I maintain you can do it nicely, and just had a great conversation with a driver from Cote D'Ivoire by just starting out with "I don't recognise your accent--where's it from?"

Not taxi drivers, but I have asked a number of the kids friends because that generation in this area has a large number of children with unusual combinations of parents. My first hint is usually names that are odd combinations of surname and given name. I've found they are usually delighted to tell me about their Russian mom and dad from St. Kitts, or whatever the heritage. (just a random example I thought of because the child has a Russian first name and French last name)

I think it's probably easier/less likely to be offensive from someone who is also not from here, ita

But it's not like you can tell unless I volunteer it, and I haven't had anyone bristle and then warm up at the revelation. It's just that the conversation takes a turn then to "us" instead of "me and you."

I ask almost anyone whose name or accent comes into play and we're put together for a little--if you meet someone whose name is the equivalent of Margaret Robles with a heavy Indian accent, well, I was bursting with at least one question. And sometimes the answer is just "My father liked the name."

And it's not like American accents aren't up for questioning.

Ugh -- I'm so annoyed about how little I cared about the finale of HIMYM.

I watched it (I had nothing else to watch and I was curious -- I know the basic story but I've only seen a handful of episodes over the years). It sure felt jam-packed full of ... stuff happening.

It always makes me a little misty when you can tell the actors are really crying, though.

That is sweet.

Who else is using Uber?

I've given up on using it in NYC for now, but it's pretty handy in other cities.

I succumbed to the fitbit craze

I'm still liking my Fitbit Flex (wristband version). I killed quite a few of the Fitbits that tucked into your bra with sweat when I forgot to clip it somewhere else while doing manual labor outside in July.

HIMYM question: is she dead ?

I have made a roast which is delicious and slightly undercooked and then fresh pea, cauliflower and barley soup which is salty and overcooked chicken which is not dry, but is also overly salty.

I suck at cooking today.

I've had a bad day even though it was a day off. K feels like I neglect her because I put kid and work first and I just can't. Work is the only thing I have in my life that isn't my family.

I can talk to a rock when inclined. It's never gone too awkward, but I also have good verbal extrication skilz.

So...Pumpkin and Loki are leery of jumping on the posts now. I presume all the activity, smells and how they look different now. Which is a good thing! Just funny. This was all started when Loki began the stripping process with a clumsy jump that shredded the poorly adhered latex paint. And I was really considering relocating the cats when I varnished (impatience won out...and they kept their distance.) And now, I've watched both run up to leap, hesitate, emergency abort and divert.

I'm all This Old House WITH CATS. I bet Norm and Kevin would be flummoxed.

She is, Kat.

I'm sorry for your bad day. Overcooked chicken that's not dry is a good thing, though, right?

My DVR cut off the very end of HIMYM. The last thing I saw was Ted standing under Robin's window holding the blue french horn.

Did anything happen after that?