This ritual can be done solo, or with a partner, roommate, or multi-person household. The liturgy assumes a community of participants but can be easily adapted for a household of one. The liturgy also assumes a weekly repetition but can also be adapted for use on a different time scale. This ritual can be done at home, or in some other location, depending on what atmosphere and vibe the participant(s) deems appropriate. Fun beverages (such as coffee, tea, seltzer water) and snacks (such as croissants, chocolates, fruit, and so forth) are encouraged. Choices of music or other atmospheric elements (candles, incense, attire) may also be taken into consideration.
The liturgy goes something like this:
A participant begins
What do you want to discuss first?
Silence may be kept.
One or more of the following, or some other suitable selection from the weekly duties may be spoken.
Meal Plan What Do We Want to Eat/Make?
1 What do we want to eat? *
What do we want to make?
2 How many times do we want to cook this week? *
How many packed lunches do we need?
3 Do we want to try any new recipes? *
Which ones from last week do we want to repeat?
4 Are we eating with anyone this week? *
Or are there any events where we’ll be bringing food?
5 What do we need to put on the grocery list? *
When should the week’s grocery run(s) be done?
Schedule What is Happening?
1 What is happening this week? *
What work and class and other scheduling items
should we be aware of?
2 Are there any changes to the regular daily and
weekly rhythms? *
Any considerations for meal planning or transportation?
3 Which evenings should be left open for
social engagements? *
Which evenings will be dedicated to chores,
to time for solitude and personal projects?
Chores What Projects Will We Work On?
1 What projects will we work on this week? *
What chores need done and when should
we do them?
2 What is the state of the kitchen? *
What, for that matter, is the state of
the laundry hamper?
3 Is it time to rearrange the furniture? *
What items from our acquisitions list
should we research and plan to acquire?
4 Is it time to finally pot up the ivy plant? *
What do we need to make it happen?
Social
Engagements What Fun Things Do We Want to Do?
1 What fun things do we want to do? *
Any dates, parties, outings, activities?
2 Are there invitations to respond to? *
Are there invitations to extend?
3 How much energy do we have, *
and how would we like to direct it?
4 What feels like quality time? *
Who among our friends and family
do we feel we need to reach out to?
5 How long has it been since the last time
we called our folks? *
Is it time to text and set up a FaceTime?
New and
Old Business Any Other Matters to Discuss?
1 Are there any other matters to discuss? *
Any items left hanging from last time,
or new items outside of the other categories?
2 Do we have an upcoming trip whose
logistics we want to work on? *
Are friends or family coming to visit soon?
3 Are there any larger-format chores or household
projects we want to plan or discuss? *
Any other diabolical plans in the works,
anticipating a change in the seasons?
At the end of each recitation is said
Is there anything else you’d like to discuss, *
or would you like another [cortado]?
The ritual concludes with the clinking of glasses and the recitation of Frenchie’s Response, which is said by all
Cheers, me dears!
A participant concludes
Thanks for doing a business date with me.
Jack Kamps (’16) has been paid to do many things, such as teach preschoolers, pastor youths, schlep things in warehouses, bake pastries, design curriculum, serve coffee, maintain gardens, and fix computers. Jack is currently a student at Princeton Theological Seminary—though they tend to spend more time working at a few local farms, plotting a future cheesecake business with their spouse, and listening to/talking about the latest Material Girls episode than doing their homework.
3 Comments
Submit a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I love this so much! I audibly laughed at several lines; these business conversations truly are the business of life.
Love it! So practical, yet fun to read!
Love it, Jack!