Do that thing with the banns you're supposed to do...

My friend Paul - those of you who were Julie/Julia Project readers may remember him as the one who remarked that his future wife was probably still in middle school - is doing the deed. I. Am. Shocked. What's more, his lovely fiance is neither in middle school, nor a Cowboys cheerleader, nor a Wiccan. She is, instead, Amanda, a super fantastic woman who will, I'm sure, keep Paul not too disastrously in line.

Their wedding is Saturday, in Austin, and Eric and I are going to help with the celebrations. May be a bit tough, because - and I know, this is truly horrific to contemplate - I'm trying not to drink for two weeks (it's a diet thing, don't worry, I plan to be throwing myself from the wagon as soon as is practicable.) A sober Julie at a wedding might just be one of the omens of the final days, but it's not going to be nearly as tough as the following three days, which I'm going to be spending with my parents in New Mexico. My parents carry their own bottles of Tanqueray and Weller bourbon whenever they travel; not partaking will be, to say the least, a herculean labor.

Everybody's growing - huzzah.

And the secret ingredient is...

... well, I can't tell you. Actually, there's a lot I can't tell you. But I CAN venture, I think, to confess that... I was on Iron Chef America!!! Well, I taped the show - it's being aired in late February sometime.

You will be relieved to hear that I was not cooking, but judging. And it was great fun. I totally blew my 36-hour-old diet, and got to meet a great grand eminence of the food writing world, who was churlish and wonderful, and I loved it. Bobby Flay was the Iron Chef. And, well, shit, that's about all I can say, or the Food Network will have my first child for tapas.

Will let you know when I know when it's going to air....

The Sultry Poke of Love

So, we'll have to wait a bit longer to find the winner of the Great Subtitle Prize - this is one that my editor will be the final judge of. In the meantime....David!!!!!

I saw him at this big benefit last night and oh wow. He's still in love with me, this much is clear. We had quite a moment. He didn't actually TALK to me, per se. But it's those silent exchanges that mean the most, you know?

What happened was this:

DS was in conversation with a bunch of sycophantic twerps - his wife might have been there - and I walked past, gimlet in hand, with appropriate demureness, glancing up just on the off chance I might catch his eye. Which... I did! He pulled himself out of the huddle of tragically hip partygoers, grabbed my shoulder, looked me squarely in the eye with a small private smile, made a noise that might have been "yoooouuuuuu.....!" but came out sounding more like "urrrrrrrrrr....", and... poked me in the center of my breast bone.

It may be have the single sexiest encounter I've ever had in my life. (Sorry, Eric.)

Still coming down off that one.

Sweeten the Pot - Quickly!

Thanks, guys, for all your suggestions... now just to make sure everyone gives me their very best work, I want to throw in a little prize for best contender. For the winning Julie's New Subtitle Entry, you will receive copies of Julie & Julia and MtAoFC, both signed by me. I think signing MtAoFC is sort of presumptuous, but Eric thinks it's a good idea, and he's my unofficial publicist, so I do what he says. Anyway, it's a good book to have, to cook from or peruse at your leisure.

Only catch is, I need ths subtitle, like, now. Let's say deadline is tomorrow, 5 pm Eastern. So...GO!

Oh, and OH. MY. GOD. Guess who's having an awards ceremony thrown in his honor by New York Stage & Film on Thursday... and guess who's been invited to attend!!!!! It's been so long since I stalked David Strathairn - what on earth will I wear?!

new year stuff

Hey guys. Sorry I've been out of the loop - I've been busy with thoroughly uninteresting, non-book-related, Christmas-y stuff; driving to Texas, buying presents, breaking up dog fights, promising to lose 25 pounds, that sort of thing. There's nothing too terribly interesting to report at the moment. I'll be off to London in a month or so for the UK release of my book, there to visit my Bath bookstore-owning friend and her adorable husband. Until then, work. Hopefully I will be getting in my next book proposal within the next week or so, that should be good. Will let you know.

Oh, and I'm supposed to be very very happy that UT won last night. You may insert my savage hurrahs here.

I just remembered my reason for posting. I need your help. We're looking for a new subtitle for the paper back edition. Something first-person-y, that emphasizes the memoir aspect more than the foodie aspect. Thoughts? Let me know....