Yes, I have been negligent in my writing. Much has happened over the course of the past few months. I've got a new, awesome job that, shock of all shocks, didn't also involve switching careers. I actully think I've found a place from which I will retire... in 6 years. Well, that's the goal. I've started training for this year's marathon, with somewhat limited success. I thought I'd be more disciplined this year and train more than 1.5 times per week. Instead, I'm running once per week. Oh well. I just need to beat Oprah. Then, I can do away with all of this marathon nonsense and run the much more sensible half-marathon distances. So long as I stay injury-free (a big caveat), I should do just fine. My pace is up from last year. And, I will be training quite a bit this coming month.

But the big news that has me writing today ist hat I have scored a reservation to The French Laundry. I have heard it's a challenge. I have tried, half-heartedly. My friends have tried, whole-heartedly. I sought out the advise of someone who has spent thousands (yes, that simply means she has dined at FL more than twice) lining Thomas Keller's pockets.

One of the benefits of a relatively early start to the day is that I can hit Open Table first thing. After learnings that there are two tables per night available through Open Table, both seating 4 people, I tried for the early reservation and saw that it was full. I tried for the late reservation, and my eyes nearly fell out of their sockets. A table for 4 was available for a 9PM seating. So, as I struggle up and down the hills during the marathon, I will motivate myself with thoughts of the foie gras I will hope to enjoy during my celebratory meal a couple of weeks following the agony.