Hi All,
Before we get this season started, I wanted to speak to you all for a sec, not as "The Commish", but as just a guy. For those of you who don't actually know me, my name is Ryan. I'm originally from New York (Long Island), went to college in Pennsylvania (Penn State), and now live right outside of Washington, D.C. with my wife Amy, 2.5-year-old daughter Olivia, and pup Moochi (plus, we have a baby boy on the way in May).
Just like for you all, and most everyone around the world at this point, these last few weeks have been... difficult. I am grateful that my family's difficulties have not been nearly as severe as a lot of others in our community. What has been difficult for me personally is finding a distraction from all the upsetting stuff while also being cooped up in the house for 22-23 hours of the day.
One of my favorite hobbies is sports, both playing and following. I've been playing volleyball at least once a week for the past 12 years... and now can't. We love bringing Olivia to hockey games and our Caps were poised for another run that now may not happen. My school's basketball team was supposed to make noise in the tournament for the first time since 1996, and now won't get a chance. The Knicks were supposed to... actually, never mind... they can stay home.
Thankfully, one of my other hobbies is still alive: food/travel TV. It's been great watching or re-watching shows like The Chef Show, Ugly Delicious, and Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. And now, like an oasis in the desert, we have the return of Top Chef. I love Top Chef because it is familiar and consistent. I know what Tom likes. I know what Padma hates. I know that "served two ways" and "truffle oil" are red flags. I (usually) know when Restaurant Wars is coming. That familiarity is amplified even more now with past Chefs returning for an All-Stars season. It's like seeing a bunch of old friends again. Is Jen gonna excel at fish? Of course. Is Mustache Joe going to make pasta? No doubt. Is Malarkey gonna be a jerk? Absolutely. In other words: this will be comforting.
For as much as I love Top Chef, I love TCFL even more. I love watching episodes with my wife, writing down her snarky comments to put in the Recaps. I love writing posts, going off on weird tangents, finding random pictures. I love watching the Standings fluctuate and hearing you guys complain about your teams.
I know I've rambled a bit longer than I had wanted to, but in short, thank you. Whether you are with us for the first time or are a veteran of the league, thanks for being here. This season, TCFL is going to be one of my pleasant distractions, and I hope it will be for you too. I have no idea whether we'll have 10 players or 30+. In either case, I'll be here writing, recapping, and tabulating.
By the time the Finale rolls around 15 or so episodes from now, let's all hope that everything is in a better place. But until then, be healthy, stay safe, and wash those hands. With all that said...
-- Ryan
Before we get this season started, I wanted to speak to you all for a sec, not as "The Commish", but as just a guy. For those of you who don't actually know me, my name is Ryan. I'm originally from New York (Long Island), went to college in Pennsylvania (Penn State), and now live right outside of Washington, D.C. with my wife Amy, 2.5-year-old daughter Olivia, and pup Moochi (plus, we have a baby boy on the way in May).
Just like for you all, and most everyone around the world at this point, these last few weeks have been... difficult. I am grateful that my family's difficulties have not been nearly as severe as a lot of others in our community. What has been difficult for me personally is finding a distraction from all the upsetting stuff while also being cooped up in the house for 22-23 hours of the day.
One of my favorite hobbies is sports, both playing and following. I've been playing volleyball at least once a week for the past 12 years... and now can't. We love bringing Olivia to hockey games and our Caps were poised for another run that now may not happen. My school's basketball team was supposed to make noise in the tournament for the first time since 1996, and now won't get a chance. The Knicks were supposed to... actually, never mind... they can stay home.
Thankfully, one of my other hobbies is still alive: food/travel TV. It's been great watching or re-watching shows like The Chef Show, Ugly Delicious, and Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. And now, like an oasis in the desert, we have the return of Top Chef. I love Top Chef because it is familiar and consistent. I know what Tom likes. I know what Padma hates. I know that "served two ways" and "truffle oil" are red flags. I (usually) know when Restaurant Wars is coming. That familiarity is amplified even more now with past Chefs returning for an All-Stars season. It's like seeing a bunch of old friends again. Is Jen gonna excel at fish? Of course. Is Mustache Joe going to make pasta? No doubt. Is Malarkey gonna be a jerk? Absolutely. In other words: this will be comforting.
For as much as I love Top Chef, I love TCFL even more. I love watching episodes with my wife, writing down her snarky comments to put in the Recaps. I love writing posts, going off on weird tangents, finding random pictures. I love watching the Standings fluctuate and hearing you guys complain about your teams.
I know I've rambled a bit longer than I had wanted to, but in short, thank you. Whether you are with us for the first time or are a veteran of the league, thanks for being here. This season, TCFL is going to be one of my pleasant distractions, and I hope it will be for you too. I have no idea whether we'll have 10 players or 30+. In either case, I'll be here writing, recapping, and tabulating.
By the time the Finale rolls around 15 or so episodes from now, let's all hope that everything is in a better place. But until then, be healthy, stay safe, and wash those hands. With all that said...
-- Ryan
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