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Good to hear from you. I was getting worried.

Glad you are ok-ish. Sucks about Kate, but I believe it will work out for the best. Hang in there.

So cool about the new place! Know you weren't happy about the roomie situation. It's cool being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want and having to answer to no one, isn't it?

You should ring up some friends and throw yourself a house warming party. Tell everyone what you need most is cheering up (you know instead of toasters and blenders--unless they throw in the margarita mix!) and invite everyone in for a bash. Assign snacks and drinks to different folks to spread the cost round and go for it. You'll have a ball. And it will send Kate a message that you are doing just fine on your own.

You know....Chinese New Year is just a week or so away. Perhaps you could have a theme? Might be fun you know. Have I ever steered you wrong?

Beautiful pics!

Sorry....did they move that button? No need for that to be a private comment.

1) try nicotine gum to help with the lack of smoking on the flight.

2) my library has magazines ppl bring and leave for free for other ppl to take. Perhaps you can take some with you. Mags aren't terribly weighty and you can always leave them behind if you don't have room on the return trip. I'm specifically thinking of story collection mags like Alfred Hitchcock, Ellery Queen, Realms of Fantasy, etc.

3) You'll have your headphones for your MP3 player, well, they'll have those music channels right in your arm rest for you. If you flip around surely you can interspace your music with generic music you find there. Perhaps a little something light that can help you sleep at least some of the time.

4) They may/ought to have movies on the flight. Watch whatever silly movie they have playing. Odds are you will have seen it, but surely watching it/them again will soak up some time.

5) Chat up your seatmate and make up an outrageous story about why you are headed to Sydney. It will tax your storytelling abilities and keep your mind occupied. Use your imagination. Be a spy, be a nun on the run, use a horrid accent and be a German exchange student. The sky's the limit. For tips on this read Robert Fulgham's essay on the subject in his book "It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It."

But above all, enjoy yourself.

I'm glad you're feeling better. I hope it all goes well with her.
Have an awesome time in Sydney.

Alright. I need to write anyway. You've twisted my arm. I'll play FtL. But no one gets my writing. And I'm taking off the kidgloves and writing what the hell I want and I'm letting it all hang out. 'k? I'm just sayin'.

I would totally participate!

Unless your'e a guy?

Hmmm. Perhaps she has unaddressed anxiety issues and her way of dealing is to feel better by making sure you aren't dealing. Subconsciously. I don't think she's doing it on purpose. She doesn't understand that her bit about being an emotional wreck is an anxiety attack.

Just an outside perspective. Perhaps someone could diagnose her and y'all could have them together.

Here's some . And a {{hug}}. Truly don't think she does it on purpose. She's got her own shit to deal with.