First Things I Love Thursday of February! Golly gee! By my calculations, 9.6% of 2010 has already elapsed. Wicked crazy, right? Better start achieving stuff, or whatever.

Behold! Your weekly allotment of obsessive adoration:

{ Jerabek’s New Bohemian Coffee House. More specifically, the spin-off branch that recently opened up in the Skyway hub near my office. Generally, the Skyway makes me feel like a gerbil wandering through a human-sized exercise tube — but thanks to Jerabek’s, my sentiments are shifting! Now I can get whole-wheat pecan sticky buns, fair trade coffee and other glorious treats without having to venture outdoors into the subzero winter hell. Hurrah! }

{ Unsolicited work opportunities. A couple days ago, I got contacted (out of the wild blue yonder) by a former freelance client. And lo — a quick turnaround editing project! The day after that, a paid blogging opportunity plopped into my inbox. Um, thank you, universe! More, please! }

{ Rebates, rebates, rebates. This week, I got a $100 rebate on a wireless printer / scanner / copier, a $35 rebate on my bi-annual tube of Differin gel, a $92 credit from AAA on the unused portion of my car insurance policy (I switched to another provider) and a $25 reimbursement on cab fare, courtesy of Metro Transit’s Guaranteed Ride Home program. Thanks again, universe! }

{ The name “Azur.” If you’re blessed with the name Azur, you’d better count your lucky stars. Or I’ll count them for you. That’s a promise. And a threat. }

{ Leisurely afternoons of Internet-surfing, letter-writing and key lime pie-eating. It’s nice to live in North America. }

{ The “Top Sites” feature in Safari 4. I was a die-hard Firefox devotee, but then Safari 4 came along and showed me a glossy new kingdom of homepage possibilities. Sorry, Firefox — I’m just not that into you (anymore). }

{ My life coaching session with Michelle Ward of When I Grow Up. Based on her blog, I suspected she was pretty awesome. And I was right! I am very discerning, no? Best of all, I can officially pepper my conversations with pretentious phrases like, “well, my life coach says …” Bwa ha ha. What a dream. }

{ Dermatological discoveries. TMI alert: I’ve had this one aggravating “pimple” on my forehead for, like, four years. It’s very tiny — easily covered up with concealer — but it never, ever leaves. Ever. This week, my dermatologist determined that the little permanent resident is not a pimple after all, but a benign keratin cyst! Who knew? In just a few short weeks, Mr. Swanson (I named him) will be professionally sucked out of my face, banished for all eternity. Hip hip hooray! }

{ Ash by Malinda Lo. This lovely lesbianic retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale has become my nightly bedtime read. Consequently, I am making slow progress. But not because it’s boring! Because I get sleepy, is all. }

{ Donating unwanted clothes to Goodwill. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t actually own that many items of clothing. But that’s never stopped me from purging my closet of unwanted detritus! And if there’s one place that loves shrunken t-shirts and unfortunate blazers, it’s your local Goodwill. You know what they say: one man’s trash is another man’s sweater! }

{ Vodka and tonic. My official drink o’ the winter. Gin and tonic is my preferred tipple, but sometimes gin tastes cloyingly sweet and syrupy. Vodka is a cleaner, purer alternative. At least, that’s what I tell my liver. }

{ Fantasizing about lavish, ridiculous beauty treatments. Eyelash extensions are all the rage, apparently. They cost $250 bucks and fall out in 4 weeks, but you get to look like a wide-eyed anime character! Priceless. I’m also intrigued by Brazilian blow-outs — a stylist applies a magical vegetable-based solution to your hair, and voila! Silky, smooth locks for three months. Also 250 bucks, though. Is that the going rate for extravagant beauty? }

{ The Kids in the Hall. I’ve watched the first three episodes of this Canadian comedy troupe’s new miniseries, Death Comes to Town, and it’s INSANELY funny. Think Little Britain (cross-dressing fellas!) meets Arrested Development (rapid-fire banter!) meets Twin Peaks (supernatural small-town murders!). Actually, don’t think … just watch. Preferably with a vodka and tonic close at hand. }

(Photo via Channel 4)