Life: Under Construction

Do Nightmares Have Happy Endings?

I came across this post on the failure of some of the restaurants involved in 'Kitchen Nightmares' (the US version). (In truth I came across this post because I googled myself and it came up because I too had written something that mentioned Gordon Ramsey). I agree with the writer, Bob Sassone, that after viewing one of these business make-over programs, one always wonders whether the changes stick. It is one thing when Gordon Ramsey goes back in four weeks time and finds things still as he left them, but what about in 6 months time or a year's time? By that point would the chef have walked out, would the kitchen become dingy and would bad habits return?

Apparently two restaurants that were featured on Ramsey's US version of the show have now closed. This could be taken as a sign that they went back to old ways, but not necessarily. Most of the time the businesses that Ramsey deals with are on their last legs, already heavily into debt and sinking fast. I'm sure in many cases the hurdles they must overcome are insurmountable. If they are to survive, they must stick to his plan, work hard and get a bit of good fortune to go along with it. What is most marked about a lot of these businesses is that it is clear that the owners or the managers don't especially want to be in this business. Perhaps ignoring their restaurant is a passive way to get out of the business. In the show owners are faced with Ramsey telling them what it takes to have a successful business, they also witness his passion for this field. My guess is many managers and owners are left at the end of the show wondering if they actually want to give what it takes to have a successful business and asking themselves if this is working from a personal level.

My faith in Gordon remain intact. If he can turn shoddy restaurants around, there is hope for change in all of us!

Political Bigots

We have reached a point in developed society where to call someone stupid purely based on their race, their religion or their socioeconomic class is unacceptable, indeed you would quite rightly be called a bigot. And yet when it comes to politics, it seems nothing is below the belt. Anyone who thinks positively of Sarah Paylin is an idiot. Anyone who doesn't think Barach Obama is America's savior is blind. I probably have a biased view because I live in Manhattan and am surrounded by fervent Democrats and while I think everyone is entitled to hold their own opinion I don't see where people get off respecting Catholics for believing that their priest is their connection to God and yet anyone who veers to the Right deserves whatever bad things come to them. How is this double-standard acceptable? Is this country not based on the right of every idividual to follow their own belief system so long as it is within the law?

What really gets me is when owners of yoga centers, which are supposed to be compassionate places where all are welcome, make their political persuassions publicly known. Around the city I have noticed several studios which have held or are holding money-raising events for Barach Obama. I feel sorry for anyone that works at these studios because they will no doubt feel undue pressure to fall in line with the political opinions of their bosses. Shocking is that the certain owners were surprised that announcing their political choice alienated students because they didn't think they could have any students who thought differently than them (i.e. supported McCain or wanted their yoga without a side of politics, thanks!). Talk about bigots!

Whatever happened to 'To Each Their Own'? Let's keep it real people! You may not think Sarah Paylin is capable enough to be Vice President...but that is just your opinion and everyone is entitled to one (or many)!

Project Mean

Another Thursday morning, another Project Runway episode to comment on; only this week I actually didn't watch it. I was at home, the television could have been watched but instead I decided to curl up with a book. While my decision to not watch Project Runway was in part determined by the fact that I am approaching the end of yet another trashy murder mystery, it was mainly affected by the fact that I do not like any of the remaining contestants.

As I said last week, I found the previous challenge (the L'Oreal make-up challenge) very insightful because it showed just how insecure and unkind all of the contestants could be. In fact, we actually started their true colors three challenges ago when they have to dress one another up and model each others garments. Both Jerell and Leanne made sure their runway walks were lackluster and dismissive. With all the cattiness that has gone on in the work room...who actually wants any of these people to win? This was the feeling that drove me away from the tele and into the loving, if creepy arms of my book.

All this being said, I will in all likelihood watch the final episode next week although I will not be sitting on the edge of my seat, screaming at the TV, praying that my chosen contestants wins. Instead I will be leaning back, expecting Leanne to win but sort of hoping Kenley takes it all. In addition I will be looking out for any bias against Kenley among the judges, especially since Tim is the guest judge for this next episode.

Until then chickies!

Botox Biden

I personally think that the only thing sleazier than a used car salesman is a politician. It with chills therefore that I am watching some of the debate between the vice presidential candidates. That said, I find myself alienated by the creature that is Senator Joe Biden. While he speaks my eyes go to his obnoxiously taut temples. Indeed with some facial expressions he eyes take on a decided slant that makes it almost certain he must have had a facelift. Add to this the fact that even when looks towards the camera, he eyes remained hooded and his gaze does not reach out. If ever there were shifty eyes, these are them. When Governor Palin speaks, we are treated to Biden's patronizing, nicely capped smile. It is rare to listen so much to a product of Washington and it is so discouraging. I find it amusing to observe in these campaigns how Democrats criticize Senator John McCain for being over the hill and dead weight. What about Biden...he is no spring chicken and one has to worry whether all that botox has gone to his head. 

TV Takeovers

There's nothing like coming home after a day at the office, kicking off your shoes and turning on the TV. Usually on these rare occasions that I come straight home, I usually turn on CSI but this evening Las Vegas couldn't hold my attention. To BBC America I quickly clicked to find Gordon Ramsey tackling his 'Kitchen Nightmares'. For those not in the know, Ramsey is a successful, foul-mouthed English chef who practices really tough love when in comes to his television guests. In 'Nightmares', Ramsey is called into troubled restaurants across England and given one week to turn them around. In format it is quite similar to my other guilty pleasure 'Tabatha's Salon Takeover' in which Tabatha Coffey has one week to turn around ailing salons. 

I find it interesting that in each one of these troubled businesses...the problems start at the top with poor management. On a side, it is also curious that all these deficient managers are amazed when they are criticized for the job they are doing. I suppose what they hope is that these pros will enter this ailing business and point to someone else who is the problem. Or perhaps these owners and managers merely think a facelift and little extra publicity will change everything...don't they watch these shows before they call in? The level of denial at these places is unbelievable. Equally difficult to contemplate is the resistance management has to stepping up to the plate. At the beginning of almost all these shows its like people would rather stay in their clouds of delusion rather than moving towards a better future. 

Entrenched attitudes make for drama and interesting TV but uplifting is the way in which most of the stubborn managers change their tune by the end of the program, choosing success over their old ways. Drama with a happy ending, makes good television. 

Project Runway...I'm Back!

I know lovelies, I know...it has been far too long. Perhaps I needed distance to make my heart grow fonder, perhaps I just needed to come into work wearing a gorgeous Nanette Lepore dress. In any case here I am back to comment on, well, anything I think is worth commenting on!

As is a tradition (all be it a slightly abandoned one) here on LUC on Thursday morning, I must commit to cyberspace my thoughts on last night's episode of Project Runway. Before we begin let me just say that previous to last night's episode, PR had to get rid of a whole load of dead weight. Thankfully in the previous two episodes we got rid of Joe and Suede, respectively. What a relief. Joe lacked vision. All of his pieces were created from the past, from ideas that had already been done. Sure his execution was sometimes well done but who would actually want to wear such a dated garment. Suede, on the other hand, could be creative, the only problem was that the end result tended to look so ugly and cheap! Perhaps last season we were spoiled with a crop of designers that were incredibly talented, but this season seems to be a bunch of newbies: undeveloped designers that are still figuring out their own style as well as construction issues.

As for the four remaining contestants, I must admit that I do not dislike Kenley as so many other people seem to. It is partly because I have enough distance to recognize that she is socially maladjusted (Asberger's anyone?), also because I personally like her slightly retro style and finally because I completely agree with Kenley: when Leanne wore Kenley's clothes on the runway she did so with a demeanor that screamed 'I think these clothes are rubbish...what a joke!' While Leanne is entitled to her own opinion, to advertise it to the judges seemed to me undignified and below the belt.

That leads us into last night's episode in which we saw the worst of these four designers, both in terms of their work and their emotions. I thought Jerrell, Korto and Leanne ganging up and forming a clique to exclude Kenley was a bit mean. Sure she's aggressive, but do you really want to stoop to her level and waste your energy being nasty. I think in actuallity it showed their insecurities. It made them all feel better to band together and agree that Kenley should be out rather than look at their own outfits and see the real problems their garments had.

I was honestly surprised they named a winner in this challenge, so poor was the showing. I suppose Jerrell's dress was the closest thing to elegant they had up there but the bust on that dress was just wrong. Not only was it sagging, it was too short. It was a miracle no nipple was flashed. In addition, I wasn't sure what was happening at the bottom of his dress. I thought the red fabric looked nice on the bottom of all violet/maroon fabric, but why have that green fabric just hanging at the bottom? What was it adding to the garment? I did like the beading embellishment around the empire waist but I also worried that the weight it added was going to drag the dress down past her knees.

Leanne's concept was good but as with Jerrell, the execution was troublesome. She spent so much time pleating and ruching bodice that she didn't spend enough time constructing the skirt. I was totally flabbergasted when, shortly before the models were due on the runway, Leanne declares that she has to work the blue fabric into the lavender fabric of her dress...WHY? Especially when time is limited so that the blue fabric hung from the dress like toilet paper stuck on your shoe.

You knew Korto was in trouble as soon as she picked up that lace at MOOD. That combined with her other choice of peach fabric guaranteed that the dress would look pageanty. In a way, Korto reminds me of Season 3's fan favorite Michael Knight who had a wonderful knack of doing superb work in restrictive challenges but when given more freedom, was completely at a loss. It will be interesting to see how Korto handles the freedom of creating her own collection.

Finally Kenley...I actually that the petals adorning the bottom of her dress did not look rich although they did look slightly kitchy which is perhaps what Kenley was going for. The one thing Kenly did achieve was an amazing fit (funny how Jerrell never seemed to notice that). I was worried that Kenley might go home but I hope she creates a collection that is both fun and funky and gives the audience something to cheer about.

I just hope the remaining designers manage to put personal grudges behind them and begin to compete through their clothes.

The Hanuman in Federer

The Mahabarata is THE great Indian epic. In it the lovely Sita is abducted by a demon. Her heart-broken husband, Rama, enlists the help of supernatural monkeys to search the land for her. One band of monkeys heads south to the coast and they learn from a wise old bird that Sita is being held on an island so far from the mainland that it is barely visible from the shore. The monkeys hang their heads in their hands...they know where Sita is and yet they have no way of getting to her. They have failed in their mission and cannot face returning home in defeat. They will stay on this beach until they starve to death, that is their pennance for failing Rama.

But not all have lost hope, one monkey declares that he can jump 1 mile, another monkey yells that he can jump 2, still another announces that he can jump 5 miles, then their leader tops them all by saying that he can jump 10 miles...but still this is barely half the distance one of them will have to leap in order to rescue Sita. Through all these lofty pronouncements there is one monkey who remains silent, humble Hanuman. Jambavan, the king of bears (he joined along for the ride) walks over to Hanuman and asks why he does not volunteer to jump over the ocean. Jambavan reminds Hanuman that he is no ordinary monkey...he is the son of the god of the wind, vayu. Jambavan recalls how Hanuman as a little tyke jumped towards the sun thinking it was a sweet mango. Jambavan's words stir a fire in Hanuman, a memory of how great he can be. His father blows a sweet breeze around his son to encourage him. As Hanuman's confidence rises, his size increases. Soon he is as big as a mountain and the ocean is barely more than a puddle to his great mass.

The earth shudders as he bends his knees and then he is off!

Hindu myths may seem a world away from the U.S. Open but last night as I screamed at the TV, I found myself wishing that Federer had a Jambavan, to remind him of how great he is. Not that I am saying Roger Federer is divine, although his movement around the court could be described as angelic, but I do feel that somehow Roger has become disconnected from that glorious player he was even 12 months ago...the player that could seamlessly control the court and turn on his super-powers to out-play even the most talented players. When he is on form, it is hard to believe he is a mere mortal, hitting ridiculously amazing shots that somehow find the line.

This was not the Federer we saw last night...the Federer that showed up to play Igor Andreev last night was a player that would be in complete control of the point, strategically setting up the winner and then he would hit that final shot and it would sail long or catch in the net. I do have to admit that I was not present for the first four sets of the match last night...dinner at Bar Pitti beckoned, but the mere fact that it went to 5 sets tells you something about the level of play that Federer brought to the match. It is to Roger's credit that he closed it out even without his best stuff but I long to see the titan of old return to rule the court.

Roger needs to remember who he is, not in the labored sense of 'I've won so many championships, why can't a play better' but in a visceral way that will imbibe him with confidence that cannot be shaken.

As I told my TV many times last night....

'COME ON ROGER!!'

Daniel Runs Out of Lives

Every time I log into my blog I am reminded that the only time currently I feel drawn to write something is on Thursday morning after my weekly dose of Project Runway. While this does seem slightly feeble I am just rolling with it and will not judge myself for the fact that I would rather write about a TV show than the tragic plane crash in Spain (mainly because there is nothing to say about the plane crash other than sending my sympathies to those affected). Preface out of the way, let us move on to last night's episode..

I have been looking forward to this episode since I saw the promo for it last week...DRAG QUEENS?!! If the female wrestler challenge last season was a hoot this was sure to be even crazier, especially since it was organized by the lovely Chris March (who I saw in Pret A Manger the other week when I managed to resist the temptation to run up and hug him). The challenge for the designers was to create a costume for their drag queen client that was in line with their client's on stage persona. I think the key to the challenge was recognizing that what was needed was a costume that would really pop on stage. This was a challenge in which no amount of gaudy accessories could go amiss. Tim described Blayne's outfit as something out of a 'gay Jurassic Park' and he was still safe.

This proved to be Daniel's downfall...he just didn't create a costume. Instead he made a floor length gown out of a far too informal material. Looking back on Daniel's demise I am reminded of Bradley from Season 3. He was a quirky soul more used to producing things for his own amusement than for the critique of the runway. But he shared with Daniel an apathy that made it seem like he didn't really want to be on the show. The designers that have won so far have all mentioned how much they want to win this, or at least get to Bryant Park. We never heard that from Daniel. In the Olympics challenge, Daniel seemed to decide that he wasn't going to do what what being asked of him, he was going to make a cocktail dress. Similarly this week he seemed to choose to make a maxi-dress for a beach party instead of a flamboyant dress for a drag queen. I guess you ran out of lives Daniel!!

In the judges estimation the top three were Terri, Korto, and Joe. I think they were right in this choice. I was hoping that Korto would win because her outfit was so inventive and fun. But Joe made a very well-fitting jumpsuit that managed to look rich enough to be special, well done Joe. This was one of those challenges where I was really hoping two people could be eliminated. Daniel has been at the bottom of the heap for quite awhile now so it felt like time to let him go but I felt the same way about Keith. Despite the fact that Keith won last week's episode his obsession with rags of fabric is just getting annoying. Maybe he could have made a fringe dress that would have worked had he used sparkly material and not put it absolutely everywhere but as it was that poor queen looked an over used mop-head. Not pretty.

I actually missed the promo for next week's episode so I have no idea what we are in store for...I will be on my sofa watching it no matter what and you can bet that I will be back here to write about it.

Upset in the Jungle

While the rest of the world is mesmerized by the sight of Michael Phelp's washboard abs I remained faithful to my usual TV regimen....Wednesday night is for Project Runway! And what a night it turned out to be. Even in these dog days of summer when the only thing I can bring myself to do is knock back a cold drink, preferably alcoholic, PR embues me with enough inspiration to bring me back to my blog.

The challenge: design a look for Brooke Shields' character on Lipstick Jungle. I have never watched the show but I have seen enough promos to know that the show features three high-powered, fantastically glamorous women living a life of opulence in Manhattan...so basically, it's a spin-off of Sex and the City. Ms. Shields explained that her character, Wendy, was an executive of a studio that had a slightly bohemian sensibility and she needed an outfit that could go from day in the boardroom to night at some swank club with her girls. The designers pitched their ideas to Brooke and she chose 6 designers that would execute their designs. The designers chosen were Terri, Keith, Jerrell, Korto, Kelli and Blayne.

The majority of designers did not seem to listen to, or did not comprehend the challenge that was given them. They were asked to make an outfit for a show that survives in the ratings because it shows women the life they wish they had...full of chauffeur-driven cars, spacious apartments and, of course, designer duds. Brooke Shields' character would look perfectly at home in a classic Chanel suit or perhaps one of Prada's lace dresses from their fall collection.

Both Kelli and Blayne faltered by making things that looked cheap. Kelli made a sexy suit that incorporated leopard print. In concept, this outfit could have won. The problem was that the fabric was cheap, the fit was WAAAAAAAAAY too tight and it showed the models midriff. If there are any major NO-NO's in corporate attire, bearing belly is one of them. Despite these misjudgments, I thought that her original concept was valid and that would keep Kelli safe, especially when compared with Blayne's disaster. Blayne made a pair of Bermuda shorts, a short-sleeved button-down shirt and tank top...it was the sort of outfit that you would wear in the Hamptons, not to work; and it was dull enough to have come from Old Navy. The only office that Blayne's outfit would be appropriate for would be the back office at Billabong surf shop...where no doubt Blayne worked during school holidays. The judges floored me with their decision to eliminate Kelli...she did win the first challenge (albeit with coffee filter-nipple pasties) and Blayne is a fool...a fool with bad taste. You didn't deserve this Kelli...you just didn't deserve it.

Kelli and Blayne were just the worst of a bad lot. I really think Terri should have been called out...while her peasant blouse was definitely rich, it's loose folds and bare shoulders were totally wrong for the office. If you are surrounded by men in suits, then your own attire must have some degree of structure in order to look appropriate. Korto's blousey orange jacket could have been criticized along the same lines...it would have worked for a gallery owner but not a corporate executive. Equally Korto's backless dress looked like it would be a little much on someone Brooke's age (gorgeous though she is).

The top outfits were Jerell's skirt, top and 'leatha' belt and Keith's chiffon top and tiered skirt. I was hoping that Keith wouldn't win, both because he seems like a selfish prick and because his outfit seemed more appropriate for cocktail hour than a business lunch. Also I was hoping that Jerell would win because he worked so well with Stella. He actually used her expertise with leather to strengthen his outfit. At least Keith doesn't have immunity so there's always the chance that he gets knocked out next week.

I can't wait to see the havoc drag queens wreak on PR...until then!

God Bless PR

It is Thursday morning. I have a Diet Coke in hand and have already browsed through the NYT's Style section, it is now time to dissect last night's Project Runway. First impressions? I am glad that Koto won and Jennifer lost more because in the case of the former I didn't want straight-guy Joe to win after flipping out like he did and in the latter case because Daniel has real talent and just lost his way on this particular challenge. I also objected to the presence of Anton Ohno as a guest judge. Yes, he is an Olympian but apart from having questionable style (anyone remember that soul patch?) he is a complete attention whore (Dancing With the Nobodies) and as such should be ignored at all cost (next it will be Paris Hilton guest judging...oh the HORROR!).

Perhaps I should back up and explain the challenge for any misguided souls who do not make watching PR their week's priority: in honor of the upcoming Olympic Games, the designers were asked to create an ensemble that American female athletes could wear to the Opening Ceremonies (this was a purely hypothetical exercise as PR was not given the task by the U.S. Olympic Committee). It was an interesting challenge because, Lord knows, the Americans have sported some pretty dowdy uniforms. I believe it was in 2002, in Salt Lake City, that the uniform was designed by a Canadian company and included fleece (I guess Americans like to be comfortable) and a beret (croissant anyone?). Then in 2004 the American uniform looked like it was intended for foul-mouthed cabbies rather than world class athletes. So the challenge was considerable...create a uniform that is patriotic and flattering on women that are built!

At the top for this challenge was undoubtably Koto...the wide-legged white linen pants and sporty leather vest were streamlined, patriotic and could be worn by women with muscular legs and ripped arms. The blue and red belt was a subtle detail that helped complete the look, well done Koto. I also like Blayne's one-shouldered sweatshirt with detail piping and Leanne's top with the interesting blue and red stand up collar. Both of these items were hip and interesting and yet casual enough to be worn by athletes.

I disagreed with the judges when it came to both Joe and Terry. Joe decided to make a skort. My personal opinion of skorts is that they look good from the front, bad from the back. My personal opinion aside, I can see that the choice of a skort was a good one for this challenge. That said, isn't the whole point of a skort that it looks like skirt and yet has the functionality of shorts? What Joe made was a pair of shorts with a bazaar apron that was four inches too long.  It is like what Jackie Joyner  would wear to bake a batch of cookies. As for Terry, I appreciate the amount of stuff she made in a short period of time but that jacket was like the items you see at the Salvation Army thrift store, straight from the 70's!

I agree with the judges when it came to bottom three...Darrell's outfit looked ridiculous and he committed the cardinal sin of allowing leggings to go down the runway...WHY?! The outfit didn't need them and it just added another element to an over-accesorized  outfit. Daniel's dress looked both dated and cheap, I'm surprised Michael didn't reference Shirley Mcclaine. Both Stella and Keith were lucky not to be called out on their garments. Keith's conglomeration of that high collar with the heavy neckties and the puffy skirt were completely disparate.

Stella could have been criticized along the same lines as Jennifer: that she does not separate her own personal style from the challenge. Of course Stella used 'leatha' in this challenge and made a garment that was overly tight....it's what she does. I just wish the judges would call her out on her lack of taste. The days of bearing belly-button are long past us, get with the program Stella! As for Jennifer, I liked the skirt, I would have worn it myself, but as the judges decreed, it had absolutely nothing to do with the challenge!

Until next week...