Celebrity Chefs

Exhibit A: Celebrity Chef Michael Symon of Lola's



I like eating. And even as a vegetarian, a breed of eater fine chefs call "grade A celery munchers," I enjoy really fine food. This week I had my first celebrity chef experience. I went to Lola in downtown Cleveland, the restaurant of Chef Michael Symon (see above photo), who is currently competing on the Next Iron Chef. I went for lunch and among the delightful foods on our table, there was beef cheek pierogi, pork schnitzel, lola fries, great lakes beer cheddar soup, and an unbelievable macaroni and cheese. And who was cooking in the kitchen? None other than the cackling Michael Symon himself. I was pretty darn geeked, I don't mind telling you. It took a great deal of reserve to refrain from snapping photos. I really felt quite starstruck.

I didn't take a photo. I was civilized and well-behaved even as Symon walked around schmoozing with the VIPs. And the food? Honestly, it was very, very good.

Exhibit B: Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain of Les Halles



In a month, I will be eating at Les Halles in New York, home of Anthony Bourdain who I have more than a mild crush on. Fortunately, there will be little chance of me making a fool of myself as Bourdain is now travelling so much that it is unlikely that he will be in the kitchen. But still, even in his absence, I'm guessing several tourist-like photos will be taken. I can only remain restrained for so long.

My Hair and Scary Mandy Moore Obsessions

Friends,

I would like to do something new with my hair. Yes, this style is adorable. But it is time to move on, go a little darker, maybe slightly lengthier. Here is what I am thinking about, which is really similar to my natural hair color. (Gasp! That's not her real hair color! The horror!)



As I was looking around for a photograph to give to my stylist, I found the above picture of the lovely Mandy Moore and a site with the headline, "How To Be Like Mandy Moore." Now, granted, it's a little hypocritical of me to cast dispersions on those who might follow these guidelines as I clearly want my hair to look like hers, however, I assure, I am a much different breed. Read on.

This is what the site suggests:

"1. How did Mandy get her fame? With her breathtaking voice. If you can sing, take voice lessons and practice. Listen to her music and her singing styles and without copying, try to throw in some Mandy with your own voice.

2. Mandy likes changes, whether it's blonde hair to brunnette or short to long. Be sure you are ready to do something wild about your hair. Look at pictures of Mandy Moore and her hairstyles. Go to your hair stylist and ask them to cut or style your hair the way Mandy does. (remember, now she's into the hippie style hair.)"

Those are just the first two. Here are the last "tips":

"* Watch her movies.
* Listen to her music from the first cd to her most recent one.
* Read more info on mandy for more inspiration.
* Try to meet her in real life."


Above all -- this is Molly speaking here. You can tell from the lack of typos and misspellings -- the site clearly is not interested in teens (their audience?) being themselves. Be Mandy in all things, it suggests. Think Mandy. Sing Mandy. Walk Mandy. Stalk Mandy. Then you will be one with Mandy. ONE WITH MANDY! Awesome! I can't wait to get my hair done!!

In case you were further interested in how to be Mandy, go here: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7f/Mandy-Moore---2005-Crystal-%26-Lucy-Awards-01-4600.jpg/250px-Mandy-Moore---2005-Crystal-%26-Lucy-Awards-01-4600.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Like-Mandy-Moore&h=377&w=250&sz=15&hl=en&start=188&tbnid=ZOrIbt5dgLDzaM:&tbnh=122&tbnw=81&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmandy%2Bmoore%26start%3D180%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Happy stalking.

And you thought YOUR landlord had issues ...

Kansas City Has Gigantic Books

Friends, this is really freaking cool.




For more on the why and the how, go here:
http://deputy-dog.com/2007/11/30/can-you-spot-the-library/