I Just Can't Explain In This Language That I Use

Line from an Elton John song I was listening to, "A Word In Spanish." I really do have horrible taste in music. That one has lots of good lines that I will save for later blog titles.

I was driving to West Chester, where I met my new friend the medical writer for dinner. I had an almost AL dinner... vegetable fajitas and a margarita at the other branch of the Mexican restaurant that we have near my office. We had a great time... as it turns out, the lab where she worked in grad school had done CR studies, so she told me about the AL fed rats and the CR rats and it had the most incredibly calming effect... having a real person talk to me about CR made me so happy. She's extremely cool, and it looks like she and her boyfriend may stop by my New Year's Eve party.

I didn't eat much during the day: just a salad at lunch, with a hard boiled egg, lettuce, a little tomato, some red onion, and beets. Fat free salad dressing. A latte with skim as an afternoon snack.

As I was driving to West Chester I felt this overwhelming urge that hits me every once in awhile to go back to Montreal and get back my French. I used to be fluent in French, and in high school, my best friend was a French Canadian girl, so we used to chatter together so that no one else could understand. Of course, we only talked about boys. But it was fun to have a secret language, and every once in awhile I want to go back and remember it. I've lost a lot from lack of practice... the last time I spoke French for any sustained period of time was in 1996 when I was working with Haitian construction workers. That's a very different sound though, and easier to follow. I went to Montreal a few times while I was in Vermont... it was a wonderful escape. I haven't the time or the money at this point, but doesn't it sound like tons of fun to just jump on a plane and hang out for awhile? As Sheryl Crow says, "Wouldn't it be good if we could hop a flight to anywhere?"

Back to work... much to do, miles to go before sleeping, or after sleeping, considering that I'll probably go home, go to bed, get up at 3 or 4 and come back. Then driving five hours to Pittsburgh tomorrow. My glamourous life... eggwhites, the PA Turnpike, and the constant search for a place to check my email for free.