Just another perk at work — paid dinners.

My company had people flown in from six different countries for training and lil ole me was invited along for a celebratory dinner. While the restaurant leaned more on the ordinary rather than the extraordinary, the wine did flow freely, the conversation piqued and peaked, and the food filled in the right places. I was lucky enough to be seated next to a fellow North American whose energy was infectious and made for an animated three hours of getting-to-know-you, getting-to-know-more-about-you chitchat. Before the clock struck 10 though, and as my presence was needed elsewhere, I begged off earlier than the rest and called it a fine night. As always, after a quick call to my savior, I was swooped into our little chariot and brought back home in one piece — a little bit soused but happy and content.