How do you relax?

[Horse with no Name]

With the state of the world today, it isn't as easy as it sounds.


Personally, I have a hard time finding the time to relax. However, one of my recipes for Thanksgiving called for Brandy. I searched the internet for a substitute because drinking isn't something that I have done for a long time...but then I remember a particularly wonderful time spent with a special someone and this wonderful French bistro and a snifter of good brandy.
So, I acquired a bottle of brandy, and tonight, with the hectic holiday behind and a hectic week ahead...I am relaxed on the couch with my cognac watching Criminal Minds while surfing the net!
I haven't been this relaxed in a long time. I might do it again soon!


I raise my glass to all here and toast to "keep up the fight"....



Until tomorrow...goodnight!

[teddy51]

1. Well mine is Canadian Rye Whiskey and Ginger Ale, but hey thats just me. n/t

[lonestarnot]

2. It's an eggnog night and I don't drink.

:toast:

[WillyT]

3. Yoga... And Jack Daniels... Just Kidding...

About the Yoga...

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[tnlefty]

14. Back in the day, before kids, I never could deal with the 'whange'

after taste of Jack Daniels, even being a TN girl, and all. I preferred Wild Turkey 101, and Wellers 105 on the rocks or with water.

I did have a beautiful Jack Daniels lamp until one of the boys broke it.....

[liberalmuse]

4. I'm doing exactly the same thing...

except trade cognac for beer. And like you, I have a long, hectic week ahead and need one last bit of relaxation.

[Populist_Prole]

Scotch Whiskey

Single malt preferred, but I can only afford ( well, prudently ) it a few times a year, so it's the blended stuff most of the time. Either surfing the web, watching a movie, or, you might laugh, flying WW2 combat flight simulators....on the axis side. Rarely watch TV.

[tnlefty]

5. Pinot griggio, and I cook with Grande Marnier, a lot..

a sip of Grande Marnier, more in the recipe. I use Grande Marnier in French toast, yams, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pies, sweet potato pies, anything that I can think of that needs a little orange flavor...

A :toast: to you, relax well, keep up the fight!

[Journeyman]

6. I run. . . .

Alcohol isn't an option.

[WCGreen]

7. I actually relax posting here....

I also like to watch movies, take long walks around the house and play my guitar...

[napoleon_in_rags]

36. +1, DU is very relaxing. It isn't that the world is crazy, its the sense that nobody else sees it.

That's what brings the stress. Hearing people even talking about the really important things gives me a sense that the world is sane, and that brings some peace.

Of course the bottle of Shiraz doesn't hurt either. :)

[grilled onions]

8. My Hobbies

Right now it's making cards for a local hospice. It takes my mind off my troubles/my pain by doing something positive for others dealing with worse troubles then mine.

[Ohio Joe]

9. I have not been able to relax for a long time now

I just pass out on occasion.

[Odin2005]

10. Meditation, reading, music.

[Skittles]

11. with liquor, the trick is to relax but not overdo itI

I don't do it often but occasionally it just the ticket! :D

[WillyT]

13. Skittles On The Sauce...

I'd pay for THAT ass kicking!!!

:evilgrin:

:rofl:

:hide:

:yoiks:

:loveya:

:hi:

[Skittles]

16. hey I remember Nickle Beer Nights in Kenosha Wisconsin

yes INDEED!

[WillyT]

19. LOL !! - We Had 40 Cent Beer Nights In A Cop Bar !!!

Shhh...

:loveya:

:hi:

[Greybnk48]

22. My Dad owned a "Beer Bar" in WI in the 60's and the students

from U.W. Oshkosh would drive 16 miles for his nickle tappers--Hamm's, PBR, and Chief Oshkosh. This was just before the rise of Budweiser and Special Export. Of course gas was about .15 cents a gal. and drunk driving was tolerated to a degree.

[Skittles]

27. I was a FIB

but we were pretty good about rotating the driving duties, even back then :D

[Morning Dew]

12. Usually, I like to . . .

The moderators on duty have determined by consensus that this message is far too disgusting, sick and profanity laden to meet even the very low Democratic Underground's community standards. This message will remain hidden from public view until it is fleshed out into full length novel form by the member who posted it. The member may also choose to self-delete the message.

[BoWanZi]

15. I don't drink or smoke but I relax with other weird odd hobbies

I collect and play with old recycled computers. Stuff from the '70s and '80s like old Apples, Ataris, Commodores and so on. I also enjoy playing with my animals. I also like immersing myself in sci-fi tv shows and movies.

[wingzeroday]

17. BORN

black wind

fire

[NRaleighLiberal]

18. for relaxation, I mod DU!

:hide: :rofl:

Actually...it is insane. I had to step away from DU/politics for a few months - easing back. For relaxing? Cooking, gardening, kayaking, long walks with my wife and our dogs. Lots of good music.

There are ways....but it is hard to believe/fathom/process much of what we are seeing these days....

[wingzeroday]

20. gangsta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEH_ms8d1ws

[onestepforward]

34. For a quick fix, I try to keep my mind in the present moment

Usually my worries bounce around in the dead past or imagined future. I concentrate on the present moment by simply paying attention to my breath.

A nice glass of wine and some good laughs help too :)

(edited)
Meant to post to OP.

[PDJane]

21. I do needlework......

The colours of threads and wools appeal to me, the repetitive nature is like meditation, and it produces something lovely to gift or keep.

Right now, I'm doing a crewel work of wild roses in a bowl; it's a Christmas gift.

[csziggy]

23. Same here - stitching is sort of like meditation for me, also

Right now I am working on several projects - one of the classes I took at the Embroiderer's Guild of American national seminar in September, a group correspondence course I'm taking with my local Guild chapter, a chapter project I am taking with the American Needlepoint Guild Cyberpointers Chapter, and a class project I am supposed to lead next spring for my local chapter. Those are two stumpwork pieces, and two needlepoint pieces.

In the past year I finished two EGA correspondence courses, my first crewel piece and a whitework piece, though I did it in blue.

[Greybnk48]

25. Sounds beautiful. I knit to relax. I have several projects

going at a time so I can pick what to work on based on my mood. If I want a challenge I work on a mini lace shawl I'm knitting for myself (which is a rarity since I usually gift everything as well). I'm also working on a cabled scarf for someone. And my easy piece that I don't have to think too much about is a little fish hat for my grandson.

[ChazInAz]

24. I don't drink,

Don't do drugs.
I make things. Hand-forged knives. Shoes. Clocks. Woodwork. Ironwork.
Sometimes, I act. Working on "Rosenkrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead" right now.
Needless to say, I rarely get bored. I am kinda running out of space to put things, however!

[Newest Reality]

26. Fortunately

my meditation has become deeper and that's probably because I'm returning to it more frequently as a calming refuge in these times.

I'm not really a formal anything, not being agnostic, gnostic, theist or atheist, (which pisses some folks off) yet, Taoism and Core Buddhism are psychological tools that can be utilized as a form of medicine in an ill society.

The Metta Sutta is an enjoyable, clearing exercise and preparation for the deeper meditation, (as well as peaceful, joyous, loving kindness) or Jhanas. After all these years, what used to seem like an hour, yet was only a few minutes, has reversed. One can stay in a deep state for hours and it seems timeless. Anxiety melts in the heart and the energy is liberated.

[madamesilverspurs]

28. Indulge Valium.

By the way, "Valium" is what I named my guitar.

[roody]

29. I read DU.

[MADem]

30. I went swimming in an indoor pool over thanksgiving--it was very relaxing!

Had a great time; slept like a baby that night.

I should probably do that sort of thing more often. I would like to find a pay as you go pool nearby; I don't think I want to spend the money for some sort of club membership--too pricy, especially since I wouldn't be sure I'd be using it all the time.

[LuvNewcastle]

31. I live a pretty laid-back lifestyle already,

so I don't usually have to set aside any time specifically for relaxation. Sometimes if I'm having company, I'll go to the store and grab some Newcastles and I'll play some light music, usually whatever they're playing on public radio. I must have my cigarettes, though. They seem to help me think more clearly.

[bigwillq]

32. Read, dance, exercise

hang with family and friends, have a beer.

[Speck Tater]

33. Meditation for REAL relaxing. Reading or watching a good movie for fun. nt

[ThomWV]

35. I go way up into the mountains and engage in very spirited driving

I've been doing it my entire life, it is my one remaining vice, like to drive fast on twisty roads. I find it very relaxing.

[Scuba]

37. Play the guitar. n/t

[eShirl]

38. hot tea

[MichaelMcGuire]

39. I do next to nothing

[MichaelMcGuire]

40. I forgot Yogscast

A guilty pleasure of mine.

http://youtu.be/SxzUmD-BjBA

[piratefish08]

41. weed - books - meditation

not necessarily in that order......