Challenge!

I'll say it, my blog has been useless lately. Sure, I've taken a few pictures, but even that has tapered in the new year. Should I feel better that so far 2009 has robbed me of time to sit and ponder the shallow philosophies afforded us by our elastic Western lifestyle? I guess. So I thought, hey, eight readers (up from six in '08!), let me do you a service and get you involved. I'm an improvisor, I should invite audience participation. So I'm unveiling my first ever NerdTrueStory Scavenger Hunt (trademark)! Feel free to comment/email/text (depending on the depth of our friendship) and let me know how it goes for you.

Task List (loosely based on the events of my '09 so far)

1. Go to a restaurant that has a specific food in the title, but DO NOT get that food (ex: get something other than bagels at Einstein's or go to Chicago's Pizza and Oven Grinder, but get neither a pizza nor an oven grinder)

2. Listen to music that reminds you of high school (or some significant era in your life). For me, this means I have a playlist featuring Dave Matthews and Matchbox 20. It's great for office background.

3. Call your parents and ask them what they did today. I tend to only call my parents to report on my life...which is generally what my mother wants. But yesterday my dad passed an important HR certification test, which is his equivalent of getting a TourCo put-in. We're all still delighted over approval, even as grown-ups.

4. Tell someone exactly what you think of them. This doesn't apply to people you don't enjoy...but think of someone you really like or appreciate (even an acquaintance) and just say, "Hey, you're funny/doing great/wearing a cute scarf/etc."

5. Change the picture on your computer desktop. At home or work, make your desktop picture something totally different. It sounds dumb, but it changes things just enough.

6. Do something you don't want to do. This sounds super vague and not fun. But really, next time you think, "Ugh, I do NOT want to do dishes/take out trash/return this phone call" just do it without thinking about it. It can be small. You'll feel like Master of the Universe after.

7. Leave your phone at home. Natalie, I'm an actor/server/super f-ing important person! I can't leave my phone! What if someone needs me??? What if I get an email?? Yeah, I know. Everyone who knows me knows I'm glued to my stupid Centro (just kidding, baby, I love you and your Facebook app). But just see what happens if you go to the grocery store without it. Or a diner. Or the gym. I'm not talking the whole day. Just one hour. It's amazing. And think of how fun it will be to check it when you get back, just like an old-timey answering machine!

Well, there it is. Go.