How do I deal with stress? Kidding me…?

Funny this topic comes at the most opportune time–crunch time at work! Woo-freaking-hoo… =P

Okay. Granted that I cannot spend most of my de-stressing methods, I’ll just relate how I do try to cope with stress if given ample time. And yes, I am fully aware that we are to de-stress if we don’t want to reach breaking point. I’m just at that in denial point.

Oops, I digress. Back to the show…!

 I have some ways to try to spend some downtime. The first that comes to mind is drawing. It’s one of my main anti-drug and reels my sanity back in. I recall once or twice when I was still an agent taking calls that I made a few doodles. One major one was when I was slapped an incident report. I drew Aoshi Shinomori, my main favorite anime character well. I define “well” when I was able to depict the emotions surrounding the drawing, and it the pose was good–just that the proportions are off. I also have one memorable drawing I did of Aoshi in pure ink, no pencil outline. I was quite proud of that.

It gives me a little feeling of fulfillment when I scan off my drawings and post them up to share. They aren’t really much, but it’s nice that they are appreciated by some folks.

Same with fanfiction. For the uninitiated, fanfiction is “a broadly defined term for fiction about characters or settings written by admirers of the original work, rather than by the original creators. The term usually applies to works that are uncommissioned and unauthorized by the owner/creators and publishers of the original and usually (but not always) works which are not professionally published. Fan fiction is defined outside of original fiction, which exists within its own discrete, professionally published universe, and therefore outside of canon works within that universe. Most fan fiction writers assume that their readers have knowledge of the canon universe (created by a professional writer) in which their works are based.” (Thank you, copy/paste and Wikipedia. ^_^)

 I’ve written quite a few, based off of favorite anime characters I fave the most. And I’ve also written a few for CSI:NY, all Donald Flack-centric. But I’ve lost touch with this fandom, as with Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X), unfortunately. But I’ve been fixated with the anime series, Initial D and managed to have written a handfule of fics for this series so far. And I’m not yet done! I have two, approximately three-year-old fanfics that I’ve YET to put and ending to. T_____T Ugh. It’s stressful to do research and chapter fillers to move the story along, but it helps me think of something else other than work. And it also gives me the same sense of fulfillment when I see a few faithful readers glad to see the latest outings. I don’t get paid for it, but it sure puts a doofy grin on my face to know someone read my small efforts.

One other activity I do to de-stress that I want to bring back is drawing with the Little Peanut at home. The kid has a knack and curiosity to depict everything in color and uneven lines. It was really sweet of the kid to imitate one drawing I did. The best compliment this wannabe artist could ever get.

Now, if my creative juices fail me, I would also pick up my guitar and play. I haven’t really learned new tunes, the old ones hardly being practised as it is. My hand’s gotten stiff from typing to no end at work, so I still need to constantly practice even those I know by heart to get it right.

One other destressing avenue I’ve discovered is the Initial D arcade version 4! I’ve only played it once, and I like it! I’ve already tried version 3, but nobody’s taught me the tricks so I couldn’t really appreciate it, and just… lost interest. Now. With version 4, I got the license for it, and I plan to clear all the mountain courses it has to offer! It’s a really great feeling to be able to drive these cool cars like a maniac up and down a mountain. Dammit, I wanna play now!

 So, there. Some of the few ways I destress. Since Chuthunnko wondered, I answered. So, how about you?