, is the New York Times obituary section, which features obituaries on national and international luminaries, as well as the locally famous and infamous. I have read on those pages the obituaries of politicians, football players, and priests. Until a few years ago, I saved the news clipping if I particularly liked the obituary, now I save the file.

A few weeks ago, one man's obituary grabbed my attention. I had heard of  him, though I had never read his story, nor had I seen the movie based on his life. I am referring to Mr. Kim Peek, who is best remembered as the person on whom was based the Oscar winning movie, Rain Man. Mr. Peek was born with "severe brain abnormalities," according to the Times, and was, early in life, incorrectly diagnosed as autistic. The unusual brain problem resulted in similar symptoms to autism. These malfunctions left him unable to perform simple physical actions, like brushing his teeth, for most of his life. But he could do unusual things like read facing pages in a book at the same time. One page for each eye. And remember what he had read, including works of Shakespeare and classical music compositions.The obituary states that he read 12,000 books this way and that he could memorize but not conceptualize.

When I read a story about someone who is a little different than the average man on the street, I think of the idea of a person. That in every man is imparted something Divine, or to use the Genesis imagery, that God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."  And that I am a full person when I am missing an arm or an eye, or when my brain is "wired" abnormally.  Likewise, I am still a person when my "soul" is corrupted, even to the point of the most heinous crimes. That Divine Breath is there in every man and woman, combining flesh and spirit in some mysterious totality in the person, imperfect as he or she may be. This is an enjoyable puzzle to me and something I will never fully understand.

Mr. Peek was loved and cared for by his father after his parents' divorce, and eventually gained some ability to develop and maintain friendship and to converse. The most telling proof of this was described by the obituary writer at the end of his piece, which is best read, as written:

Though his social skills never fully developed, he grew to be outwardly engaging. He enjoyed being among people in his travels and became comfortable as something of a showman. He began developing mental skills he had never had before, like making puns; his coordination slowly improved, to the extent that he could play the piano. He became more self-aware, even displaying a certain social agility.

During a presentation Mr. Peek gave at Oxford University in England, after he fielded students’ questions about the Lusitania and about British monarchs, a young woman stood and asked him, “Kim, are you happy?”

“I’m happy just to look at you,” Mr. Peek said.

Mr.Kim Peek died at the age of 58, apparently, a happy man.

To read the full obituary from the New York Times, click here.

Starbuck's -- Back on Track?

Starbucks new concept store, 15th Avenue Coffee & Tea.

I admit it. I like following the Starbucks story. A few days ago, the New York Times ran a story featuring their latest concept in retail (shown above), which includes selling beer (did I read that right?). Then today I saw a report that their instant coffee, Via, was selling well (and I can't believe I read that, either).

Regardless of what you think of ol' Starbucks, what they have accomplished is incredible and may never be repeated in the retail food business again. The numbers: 20 years / 15,000 stores / 10 billion dollar annual revenue. Not too shabby.

I have been a critic in the last couple of years, but they deserved it. Their latest, always-on-tap Pike's Place coffee is terrible, -- but more to the point, they built too many stores, over-extended their product line, and they were hemorrhaging cash.

Founder, Howard Schultz has returned in the hopes of turning things around. And things are looking up a bit. They are encouraged by the success of Via Instant, which I thought was a bad idea, but which was a profitable part of an otherwise unprofitable year. They have their Clover machine being tested, which, rumor has it, makes a fantastic espresso, and they even have redesigned stores like the one picture above, that are doing well.

I'll always support the locally-owned coffee shop, but for some reason, their life expectancy is pretty limited around here. Let's hope the folks at House do well, Starbucks' success or not.

House Coffee Bar. Welcome.

The purpose of this post is to add to the other announcements being made about the new coffee bar in downtown Fort Worth , House Coffee Bar. I have been now twice and have Jake to thank for bringing it to my attention via Twitter.

House Coffee Bar is in one part of a beautifully renovated building that also houses a recording studio and a Church. You'll have to ask them how it's all connected. The coffee is good, the people are very hospitable, and the coffee shop itself is comfortable, inviting, and a showpiece in downtown renovation.

The House website, takes you to their Facebook page, linked here. From their Facebook page:

The idea of a coffee bar is simple, people drink coffee, so we should make some! What's with the name? We call it 'The House' because we want it to be just that, your house! We want you to feel at home, welcomed and relaxed as you enjoy great music and great coffee.

House Coffee Bar
915 Florence Street
Fort Worth, TX

Steak-Out

I was asked to pass on this Valentine Day's offer from Steak-Out, the new steak-dinner delivery company on West Berry. I have not tried it, but I have to say, I like the idea. From their website:

Since the first day we fired up our grill, we've always held our food to the highest standards possible. That's why it's always prepared fresh daily. And why it's always fire-grilled with our special seasonings just the way you like it.

Sometimes the last thing you want to do after a long day is cook. So why do it? Give Steak-Out a call instead and we'll fire up whatever you and your family have a hankering for. You can just sit back and relax while we deliver a hot, complete meal right to your door.

I wish any new business well, especially one that's giving Fort Worth more food choices. Let us know if you have tried it, I will be soon.

Steakout
2209 West Berry Street
Fort Worth,  TX 76110
817-924-8585
Fax: (817) 924-8590