Here I Go Again

Every year, Pi day falls during Lent, dadgummit. Guess I'll celebrate on Easter Sunday instead. That has nothing to do with today's post; just an observation on the world.

When I get really busy/stressed, like last week when I was trying to write five papers, running is the first thing to go. It's kind of time-intensive, because I'm slow, but also because of putting on the running kit, finding my watch and iPod, taking my key off the ring (so it will fit into the pocket of my shorts), doing the aforementioned slow running, then coming back, peeling off the sweaty running kit, and taking a shower. All of this is time that could be spent writing an essay.

I took a picture of our handbill
so I wouldn't have to worry about
crediting a source. And now I've
written a long caption, which
takes just  as long as crediting
a source. I'm dumb.

Even though I know from past experience that running (or anything that gets me out of the house, really) is the best way to relieve stress, give my brain a rest, and get the writing juices flowing, I let it go first. This is one of those moments when the lyrics to "Mamma Mia" comes to mind (yes, I'm an ABBA fan): "So I made up my mind; it must come to an end. Look at me now; will I ever learn? I don't know how." Sigh.

So, this week I'm running. (Spring break wins again!) And by this time next week I expect to be bright-eyed and mostly stress-free. Just in time to make the same dumb mistake over again. Oh, well, there are only seven weeks left to the semester after spring break; how much damage can I do?

Please don't answer that! Instead, answer this: What is your guaranteed stress relief and/or creativity-inducer?