This sounds the closest to what I’d imagine Jordan was to winning. “All I ever wanted to do was listen to Phish and program”. As someone trying to find their why, this strikes home.
The hobbyist cannot replicate Franklin’s brisket because Franklin’s knowledge, ingredients, tools, and their corresponding interactions are largely not attainable to the hobbyist. Franklin has better smokers than the hobbyist and knows how to use them better. Franklin also has dibs on the premier runs of Creekstone Farms briskets that the hobbyist can hardly come by.
The hobbyist can approximate that brisket to a reasonable degree. However, that involves smoking a, hopefully not literal, ton of brisket. Given the cost of beef, time to smoke, and effort it takes to meal-plan brisket throughout the week, attaining Franklin-level quality consistently is a tough row to hoe.
I reduced my coffee intake gradually back in ‘21-‘22down to just green tea in the morning. I did not notice any real changes in my life aside from two points. I took longer to ramp up productivity and alertness in the mornings. I also now eased into my “go to bed” routine at night whereas on coffee it was a much more dramatic crash. We ended up having our first kid mid-‘22, and I got back on the java wagon. Of all potential vices, this one certainly feel lightweight. I just don’t drink it after Noon.