From time to time, we will post short interviews with interesting people about their thoughts and feelings on women and drinking. There is such a wide array of perspectives about this topic, and we are excited to gain insight into as many as possible and to share them with you.
After a misspent youth involving loads of dead-end jobs and several questionable decisions, Julie Powell, author of Cleaving and Julie & Julia–made into a major motion picture by Nora Ephron starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams–has found her calling as a writer-cum-butcher. She lives in Long Island City, Queens, when she isn’t in Kingston, NY, cutting up animals.
Drinking Diaries: How old were you when you had your first drink and what was it?
Julie Powell: It was Mad Dog, at a cast party my junior year in high school. I spent most of the party commiserating about not getting cast as Sally Bowles with the guy who didn’t get cast as the MC. Then my ex-boyfriend’s new love interest threw up on me and a six-foot-two guy passed out on top of me. So. Much. FUN.
How did/does your family treat drinking?
I come from a long line of highly-functioning alcoholics. Growing up, my Dad thought nothing of bringing a plastic “to-go” cup with him when we drove to a restaurant for dinner, and booze was and continues to be an ever-present, benign presence. I actually didn’t drink at all until college, but in adulthood, our family tends to revolve, in our interactions, around booze. Food, too.
Have you ever had a phase in your life when you drank more or less?
The only thing that has ever persuaded me to drink less has been the prospect of great sex. I find that my enjoyment of sex dips after more than say a glass of wine. So when I think at the end of the day I’m going to be getting very well laid, that’s an excellent incentive to not crack open the bottle.
What’s your drink of choice? Why?
Nowadays, I’m mostly drinking this cheap Portuguese boxed white wine. It’s cheap, it’s plentiful, and you can fold up the boxes so it’s less apparent just how much you’ve gone through during the week when you put out your recycling.
Has drinking ever affected—either negatively or positively—a relationship of yours?
Most of my relationships are influenced by alcohol, for better or worse. My relationship with drinking is very WASPy – I tend to use it to smooth out the edges, to make confrontation unnecessary. This makes for very few arguments, but also very few in-depth discussions. Oddly, in my current unusually contentious relationship with one particular ex, exactly the opposite is true – I can ONLY express myself after three or four glasses of wine. Whether I should be or not, expressing myself, I mean, is an open question.
Do you have a favorite book, song, or movie about drinking?
Stephen Merritt!!!! He writes great songs about drinking! Magnetic Fields has a ton – Reno Dakota, Papa Was a Rodeo, so many… I love a line from the first song on their latest album: “you can’t go ’round just saying stuff/because it’s pretty/and I no longer drink enough/to think you’re witty…”
What do you like most about drinking?
I use drinking as anesthetic and balm. Nothing seems unbearable after the first few glasses of wine. Except not having another.
If you could be any drink, what would it be? Why?
I’d like to be a really top-notch single-malt, strong and complex and warming. But I fear I’m more of a vodka gimlet – bright, a little tasteless, and totally transparent.
{ 98 comments… read them below or add one }
While I’m not a fan of Cleaving, I did love Julie & Julia.
There is no denying Julie Powell has a way with words, and I love the way she answers these questions.
Nice interview.
i don’t know what to think really. well, that’s not completely true. i think i need a drink for starters.
I like the interview….
I finally had the chance to watch Julie and Julia and have been asking myself why i havent watched earlier. It has inspired me….I feel like im stuck in a dead end job, on a long road to nowhere….but from this day on things will be different thanks to you….
I started on the road to alcoholism in college too. Good times. Later it was more binge drinking on a Friday night after a week of work. One day I found myself in an AA meeting with a good friend who had come to terms with his drinking. “Hi my name is Neil and I am an alcoholic.” Those word slid out of my mouth as easily as drinks slide down my throat.
Little Kings Malt Liquor, 9th grade. Yes, my name is Jukie-I mean Julie.
Julie inspired me to blog and cook and drink. I haven’t been convinced to butcher yet, but I am eating a lot more lobster. I absolutely loved Cleaving and your potty mouth.
Your interview here makes it seem so normal that my father always has a cooler full of home brew with him. He has only been charged with DUI once….on a snowmobile.
I actually just watched the movie, and was quite motivated by the passion of “doing something different when there’s nothing left to do” approach by JP. Cooking is a strange artform that many don’t understand, the studio is a room in everyones house —>kitchen. I started watching “East Meets West” with Ming Tsai, the reruns at 3 in the morning after a hard day/night of drinking and sculpting. One day, I got up, bought some shrimp, scallions, ginger, Ramen noodles (no seasoning). And made myself a neat shrimp soup, complete with veins and everything. 10 years later, it’s a whole different level. It’s also ironic that Fleischers is nearby to my town of Woodstock. Small world. PS, drinking becomes bad when you switch to whisky. Once you realize you can’t or won’t function till you’ve had a stiff one around noon. It starts to go downhill from there. (do a double shot of wheatgrass juice, taste like hell, but really, really, good for you.
Of course you’ve heard this thousands of times by now, but just FINALLY having watched Julie and Julia I applaud you! Thank you for bringing Julia alive! I grew up watching her with my mother and even at a young age knew she was ground breaking. I never knew the details of her life so thank you for bringing that to light.
However, as much as I was struck with her I was more intrigued with you! Life presents you different crossroads and I congratulate you for veering off in a different direction than the conventional pathway!
Well just watched Julie and Julia …all I can is that I love it!!!! Thanks so much,you have inspired me in so many ways. Well Im off to the local grocery store to buy some butter~
Have a wicked awsome day!
I was also brought up in a home with one very highly functioning alcoholic, only back then my mom didn’t think of her drinking habits as a problem, it was more a “cultural” thing because in her mother country, not drinking is considered heresy. Thank God I don’t live there or else I’d be excommunicated by now. My take on people who drink, and especially women, is that as long as you don’t make a sad spectacle of yourself, get your memory temporarily (and conveniently) wiped and become an annoyance to those around you, I really don’t give a coot if and what you drink.
Ahhh….’tis good to have the edges smoothed and pain dulled a bit. That’s why this stuff’s been made. Like it or not, we all need a little “altered state” when we need one. Some folks use prayer, some Portuguese wine…or what-have-you.
Personally, I use cannabis for my anxiety (as well as arthritis pain) these days-as recommended by my doctor, but again…we’re all seeking the same thing. comfort and a good quality of life. What could be wrong with that?
So, I say….Stay REAL, girl! And Cheers!
Good interview! Julie Powell is fascinating! I saw Julie & Julia at the movies and just like it. Her latest novel just show off her talent, so diverse. Who else could had wrote so beautifully about “cutting animals” as you said…
I just finished Cleaving and I loved it. And I feel more kinship with Julie’s voice than with Amy Adams’s portrayal of her in J&J. If you, too, like the real Julie, can you give my blog a try? I am older than many of you, but I, like Julie, was trained to be a good girl and am now dealing with the sloppiness of real life. Hence, the title of my blog, Sloppy Seconds … A Love Story.
Please try it!
Kate McMahon
p.s. I also come from a family of highly functioning alcoholics.
kate-mcmahon.blogspot.com
julie, i saw your movie yesterday julie and julia, and it was wonderful!! i would love to have the time and inclination to cook like that, but unfortunately i dont have the time nor the inclination anymore, but i do love watching cooking shows nonetheless. i grew up watching julia childs and seeing how easy she made it all look ( of which in reality it isnt). as for drinks i love trying knew ones all the time, but my faves are margeritas and chocolatetinis, the next one i am going to try is pomagranate martinis, a friend of mine from high school, says they are good
Mad Dog 20-20. I’m from Tejas, too. Sounds about right! But y’all should also try Texas Monthly Margaritas. Simply divine!
Happy Late Birthday!!
Sorry I was busy celebrating my own and didnt realize we shared a birthday.
Hope you had fun and drank just enough wine.
I just finished reading Julie and Julia, one of the best books i have read!!!! The movie was good as well, but the book gave me details and i am a huge fan, I have made a few recipes from the Book, does anyone know what book store Isabel and her punk rock husband own in Baths? I am visiting there soon, and it would be awesome if I got to meet her.
i just watched julie and julia and fell in love with both thier stories. does anyone know if julie ever got any positive validation from julia?
hey Julie, ever thought of taking on Food Network food contest, and writing about it?
You could be the next Rachel Ray.
I think i watched more than 10 times.IIIII LOVE IT.
I am at a loss of words right now! And on the verge of joyous tears…
Julie I don’t know if you’ll ever read my comment but you are getting me through a emotional bizzare breakup. Your books, and now your blog!! I am sitting on the couch, drinking wine, wayy too early for some people watching J&J thinking of you and making an amazing BLT. Wondering what twist you would put on it. Or what wine you’d be drinking with it.
Thank you for being so blunt, so yourself. I have this strange fantasy of hunting you down in New York locking you in a kitchen and teaching me everything you know about cutting up a pig and deboning a duck.
Interesting movie. Just watched it on cable. Didn’t think I’d like it. Growing up I always thought Julia child’s show was boring and her voice annoying. The movie, though, was not. Makes.me want to cook. I’ve tried a few French recipes and they are not easy. I applaud you for your writing passion and skill. Obviously I found your blog (benefit of the iPhone) and I find it entertaining. Think I’ll bookmark it.
Thank you for the book, I loved it. Keep writing
Im not sure if you will ever read this comment; but today i watched your movie Julie & Julia. It has inspired me so much ! I cant believe how far you have come! Im at a loss of words, I had so much so say before, but now that im typing this comment i have nothing left to say, but how much you have inspired me to achieve more. We have the same star sign, the same chinese zodiac, and you live in New York ; which is where i dream to live in the future. Plus in reading parts of your blog, and watching the movie, you also have a love for butter which, i must say, i do to. I also have a passion for cooking, I cook whenever possible, and try to learn to things about cooking whenever possible. The only difference is that you are 37, and I am 13.
Thank you for your inspiration
Ever tried noodles on a bun?
I loved Julie and Julia … great idea, great result. I will probably read the butcher book, too. But I find this interview boring and contrived. Not being from the east coast, perhaps I’m missing something elemental. Oh, well.
For all you cooking lovers I suggest the following recipe:
Next time you make some pasta, add an ample amount of paprika (five table spoons per serving in the sauce), then take some butterscotch seeds and sprinkle them on top of the pasta. The combination will create a flavor that will surprise you. This recipe has been used for decades on the south shores of Chile and is unknown to most societies due to a lack of rain in their respective regions. Try it: you will like it!
Hey Julie:
Ever tried eating a plain bagel in the shower?
I was prepared to hare–”Cleaving”—you are so NOT Amy Adams. But I love your honesty, and your passion, and the fact that you eat and relish organ meat.
I brought polish tripe soup–”flaki”– to a potluck once–and had someone sniff and say “why would anyone eat that?”
my reply is you eat to remember—-and drink to forget.
Sante.
I say FUCK EM! GO Jules!
I loved the movie. I loved the book. I loved the interview. I love Julia, deep, to the core. Except, the interview sounds strangely like an AA meeting without the revelation that the booze is not actually making anything better and maybe making several things worse.
How fascinating. Just finished the book and look forward to the movie. So glad you got a book deal! Perfect ending to the Project. Always wanted to write, but find I don’t have much to say. I quit my job as a secretary to go to bartending school. I’ll be 37 on Monday and still trying to figure out this life thing. I so appreciate your honesty in your writing. How many people have the guts to be so open with the world? Me, I’m very closed off, but maybe I can do something about that. Tragedy has followed me around for the last ten years and it was easier to close off than answer the question, “How are you doing?” all the time. Ick. But there is much to express and much life left to live. Cheers to you, Julie. Thanks for sharing yourself with us.
i saw the movie. i liked it.coz its a real story i searched for the blog.i found this one.at once i knew its not the one i was searching. i read comments and suddenly came across the original blog at salon. i was too excited. when i read the first post ever i thought wow its the same words as in the movie. i checked comments. werent there.i had expected pic.werent there too.
Priya
I am a fan of your writing and your life. I am sorry u lost your dog.Peace Julie i am a couple years behind your life but i enjoy both your books maybe cleaving even more. I love Julia in a some sort of grammie fetish, in a good grandson way. Are u still butchering. cutting meat i mean? Are u still married to Eric ? Well be happy whatever u do and write some more. Your fan Henry and Amy dog!!
Dear Julie:
I am even further behind then Henry above. I have finally just gotten to watch Julie & Julia. Such a masterpiece. Funny, and so true… I was a chef for a number of years, and Mastering the Art of French cooking was my first cook book purchased. Until then, I was just cooking from family recipes when I was able to get into the kitchen. The story has inspired me to cook again on a regular basis, and to put the heart that I once had in my culinary passion, back into the kitchen and in the meals for those I love. Thanks for that.. Keep up the good work!! And my condolences on your dog.!!! All the best
Croix
We watched Julie & Julia again to celebrate Bastille Day. It is such a lovely movie & a tribute to both your perseverance & Julia’s love of food & her amazing husband. She was a true mentor to so many of us.
I feel sad that you never got the opportunity to meet her. I did get to meet her back in 1975. She was doing a demonstration & book signing at the department store where I worked. As usual, I had to go to the restroom before the signing ( I could write a guide to restrooms across America). I was washing my hands & out came Julia from one of the stalls! She appeared to be about 6’2″ tall & was wearing a dark turquoise ultrasuede Halston dress. I blurted out “Oh my God, this is like meeting a movie star!” She found that tremendously funny & we had a nice little chat while she applied a surprisingly chic shade of brownish lipstick. I was on cloud nine as I returned to my seat. She proceeded to demonstrate how to bone a chicken breast & then she & Paul signed copies of From Julia Child’s Kitchen. I still treasure my signed book.
Several days later I was having lunch with some people from Special Events. They were a bit put out because they had arranged to get tea sandwiches for Julia which she pooh poohed. Julia sent out for corned beef sandwiches & beer! They clearly did not understand Julia.
I hope you get to read this as I thought you might enjoy this personal story about such an amazing woman.
Mary Ann Kabatt
Julie I to loved the show…I drank very little in my teens and I do not judge the drinker. Some years back I drank a beautiful deep red wine that I loved. I felt warm inside like I knew I would. Now..I am trying to learn what the hell it was??..No one can tell me a thing I need to know. I wonder if its because I live in Oklahoma? Might be…Well my husband gave me two gifts today…Julia Child… The art of French Cooking cook book..The first one like you have and one call The French Chef Cookbook by Julia Child… Next.. I will buy your book…Oh, I have a wonderful idea….Give us a wine book..tell us what is what where we might buy great wines. Name Julie I need the names of good wines…(smile)..Janice
Hi,
Drink more red wine than white, it’s better for your health.
Have you tried green white wine ?
José
I’m just waiting for 6 o’clock so I can start cooking my Canard Roti au Miel et aux epices, and open the damn wine up.
I wrote this “blog” really an email to friends, about myself and my son Adam (who is 29 and happens to have Down syndrome and who has always been my best teacher).
Greetings:
I should be doing paperwork, but decided I would write about the “little theme” Adam and I have been working on.
Adam and I went to the movie Julie and Julia sometime ago at the dollar movie theater. We both loved the movie. I am not sure why…for me, was it the little apartment in Queens? The actress Amy Adams (I like her a lot)? The romance of Paris, Julia Child and her husband in the flat in Paris? Not sure, but somehow I loved the movie. For Adam, the knowledge and chat over the last year regarding my Mom’s side of the family being from France was the catch! He is….French….! LOL! The Replogle’s are French and he is part Replogle, he often reports
Being French and because he loved Amy Adams in the weird movie The Sunshine Cleaning ~ LOL ~ were his draws.
After seeing the movie, we researched Julia Child on the internet. I explained to Adam what happened to Julia’s career the years after the movie stops….it stops really before her TV shows, and long career. It deals with her years in France, her attending cooking school and the struggle to publish her first book. We read about Julie and her blogging and how it turned into a book and a movie.
Also we talked about, at the time of the movie – when he and Dad went to DC with me in the summer, we would go to the Smithsonian – American History Museum, to visit Julia Child’s real Cambridge kitchen. He was amazed that her kitchen was in the museum, but wanted to visit it as the character Julie does in the movie (minus taking Julia’s kitchen the pound of butter, it was so hot – the butter would have sizzled).
A couple of weeks ago, Richard, Adam and I went to DC. Although they were having record heat — we had a great time. Adam loved the Lincoln Memorial (he has always loved and talked about Lincoln since a young boy / school). He loved the Viet Nam Memorial, because of Dad; and the nurse’s of Viet Nam Memorial because Whitney is a nurse
He loved Julia’s kitchen…..
While looking at Julia’s kitchen, we had made the promise that we would rent and watch Julie and Julia again, two weeks have gone by and last night we watched it! WE loved it again, the story of Julie, the life of Julia. When the movie was all over last night and we were discussing all the details of how it all came to together, I helped him with some subtle connections about their lives, we decided that we too would cook a French recipe and blog about it
I went to the kitchen and got my old recipe book of crepes out. I haven’t made homemade crepes in years. We decided on Chicken Mushroom Crepes (we had all the ingredients); Adam was very excited 
Today…..we, the French part of us – the Replogle genes – made a “French” lunch. Adam put all the ingredients together for the crepes, whisked them prefectly….and measured the batter for me to cook each crepe. Together we made 8 perfect crepes and 1 lousy one ~ ha~(we also watched how to make crepes on “YouTube” last night to refine our technique
We cooked the mushrooms, just like Julia does on the movie (lots of butter), making sure each mushroom has the room to breath and brown properly (I didn’t know mushrooms needed space
We made the interior of the crepes with the help of a French woman on YouTube and my laptop right on the island while we cooked! If you know Adam, you know that he can be a picky eater and a cream chicken mushroom mixture is nothing he would eat normally….but when we served them to ourselves and Dad…..while Adam repeated and toasted: “Bon Appétit”!!! He ate the entire thing ~ LOL!
When we were cleaning up…..Adam noticed a baguette of French bread that Dad had coincidentally purchased this morning (he didn’t watch the movie with us & was unaware of the French cooking plans), Adam said “Mom, held up the bread….and tears came to his eyes (truly), and he said….’Look Mom…it says French….I miss her”. Dad said, “OK….don’t start crying like a wimpy French Solider”!! HA Adam started laughing
I just asked Adam if he wanted to blog about our experience of cooking French,……he replied “no” – that he was going to watch “Everybody Loves Raymond”
Well, I just couldn’t let it end there, I had to blog about the experience just like Julie did! (well……write an email away).
I guess this completes the themed lesson….
Jan & Adam
P.S. Have you watched the movie? Consider watching it again if you have…..it is charming… “Bon Appétit”
I watched the movie last night. It was recommended in a class I took where the instructor suggested that we all have a book somewhere in us.
While the story is inspiring, looking through the pages I have found on the internet today, the reality is shallow and unappetizing to me.
Hugely successful… hm.
Finally saw the movie, have loved JC for years, didn’t really like the AmyAdams char… picked up the book and thought, “this girl can write.” Will try the new book too. I hope they do a movie with just Julia and Paul, the French scenes were wonderful.
Your book ( which I loved) moved me to read JC’s My Life in France. A great read. You both have that adventurous spirit and i think that JC also had a potty mouth.
And- I did finally cook a few things as well. My husband being Italian had some issues with the butter and cream but soooo good.
As a kid, I always wondered why my mom was constantly watching Julia’s TV show. Now I know! And I’m happy to say I have her vintage copy of Julia’s book. Your movie and book have brought the Joy of Julia to a whole new generation — including 50-somethings like me!
One interesting thing about Julia’s death: the obits said she died with her cat, Bijou, by her side. I have always considered this the best way to die — at peace, with an animal friend beside me. I hope that I may be so lucky.
Thanks for being Julie, Julie.
I just finished reading Cleaving….Love it. I’ve been watching Julie and Julia too. Thank you for sharing your life. You are an inspiration.
I just watched Julie and Julia for the first time…..makes me want to get yours and Child’s book! Thanks, and congrats on your success.
Julie, you give hope to the average woman for reaching goals and finding some normalcy in this hectic world. Smooches!
I miss your blogs…
I’m disappointed. Loved the movie, but I guess wew should owe that to Nora Ephron, who understands what makes people popular and likable. Now I understand why Julia Childs rejected Ms. Powell. She’s shallow, lacks common sense and is destructive, in words, character and style. Sad. She has a unclutivated talent, lack character development, is socially stupid and continues to use her mouth in unwise ways.
great movie