The other day I overheard a woman ask another woman, "Do you live on the island?" and I thought, "Island, what island?" Oh, right!! How exotic and tropical! We live on Manhattan island - not a concrete jungle!!! All of a sudden, pollution was replaced by a coconut scented breeze and my hand was fisting a Strawberry Daiquiri instead of a Red Bull*. The honking, pushing and rushing? Just mellow islanders going about their laid-back lives... Witness the delusional power of words.

Word of caution: If you overstate this point to friends, family and even to yourself, this tactic will turn pathetic in a New York minute.

* I do not drink Red Bull. I just know too many people who do.