Living in RO Colors

De cand alaptez odata la 3 ore (adica de 8 ori pe zi), ma uit la TV mai mult ca niciodata. Zi sau noapte, dau drumul la TV in timp ce alaptez; asa trece timpul mai repede.

Inafara de faptul ca nu prea ai la ce sa te uiti la TV, am observat ca nu mai sunt posturile straine care erau inainte. Eu am doar TV5 Monde, Duna, CNN si Euronews. Ce s-a intamplat cu italianul Rai Uno si nemtescul Pro Sieben? Mi-e dor de ele. »

Ne tot plangem ca suntem “bombardati” la TV si in presa de stiri cu tot felul de tragedii umane de pe intreg globul. Criticam publicul roman ca “savureaza” vestile proaste, ca si le doreste si le comenteaza, in loc sa-si ocupe timpul cu activitati mai constructive sau cel putin educative, in sensul adevarat al cuvantului.

Pe de alta parte, daca nu am afla de toate aceaste accidente, morti, sinucideri si alte tragedii, am crede ca traim intr-o lume in care nu se imtampla nimic rau, in care viata curge lin si fara evenimente neplacute. Iar asta nu este decat fals. Nici sa induci oamenii in eroare nu e sanatos, mai ales ca rolul jurnalistilor este de a informa. »

De ceva timp urmaresc serialul-documentar Say Yes to the Dress (aka Rochia perfecta) de pe Discovery Travel & Living. Am descoperit serialul intamplator si de atunci incerc sa nu pierd nici un episod.

Desi sunt maritata, imi place sa urmaresc episod dupa episod prin ce trec miresele pana isi gasesc rochia perfecta pentru nunta, dar mai ales prin ce trece personalul magazinului in efortul de a multumi fiecare viitoare-mireasa si de a indeplini, la sfarsitul saptamanii, cifrele de vanzari. »

The other day I was watching Animal Planet and a new documentary begun, about Europe’s animals. Nothing exciting, but I watched it anyway. Why? Because of the narrator’s voice!

And what a voice it was. I loved it instantly. The credentials said that the narrator was Mr. Sean Pertwee. I’ve never heard of him, until now. And I realized that his voice is familiar, I’ve heard it before in other Discovery Channel documentaries. So I watched the whole piece, just to listen to that voice. In the end I learned something new about Europe, but I couldn’t get that voice out of my mind. It is a soothing, captivating, calming and engaging voice; very professional. »

AXN Romania is presenting every Monday to Friday evening the Late show with David Letterman. The show starts at 8 PM, just in time to watch it during dinner time. Originally, the show is on in America at 11:30 PM ET, so it’s really a late show. In Romania, nobody would watch it so late because we have to be fresh for work the next morning. After watching the yesterday show, I decided to share with you my thoughts on this. »

In fiecare duminica, daca te trezesti mult mai tarziu decat de obicei si vrei sa te pui la punct cu ultimele noutati si tendinte in materie de moda in timp ce-ti bei cafeaua, dna Doina Levintza ti le prezinta la Prima TV. Eu am urmarit emisiunea duminica trecuta si mi-ar fi placut sa dureze mai mult de 30 de minute.

Dar ce am vazut mi-a placut. Emisiunea incepe cu un scurt rezumat, ca sa stii din start la ce sa te astepti. In aceasta emisiune au fost prezentati designerii belgieni Dries Van Noten si Martin Margiela, urmati de prezentarea proiectului “Creaza o papusa, ajuta un copil” 2008. »

I like to watch the Discovery Channels, especially the Travel & Living channel. I watch it while having dinner (it is not healthy, I know ), I listen to it while I do house work and I watch it before bed time. Recently, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of culinary shows:
1. No reservations, with Anthony Bourdain
2. Feast Bazaar, with Berry Verra
3. Local Flavors, with Joan Cusack
4. Bizarre Foods, with Andrew Zimmern
5. World Café Asia, with Bobby Chin
6. Chic Eats

Not to mention:
7. License to Grill, with Robert Rainford (on Euforia TV)
8. The Naked Chef, with Jamie Oliver, (on TVR 1)

All of the above are interesting, entertaining and educating shows; but so many of them lately. Almost every TV channel has them.

In my opinion, one theme is emerging from all these culinary shows: make the best dish with the local ingredients. Discover the potential and flavors of the local ingredients. Work with what you have and cook the best dish. Experiment, change and listen to your guts.

Interestingly, these advices are true in every industry. But coming from a cute, funny, talented chef…it all makes sense. We all should master the local resources. If we don’t, a foreigner will come, one day, full of ideas and enthusiasm. And he/she will show us what we couldn’t see: the richness around us. After all, the grass is always greener on the other side, right?

When I learned that Gwyneth Paltrow will be hosting a food show with Chef Mario Batali, I only prayed that having a culinary show on TV will not become the new I-must-have-my-own-perfume/clothing-line-because-I-am-a big-star. Cooking is not for everyone, you stars out there. You actually have to cook (it can make you dirty, you know) and enjoy the fruits of your labor.