For those finding themselves overwhelmed by it all....

[Bouncy Ball]

ANWR, Iraq, elections, corruption, etc etc etc.

First thing you need to do is take a media blackout. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yet, then wait maybe until the news cycle dies down a bit. Fridays are always good to start a media blackout. Then it can continue over the weekend, and if you are really into it, all the next week.

That means don't read newspapers, don't watch ANY news programs on TV (even talking head commentary programs--EVEN possibly The Daily Show), don't even read LBN on here if you want a TOTAL media blackout.

Then, here's what I do: OLD MOVIES. Nothing depressing, but mysteries are good for getting your mind very involved in them. Try watching some Hitchcock flicks. Or some Doris Day stuff. Even if you think you don't like old movies, seriously, give it a try. Start doing Netflix and pore over all the titles.

Books are a good option, too, but make sure it's FLUFFIER than hell or something meaty but not topical/political. A good mystery, again.

See if you can't take a break from seeing people you normally discuss politics with. Maybe let them know what you are doing. Or maybe they could agree to a no-talking-about-political-issues plan for a week, a few days, whatever.

Change up your routine a bit. That always helps, too. Even little changes. Get some freshness in it.

And most of all, don't feel guilty even ONE second for taking a break from all of this. Here's a story about that:

Two guys were in a competition to see who could cut down the most trees in one day. One guy thought "I'll just skip breaks, skip lunch and keep cutting and I'll win!" So he did just that. The other guy, though, took breaks, sharpened his axe at lunch, etc.

The guy who took breaks cut down the most logs. The other guy's axe blade got duller and duller as the day went on and he never took the time to stop and sharpen it and get a second wind.

I know that's a corny story, but it's true. Stop and sharpen your blade. Get a second wind. You'll come back ready to go.

(I know this WHOLE post is corny. So sue me.)

[salinen]

1. Doris Day!

I just got off the phone with Cochrane. You're meat.

[Bouncy Ball]

4. ???

Guess I didn't watch that Doris Day movie. But I did like Pillow Talk. And I have seen her in a couple of Hitchcock films.

[babylonsister]

2. So THAT'S why you call yourself Bouncy Ball!

Very optimistic of you; good tips!

[Bouncy Ball]

3. Oh I'm an extremely optimistic person.

But sometimes that means I'm not as realistic as I should be. Oh well! Life goes on!

(lol)

Thanks. I learned how to do a media blackout and learned to love old movies right after the election. :-(

[Pithy Cherub]

5. No good deed goes unpunished...

:evilgrin:
You have been officially served with being Optimistic for no reason.
You are hereby ordered to: Plant trees for eveyone they chopped down... :P

[Bouncy Ball]

6. Oh ok.

You helping me? Let's remember to stop and take breaks!

lol

[cynatnite]

7. I'm depressed!

My netflix movies haven't came yet :cry: :cry: :cry:

Guess I'll have to take my kid to Robots this weekend.

[MuseRider]

8. Not corny but true.

I did not ever think I could live without a constant feed of CNN. Even when they were tearing Clinton a new one. I stopped for a while then because it made me sick but the selection process of 2000 found me hooked to the latest news again. I let it slide some then 9/11 happened. After a few years I had to give up my fanatical suicide mission of listening to Hannity to "know the enemy". Several months before our last selection I went cold turkey and have not ever looked back. We know the enemy now for sure and forever, all of them. I read DU and several other sites, watch the Daily Show for a laugh. My sanity is still questionable at times (like TODAY!) but I find myself much better able to deal with the crap being thrown at us 24/7 if I do not have to listen to someone rub my nose in it or try to sweeten it so it tastes like sweet shit rather than regular, every-damn-day shit. Your post is not corny, we all need to be sharp even though it seems to not be benefiting us much right now. If there is ever one small, skinny opportunity we need to have every wit about us.