Friday, June 22, 2007

Starring Me

Have you ever felt like you are starring in a movie or some kind of twisted Truman Show-ish reality TV episode? Usually, this feeling is limited to the times I spend with my in-laws.

Now, don't get me wrong. I truly love my husband (on the blog, we call him John Dear (JD)) and his family. But whenever I'm with them in their craziness, I'm always looking around for someone to yell "CUT!"

For example, the literally-30 MINUTE debate over which Chinese restaurant to go to, based on a variety of factors, including the wait, the length of the drive, the flavor of their pork with green chilies (to which MIL had to scream out "JENDEIS WON'T EAT THAT!" despite the fact that there will be 5 other people who will), and the general reception of the waitstaff the last time that they had to deal with us and MIL's need for chairs without arms, SIL's interrogation concerning ingredients and SIL's kids screaming, crying and running in circles around the place.

This weekend, as SIL is bedridden due to knee surgery, we will be hanging out at their house for a few hours. Please keep your fingers crossed that I am able to practice patience, JD doesn't run out of the house screaming, and SIL's kids don't tease The Boy (our dog) into snapping at them. Let's hope that the lasagna I'm planning to cook for them is actually edible and doesn't kill anybody. Actually, let's pray for that rather than sanity and patience. Apparently, salmonella does not do a body good.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The Wonder of Gordon Ramsay

Oh, Gordon Ramsay, how do I love thee? Hell's Kitchen is divine; your curse words sublime.

I've really been enjoying Hell's Kitchen. Never watched it before this season, but I'm now encouraging everyone I know to tune in. I know that there are some people out there who do not enjoy "reality" TV, but Hell's Kitchen is different. Maybe it's the swearing...

I've always enjoyed cooking shows and cookbooks, though I'm not accomplished in the kitchen. (I do make excellent scrambled eggs, however, if I do say so myself).

For excellent recaps of both Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef with culinary critiques, I find Keckler's columns on Television Without Pity a necessity.