53 Comments

Your great compassion for the human condition shines through in this article. I really appreciate the gift you have to openly write from your heart, clearly articulating your thoughts.

"We have lived through a few "unimaginable life lessons" and some days wait for the other shoe to drop - so I really resonate a tiny bit with the frailties of the human condition

Thanks Tim your writing always shines the light for me.

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Thanks Janet for always taking the time to read.

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Aug 24, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

Tony was crying for help even when joking about death. That's not a joking topic especially if it's repertive. He has sugar cothed depression with humor as many does. Both his death and relationship with drugs were preventable. Darkness is not attractive so people automatically switch on the light for themselves in order to be away from it. It's natural human reaction. I don't think Tony would be capable of killing anyone. You know what they say 'Take away someone's hope and they with take their life's, or yours'. - I guess that's how it feels when you are consumed by the darkness. Interesting article, Tim.

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Great reflections Nina

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I know. Thanks.

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Aug 24, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

Insightful. The survey link is not working

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Really enjoyed this, thank you, Tim. I will go and watch his documentaries now. By the way, I can get onto the google forms link at the bottom.

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Seems to be an error with the link. Fixing now.

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Great Article Tim.

I have followed Anthony Bourdain for many years.

I too have learned lots from travel, food and cooking in some of the worst and best places in the world, and of course from the great man himself.

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What's the worst place your worked Michael?

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I would rather remember the positives than the negatives and I don't want to offend people!

Times have changed significantly since I was globetrotting with my work so it wouldn't be fair to comment now.

I have been very fortunate in my professional role as a freelance IT consultant, a choice I made in the mid 1970's. It has taken me through Europe, USA, South America, Caribbean and Pacific regions. I haven't got to Oz yet!

When 'I retired' I bought a Hotel and became a Chef, the journey continues.............

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This was one of your better articles. Thank you for sharing his story.

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No probs Michael and thanks for the compliment.

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Lovely thought, thank you for sharing.

What many people don’t know about Tony (Anthony Bordain) is he quit heroin cold turkey. When asked about it, he says “I saw someone in the mirror worth saving.” He tried hard to save that person. He got off heroin. Then writing became heroin, then food, then his tv show, then finally, Jiu-Jitsu... That’s all you can do. Save yourself over and over. Transform. Reinvent.

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It's likely the heroin addiction never healed too. Yes, it transffered to other things but maybe they weren't good either.

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Aug 24, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

Loved this Tim. I have enjoyed his writing for a long time, I recently reread Gone Bamboo and I will continue to recommend it.

I appreciate your thoughts on seeing the light. Too many only see the dark. Thank you.

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I'll need to read it Lizzie.

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You captured the essence of Tony Bourdain beautifully. This is a tribute to a great man who unfortunately succumbed to hopelessness. He had so much but couldn't have what he wanted most.

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It's a bit sad Isabel

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Fascinating. As an entrepreneur and as a recovering addict myself, I can see parallels in both journeys that stand out in Bourdain’s. No man can be defined without a shadow. Sometimes the shadow takes over.

Thanks for the personal read Tim.

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No probs Dee

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Aug 24, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

Thanks

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:)

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Tony had a massive impact on me, too. From his book, shows, and YouTube interview...so much to learn from this man.

Nice article, Tim.

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Same here Anthony. We lost him too soon.

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Oh and btw the link at the end of the post is not working :)

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Fixing now Reema. Thank you.

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Amazing read! I have been fascinated by the legend of Bourdain but never got the time to get more acquainted with him

Somewhere you ask whether you leave out the parts that we don't like and just embrace the rest. You can't do that. You accept that the other person as he is, with all his limitations and blemishes.

Finally, people would be happier if instead of chasing that elusive elixir outside, they give themselves some time and find it within.

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Lots of wisdom here Reema. Did you ever watch his tv show?

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Not yet...hope to catch it sometime soon

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Start with "no reservations." So good.

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Thanks! Will start there and I hope I fall in love with him, like you did. Without the tears, that is

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Tears can be a good thing Reema.

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I cry too much, Tim :)

Tears don't listen to us, do they? They just arrive, unannounced, and definitely uninvited.

Sometimes, at the most inopportune times

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Hey Tim, I didn't know much about Anthony Bourdain before I read your post, but I'm glad I did. I'll be looking into this guy some more. I always appreciate a motivating and powerful biography.

Also, as someone said previously, the survey link isn't working, but I'll fill it out when it works.

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Read his book as well Lucas. It's incredible.

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Tim Denning has written a real tear jerker! Anthony Bourdain, man with such talent was destroyed by forces he couldn't control. This is a lesson for all of us. For me, it is good to be loved, but loving yourself first is important. After all, the first word in "I Love You" is "I". If you don't know and love the "I" you are doomed to failure. I also think it is important to embrace all of our faults. None of us are perfect, so accept your weaknesses and get on with it. BTW, your survey link is not working and I would enjoy reading whatever you have to say.

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Thanks for this comment Edward. Some say Anthony was ruined by his lover. Not sure if this is true. Did you sued to watch his tv show?

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