I have to confess my ever growing affection for Anthony Bourdain. I've been watching "No Reservations" since the first season. Initially it served as my "travel porn," allowing me to immerse myself into a fantasy world of beautiful places I otherwise would never see. However, as years have gone by I find myself watching it more for Bourdain. I read his blogs (not his books yet, though I plan to) and he's just wicked funny and raw. I relate to him a lot...a control freak, organized and critical, yet artistic and dirty. Of course it also thrills me that he's into the New York punk scene, home to The Stooges and Television, as I am--only he lived it. His love of tattoos and the f-word makes me all warm and fuzzy.
A lot of animals rights activists hate him, because he is outright opposed to vegetarianism. As a pescatarian, I am not offended by his views in anyway. He claims that "vegetarianism is a First World luxury" and I completely agree. I can afford to refuse red meat and poultry, but too many people do not have this choice. For a vegetarian to claim that his/her's diet is the only way to go is ludicrous. The only reason I don't eat red meat and poultry is because of the cruel and disgusting ways they are raised and prepared in this industrialized nation. If I lived near a local butcher in Tuscany, I'd be all over meat. So yes, I've been called a hypocrite, eating fish while putting down the cattle industry, but I don't care. This is how I see it. And veganism is again a personal matter--I will never be a vegan but I support those who are, as long as they don't give me shit.
Anyway, Bourdain is a big supporter of eating all of the animal, which is the way to go. I have to laugh at people who cringe at tribes eating intestines on "No Reservations" or "Bizarre Foods." Guess what's in your hotdogs! Bourdain has the upmost respect for his craft and defends it vehemently, which is why I respect him above all else. His frowning upon the Food Network for cheapening and commercializing fine cuisine is akin to my shunning of community poetry forums, in which 15 year olds write about hearts and coffins and call themselves poets. Ick ick ick.
Sound pretentious? Maybe Tony has gotten to me.
Also, I have to point out the fact that he is a downright knockout with a fantastic grasp on sarcasm. Need I say more? I can't wait for more episodes of the new season!
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