Better off dead

There's nothing like feeling crummy to start feeling like the world is falling apart, right? It's an odd-numbered year, so it's time I got the flu. I've spent the better part of yesterday and today avoiding movement of any kind lest it aggravate my tired, sore, achy body. Wah wah wahhhh.

I think it's been about a hundred years since I did a brain dump. Far past time, and a good excuse to remember that the world isn't caving in because I've been in the same clothes too long, am wearing my glasses, and in general look like a monochromatic witch.

• I spent several hours a few weeks ago hanging photos in my room. There's something magical about actually printing photos from Costco, framing them, and hanging them. I now have a wall arranged with some of my favorite photos -- my favorite piece being a 3x3 frame filled with me and nine of my besties. I kind of love that my Grandpa is the only male in that frame.
• I went to Paris in December and as previously mentioned, I haven't stopped thinking about it since. My bathroom has kind of a Parisian theme, and my bedroom has several Eiffel towers in it now. I really do need to go back.
• A year ago this week, my girlfriends and I went to Ireland and London. Somehow in a short year's span, I became a fairly well traveled person. No international travel for me this year sadly as I'll be spending all my vacation days attending weddings.
• Holy weddings people! I haven't had a good friend get married in quite some time, and now they're just stacking up. How happy I am that the people I love are finding people to love.
  
• I'm not the kind that loves having my schedule well planned, but I have a strange obsession with travel scheduling. I'm desperately trying to get all my flights for 2009 bought--including Christmas.
  
• My country station has been playing non-stop on Pandora for the last week. I love the fact I very rarely have to even skip a song.
  
• My fascination with awards shows continues. The Grammys were a few weeks ago and I tuned in with zest. The Oscars are this weekend and despite the fact I have only seen 4% of any of the nominations, I'm eagerly counting down until Sunday night. I might actually be the last person on earth who digs award shows.
• Knock on wood, but I think we're done with snow this year. I know that's in no way true, but a girl can hope, right? The snow has all melted, and it's been in the 30's. Nothing too unmanageable, though I'm ready to shed the New England paste.
• One of my absolute biggest pet peeves in life might be when people are only your friend when they need something. Seriously?
  
• I crafted some pretty beautiful Valentines this year. I might not be the best at Christmas, birthday or Mother's/Father's day cards, but I try to do V's every year.
• Thanks to a well gifted food processor and an excellent recipe by Mal Pal, I can now make a mean homemade salsa.
• I'm going to be in Portland the end of March and am conducting a lunchtime workshop "brown bag" on cupcakes at work. A few people special requested it, and I normally make cupcakes when I go to the PDX office anyway... everyone wins this way. And I live for these kind of random things.
• I'm on my fourth Blackberry in two years. I had a wild, wild, wild ten days of Phone issues last week. Suffice it to say I now have a phone with 12 numbers in it. I've realized this is about all I talk to, so I'm not crying over the loss of all those misplaced numbers. If you haven't heard from me, it's because I don't have your number -- if I need it I'll reach out, otherwise ping me.
• If you can't come to something I plan or invite you to, a simple "sorry Nat, I can't attend" goes a looooooooooong way. Otherwise I'm just crossing you off my future invite list.
• Linda and I live in the most beautiful home. There's not much other place I'd rather be than in my room (now that it's clean and packing bin-less!) or on the couch.
  
• I did my taxes a month ago and have long since received my tax refund. The money is now sitting in savings earning interest that I can be taxed on again next year. Huzzah!
  
• I'm serious about going abroad next March or April and am interested in finding a travel partner. If you're at all interested, let me know -- let's chat it out.

Okay! I still feel crummy on the inside, but feel slightly better having given yall a few minutes to procrastinate the work or school you should be doing. Be thankful for non-flu-ed bodies!