bombs away

Lately, life has just been hurtling one bombshell after another at us. And so, an inordinate amount of time seems to be spent discussing how we deal with the stress.

How we do not, you know, go crazy.

(Note: Quite a bit of time is also spent discussing how we solve the actual problems too, mind you. But right now, as far as I'm concerned, the problems are on their own. I'm leaving them out in the cold, at least for the night. That oughta teach them a thing or three).

So, how do you deal with your stress?

This is how I deal with mine:

• Reading - I've devoured thousands and thousands of words in the last few weeks. Other people's problems are so much more interesting than mine.



• List-ing - I am an obsessive list-maker. I know that the sense of control it gives me is probably false. But, whatever.



• Buying things - OK, this is probably not a good solution - whether we're talking about that Lush splurge or just stocking up on Target brand toilet paper as if it were Y2K all over again.



• Eating - Again with the not-so-good solutions.



• Exercising -At least that sort of counteracts the eating problem.

Things I should be doing:

• Writing - Besides the work writing, I mean. Lately even my journal stays blank. It's like I'm afraid of the vast blankness of it all.



• Cleaning out the garage - I should know by now (and after 2 years in this house) that those boxes aren't going to unpack themselves.



• Cooking - Only, most days it takes all the energy I have just to open up that jar of peanut butter.

Here's to a four-day weekend. May I fight off the crazies with grace.