Have you ever noticed that when you dine alone, you become invisible?

Case in point, I was dining alone on Pine for lunch and the wait staff were gathered nearby and chatting up a storm.  I learned that one just acquired a new very wealthy sister-in-law.  While it would be her brother and sister-in-law with the wealth, this person felt perks would be coming her way too.  Free stays in Portland, for instance.  Apparently, this new sister-in-law is slated to inherit 25% of a very large fortune.  Not to mention the checks she gets in the interim.

I heard about wanting cookies and the need to go home to make them.  I heard about trying to save them, but good luck, there might not be any left for tomorrow.

If I had more people in my dining party, the wait staff wouldn't be gathering within earshot.  As far as they were concerned, no one was sharing the space.

I dine alone enough to know that people really don't watch what they say around lone diners.  Maintaining the ambiance is for the masses, and loners don't cause ripples.  We eat, we pay, and we're out.  I personally get my entertainment from these conversations.  Imagine what you say when you think no one is listening.  That's the sort of thing you often get to hear as a lone diner.

On another semi-related note:  I really hate when the restaurant isn't crowded and the host says, "Just one?  Would you like to sit at the bar?"  No, actually.  I'd like a table with the best view and the most comfortable seats.  Bonus for the ability to people watch and eavesdrop.  ;)

Say what you mean; mean what you say.

Else, why bother?

Manicures and pedicures... I just don't get it.  Try as I may to convince myself that I feel relaxed and pampered afterward, the truth is I never feel that good. 

This morning I looked down at my nails and thought it was time for my claws to go.  I also felt that I needed to spoil myself a little, so I dropped by a random nail salon on my way home from breakfast.  I always get a French manicure because I rather not pay for something I can certainly do myself, like paint my nails one color.

Here's what makes the entire experience stressful:

• Choosing a color.  Another reason to stick to the French manicure (No matter who online says this is a fading trend.  They said the same thing about the disastrous clothing of the 80s and look what happened these past few seasons!). 
• Getting the price up front.  I've gone to plenty of nail salons where the price for a manicure and pedicure combo says twenty-five dollars and then when it comes to pay they ask you for an additional arm and leg. 
  
• Asking if a service is extra and how much extra whenever they offer something.  Since when was scrubbing your feet extra when you're already getting the 'spa pedicure.'  If those dumb water baths and non-massaging chair is all it takes to be charged the extra bucks for the 'spa' experience, then I'll pass.  Seriously, I'll go dunk my feet in a bathtub full of soapy hot water.
  
• Calculating the acceptable amount for tip.  Overall, I consider myself a pretty good tipper.  Usually, one person works on my pedicure and another works on my manicure.  If I do a straight calculation for tip, it seems good, but I feel like such a cheapskate splitting it between two of them.

Overall, I think I rather spend my money on a massage to cure me of stress. 

Guess I better start practicing keeping my nails in order.