I normally don't care what people think of certain things that I do. A long time ago I did but, after some soul-searching, now I don't. If you feel that you need to judge what I do, then that is absolutely your prerogative. I really don't mind. I'm comfortable with my decisions.

Lately though, I have become irritated by some comments that are made when somebody finds out a certain thing about me. Not so irritated that I want to bitch-slap anyone but enough that I think about it. You see, I like to cook. I love to cook a lot. As a matter of fact, as I type this entry, I am roasting some eggplant and red bells to make my ratatouille. I am also about to make a batch of bolognese. Plus I am thinking of making a mung bean stew. Of course, I am also going to head to the gym, get some wine, and meet a friend for dinner. If you are tired just reading this, I don't blame you. It's a lot. But I myself do not consider cooking work. I consider it play.

So, back to my irritant. There are days when I don't start work until 2:30pm. On those days, I actually do cook before I leave for work, so that my partner has something to eat once he gets home. On days when I get home at 7:00pm, I still cook so that we can eat by 8:30pm. I also cook because I would like to have something to eat. When people discover that I cook before I head to work, their first comment is always, "You cook for your man?!??!?!?"

Why, yes. I cook for my partner. He and I both have to eat. What irritates me is the follow up line. It tends to go something like, "You are such a wife." WHAT!!!!!! When did cooking for someone become solely a wife/female/passive role? And what is wrong with cooking for your partner/spouse? Or being a wife? I think it is one of the most loving things you can do. My response to people who call me a wife is, "Well, I cook so we can eat. My point of view is not as narrow as yours."

As all my friends will tell you, if you ever visit me, I will suggest coming over to my place first so I can cook you a meal before I suggest going out for food. I just always do. I just feel it's a better way to spend time together. And the food is always so much better than what you get out there. I hate when people think that me cooking for someone is some way oppressive. If someone cooked for me, I would love it. I find it very generous. What better way to share oneself than by offering sustinence? I don't even mind being called a wife because, hey, let's face it, I can be a wife sometimes. Actually, I damn fine one. I'm just irritated by the insinuation that I am somehow weak because I do things for my partner. I think that you are weak when you don't do something that you love to do because you fear judgement of your actions. That is weak.

Oh, and for the record: Mike gets back from a business trip tonight. And he will have dinner ready for him. Later.  ¶ 10:13 AM