What's this fascination with cooking?

Last night Sam rented Julie & Julia and we watched most of it on the new DVD player Mom & Dad got us for Christmas. During the past couple of years I've developed a peculiar fascination with cooking. I'm usually the first person to proudly say "I don't cook" when someone asks what I "made" for the pot luck gathering. I'd rather drop by HEB and get something precooked by someone else. My Mom's usually the same way, even though I've always thought she was a great cook. Guess I got it from her. But all these reality cooking shows are changing my attitude about what I eat and how it's prepared. Top Chef, Iron Chef, The Next Food Network Star, Top Chef Masters, Chef Academy - you name it, Sam and I watch it. Oh, and don't forget Mr. Ramsey! Who can resist him? With more time I think I could get into this.