Chef's Table on Netflix

Just an observation... For several years, most of the American television hosts seemed to be Australian or British. Now they're mostly African-American. Through the fading in and out of popular host "types," there remain the constants- Nick Lachey, Joey Fatone and Mario Lopez.

I think I may say this every summer, but why on earth do they call it "America's Got Talent," when 90% of the acts are from other countries? Evidently we actually have no talent at all. I read that Britain's Got Talent is the same way. So weird.

So. We've been watching Chef's Table on Netflix. It is very good! Each episode is about a very celebrated chef somewhere in the world. We're through season 2 and so far, regardless of cuisine, all the food is "French-style" fine dining, with teensy weensy food, artfully stacked and arranged with tweezers (not even kidding) on ginormous plates. I'm not a fan of that stuff as "food," but I do appreciate the art of it. I've learned that these menus can include about 20 courses. Maybe 20 of those plates would make a proper meal. Still, I won't be eating there, but I can see why YOU like it. (*snort* #CJ)

Each hour episode covers the life story of the chef, sourcing of ingredients (farming, fishing, street markets...), and the chef's restaurant, exploring dishes served, showing the chef and staff in the kitchen, giving you a peek at the ambience. The imagery and videography is quite breathtaking, and the locations around the world are diverse and interesting.

Definitely worth a watch!

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Man and Wo-MAN?

A couple of things on my mind this afternoon...

During various discussions lately about weddings, people make a point of saying something along the lines of "It's their first wedding." Yikes, is that where we are now? Just expecting people to marry multiple times? Sad! I guess I should be glad people are getting married at all. Ha!

I also have to mention that I watched $100,000 Pyramid last night, and the word the lady was trying to get the celeb to guess was "man boobs." She said, "A woman has these..." and they buzzed her, because the wacky judges there think "woman" is a form of the word "man." WTF? So weird! No one even put up a fuss about it. #thingsthatmakeyougohmm

Saturday 9: (There's) No Gettin' Over Me (1981)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Ronnie Milsap sings about how worrisome it can be when you realize you forgot to pay a bill. It's happened to all of us, hasn't it? Tell about about a time you accidentally missed a payment.

I don't think I've ever missed a payment!

2) He also references a dream that keeps him awake. Do you have any recurring dreams?

Several. One recurring dream is in a building with lots of floors and windows that face into the center atrium. I'm usually in and out of the elevators and up and down the stairs, trying to get somewhere I can't get to.

3) He sings about the face you see in the crowd. Tell us about someone you see regularly, but don't really know.

There is a family of four in the neighborhood who were out together riding a few years ago on what seemed the first day of getting new bikes. They were in shorts and T-shirts, clumsily working out who was going to ride on the sidewalk and who was going to ride on the street, and in what order, etc. One of the kids fell over.  Well, I still see them riding together occasionally, and all four are on the street, in the bike lane, wearing biking outfits. They look like professional cyclists!

4) He mentions the book that you just can't put down. What's the last book that you finished?

I haven't finished one in a long time, but I am currently reading Dan Harris's Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics.

5) Ronnie Milsap is a big fan of new technology, and believes the advancements make both his professional and personal lives easier. What about you? Do you embrace new technology? Or do you long for the good old days, when we weren't so connected to personal devices? 

I love new tech, but also long for the days when we connected more personally.

6) As a child, Ronnie used to surreptitiously listen to late night radio, especially gospel broadcasts. When you were a kid, what rule did you break again and again?

I would sneak out of bed and watch The Tonight Show or Saturday Night Live. My parents were facing the TV and I would peek around the corner from the hall behind them. They caught me now and then, but not very often!

7) Country star Blake Shelton says Ronnie Milsap was a big influence on his music. Do you watch Blake on The Voice?

I do!

8) In May, Ronnie appeared at the Choctaw Casino in Grant, OK. Do you enjoy games of chance?

Not really. If money is on the line, I would rather play a game of skill, rather than luck.

9) Random question -- When did you last "do it yourself" and repair something around the house or yard?

I can't even remember!

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A Star is Born Trailer

YES!!



October 5, 2018.

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"Austin's Fun..."

Jerry Seinfeld said on the new Letterman bonus episode on Netflix that he loves the show Portlandia, and that Fred Armisen is so talented, and people should look up a video online where he does Texas accents by city. I actually remembered to look it up, and his accents are hilarious. The Texas part of this particular clip starts about 1:30, but the whole thing is awesome.



Saturday 9: It's Impossible (1970)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Mr. Como maintains it's impossible to ask a baby not to cry. When did you most recently hold a baby? Did you ask him or her not to cry?

I think the last baby I held was Jen's little girl. She's 3 now. She didn't cry.

2) Perry Como was known for his casual, easy going style. Therefore people were surprised to learn that he could lose his temper. His long-time musical director reported that bad drivers really got under Perry's skin. What is one of your pet peeves?

Bad drivers, yes!

3) Though Perry Como was born in Pennsylvania, he didn't speak English until he began grade school. His parents were Italian immigrants and the family only spoke Italian at home. Do you know any words/phrases in Italian?

Buona sera!

4) He met Roselle, the girl he would marry, when they were both still in high school. Tell us about a high school classmate you were crazy about back in the day.
My two high school boyfriends were a gregarious, hilarious actor/free spirit... and a sweet, super-chill artist/world traveler.

5) When he was just 14, his father's ill health made it essential that Perry begin working after school to help support his family. He apprenticed to a barber but was so short, he had to stand on a box when he cut hair. Again, going back to school, were you taller than your classmates? Shorter? Or were you the average height for a kid your age?
I was taller than almost everyone until about 7th grade, when everyone caught up, and eventually passed me.

6) While taping his annual holiday special in 1971, he fell from a platform and broke his knee. He had to wear a cast and endure 8 months of rehab. Have you ever broken a bone?
Nope.

7) During the decades when he was a recording and television star, Perry Como was also an avid golfer. He was so popular that many of the best pro golfers of the day -- Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, etc. -- were happy to play with him. It's estimated that it takes about 4 hours to play 18 holes of golf. What celebrity would you most like to hang around with for four hours?
Michael Symon

8) After he retired, Perry's passion switched from golf to fishing in the waters near Palm Beach, Florida. His catch of the day often ended up as his family's dinner. What's for dinner at your house tonight?
Italian rotisserie chicken, lemon roasted potatoes and a cup of halved strawberries

9) Random question -- They say "birds of a feather, flock together." But that's not always true. Can you think of an area where you are out of step with most of your friends/family?
I'm more silly and lighthearted than most of my friends/family. 

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