Do you ever get the feeling that your life is a bit out of balance? That all you are thinking or talking about is work? I do. Sometimes I find I can’t have even a five-minute conversation without bringing up disability or funding or a proposal. I go to a party and realize I have nothing to say (unless you want to hear about autism or gait training or awareness campaigns).  When such a crisis hits, pick up the phone and call a friend. Make a date for dinner and promise each other that you will not talk about work at all. Preeti and I did that tonight. We met at a funny restaurant in Hotel Relax – it is invariably, and bafflingly, empty. We were the only ones there and the service was impeccable, the food was great and the prices ridiculous. They even let us bring our own bottle of wine. We talked and talked and talked and though we didn’t quite keep our promise of sticking to the work embargo, we covered a lot of ground. We talked about books and music and marriage and kids and cultural differences and what makes for a good conversation. It was restorative and energizing and so much fun that when they finally hinted that we should leave we went on to a late night coffee shop for a cappuccino and a latte. Try it yourself. Find the time and call that friend. And remember the no-work rule!