I Should Have Been in Paris Today

I should have been in Paris today. For the past 5 years, I have been in Paris on this day. Why not this year? Well, this year my friend T - who travels with me to Paris each year during the holiday season - convinced me that we should remain in Washington until the 28th and that way we could extend our stay in Paris thru mid-January. It all made great sense to me at the time (early May 2004). Now, on December 25, 2004, all I can say is "I should have been in Paris today".

Washington is empty ... my apartment building is empty. This morning I found myself delivering the stack of abandoned NY Times to all the empty apartments who were missing their occupants. I wonder if my neighbors will know it was me who took care of their papers while they were away. I wonder if I should have left a note that read - "Your paper was delivered by the one occupant who decided not to leave town until the 28th - Happy Holiday".

Perhaps when I return from Paris, I'll ask R and J on 8, M and D on 7, and the orthopedic surgeon on 6, if they liked receiving their Times at their door while they were away. Then I can lead into - "I wonder who was so thoughtful to bring them in and drop them so orderly in front of your apartment." I probably really won't have to ask. They'll all know that it was me since I was the only one who didn't leave town prior to the 25th.

Next year I will be in Paris on December 25th!!!