Waiting for Tripper to show so I could leave for the day, I was surprised by an unexpected visitor. Patti Dorian: my first client as a Mystery Shopper. I'd never seen her outside her restaurant before.

"Denise!" she puffed, ambling through the front door, a thick cane supporting her as she went. She was dressed more casually than I'd ever seen her: in a skirt and peasant blouse that showed off her cushiony shoulders. (We're pretty close in size these days. Wonder if she bought the outfit from Ample Services?) "I was hoping to find you here. You planning on doing anything tonight?"

I told her that, far as I knew, I was totally free. Good, she said, because she wanted to invite me to her house for dinner.

Nothing fancy, she indicated, just a little outside grilling. "Got some rib-eyes and a few mid-sized chickens. A small celebration to commemorate your new position!"

How could I refuse? (And why would I want to?) Buzzed Tripper in his office, and he answered almost immediately. Though Patti extended the invite to him, he begged off, claiming too much undone paperwork, though I'm damned if I know where all this so-called paperwork's coming from.

So, anyway, I'm off to celebrate with the Dorians. Been some time since I've eaten home grilled cooking: my mouth's watering, just thinking about it!

10/23/01
[11:13 a.m.]

Another dull morning. Could use a new assignment. Anything! I'd even return to the crappy D.Q.! Only thing that makes the time passable is the office snack counter. And that was empty by 10:30.