Friday evening I was restless, with my plans changed I was at loose ends. I like AS, but didn't feel up to a concert. I didn't want to just go home, so i went to the coffee shop, then I ended up giving a good listen and some encouragement to the lady on duty there. Didn't read for anyone, ended up just stting around reading as I would at home, not feeling up to shopping much or actively seeking people to read for, or even walking over to the gay & lesbian community center.

I was sick on Saturday. Stayed in bed mostly. I think it was sinus infection, stress, and laziness/fatigue. Some fever. Slept hours and hours. My plans to fix the computer at home just faded away.

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We had been thinking about a new system, but then I added up the dental bills (after insurance.) Um, not if we can help it. We need to save up for a new fridge, too-- I don't want to clean out savings for it. Also, it disturbs me to replace if it's possible to repair.

Ja and I had been planning a romantic/kinky weekend to ourselves, with some errands squeezed in. The petrol panic made us wary of driving much (I had already been lukewarm on visiting my grandmother), and our general feelings of stress and malaise dampened the rest... or maybe dried it out a bit, hmmm. We ended up doing ( Read more...Collapse )

A touch of *Golden Priapus* by BPAL on him and *Silk Road* on me may have also had an aphrodisiac effect, but I'm not sure. My package of imps had arrived Friday night. Sunday while we were figuring out whether I was up to going out for dinner/grocery shopping/visiting we read the copy and tried them out. Testing scent with Ja is like looking at pictures with other people.

Ja thinks that part of the reason for his and my exhaustion is sensitivity to others' stress about hurricane-related issues. With so many coworkers and friends with ties to the coastal area, it's not surprising. And of course we have... should we call them refugees?... in the area, though not in our house at this time. He and I soaked up each other's skin a lot this weekend, cocooning almost literally in our bed.

Here are some tips from a list for relieving stress induced by crisis or proximity to crisis:

find some thing you can do to help -- if you really don't have the money, try searching your house for appropriate food, clothing, or unused toiletry items

hot baths, exercise or other non-caloric means of releasing stress

touch - if you have access to people whose "vibes" comfort you, hugs or perhaps massage will do you all good

simple rituals - if you have simple rituals or spells that you do for cleansing, comfort and/or protection, do them-- whether it's a cup of hot tea on your back porch or the LBRP.

prayer and meditation - hang out at your altar, pray, meditate, do reiki self-care if you're a practitioner, take a few deep breaths and center if you're too busy

music -- often hard, angry music *followed by* calming music can help more; some resist typical new-age ambience when *very* tense