Years Ahead for "Mad Men"

"Mad Men" is one of those rare T.V. shows that just gets better the longer it's on. I don't think I'm being too quick to judge when I say they've just ended their best season ever, a season that may have held T.V's best hour ever (the episode mentioned in my previous blog). It's also one of those shows that saddens me when there are only 10 minutes left. I need more!

Last night's season 4 finale was, I don't want to say predictable, because I wasn't exactly sure how the writers were going to make it all go down, but it was satisfying while at the same time, left SO many possibilities open for conflict in the near future. We obviously knew Don would be engaged this season because his good doctor girlfriend, Faye Miller, so aptly foreshadowed that he'd be married by the end of the year. We guessed or at least hoped that it'd probably be Megan because of the way she handled Sally's little outburst and the way Don reacted to it. Speaking of Megan, I have loved her character. I love that she is Betty's opposite, not that the screen doesn't beg for more of January Jones, but let's face it, the writer's don't exactly make her likable.

I love that the writers mentioned Megan's messed up teeth just to show that she's aware of her imperfections and embraces them. I love that she didn't get all sappy the first time she and Don slept together. I mean, the writers knew just how to pull us in and make us want her want to be our stepmom. They also made Faye just the right amount of something wrong so we weren't too upset when Don dumped her, but still felt for the poor woman.

Now, what's to come in the next season? Well, I'm sure we can expect marital problems. Don isn't monogamous to anyone. I hope they won't end the marriage so quickly, though. We can expect problems with Sally and Megan. Even the most patient of people will struggle with an adolescent girl. And, I'm not sure if it'll be as soon as this season, but sometime down the road, Peggy and Faye will start their own firm, possibly even including Peggy's friend in the building. I've actually figured that this will happen since the very first episode of "Mad Men". I actually think as chauvinistic as the show is, it's truly about women emerging from their "place" in society, with Peggy at the forefront. I hope to have years ahead of us with "Mad Men" so there's no need to rush any individual story in my opinion.

I'll Take My Steak Bloody

My present sous chef suggested to me a while back that when ordering red meat, always ask for it cooked cooler than what I want it. For instance, if I want a medium burger, order it medium rare because kitchen staff typically tends to overcook it (at least in this town they do) and then it'll arrive perfectly pink.

Yesterday, the ladies in my family all joined to eat at the Nordstrom Cafe in Oak Brook, IL. If you ever find yourself there, my suggestion is to order the roast beef sandwich with the tomato basil soup. It's a safe and easy choice; you can't go wrong. However, this has become a regular meeting place for my family and me when I've visited home recently. While I typically don't deviate once I've found the right order at a restaurant, I also don't frequent most restaurants as often I have the Nordstrom Cafe. So I've been on the menu-search for another acceptable meal.

As I have mentioned before in previous blogs, sometimes I wish chefs would just make the couple things they make well, and no more. They can choose what to feed us because they are proud of those dishes and know they work. I rarely brag about my ability to cook because I honestly don't think I'm the greatest. I'm fairly new to it, and I still have lots to learn. I do, though, make a few things that I know are awesome, and I would throw down with Bobby Flay any time on this handful of items.

I'm not sure how the Nordstrom Cafe works, whether there is one head chef out in California who decides a standard menu for every Nordstrom in the country or if each cafe has its own chef who decides the menu. This last time I was there, I decided to try the skirt steak. It was prepared typically as you would expect to see a skirt steak, with a lime herb marinade, paired with some roasted potatoes, carrots and asparagus (asparagus is not in season, but even shipped in, it was still tasty). Actually, the veggies were cooked perfectly a dente, and while roasted potatoes are not my first choice of spud preparation, they were very good. The steak was the problem.

I don't know if you've ever had the pleasure of eating at a Nordstrom cafe, but this is how it works. At the Oak Brook one, you go to one of several cashiers and order your food and beverage. The server comes to your table a few minutes later to pick up your ticket, then he or she delivers the food and drink, and you tip them. I do hope they share that tip with the cashiers, but doubtful. At the downtown one, you actually get your own beverage and you are still expected to tip the servers. Now I am the last person who'll complain about tipping. I've worked as a server for a collective 8 or 9 years before, during and after moving to the back of the house, but I actually did some work when waiting on tables.

The cashier is the one who took my steak order and didn't ask me what temp I wanted my skirt. She just informed me that the chefs cooked it between rare and medium rare. I said, "Perfect." Usually, when you are informed of how the chef will prepare your steak, there is no need to specify that you want it red. In fact, sometimes you should err on the side of caution and expect it a bit bloodier (that's not really blood on your plate) than what you're told. I never mind if it's too pink or red because if I honestly can't take it, I'll send it back and have then throw it on the grill for a minute.

About 15 to 20 minutes later, our food arrived. This was strange because everyone else ordered sandwiches, and I ordered a rare steak. The food should've taken 10 minutes at the most, and I'm including cook time for orders before ours. The steak needed about 3 to 4 minutes on the grill and 5 minutes of resting time which could've been included in the time it took the server to deliver the food. I was already worried. I cut into my steak, and I kid you not, it was brown.

The reason I don't have a problem sending back an undercooked steak is because I know I'm not wasting product. They'll give me the same steak I sent back. When a steak is overcooked, I deal with it because I don't want them to use an entirely new piece of meat, and risk that they'll overcook it again anyway. The steak also was still tender and had good flavor, but I was SO annoyed that they could have made that huge mistake. Did the cook just forget about it? Did the server just leave it under the hot lamp? I mean, how disappointing when you're so looking forward to cutting into the meat, having the jus just run all over your plate over the veggies and bread. There's nothing better. Then instead, you cut into a brown, overcooked, dry steak. I'm still not over it.

Looking back, if it happened all over again, I would send it back. I'd risk pissing off the kitchen staff (they'd end up eating it anyway so they wouldn't be too pissed) to get the steak I wanted, and no person in the world could've argued that that steak was rare. Chalk it up to the grill cook's error.

The Beauty of "Mad Men"

I absolutely LOVED last Sunday's "Mad Men"! The tension, anger, respect, loyalty, trust, protectiveness, and friendship between Peggy and Don gives me goosebumps and chills, and it makes my mind bounce like a pinball. It was the episode of the fight number 2 between Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston. The fight was the historical event used to help the audience that was alive during that time put things into perspective and help people like me learn a little bit about sports history. As for the story line, the writers broached the long questioned topic of the relationship between Peggy and Don. What is it between the two of them? I can't decide if I do or I don't want Peggy and Don to have a romantic relationship. That's what makes the story line so fantastic. I want them to end up together, but simultaneously, I know it'll ruin everything if they do. They couldn't possibly. When it comes down to it, Peggy might just be the young female Don.

While so many episodes are tedious and frustrating, we need them to get to episodes like this one and the finale of last season, season 3. Every character in "Mad Men" is neither completely likable nor dislikable. That's what makes the show so alluring, so addicting. In the first episode of the first season, I was furious at how women were treated. Then my mom oh-so-reminded-me, it was just the way. Obviously, not everyone agreed with my mom's mentality or women wouldn't have come so far, but no use in getting upset about the past now that it has changed. I have just learned to appreciate the artistry of Mad Men". Even during the boring slow episodes, I still enjoy learning about how it was versus how they wanted us to see it, meaning just because TV showed couples sleeping in 2 twin size beds 4 feet apart didn't mean people stopped having sex.

This week's episode returned to the usual less eventful anger-provoking, slow-moving solution-lacking stories. We feel so sorry for Joan, and then in true fashion, "Mad Men" makes her hateful and human. Even within that chaos of dissatisfaction, the viewer knows it's bound to end somewhere awesome. Why? Because the show has endless possibilities. While teen dramas decline when they go to college, while adult dramas decline when the main problem is solved, "Mad Men" has no expiration date and no overlying conflict. It is real, it happened 40-some years ago so the writers have a show that could potentially be on forever, as long as advertising still exists, "Mad Men" has material.

I suppose the Rachel Zoe Project is the only show on TV worth my comments as of now. It doesn't mean I think it's particularly well-done or that I necessarily like Rachel Zoe. It just happens to be an off season. Actually, like Project Runway, most shows on HGTV besides Sarah's House, which is the greatest show ever... right now(yes I see the irony), and America's Next Top Model, I fast-forward the majority of the dramatic junk and play only the artsy material. In this case, the fashion shows. I actually think that I fast-forwarded through an entire hour of Project Runway last night just to see the actual runway pieces.

In the case of Rachel Zoe, however, I watch the scenes between her and her husband because I kind of like Roger. As I mentioned in my previous blog, the theme this season has been whether Rachel will get pregnant or not. I thought she was in her late 40s, but apparently she's only 39, a bit risky for a pregnancy, but not unheard of. Roger really wants a baby and continues to press Rachel about it. She clearly is uninterested in spreading her love, or is just incapable of the emotion, regardless, a child seems like something that she'd just be doing to please her husband. I actually don't think that's an awful reason to have a child. No matter what, she'll love the child unconditionally when the little tyke joins the world so to me, the reason you get pregnant is unimportant. It's what you do during the child's life that counts.

I assume that the show will predictably announce that she is indeed expecting in the season finale, but I'm really really really hoping for twist. I want Roger to announce that he's leaving Rachel for a girl in her early twenties and that the new girl is actually expecting his child, and they plan on having several more as the girl is the fresh and ready child-bearing age. I think that would be the best finale EVER!

The Rachel Zoe Hypocrisy

As with most experts in their trades, I really don't care what their personality or psychosis is. I care about their talent. Whatever Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey do when they're not singing is none of my concern. All I know is, when they belt out those vocals, very few can beat them. The same goes for Michael Jordon and Tiger Woods in their respective sports, and I'm embarrassed to say this, but Tom Cruise, as nuts as he may be, is a good actor so as far as Rachel Zoe and her personality go, it really doesn't matter to me other than the irony that's going on in her new season.

While Brad is much funnier, light-hearted and relaxed without Taylor around, he's a bit bitchy whenever she's mentioned. The whole reason she was fired (besides the alleged theft) was that she had a bad attitude. So why are Rachel and Brad bad-mouthing her every chance they get? Aren't they doing the one thing they criticized Taylor for? And as far as her stealing items, to me, that seems like par for the course. That would be the one perk of the job of a styling assistant to keep some of the merchandise. Why else put up with all the chaos that Rachel throws her way? Brad keeps saying that he hopes Taylor's replacement is lacking the drama, but with every insult he speaks, he becomes more and more like Taylor. Truth be told, is Brad as talented as Taylor? I don't know yet, but even with all of Taylor's complaints and chips on her shoulder, she had amazing sense of style, and I believe that many people in Hollywood won't care one bit about her past with Rachel Zoe, as long as they look good. I certainly wouldn't.

Moving on, I've always said that my dream job would be that of Sarah Richardson of Sarah's House on HGTV. She completely guts and reconstructs fixer-upper homes with a budget of more than a million dollars. I think my number 2 job would be that of a stylist. All they do is shop and borrow items all day long. Hardly any exchange of currency is involved; it's just free advertising for the designer. It's absolutely amazing. The only reason it wouldn't be number one is because you'd have to deal with celebrities.

And finally, did Rachel say, "When I'm pregnant..." ???? How old is she? I thought she was like 50. Jeez. She needs some steak and a nap.

Ooh, That Denzel!

I love Denzel Washington. My boss thinks he plays the exact same character in every single role. I don't necessarily disagree, but I know he's likable in every role he plays, and more importantly, he's likable in real life. I started really liking him after a David Letterman interview when Denzel thought David was commending Gary Oldman's acting talent. Letterman was actually complimenting Washington, and when he realized the confusion, he actually seemed genuinely surprised and flattered that David Letterman thought he was a talented actor.

Most recently, I watched an interview with him about The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. This time he mentioned that the makers of the movie had talked to him about the role, but he thought they were actually considering someone else for the part. Ha. If Denzel Washington is interested in a movie role, then the producers aren't looking elsewhere for any other actor. He is the actor you want for the role. If you get him, then you stop looking.

What a cool guy, huh?

What's the Meaning of "Dress-Up"

My husband and I were recently invited to very important party in his home town, a very small town, not near a big a city. The party was actually the first birthday of his brother's daughter. I know this doesn't sound like that momentous an affair, but because of a genetic disorder, there was a good possibility she wouldn't make it to see the age of one. By the grace of God, she did make it to this birthday, and at the last minute, they decided to have a celebration/fundraiser in honor of this day.

While my sister-in-law (the wife of my husband's brother) is young and hip, and for not having lots of money, still has very good taste, I've always described my husband's family as "for being one state over from my family, they may as well be from a different country". They are wonderful, loving and very supportive people; they just have a completely different way of life, and sometimes it's a culture shock to me.

When I received the email about the birthday party from my father-in-law, the Evite read "This is a Dress-Up Party". I, of course, growing up close to a big city, and having attended "dress-up" parties my entire life, wanted a bit more specificity on what "dress-up" meant. I asked my father-in-law. He repeated what the email said, "Dress-up." I said, "Yeah, I got that, but what kind of dress-up? Formal, semi-formal? Ball gown, cocktail? Business formal? or just going out clubbing on a Friday night get-up?" His answer, "Dress-up."

Okay, "What is my sister-in-law wearing?" He said that she was wearing her prom dress. With this, I have to suspend what I've formerly known as proper prom attire. Girls in this state dress very differently to their proms. Where I'm from, girls wear sexy, slinky, form-fitting dresses, usually the most expensive one you can get your mom to buy you from Neiman Marcus, and it isn't necessarily short or long, but certainly one that no one else will have.

In this state, girls wear these over-the-top, froo-froo cake-topper ball gowns. When I first moved here, I thought that they just hadn't caught up to the rest of the world when it comes to style and fashion, but it's been 8 years and they still wear these huge dresses to prom so I think it's just their thing, like cowboy boots in Texas.

The day of the event, I actually texted my sister-in-law and made sure that she was wearing a ball gown. I told her that I had one ready to go, but I didn't want to be over-dressed. She lol-ed and said that she was indeed wearing a fru-fru pink ruffly, lacy dress. Okay, good. Mine was a bit different, but it was definitely a ball gown. I had borrowed my mother's mother-of-the-groom dress, a gorgeous lavender empire waisted embellished Pronovias full-length ball gown.

When I arrived at the party, about 4 girls were wearing ball gowns, a handful of others were wearing cocktail dresses and every other girl was wearing a top and a skirt. I don't know why it's taken me so long to figure out the specific fashion in this very small town. It's probably because I find myself in so many different apparel situations that I get confused as to what's appropriate in each city. Since this small town used "dress-up" to cover so many bases, I decided to look up what exactly "dress-up" means.

I didn't actually expect to be satisfied with the definition, but I was pleasantly surprised. The first one I came across described it as "to wear one's best clothing". Now it all makes sense. Fashion is unimportant in this tiny little po-dunk town. Where I'm from, there are so many definitions of "dress-up" that the degree of "dress-up" needs to be distinguished. Where fashion doesn't matter, "dressing-up" basically means, No Jeans, No Home-Team-Football Shirts.

I finally understand, if I ever get invited to a "dress-up" event there again (and holidays aren't included, football t-shirts and jeans are welcome.. ha, it's like a foreign country), I will wear a timeless skirt and a simple blouse. It seems to be appropriate 100% of the time in this situation and aside from my being several inches taller than most women, will allow me to blend in much better.