I'm not much one for resolutions

But this year I'm holding on to mine like a life line. I won't go into the specifics other than to say that they include the usual StopDrinkingStopSmokingGetInShape sorts of of things, as well as one or two others more particular to my situation, all of which could be contained under the rubric of "Quit trying to the same things and expecting different results."

What about you guys? How's you thinkin' about this new decade?

Can't remember who was asking...

... but the artist who did the cow painting that shows up in the photo in People is by Teresa Elliott. She is wonderful, and I love my cow so very much....

Two words. MEAT. HOOK.

All right, guys. I'm going to be at Tom Mylan's extraordinary store, The Meat Hook, in Williamsburg, Bklyn, tonight at 7:30, reading and drinking and eating pig heart. You should all come. Usually my readings are relatively staid because when you're at Barnes & Noble, you can't really depend on folks wanting to hear about gutting animals and horrific sex. But the folks at The Meat Hook can take it, so I'm takin' off the gloves...

As a little fore-taste, here's an interview I did with Tom's wife Annaliese for her great blog, Brooklyn Based.

Movin' those bloggin' shoes

Hey guys - I'm going to be over here for the next week or so, so click on over if you like....

OhhhhKlahomans!

(I'm sure you NEVER get that, right?)

So I'm going to be here tonight, talking and reading and signing book. Bring two cans of food to donate to the Tulsa Food Bank, and you're in. A good cause AND a book about meat!

And things progress

Hey guys. Just wanted you to know, my new website is up, juliepowellbooks.com. My tour dates are up there, and a few other goodies, so check it out if you like.

Appearing at the Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center tonight. Before that, I'll be on the Leonard Lopate show at 1 PM. So, you know, tune in and stuff.

D-Day

This is it. Official book launch. I'll be at the KGB Bar tonight to read; come see! And I'll be on Good Morning America tomorrow morning.

I'm swallowing pills and drinking Diet Pepsi. I'm sure it'll all turn out fine.

Jumping in on One, Two, Two-and-a-Half....

.... aaaannnyyy second now.

This is it, the big week. Tomorrow I've got some videos to shoot with the awe-inspiring Tom Mylan, plus a laser appointment. And then we've got Tuesday. Book launch!!! KGB Bar!!!! Drinking!!!! The rest of the week will see an appearance on Good Morning America (That'd be on Wednesday), an attempt to stay sober until midnight on Thursday for the Joey Reynolds show (the best of Irish luck on that), and a reading at the Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Square on Friday evening. And then I hit the road. Austin, Tulsa, San Francisco, Denver, LA, Philly.... I've got me my anti-depressants, but where I'm going to get the blow to keep me upright through the next two and a half weeks, I have no idea.....

Julie Powell, College Lecturer?

No, not really, god forbid. But I am giving a talk at the Founder's Day weekend at my alma mater on Saturday. For 45 minutes. Terrifying. So - what should I talk about? I'm kind of serious.... anyone who has any bright ideas on what they'd like to hear me talk about if it were them will be listened to attentively....

William & Mary

Hey guys - so I'm going to be here Monday, for anyone who happens to be in the neighborhood and wants to drop in. This is the almost the first time I've spoken basically unscripted without help of the questions/taunts of others, so it's going to be an experiment. I'll probably need a drink afterwards. Join!

For Amherst D-bags only?

Not sure if non-grads will be able to access this, but I did a fun little interview with my buddy Dan at the LIC bar a few weeks ago, and you can (maybe) access it here.

A neat event

I'm going to be here tonight with far more amazing women Amanda Hesser and Judith Jones. There have been far too many opportunities to hear me talk about Julia Child, but Amanda and Judith have some pretty interesting things to say, I'd imagine, so show up if you have a mind....

A little something I wrote.

I wrote this the day after my beloved eldest cat died. People who know me know that I pretty much have to work the people I love into everything I write, which makes for some odd perspectives on things sometimes.

So many things to comment on! I know I can't possibly answer everyone's questions, but:

1) Vegetarian food in MtAoFC is pretty thin on the ground, especially if you're eschewing dairy. But I believe the ratatouille is, and it's fantastic. And then there's always my beloved baked cucumbers.

2) Ron P - I'm horrified that the Delta Sky pieces talks about pork at Salute - that's horrific, and definitely not something I wrote. I need to get the piece as printed. Thanks for pointing it out.

New Post: Because Someone Had A Good Idea

So, indeed: What IS your favorite MtAoFC recipe? Or Julia recipe in general? I've been asked this question so many times I want to split my head open, so I now turn it over to you guys... Whaddaya think?

(Also? Read "Inherent Vice." It's very good. I think this Pynchon kid's goin' places....)

A couple of things

Hi, guys - thanks for all the love! (And to those delivering something other than love, sorry 'bout that....)

I'm currently a little overwhelmed trying to plow through all these comments, but I wanted to address two things.

1. A lot of people have been asking whether it's true that Julia Child wasn't a big fan of Julie Powell, and whether she and I really didn't meet. Both of those things are true - Julia, I think, from what I gather, was less irritated than simply uninterested. Which, when I first found out, was of course devastating. But the thing about Julia, to me, was that she was a real person - a great 6-foot-2 force of nature, with tremendous gifts, nearly limitless energy and generosity, firm opinions, and even a few flaws. That's what I love about her - she inspired because she was a woman, not a saint. Not to say that her not loving my blog was a flaw. I just mean that the fact that she might not for whatever reason adore me as much as I adore her has absolutely no bearing on what is wonderful about her. Throughout her life, Julia nurtured and encouraged and gave great help to chefs and writers both. And she changed my life. No matter what she - or anyone else, for that matter - thought of the project. I know why I did what I did, and I am proud that I spent a year writing and cooking in tribute to one the most wonderful women I've ever not met.

2. Er, I probably should have mentioned this for, but for those of you who've not bought the book yet and are meaning to: I really ought to warn you about the language. I happen to believe that curse words are vital parts of the language, and I write accordingly. If you are not one of those people, you're probably not going to be thrilled with J&J: The Book! Also, yeah, I bash on Republicans a lot. It's nothing personal - some of my dearest friends... well, no, but dearest relatives - are Republican. I just am terrified of everything you stand for, is all. There I go, being glib. It's something I do a lot. Which you'll also find in the book.

Okay, that's all for now. Thanks again, everyone, for all the well wishes!

UPDATE: Just to clarify: I don't bash all Republicans - though I am, truly, frightened by the Republican Party Platform itself, and therefore reserve the right to disagree violently with the opinions of those who vote for it. Who I bash, in the book, specifically, are those Republicans holding elected office and doing what they do there. One particular Republican, if I remember correctly, comes under considerable fire.

I have friends who are Republicans, I have them to dinner, I drink with them, I curse with (rather than at) them. I think everyone should get to vote for who they want. I just don't particularly want the ones currently available for the job running my country.

That is all on the subject. More to come, when I feel like it.

Today's the Day!

That's right.... it's what we've all been waiting for..... The Opening of G.I. Joe! Who's psyched?!!!

Kidding. Yeah, J&J opens today. I'm not sure what I'm going to do to celebrate. Last night I made Julia's Coq au Vin for the first time in, honestly, years. It was fantastic, and purple (Eric's comment - "That whole year just sticks out in my mind as so... purple"), and we ate at 11 at night. It was very Project. Today, no cooking. And no watching J&J - I've seen it six times by now, and at this point, sweet as it is, it's like beating my head against a board. Dinner out, I think. Prune, perhaps? On a Friday night, I don't much like my chances, maybe I can pull a "Do you know who I am?" deal. But probably not.

I love this

So, last night I went to a screening where I expected to get beaten up by Judith Jones and/or Ruth Reichl, but instead had incredibly kind words spoken to me by Sara Moulton. And today, a journalist has come rallying to my defense here.

It's so sweet - I love it! But little does Jennie know, I have been successful at almost completely ignoring the haters. I haven't googled myself in weeks, I tell you, WEEKS!

... And, thanks to Aunt Ruthie...

... I have the Nightline clip. It was about 100 degrees in there, which is why all my make-up melted off and I look distressingly like myself, and there's a bit of a spoiler in there about the new book, but it could be worse. Lots of good Julia clips!

My debut in The Atlantic... kinda/sorta

At the NYC premiere, Atlantic food editor Corby Kummer, who is an amazing writer and all-around lovely man, took time out from hanging out with his way-cooler-than-me friends to nag me (sweetly) about writing a piece for the magazine's food blog. And at last I did - you can see it here.

I'm also trying to dig up a link to the piece on Nightline last night, which I've not seen, because apparently it's impossible to get network television without cable in Queens, NY. As soon as I find it, it'll be up here....

Possibly the single best thing to have come out of this whole crazy thing:

(Photo by Ken Lambert of the Seattle Times....)

Tales From the Red Carpet

Well, it's done. The premiere has come and gone, and my stint in LaLaLand is nearly done. It's been a fun ride, and I'm going to miss those priority tags on my luggage and the hotel rooms with grand pianos in them, but it's probably best for me to go back to Queens and be normal again for awhile. Well, not normal, but you know what I mean.

Here I am at the red carpet. Could be a whole lot worse - I have to thank the loads of people who spent multiple hours making me look presentable.

The red carpet is, as it turns out, a rather violent and scary place. The premiere itself was a little excruciating - I've seen the movie six times now, and the cringing still hasn't stopped. The after party was, however, suitably glamorous. I talked with Amy A., who looked gorgeous, was very composed, and sipped champagne out of a little funnel thingy to keep from spilling on her amazing dress. I talked with Chris M., who was effusive and suspiciously loopy and hanging out with Sam Rockwell. I talked with Stanley T. and Meryl S., who were extraordinarily gracious considering the THOUSANDS of people who wanted a piece of their time. I talked to Nora E., who was extraordinarily kind and looked fantastic. But I also hung out with Mark Ricker, J&J production designer, who's amazing, and Amy Robinson and Eric Steel, who are producers on the film and dear friends. I didn't hang out nearly enough with my dear family and friends who came with me, but I believe they had a good time anyway. Oh, AND!!!! I now have the phone number of Danny Strong, AKA Jonathan from Buffy. That was a highlight. And I talked to Alex Prud'homme, who, shockingly, doesn't seem to hate me. I did NOT talk to Zadie Smith, though my husband did, and didn't introduce me.

My posse and I ended the night by closing down a nearby bar. And this morning I'm in my sweats eating bacon and jalapeno pizza from Domino's, a very happy camper indeed.

In Dallas...

...eating brisket tacos.

That is all.

(Actually, no, it's not at all, they have me running about like a hamster on a wheel, and I look like either a zombie or someone who's been punched in both eyes, but for this moment, this taco is the center of my world.)

Countdown to Surreality, Part 62

The most amusing thing about this room I have at the Ritz-Carlton is:

I'm not even sleeping in it! I got here at 10 AM and am leaving at 5 this afternoon. Most of the time I'll be downstairs in a conference call doing interviews. I don't even have time to try to smash the grand piano to smithereens or toss a Queen Anne chair out the window!

I am, however, going to sit in the tub watching the big-screen TV mounted over it on my lunch break. Which is now.

Tonight - well, early early early tomorrow morning, technically - I arrive in Dallas.

I WILL cut you

So this happened a couple of weeks ago. But I thought you should know that I boned an entire pork leg, using just THIS.

Very impressive, no? Perhaps this is the visual mantra I will use whilst walking down the red carpet tonight.

The Rehearsal Dinner of Movie Premieres

So tonight's the night! Well, a night, anyway. The L.A. "special screening" - Don't call it a premiere!!! - of Julie & Julia: The Movie! I'll not lie. I'm a little nervous. I might have to take a pill. Maybe just half of one. But I've got the cutest little dress and extensions like Ashlee Simpsin and the glitteriest shoes, that actually fit, even though I just got them fedexed to me and tried them on for the first time today, because the sun always shines on TV, and this is me possibly losing grasp of sanity, but probably just being a little over-excited.

Yeah. Maybe half a pill.

Swimming Pools and Movie Stars

Headed out in a few hours for Los Angeles, there to see some old friends, get a little business done, and - oh, yeah - go to the LA premiereOops"Special Screening" of Julie & Julia. I last night had a vivid anxiety dream that went into great detail about the technical vagaries of setting up a video interview with me and Chris Messina, all while I couldn't find a way to get my dress pressed. It's possible I'm a tad nervous.

Sleepless In Seattle - Tired, but True

So I was in bed at the crack of midnight last night... and up at 6. Irrevocably. Even though I have nothing to do today. It's ridiculous. I'm not going to be able to make it through the next week on six hours a night (and on some nights, I won't even have the option of six hours, my own bodily tempos notwithstanding) I have to sleep today. I'm going to throw my entire arsenal at it, pharmaceutical, alcoholic and literary, but I fear it just might not be enough. Maybe I need someone to come by and sap me or something. Get a little Raymond Chandler/Big Lebowski dream sequence going on.

Hen Parties are the Best Parties

So I've had two of these so far on this tour: gatherings with women, most a bit older than me, combined with lots of food and a fair amount of booze (Gimlets, usually.) Much talk. Much laughing. These are among my favorite things in life. If I can keep living my life doing this I shall be very happy.

Hello Seattle!

So, last time I was in Seattle, I wasn't entirely convinced, but I think now I can say I'm a fan. Not that I've eaten a thing or really seen much of anything outside my hotel room, yet. But everyone has been great and down to earth and casual, and the make-up artist had an extra-light touch, and soon I'm going to be fed a fabulous lunch. AND tomorrow I get a whole day off here, which is great. I need to find a cheap place to go get my nails done. And my arms waxed (HELLLLLOOO, Miss TMI! We've MISSED YOU!!!)

Someone somewhere has gotten a mistaken idea about me.

I found this, along with a complimentary bottle of wine, last night when I arrived at my CORNER SUITE at the Four Seasons last night. Very nice, but so unnecessary as to seem a little creepy. Like I'm going to find out I'm in "The Prisoner" or something.

I did drink the wine though.

Also - yesterday morning, early, I got my hair and face done because I was going on to a local TV morning show in Detroit. I was all made up before I realized I hadn't had my vital morning Diet Pepsi. I sort of sighed aloud that I keep forgetting to bring straws so I can drink my soda without screwing up the stylist's lovingly applied lipstick.

When I arrived at Borders for my Q&A that evening in Chicago, there were eight straws of differing types on the table in the green room. Apparently the poor employees had been getting calls all day telling them that Julie Powell MUST have straws, and worrying that they didn't have the right kind, like maybe I'd throw a fit if I didn't have bendy straws.

This, my friends, is how diva-dom is born. Never fear though, I will resist the siren call of personalized water and readily available straws. Will have to, since after August 7 it's back to plain old Julie Land. Which is good enough for me.

... And On We Soldier....

I would love to give those of you who might be interested the rundown of my schedule for the next week - unfortunately I do not know what it is. However, I basically know the rate and direction at which I'm moving through space. So, this is what I know:

Tonight, I'm in Chicago, doing a Q&A at the Borders in Oak Brook, on 16th Street, from 7 to 8.

Tomorrow, I wind up in Seattle at some point. I'll be there through Sunday morning. No idea what I'm doing there, but you'll know as soon as I do.

Fly into LA Sunday for the LA special screening the next day. Again, no clue how that day will progress, but if public appearances are involved I will let you know.

Monday in San Francisco, where I'll be doing something.

I seem to have lost a day somewhere, but Wednesday I'm in Dallas, and there events will be happening, not sure how public.

Then back, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, on the morning of the 30th, just in time to slam my ass into a salon chair and get myself all prettied up for the premiere.

This dears, is all I know at present. More to come....

Highs and Lows in Motown

Starting low - waking up at 5 AM.

High - business class. Whoo-hoo!

Low - too early for booze. Even for me.

Arrival in Detroit. This is neither a high nor a low, simply a statement of fact.

High - Had an AMAZING session of eating, gabbing and drinking (it was noon by this point, not that I have to justify my drinking habits to you) with some of the most effusive, entertaining and incisive women I've ever been introduced to all at once in front of multiple cameras. I can't tell you how fascinating I found our conversation, and yes, by the end I was a bit tipsy. Which made it all the more fun. Thanks, ladies! (I will post the resulting Borders vids as soon as they're up.... even if I come off like a moron.)

Low - conversation about a reporter writing a story about people who hate me. Ah well.

High - Mm. Midday nap in quiet hotel room. Also, complimentary wine waiting!

Expected High - Q&A at the Birmingham Borders store tonight from 7 to 8. Please to come!

Surreal is the New Normal

So, I spent eight hours yesterday, first in a butcher shop and then in an overgrown field, getting my picture taken with big knives, a bull dog, and a pig leg.  And now this is what my refrigerator looks like:

I SWEAR TO GOD I'M GOING TO BE BETTER!

Okay, so we're in the home stretch to the J&J: The Movie! release. (August 7th.  Tell your friends.)  And I'm going to be here more often, I swear.  If I don't respond to all comments, it's simply because I'm going slightly insane at the moment, but I much appreciate them - even those from people who think I shouldn't take potshots at Republicans....

Now, this is a bit old news, but a couple of weeks ago I was awarded an honorary degree from the Cordon Bleu School in Paris.  This is of course patently absurd, since I in no way can cook like a Cordon Bleu graduate, but I was truly honored, and had a fantastic, if slightly manic visit in Paris.  You can see a few pictures here.

I was also last week at a "blogger event" last week in LA, at which I had a ton of fun and met some fabulous bloggers.  Another coming up tomorrow here in New York, perhaps this time I'll even get pictures.

Off to do the audiobook recording for the next book.  Yar.

Where I'm going to be tomorrow

Everybody should come check this out. Lots of amazing people and incredible food. Be there!

A cool idea from a groovy lady

Food writer Monica Bhide has come up with a nifty idea for promoting her excellent new book, Modern Spice - a virtual potluck dinner! And I'm in charge of drinks, unsurprisingly.

I went with Monica's Pomegranate Delight. It's a simple, refreshing summer cocktail, the pomegranate cutting the sweetness of the grenadine and rum. Quite a success, I'd say!

Here's how it's done:

Pomegranate Delight

Serves 1

Ingredients:

1/4 ounce (1/2 tablespoon) grenadine

1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) store bought pomegrate juice (see Note)

1/2 teaspoon sweetened lime juice such as Rose's

1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) white rum

Ice as needed

4 ounces (1/2 cup) chilled club soda

Mix the grenadine, pomegranate juice, lime juice and rum in a tall glass. Add ice and the club soda and stir gently. Serve immediately.

Note: You can use plain POM pomegranate juice for this recipe, or try one of the mixed varieties such as Pomegranate-Blueberry for an exotic-tasting cocktail. You can use pomegranate liqueur too, if you like - add 1/4 ounce (1/2 tablespoon.)

I drank two of these yesterday, very, very happily, while my husband slaved away at a borscht. The sun even came out! I credit the Pomegranate Delight.

Visit Monica's blog this evening and see who else is cyber-cooking what else from her fantastic, pretty much failsafe new book, Modern Spice.

One day I'll get better at this.

Did a really fun interview today with Adam Roberts, The Amateur Gourmet, this afternoon, which you can listen to here.  I'm not the most expert of interviewees - I'm a little rusty - but I'm working on sexy bedroom voice.  Got any pointers?  Send 'em on over!

I'm a movie!

So, I didn't think this was getting released yet, but the J&J movie trailer has been leaked here.  I'm a Nora Ephron movie!  This should be slipping into theaters next month.

UPDATE: Since people have asked - J&J: The Movie! is scheduled for an August 7 release.  I suppose that could change - I know very little about how these things work - but it won't change by much....

Of Pigs and Shills

So - last Friday this prize of a guy wrote this Op-Ed for the New York Times.  I apologize if you can't open that last link - in case you can't I will state his basic argument.  Basically, his point is that buying pork from a local farmer who raises his animals humanely and doesn't pump them full of hormones and drugs WILL KILL YOU.  He quotes a study that says that the incidence of salmonella is higher in free-range pigs than in "confined" (i.e., factory-farmed) ones.  Now, the percentages he quotes are 54% vs. 36%, which seems like sort of a silly comparison to get all bent out of shape about.  I mean, I'm going to get freaked out about half, but not about a third?  And he reports in dread tones that 2 out of the 600 free-range pigs examined had trichinosis. TWO!!!  And that if you were to eat the meat from these animals without cooking it, you could DIE!!!!

Mr. McWilliams then goes on to explain that because of this report, "foodies" should rethink their naive notion that when they're buying free-range they're getting the meat of wild animals, that free-range pork is cultivated as well.  A point which I'm sure "foodies" everywhere are horrified to discover, because we all thought they were skipping around with unicorns in a primeval forest somewhere.  And he ends by saying, basically, eat the factory-farmed stuff or don't eat pork at all, because pork grown locally, humanely and transparently WILL KILL YOU.

Well, guess what?  This Editor's note has now been appended to the piece:

"An Op-Ed article last Friday, about pork, neglected to disclose the source of the financing for a study finding that free-range pigs were more likely than confined pigs to test positive for exposure to certain pathogens. The study was financed by the National Pork Board."

So fucking brilliant.  OF COURSE it was.  

Now, I understand the NYT's desire to get contrarian opinions into their paper.  They once hired me to write a piece dissing on green markets (and it brought me a galaxy of fun, I'm here to tell ya.)  But there's a difference.  I wrote about some of the underlying class issues involved in shopping at green markets, and about a certain brand of smugness certain foodies exude when extolling perfect peaches.  I did not quote a study by Del Monte saying that fresh locally grown fruit is POISON.  

McWilliams is a shill, sure, and possibly evil - though he did write this book on pest control and maybe just has Asperger's or something.  But The New York Times is who really deserves blame here.  To publish something so deeply riddled with errors (McWilliams talks about 500 pound pigs, which is about twice as large as the average mature Berkshire pig), so damaging to a movement dedicated to humane farming, healthful food, and environmental responsibility - a movement that deserves, if not uncritical support, at least careful and respectful consideration - and so unthinkingly supportive of corporate farming, is deeply irresponsible.

The editor's note don't cut it, NYT....

Why I hate television

I don't, in fact, hate television.  How can I hate the medium that brought us Bea Arthur, Joss Whedon, Mighty Mouse, Jason Bateman, Neil Patrick Harris, the (original) Muppets and Tony Soprano?  I cannot.  BUT.

This thing on NBC News at 11 last week reminded me about the asinine evil that is so much of TV production.  A feature on a wonderful photographer who appreciates and captures the individual beauty in women became, in the hands of hack producers, a condescending, vapid, and ultimately sort of semi-deliberately humiliating puff piece on "look how even fat girls can be made (sort of) hot!"  Which is NOT what Isis is about, and NOT how I particularly wanted to be depicted in every taxi in NYC.  But I should have known.  It is, after all, TV.  How many TV interviewers have asked me how much weight I gained during the J&J Project?  How many of them have I sat opposite from and seen clearly that they'd never even cracked the book open?

But it's not just vapidity and laziness.  It's a sort of built-in bent toward condescension and humiliation of women.  And the worst thing is, I think some women in the media are more guilty of this than anyone else.  Because of the risk of being run out of town on a rail, I'll not name a certain cabal of powerful, well-spoken women in print journalism who write so stylishly that their gleeful brand of neo-misogyny - or maybe it's just smugness - seems to float over people's heads.  But I get angry in the same way, reading them.  

I am so looking forward to the release of the J&J movie, and of "Cleaving" a few months after that.  It's very exciting.  What I'm not looking forward to is the next round of questions about my weight and what my VERY favorite recipe in MtAoFC is.

Also?  I'm aware that these are pretty nifty problems to have.

End of line.

I keep saying I'll be back and then I keep disappearing again.

Must be the excess testosterone.

Anyway, a couple of events:

1) The "Julie & Julia" trailer gets released tomorrow.  Once I know where it can be viewed online I'll let you know.  I've seen the movie, and the trailer.  It looks like a trailer for a Nora Ephron movie, whatever that means to you.

2) Also tomorrow - I'm going to be on the New York NBC News at 11 in all my zaftig, be-skivvied glory.  And after that?  In every taxi cab in New York.  Fun stuff.

UPDATE: Haven't found the trailer yet, but here's the excruciating spot on NBC.  I got tons of airtime, presumably because I'm fat.  Which I'm aware of.  Any commenters who wish to make merry with the vast white expanse of corseted me will be firebombed.  And I know how to make explosives with beef suet, so don't test me.

UPDATE II: I've been misinformed.  Trailer isn't coming out until May.  Sorry about that - for now only fat writers, no gorgeous accomplished actors.....

I can't get no self-satisfaction...

It doesn't seem like such a terrible concept, "self-satisfaction."  It seems, in theory, like a trait to aspire to.  So why does it irritate the shit out of me, in practice?  Among my friends and acquaintances there are very few self-satisfied specimens - I tend to attract and be attracted to neurotics and self-loathers, as a rule - so mostly I observe self-satisfaction from a distance.  Blogs are a rich source, and op-ed pages.  The Bush administration of course was a bonanza.  In these instances smugness is infuriating but not without it's compensatory pleasures.  ("Well, I may be a self-hating lazy fat old person, but at least I'm not a smug bastard!")  When I note it in people I actually know, however, things get more uncomfortable for a lot of reasons, not just the most obvious one, which is that smugness is sort of a deal-breaker, friendship-wise.

I'm going to get in trouble for this, but I'll confess that this happens most with people I know who get pregnant.  It's like some complacency switch gets turned on when spermatazoa penetrates egg.  Dear fecund friends, please know I still love you, but I sometimes can't take you.  That "glow" people talk of, that halo of self-actualization, drives me nuts.  I should say here that not everyone I know who's gotten preggers has succumbed to this - I avoided my good friend Helen for months during her pregnancy, dreading that I would find her so changed, and was so extraordinarily relieved when I finally bit the bullet and went to visit her, and found that she was still her same sharp, funny, questioning self, who never once said anything to me like, "Having a child will be the best thing that's ever happened to you."  

I should also say that I'm aware that this generalized irritation with breeders probably says more about me than it does about them.  I'm sensitive about this subject, not so much because I haven't gotten pregnant yet as because I don't know if I want to, and in truth I'm a little worried about what that says about me.  I find myself unfairly irritated by women who passionately want children, who spend years of their lives and tens of thousands of dollars that could be going to raising a kid who already exists, just to pass their precious DNA on to the next generation.  It strikes me as arrogant - as self-satisfied.  When I think of wanting a child, I think of it IN SPITE of the genes I'll pass on - the hysteria and ineptitude, the tendency toward plumpness and a certain hirsuteness, the, well, self-doubt.  

And this is where it gets really fucked up.  Because while I loathe, am totally allergic to, smugness in friends and acquaintances, in presidents and foodies, it's that very lack of doubt, that talent for happiness, that I most want any child I might have to possess.  What is that?  Envy?  Probably, I guess.

And the worst part is that one person's smugness is another's confidence.  What I see as the proficiency and cool of Obama I'm sure others see as arrogance.  What I see as self-promotion others would explain, and rightly, as a healthy pursuit of a career.  What I see as blithe assumption of specialness, many a pregnant woman would experience as the simple joy of making a new life.

And in what I see as semi-coherent ramblings about what I woke up thinking this morning, I'm sure many of you might see the smug assumption that anyone might give a shit. 

So, um, nevermind.

Er, ooops.

Hey, guys, sorry I've been out of the loop here for such a godawful long time.  But hey!  I'm back!  Happy New Year, Happy Obama Administration, to you all!

It looks like my next book is actually going to come out, albeit not for a while.  We're looking at August of 09 now, the release date is all mixed up with the movie release date, so it's a bit uncertain, but that's what I'm thinking.  In service of the upcoming, I'm going to make an effort to actually blog fairly regularly; it one of my resolutions, along with: getting totally buff using nothing but Wii Fitness and a weekly half-mile run to the pet store, and not drinking until at least 4 pm.  Wish me luck on these quixotic endeavors....