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https://www.thecut.com/2018/06/anthony-bourdain-best-quotes.htmlJune 8, 2018 12:07 pm
Anthony Bourdains Poignant Reflections on Life and Work
By Lisa Ryan
The chef had a unique willingness to admit his shortcomings, reexamine past behaviors, and speak out in ways that others refused. He spoke and wrote with a degree of insightfulness that few have ever, or will ever, be able to reach.
Here, a look at some of his most profound quotes.
I shouldve died in my 20s. I became successful in my 40s. I became a dad in my 50s. I feel like Ive stolen a car a really nice car and I keep looking in the rearview mirror for flashing lights. But theres been nothing yet.
Travel isnt always pretty. It isnt always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But thats okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.
Life is complicated. Its filled with nuance. Its unsatisfying. If I believe in anything, it is doubt. The root cause of all lifes problems is looking for a simple fucking answer.
Maybe thats enlightenment enough: to know that there is no final resting place of the mind; no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom is realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go.
In these current circumstances, one must pick a side. I stand unhesitatingly and unwaveringly with the women. Not out of virtue, or integrity, or high moral outrage as much as Id like to say so but because late in life, I met one extraordinary woman with a particularly awful story to tell, who introduced me to other extraordinary women with equally awful stories.
Once youve been to Cambodia, youll never stop wanting to beat Henry Kissinger to death with your bare hands. You will never again be able to open a newspaper and read about that treacherous, prevaricating, murderous scumbag sitting down for a nice chat with Charlie Rose or attending some black-tie affair for a new glossy magazine without choking. Witness what Henry did in Cambodia the fruits of his genius for statesmanship and you will never understand why hes not sitting in the dock at The Hague next to Miloević.
As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life and travel leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks on your body or on your heart are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.
I love the sheer weirdness of the kitchen life: the dreamers, the crackpots, the refugees, and the sociopaths with whom I continue to work; the ever-present smells of roasting bones, searing fish, and simmering liquids; the noise and clatter, the hiss and spray, the flames, the smoke, and the steam. Admittedly, its a life that grinds you down. Most of us who live and operate in the culinary underworld are in some fundamental way dysfunctional. Weve all chosen to turn our backs on the nine-to-five, on ever having a Friday or Saturday night off, on ever having a normal relationship with a non-cook.
Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you dont have.
He will be missed.
GregD
(2,263 posts)I live in Mount Shasta, CA. We have this nearby ski park https://www.skipark.com/
Due to our proximity to the Pacific, relative to places such as Tahoe which are much farther inland, we have a very short ski season. In response to the need to capitalize upon the facility, they have introduced a Summer mountain biking opportunity. The ski lifts are used to transport bicycles and guests to the top of the mountain and then they ride down. At the base there is a patio with beer and food vendors, a band on the weekend, and lots of smiles.
2 weeks ago I learned from a friend that Bourdain's video team had asked to visit the resort this month. Plans were assembled for a high profile bike rider to accompany them, and that a film promoting our region would be the outcome.
I was totally psyched about this opportunity, hoping that some off-chance would lead to Anthony arriving himself.
I also plan to retire soon, and had contemplated traveling to some of Bourdain's destinations. Hoped that perhaps we would cross paths.
What a sad day and a tragic loss.
angrychair
(8,700 posts)@Bourdain thank you for a life that inspired and humbled us all. You were a mad genius. A contrarian. A wandering stone. One with many talents and passions and loves. You will be missed.
bdamomma
(63,875 posts)I will miss his wit and his travels especially to places that I never been before. Weird about two or three weeks ago I watched his show he was in Armenia. So nice he visited there. I will miss him.