No reservations

it's the middle of the day here in Park Slope and i'm watching "No Reservations" with Anthony Bourdain. what's usually a funny show about a tall NY chef traveling and eating in foreign countries and other states in the U.S., is not so funny because in this episode, he's in Beirut. while he's there, he only gets to enjoy one local meal before bombing breaks out. the rest of the episode is about them hiding out in a hotel in a 'safe' part of town and about evacuating out of the city. there are clips of them hanging out by the hotel's pool watching clouds of dropped bombs not so far away. what must that be like? i mean, Bourdain said the most shameful thing they could have had on tape was lounge by the pool and watch. there were kids frolicking in the pool no less. but at the same time there was nothing they could do. their security guy's house was leveled and all they could do was wait at the hotel for the state department to evacuate them. finally they were evacuated by the Marines but in the meantime leaving loads of people behind who weren't as lucky. geez. i mean, thinking about my life, living in park slope where the most drama happens when a parent posts about a lost 'boys hat' on the parents board that caused a huge hoopla over gender politics, i have to think about how lucky i am. how lucky that living in a war zone is NOT my existence and how lucky i am to be able to do the things i do. to have the people i have. to laugh as much as i do. to be as frivolous as i can be.

i have no idea how long ago this episode was taped but i think that's irrelevant. it's about knowing how lucky you are because you can tell how lucky the usually snarky Bourdain, feels and how much he increasingly appreciates life even during the course of this one episode. it was something as trivial as having mac and cheese on the navy boat that triggered a feeling of comfort bc it was a sign that he was safer than he was only days before, it reminded him of home, and he fact that he was on his way back to life as he knows it. mac and cheese, this is a serious NY chef and it was mac and cheese that made him appreciate life. awesome. the experience reminded him that there was no guarantee of tomorrow. because we only have the moment, what's in front of us right now. because our main job in life is really to enjoy the time we have. right. now. thank your lucky stars that, if you're reading this, you likely live a privileged existence. appreciate it. do what you can for the greater good and those near and dear to you and enjoy.