We** I read Samantha Powers' book, Problem from Hell a while ago, and thought it was very good, so I was happy to see that she won a National Magazine Award today (one of several the New Yorker received) but was curious about why she wasn't actually at the lunch ceremony. Aversion to lukewarm chicken dishes, I assumed. But still...

So I asked. "I didn't even know the awards ceremony WAS today," she replied, via email. "Philip Gourevitch sent me a text message this afternoon and I was floored! Not sure why the New Yorker didn't bring along the writers—probably to spare us the sadness—but it was a very nice surprise to receive."

Now, I realize there's limited space and a lot of people who want those seats (inexplicably). But do most magazines neglect to invite the actual nominees? (And does this mean I have to email Sy Hersh, Ian Parker and Adam Gopnik, as well—if only to tell them that they won, in case they didn't know?...)

(Rachel - Adam Gopnik is Canadian. Elizabeth - I think he just lived in Canada. Thus his strange dual fascination with public transportation and France.)

**Eh, enough of the Royal We. We I'm a little sick of it.