What IS a foodie anyway?

My guess is we all think we know what makes a foodie a foodie. I think a foodie is someone who has a great interest in all things food. I think a true foodie can go into a fridge or a pantry that would be considered barren by the average person's standards and create a great meal. I think a foodie has instincts about the pairing of flavors and textures. A foodie doesn't put food in boxes like "breakfast" or "appetizer." She knows that food just needs to be good, not punctual. A foodie doesn't turn her nose up at things simply because she's never seen, heard of, or tried them before. A foodie is adventurous, thoughtful, and knows that life is too short not to enjoy fabulous food.

What, in your opinion, are the characteristics of a foodie?

Entertaining anxiety?

When you're the foodie in your group, you're held to a higher standard. You're expected to make the extra effort, serve the more intricate meals, host more parties. Usually you like it, right? After all, we foodies are sometimes control freaks. (Or is that just me?)
Did any of you read this NY Times article?
Has it ever happened to you? Performance anxiety on the eve of a party? Have you ever shown up to a dinner party, expecting to be a guest, and you end up in the kitchen all night?
Share your foodie anxiety tales!