On and off of late I've had people increasingly asking me about what I listen to, or impressed by the size of my music library (about 250GB and always growing), or just expressing boredom with what they're listening to and looking for something new. It occurred to me to try something new, to try highlighting some of the things I like and that others might as well. I've no idea if this will work or not. The goal at this point is to mention a song, album, or band I like and provide a legal link to a sample. Officially I'm all about legal samples.
Since I needed to pick something to start with, I'm starting with Blur's 'The Great Escape' album. Check out some streaming audio: http://www.last.fm/music/Blur/The+Great+Escape
Now, you might be going 'Blur...Blur... why do I know that name?' You might be remembering 'Song 2', which is on every sports compilation since it was made; you know, the 'woo-hoo!' song? Lead singer Damon is also the lead singer for the Gorillaz.
Why do I like this album in particular? The songs don't all sound the same from one to the next. There's an range of styles, an experimentation going on, yet, there's a familiar quality to the sound, making it more accessible. The album varies between slow songs, fast songs, silly sounding songs, serious pondering songs, simple good-natured guitar rockers, string lead swooping orchestration, electro-pop. The lyrics are biting, sounding sweet, but have an edge the more you listen to them.
Cheerful sounding 'Country House' with its silly, Benny Hill like video, tells a story of a rich man in a comfortable house that can't understand why he's not happy. 'Charmless Man' tells the story of a stuck-up fella, the rich privileged type, explaining how irritating and fake the man and his friends are in their actions. The energetic music, combined with the 'na, na, na, na' chorus, gives the song the sound of a schoolkid's revenge.
There are quieter songs as well. 'Best Days' sounds like nostalgia for now, or at least the now of when the album was released. People would laugh at you if you said these were the best days of your life, the song notes, seeming to ask if you might be right. Is that good or bad? I'm still not sure I know what 'The Universal' is all about. I love the orchestration and get distracted by the 'A Clockwork Orange' styling of the video.
Is it the greatest album ever? No but it's my favorite Blur album to date. It hails from the age when I would still listen to albums beginning to end. It was the sort of album where I didn't have to skip boring songs because there weren't any.
That's just my opinion. Listen and see what you think.
26 October 2009
25 October 2009
Dr Howard, Dr Fine, Dr Howard
Got a different dresser today and spent most of the last few hours getting it in place and then filling it with t-shirts. Holy Hannah I've got a lot of t-shirts. There's t-shirts I keep as mementos of specific situations, t-shirts from concerts, t-shirts from wrestling, t-shirts I keep around to paint in, t-shirts for wearing around the house, t-shirts for normal wearing around, and t-shirts for 'special' occasions. No I do not have one of those tuxedo t-shirts but that would be cool.
Nor do I have any Three Stooges t-shirts oddly enough. I picked that line as the title because I've been watching Weird Al Yankovic music videos and that line is used as a reference at the beginning of 'Like a Surgeon'. Weird Al turned 50 the other day. For some reason that seems, well, weird. Not that Al shouldn't still be around or still shouldn't be full of fun, I think it's more of a 'if he's getting older, then I am too' sort of thing. I'm not sure I like that. Or do I not care? I don't remember.
Forgetful, eh? Must be getting old.
Nor do I have any Three Stooges t-shirts oddly enough. I picked that line as the title because I've been watching Weird Al Yankovic music videos and that line is used as a reference at the beginning of 'Like a Surgeon'. Weird Al turned 50 the other day. For some reason that seems, well, weird. Not that Al shouldn't still be around or still shouldn't be full of fun, I think it's more of a 'if he's getting older, then I am too' sort of thing. I'm not sure I like that. Or do I not care? I don't remember.
Forgetful, eh? Must be getting old.
24 October 2009
'Anthropophagus' Review
Synopsis: A small group of people take a boat ride to a small island in the middle of nowhere, unaware that a madman stalks that island.
Good: The movie works to generate a mood. The creep factor builds slowly. The really gross moments are still really gross. Shock value remains high. Makeup is good. The characters are drawn well enough, even the villain.
Bad: The building of mood is almost too slow. The 'bad things' don't really kick in until about an hour into the film. For something that was banned as a 'video nasty', I expected it to be more consistently nasty as opposed to a couple moments. I've seen the lead actress, Tisa Farrow, in 'Zombi' as well and here she looked a little unwell around the eyes.
Bad? No. Nasty? Not as much as I expected. Recommended? No, not really.
Good: The movie works to generate a mood. The creep factor builds slowly. The really gross moments are still really gross. Shock value remains high. Makeup is good. The characters are drawn well enough, even the villain.
Bad: The building of mood is almost too slow. The 'bad things' don't really kick in until about an hour into the film. For something that was banned as a 'video nasty', I expected it to be more consistently nasty as opposed to a couple moments. I've seen the lead actress, Tisa Farrow, in 'Zombi' as well and here she looked a little unwell around the eyes.
Bad? No. Nasty? Not as much as I expected. Recommended? No, not really.
22 October 2009
Must Be Practicing for the End of this Month
I went to the Milwaukee Public Museum today (I know, big shock). I went by myself. Amongst other things, one of the long broken exhibits was up and running again and I wanted to see it mobile once again.
At one point later in the day, I was in the Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit, leaning up against a lamppost, scrawling thoughts on my pad before they could escape me. A family walked past, but not at the same time. I heard a mom and kid go by, then a dad encouraging his son to catch up and then a kid shuffling past. I heard a soft voice say something to the effect of 'Do you talk too?' I turned and saw a young boy that was probably not even five staring at me wide-eyed. I smiled and grunted at him. He hurried to catch up with his dad, who was chuckling. 'Did you think he was a dummy?' asked the dad. I smiled. I'm pretty sure the answer was yes.
Even later in the day I was in the nearby European Village. The museum was starting to clear out and I was alone in the exhibit. Completely alone. I took the opportunity to take some pictures, using a wall to balance my camera on. Kneeling behind the wall, I lined up the shots on the viewscreen and snapped away. As I went to take the last shot, I heard approaching footsteps and rushed to finish. I took the picture without flash and waited to see if the young couple walking at a brisk pace had walked through my shot or not. They hadn't. I stood up. The young lady jumped and squealed. I'd been so still lining up the shot that, in the dark, she hadn't seen I was real. I apologized for scaring her and we all laughed a bit.
Too much fun.
At one point later in the day, I was in the Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit, leaning up against a lamppost, scrawling thoughts on my pad before they could escape me. A family walked past, but not at the same time. I heard a mom and kid go by, then a dad encouraging his son to catch up and then a kid shuffling past. I heard a soft voice say something to the effect of 'Do you talk too?' I turned and saw a young boy that was probably not even five staring at me wide-eyed. I smiled and grunted at him. He hurried to catch up with his dad, who was chuckling. 'Did you think he was a dummy?' asked the dad. I smiled. I'm pretty sure the answer was yes.
Even later in the day I was in the nearby European Village. The museum was starting to clear out and I was alone in the exhibit. Completely alone. I took the opportunity to take some pictures, using a wall to balance my camera on. Kneeling behind the wall, I lined up the shots on the viewscreen and snapped away. As I went to take the last shot, I heard approaching footsteps and rushed to finish. I took the picture without flash and waited to see if the young couple walking at a brisk pace had walked through my shot or not. They hadn't. I stood up. The young lady jumped and squealed. I'd been so still lining up the shot that, in the dark, she hadn't seen I was real. I apologized for scaring her and we all laughed a bit.
Too much fun.
21 October 2009
Hell's Kitchen Episode 15
Hell's Kitchen Episode 15 aka 2 Chefs Compete
As I noted in Episode 14, there's a season long recap at the beginning of this episode. This is normal for the finale and I'm not going to write it all out. It would take too long in my style. The important note is that Dave and Kevin were both injured early in the competition on the same day. Kevin's ankles healed up a bit as things went on and weren't mentioned often, so they must not have been as much of a factor. Dave's wrist was reinjured a couple of times and has almost sent him home a couple of times. That they are the final two is impressive.
Before I start with the actual programme, a few thoughts on the finalists. One, I've no problem with these two being the finalists. Some seasons you'll see someone get hosed near the end or someone's in the final because they were the best of the bunch but they don't seem very good in general but these two guys come across as good chefs. Neither is perfect, nor would I expect them to be. Ariel had a shot at this but her performance in the last three or four episodes dropped off, not horribly, but noticeably. Tennille made a good comeback to reach the final four but her skill level didn't seem high enough for the final two. Kevin is unusual to see in the final two only because generally guys that come in to Hell's Kitchen saying that they are the best and will win everything and very full of themselves and quickly find out that they aren't that good. Kevin is good. He has largely been able to back up his statements which brings to mind the question 'Is it still bragging if its true?' He doesn't seem like a complete creep and knew that there was a game to play here. Dave is no different but is manner is more relaxed so he doesn't come across as braggadocios as Kevin does. I'd like to see Dave win if nothing else because he played through so much pain and I respect that. That said, if Kevin wins, I believe he earned it as well. There is no clear-cut winner here from my perspective.
And now, the conclusion of Hell's Kitchen.
Chef Ramsey lays out the final. As normal, the restaurant will be split in two, each chef designing the style of the look and menu themselves. The best performance will win. They also need to go change and be ready to leave in the limo waiting for them.
They are taken to the roof of a hotel in downtown LA. It's about midnight. Chef Ramsey meets them there. In the courtyard below is a group of screaming fans. Their final challenge begins now! They have 45 minutes to create a dish for the judges that are waiting below in the crowd. And go!
As normal, they cook right up to the time limit. Five highly regarded judges come out to test their dishes. Three votes will carry the day. Dave's venison dish is relatively simple compared to Kevin's lobster with corn pudding and potato. While both dishes are complimented, Dave gets a quick 2-0 lead. We go to commercial before the 3rd vote can be cast.
Kevin gets the third vote. I'm not that surprised. I'm guessing all five votes will get cast. It's like wrestling, a 3 fall match always goes to 3 falls, rarely does anyone win 2 straight falls. As I type that, Kevin gets vote 4 to tie it up. The five judge is someone from Gourmet magazine. Ha! Your magazine is gone now!
The winner is... Dave! Hmm, he was the first named finalist as well. Momentum from Dave or is this a dodge to make us think he's winning so that Kevin will have to worked harder in service and win?
Yes I'm approaching this like it was scripted. The competition may well be real but that doesn't mean the presentation isn't scripted to build drama.
It looks like they aren't remodeling the restaurant like previous years. The economy is getting to everyone, huh. The guys get a few hours of sleep while the restaurant is reconfigured, develop their menus (Dave notes his will be unpretentious and simple good food, we get no hints toward Kevin's plan), and head downstairs. Kevin's in the Red Kitchen with Sous Chef Heather (who, again, has lived through a final in Hell's Kitchen) and Dave's on the Blue side with Sous Chef Scott. Chef Ramsey asks the chefs for some help unloading the 'special delivery' out front and it's a truck with a number of eliminated contestants in it for the teams. No surprise to me there. I always wonder about the chefs when they go 'I never expected that' as often the 'twists' are similar from season to season. Sometimes I think the chefs just haven't watched the show before. It occurred to me here that the guys are running on about five hours of sleep, perhaps have been for a couple days, if not the past month or so, and are distracted by the million things they need to get ready. That would explain a lot.
Suzanne, Ariel, Amanda, Sabrina, Robert, and Van have returned for the final. As Dave won the challenge, he gets to pick first. Am surprised that Tennille didn't return and that Robert and Amanda did as they seem to have been eliminated ages ago and Tennille only left a day or two ago. Am guessing Suzanne will be the last picked. She does as well. Dave picks Ariel, Robert, and Suzanne. Kevin picks Van, Amanda, and gets Sabrina as who's left. Wow, slight surprise there. Dave points to the challenge they won as a team as part of his motivation there. They take their teams off to educate them on their menus. Kevin's team is struggling to pick up his complicated menu. Dave's team picks up his simpler menu quickly.
Chef Ramsey notes that Kevin's menu is beautiful and artistic but may be too complicated. Dave's is more rustic and simple (also referred to as 'classic') but can't be sloppy. Execution will be the key. I'm inclined to think that Kevin's menu will be too tricky for a team to pick up at the last minute. I think Dave has an advantage in that regard.
Just before service, Chef Ramsey calls Kevin and Dave over and notes that there's something that's been bothering him that he needs to take care of before they start. Commercial.
Chef Ramsey has Executive Chef jackets for them both. They change and Hell's Kitchen is open!
Among the guests in the restaurant are head chefs from Canada, including the chef that will be the winner's employer. First order comes in to Kevin. He has to push his team to respond. Dave's team immediately responds.
Despite getting orders first, food is slow to emerge from Kevin's kitchen. Dave does not have this problem. Amanda is working fish and meat stations. She has issues with scallops and slows Kevin's kitchen to a crawl. Chef Ramsey encourages him to move her about if need be. As Kevin cries out for someone to get him some scallops, a plume of fire erupts from one of Amanda's pans. Commercial.
Kevin swaps Van and Amanda. She's clearly crushed but this works and food comes from the kitchen.
On Dave's side, appetizers are almost complete when they run low on mushrooms for the risotto. Dave tells Robert to dial down on the mushrooms in order to get through the last few tickets. Robert dials down too far so that there aren't enough mushrooms in it. Chef Ramsey catches this and gives Dave a hard time. Dave responds that he hadn't gotten a chance to see this and wouldn't have sent them out. He restates his directive to Robert, who sees this as being thrown under the bus and gets annoyed. He immediately starts messing with Dave in little ways to get some revenge. Petty certainly but somewhat entertaining.
Dave's still in the lead for delivering food that's appreciated by the customers. A risotto returns to Kevin's kitchen for being crunchy. Who made that? Amanda. He asks Van to help her out. Van becomes Kevin's go-to guy to crank stuff out. It works and they start making progress.
Ariel overcooks a venison for Dave. He catches it and has her try again. Take two is successful.
Food is now streaming from both kitchens. Kevin gets the ticket from the hotel head chef. He gets more tense. He calls out a temperature for this ticket. Amanda double-checks the temperature 'medium-rare or medium-well?' Kevin says 'well', then 'rare'. Amanda gets confused and gives him the wrong one. Everything crashes to a halt. More fire in a pan. Commercial.
Before he explodes, Kevin takes a deep breath and rallies the troops calmly. He explains himself and what he needs to Amanda. He makes sure that the team is working to support on another. Excellent move! The entree gets to the chef from the Araxi restaurant and he likes it.
Dave has four tables left and Kevin has six. Kevin tries to do two tables at once to catch up. Dave's kitchen sputters with Ariel suddenly unable to kick out fish or meat properly. Robert is assigned to assist and he tries to rally the troops as well. This allows Kevin's team to catch up. Both are at four tables remaining.
Both sides push. One table apiece. They finish at about the same time. Dave and Kevin thank their teams for their hard work. Nerves kick in. They've done what they can and now they have to wait to see who won.
The winner will be determined by customer comment cards and Chef Ramsey's observations. We see him thinking. Then the phone rings for Dave and Kevin to hear the result.
In Chef Ramsey's office, he congratulates them both. He states this has been the closest race ever in Hell's Kitchen. They approach the doors. One will open and that person will be the winner. They congratulate each other. They place their hands on the door handles. At the count of three, they will turn their door handle. Commercial.
The winner is... Dave!
As normal, Dave freaks a bit. Kevin sits there in shock for a moment. Chef Ramsey gives him a hug and Kevin decides he needs to show his son that its okay and he can lose like a gentleman. Chef Ramsey points to Dave's skill, palate, and his gutting through the injury as reasons why he won.
During the credits we get bloopers. Hilarious moments cut from the season. Van beating Chef Ramsey in arm wrestling. Dave dancing to amuse customers in the restaurant. JP getting sprayed by children. Robert breaking something in the dorm. Chef Ramsey repeating Joseph's 'ain't nobody's [female dog]' line.
- Good season. No problem with the winner. They had ads for the last couple weeks for 'casting' the next season so I guess there'll be another. I may do this again. If so, I hope I get better at it.
As I noted in Episode 14, there's a season long recap at the beginning of this episode. This is normal for the finale and I'm not going to write it all out. It would take too long in my style. The important note is that Dave and Kevin were both injured early in the competition on the same day. Kevin's ankles healed up a bit as things went on and weren't mentioned often, so they must not have been as much of a factor. Dave's wrist was reinjured a couple of times and has almost sent him home a couple of times. That they are the final two is impressive.
Before I start with the actual programme, a few thoughts on the finalists. One, I've no problem with these two being the finalists. Some seasons you'll see someone get hosed near the end or someone's in the final because they were the best of the bunch but they don't seem very good in general but these two guys come across as good chefs. Neither is perfect, nor would I expect them to be. Ariel had a shot at this but her performance in the last three or four episodes dropped off, not horribly, but noticeably. Tennille made a good comeback to reach the final four but her skill level didn't seem high enough for the final two. Kevin is unusual to see in the final two only because generally guys that come in to Hell's Kitchen saying that they are the best and will win everything and very full of themselves and quickly find out that they aren't that good. Kevin is good. He has largely been able to back up his statements which brings to mind the question 'Is it still bragging if its true?' He doesn't seem like a complete creep and knew that there was a game to play here. Dave is no different but is manner is more relaxed so he doesn't come across as braggadocios as Kevin does. I'd like to see Dave win if nothing else because he played through so much pain and I respect that. That said, if Kevin wins, I believe he earned it as well. There is no clear-cut winner here from my perspective.
And now, the conclusion of Hell's Kitchen.
Chef Ramsey lays out the final. As normal, the restaurant will be split in two, each chef designing the style of the look and menu themselves. The best performance will win. They also need to go change and be ready to leave in the limo waiting for them.
They are taken to the roof of a hotel in downtown LA. It's about midnight. Chef Ramsey meets them there. In the courtyard below is a group of screaming fans. Their final challenge begins now! They have 45 minutes to create a dish for the judges that are waiting below in the crowd. And go!
As normal, they cook right up to the time limit. Five highly regarded judges come out to test their dishes. Three votes will carry the day. Dave's venison dish is relatively simple compared to Kevin's lobster with corn pudding and potato. While both dishes are complimented, Dave gets a quick 2-0 lead. We go to commercial before the 3rd vote can be cast.
Kevin gets the third vote. I'm not that surprised. I'm guessing all five votes will get cast. It's like wrestling, a 3 fall match always goes to 3 falls, rarely does anyone win 2 straight falls. As I type that, Kevin gets vote 4 to tie it up. The five judge is someone from Gourmet magazine. Ha! Your magazine is gone now!
The winner is... Dave! Hmm, he was the first named finalist as well. Momentum from Dave or is this a dodge to make us think he's winning so that Kevin will have to worked harder in service and win?
Yes I'm approaching this like it was scripted. The competition may well be real but that doesn't mean the presentation isn't scripted to build drama.
It looks like they aren't remodeling the restaurant like previous years. The economy is getting to everyone, huh. The guys get a few hours of sleep while the restaurant is reconfigured, develop their menus (Dave notes his will be unpretentious and simple good food, we get no hints toward Kevin's plan), and head downstairs. Kevin's in the Red Kitchen with Sous Chef Heather (who, again, has lived through a final in Hell's Kitchen) and Dave's on the Blue side with Sous Chef Scott. Chef Ramsey asks the chefs for some help unloading the 'special delivery' out front and it's a truck with a number of eliminated contestants in it for the teams. No surprise to me there. I always wonder about the chefs when they go 'I never expected that' as often the 'twists' are similar from season to season. Sometimes I think the chefs just haven't watched the show before. It occurred to me here that the guys are running on about five hours of sleep, perhaps have been for a couple days, if not the past month or so, and are distracted by the million things they need to get ready. That would explain a lot.
Suzanne, Ariel, Amanda, Sabrina, Robert, and Van have returned for the final. As Dave won the challenge, he gets to pick first. Am surprised that Tennille didn't return and that Robert and Amanda did as they seem to have been eliminated ages ago and Tennille only left a day or two ago. Am guessing Suzanne will be the last picked. She does as well. Dave picks Ariel, Robert, and Suzanne. Kevin picks Van, Amanda, and gets Sabrina as who's left. Wow, slight surprise there. Dave points to the challenge they won as a team as part of his motivation there. They take their teams off to educate them on their menus. Kevin's team is struggling to pick up his complicated menu. Dave's team picks up his simpler menu quickly.
Chef Ramsey notes that Kevin's menu is beautiful and artistic but may be too complicated. Dave's is more rustic and simple (also referred to as 'classic') but can't be sloppy. Execution will be the key. I'm inclined to think that Kevin's menu will be too tricky for a team to pick up at the last minute. I think Dave has an advantage in that regard.
Just before service, Chef Ramsey calls Kevin and Dave over and notes that there's something that's been bothering him that he needs to take care of before they start. Commercial.
Chef Ramsey has Executive Chef jackets for them both. They change and Hell's Kitchen is open!
Among the guests in the restaurant are head chefs from Canada, including the chef that will be the winner's employer. First order comes in to Kevin. He has to push his team to respond. Dave's team immediately responds.
Despite getting orders first, food is slow to emerge from Kevin's kitchen. Dave does not have this problem. Amanda is working fish and meat stations. She has issues with scallops and slows Kevin's kitchen to a crawl. Chef Ramsey encourages him to move her about if need be. As Kevin cries out for someone to get him some scallops, a plume of fire erupts from one of Amanda's pans. Commercial.
Kevin swaps Van and Amanda. She's clearly crushed but this works and food comes from the kitchen.
On Dave's side, appetizers are almost complete when they run low on mushrooms for the risotto. Dave tells Robert to dial down on the mushrooms in order to get through the last few tickets. Robert dials down too far so that there aren't enough mushrooms in it. Chef Ramsey catches this and gives Dave a hard time. Dave responds that he hadn't gotten a chance to see this and wouldn't have sent them out. He restates his directive to Robert, who sees this as being thrown under the bus and gets annoyed. He immediately starts messing with Dave in little ways to get some revenge. Petty certainly but somewhat entertaining.
Dave's still in the lead for delivering food that's appreciated by the customers. A risotto returns to Kevin's kitchen for being crunchy. Who made that? Amanda. He asks Van to help her out. Van becomes Kevin's go-to guy to crank stuff out. It works and they start making progress.
Ariel overcooks a venison for Dave. He catches it and has her try again. Take two is successful.
Food is now streaming from both kitchens. Kevin gets the ticket from the hotel head chef. He gets more tense. He calls out a temperature for this ticket. Amanda double-checks the temperature 'medium-rare or medium-well?' Kevin says 'well', then 'rare'. Amanda gets confused and gives him the wrong one. Everything crashes to a halt. More fire in a pan. Commercial.
Before he explodes, Kevin takes a deep breath and rallies the troops calmly. He explains himself and what he needs to Amanda. He makes sure that the team is working to support on another. Excellent move! The entree gets to the chef from the Araxi restaurant and he likes it.
Dave has four tables left and Kevin has six. Kevin tries to do two tables at once to catch up. Dave's kitchen sputters with Ariel suddenly unable to kick out fish or meat properly. Robert is assigned to assist and he tries to rally the troops as well. This allows Kevin's team to catch up. Both are at four tables remaining.
Both sides push. One table apiece. They finish at about the same time. Dave and Kevin thank their teams for their hard work. Nerves kick in. They've done what they can and now they have to wait to see who won.
The winner will be determined by customer comment cards and Chef Ramsey's observations. We see him thinking. Then the phone rings for Dave and Kevin to hear the result.
In Chef Ramsey's office, he congratulates them both. He states this has been the closest race ever in Hell's Kitchen. They approach the doors. One will open and that person will be the winner. They congratulate each other. They place their hands on the door handles. At the count of three, they will turn their door handle. Commercial.
The winner is... Dave!
As normal, Dave freaks a bit. Kevin sits there in shock for a moment. Chef Ramsey gives him a hug and Kevin decides he needs to show his son that its okay and he can lose like a gentleman. Chef Ramsey points to Dave's skill, palate, and his gutting through the injury as reasons why he won.
During the credits we get bloopers. Hilarious moments cut from the season. Van beating Chef Ramsey in arm wrestling. Dave dancing to amuse customers in the restaurant. JP getting sprayed by children. Robert breaking something in the dorm. Chef Ramsey repeating Joseph's 'ain't nobody's [female dog]' line.
- Good season. No problem with the winner. They had ads for the last couple weeks for 'casting' the next season so I guess there'll be another. I may do this again. If so, I hope I get better at it.
20 October 2009
Hell's Kitchen Episode 14
Hell's Kitchen Episode 14 aka 3 Chefs Compete
- Recap: Vegetarian challenge with the kids is won by Tennille but has a horrible night on fish, Dave's wrist causes more pain for him, Dave begs to stay, Tennille goes home, family and friends visit the remaining three.
The chefs return to the dorm all recharged from seeing their family and friends.
The next morning, Dave is up early from nerves. It's one of the very few times we see him without a hat on. He's got a full head of hair so it just must be his style.
Challenge: each chef is randomly given the cuisine of a specific country to emulate. They each have 45 minutes to create an entree in the style they receive, using the special ingredients in the storeroom, which are clearly labeled as belonging to each country.
Ariel gets China. She's happy as she expresses a love for Chinese food. Dave gets India. He's nervous as he's unfamiliar with Indian food. Kevin gets Mexico. He notes that everyone's cooked Mexican food so this should be a snap.
As normal, it's a race to complete with contestants bringing their dishes to the front as time elapses. Dave has admitted he's no idea what he was doing with Indian food so his declared plan is to prepare something he knows how to do and give it an Indian flair. Kevin and Ariel do not have this issue and plow through the process, able to work within familiar structures in their head.
After the cooking is done, Chef Ramsey informs them that he has three chefs to help grade the dishes, each an expert in a specific cuisine. The Indian expert, Vikas, was on one of the American episodes of Kitchen Nightmares. Neat! No one sweats more at this information than Dave, who also reverses his dirty apron to make it look clean again. First impressions are important, so probably a good move.
The Chinese dish goes first. Ariel is incredibly nervous, stammering and stumbling as she tries to explain her dish. Thomas, the Mexican expert, feels her plum duck and noodles isn't balanced. Vikas liked the sweetness of it. Eddie, the Chinese expert, felt it was a good try but that the sauce was too watery. As a result of this lukewarm feedback, Ariel feels she could have done better.
Kevin is next. This doesn't surprise me. Having seen Dave's reaction through the challenge, his is the story, either to succeed or fail entertainingly. I'm guessing we'll get a commercial break before seeing the expert reaction to his dish. Kevin is confident in explaining his dish but, when questioned by Chef Ramsey, he realizes he forgot to add the mole chocolate sauce he made to go with it. Commercial. Sooner than I expected.
Thomas agrees that a nice Mexican style sauce would have done it and that the dish lacks without it. Eddie and Vikas both enjoy the dish.
Dave is still rightfully nervous. Upon presenting it, he admits this is his first attempt at Indian food. He selected pork as he seemed to remember that the cow is revered in India. Vikas informs him that there are also a lot of Muslims in India so pork wasn't the greatest choice either; chicken or seafood would have been better. Apart from that, Vikas seems to have enjoyed it, 'for first try: amazing'. Thomas is impressed, especially since Dave was unfamiliar with the spices going it. Eddie also enjoyed it.
Chef Ramsey calls for the experts opinions: all three vote for Dave. Wow! He's shocked but thrilled.
Reward: each of the experts will make their signature dish for Dave. And a set of cookware as used in Hell's Kitchen. Punishment: prepping for tonight's service and getting the restaurant ready.
Kevin is confident that he would have won had he remembered his sauce. To 'rub in' the reward, the experts are cooking in Hell's Kitchen while the punished clean. Dave's sister and fiancee get to join him for lunch, making the price that much greater. Each chef brings Dave over to see what they are cooking and giving him pointers on each dish. The punished are fuming, not so much at Dave, but just out of jealousy. After lunch, Dave returns to the dorm to amp himself up for dinner service. Commercial.
Just before the pre-service meeting, we get a brief video package of the eliminated chefs removing their jackets to leave Hell's Kitchen. I liked that. During the meeting, Chef Ramsey explains that each chef will get a turn leading the kitchen at the pass. Playfully, he explains how it's done by all the things he wouldn't do, an explanation that's intercut with video of him doing those very things during the course of this season. Ha!
Sous Chefs Scott and Heather will be helping out as there are only three chefs working tonight and, at times, one will be on the pass. It also lets Chef Ramsey test the chefs while at the pass. The Sous Chefs have a habit of 'messing up' while in this situation to see if the contestants will catch it. The service starts well and Kevin is soon called up to work the pass. In Interview he notes that this is no different from any other night as he always leads the kitchen. He starts well, spots the halibut that Sous Chef Scott 'accidentally' brings to the window instead of sea bass, and decides Ariel's order of lamb isn't good enough. She gets annoyed with him after the second attempt is also rejected. The commercial break comes with them giving each other the stink eye.
Third time is the charm but Ariel is now flustered and annoyed. Kevin is released back to cooking and Dave is brought up to the pass. He yells, swats his towel, kicks things, and gives suggestions where he shouldn't, such as to Sous Chef Scott. It's really weird to see him like this but he does keep the kitchen going. Sous Chef Scott 'accidentally' makes a risotto with the wrong puree (same color but different flavor) and Dave doesn't catch it, even after tasting it. He also misses that a tuna order that's not prepared with the correct seasonings. Both failures get him politely chastised by Chef Ramsey. He then catches a poorly cooked tuna and some poorly seasoned vegetables thereby 'bouncing back' from his earlier failure. Food continued to flow from the kitchen. Dave is returned to cooking and Ariel is brought up.
This time it's Sous Chef Heather's turn to have an 'accident', substituting parsnip puree for mashed potatoes. Ariel doesn't catch it even after tasting it. Sous Chef Scott brings up a salmon order instead of sea bass and Ariel catches this 'mistake'. She calls out three orders at a time, confusing the kitchen. Kevin gets totally thrown off. Ariel looses control of the kitchen. Chef Ramsey ends up yelling out priorities as we go to commercial.
Ariel tries to take control back and blames Kevin for dragging her down now. She then questions the quality of an order of scallops he prepared and he fixes it. The rest of the service completes without incident.
In the post service meeting, Chef Ramsey says things went well. They all had their ups and downs on the pass. This will be a difficult decision. He asks them to go away and for each of them to pick out one person that they feel should be the one to go home tonight.
As they return to the dorms, Dave doesn't know who he should vote for tonight. Ariel asks if Kevin intentionally dragged down the scallops order while she was on the pass but we don't see him directly answer her question. The answer we get is: 'This is a competition of skill, not cheating.' Difficult decisions but, since Ariel and Kevin seem to be feuding at the moment, I wonder if Dave will slip through? If I had to pick, I'd vote for Ariel tonight. She had issues with lamb, not completely her fault but still, and she lost it the worst of the three when at the pass.
As they stand before Chef Ramsey, he notes that he could see them all winning. He begins collecting their votes. Kevin's vote: Ariel, doesn't feel she's quite ready. Ariel: Kevin, as he didn't have her back while at the pass. Dave's vote...commercial.
Dave's vote: Ariel due to her performance at the pass.
Chef Ramsey notes that their votes haven't helped him and that this is a tough call. He has another question for each chef: why do you belong in the final?
Kevin states that he's a strong person and that there's nothing he can't do when he sets his mind to it. He is certain he can succeed at the head chef position. Ariel points to how she's grown over the competition, believes she has the correct skills, and notes her youth and creativity. Dave says he's run himself, he's grown tenfold over the competition, and that he'll run the kitchen rather than letting it run him.
Two video screens suddenly drop from the ceiling of Hell's Kitchen. The first to advance is Dave. The second finalist is Kevin. Ariel is eliminated. Dave and Kevin shake her hand and hug her goodbye. Chef Ramsey calls her over to compliment her and tells her to keep her jacket. Nice!
Ariel is disappointed that she didn't win but says she learned a lot while in Hell's Kitchen. She's pretty calm and collected so I'm wondering if she may have expected this as well.
Dave and Kevin have 30 minutes to get ready for their limo ride!
The episode feeds directly into the next so it doesn't really stop or have a trailer for the next episode. Instead there's a recap of the entire season, focusing on the different conflicts that occurred. We'll stop here and review the final later.
- Recap: Vegetarian challenge with the kids is won by Tennille but has a horrible night on fish, Dave's wrist causes more pain for him, Dave begs to stay, Tennille goes home, family and friends visit the remaining three.
The chefs return to the dorm all recharged from seeing their family and friends.
The next morning, Dave is up early from nerves. It's one of the very few times we see him without a hat on. He's got a full head of hair so it just must be his style.
Challenge: each chef is randomly given the cuisine of a specific country to emulate. They each have 45 minutes to create an entree in the style they receive, using the special ingredients in the storeroom, which are clearly labeled as belonging to each country.
Ariel gets China. She's happy as she expresses a love for Chinese food. Dave gets India. He's nervous as he's unfamiliar with Indian food. Kevin gets Mexico. He notes that everyone's cooked Mexican food so this should be a snap.
As normal, it's a race to complete with contestants bringing their dishes to the front as time elapses. Dave has admitted he's no idea what he was doing with Indian food so his declared plan is to prepare something he knows how to do and give it an Indian flair. Kevin and Ariel do not have this issue and plow through the process, able to work within familiar structures in their head.
After the cooking is done, Chef Ramsey informs them that he has three chefs to help grade the dishes, each an expert in a specific cuisine. The Indian expert, Vikas, was on one of the American episodes of Kitchen Nightmares. Neat! No one sweats more at this information than Dave, who also reverses his dirty apron to make it look clean again. First impressions are important, so probably a good move.
The Chinese dish goes first. Ariel is incredibly nervous, stammering and stumbling as she tries to explain her dish. Thomas, the Mexican expert, feels her plum duck and noodles isn't balanced. Vikas liked the sweetness of it. Eddie, the Chinese expert, felt it was a good try but that the sauce was too watery. As a result of this lukewarm feedback, Ariel feels she could have done better.
Kevin is next. This doesn't surprise me. Having seen Dave's reaction through the challenge, his is the story, either to succeed or fail entertainingly. I'm guessing we'll get a commercial break before seeing the expert reaction to his dish. Kevin is confident in explaining his dish but, when questioned by Chef Ramsey, he realizes he forgot to add the mole chocolate sauce he made to go with it. Commercial. Sooner than I expected.
Thomas agrees that a nice Mexican style sauce would have done it and that the dish lacks without it. Eddie and Vikas both enjoy the dish.
Dave is still rightfully nervous. Upon presenting it, he admits this is his first attempt at Indian food. He selected pork as he seemed to remember that the cow is revered in India. Vikas informs him that there are also a lot of Muslims in India so pork wasn't the greatest choice either; chicken or seafood would have been better. Apart from that, Vikas seems to have enjoyed it, 'for first try: amazing'. Thomas is impressed, especially since Dave was unfamiliar with the spices going it. Eddie also enjoyed it.
Chef Ramsey calls for the experts opinions: all three vote for Dave. Wow! He's shocked but thrilled.
Reward: each of the experts will make their signature dish for Dave. And a set of cookware as used in Hell's Kitchen. Punishment: prepping for tonight's service and getting the restaurant ready.
Kevin is confident that he would have won had he remembered his sauce. To 'rub in' the reward, the experts are cooking in Hell's Kitchen while the punished clean. Dave's sister and fiancee get to join him for lunch, making the price that much greater. Each chef brings Dave over to see what they are cooking and giving him pointers on each dish. The punished are fuming, not so much at Dave, but just out of jealousy. After lunch, Dave returns to the dorm to amp himself up for dinner service. Commercial.
Just before the pre-service meeting, we get a brief video package of the eliminated chefs removing their jackets to leave Hell's Kitchen. I liked that. During the meeting, Chef Ramsey explains that each chef will get a turn leading the kitchen at the pass. Playfully, he explains how it's done by all the things he wouldn't do, an explanation that's intercut with video of him doing those very things during the course of this season. Ha!
Sous Chefs Scott and Heather will be helping out as there are only three chefs working tonight and, at times, one will be on the pass. It also lets Chef Ramsey test the chefs while at the pass. The Sous Chefs have a habit of 'messing up' while in this situation to see if the contestants will catch it. The service starts well and Kevin is soon called up to work the pass. In Interview he notes that this is no different from any other night as he always leads the kitchen. He starts well, spots the halibut that Sous Chef Scott 'accidentally' brings to the window instead of sea bass, and decides Ariel's order of lamb isn't good enough. She gets annoyed with him after the second attempt is also rejected. The commercial break comes with them giving each other the stink eye.
Third time is the charm but Ariel is now flustered and annoyed. Kevin is released back to cooking and Dave is brought up to the pass. He yells, swats his towel, kicks things, and gives suggestions where he shouldn't, such as to Sous Chef Scott. It's really weird to see him like this but he does keep the kitchen going. Sous Chef Scott 'accidentally' makes a risotto with the wrong puree (same color but different flavor) and Dave doesn't catch it, even after tasting it. He also misses that a tuna order that's not prepared with the correct seasonings. Both failures get him politely chastised by Chef Ramsey. He then catches a poorly cooked tuna and some poorly seasoned vegetables thereby 'bouncing back' from his earlier failure. Food continued to flow from the kitchen. Dave is returned to cooking and Ariel is brought up.
This time it's Sous Chef Heather's turn to have an 'accident', substituting parsnip puree for mashed potatoes. Ariel doesn't catch it even after tasting it. Sous Chef Scott brings up a salmon order instead of sea bass and Ariel catches this 'mistake'. She calls out three orders at a time, confusing the kitchen. Kevin gets totally thrown off. Ariel looses control of the kitchen. Chef Ramsey ends up yelling out priorities as we go to commercial.
Ariel tries to take control back and blames Kevin for dragging her down now. She then questions the quality of an order of scallops he prepared and he fixes it. The rest of the service completes without incident.
In the post service meeting, Chef Ramsey says things went well. They all had their ups and downs on the pass. This will be a difficult decision. He asks them to go away and for each of them to pick out one person that they feel should be the one to go home tonight.
As they return to the dorms, Dave doesn't know who he should vote for tonight. Ariel asks if Kevin intentionally dragged down the scallops order while she was on the pass but we don't see him directly answer her question. The answer we get is: 'This is a competition of skill, not cheating.' Difficult decisions but, since Ariel and Kevin seem to be feuding at the moment, I wonder if Dave will slip through? If I had to pick, I'd vote for Ariel tonight. She had issues with lamb, not completely her fault but still, and she lost it the worst of the three when at the pass.
As they stand before Chef Ramsey, he notes that he could see them all winning. He begins collecting their votes. Kevin's vote: Ariel, doesn't feel she's quite ready. Ariel: Kevin, as he didn't have her back while at the pass. Dave's vote...commercial.
Dave's vote: Ariel due to her performance at the pass.
Chef Ramsey notes that their votes haven't helped him and that this is a tough call. He has another question for each chef: why do you belong in the final?
Kevin states that he's a strong person and that there's nothing he can't do when he sets his mind to it. He is certain he can succeed at the head chef position. Ariel points to how she's grown over the competition, believes she has the correct skills, and notes her youth and creativity. Dave says he's run himself, he's grown tenfold over the competition, and that he'll run the kitchen rather than letting it run him.
Two video screens suddenly drop from the ceiling of Hell's Kitchen. The first to advance is Dave. The second finalist is Kevin. Ariel is eliminated. Dave and Kevin shake her hand and hug her goodbye. Chef Ramsey calls her over to compliment her and tells her to keep her jacket. Nice!
Ariel is disappointed that she didn't win but says she learned a lot while in Hell's Kitchen. She's pretty calm and collected so I'm wondering if she may have expected this as well.
Dave and Kevin have 30 minutes to get ready for their limo ride!
The episode feeds directly into the next so it doesn't really stop or have a trailer for the next episode. Instead there's a recap of the entire season, focusing on the different conflicts that occurred. We'll stop here and review the final later.
19 October 2009
The moment when things get creepy
I went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago last Friday. As the trip home didn't involve seeing bloody Indiana, I thought for a moment that there was no story to tell from the trip but pondering on it has reminded me differently.
We took in an IMAX film near the end of the day, entitled 'Mysteries of the Great Lakes'. Now, as we'd got an IMAX in Milwaukee, I might have been inclined to argue against seeing a film. Why 'waste the time' doing something we could normally do when we're out on a special trip? The movie had played in Milwaukee and it had been missed. If we could catch it here, we should.
The movie wasn't without interest but using the word 'mystery' in the title had made me think that the movie would be about weird events that had gone unexplained for ages and we now being cleared up. Not so much. Most of the film was about the 'rebirth' of the sturgeon fish. Briefly the film brought up bald eagles and the Edmond Fitzgerald but it was mostly about the fish and this scientist fella that had figured out a way to restore them to rivers they had traditionally lived in.
The climax of the film (and I use that word under protest) involves the scientists catching fish as they come to spawn and capturing some of their, well, necessarily reproductive fluids and juices. Part of the problem is that our scientist fella has been talking about this 'special' fish on and off through the movie, gets a bit too excited when he finds her, and then proceeds to ... well, massage her belly until she releases her eggs. In the next scene we see him mixing the eggs with some sperm that hopefully came from a fish. Thankfully they didn't show them harvesting that.
I'd no idea the movie would be fish porn. It was ridiculous.
15 October 2009
An Open Letter to that Random Scammer
I don't know how you got ahold of my bank account information and that displeases me to no end. Considering the letter I got a month ago, I'm guessing it was part of a larger database break-in when you stole a number of bits of account information. Or maybe you just bought the information from another jerk with too much time on his hands and limited ethics. Whatever.
Thanks for stealing my information and signing up for some sort of pornographic website. Very nice of you to make me put on my adult shoes and run to the bank to stop all this nonsense. This was a fun way to spend my early evening. Lovely.
Eat a rock and die you jerk.
Love,
-Steve
Thanks for stealing my information and signing up for some sort of pornographic website. Very nice of you to make me put on my adult shoes and run to the bank to stop all this nonsense. This was a fun way to spend my early evening. Lovely.
Eat a rock and die you jerk.
Love,
-Steve
14 October 2009
Home Theatre Update
Since someone did care before, let me express where I am now in the process.
I fixed the issue I was having with audio in XBMC. I'd tinkered with a setting that evidently didn't work as I expected. Turning it back off fixed the issue. For a week or two I worked with that setup again. I didn't really care for it.
There were two parts to the problem as I saw it: my TV and the programme. My TV is old enough to not interface as well as it needs to with the computer signal. The video quality was good but, the more I watched different things on it, the less I was pleased by it. Items shot originally on video tended to have a hazy quality to them, as if they had been badly reprocessed to try to look like film. I couldn't tinker around with the settings on the TV to improve this enough. Also the programme didn't like ejecting disks from it while it was running. In order to change disks, I had to shut down XBMC, eject the disk, restart the programme, and insert the new disk. This may have been more of an issue with the Mac Mini than the programme or just how the two interfaced but it irritated me. Due to these issues, I never got the Mac Remote.
I started looking in other directions, as I had decided that this was going to be a temporary solution to watching TV. In the future I may return to it or just hope that my current TV will last until the next wave of awesome TVs come out and hop on that wave. For now, as concerned as I was with price before, you might think that I would look towards something simple but inexpensive with enough options to please me for the time being. I would have thought that as well. The responsible part of my brain is still mad at the rest of me because I didn't make that decision.
I bought a PS3. A used PS3 of the type that is backwards compatible with PS2 and PS1 games. It was more expensive than I wanted to pay but not nearly as expensive as it was originally. It just arrived yesterday and is working well so far.
The primary disadvantages are: more expensive than I would have liked and not (as far as I know) region code free and PAL compatible.
The advantages? I can finally use the component input on my TV for something. It plays media files as I wanted. I have the option for Blu-Ray (handy as I got a Blu-Ray disk in a multi-pack last week, but this is likely also a disadvantage as it may increase my interest in getting Blu-Ray disks). The option to get PS3 games (the controllers for Rock Band and Guitar Hero aren't compatible with each other on the Wii but are on the PS3 meaning I can have one set of controllers and play both games if I want. Please note that this should also be a disadvantage as it will increase my interest in getting these games).
A perfect solution? No, of course not. Was it something I was likely to get anyway? Yeah, pretty much. Was it a good idea to get it now? Probably not. Is it cool? Heck yeah!
I have more playing with it to do before I settle on how stupid an idea this was for me, at least at the moment.
I fixed the issue I was having with audio in XBMC. I'd tinkered with a setting that evidently didn't work as I expected. Turning it back off fixed the issue. For a week or two I worked with that setup again. I didn't really care for it.
There were two parts to the problem as I saw it: my TV and the programme. My TV is old enough to not interface as well as it needs to with the computer signal. The video quality was good but, the more I watched different things on it, the less I was pleased by it. Items shot originally on video tended to have a hazy quality to them, as if they had been badly reprocessed to try to look like film. I couldn't tinker around with the settings on the TV to improve this enough. Also the programme didn't like ejecting disks from it while it was running. In order to change disks, I had to shut down XBMC, eject the disk, restart the programme, and insert the new disk. This may have been more of an issue with the Mac Mini than the programme or just how the two interfaced but it irritated me. Due to these issues, I never got the Mac Remote.
I started looking in other directions, as I had decided that this was going to be a temporary solution to watching TV. In the future I may return to it or just hope that my current TV will last until the next wave of awesome TVs come out and hop on that wave. For now, as concerned as I was with price before, you might think that I would look towards something simple but inexpensive with enough options to please me for the time being. I would have thought that as well. The responsible part of my brain is still mad at the rest of me because I didn't make that decision.
I bought a PS3. A used PS3 of the type that is backwards compatible with PS2 and PS1 games. It was more expensive than I wanted to pay but not nearly as expensive as it was originally. It just arrived yesterday and is working well so far.
The primary disadvantages are: more expensive than I would have liked and not (as far as I know) region code free and PAL compatible.
The advantages? I can finally use the component input on my TV for something. It plays media files as I wanted. I have the option for Blu-Ray (handy as I got a Blu-Ray disk in a multi-pack last week, but this is likely also a disadvantage as it may increase my interest in getting Blu-Ray disks). The option to get PS3 games (the controllers for Rock Band and Guitar Hero aren't compatible with each other on the Wii but are on the PS3 meaning I can have one set of controllers and play both games if I want. Please note that this should also be a disadvantage as it will increase my interest in getting these games).
A perfect solution? No, of course not. Was it something I was likely to get anyway? Yeah, pretty much. Was it a good idea to get it now? Probably not. Is it cool? Heck yeah!
I have more playing with it to do before I settle on how stupid an idea this was for me, at least at the moment.
11 October 2009
El Muerte Rojo is coming for you next!
Everyone had to start somewhere and, for Edward Zagodinski, this was it. He'd come to the ring tonight a relative unknown but would be leaving it a known commodity. Win, lose, or draw, he'd make the name of 'Flying Eddie Z' known to everyone in attendance. There was no way he could fail with this plan.
The crowd reacted negatively as his opponent's music began to play. Eddie's family thought he was nuts, even Karen. That hurt a little. He'd expect his wife to understand this was for the best. Life doesn't always hand you opportunities, he had explained to her, sometimes you have to make your own breaks.
The curtain parted as the man in the red fright mask emerged. The negative reaction from the crowd increased. The boys in the back though Eddie was crazy as well. Had he actually watched any of this man's matches? They were violent. There was a good chance he'd get seriously hurt. Eddie was confident in his abilities. Would there be pain? Sacrifice? Blood? No doubt. Long term injury? Not a chance. He knew he could do this; he knew he would survive to thrive.
While Eddie stretched and tried to stay loose, he kept an eye on his oncoming opponent. As the man grew closer and more visible, a truth became clear to Eddie. His opponent was staring at him, no, rather staring through him. There was no expression on the man's visible face; just a cold stare. Coupled with the sterile beat of the industrial music that was his opponent's theme, Eddie shivered. Even before it began, the match was over. Just like that, El Muerte Rojo was in his head.
Even so, Eddie still tried to follow through on his plan. As El Muerte Rojo entered the ring, Eddie attacked. Punches, sledgehammer attacks to the back, kicks, all the sorts of things that may have been effective had their power not been blunted by Eddie's fear. All these attacks were easily shaken off. Eddie now received the full effect of the cold stare in the eyes of El Muerte Rojo. The stare remained focused on Eddie apart from a brief glance towards the referee, triggering the man to ring the bell, starting the match.
Eddie was promptly overwhelmed by the rush of El Muerte Rojo's attack. Forearm shots to the face. Punches. Kicks. Chops to the chest. Stomps. Elbows driven into joints. There was nothing particularly fancy in El Muerte Rojo's attack: no flashy moves, no jumping from the top rope, no playing to the crowd. There was only a precise, calculated attack that quickly dismantled Flying Eddie Z. Eddie was winded, sore, and unable to defend himself. Falling face first to the mat, he gasped for breath in the middle of the ring.
Then there was pain. It overwhelmed him, shocked him to a degree that he could only scream. El Muerte Rojo had Eddie in some sort of leg-lock that put pressure on his legs and lower back. Once a measure of clarity returned to Eddie's mind, he quickly tapped out, signaling with his hand his desire to submit the match to his opponent. The pressure did not cease. Not only that but the pressure increased. Eddie continued to slap at the ring, begging to be released from the hold, begging for the pain to end. An eternity later, he was finally released.
Face down on the mat while not in a painful leg-lock was not the worst place in the world to be. Eddie gasped for breath and checked in on the status of his pain. His lower back was tight, so he may not know the full impact of that pain yet. His legs were sore in general but it was his right knee that concerned him the most. A sharp, stabbing pain continued to afflict that knee even now. Trying to move the knee proved to be a mistake, causing the pain to increase.
The referee leaned down next to Eddie. “You okay?” Eddie reported the pain in his knee. “Just a knee?” the referee checked. “You got lucky.” Quickly, expecting to be needed, the paramedics rushed out, checked Eddie, and helped him from the ring. As Eddie hobbled to the back, he wondered if he'd be able to wrestle again. If he couldn't, would that really be such a bad thing?
(this is post #600)
The crowd reacted negatively as his opponent's music began to play. Eddie's family thought he was nuts, even Karen. That hurt a little. He'd expect his wife to understand this was for the best. Life doesn't always hand you opportunities, he had explained to her, sometimes you have to make your own breaks.
The curtain parted as the man in the red fright mask emerged. The negative reaction from the crowd increased. The boys in the back though Eddie was crazy as well. Had he actually watched any of this man's matches? They were violent. There was a good chance he'd get seriously hurt. Eddie was confident in his abilities. Would there be pain? Sacrifice? Blood? No doubt. Long term injury? Not a chance. He knew he could do this; he knew he would survive to thrive.
While Eddie stretched and tried to stay loose, he kept an eye on his oncoming opponent. As the man grew closer and more visible, a truth became clear to Eddie. His opponent was staring at him, no, rather staring through him. There was no expression on the man's visible face; just a cold stare. Coupled with the sterile beat of the industrial music that was his opponent's theme, Eddie shivered. Even before it began, the match was over. Just like that, El Muerte Rojo was in his head.
Even so, Eddie still tried to follow through on his plan. As El Muerte Rojo entered the ring, Eddie attacked. Punches, sledgehammer attacks to the back, kicks, all the sorts of things that may have been effective had their power not been blunted by Eddie's fear. All these attacks were easily shaken off. Eddie now received the full effect of the cold stare in the eyes of El Muerte Rojo. The stare remained focused on Eddie apart from a brief glance towards the referee, triggering the man to ring the bell, starting the match.
Eddie was promptly overwhelmed by the rush of El Muerte Rojo's attack. Forearm shots to the face. Punches. Kicks. Chops to the chest. Stomps. Elbows driven into joints. There was nothing particularly fancy in El Muerte Rojo's attack: no flashy moves, no jumping from the top rope, no playing to the crowd. There was only a precise, calculated attack that quickly dismantled Flying Eddie Z. Eddie was winded, sore, and unable to defend himself. Falling face first to the mat, he gasped for breath in the middle of the ring.
Then there was pain. It overwhelmed him, shocked him to a degree that he could only scream. El Muerte Rojo had Eddie in some sort of leg-lock that put pressure on his legs and lower back. Once a measure of clarity returned to Eddie's mind, he quickly tapped out, signaling with his hand his desire to submit the match to his opponent. The pressure did not cease. Not only that but the pressure increased. Eddie continued to slap at the ring, begging to be released from the hold, begging for the pain to end. An eternity later, he was finally released.
Face down on the mat while not in a painful leg-lock was not the worst place in the world to be. Eddie gasped for breath and checked in on the status of his pain. His lower back was tight, so he may not know the full impact of that pain yet. His legs were sore in general but it was his right knee that concerned him the most. A sharp, stabbing pain continued to afflict that knee even now. Trying to move the knee proved to be a mistake, causing the pain to increase.
The referee leaned down next to Eddie. “You okay?” Eddie reported the pain in his knee. “Just a knee?” the referee checked. “You got lucky.” Quickly, expecting to be needed, the paramedics rushed out, checked Eddie, and helped him from the ring. As Eddie hobbled to the back, he wondered if he'd be able to wrestle again. If he couldn't, would that really be such a bad thing?
(this is post #600)
10 October 2009
Hell's Kitchen Episode 13
Hell's Kitchen Episode 13 aka 4 Chefs Compete
Recap: First Individual Challenge is won by Ariel and Kevin, Dinner service is rocky but gets completed, no winner tonight, Ariel and Suzanne nominated for elimination, Suzanne goes home.
The four surviving chefs return to the dorms. They enjoy the fact that they are the Final Four but its a subdued, tired sort of joy. Ariel knows she hasn't done well of late and needs to pick up the pace. Kevin thinks he has this in the bag because he knows everyone else's weakness.
The next morning, the chefs see a shadow walking about in Chef Ramsey's office as well as his voice. When the door opens, it's not Chef Ramsey but a kid that looks like Chef Ramsey. The kid lights into them like Chef Ramsey, apart from the swearing, but they can't help but snicker. After a minute or two, the proper Chef Ramsey appears and send the kid away. Ha! Tension broken.
Individual Challenge: everyone has to make a vegetarian dish to serve in an hour to 80 vegetarians.
The chefs agreed that this one is tricky. Kevin prepares a Asian style crepe with a beet carpaccio. Tennille works on a vegetable stuffed eggplant with brown rice. Ariel makes a grilled eggplant lasagna with tofu. Dave gets together a polenta tower with roasted peppers.
Dave is still fighting through pain. In Interview, Ariel gives him points for being hardcore. As time elapses, none of the chefs have their 80 portions all ready to go but that doesn't stop the customers from entering. With a grin, Chef Ramsey welcomes in the children...who hate vegetables! The chefs react in shock as we go to commercial. Ha!
The kids are led in by the kid that was the Little Gordon Ramsey earlier in the episode. Each chef has a different color plate for their dish. The kids will get one of each and vote on which dish they liked the best. Since the chefs weren't done plating everything, the 'we want food!' chant starts quickly. The chefs have to run back and forth to get more portions. They also do whatever they can to sell the food to the kids, not focusing on the fact that it's a vegetarian dish but on the things they might be familiar with like using 'sandwich' and 'lasagna' to describe the meals.
We get to watch kids spit out food. The shocked expressions are hilarious as is one kid's 'what was that?!?' comment. They vote on their favorite and least favorite. The ballot focuses on the color of the plate, evidentially trying to remove the kids from the people they saw giving them the food. As a thank you, Chef Ramsey gives the kids a gift bag with candy and silly toys and poppers that shoot string and such. I sense a punishment here: having to clean up after the kids.
Results: 40% voted Kevin as their least favorite. He takes it in stride noting in Interview that he hated beets as a kid as well. The top two dishes belong to Dave and Tennille. 55% voted Tennille as the favorite. Dave takes it in stride as well, noting that he has a history of finishing second.
Reward: makeover and a fancy sushi lunch. She also gets a set of Japanese sushi knives. Punishment: cleaning up after the kids. Called it!
Dave asks what Tennille made. The description explains things to him as he notes it was 'elementary' food. The losers commiserate by guessing Tennille will be uncomfortable in Beverly Hills and not enjoy herself. The first thing we hear from Tennille upon cutting to her is 'I'm ecstatic right now.' They shine her up, dress her up all nice, and make her feel good. Back in the restaurant, they are using a rake on the carpet. A Rake. Dave collects candy that's still wrapped.
Tennille returns and gets back to the Kitchen ready to go with only a half-hour left before service. She's not refocused on work yet. As the pre-service meeting begins, we go to commercial.
They are running ads for people to try out for Hell's Kitchen. I guess there will be another series.
Chef Ramsey notes their general inconsistencies and asks them to show the passion for cooking that he knows they all have within them.
Kevin's running appetizers. As a result he's 'leading the charge'. He calls out times and gets complimented on his work. He's clicking. The Kitchen is clicking until Tennille messes up an order of scallops. Her second try is 'perfect'. A half-hour into service and all the appetizers have been served. Wow, finally a good start!
Entrees are next. Dave is working the Meat station. He goes to take an order of lamb to the pass and his arm gives out. Grunting in pain, he dashes to the back, clutching his arm. Commercial.
Chef Ramsey follows him back. Dave is all sweaty and pale. He notes that he almost passed out. He's taken to the medic. He insists he's fine and the medic lets him return. Despite his injury, he delivers two orders of lamb to the pass at once and they go through. He grunts in pain the either time. He's either dedicated or crazy or both.
Tennille brings up burnt sea bass. Chef Ramsey returns to the fish station with her and finds poorly cooked fish and burnt pans all about her. He grows disappointed and brings the other three over so he can moan at them all. She's brought the Kitchen to a halt. The next order of fish she takes up is all messed up as well. The group gets chewed out again. Everyone has to start over because of Tennille. They ask for times and she doesn't answer. When she finally gives them a time and they act on it, she changes it when Chef Ramsey asks. Frustrated, he takes her to the back for a conversation. Commercial.
It's a desperate plead for her to not give up. It's a pep talk of sorts, not the screaming I expected. She goes out to try again. After this conversation, she finally generates a properly cooked fish and food once again begins streaming from the Kitchen. They crank through the rest of the service successfully. Tennille knows she did poorly. Dave knows his injury could get him eliminated although he feels he can continue.
In the post-service meeting, Chef Ramsey is pleased with the teamwork he saw tonight. He expresses concern over Dave and his wrist. Dave begs to remain, saying that he feels fine now, that he wants to continue and can continue. If Chef Ramsey doesn't think he's good enough as a chef, that's one thing, but not to take him out due to the injury. After a moment, Chef Ramsey agrees but promises to continue keeping an eye on him. He also speaks to Tennille about her problems tonight. There will be no nominations tonight so as not to prolong the agony. He eliminates Tennille and then compliments her for her ability to bounce back. She thanks him and cries. The other three competitors walk to her and meet in this group hug. Wow. That is different and very nice. She waves, throws a few high-fives and seems to get some extra respect from Chef Ramsey and the other three chefs as she leaves. Despite losing, she appreciates the compliment Chef Ramsey gave her as she left.
The three return to the dorms. Dave knows he dodged a bullet. Ariel decides they all need to have a beer together. They celebrate being the final three. And then the phone rings. It's Chef Ramsey. They need to come back downstairs as he has some unfinished business to tend to. Freak out!
They hustle back. Chef Ramsey isn't sure that he did the right thing by letting Dave stay. He's been considering it and his decision is... commercial.
All three chefs look confused and shocked as Chef Ramsey starts saying this. Dave looks like he might pass out. Chef Ramsey's decision is that it was the right decision to let Dave stay. He congratulates them all. This is the moment when the friends and family enter to congratulate the chefs. Tension is broken again. The chefs cry. After some time recharging with them, Chef Ramsey calls it time. Dave and Ariel both have fiancees. Kevin is married with a kid. They are dismissed again back to the dorms all amped up.
Trailer: The three take turns running the pass. 'Who rises to the occasion, who falls apart, and who ignores the rules of the kitchen?' Dave kicks the trash can a lot. The chefs get to yell at each other.
- Ariel and Kevin made it through tonight pretty clean working appetizers and garnish. Both looked good. Dave's only hindrance remains the health of his wrist. It could be anybody's game at this point. I'd like Dave to win at this point if just for his hardcore spirit.
Recap: First Individual Challenge is won by Ariel and Kevin, Dinner service is rocky but gets completed, no winner tonight, Ariel and Suzanne nominated for elimination, Suzanne goes home.
The four surviving chefs return to the dorms. They enjoy the fact that they are the Final Four but its a subdued, tired sort of joy. Ariel knows she hasn't done well of late and needs to pick up the pace. Kevin thinks he has this in the bag because he knows everyone else's weakness.
The next morning, the chefs see a shadow walking about in Chef Ramsey's office as well as his voice. When the door opens, it's not Chef Ramsey but a kid that looks like Chef Ramsey. The kid lights into them like Chef Ramsey, apart from the swearing, but they can't help but snicker. After a minute or two, the proper Chef Ramsey appears and send the kid away. Ha! Tension broken.
Individual Challenge: everyone has to make a vegetarian dish to serve in an hour to 80 vegetarians.
The chefs agreed that this one is tricky. Kevin prepares a Asian style crepe with a beet carpaccio. Tennille works on a vegetable stuffed eggplant with brown rice. Ariel makes a grilled eggplant lasagna with tofu. Dave gets together a polenta tower with roasted peppers.
Dave is still fighting through pain. In Interview, Ariel gives him points for being hardcore. As time elapses, none of the chefs have their 80 portions all ready to go but that doesn't stop the customers from entering. With a grin, Chef Ramsey welcomes in the children...who hate vegetables! The chefs react in shock as we go to commercial. Ha!
The kids are led in by the kid that was the Little Gordon Ramsey earlier in the episode. Each chef has a different color plate for their dish. The kids will get one of each and vote on which dish they liked the best. Since the chefs weren't done plating everything, the 'we want food!' chant starts quickly. The chefs have to run back and forth to get more portions. They also do whatever they can to sell the food to the kids, not focusing on the fact that it's a vegetarian dish but on the things they might be familiar with like using 'sandwich' and 'lasagna' to describe the meals.
We get to watch kids spit out food. The shocked expressions are hilarious as is one kid's 'what was that?!?' comment. They vote on their favorite and least favorite. The ballot focuses on the color of the plate, evidentially trying to remove the kids from the people they saw giving them the food. As a thank you, Chef Ramsey gives the kids a gift bag with candy and silly toys and poppers that shoot string and such. I sense a punishment here: having to clean up after the kids.
Results: 40% voted Kevin as their least favorite. He takes it in stride noting in Interview that he hated beets as a kid as well. The top two dishes belong to Dave and Tennille. 55% voted Tennille as the favorite. Dave takes it in stride as well, noting that he has a history of finishing second.
Reward: makeover and a fancy sushi lunch. She also gets a set of Japanese sushi knives. Punishment: cleaning up after the kids. Called it!
Dave asks what Tennille made. The description explains things to him as he notes it was 'elementary' food. The losers commiserate by guessing Tennille will be uncomfortable in Beverly Hills and not enjoy herself. The first thing we hear from Tennille upon cutting to her is 'I'm ecstatic right now.' They shine her up, dress her up all nice, and make her feel good. Back in the restaurant, they are using a rake on the carpet. A Rake. Dave collects candy that's still wrapped.
Tennille returns and gets back to the Kitchen ready to go with only a half-hour left before service. She's not refocused on work yet. As the pre-service meeting begins, we go to commercial.
They are running ads for people to try out for Hell's Kitchen. I guess there will be another series.
Chef Ramsey notes their general inconsistencies and asks them to show the passion for cooking that he knows they all have within them.
Kevin's running appetizers. As a result he's 'leading the charge'. He calls out times and gets complimented on his work. He's clicking. The Kitchen is clicking until Tennille messes up an order of scallops. Her second try is 'perfect'. A half-hour into service and all the appetizers have been served. Wow, finally a good start!
Entrees are next. Dave is working the Meat station. He goes to take an order of lamb to the pass and his arm gives out. Grunting in pain, he dashes to the back, clutching his arm. Commercial.
Chef Ramsey follows him back. Dave is all sweaty and pale. He notes that he almost passed out. He's taken to the medic. He insists he's fine and the medic lets him return. Despite his injury, he delivers two orders of lamb to the pass at once and they go through. He grunts in pain the either time. He's either dedicated or crazy or both.
Tennille brings up burnt sea bass. Chef Ramsey returns to the fish station with her and finds poorly cooked fish and burnt pans all about her. He grows disappointed and brings the other three over so he can moan at them all. She's brought the Kitchen to a halt. The next order of fish she takes up is all messed up as well. The group gets chewed out again. Everyone has to start over because of Tennille. They ask for times and she doesn't answer. When she finally gives them a time and they act on it, she changes it when Chef Ramsey asks. Frustrated, he takes her to the back for a conversation. Commercial.
It's a desperate plead for her to not give up. It's a pep talk of sorts, not the screaming I expected. She goes out to try again. After this conversation, she finally generates a properly cooked fish and food once again begins streaming from the Kitchen. They crank through the rest of the service successfully. Tennille knows she did poorly. Dave knows his injury could get him eliminated although he feels he can continue.
In the post-service meeting, Chef Ramsey is pleased with the teamwork he saw tonight. He expresses concern over Dave and his wrist. Dave begs to remain, saying that he feels fine now, that he wants to continue and can continue. If Chef Ramsey doesn't think he's good enough as a chef, that's one thing, but not to take him out due to the injury. After a moment, Chef Ramsey agrees but promises to continue keeping an eye on him. He also speaks to Tennille about her problems tonight. There will be no nominations tonight so as not to prolong the agony. He eliminates Tennille and then compliments her for her ability to bounce back. She thanks him and cries. The other three competitors walk to her and meet in this group hug. Wow. That is different and very nice. She waves, throws a few high-fives and seems to get some extra respect from Chef Ramsey and the other three chefs as she leaves. Despite losing, she appreciates the compliment Chef Ramsey gave her as she left.
The three return to the dorms. Dave knows he dodged a bullet. Ariel decides they all need to have a beer together. They celebrate being the final three. And then the phone rings. It's Chef Ramsey. They need to come back downstairs as he has some unfinished business to tend to. Freak out!
They hustle back. Chef Ramsey isn't sure that he did the right thing by letting Dave stay. He's been considering it and his decision is... commercial.
All three chefs look confused and shocked as Chef Ramsey starts saying this. Dave looks like he might pass out. Chef Ramsey's decision is that it was the right decision to let Dave stay. He congratulates them all. This is the moment when the friends and family enter to congratulate the chefs. Tension is broken again. The chefs cry. After some time recharging with them, Chef Ramsey calls it time. Dave and Ariel both have fiancees. Kevin is married with a kid. They are dismissed again back to the dorms all amped up.
Trailer: The three take turns running the pass. 'Who rises to the occasion, who falls apart, and who ignores the rules of the kitchen?' Dave kicks the trash can a lot. The chefs get to yell at each other.
- Ariel and Kevin made it through tonight pretty clean working appetizers and garnish. Both looked good. Dave's only hindrance remains the health of his wrist. It could be anybody's game at this point. I'd like Dave to win at this point if just for his hardcore spirit.
09 October 2009
A Few Thoughts on Comics from This Week
Planetary #27 completes the series. Finally. I'd rather forgotten there was another issue yet to come. I can't even remember when #26 came out. Years ago, it was, literally. This was a wild issue, filled with theories about time travel and with a fine ending but, at the same time, was nothing particularly exciting. No big blow-out, no show-down, just science at work. Well, at least, science-fiction at work.
I wondered why I should continue with the Ultimate universe post-Ultimatum. I was concerned that the Ultimate version of Spider-Man would be too radically changed and I would no longer find it enjoyable. Boy was I wrong. We're 3 issues in to the revived series and we seem to just be stabilizing the new basis for the series. It doesn't feel slow, it doesn't feel unnatural. It feels like we've been shown enough of the character's lives to understand what we missed in the months between Ultimatum and the relaunch of the series. Drat it all but this is still really good reading.
Daredevil #501 shows just how much things have changed for Matt Murdock. The man either has a devious plan in hand for the Hand or he's gone completely insane. Could be both I suppose.
Captain America – Ghost of My Country is another in the line of one-shot stories featuring unusual stories or flashback tales or what have you, stranger type stories of Cap at war. This issue visits a number of different periods of time in American history, starting in 1776 and the reading aloud of the Declaration of Independence traveling all the way to a specific day in 2001. A ghostly figure of Captain America appears as we transition from one time-period to the next. The implication is that these are the events that shape a symbol like Captain America, the good and the bad, the upbeat and the sad. I found it rather haunting. I suppose that's what you'd want from a ghost.
I wondered why I should continue with the Ultimate universe post-Ultimatum. I was concerned that the Ultimate version of Spider-Man would be too radically changed and I would no longer find it enjoyable. Boy was I wrong. We're 3 issues in to the revived series and we seem to just be stabilizing the new basis for the series. It doesn't feel slow, it doesn't feel unnatural. It feels like we've been shown enough of the character's lives to understand what we missed in the months between Ultimatum and the relaunch of the series. Drat it all but this is still really good reading.
Daredevil #501 shows just how much things have changed for Matt Murdock. The man either has a devious plan in hand for the Hand or he's gone completely insane. Could be both I suppose.
Captain America – Ghost of My Country is another in the line of one-shot stories featuring unusual stories or flashback tales or what have you, stranger type stories of Cap at war. This issue visits a number of different periods of time in American history, starting in 1776 and the reading aloud of the Declaration of Independence traveling all the way to a specific day in 2001. A ghostly figure of Captain America appears as we transition from one time-period to the next. The implication is that these are the events that shape a symbol like Captain America, the good and the bad, the upbeat and the sad. I found it rather haunting. I suppose that's what you'd want from a ghost.
08 October 2009
Research into a Stegosaurus Conclusion
I wrote the gentleman first. I laid out what I'd read and what I thought I knew. I included pictures of the placard, the Stegosaurus, and one of the Struthiomimus cause the picture he had on his site was a bit grainy. I accused no one of being right or wrong. I expressed confusion and sought his opinion. Evidentially I phrased things correctly as he responded with enthusiasm and interest. We had a brief conversation via email from which I gained at least two important facts: he was currently living in Sheboygan, WI (what were the odds?!?) and all the documentation he'd seen pointed to the Struthiomimus at the Fair being destined for the Milwaukee Public Museum. He seemed confident. He also pointed out the company that generated the models for the World's Fair. The Jonas Studios still exist and I investigated their website. On it there is a picture of a Stegosaurus in Massachusetts. It looks exactly like my buddy Steggy. My theory became that the information regarding the Stegosaurus' origin wasn't documented necessarily but was one of those passed down stories that had gotten a bit twisted in the telling.
There was only one thing for it: I'd have to ask the Museum.
Luckily for me I had plans for a Museum visit anyway. As we checked in at Member Services, I asked if there was a contact email for questions about the 'Did you Know?' placards, expecting a general email box to be the answer. The lady I asked had a specific individual in mind and hooked me up with her email. Score! I had a great day at the Museum and began phrasing the new email in my head. Once again, I accused no one of being right or wrong. I pointed to the fact that the Museum trip had caused me to do extra research on a topic that caught my interest. I laid out my research, including links to the websites that had caused all my confusion. The information had come from another party in the Museum and she'd have to check with them.
A couple days later came the reply. Our theories were correct. The Stegosaurus was the same model as the one from the World's Fair but not the same exact model. The Struthiomimus was the exact same model that was displayed at the Fair. I was thrilled to be right. To be fair, who doesn't like being right?
I had thought my confusion was due to the phrasing of the placard but, in re-reading it a few more times for this telling, I think the card just has the wrong dinosaur listed on it. It's just a typo, in a way.
And I fixed it. That is awesome.
Website links:
http://www.nywf64.com/sinclair01.shtml - front page for the Sinclair 'Dinoland' section of a larger 64/65 World's Fair site run by Bill Young. Great pictures of the 'Dinoland' as it existed for the Fair.
http://www.jonasstudios.com/customfabrication/exhibitsdisplays/sampleseh/stego.html - The 'Steggy' in MA.
07 October 2009
More Research into a Stegosaurus leads to a Struthiomimus
I dug around the Interwebs for more information on the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. One of the first things I learned was that it wasn't a proper World's Fair. There's a committee that would assign out the World Fairs and they decided that it wasn't the US' turn for a Fair, just because some guys in New York wanted to run one meant nothing. Since it wasn't the first time New York had said 'We're having a World's Fair whether or not you like it', they did so again. They were still trying to pay off the 1939 'World's Fair' they'd held. As a result, since it wasn't an official World's Fair, a number of the larger countries didn't attend. In the end, this Fair still didn't make money for the Fair grounds. Some of the buildings still sit there today.
The Sinclair Oil Company sponsored a 'Dinoland' exhibit. This was in accord with their logo which featured the creature formerly known as a Brontosaurus. They had a number of dinosaur models on display with some audio commentary to explain the creatures in more detail. Very nice information but it was just text. It didn't give me any clue if the Stegosaurus they mentioned looked anything like the one I'd been looking at for 25 years. I found a reproduction of the original booklet from the Fair. Still, what were the odds that the Sinclair page would have a picture of the Stegosaurus?
Again, really good.
I flipped through the PDF file to the Sinclair page, saw the black and white picture atop the page and said 'Well, that settles that.' The face of the Stegosaurus was the one I was familiar with, so, question answered. Steggy was from the Sinclair exhibit. Right?
Of course, it wasn't that easy. Everything had been too easy to lead me to this conclusion. There had to be more. There was.
Another site had a LOT more detail on the World's Fair. The gentleman that runs it has written two books on the Fair and its exhibits so he was bound to know something about it. He had color pictures of all the dinosaurs as they were on display at the Fair. Excellent, excellent pictures. This was clearly Steggy there. He also had a 'where are they now?' type page for the dinosaur models from 'Dinoland'. He had the Stegosaurus from the Fair as being on display in Utah.
Huh? The Museum was saying that their Stegosaurus was the one from the Fair and yet this guy was saying it was in Utah. He did say that the Struthiomimus model from the rear of the T-Rex/Triceratops diorama was from the 64-65 World's Fair.
Someone was confused but who? The Museum that I had a history of trusting? This gentleman I'd just 'met' but seemed to know his stuff?
06 October 2009
Research into a Stegosaurus
The 'Third Planet' exhibit has been open at the Milwaukee Public Museum since 1983. I would have been nine at the time. I don't remember exactly when my first visit to the Museum was but it was somewhere around that time. I don't have any clear memories of that location in the building without the 'Third Planet' there. I remember the 'Rise of Civilization' that was directly next to it until it was removed for the current 'Rain Forest' exhibit but I do not recall the predecessor to this exhibit. Chances are very likely that I never saw it. As I force myself to think about it, I believe I remember seeing the entrance boarded up with a 'coming soon' sign on it. For the sake of argument, we'll say that I've seen the 'Third Planet' pretty much since I've been going to the Museum, that we've 'grown up' together.
One of my favorite parts of the exhibit has always been the dinosaur models. Kids in general seem to gravitate towards dinosaurs and I was no different in that regard. Of course, that went hand-in-hand with my Godzilla fascination, but I'm trying to stay a bit focused so we'll just move on. As time has gone on, I've explored more of the details of the exhibit, some of the smaller things that inhabit the space but, as a kid, we looked at the rocks, hustled through the cave, glanced at the 'underwater' diorama, and bolted to the dinosaurs. The first of these is 'Steggy'.
It's a model of a Stegosaurus. They ate plants so he was 'safe' in that regard (in other words, he wouldn't eat us). Our model has always had a friendly, dog-like style to it so it felt only right to give him a 'safe' nickname. The T-Rex is mean, the Triceratops is dead (not that any of them are alive, but in the 'story' of the exhibit the Triceratops is dead) so there was no point in naming them, the assorted smaller dinosaurs were no fun, so 'Steggy' was the mascot, the friendly guy.
This summer, the Milwaukee Public Museum celebrated their 125th anniversary. As part of the celebration a number of 'Did You Know?' placards were placed about the various exhibits. The card for Steggy was very interesting to me. For the sake of our discussion, I shall reproduce the Museum's text: 'Stegosaurus at the World's Fair. This Stegosaurus was reconstructed by the Milwaukee Public Museum after it came from the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.'
'Steggy' had a life before the Museum? Cool! I knew very little about the 1964-65 World's Fair but I did know some things about it. I knew about the Disney connection due to my new fascination with the Disney Theme Parks. Walt decided that he needed to be part of this World's Fair for a number of reasons, the most important being that it would give him a chance to see if his Theme Park style would work on the East Coast. In the end, the Company provided four different exhibits for different vendors, pushing their technology to new levels of excellence. The highlight of these was perhaps the Mr. Lincoln exhibit for the state of Illinois. An audio-animatronic Lincoln rose from a chair and delivered a speech. It was the first of the human animatronics and it was based on a real person. It, like all the World's Fair exhibits, returned to Disneyland or the Parks in the future. Lincoln became part of the Hall of Presidents. The Carousel of Progress from the Fair is been updated over the years but is still essentially the same show as it plays at Walt Disney World. 'its a small world' is everywhere, including your brain now as the song is inescapable, like it or not. The fourth exhibit was the 'Magic Skyway' and looked back at Prehistoric times in a largely light hearted fashion. I believe some of it is still on display as part of the Disneyland Railroad.
Wait a minute, there were dinosaurs in the 'Magic Skyway'. Could our Steggy be a Disney product? There was an episode of the Disneyland television show that acted as a preview of the Disney exhibits for the Fair and the clips I had available to me only showed the tail end of a Stegosaurus but that tail end did look like it could be ours. I managed to find a copy of the episode and, no, the Stegosaurus were not alike. Disney's was animatronic. It moved. Translating that moving dinosaur into our immobile one wasn't impossible but it seemed unlikely. Still, what were the odds that there were two dinosaur related exhibits at that World's Fair?
As it turns out, really good.
05 October 2009
Hell's Kitchen Episode 12
Hell's Kitchen Episode 12 aka 5 Chefs Compete
Recap: Black coats, team challenge, Dave and Suzanne win, Van sweat in food, Ariel burns lettuce, Suzanne gets called out, Chef Ramsey and Sous Chef Scott leave the kitchen, then return to kick Van, Ariel, and Suzanne out, Tennille complimented, changes her vote at the last second, Van is sent home.
Returning to the dorms, Dave is angry at Tennille, not so much because she voted for Van at the last second, but because they had agreed on something and by her changing her mind at the last second it made him look like an idiot. Tennille counters that was her honest opinion and that they hadn't all agreed but footage from last episode says otherwise; she clearly agreed to putting up Suzanne and Ariel. Kevin just watches all this happen, enjoying seeing the others self destruct.
Suzanne and Ariel talk. Suzanne is shaking from the adrenaline of having been on the chopping block for the 3rd time. She knows she's been lucky and she won't survive another trip up. Ariel's more concerned for herself as she's now part of the substandard group.
A new day brings the first individual challenge: each chef must prepare a dish with focus on presentation. Special judges are the editor and staff of Bon Appetit magazine. The staff will rank the dishes based on presentation. The top two dishes will be tasted by Chef Ramsey and the editor so that the final decision is based on presentation and taste. They have 45 minutes.
Suzanne has made a Grilled Calamari salad. Kevin a Caribbean styled Sea Bass. Tennille an Asian inspired Red Snapper (her fish broke upon removing it from the pan, with no time left, she piled everything up to make it look intentional and try to disguise the break). Ariel made a Prosciutto John Dory. Dave has a hard time describing his dish, noting a problem speaking in front of crowds. Even in Interview he has an issue. We'll go with Colorado Rack of Lamb and be done with it.
5th place – Tennille. 4th place – Suzanne. Chef Ramsey then reveals 1st place for dramatic purposes no doubt – Kevin. 2nd place – Ariel. 2nd and 3rd were 'very close'.
Now the taste test. Ariel is complemented by both. So is Kevin. The judges confer. Their decision is...commercial.
The winner is both of them. The judges couldn't pick a loser so they both win as both were fantastic. They win a photo shoot for the magazine with their recipe in the magazine and everything. Punishment: picking up rubbish in the street that Hell's Kitchen has adopted. They get orange suits and look like convicts. Once they get back to the Kitchen, they have to clean outside the restaurant.
Dave's wrist start to swell up while sweeping up. As he tries to rest it, Kevin chats with him. Does he really want to injure himself for life for this? It's mind games. Dave is too hardcore for that. Commercial.
Kevin decides its time for him to step up and show he's a leader. To him this means running around and keeping an eye on everyone, supervising them as he works on his own prep for service. It doesn't go over all that well.
Chef Ramsey leads the chefs in a positive pre-service meeting, noting that he wants a complete service and all the chefs to shine. He ends with 'Can we do it? Yes we can!' and high fives. Bob the Builder reference? Wild!
The challenge winning dishes have been added to the menu for tonight.
Suzanne, Tennille, and Dave have issues with communication straight out of the gate but it manages to not impede the progress of food out of the kitchen. Tennille works to improve communication on the next order but overcooks her risotto. Ariel sees this, samples it, and tells her its overdone but Tennille thinks its fine. Chef Ramsey does not agree and she has to start over. She's dragging the kitchen down already. Immediately after this, Suzanne has an order of scallops rejected at the pass. Dave is able to get salads out and Chef Ramsey sends incomplete orders out just to get something moving. Tennille's second risotto is no better, much to her confusion. Chef Ramsey investigates and finds that the prepared rice was overcooked... by Kevin. Tennille takes responsibility for not noticing this problem earlier. Chef Ramsey is disappointed and starts expressing this to Kevin because he expects better from him. The 3rd risotto, made with a different batch of rice, just makes Chef Ramsey more annoyed. Commercial.
Oh, he's not annoyed, he's just loud because this one looks correct. Finally. Kevin and Tennille get to look at it again so that they can learn what the dish should look like. Heh. With this breakthrough, appetizers start flying out of the kitchen, even Suzanne's scallops are finally good to go. They move to entrees but Ariel's first order of chicken up isn't consistantly cooked; some portions are cooked and other raw. She tries again and take two succeeds. Suzanne brings up an order of Ariel's john dory that's raw. Everytime one of the chefs fails, Chef Ramsey is bringing all five up to see it and express his displeasure. He wanted tonight to go 'perfectly' and it's very much not. As the night goes on, they continue to be out of sync, to the point where Chef Ramsey complains that the last five tables he's sent food to have been incomplete, a big no-no as everyone at the table can't start eating at the same time. JP even has to go and apologize to people waiting for food and recommending the others start before their delivered food gets cold. Ariel delivers a piece of lamb to the pass that looks like it's been chewed on. Chef Ramsey takes her just into the dining room and chews her out for it. Once they return to the kitchen, Chef Ramsey just starts muttering swears. He calls everyone to the front of the kitchen and tells them he's not busting his butt for this piece-meal service. He tells them all to [screw] off back home. Commercial.
After commercial we see his full statement: either get it together now or they can go. The chefs manage to finish service but it's a messy, clunky process. Chef Ramsey is very disappointed in post-service meeting. No one wins. As a group, they need to pick two nominees for elimination. As they start the discussion, Dave suggests each person just vote for two people. Suzanne picks Ariel and Tennille. It becomes a discussion between them. Suzanne seems to think she did much better than she did tonight. Ariel votes for Kevin and Tennille based on the risotto and that she wouldn't vote for herself. We go back downstairs at this point, and don't hear the rest of their conversation.
Nominees for elimination: Ariel for her inconsistencies and raw food tonight, and ... commercial.
2nd nominee is Suzanne for raw fish, overcooked scallops and she thought she had a good service tonight. Ha! In her defense, Suzanne notes all the good things she was focused on tonight but, as Chef Ramsey notes, she accomplished none of those things. She also believes she's a better chef than Ariel. After noting Ariel's been on a downturn, Chef Ramsey asks for her defense. She believes she's better than this and hopes for another chance.
Honestly, truthfully, Chef Ramsey believes they should both go but he eliminates Suzanne. He shakes her hand and notes all the chances he's given her. She hasn't been at her best and it will only get harder from here. As she leaves she notes that she learned a lot about herself during the competition and that her distance from her team probably hindered her. After her departure, she's sure they're all laughing and giggling like schoolgirls.
If they are, we don't get to see them do it today. They're all pretty somber as Chef Ramsey tells them that the 'playoffs' have begun.
Trailer: The pressure is on. Dave's wrist flares up again. Chef Ramsey has 'unfinished business'. We're warned of 'two shocking surprises' and it looks like kid's meal day.
- If Dave's wrist holds out, I'd say Kevin and Dave for the final two. If Dave's wrist gives out on him or impedes him too much, I'd have to guess Kevin and Tennille at this point. Ariel's picked a horrible time to hit a slump and she isn't showing signs of recovery at this point.
Recap: Black coats, team challenge, Dave and Suzanne win, Van sweat in food, Ariel burns lettuce, Suzanne gets called out, Chef Ramsey and Sous Chef Scott leave the kitchen, then return to kick Van, Ariel, and Suzanne out, Tennille complimented, changes her vote at the last second, Van is sent home.
Returning to the dorms, Dave is angry at Tennille, not so much because she voted for Van at the last second, but because they had agreed on something and by her changing her mind at the last second it made him look like an idiot. Tennille counters that was her honest opinion and that they hadn't all agreed but footage from last episode says otherwise; she clearly agreed to putting up Suzanne and Ariel. Kevin just watches all this happen, enjoying seeing the others self destruct.
Suzanne and Ariel talk. Suzanne is shaking from the adrenaline of having been on the chopping block for the 3rd time. She knows she's been lucky and she won't survive another trip up. Ariel's more concerned for herself as she's now part of the substandard group.
A new day brings the first individual challenge: each chef must prepare a dish with focus on presentation. Special judges are the editor and staff of Bon Appetit magazine. The staff will rank the dishes based on presentation. The top two dishes will be tasted by Chef Ramsey and the editor so that the final decision is based on presentation and taste. They have 45 minutes.
Suzanne has made a Grilled Calamari salad. Kevin a Caribbean styled Sea Bass. Tennille an Asian inspired Red Snapper (her fish broke upon removing it from the pan, with no time left, she piled everything up to make it look intentional and try to disguise the break). Ariel made a Prosciutto John Dory. Dave has a hard time describing his dish, noting a problem speaking in front of crowds. Even in Interview he has an issue. We'll go with Colorado Rack of Lamb and be done with it.
5th place – Tennille. 4th place – Suzanne. Chef Ramsey then reveals 1st place for dramatic purposes no doubt – Kevin. 2nd place – Ariel. 2nd and 3rd were 'very close'.
Now the taste test. Ariel is complemented by both. So is Kevin. The judges confer. Their decision is...commercial.
The winner is both of them. The judges couldn't pick a loser so they both win as both were fantastic. They win a photo shoot for the magazine with their recipe in the magazine and everything. Punishment: picking up rubbish in the street that Hell's Kitchen has adopted. They get orange suits and look like convicts. Once they get back to the Kitchen, they have to clean outside the restaurant.
Dave's wrist start to swell up while sweeping up. As he tries to rest it, Kevin chats with him. Does he really want to injure himself for life for this? It's mind games. Dave is too hardcore for that. Commercial.
Kevin decides its time for him to step up and show he's a leader. To him this means running around and keeping an eye on everyone, supervising them as he works on his own prep for service. It doesn't go over all that well.
Chef Ramsey leads the chefs in a positive pre-service meeting, noting that he wants a complete service and all the chefs to shine. He ends with 'Can we do it? Yes we can!' and high fives. Bob the Builder reference? Wild!
The challenge winning dishes have been added to the menu for tonight.
Suzanne, Tennille, and Dave have issues with communication straight out of the gate but it manages to not impede the progress of food out of the kitchen. Tennille works to improve communication on the next order but overcooks her risotto. Ariel sees this, samples it, and tells her its overdone but Tennille thinks its fine. Chef Ramsey does not agree and she has to start over. She's dragging the kitchen down already. Immediately after this, Suzanne has an order of scallops rejected at the pass. Dave is able to get salads out and Chef Ramsey sends incomplete orders out just to get something moving. Tennille's second risotto is no better, much to her confusion. Chef Ramsey investigates and finds that the prepared rice was overcooked... by Kevin. Tennille takes responsibility for not noticing this problem earlier. Chef Ramsey is disappointed and starts expressing this to Kevin because he expects better from him. The 3rd risotto, made with a different batch of rice, just makes Chef Ramsey more annoyed. Commercial.
Oh, he's not annoyed, he's just loud because this one looks correct. Finally. Kevin and Tennille get to look at it again so that they can learn what the dish should look like. Heh. With this breakthrough, appetizers start flying out of the kitchen, even Suzanne's scallops are finally good to go. They move to entrees but Ariel's first order of chicken up isn't consistantly cooked; some portions are cooked and other raw. She tries again and take two succeeds. Suzanne brings up an order of Ariel's john dory that's raw. Everytime one of the chefs fails, Chef Ramsey is bringing all five up to see it and express his displeasure. He wanted tonight to go 'perfectly' and it's very much not. As the night goes on, they continue to be out of sync, to the point where Chef Ramsey complains that the last five tables he's sent food to have been incomplete, a big no-no as everyone at the table can't start eating at the same time. JP even has to go and apologize to people waiting for food and recommending the others start before their delivered food gets cold. Ariel delivers a piece of lamb to the pass that looks like it's been chewed on. Chef Ramsey takes her just into the dining room and chews her out for it. Once they return to the kitchen, Chef Ramsey just starts muttering swears. He calls everyone to the front of the kitchen and tells them he's not busting his butt for this piece-meal service. He tells them all to [screw] off back home. Commercial.
After commercial we see his full statement: either get it together now or they can go. The chefs manage to finish service but it's a messy, clunky process. Chef Ramsey is very disappointed in post-service meeting. No one wins. As a group, they need to pick two nominees for elimination. As they start the discussion, Dave suggests each person just vote for two people. Suzanne picks Ariel and Tennille. It becomes a discussion between them. Suzanne seems to think she did much better than she did tonight. Ariel votes for Kevin and Tennille based on the risotto and that she wouldn't vote for herself. We go back downstairs at this point, and don't hear the rest of their conversation.
Nominees for elimination: Ariel for her inconsistencies and raw food tonight, and ... commercial.
2nd nominee is Suzanne for raw fish, overcooked scallops and she thought she had a good service tonight. Ha! In her defense, Suzanne notes all the good things she was focused on tonight but, as Chef Ramsey notes, she accomplished none of those things. She also believes she's a better chef than Ariel. After noting Ariel's been on a downturn, Chef Ramsey asks for her defense. She believes she's better than this and hopes for another chance.
Honestly, truthfully, Chef Ramsey believes they should both go but he eliminates Suzanne. He shakes her hand and notes all the chances he's given her. She hasn't been at her best and it will only get harder from here. As she leaves she notes that she learned a lot about herself during the competition and that her distance from her team probably hindered her. After her departure, she's sure they're all laughing and giggling like schoolgirls.
If they are, we don't get to see them do it today. They're all pretty somber as Chef Ramsey tells them that the 'playoffs' have begun.
Trailer: The pressure is on. Dave's wrist flares up again. Chef Ramsey has 'unfinished business'. We're warned of 'two shocking surprises' and it looks like kid's meal day.
- If Dave's wrist holds out, I'd say Kevin and Dave for the final two. If Dave's wrist gives out on him or impedes him too much, I'd have to guess Kevin and Tennille at this point. Ariel's picked a horrible time to hit a slump and she isn't showing signs of recovery at this point.
04 October 2009
Gap Filled
Being a collector, gaps are a constant source of irritation. I understand how my sickness works and that's why I'll fight against starting certain collections. It's not a matter of 'only getting the ones I like' or 'just trying' something. It tends not to work like that. If I start something and like it, I'll want the rest. For instance, I got a couple of the 'Walt Disney Treasures' DVD sets a few months ago, focusing on the few sets that had theme park related footage. Now I have about a third of the sets because getting a few made me want more. Stupid collectoritis...
Anyway, due to attending Doctor Who conventions years ago, my collection of annual CD releases from one of the local morning DJ teams was incomplete. The CDs are always released in November, happened to be released while I was out of town, and, at the time, would sell out in a day. I had no one to grab me a copy at the time. I had tape copies of the two I was missing so I wasn't missing the footage. Still, the gap irritated me as gaps will do.
I visited one of the local second-hand stores the other day and someone had turned in a big chunk of the DJ team's output. They had both CDs I needed. My collection is finally current.
You have no clue how relaxed that makes me at the moment. Unfortunately, it will quickly fade as another different gap will irritate me, calling for completion. Stupid collectoritis...
Anyway, due to attending Doctor Who conventions years ago, my collection of annual CD releases from one of the local morning DJ teams was incomplete. The CDs are always released in November, happened to be released while I was out of town, and, at the time, would sell out in a day. I had no one to grab me a copy at the time. I had tape copies of the two I was missing so I wasn't missing the footage. Still, the gap irritated me as gaps will do.
I visited one of the local second-hand stores the other day and someone had turned in a big chunk of the DJ team's output. They had both CDs I needed. My collection is finally current.
You have no clue how relaxed that makes me at the moment. Unfortunately, it will quickly fade as another different gap will irritate me, calling for completion. Stupid collectoritis...
03 October 2009
Hell's Kitchen episode 11
Hell's Kitchen Episode 11 aka 6 Chefs Compete
Recap: Chef Ramsey in Canada, Blue Team wins the challenge, Teams create their own menus, Ariel drops the ball, Van and Sabrina fail on Fish, the Kitchen is shut down, no winners, Sabrina is eliminated.
Back to dorms. Van knows he can do better.
The contestants wake up to presents: the black coats that the final six receive. The contestants start to joke about not being able to be friends anymore.
Chef Ramsey is cooking as they come into the Kitchen. The dishes are passed around for the contestants to sample. This is the challenge! Now that they've seen in and tasted it, they need to recreate the fillet and truffles they've just eaten. He puts them in teams of two: Van and Ariel, Tennille and Kevin, Suzanne and Dave. Sous Chef Scott brings out another dish and this is the one they are to recreate.
There are four pieces to the recipe and we watch the teams run about trying to work it out. All three teams pick the fish correctly as turbot. All three teams also believe there is calamari involved in the dish. Ariel and Van believe the puree is a celery root. The other teams believe it's a parsnip puree. For the sauce, each team picks a different fruit. Ariel and Van – Star Fruit, Kevin and Tennille – Grapefruit, Dave and Suzanne – Passion Fruit. With seconds left, all the Teams rush to get their dish up.
Chef Ramsey goes through all the dishes, hearing what's in them, looking at them, and tasting them. Turbot – right. Puree was white onion, no hits. Kevin and Tennille forgot to add their garnish to the dish. They made it but forgot it. Fail. It's down to whomever got the fruit correct. Commercial, of course.
The fruit is... Passion fruit! Suzanne and Dave win! Reward: lunch in Chef Ramsey's LA restaurant with it being cooked by Christina, winner of Hell's Kitchen 4! Punishment: prepping for tonight's 'Couples Night' service.
Dave's not thrilled about spending the day with Suzanne. Van knows it and is amused by it in Interview. He's not thrilled he has to deal with 'whistle-britches' JP though. So, you know, balance.
Christina chats with Dave and Suzanne as they eat. The girls seem to be of a similar disposition, leaving Dave clearly displeased. Christina does give them good advice based on her experience and notes 'It's called Hell's Kitchen for a reason'. When they return, Dave enters a minute or so before Suzanne, allowing Van the opportunity to tease Dave with 'So how was your date?' Dave ignores him. Returning to the kitchen, he asks what needs to be done and he's ignored. Dave goes off in Interview, ending with 'they can sit and spin'. Wow!
Tennille finally says 'we need more scallions cut' and Dave gets on it. In Interview she notes that they still need some teamwork otherwise Chef Ramsey will get them.
On couples night, there will be table side cooking done, a tossed salad for two and a porterhouse steak for two. Kevin is assigned this duty. There are no winning teams, just winning chefs.
Suzanne is working the appetizer station. She needs to coordinate with Kevin if a salad is ordered at the same table as a hot app. She manages to mess this up on the first table. Kevin gets through it with his charisma but it means he can't trust her either.
Van is back on fish. He drops an entree before appetizers and then gets yelled at for sweating in the scallops. Well, it is hot.
Tennille gets them back on track. She communicates well from the Meat station, coordinates the team,and gets her order perfectly cooked. Chef Ramsey compliments her.
Van rushes and brings another raw fish order to the pass. Chef Ramsey starts pacing and muttering. In Interview, Van says he feels bad that something he's not done right has lead to Chef Ramsey being curled up in a corner of the kitchen. Chef Ramsey takes Van in the back, tells him he needs to do better, and the next time, he's out. Both men are surprisingly calm through this, even though Chef Ramsey is clearly mad. He returns to the kitchen, calls out an order, and sees a pan of burning garnish from Ariel. He's stunned. She notes in Interview that it was an accident and that she didn't think the burner was on. Chef Ramsey calls Scott over and they walk out of Hell's Kitchen. It's not worth it. We go to commercial with them walking down the street. Wow! I've been that guy and wanted to do that at times. Wow!
The chefs are stunned but Tennille keeps them moving. Ariel is struggling and is upset that they're not slowing for her. Dave tries to help but refers to her as looking 'defeated'. They get food ready, but without Chef Ramsey and Sous Chef Scott, there's no one to plate the food and decide it's good to go out. Kevin takes charge of this before popping back out to the floor. Suzanne is left behind to take change and she won't. Van takes the responsibility. He still struggles with fish but the Team continues to push.
Chef Ramsey and Sous Chef Scott return. Chef Ramsey calls them together and kicks Ariel, Van, and Suzanne out of the kitchen, leaving the other three chefs to complete service. Upstairs, Van is pissed because he's working hard and continues to catch flak. Van has had enough. As we go to commercial, it looks like he's decided to leave.
Well, he's not leaving as he's not a quitter. Van tries to calm himself down.
Kevin, Dave, and Tennille finish service. Chef Ramsey calls Tennille forward and compliments her performance. Speaking to Tennille, Kevin notes “I think we found the A Team”.
The post-service meeting is just Kevin, Dave, and Tennille. He compliments them, thanks them, and explains that his frustration tonight had nothing to do with them. None of them are going home tonight. As a group, they are to select two of the other three chefs as nominees for elimination.
They return to the dorms and explain the situation. Tennille jumps on Suzanne for not plating at the pass. She tries to defend herself by saying she wouldn't know if it's right but Kevin believes she should know by this stage. He offers Suzanne and Dave agrees. They've selected one. Tennille mentions Van but Dave mentions Ariel as the burnt garnish was the last straw for Chef Ramsey. Dave uses the logic that he's trying to pick 'who Chef wants to see up there' but notes in Interview that eliminating a strong chef like Ariel is a good strategic move. Tennille agrees both in public and in Interview, using the logic that Chef Ramsey expects better from Ariel. They select Ariel and Suzanne.
Nominees for elimination: Suzanne for refusing to push things out and Ariel for the burnt garnish. After Dave reports this, Chef Ramsey seems a bit surprised. He asks Tennille is she thinks they are the weakest chefs in the kitchen and she answers honestly, stating that Ariel is not the weakest chef in the kitchen, that it should be Suzanne and Van. Commercial.
Chef Ramsey notes that he has mixed feelings about all three of them and calls them all forward. Ariel's defense is that she's disappointed with herself and wants the chance to redeem herself. Suzanne blames her failings on her 'nerves' which Chef Ramsey doesn't think much of as a reason. He believes she's out of her depth. Van flips out a bit, expressing his frustration with his failings, knowing he's better than this, and how he's tired, tired of being on the chopping block and being yelled at and just tired. It's a passionate outburst.
Ariel is sent back in line. Van is eliminated. Chef Ramsey shakes his hand and compliments him. Van still has confidence in himself, He's still young and feels he can do it. Good man. It's not a 'Chef Ramsey is dumb for cutting me exit' or a 'I don't care what anyone says I can cook' exit but a simple ' I will get better and can do this' exit. Very nice.
Chef Ramsey thanks Tennille for being honest but we see she's crying at this point. Emotions run high in Hell's Kitchen! In Interview, Dave expresses his displeasure with Tennille for 'blindsiding' him. In Tennille's Interview, she expresses a lot of love for Van but that she had to be true to herself.
Trailer: Dave and Tennille fight. Kevin works to get in Dave's head. Dave knows that the others are hoping his wrist will give out. Service does not go well. Another bad week for Chef Ramsey.
I'm not sure who's going to win this anymore. Ariel's been dropping off. Tennille's been rising. If Dave can gut through it he has a chance. Kevin is solid and could do it. Suzanne... yeah, that isn't happening.
Recap: Chef Ramsey in Canada, Blue Team wins the challenge, Teams create their own menus, Ariel drops the ball, Van and Sabrina fail on Fish, the Kitchen is shut down, no winners, Sabrina is eliminated.
Back to dorms. Van knows he can do better.
The contestants wake up to presents: the black coats that the final six receive. The contestants start to joke about not being able to be friends anymore.
Chef Ramsey is cooking as they come into the Kitchen. The dishes are passed around for the contestants to sample. This is the challenge! Now that they've seen in and tasted it, they need to recreate the fillet and truffles they've just eaten. He puts them in teams of two: Van and Ariel, Tennille and Kevin, Suzanne and Dave. Sous Chef Scott brings out another dish and this is the one they are to recreate.
There are four pieces to the recipe and we watch the teams run about trying to work it out. All three teams pick the fish correctly as turbot. All three teams also believe there is calamari involved in the dish. Ariel and Van believe the puree is a celery root. The other teams believe it's a parsnip puree. For the sauce, each team picks a different fruit. Ariel and Van – Star Fruit, Kevin and Tennille – Grapefruit, Dave and Suzanne – Passion Fruit. With seconds left, all the Teams rush to get their dish up.
Chef Ramsey goes through all the dishes, hearing what's in them, looking at them, and tasting them. Turbot – right. Puree was white onion, no hits. Kevin and Tennille forgot to add their garnish to the dish. They made it but forgot it. Fail. It's down to whomever got the fruit correct. Commercial, of course.
The fruit is... Passion fruit! Suzanne and Dave win! Reward: lunch in Chef Ramsey's LA restaurant with it being cooked by Christina, winner of Hell's Kitchen 4! Punishment: prepping for tonight's 'Couples Night' service.
Dave's not thrilled about spending the day with Suzanne. Van knows it and is amused by it in Interview. He's not thrilled he has to deal with 'whistle-britches' JP though. So, you know, balance.
Christina chats with Dave and Suzanne as they eat. The girls seem to be of a similar disposition, leaving Dave clearly displeased. Christina does give them good advice based on her experience and notes 'It's called Hell's Kitchen for a reason'. When they return, Dave enters a minute or so before Suzanne, allowing Van the opportunity to tease Dave with 'So how was your date?' Dave ignores him. Returning to the kitchen, he asks what needs to be done and he's ignored. Dave goes off in Interview, ending with 'they can sit and spin'. Wow!
Tennille finally says 'we need more scallions cut' and Dave gets on it. In Interview she notes that they still need some teamwork otherwise Chef Ramsey will get them.
On couples night, there will be table side cooking done, a tossed salad for two and a porterhouse steak for two. Kevin is assigned this duty. There are no winning teams, just winning chefs.
Suzanne is working the appetizer station. She needs to coordinate with Kevin if a salad is ordered at the same table as a hot app. She manages to mess this up on the first table. Kevin gets through it with his charisma but it means he can't trust her either.
Van is back on fish. He drops an entree before appetizers and then gets yelled at for sweating in the scallops. Well, it is hot.
Tennille gets them back on track. She communicates well from the Meat station, coordinates the team,and gets her order perfectly cooked. Chef Ramsey compliments her.
Van rushes and brings another raw fish order to the pass. Chef Ramsey starts pacing and muttering. In Interview, Van says he feels bad that something he's not done right has lead to Chef Ramsey being curled up in a corner of the kitchen. Chef Ramsey takes Van in the back, tells him he needs to do better, and the next time, he's out. Both men are surprisingly calm through this, even though Chef Ramsey is clearly mad. He returns to the kitchen, calls out an order, and sees a pan of burning garnish from Ariel. He's stunned. She notes in Interview that it was an accident and that she didn't think the burner was on. Chef Ramsey calls Scott over and they walk out of Hell's Kitchen. It's not worth it. We go to commercial with them walking down the street. Wow! I've been that guy and wanted to do that at times. Wow!
The chefs are stunned but Tennille keeps them moving. Ariel is struggling and is upset that they're not slowing for her. Dave tries to help but refers to her as looking 'defeated'. They get food ready, but without Chef Ramsey and Sous Chef Scott, there's no one to plate the food and decide it's good to go out. Kevin takes charge of this before popping back out to the floor. Suzanne is left behind to take change and she won't. Van takes the responsibility. He still struggles with fish but the Team continues to push.
Chef Ramsey and Sous Chef Scott return. Chef Ramsey calls them together and kicks Ariel, Van, and Suzanne out of the kitchen, leaving the other three chefs to complete service. Upstairs, Van is pissed because he's working hard and continues to catch flak. Van has had enough. As we go to commercial, it looks like he's decided to leave.
Well, he's not leaving as he's not a quitter. Van tries to calm himself down.
Kevin, Dave, and Tennille finish service. Chef Ramsey calls Tennille forward and compliments her performance. Speaking to Tennille, Kevin notes “I think we found the A Team”.
The post-service meeting is just Kevin, Dave, and Tennille. He compliments them, thanks them, and explains that his frustration tonight had nothing to do with them. None of them are going home tonight. As a group, they are to select two of the other three chefs as nominees for elimination.
They return to the dorms and explain the situation. Tennille jumps on Suzanne for not plating at the pass. She tries to defend herself by saying she wouldn't know if it's right but Kevin believes she should know by this stage. He offers Suzanne and Dave agrees. They've selected one. Tennille mentions Van but Dave mentions Ariel as the burnt garnish was the last straw for Chef Ramsey. Dave uses the logic that he's trying to pick 'who Chef wants to see up there' but notes in Interview that eliminating a strong chef like Ariel is a good strategic move. Tennille agrees both in public and in Interview, using the logic that Chef Ramsey expects better from Ariel. They select Ariel and Suzanne.
Nominees for elimination: Suzanne for refusing to push things out and Ariel for the burnt garnish. After Dave reports this, Chef Ramsey seems a bit surprised. He asks Tennille is she thinks they are the weakest chefs in the kitchen and she answers honestly, stating that Ariel is not the weakest chef in the kitchen, that it should be Suzanne and Van. Commercial.
Chef Ramsey notes that he has mixed feelings about all three of them and calls them all forward. Ariel's defense is that she's disappointed with herself and wants the chance to redeem herself. Suzanne blames her failings on her 'nerves' which Chef Ramsey doesn't think much of as a reason. He believes she's out of her depth. Van flips out a bit, expressing his frustration with his failings, knowing he's better than this, and how he's tired, tired of being on the chopping block and being yelled at and just tired. It's a passionate outburst.
Ariel is sent back in line. Van is eliminated. Chef Ramsey shakes his hand and compliments him. Van still has confidence in himself, He's still young and feels he can do it. Good man. It's not a 'Chef Ramsey is dumb for cutting me exit' or a 'I don't care what anyone says I can cook' exit but a simple ' I will get better and can do this' exit. Very nice.
Chef Ramsey thanks Tennille for being honest but we see she's crying at this point. Emotions run high in Hell's Kitchen! In Interview, Dave expresses his displeasure with Tennille for 'blindsiding' him. In Tennille's Interview, she expresses a lot of love for Van but that she had to be true to herself.
Trailer: Dave and Tennille fight. Kevin works to get in Dave's head. Dave knows that the others are hoping his wrist will give out. Service does not go well. Another bad week for Chef Ramsey.
I'm not sure who's going to win this anymore. Ariel's been dropping off. Tennille's been rising. If Dave can gut through it he has a chance. Kevin is solid and could do it. Suzanne... yeah, that isn't happening.
02 October 2009
A Few Thoughts on Comics from This Week
Amazing Spider-Man #607 wasn't unpleasant but it did sum up one of my problems with the whole Brand New Day concept. In the last issue, the Black Cat returns and with it returns the on-again, off-again relationship between her and Spider-Man. I do mean Spider-Man because they originally broken up because she didn't like Peter Parker, only Spider-Man. The idea behind 'breaking up' Peter and Mary Jane was to tell stories that they couldn't with them married. Spidey and Black Cat fooling around with Cat's bad luck powers suddenly working again... it just feels like the Spidey books I was reading twenty years ago when I started reading comics. One step forward and two back. Again, it's not that the story was bad or anything, just that it felt too familiar. I supposed it was new to someone.
Thor #603 starts the wrap-up of JM Straczynski's run on the book. Things are moving quickly now. Sif's back. Loki and Doc Doom are working together. The mortal fellow that went with the Asgardians when they moved to Latveria shows how hardcore he can be. The Warriors Three take over his diner while he's gone. Good stuff.
Secret Warriors #8 is a lot of running. A lot. Norman Osborn is not happy.
Mickey Mouse and Friends #296 is the first issue of the title from Boom Kids! It's also the first title of the series in...years! We get a translated story from Italy, maybe, featuring Mickey as a Sorcerer's Apprentice that fails in his duty when he's tricked by Peg-Leg Pete, also a magic user in this world. Mickey goes to the big city in order to retrieve the crystal that Pete stole and ends up needing to enter a a tournament to do so. He needs a team and happens to bump into magic users Goofy and Donald, both of whom have a reason to join the tournament as well. So they form a team. It was a fun book but nothing too special.
Thor #603 starts the wrap-up of JM Straczynski's run on the book. Things are moving quickly now. Sif's back. Loki and Doc Doom are working together. The mortal fellow that went with the Asgardians when they moved to Latveria shows how hardcore he can be. The Warriors Three take over his diner while he's gone. Good stuff.
Secret Warriors #8 is a lot of running. A lot. Norman Osborn is not happy.
Mickey Mouse and Friends #296 is the first issue of the title from Boom Kids! It's also the first title of the series in...years! We get a translated story from Italy, maybe, featuring Mickey as a Sorcerer's Apprentice that fails in his duty when he's tricked by Peg-Leg Pete, also a magic user in this world. Mickey goes to the big city in order to retrieve the crystal that Pete stole and ends up needing to enter a a tournament to do so. He needs a team and happens to bump into magic users Goofy and Donald, both of whom have a reason to join the tournament as well. So they form a team. It was a fun book but nothing too special.
01 October 2009
Hell's Kitchen Episode 10
Hell's Kitchen – Episode 10 aka 7 Chefs Complete
This episode is from last week, when they aired two episodes. I accidentally saw a spoiler for this week's episode today and it gives away so much! Grrr!
Recap: Crepes don't go well, Dave's dessert loses the challenge for the Blue Team, during the French themed evening, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Andy all get kicked out of the kitchen, but the other complete service. Andy goes home and Suzanne to the Blue Team. Kevin insists he'll be the winner.
Everyone returns to the dorms. Tennille is thrilled to be rid of Suzanne. Kevin is very clear to Suzanne that the Blue Team does not want her, does not like her, and will not tolerate her messing up their sync. She claims that she received her wake up call. Red Team does their best to bond but Ariel expresses concern over Sabrina's recent performance.
Next morning, the contestants are greeted by Sous Chef Scott who explains that Chef Ramsey wants a word with them. A television drops from the ceiling and links up with Chef Ramsey in Whistler, British Columbia, the location of the restaurant that is this season's prize. Via the video link, Chef Ramsey gives them a tour of the place. The contestants get pumped. Chef Ramsey also explains the challenge: 15 ingredients local to Whistler have been flown into Hell's Kitchen. Each Team put create 3 entrees from the ingredients, using all of them only once. He's returning to Hell's Kitchen with 'special guests' to help him judge the challenge. They have about 2 and a half hours before they arrive.
Both teams take the ingredients and start planning things out. Sabrina and Suzanne are both ignored by their teammates. Sabrina laughs in Interview that Tennille and Ariel keep referring to the one meat as 'lamb' when its venison. Since they won't listen to her, she doesn't bother to try correcting them. With seconds left, the Teams finish plating up their entrees.
Chef Ramsey returns and introduces the guest judges: Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen and gold medalist Jonny Moseley. Since the Winter Olympics are in Whistler, this makes sense. Kevin vs Ariel to start. Both medalists vote Blue as Ariel's sauce was considered too heavy. Dave and Tennille approach the table. Tennille identifies her 'lamb' dish and stumbles once Chef Ramsey questions her. Once it's clear that the dish isn't lamb, she's totally thrown off. Commercial. Ha!
After a moment's stumbling, Tennille identifies the meat as venison. Chef Ramsey is clearly disappointed by this and checks that they knew it was vension. Ariel and Tennille insist they knew and that it was a slip of the tongue since they work with lamb all the time. Ariel remains silent, except in Interview where she relishes the situation. Both medalists vote Red as it was more complex.
Van and Sabrina are last. Sabrina is fine. Van's brain locks up and he sounds like a complete knucklehead. Both medalists vote Blue and the Blue Team wins!
Reward: fancy lunch and presents from Canada. Punishment: a day spent on a local farm, milking cows, cleaning out a pig pen, etc. This is rough cause pig mess is pretty much the worse smelling stuff you can be around.
A New day. Chef Ramsey rips up his menu and announces that it's time for each Team to develop their own menu. The Blue Team clicks, even Suzanne. The Red Team is not in sync with Tennille. Sabrina and Ariel don't find her ideas gel with the idea of fine dining. As time runs out, the Blue Team is ready, the Red Team is not and aren't pleased. Commercial.
Van walks Chef Ramsey through their menu. He approves. Ariel walks Chef Ramsey through the Red Team's menu. When he asks if they're happy, Sabrina answers honestly about one of Tennille's suggestions, adding conflict. Chef Ramsey tactfully states that he's not something he'd enjoy but if the spices are balanced right, it could work. See? And you people think he's just rude all the time.
The guests in Hell's Kitchen have the option of choosing from either the Red or Blue menu tonight. The Blue Team is very confident. The Red Team isn't. The announcer points out that everyone on the Blue Team has an idea on their menu. On the Red Side, Sabrina suggested nothing. Ouch! Sous Chef Heather tries to fire up the Red Team but it doesn't seem to work. It's as if now that they don't have Suzanne to hate, they've lost their focus.
The majority of the early tickets are for the Blue Kitchen. Since individuals at each table can order from different menus, the kitchens need to work together to have food go to the tables at the same time. I feel this will not go well.
Tennille starts slow, cooking something she's never cooked before. She clearly states she has no way to tell if it is right and looks for help from Ariel as it was her idea. Ariel can't spend time on it and Tennille incurs a tongue lashing from Chef Ramsey because of it.
Van's first order of scallops has an extra one in it. Chef Ramsey tries to explain what happened and Van gets all confused leading to a 'Yes, I can count' moment in Interview. Van's looking a little simple today. It doesn't help that his next order is scorched.
Ariel has a order return. Then another. Then another. And it's her dish. Chef Ramsey is legitimately ticked off.
Blue Kitchen is rocking so it's clearly time for something bad to happen. Dave lifts a heavy pan too far out over the stove while twisting a little, the sort of thing that clearly looks stupid from our angle but probably made sense to him at the time, and it hurts him. He describes it as a pinched nerve. He hustles out to see the medic, leaving his Team confused and shocked. The pain is in his already damaged hand. We go to commercial while he winces in pain 'backstage'.
Dave sucks it up and returns to the kitchen to muscle through the pain. Hardcore!
Sabrina gets busted for being slow. Tennille decides to start sweeping up in the middle of service. Not a quick 'get some of this out of our way' but a clean sweeping. This gets her a big 'what the heck?' from everyone else.
Van spills some sauce while coming to the pass. Chef Ramsey chastises him for not cleaning it up promptly and it becomes a THING very quickly. Van can't look at Chef directly in an effort to keep himself calm and that becomes part of the THING. It doesn't help that the next order of fish he brings up is undercooked. Kevin and Suzanne check his next order, note it's not close, but he takes it up anyway. Van cooks fish all the time, he feels confident he has this. Chef Ramsey notes it's not even close and slams his hand into it, sending bits of fish everywhere. Van's spirit is visibly fading.
Sabrina can't cook fish either. Chef Ramsey is well ticked now. He calls Van and Sabrina forward. Commercial.
Both kitchens have ground to a halt because of the fish problem. Chef Ramsey closes down the kitchen because of this.
No one won tonight. Chef Ramsey is very disappointed. Each Team needs to volunteer someone for elimination. Kevin logically points out that Van screwed up the most tonight so he should go up. Van volunteers Suzanne but she doesn't want to go up just because she's the newbie to the Team. Behind her back, Van lobbies for Suzanne. Neither Dave or Kevin has an issue with that. Sabrina and Tennille argue for each other. Ariel becomes the tie-breaking vote.
Nominees for elimination: Red Team – Sabrina. Since she is volunteering the information she notes that she believes it's due to her past work, not so much tonight. Blue Team – Commercial.
Dave identifies the nominee as Van based on his performance tonight. He also identifies Suzanne as the weakest chef on their Team. Sabrina and Van step forward. Van tries to defend himself, that he's not a quitter. He shows some energy. Sabrina is much calmer but generic.
Sabrina is eliminated. Chef Ramsey shakes her hand and thanks her. He compliments her but says she's not his head chef.
Chef Ramsey warms the remaining contestants that tomorrow will be their most difficult challenge yet.
Trailer: Presents! The Black Jackets arrive which normally mean one Team. After that, it's all out war. Things get so bad that we see Chef Ramsey and Sous Chef Scott walking out of the restaurant completely and out into the streets. Wow!
- Ariel and Kevin seem to have the biggest chance of surviving to the final at this point. Dave still has the hand to overcome and it seems to affect him more than Kevin's ankles. Van is stumbling. Tennille is fading a bit.
This episode is from last week, when they aired two episodes. I accidentally saw a spoiler for this week's episode today and it gives away so much! Grrr!
Recap: Crepes don't go well, Dave's dessert loses the challenge for the Blue Team, during the French themed evening, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Andy all get kicked out of the kitchen, but the other complete service. Andy goes home and Suzanne to the Blue Team. Kevin insists he'll be the winner.
Everyone returns to the dorms. Tennille is thrilled to be rid of Suzanne. Kevin is very clear to Suzanne that the Blue Team does not want her, does not like her, and will not tolerate her messing up their sync. She claims that she received her wake up call. Red Team does their best to bond but Ariel expresses concern over Sabrina's recent performance.
Next morning, the contestants are greeted by Sous Chef Scott who explains that Chef Ramsey wants a word with them. A television drops from the ceiling and links up with Chef Ramsey in Whistler, British Columbia, the location of the restaurant that is this season's prize. Via the video link, Chef Ramsey gives them a tour of the place. The contestants get pumped. Chef Ramsey also explains the challenge: 15 ingredients local to Whistler have been flown into Hell's Kitchen. Each Team put create 3 entrees from the ingredients, using all of them only once. He's returning to Hell's Kitchen with 'special guests' to help him judge the challenge. They have about 2 and a half hours before they arrive.
Both teams take the ingredients and start planning things out. Sabrina and Suzanne are both ignored by their teammates. Sabrina laughs in Interview that Tennille and Ariel keep referring to the one meat as 'lamb' when its venison. Since they won't listen to her, she doesn't bother to try correcting them. With seconds left, the Teams finish plating up their entrees.
Chef Ramsey returns and introduces the guest judges: Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen and gold medalist Jonny Moseley. Since the Winter Olympics are in Whistler, this makes sense. Kevin vs Ariel to start. Both medalists vote Blue as Ariel's sauce was considered too heavy. Dave and Tennille approach the table. Tennille identifies her 'lamb' dish and stumbles once Chef Ramsey questions her. Once it's clear that the dish isn't lamb, she's totally thrown off. Commercial. Ha!
After a moment's stumbling, Tennille identifies the meat as venison. Chef Ramsey is clearly disappointed by this and checks that they knew it was vension. Ariel and Tennille insist they knew and that it was a slip of the tongue since they work with lamb all the time. Ariel remains silent, except in Interview where she relishes the situation. Both medalists vote Red as it was more complex.
Van and Sabrina are last. Sabrina is fine. Van's brain locks up and he sounds like a complete knucklehead. Both medalists vote Blue and the Blue Team wins!
Reward: fancy lunch and presents from Canada. Punishment: a day spent on a local farm, milking cows, cleaning out a pig pen, etc. This is rough cause pig mess is pretty much the worse smelling stuff you can be around.
A New day. Chef Ramsey rips up his menu and announces that it's time for each Team to develop their own menu. The Blue Team clicks, even Suzanne. The Red Team is not in sync with Tennille. Sabrina and Ariel don't find her ideas gel with the idea of fine dining. As time runs out, the Blue Team is ready, the Red Team is not and aren't pleased. Commercial.
Van walks Chef Ramsey through their menu. He approves. Ariel walks Chef Ramsey through the Red Team's menu. When he asks if they're happy, Sabrina answers honestly about one of Tennille's suggestions, adding conflict. Chef Ramsey tactfully states that he's not something he'd enjoy but if the spices are balanced right, it could work. See? And you people think he's just rude all the time.
The guests in Hell's Kitchen have the option of choosing from either the Red or Blue menu tonight. The Blue Team is very confident. The Red Team isn't. The announcer points out that everyone on the Blue Team has an idea on their menu. On the Red Side, Sabrina suggested nothing. Ouch! Sous Chef Heather tries to fire up the Red Team but it doesn't seem to work. It's as if now that they don't have Suzanne to hate, they've lost their focus.
The majority of the early tickets are for the Blue Kitchen. Since individuals at each table can order from different menus, the kitchens need to work together to have food go to the tables at the same time. I feel this will not go well.
Tennille starts slow, cooking something she's never cooked before. She clearly states she has no way to tell if it is right and looks for help from Ariel as it was her idea. Ariel can't spend time on it and Tennille incurs a tongue lashing from Chef Ramsey because of it.
Van's first order of scallops has an extra one in it. Chef Ramsey tries to explain what happened and Van gets all confused leading to a 'Yes, I can count' moment in Interview. Van's looking a little simple today. It doesn't help that his next order is scorched.
Ariel has a order return. Then another. Then another. And it's her dish. Chef Ramsey is legitimately ticked off.
Blue Kitchen is rocking so it's clearly time for something bad to happen. Dave lifts a heavy pan too far out over the stove while twisting a little, the sort of thing that clearly looks stupid from our angle but probably made sense to him at the time, and it hurts him. He describes it as a pinched nerve. He hustles out to see the medic, leaving his Team confused and shocked. The pain is in his already damaged hand. We go to commercial while he winces in pain 'backstage'.
Dave sucks it up and returns to the kitchen to muscle through the pain. Hardcore!
Sabrina gets busted for being slow. Tennille decides to start sweeping up in the middle of service. Not a quick 'get some of this out of our way' but a clean sweeping. This gets her a big 'what the heck?' from everyone else.
Van spills some sauce while coming to the pass. Chef Ramsey chastises him for not cleaning it up promptly and it becomes a THING very quickly. Van can't look at Chef directly in an effort to keep himself calm and that becomes part of the THING. It doesn't help that the next order of fish he brings up is undercooked. Kevin and Suzanne check his next order, note it's not close, but he takes it up anyway. Van cooks fish all the time, he feels confident he has this. Chef Ramsey notes it's not even close and slams his hand into it, sending bits of fish everywhere. Van's spirit is visibly fading.
Sabrina can't cook fish either. Chef Ramsey is well ticked now. He calls Van and Sabrina forward. Commercial.
Both kitchens have ground to a halt because of the fish problem. Chef Ramsey closes down the kitchen because of this.
No one won tonight. Chef Ramsey is very disappointed. Each Team needs to volunteer someone for elimination. Kevin logically points out that Van screwed up the most tonight so he should go up. Van volunteers Suzanne but she doesn't want to go up just because she's the newbie to the Team. Behind her back, Van lobbies for Suzanne. Neither Dave or Kevin has an issue with that. Sabrina and Tennille argue for each other. Ariel becomes the tie-breaking vote.
Nominees for elimination: Red Team – Sabrina. Since she is volunteering the information she notes that she believes it's due to her past work, not so much tonight. Blue Team – Commercial.
Dave identifies the nominee as Van based on his performance tonight. He also identifies Suzanne as the weakest chef on their Team. Sabrina and Van step forward. Van tries to defend himself, that he's not a quitter. He shows some energy. Sabrina is much calmer but generic.
Sabrina is eliminated. Chef Ramsey shakes her hand and thanks her. He compliments her but says she's not his head chef.
Chef Ramsey warms the remaining contestants that tomorrow will be their most difficult challenge yet.
Trailer: Presents! The Black Jackets arrive which normally mean one Team. After that, it's all out war. Things get so bad that we see Chef Ramsey and Sous Chef Scott walking out of the restaurant completely and out into the streets. Wow!
- Ariel and Kevin seem to have the biggest chance of surviving to the final at this point. Dave still has the hand to overcome and it seems to affect him more than Kevin's ankles. Van is stumbling. Tennille is fading a bit.
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