>I went through a drive-thru this morning and the car in front of me drove over a syrup packet. The force broke the package open and sprayed syrup up the side of the wall and around the pass-thru area. No employees were sprayed, but I pulled forward and went to tell the employee about it, but could not remember the word for "syrup"!
>
>Happens often. And it's very frustrating. I know everything about what I want to say ... just no word is associated with it.
>
>This past weekend I couldn't remember another common word too.
>I can only describe things about it so other people around me can help me remember.
>It does add a fairly consistent Charades-like game quality to my life.
>But I'd gladly trade it in for being able to remember words.
>
>I also think automatic translation should be the norm with all online content.
>Google should open source their translation tools and aid the world in direct communication.

In the Air Force we did not have Syrup. We had Sirup! And it tasted like it too! Yuck!

Stress can do things like you described. I know you play guitar and that is a great memory aid and exercise for brain health. Never beat yourself up about not remembering things. I have received hell from lots of people because I remember too much! However, my best friend (we have been friends over 60 years) calls me up from Connecticut, when he is trying to remember a date or event that occurred when we were kids.