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I recently finished Anthony Bourdain's latest book, Medium Raw which is a follow-up or "Bloody Valentine" as he puts it to the hugely successful Kitchen Confidential.  I came to like and know Bourdain when I watched one episode of his hit TV show, No Reservations.  It happened to be the episode where he had intended to highlight the local food of Beirut but instead ended up being trapped in a hotel when fighting broke out between Israel and Lebanon.  It was absolutely riveting TV.  Anyway, I then learned of Kitchen Confidential which was supposedly a controversial book about the real goings on in the restaurant world.  Having worked in a few different bars and restaurants in my life (where I met my wife), I've always had a fondness to that line of work.  It's really a great experience and a fascinating culture.  So I read Kitchen Confidential and was supremely satisfied by it.  It was everything I had hoped for in terms of a behind the scenes look in to the restaurant and food service culture but I was equally blown away by Bourdain's writing style. 

I bought Medium Raw almost immediately as it came out and before a trip to the beach.  I read the book in about two days and while it's not Tolstoy, that should tell you something about how much I enjoyed it.  That's not to say however that I had my own reservations as I tore through the pages.  For starters, the book is admittedly a cathartic response to what many viewed to be a harsh and rage filled thrashing in Kitchen Confidential.  Bourdain goes out of his way in many instances to make amends with the people and rants he laid out in the book's predecessor.  So much so that I thought it was a bit over the top and transparent.  There are also several chapters which dive deep in to some of the food and chefs that it's clear Bourdain is truly in awe of.  I'm guessing most people don't know some of the chefs he writes about or are even remotely familiar with the types of food that are sometimes discussed.  (Myself included)  As I read these chapters, I felt my pace slowing and at times was even a little bored.

What I didn't realize at the time though was that Bourdain seems to take the reader down that culinary rabbit hole to surround them by people who are truly passionate about great food.  It didn't hit me until I neared the end of the book and then I went back and reread some of what I had stumbled through at points.  It wasn't the scandalous stories of LSD infused line cooking escapades I had expected which is why I probably missed the point the first time through.  It was however a really fascinating look in to the world of fine dining that certainly seems less exclusive now.

The book was truly a great read and the perfect follow-up to Kitchen Confidential.  Bourdain's raw, passionate and at times unrefined style of writing comes alive as you read it.  I realize now that he could probably write a book about lawn mower maintenance that would be equally interesting however I'm guessing that's not where his interests lay.  Finding good books and great authors is something I really enjoy in life.  Medium Raw is no exception.

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In other news, the guy on a the treadmill on front of me at the gym this morning was playing air guitar periodically as he ran.  That I have never seen before however I thank him for it.  If he can play a few chords of whatever he may have been listening to then I can run a little faster.  I'm pleased to say that I've managed to get my 3 mile time down below 30 minutes which is quite an accomplishment for me.  (28:24 is my current best)  My shins ache almost constantly but I genuinely look forward to my cardio days now.  Considering it was taking me about 35 minutes to run 2.5 miles just a few months ago, I'm feeling pretty good.

Today is America's birthday and we're headed to my parents for a little BBQ.  It's a bit of a letdown for me after having given up meat earlier this year.  I'll just have to max out on the pasta and potato salads.  I did grill a steak last night for Liz & the kids and of course I managed to under cook it.  Apparently I've lost my chops, no pun intended.  I've also lost over 30 pounds so I'm not sweating a decline in my grill prowess.  Anyway, the weather is beautiful and it's only supposed to get hotter this week.  Days like today and the ones coming up make our impulsive decision to buy a pool one of the most brilliant we've ever made.