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Maybe you're a fan of Anthony Bourdain, maybe his passing is just another celebrity death - tragic but a death spotlighted only because of their fame.
Personally, I imagined one day meeting "Uncle Tony" face to face. While it's sad that this won't happen now, it's sadder that this "tell it like it is" soul has left us too soon.
True, he started off gaining popularity as the original "bad boy chef." But over time Bourdain realized that glamorizing the drunken, drugged out lifestyle helped no one.
While he joked about pulling a fast one for being paid to travel & eat at places he could barely afford as a cook, Bourdain eventually brought more to filming his globe trotting than just food porn.
If you watch his Lebanon episode where he’s being evacuated with other civilians aboard CL-43 (USS Nashville) shares his “oh, shiitake” moments of “what have I gotten myself into here?!” it’s clear that Bourdain realizes he's no longer indulging his personal whims.
Bourdain was known for his pull-no-punches style of writing but brought a cinematic eye to his his storytelling that drew you in and made it impossible to look away. Yet, it was how this lens helped us to see ourselves in other cultures that was most striking.
While Bourdain never served in the military himself, he was no stranger to our troops. Over the years he made visits to bases like Camp Casey, South Korea.
His death is an unfortunate, but needed reminder that even someone who seems to "have it all" can still struggle with the demons that take away 22 of our shipmates A DAY!
So, I just wanted to share a few sentiments on what this celebrity chef means to me and why his death unfortunately is still a needed reminder.
Farewell, shipmate - we have the watch.
Personally, I imagined one day meeting "Uncle Tony" face to face. While it's sad that this won't happen now, it's sadder that this "tell it like it is" soul has left us too soon.
True, he started off gaining popularity as the original "bad boy chef." But over time Bourdain realized that glamorizing the drunken, drugged out lifestyle helped no one.
While he joked about pulling a fast one for being paid to travel & eat at places he could barely afford as a cook, Bourdain eventually brought more to filming his globe trotting than just food porn.
If you watch his Lebanon episode where he’s being evacuated with other civilians aboard CL-43 (USS Nashville) shares his “oh, shiitake” moments of “what have I gotten myself into here?!” it’s clear that Bourdain realizes he's no longer indulging his personal whims.
Bourdain was known for his pull-no-punches style of writing but brought a cinematic eye to his his storytelling that drew you in and made it impossible to look away. Yet, it was how this lens helped us to see ourselves in other cultures that was most striking.
While Bourdain never served in the military himself, he was no stranger to our troops. Over the years he made visits to bases like Camp Casey, South Korea.
His death is an unfortunate, but needed reminder that even someone who seems to "have it all" can still struggle with the demons that take away 22 of our shipmates A DAY!
So, I just wanted to share a few sentiments on what this celebrity chef means to me and why his death unfortunately is still a needed reminder.
Farewell, shipmate - we have the watch.
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 5
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Great intro and story. On July 4, 2015, My 49-yearold sister committed suicide just like him by hanging. Drinking, depression, addiction to painkillers and an impending divorce from her abusive 3rd husband was what tipped the balance. My wife and I are AA members. We have two stepdaughters(Wife's kids from an earlier relationship) 22 and 21 who are high school dropouts drink, smoke, do drugs, stay up all night and sleep all day and live off of welfare. Alcohol is a big factor. Liberal Canadian laws of no curfew, liberal welfare qualification and no verification of looking for work has enabled them to live off of the Province and continue to be irresponsible. Both have had thoughts of suicide.
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LT John Chang
6 y
"One day at a time.. one day at a time.." - I consider myself "lucky" not to have gone through such struggles with an addiction. At the same time it's touched my life in other ways to make me appreciate what other shipmates go through.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
6 y
I felt the most afraid when I thought nobody could fix me. The sense of hopelessness was quite disturbing. I went to the hospital and asked for help. I became sober as well.
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Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
I liked Bourdain's show.My Wife was alarmed by how much he drank on his show. I did not know he was a former heroin addict as well.
When I see people die by hanging, I think of my sister. Two celebrities hanging themselves this week alone. Bourdain and Kate Spade, Million or Billionaire from her Coach Purse line (Wife has at least 6 of her purses) who killed themselves. I am not sure about Kate Spade but we know that Bourdain, my sister Loretta Conway and Robin Williams had drug and alcohol issues. It happens too often. They say 32 vets kill themselves daily. Call Military One Source [login to see]
http://obits.ocregister.com/obituaries/orangecounty/obituary.aspx?n=rose-loretta-conway&pid=175315548
SPC Margaret Higgins LTC Stephen C. SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas SFC William Farrell CPT Chris Loomis Capt Sabrena Goldman
When I see people die by hanging, I think of my sister. Two celebrities hanging themselves this week alone. Bourdain and Kate Spade, Million or Billionaire from her Coach Purse line (Wife has at least 6 of her purses) who killed themselves. I am not sure about Kate Spade but we know that Bourdain, my sister Loretta Conway and Robin Williams had drug and alcohol issues. It happens too often. They say 32 vets kill themselves daily. Call Military One Source [login to see]
http://obits.ocregister.com/obituaries/orangecounty/obituary.aspx?n=rose-loretta-conway&pid=175315548
SPC Margaret Higgins LTC Stephen C. SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas SFC William Farrell CPT Chris Loomis Capt Sabrena Goldman
ROSE LORETTA CONWAY's Obituary on Orange County Register
Read the Obituary and view the Guest Book, leave condolences or send flowers. | Conway, Rose Loretta 9/20/1965 - 7/4/2015 I am sad to announce the sudden passing of Rose Loretta Conway. Loretta was born in Los Angeles. She was raised in Whittier and La Palma, CA. Loretta
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Posted 6 y ago
I have ambivalent feelings about suicides. It saddens me, but it also makes me mad.
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LT John Chang
6 y
A1C Doug Towsley - fair enough. That's what makes things like this even more difficult. There's definitely no cut & dry answers.
Like the failed "Just Say No" campaign, sometimes raising awareness may be *part* of the problem. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-just-say-no-doesnt-work/
Like the failed "Just Say No" campaign, sometimes raising awareness may be *part* of the problem. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-just-say-no-doesnt-work/
Why "Just Say No" Doesn't Work
A popular program for preventing teen drug use does not help. Here's what does
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MAJ Ken Landgren
6 y
The more I ruminate, the more I believe my mother has disowned me because she can't understand PTSD. I guess I was like that once.
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