Gordon Ramsay Out, Anthony Bourdain In

I admit it, I find chefs sexy.  (Real actual chefs, not that guy you know that thinks he’s a culinary genius because he mixed horseradish and mayonnaise together and put it on a roast beef sandwich.)  It’s something about the hard work, long hours and dedication to a art that gets, well… eaten.  As a good friend of mine who is a professional chef who specializes in wedding cakes once told me, in his darkest hours of depression he thinks about how all his hard work always ends up in the toilet.

I had a major thing for Gordon Ramsay for awhile, but I have to be honest with him and let him know that our short-lived romance is over as I have found someone new:  Anthony Bourdain.

Anthony’s not new to me – I read his book, Kitchen Confidential, years ago. And I always watch his Travel Channel show, No Reservations, when I get a chance.  But, something’s changed.  Maybe it’s that he’s getting older and not quite so arrogant and in-your-face rude.  Now, he’s just smart and biting and a little bit more mellow.

Gordon, on the other hand, has turned into a media whore as well as a literal one.  I mean, how many different cooking/restaurant shows can you have on the FOX network?  And, they’re all the same:  He gets some dolt who either doesn’t know how to cook or doesn’t know how to run a restaurant and he screams and yells at them for an hour.  If I wanted to listen to screaming and yelling that much, I’d just go home and visit my parents.  And, after proclaiming to anyone who would listen what a great family man he is, he gets caught snogging some babes in the hotels attached to his restaurants around the world!  Smooth move, Gordon – considering that your father-in-law owns half of your companies.  Bet that has been awkward at the old board meeting.

Anyway, I have officially replaced Gordon on my Chef Do List with Tony – FYI.  Plus, this picture is hot.

Blago: How Could You?

All summer I have been waiting with bated breath for the sure-t0-be spectacular sideshow circus otherwise known as the Rod Blagojevich testimony at his corruption trial.  I mean, the guy said over and over again for the last 19 months that he couldn’t wait to speak and set the record straight!  And, lo and behold, when it finally gets down to the wire and it’s time to hear from the Great One he hides behind his lawyers and decides he won’t take the stand!

Rumors abound that  his defense team had been practicing his cross examination last weekend and that he was so abysmal that they decided to just cut their losses and end the case right there.  Pretty ballsy considering they mentioned to the jury more than once in their opening statements that Rod would testify.

I’ve served on a jury before – believe me, nothing this exciting – but I can tell you right now that the minute a defendant decides not to take the stand, I automatically think they are guilty.  I know you’re not supposed to think that, and the judge will instruct this jury to not take this in a prejudicial manner, but it’s just human nature.   I’ve never understood that if you didn’t do it, why wouldn’t you say so?  One reason: You did do it.

Many Chicago talking heads are still betting that Blago will get off – not due to Blago himself testifying or not testifying, but because the case is fairly weak.  But, you never know what a jury is going to do.  I think he’ll be found guilty, but the sentence will be light.

Can’t wait until Monday!

The Blago Trial Begins!

Oh goodie!  After 18 months of anticipation, the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial has begun!

I have a sad confession to make: I voted for Blago. Twice.  And, I hate to say this, but I would probably vote for him again – even though deep down I know he is batshit crazy.  I have a soft spot for Blago because back when I was single and diagnosed with thyroid cancer and couldn’t get health insurance after my COBRA ran out, Blago mandated a program that forced major insurance companies in Illinois to pool people like me and cover us at the same cost as everyone else.  It was a life saver for me, and I’m sure many, many people like me.  Say what you will about nutty Blago, but I think he really believes he was fighting “for the people” when it came to insurance and healthcare for those that got stuck in the shitty system that everyone seems so reluctant to change.  At the time, Illinois was one of only a handful of states that had such a program, and had I lived somewhere else I would have been fucked.

Is he “cuckoo” like Mayor Daley called him back in 2009?  Yes.  Is he guilty of corruption?  Probably – but so is every other politician from this state, including those that have gone on to bigger and better things.  Anyone that lives here knows how things work – I’m not saying it’s right, I’m just saying that’s how it is.  This type of shit happens every single day.  Rod just made the mistake of pissing off the wrong people and thinking he was beyond reproach because, well, he’s batshit crazy, remember?  It comes full circle.

Many pundits here in Chicago think that the case against Blago is weak and he may walk.  I think that juries are basically too stupid to follow the facts (I know this from personal experience on a jury) and it is really just a crapshoot.  But, if he is convicted, then he won’t be alone:  He can join our other esteemed Governor Ryan in the big house and help us live up to the motto:

Illinois:  Where the Governors Make the License Plates.

Oh, Tiger…

Why am I not surprised at anything anymore?  Tiger, Tiger – et tu?

(Tiger’s mea culpa from this morning reminds me of this famous scene from the Blues Brothers:)

Sorry for the bad quality – it was the only copy I could find…

The Beatles: Rock Band is going to be #@$%! Awesome

I am sooooo excited for this to come out:  09/09/09.  (What an awesome date – I’ll be  seeing The Killers at Red Rocks!)

You Have Got to be Kidding Me…

I have no words for this, outside of WTF???!?!!  I am truly embarrassed to be from Illinois right now.

I’m Off to a Reality Show Venture

No, not for me!  But I am off to NYC for a couple of days to go to some business meetings with my husband.  And, it just so happens that we are staying in the hotel run by one Mr. Simon Van Kampen of Real Housewives of NYC fame.  Add to that a nice dinner for Thursday at Gordon Ramsay’s (Hell’s Kitchen) restaurant (no, not the fancy-schmancy one) and probably a sandwich thrown in from Tom Colicchio’s (Top Chef) shop and I will have had a totally fake/real few days.  Keep you posted.

(Yes, I am a dork.)

Oh, and I really just wanted an excuse to post a picture of Chef Ramsay, as I think he’s kinda hot.  He may have to go on The List.

Obama Me, Baby!

Okay, seriously – what did we do with ourselves before the internets?  (Oh, yeah – read books and watched TV, but I digress.)  I found this nifty little fun site that will turn any picture into an Obama-inspired poster that you can then print to a t-shirt, mug, mousepad, etc.  I made this George Costanza one in about five minutes.

Click here for the link.

Flight of the Conchords: Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros

 

I know – I just can’t get enough Conchords.  

They call me the Hip-hop-opotamus
My lyrics are bottomless…
…Uh.

Priceless.

Flight of the Conchords: One Off The Market

I really just wanted a reason to post this awesome picture  of Jemaine and Brett from HBO’s Flight of the Conchords.  I guess since Jemaine got married over the weekend, that’s as good a reason as any.  I have to admit, I am kind of bummed though – as Jemaine was kind of my Conchord… It’s kind of like when George Clooney has a girlfriend.

Oh, well – I guess I can be the bigger person. Congratulations, Jemaine!