Where pedestrians are king!

Currently I stay at Boulder, Colorado. When I first got here, I was so surprised by the beautiful sidewalks that this district has. It is so conveniently and thoughtfully done. Having sidewalks is so important. If there weren't sidewalks, we would have to walk on the side of the road always having to be worried about the traffic. The sidewalks are really relaxing and a great place for joggers and cyclists alike.

I personally like the convenience it provides me. I have a 2 year old and often I take her in a stroller. The sidewalks are so good that kids can have a terrific and smooth stroller ride. Also sometimes when she wants to walk, I can let her do so without worrying whether she will wander on to the road. Since there is a strip of lawn between the sidewalk and the road, its not easy for kids to wander off the sidewalk onto the road.

The sidewalks are so well planned, they dip where we have to get off. In most places where there are stairs, there is also an optional way to go up or down like a slope, so we don't have to fold or carry the stroller. Until now, I have had to lift the stroller on to stairs only in 2 situations and that too only because I didn't want to use the other way.

I  think more places should keep the convenience of pedestrians in mind and follow the example that this award-winning pedestrian district has set.

Bringing hell into the kitchen

© Fotofactory313 | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

I'm sure you are curious about what I'm going to say. Well, its all about the television series, "Hell's Kitchen". A kitchen brings to mind a whole lot of things like the smell of great food, mom's special recipes, cakes and cookies, washing dishes, the refrigerator filled with yummy stuff and so much more. But one thing a kitchen does not remind me of is 'hell'.

Two days back when I watched the episode of "Hell's Kitchen" it was a competition between the red and the blues serving dinner to a restaurant with real guests. The pressure put on both teams were so huge. They were tensed and were rushing to get their dishes ready. After a while, I realised I began to get really worried. Chef Ramsay was yelling at people, throwing food at them and literally swearing. The competing chefs were too tensed to get things right. Their catfish was undercooked or overcooked and they took a lot more swearing for that.

What I felt is that, when you are trying to do something important and if someone stands by your side and keeps swearing and yelling at you, you will definitely not be able to do a good job. I don't think I would survive in such a kitchen for more than a few minutes. I like peace and quiet when I do my cooking. Even my child crying in between is so much of a distraction that I would give her whatever she asks for to keep her happy.

Gordon Ramsay is a expert, a head chef who has a lot of experience. He started cooking at the age of 19 and has come a long way since. He pays special attention to quality and expects the team members to understand the importance of it. I'm sure anyone who goes through Hell's Kitchen without giving up will be able to put up in any stressful situation.

But is cooking stressful? Is it supposed to be about yelling, swearing and high blood pressure? Chef Ramsay may have his reasons but I dont think cooking should be portrayed as a scary experience. Cooking is to be enjoyed. I'm not a chef so I don't know if chefs who work in big hotels and restaurants feel the same way. I do like the quality that Chef Ramsay brings to the show and I enjoy watching the show as well, but I could do with a lot less yelling.