Here's a fun Q&A exchange I had with the 92nd St. Y's 92Y Blog in conjunction with my joint appearance there with Nora Ephron (audio of that conversation to follow).
Since no one actually lives "in" L.A., how would you describe your geographical relationship with the area?
We have an open marriage. The love is there, and I'll always come back to her, but sometimes I just need to be with other cities to spice things up.
What's your best (or worst) freeway story?
It's always a good story when I get where I'm going alive and on time.
What era, day or event in L.A.'s history would you like to re-live?
June 4, 1968, so I could make sure that Bobby Kennedy stayed out of the Embassy Ballroom, of the Ambassador Hotel--and away from Sirhan's bullet.
What's your L.A. motto?
"I'll be there in 20 minutes." And one of these days, I plan on living up to it.
Who do you consider to be the greatest Los Angeleno of all-time?
Upton Sinclair, who moved to LA and ran for governor (what kind of crazy writer does that?), for showing the power of the pen to change governments.
With a nod to Randy Newman, how much do you really love L.A.?
A lot. Especially when I'm on a hike in the hills, walking down the beach, or sitting around my dining room table talking politics and trading laughs with a great group of LA friends.
Of all the movies made about or highly associated with L.A., what role would you have liked to be cast in?
Debbie Reynolds in "Singin' in the Rain." Dancing with Gene Kelly? Sign me up (though I'd have to wear flats).
What happened the last time you went to NYC?
I had a fabulous book party thrown for me by Kathy and Tom Freston, went toe-to-toe with Stephen Colbert, put in some time at the Huffington Post's New York office, and prepared to have a conversation at the 92nd Street Y with Nora Ephron.
Other than traffic, if you could change one thing about L.A., what would it be?
The Balkanization of too many of our neighborhoods. LA could be the great melting pot, but sometimes it resembles a frozen TV dinner, with each cultural and economic group cordoned off from the other. I also miss having a central focal point, like Times Square or Central Park.
The End of The World is finally happening. What are you going to do with your last 24 hours in L.A.?
Meditate, do yoga, enjoy a Greek feast with my daughters, write a farewell blog... and prepare for the next go 'round.