Sometimes having a meal is an experience in itself. More than just sustenance, much more than the usual tedious chore of calming the grumbling stomach that interrupts and distracts you from your chosen adventures (that's how I usually feel)... occasionally, a meal is much more than that, and a memorable, worthwhile experience is created in addition to fulfilling a most-basic mundane human need.
That could mean many things-- perhaps trying something that you previously never dared to eat, or having a meal with great company and conversation, maybe a special occasion visit to an outrageously expensive tapas restaurant with dozens of exotic dishes, accompanied with fine wines.
But right now I'm talking about a $10 plate of Nashville Style Hot Chicken, at the hottest spice level you can tolerate.
Rocky's Hot Chicken daily special Soul Bowl. I'm not one to photograph all my meals for instagram, but this one was worth bringing the Sony a7iii to the bar at Rocky's.
For me, the edge-of-tolerance spice level has been the 'Rocky's Hot' spice-level of cayenne-glazed fried chicken. There is a higher spice level than 'Rocky's Hot'-- called 'Extra Hot', which I have yet to try. Soon, 'Extra Hot', soon....
It's an experience in itself. The endorphin rush, the burning mouth feel, the challenge of keeping the glaze contact with your lips to a minimum. The discipline that it may require, for you to finish the plate, every last bit of precious cayenne glaze, perhaps with an added challenge of not sipping your water until you're completely finished.
Maybe you're seeking an adventure, a situation where you sign up for what might be a little more than you're ready for. Perhaps you're burned out on your other avenues of excitement & adventure, feeling a little uninspired. It could be that a plate of Nashville Style Hot Chicken is just what you need to wake you up with an out-of-the-ordinary experience that floods your brain with endorphins and leaves you feeling energized and ready to take on your next challenge. If you're not ready to jump off of a cliff into an ice-cold pool at the base of a waterfall, maybe some hot chicken is a worthy substitute, or a stepping stone "gateway endorphin rush" as a reminder to break comfortable patterns and seek out other varieties of exciting experiences.