Skip to main content

Parts Unknown - to us

Parts Unknown was the show that made CNN more than a news organization.  The creator and star of the show died today in France.  Anthony Bourdain was 61.

What everyone who watched his show agreed unequivocally was why?  Why did he of all people decide to end his life?  This unfortunately highlights the fact that there are and always will be parts unknown about people's lives.  And we are better off not judging.

His show was one of my all time favorite as I may have written in prior blogs and this takes my favorite TV personality count down to 1.  Jerry Seinfeld.  Jerry also a New Yorker is living out his life doing small projects but not getting into the spotlight for any of the wrong reasons.  I sincerely hope he continues to live his life all the way till biology naturally intervenes.

Bourdain was able to navigate through many societies and cultures and highest seats of power including his famous Bun Cha eating episode with Barack Obama in Vietnam.  He could I think do that in part because he was not considered a threat by the hosts.  He was a foodie who was here to film food.  Let him in.  Welcome him.  He took that immense opportunity to shine a light on the plight and ways of life of the world including their joys and sorrow for all of us to learn from and  enjoy!  Bravo!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

On the go(zay masta) in Japan again

Cool cat the Japanese are Tokyo at dusk  My second visit to this land of the rising sun after almost a decade. Back then clearly I was wet behind the ears product manager and likely didn’t pay attention to all (efficient) things Japanese. But today I did and of course continue to be impressed. It is as much the obvious stuff like on time travel that is both clean and comfortable and all that which makes it possible. The impressive landmark and landscapes that these humans have put together despite their cramped (or because of it) surroundings and precarious geological conditions could amaze a novice architect among us. But it’s also the little things that someone had to think about which have a phenomenal impact on day to day lives that make the Japanese stand apart. Below are few random examples- 1. Providing a very fine machined wooden toothpick in every packet of wooden chopsticks. The said chapsticks are simply set on the To Go counter of any food vendor/ convenience store wher...

Presumptive Society

Today's world is hyper connected.  I am not so sure what it means but you hear it a lot.  It is probably hyper but not sure how connected it is.  Sugar (fermented or not) is available in many ways than before and so getting hyper is easy.  It is probably more a threat than cocaine since it is sold legally. And what is this connected stuff?  Most people I encounter seem disconnected from reality.  So going back to this assumption that we are connected there are subtle and no so subtle instances of how brands and companies and middle men try to portray someone - A linkedin profile for somebody working for X years at a place advertises to the connected network that so and so is CELEBRATING X years @ Such and Such Inc. Do we know if (s)he is celebrating or cringing?  Perhaps a better way to portray will be - So and So LASTED X years @ such & such inc. Then it exhorts the readership to go ahead and congratulate them for this lasting effe...

The Central State aka MP

Narmada river and site of Omkareshwar Indore Rajwada or palace of the Lady Holkar   Somewhat geographically centered in India is the hot landscape of MADHYA PRADESH. A region I had a faint memory of visiting as a young lad eons ago. Now in my (along with my best half) quest to get to know lands far and wide I got an opportunity to visit Indore city and surrounding areas in MP. It begins with an evening visit to a bustling old market selling native snacks both savory and sweet. It is the realm of jewelers who run night time street side restaurants once they close their primary operations at dusk. Think of it as desi style block party that I am told goes into wee hours of the morning. My impression was it is worth one visit.  The humid and hot ambience along with crush of humanity doesn’t make for a pleasant dining experience but the sheer variety of foods sort of makes up for it. From piping hot coconut filled fritters to oodles of milk based sweet confections, I gorged on item...