On Saturday afternoon, my friend Cinful and I were relaxing outside Cafe Mogador in the East Village when Cin's cell started ringing, it was my cousin requesting our assistance in an ongoing situation in the West Village.

We paid the bill, walked over and met up with my cousin and her out-of-town friends (a couple and their kid). They were spending the day together and my cousin was in need of quick relief.

My cousin used to party with them before they settled and had a kid, so obviously their habits have changed, but so did their language? But I do know parents who still speak the same as they did prior to parenthood..just not this couple.

Now they speak a little slower, a little louder and their sentences always end with positive reinforcement. Not just when they speak to their adorable kid, but to everyone...even each other?

So, we decide to head over to a bar to watch the Belmont Stakes and they asked me to choose the destined watering hole. We arrived at Kettle of Fish where they continued to tell me over and over how pleased they were with my choice.

(a little slower and a little louder than your average person)
"Elizabeth, this is such a great place, really, it's a perfect spot, wonderful choice, good job Elizabeth, good job. Really, I couldn't think of a better place."

I kept thinking any minute they were going to reward me by sticking a little gold star on my shirt or maybe even a doggie treat. No stars or treats, but I was rewarded, I was rewarded with a nice cold drink.

After watching the quick demise of Smarty Jones at the Belmont Stakes, Cinful decided to take off and although I was tempted, I didn't have it in me to leave my cousin alone with the suburban couple, so we all continued on to dinner.

While at dinner, I was looking at the other tables, most of which were occupied by Saturday night dates...tables and tables of people searching for the life which was seated to my left and to my right. It was funny because at our table my cousin and I were being asked "So, what are you two ladies doing tonight? Are you going out dancing? You'll be hitting the clubs, right? What time do you girls usually go out at night? Are you going to meet some guys tonight?"

The suburban couple was kind and really entertaining, but our goal was to simply get out alive.