I caught a cold, and my abs are killing me from all the coughing I've been doing.  Is this a subtle hint from the cosmos that I need to work out?

So, I watched another episode of Angel tonight, and it only solidified my resolve on a certain issue: until further notice, I am not allowed to create immortal characters of any sort, nor to create any temporally challenged or otherwise impossible romances. 

Tonight's episode was one of those horrible ones that show, just for a day, what life might be like for the characters if they could be normal people, with normal lives, and a shot at oh-so-blissful normal happiness.  And then it all goes back, and relationships don't work, and characters are miserable and heartbroken.  ARGH. 

And I'm upset with myself, because back when I was young and silly, I created a lot of immortal characters and a number of challenged romances.  I'd undo them if I could, but they've been around so long that I feel like I shouldn't really mess with things established.  And no, it's not helping to say that they're all in my head, and I can choose to make everything happy.  Because I'm a perfectionist, and things don't work that way.

So all I can say is, "I'm sorry.  I'm sorry.  I'm sorry."  And really, if you can't take it, come see me, and we'll work something out together. 

I don't like everything about the now cold weather: the frozen hands and feet, or the low grey clouds that block the sun so often.  However, today I did remember some things I do very much like about the fall:

• mittens
• that tingly feeling of your cheeks when you come in from the cold
• the smell of dry leaves
• spiced beverages (cider, ale, tea, and cocoa--yes, cinnamon cocoa is excellent)
• the way the forest behind my house turns to the Goldenwood

Although, today that tingly glow about my cheeks isn't from the crisp air; it's sunburn.  That's right.  Those UV rays come through the clouds even if the sun doesn't.