Friday, August 3, 2007

Workout: Chatting With Jesse

Wow first Brian, then Rebecca and now Jesse has drop by the blog to chat with us. Welcome to Bravissimo Jesse!


Us: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Jesse: Um, let's see... I'm 27, born on June 19, 1980- which puts me on the cusp of Gemini and Cancer. I am originally from Seattle, WA and am the middle child of three (though, it should be noted I now have a baby brother who is 5). I am very close to my family and I speak to my Grandma Jean at least once a week.

I have an endless love for my best friend Jasmine and my dog Sammy. My celebrity favorites are Oprah, Martha Stewart, and Mariah Carey (if that doesn't make me QUITE gay then I don't know what does). I love cooking for my friends and family- I think that is a result of having a Southern mother who always cooks for everyone.

Um, I could go on and on... but let's see what your questions have in store and I will give you more if I feel like we haven't covered all the bases!

Us:Why did you decide to become a trainer?
Jesse: Became a trainer when I enrolled in culinary school- simply because I didn't want to gain a TON of weight!


Us: Were you working at SkySport&Spa when Bravo came calling?
Jesse: No- I was a new hire... I was actually the only trainer hired ON-camera.



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Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Flipped over Flipping Out: Or OCD in the OC

Jeff Lewis has to be one of the most unique bosses in America, yet his absolutely nutty relationship with his staff makes for great television. No detail goes unnoticed with this confessed OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) fanatic while few details are attended to by his largely lazy staff. Here's a photo of Jeff and staff praying for feng shui. I kid you not.

Jeff is a talented and successful house flipper with a knack for turning properties around. Aside from thinking the universe revolves around him, he loves to make lists. He should love mine.

List One:
  1. Watch show
  2. Take notes
  3. Observe carefully the interplay between Jeff and his henchmen - Jeff right, henchmen wrong
  4. Observe Jeff doing all the work
  5. Observe Jeff obsessing about minutia that don't mean a hill of beans
  6. Observe Jeff imposing perfect geometric and spacial order in his physical universe
  7. Observe Jeff unsuccessfully imposing order in the minds of his assistants
  8. Watch assistants generally do what they want to do any way
  9. Watch assistants perform the easier tasks to keep their jobs
  10. Watch yet another reality t.v. personality enjoy a close relationship with paid staff, with no significant other or family in sight
  11. Remind oneself not to recoil when one sees a throwaway property sell for $800,000
  12. Keep laughing as Jeff seeks out psychics and relieves his stress by shouting into a pillow
  13. Watch some amazing renovations
  14. Ask Bravo why Zoila the maid doesn't have her own show
  15. Make note of when the next show airs

Here's Jeff with Jen, the executive assistant who minces no words with him. She calls him a genius behind his back and speaks her mind to his face, such as calling the Commonwealth property a TD (total dump.)

Click here for videos of Brant getting fired for parking his car and talking on his cell phone while on the job. This spat is as petty as two 13 year olds disagreeing over a song choice.

Stephen, first house assistant, scoops dog poop, runs errands, and makes sure all Jeff's water bottles face outward in the frig. I'm sure the labels must be arranged exactly as well. As Jeff says, he's found the perfect vocation for his OCD. "I found a business that validates and celebrates my disorder." Right on, bro. Keep on movin' on.

Posted by Ms. Place

Top Chef Chat Tonight: Don't Miss the Supersized Show!

Click here just before the show starts for instructions to enter the chatroom. Chats start at 9:00 PM EST and continue through the Pacific Time showings.

Tonight's guest judge is Rocco De Spirito. Who do you think will be the next cheftestant to go?