The sure thing, or something new?

When I go into one of my favorite restaurants, I have a really hard time ordering something new. My conundrum is thus: I’ve been to the restaurant before, and I know what I like. In fact, the whole reason I’ve returned is because of that particular dish. So when the waitress asks for my order do I order Dish A, the one I know is good, or do I try Dish B?

On the one hand, Dish B might be better. If they can cook Dish A so well, why not assume Dish B is also tasty? On the other hand if I don’t like it I’ve wasted all that time and money. I don’t want to leave wishing I had stuck with the sure thing.

I have the same problem with I go into a video store (OK, I never go into a video store. I use Netflix). Do I get a movie I know I like, or try something new?

The reason I ask is that I just picked up a book. Lieutenant Hornblower by C. S. Forester. I’ve read the book before. In fact, I’ve read it twice. I love it. I love the character, I love the era, and I love the voice. Not many folks know that Gene Rodenberry based Captain James T. Kirk after H. Hornblower. It really is a good series of books.

But, shouldn’t I be expanding my horizons? Shouldn’t I be trying new things? In the back of my head, I think I should. But then again I usually order Dish A, and my queue is filled up with mostly movies or TV series I’ve seen before. I like the comfortable and familiar.

Maybe that is a sign I’m getting old.