So much for crime scene investigation...

I was so excited to be done with work before sunset today that I made plans in my mind for what follows next. I'll first walk back to the hotel, then change into my running gear and stretch. Next I will go to the gym and run five miles on the treadmill before retreating to my room for a quick shower. Concluding the evening will be dinner at a nice Italian restaurant followed by a television break to watch CSI: NY.

Well... I'll tell you what.

Instead of five miles, I ran longer. I felt guilty for not running the last two days because I had been working 12 hour days. And the whole medium pizza I wolfed down last night didn't alleviate the overhanging guilt either. Then instead of a quick dinner, which I already knew what I wanted to have before getting there since I have frequented this particular restaurant numerous times before, I ended up spending a lot of time eating. And chatting with one of the managers. And talking football with the two old farts to my right. One of them is from Chicago; and you know me. Talk about the Bears, and badabing badaboom. Unfortunately, though, they talked a lot about the '85 Bears which, ahem, I was way too young to remember.

The highlight of the evening was definitely not the good conversations I had with the manager, bartender, and fellow patrons sitting next to me. It was this captivating girl named Karalynn. I was really glad that she didn't blow me off for not remembering her name correctly from last time, but I guess my saving grace was that I remembered her mom's for hers. Phew! We talked and talked and talked. You know me; I love food and eating. But this girl made me milk out my pasta for over an hour! And she milked out her Guinness as well. An amazing night, I tell you!