January 17, 2014

Michelle Obama "like to take 'me time'" and "dishes with girlfriends over brussels sprouts and dirty martinis."

And I like to dish with whoever is out there on the internet about the NYT's latest effort to make us admire Michelle Obama (who turns 50 today, as I'm being told by multiple emails from the Democratic Party urging me to sign an on-line birthday card).

Does Michelle — does any adult? — actually use the term "me time"?

ADDED: The fawning at ABC is really embarrassing: "50 Ways to Celebrate Michelle Obama’s Birthday." Mocked at The Corner where they cherry-pick things you can't do, like "Hang out with your friend, Oprah" and "Travel the world on Air Force One," so I'll cherry-pick the crap you can: "Laugh out loud" and "Drink lots of water."

56 comments:

Brennan said...

It's different when you've felt ashamed of your country for four fifths of your life.

Marc Howard, whose daughter Zoe once played on the soccer team with Sasha, recalled how his daughter drained the tiny water bottle he had brought for her one hot Washington day on the field. Mrs. Obama lightheartedly chided him. “She said, ‘What kind of water bottle is that?’ and gave Zoe hers,” Mr. Howard said. “Those are things far away from the cameras.”

Ashamed of her country. Proud of her water bottle. That's my First Lady.

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

It used to be an insult to call someone a gossip.

Seeing Red said...

Is that what she called Hawaii?

Mary H said...

On the TV show Castle, the Richard Castle character has used the term "me time." Of course, he's supposed to be funny.

Balfegor said...

Would a child use a term like "me time"? It seems to me the kind of term only an adult would ever bother to use.

madAsHell said...

I always thought that women preferred fermented beverages over distilled spirits.

DanTheMan said...

Give the woman a break. "Me time" is the only chance she has to spend time with somebody as wonderful as she is.

The Godfather said...

Another thing to dislike about her: an olive in her Martini. If you want a cocktail, have a cocktail. If you want a salad, have a salad.

acm said...

Adults use the term "me time". But not in the same sentence as "brussels sprouts". Unless there's a fetish I (mercifully) haven't heard of yet, despite ~20 years of internet access.

Ex-prosecutor said...

Popeye the sailor man?

Ignorance is Bliss said...

...dishes with girlfriends over brussels sprouts...

I've never had girlfriends prepared that way. Maybe I should try it.

Sigivald said...

Any adult? Probably.

It's a funny old world.

Henry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Henry said...

I scanned that headline as "Michelle Obama likes to take me time doing dirty dishes." Had to reread it.

* * *

I've only heard the term "me time" in radio ads for exercise spas.

MadisonMan said...

It's not clear to me if anyone is using the term "me time" -- except the author of the article. I agree, it's as obnoxious as olives in a gin martini.

James said...

One thing Mrs. Obama tends not to do as much as previous first ladies is travel. There is still time.

I suppose the New York Times isn't counting the trip to Spain to hang out with her girlfriends, or her trip to Africa where her daughters were listed as "senior staff" so that the taxpayers would pick up their bills.

MayBee said...

I don't know what's weirder- the press that wants us to be all excited for Mikchelle Obama's birthday (the BBC actually announced it this morning) or the people who actually are excited about it.

Freeman Hunt said...

"Hey, girl! Here, have a martini, and here, have a bowl of hot brussels sprouts. Let's dish!"

I doubt the veracity of the brussels sprouts.

Freeman Hunt said...

If I ordered a martini, I'd want it to have lots and lots of olives in it. Then I'd get something edible for my five dollars.

(Are they five dollars? More? Less?)

MayBee said...

Interesting her closest friend is Eric Holdre's wife

Scott M said...

Yes. My wife and I use it for each other. There's family time, couple time, and then one of us volunteering to take the kids now and then so the other can have "me" or "down" time. This is signal to the other that the one doing the volunteering is not expecting anything more than self-indulgence from the other.

We spend far more family time and couple time than either of us do "me" or "down" time, but it's a nice gift to get once and a while.

Tank said...

Freeman Hunt said...

If I ordered a martini, I'd want it to have lots and lots of olives in it. Then I'd get something edible for my five dollars.

(Are they five dollars? More? Less?)

No.

You can easily spend $25 for one in NYC. Less in the burbs, but not $5.

CB9 said...

When I first read the Althouse headline, I thought Michelle Obama was using Cockney slang, "I likes to take me time . . ."

Anonymous said...

Maybe that's how they talk at Target?

Rob said...

Pussycat, for the Obamas, it's all me time.

Joseph Blieu said...

Ex-prosecutor said...

Popeye the sailor man?

1/17/14, 12:27 PM

Obviously the correct answer, me time is when I amsk what I amsk.

Bob R said...

It's not that common, but I've heard "me time" in ads for spas and hair salons and from Moms with young kids. In fact, it might have started about the time the Obama kids were young. I think there are a lot of people (mostly women) who keep using a few favorite "kid talk" phrases after their kids have grown. (My wife is a preschool teacher, so my sample space might be a bit skewed.)

Joseph Blieu said...

Ex-prosecutor said...

Popeye the sailor man?

1/17/14, 12:27 PM

Obviously the correct answer, me time is when I amsk what I amsk.

bleh said...

When I first read your headline, I thought that meant she likes to do the dishes with her girlfriends while eating brussels sprouts and drinking dry martinis.

It made sense to me at first because I consider doing the dishes to be "me time." I enjoy it immensely.

Kelly said...

Me time was probably coined by Oprah.

Reading the article I learned that Michelle shops, frequents trendy restaurants (she 'sweeps in'), takes tennis lessons and hosts tennis workshops, likes long walks at a park (bet the secret service loves that), is learning yoga, screens movies, hosts lots of small dinner parties for friends and important columnists. Unlike other first ladies she doesn't travel. With a full schedule like that, who has time?

bearing said...

"Me time" is a very frequently used expression these days among my peculiar demographic: mothers of young children. To use it is to acknowledge that it is not unreasonable to want a little time in the schedule that is not governed by the demands of others. To say, "I have to take care of myself sometimes, in order to be able to care for all these other people."

I never thought of it as an odd expression at all. My husband and I have five kids 13 and under. I get "me time" every Saturday morning: I go out to breakfast by myself, go to the library, run personal errands, maybe get my hair cut, go for a run, sometimes go to morning Mass. I come back a much saner person.

SJ said...

I first heard "me time" in a country song, sung by a woman. Except I can't remember which one, by who.

I'm a guy, and I don't hang around young mothers often. So I likely don't hear that phrase in real life.

The phrase does sound selfish to me.

kjbe said...

I doubt the veracity of the brussel sprouts

Pickled brussel sprouts as a martini garnish - it's definitely a thing.

paul a'barge said...

"me time" ... it's a Reggae / Jamaica affectation.

Everything this woman does is an affectation.

She is the Queen of Phony.

paul a'barge said...

Me is probably her favorite personal pronoun. I'm betting she can't say it enough.

Titus said...

A martini in Boston runs between $15-50.00. How elite and coastal of Mrs. Obama.

black tits.

Clyde said...

(And during the few moments that we have left
We want to talk right down to earth in a language
That everybody here can easily understand)

Look in my eyes, what do you see?
The Cult of Personality
I know your anger
I know your dreams
I've been everything you want to be
I'm the Cult of Personality
Like Mussolini and Kennedy
I'm the Cult of Personality
The Cult of Personality
The Cult of Personality

Neon lights, a Nobel Prize
When a mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You won't have to follow me
Only you can set me free

I sell the things you need to be
I'm the smiling face on your TV
I'm the Cult of Personality
I exploit you
Still you love me
I tell you one and one makes three
I'm the Cult of Personality

Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi
I'm the Cult of Personality
The Cult of Personality
The Cult of Personality

Neon lights, a Nobel Prize
When a leader speaks, that leader dies
You won't have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You gave me power in your God's name
I'm every person you need to be
I'm the cult of personality!

I'm the Cult of
I'm the Cult of
I'm the Cult of
I'm the Cult of
I'm the Cult of
I'm the Cult of
I'm the Cult of
I'm the Cult of
Personality!

(Ask not what your country can do for you)

(The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!)

"The Cult of Personality," Living Colour, 1988

jacksonjay said...


I suppose two weeks in Martha's Vineyard and two weeks plus in Hawaii are considered "me" time in Michelle's calendar. Maybe it is "vacation" time and not "travel" time!

They are indeed shameless!

MadisonMan said...

Pickled brussel sprouts as a martini garnish - it's definitely a thing.

Really? Maybe I have to get out more. Or not.

A good martini -- gin martini -- needs no garnish at all except a small twist of lemon peel.

I've never spent more than $10 on a martini. $20 on a cocktail? That's crazy.

RecChief said...

@acm-
Rule 34. No Exceptions

CWJ said...

Doesn't travel? They've got to be kidding.

For those who've already commented on this, dont forget to add in the ski vacations to Aspen.

Curious George said...

MadisonMan said...
A good martini -- gin martini -- needs no garnish at all except a small twist of lemon peel."

No, it needs to be Beefeaters. And an olive.

CWJ said...

Also, the Target store story is a bit hard to believe. Not saying it didn't happen, just saying.

rehajm said...

I doubt the veracity of the brussels sprouts

A quick Google of the mentioned dining establishment shows them on the menu- so at least possible. I'm amazed by the comeback of the brussel sprout, if they ever had a heyday. They're on lots of menus nowadays at foodie places. Often with citrus, like kumquat, and bacon.

Didn't think you could ruin bacon...

CWJ said...

Finally, with all the MSM celebrity straining to pump the Obamas up, puff them up, show them to be common but NOT common, I can only imagine them floating on a cushion of propoganda like some old style Eastern Potentate whose feet are not allowed to touch the ground.

Hm, common but not common. Sort of like Jesus - both man ans God.

CWJ said...

The first lady's sycophants will not be satisfied until Michelle's drivers license reads Jackie Kenedy, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Camelot.

ALP said...

I can't get past mixing brussels sprouts and martinis! Gag.

Rusty said...

Titus said...
A martini in Boston runs between $15-50.00. How elite and coastal of Mrs. Obama.

black tits.


It isn't the cost of the martini. It's the company you drink it in.

Grant said...

I'm seldom inclined to say anything, much less anything positive, about Ms. O, but the Brussels sprouts at Zaytinya are very real and very, very good. José Andrés knows what he's doing with food.

Known Unknown said...

Ignorance (the commenter) wins.

Tom said...

Does she even like America? I honestly can't tell.

Freeman Hunt said...

"You can easily spend $25 for one in NYC. Less in the burbs, but not $5."

Gosh, I don't think I could eat that many olives.

mccullough said...

I stopped drinking in my mid 20s before the martini craze hit. I had the occasional vodka martini with Stolis and some brand of vermouth I can't remember. It was a pretty cheap drink. The First Lady is a 1 per center

JoyD said...

So much petty meanness. I don't love her, I don't hate her, I don't pick at her.

We all know that you don't talk this way about your neighbors and coworkers, so maybe this post, drawing these comments, is just an outlet for those little gremlins of snark.

So it's healthy, right? I picture these gremlins as little spry gray gnomes leaping forth with a malicious grin.

Phil 314 said...

Joy,
What would you expect from the little people?

orthodoc said...

Is there some secret club for media people where you have to embarrass yourself on national TV with a sycophantic puff piece, or you don't get in?
Because I can't come up with any other reason for every network personality to blather on about a deeply uninteresting Chicago grifter and her birthday.