"[When I die], I will decidedly not be regretting missed opportunities for a good time. My regrets will be more along the lines of a sad list of people hurt, people let down, assets wasted and advantages squandered.” ― from “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly”
I COULDN’T BELIEVE YOU’RE DEAD...YOU BASTARD! WTF! ARE YOU F**KING SERIOUS???
These words were often used by Bourdain when he was still alive whether used as a sarcastic remark or joking aside. I heard of this shocking and sad news from my friends & my nephew TJ. I came across his show on the Food Network, “A Cook’s Tour” and I immediately got hooked on his passion for food and culture. No one on any TV show ate a beating cobra’s heart on the streets of Hanoi! Only Bourdain. From then on, I became curious about this guy’s love of food, whether it’s a trendy, classy and upscale restaurant in Europe or a bustling nightlife street food in Asia. Anthony was the “Man of the Hour.” I was glued everytime he’s on TV, when his show got transferred to the Travel Channel “No Reservation” & “Layover” and his current/last show on CNN “Parts Unknown.” There’s a CNN Bourdain Tribute Special tonight at 10pm ET but I skipped it. I thought, why add more pain to my sadness? I scavenged and googled whatever news I could read about his death. I even watched some short news clips, exchanged chats with friends online and somehow kept myself occupied so as not to think about him being DEAD. Peter & I had dinner while watching Guy Fieri’s “Dinners, Dive-inns & Dives.” We had some salmon fish bones & teriyaki wings, Anthony, you probably would love that! I also had your favorite beer, freezer-cold Heineken to go with our finger foods. I also had a spicy sweet sour dip to go with it sprinkled with some Japanese spice (finely grinded red pepper mix) that we got at Shirokiya Village Walk. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I guess, one of the things in my bucket list won’t ever come true...#4. To meet Anthony Bourdain. Bummer isn’t it? You f**king SHIT!
Anyway, I’d like to console myself that we were at the same place at the same time back in Dec 2015 when we were both visiting Manila. You were doing an episode in the Philippines while I was also there visiting my family. We were both in Ermita-Malate-Intramuros at that same day BUT our paths never crossed. I wish I could say I’ll still meet you someday... I cherished, chuckled and enjoyed ALL your books! I have them all, Anthony. Read them religiously and borrowing your famous quote “...and I’m hungry for more!”
You inspired me to write. I even joined your essay writing contest when you were about to launch your book “Medium Raw.” Whatever was on your mind when you did the unthinkable is just beyond words. Did you think of your daughter, Ariana? Forget about your ex’s or your current girlfriend Asia Argento for a moment (who was one of the rape accusers in that creepy producer mogul, Harvey Weinstein case.) But Arianne? Well, Anthony, you’re a selfish (madapaka) a-hole for ending your life.
So your net worth is $16 million, so what if you’re a world renown chef-host-traveler-author...whatever. You cursed these celebrities yourself who ended their life too soon. Jackson, Prince, Williams... You hanged yourself using the belt of your bathrobe in a hotel in France. How long have you planned this?
I remember reading in one of your earlier books, that you were drunk somewhere in South America and you drove your jeep at full speed not caring if you die that instant. Who knew that a couple of decades later, your evil wish sadly came true on June 9, 2018 just 16 days before you turned 62.
The world is in mourning because you’re gone. All the people you’ve encountered from all over are in shock. Everyone you know are sad and angry (right, Val Kilmer?) People loved your guts. You conquered your demons a long time ago when you were struggling as a chef and writer and being a heroin addict on the side. I thought you were a strong person. People learned how to eat, appreciate and experience different cultural palette because of you. I’m sure we’re not as daring as you as you’ve had a taste of a wart hog’s anus, fermented Icelandic shark, freshly slaughtered sea lion’s coagulated blood and a beating cobra’s heart. You have traveled so many times in so many countries meeting so many strangers, eating a vast cultural palette of almost all nations.
But like you said in your book...“[When I die], I will decidedly not be regretting missed opportunities for a good time. My regrets will be more along the lines of a sad list of people hurt, people let down, assets wasted and advantages squandered.” We are deeply saddened by your abrupt decision to leave this earth, Anthony.
HELL! YOU BASTARD! YOU HAVE NO F**KING IDEA... You are now in your ULTIMATE destination and there’s no turning back. DAMN YOU, BOURDAIN! You will surely be missed...RIP ❤
Comments