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Do you ever have great ideas? Are you ever sure you are going to just WOW them?
Do you ever lay awake thinking: "this one is THE one; now my life feels right?" Well, this recipe started out something like that. But then it went someplace else entirely. As you'll soon see.
I'll let you in on a secret though. Everyone has thoughts like these. They have them in consideration of their jobs. They have them in consideration of sports (GO SAINTS). They especially have them in consideration of love.
Sometimes I even have these thoughts in consideration of SippitySup!
But really... SippitySup is a website. A blog. SippitySup is something I do that is outside my real life. Something that I do to express myself. Because in my real life I do not always get to express myself.
I am a person who thinks about things. I am a person who tries to understand the complexities of life. One of these complexities is that as people we may never get to understand ourselves.
So that means the things we do to express ourselves may never be fully understood. Do you understand what I am trying to say?
Because when we try to express ourselves in the highly public manner known as the blogosphere. We are often trapped by the conscripts of this medium. I put forth a snarky, self-obsessed persona that chooses to present himself in a manner designed to make you roll your eyes. But does that mean you know me?
I don't think it means you know me the way you think you might. Because that guy, Sup!, is not really me. I bring him out to see what you might think about someone like me. So I guess he is a 
valuable tool I use to try and get closer to myself.
But HA on me! Because in the year I have been pecking away at this keyboeard I have learned something. And just like the most valuable lessons in life, what I learned came on me like a ton of bricks.
I just want to be liked. I don't mean I need to be liked. I don't even mean that having you like me will change one little thing about me, or my life. But, gosh, (sometimes I think)– wouldn't it would be nice were it so?
Why else would I spend hours putting together a recipe and then photographing it? This is often after working a full day. Why would I plan my dinner hour around the best possible light in my kitchen. Because despite what you may read at CampBlogAway, I eat the food I shoot within moments of shooting it! So that takes some planning.
Sometimes, my hard planned plans go awry. Sometimes the PhotoBullies reject my hard work. You know how that feels– I know you do. I feel like I put so much of myself in this blog that the TasteHaters can't possibly understand. Their main concerns are white balance and how much money you spent on your camera. I don't think they see the you, you put in your pictures.
Still, when I put that aside I realize it's in those moments that I KNOW I did a good job. I know that I have connected with someone out there. These are the moments that I realize, maybe I've been wrong. Maybe I don't do this so that you will like me, or understand me. Maybe I do this because I want you to like you. I want you to understand you! Maybe in helping you do that, I can help me, be me. Maybe.
I guess by now you may have figured out that I am not necessarily taliking about photos or even blogs. Certainly not food. But these are the easy metaphors for me– ones with which I am perfectly comfortable.
Because food is tied into who we are. Which is why it is an easy metaphor for so many things. But easy or no– it certainly does mean something. Because it can help us understand ourselves and our place in this world. "Am I vegan"?; "Am I a food snob?"; "Am I a health-nut or an over-indulger?"; "Do I eat to live or live to eat?"
Do I need the PhotoBullies to help me understand this metaphor? If they reject this photo are they rejecting me? Or am I accepting myself for putting it out there, ready to be rejected? This may seem like a lot of baggage to lay upon a little ole food blog. But really how we choose to present ourselves to this world says a lot about who we really are.
So I present to you, a dinner from my life. One that I completely enjoyed. Unashamedly. For whatever that means...
Panko Crusted Mustard Chicken serves 4 CLICK here for a printable recipe.
SERIOUS FUN FOOD
Greg Henry
SippitySup
Comments
Greg, I am trying to remember
Greg, I am trying to remember when I started liking you and why. Was it the gorgeous, drool-worthy food you show us? The originality in your recipes? Was it the Gilligan's Island themed video or the scary brussels sprouts? I think once I realized that when you write how you feel about things you actually sound a lot like me so I knew that if I really listened I'd really get you. And I do. Including both what you say about blog personalities vs our real selves (people do not know I usually have food stuck to my face, my clothes and in my hair, for example) and about the fear of not being liked. Oh well, all we can do is plug on.
And this dish is so WOW! Crispy crust and creamy mustard sauce is so my kind of meal! Thanks! And just keep being yourself.
I don't get "snarky, self-obsessed persona" from you
I starting reading food blogs, and writing my own just under a year ago. There are blogs that draw me in for recipe inspiration, those that hold my attention through the stories they tell, and a few that embrace the ability the manage both talents.
What you are doing here on Sippity Sup falls into the last category I mentioned. Your voice is engaging, and your recipes/photos are drool worthy, white balance issues and all (just kidding, I cringe when I get that response!).
I hope you keep pecking away at your keyboard for a long time to come :)
"Maybe I do this to because . . .
. . . I want you to like you."
This is where it all came together as I read your words. I often think, "Wish I could style my photos/write so naturally/create such original recipes like Sup". But then being like you, or any other person I admire, means that I can't be myself - often overly sentimental, very often overly wordy and altogether tangled me. We all offer something different, even if not everyone accepts us or our work. Hopefully, we can inspire each other to become our best selves.
Toadies and haters and bullies, oh my...
Greg - Your writing is authentic and always entertaining, your recipes thoughtful, original and approachable, and your photography always outstanding. Keep writing and shooting for you (not the haters and bullies), and we'll all keep reading for the joy you bring us. Cheers - S
It's not just the picture
Some sites have really great pictures, but no story line. No soul. Some sites have a great story line and bad pictures. Even though I KNOW you want to be a star for your pictures, it's the combination of your pics and story that make sippity sup, well the star that it is. Those "spotters" are just about the picture, but a picture does not a food blogger make. So what I am saying here is relax and write your story. It's why people come here. It's a food blog of depth and fun and visually appealing. Anyone can tune into picture books...just not the same thing.
I was just picked for foodbuzz daily nine with a really (I think) dumb picture I threw together. And, so many really good ones were never picked. You just can't figure these things out. :)
Amen!
Chef E said it all! Love this slightly vulnerable peek into who you are. You've been making me want to "de-lurk" a lot lately. It's probably good for me. :P
take another hit, Sup!
Just kidding. :) I completely know how you feel. I will have identity crisis days with my blog - sometimes it's healthy, sometimes it's vegan, sometimes it's over-indulgent and I profess my love for all things pork. But truly, it just means that I live for food. I think these blogs and the food that we slave over are part of ourselves - no, I don't think we truly "know" one another in all aspects of "real" life, but we get to know each other in a certain, somewhat surreal form - and we have the awesome opportunity to share small things with others that we find great. Keep sharing your greatness!
You're welcome to our Table anytime!
Greg,
We like you...just the way you are! Snarky, kind, passionate, foodie, etc... The beautiful thing about being individuals is, we really can't be labeled! 'Cause we're allowed to change, to be unpredictable, to express ourselves!! Goodness, if we fit into a neat box life would be boring!! Keep exploring! We are enjoying watching the process...and your pics...and your friendship. Even if it is, a virtual one!
Cheers and thanks for sharing!
kristin and chris ann
I agree - a delicious read
I agree with Joan on her comment above - a delicious read. This is what writing is all about.
I know where you're coming from. I'm so glad you express yourself to your reader with honesty and openness. I wish I could open up as you do, but my generation is way too uptight to ever let it all go in public. I envy that you can. I've held it in for so many years that if I did let it go, I might explode. But you know I going to like you whether you're Sup! or Greg and nothing will change that.
Don't you dare stop now man. We'd all get howling mad and you'd have heck to pay. We'd all get together and be knocking down your door for more.
Your friend,
Sam
By the way, I love chicken prepared that way. Nothing better.
what a great little meal you
what a great little meal you whipped up! the mustard seems like a boost of flavor and i bet the crunch from the panko bread crumbs were just amazing.
Wowsa!
You blow my mind. This is a food blog, man. Why am I crying?
This may be my favorite post
This may be my favorite post ever from you. So honest. This simple dinner is fantastic!
Existentialist Chicken
Why do I feel that this post would have been better served after a big foodie blog dinner followed by lots of alcohol and at the end of the evening, delving into the essence of why we do what we do.
For what it's worth, I like the Greg (not 'sup) that I think I know. It's the Greg who has inspired me, supported my attempts at cooking, and just seems like a pretty cool dude. And I don't think I'm wrong about that.
We love you! And all your
We love you! And all your posts & recipes! I know what you mean about those photobullies & tastehaters though (sigh). I'm especially discouraged with the photos from retaurant reviews - shouldn't a special consideration for lighting issues :)
The sippity sup you
Greg-
You are one of the few sites I spend my precious time writing on, why?..... Because your honest, you are passionate about what you do and you are always entertaining. We may not know the real you, but we like the sippity sup you and that's why we keep coming back.
tastehaters
and photobullies - so very funny - one of the gawkiest ones has me on 'auto reject' it seems - I should probably submit under a name of one of their favorites - and this peeves me more than anything because it doesnt matter what messed up combination of peanut butter and kimchee this person submits they accept it - dont get me going on this - I could vent forever - I didnt get the metaphors - I took everything literally....
My 2 cents
First time here and I have to say - I think I like you :-)
Your food, your recipes, your photography and your blog itself are all beyond wonderful!
Another delicious read!
Another delicious read!
Photobullies!
Some days, when I feel particularly masochistic... or perhaps when my self esteem is riding a bit high, I will submit a photo to one of the food porn sites. Every now and then I take a photo I think has 'that look'. Perhaps the photo is completely blown out with white? Or maybe the depth of field is so tiny that only a small dusting of sugar is actually in focus? They will be sure to tell me that despite the fact that you can make out every detail of the water molecule condensing on the glass that my photo is 'dull/sharp' or has 'lighting issues'. My self esteem is lowered to normal and I go on. Such is life. And life is what interests me. That is why I like your blog so much by the way. We like you. We really like you. Just accept it.
P.S. Great recipe I adapted it for salmon.
I hear ya...
amen, you are a true foodie! I plan my days around the light of the sun (and I live in the dark northeast), as I want the perfect photos. Sometimes making the best possible food creation is everything to me, and then having the best photo is far more important. Obessed at times is more like it. Once it's perfect then I can sleep. The times I can't sleep I'm thinking about what I can kick up to make it my own. So I hear ya \m/
This is definitely an
This is definitely an interesting take on blogging and I really enjoyed reading it. I never really think about the real reasons why I blog and to some extent they are definitely to be liked (otherwise why would i enjoy gettign comments so much...would I be happy to blog if no one ever read it ever - probably not). Although part of it is also definitely about the food. But there is something really satisfying about putting something out there and then having people respond positively to it.
The chicken looks delicious. Glad to see you ate it just because.
I am a narcissistic omnivore
Thanks for helping me understand that! :D
We learn by doing...
If we did not 'think, try, learn, make mistakes' then how will we ever grow. Those bullies are just upset because they did not think of it first. They do not have the creative'ness, okay my hillbilly brain went blank, you have an ability for a natural creative arts to visualize, and place on paper that many do not have. You are my hero. You have spoken out about things, done things, used mustard when I only used creme fraiche (I like mustard so much more), the other reminds me of mayo, total yuck! I like the bite.
We are all so different by a fragment of each other, but that is the beauty. That's it, we have been bitten by a zest for life and creative endeavors others only think or wish they had! So they do not respond to us.
You like you, or you would not be here, and I would not like you. You inspire me and many many others. They lurk just like you do *wink*. Some just do not know how to say what they really are thinking. Another talent you have, and I wish I could perfect, yes I consider this perfection....
You express yourself, have talents some of us wish we did. You are wonderful, talented, and if I could choice a brother; it would be you Greg.
You question yourself, that right there tells me that you think before you jump. If you did not then this site would be crap. I see plenty of that out there. I am guilty of it myself.
If you only knew how many times I think it will work, but the photos suck, so I do not post. Not to mention I still do not know how to use my point and click camera or my food might look better.
Your fan for life...
Chef E
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