OT- What really relaxes you?

[Sandy]

What relaxes someone may be remarkably unsettling for another.

I just returned from a local shelter. I go there twice a day to walk and spend time with a pit bull, King, who has been at the shelter since April. We have bonded.

The shelter was getting ready to close. I had walked King, interacted and played with him, and put him in his cage for the night. I lied down next to him and gently stroked his body and head, as he became more and more relaxed. I was thinking how genuinely relaxing and calming the experience was for both of us. We had total trust in one another. It was special to me.

What activity really relaxes you in a special way?


Sandy

[DarrenCT]

my cat

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4271/cataw6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

my bike

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8049/darrenresdm1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

playing tennis

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8836/darrenservepf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

beer

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4548/sierranevadabeer03vt6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Sandy]

Neat answer. Enyoyed the photos that went along with the words.

I wonder how often a pet would be in the answer of my question.


Sandy

[DarrenCT]

Neat answer. Enyoyed the photos that went along with the words.

I wonder how often a pet would be in the answer of my question.

Sandy

Sandy,

studies have proven that pets definitely relax people. i think pets will be a top choice. neat topic btw.

relaxed d

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . and listening to the rain pounding on the roof when I can sleep late the next morning. Safe and warm in bed, in my own house, the roof don't leak, the basement don't leak . . . real nice feeling.

BBD

[DarrenCT]

BBD,

good call listening to the rain. also maybe watching the snow fall while its snowing outside. (while pounding a gin on the rocks)

fireplace = relaxing for sure...

[ashwa64]

smoking a fat bowl of some sick chronic (although it's been a while).





did i just say that?

[Sandy]

smoking a fat bowl of some sick chronic (although it's been a while).





did i just say that?

Yes you did, but we won't tell.


Sandy

[DarrenCT]

smoking a fat bowl of some sick chronic (although it's been a while).

did i just say that?

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3212/shockedsc8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Lifelover]

. . . and listening to the rain pounding on the roof when I can sleep late the next morning. Safe and warm in bed, in my own house, the roof don't leak, the basement don't leak . . . real nice feeling.

BBD


I'm truly not trying to be antagonistic because your's is the type of response my wife would give. I'm just the exact opposite. I very seldom give thanks for the bad things that don't happen to me. I'm too busy rejoicing in the good stuff that does happen.

[72gmc]

dogs and dog cookies

[shinomaster]

Piraat Belgian beer.

[Lifelover]

What activity really relaxes you in a special way?


Sandy

My wife's touch. The closest I have came to an emotional breakdown was adverted by her stroking my hand.

[J.Greene]

A salt bagel, whipped creame cheese, and a can of cold Coke

JG

[Blue Jays]

Sleeping relaxes me. Put my head on the pillow, pull the warm blankets up, and I'm asleep inside of one minute.

[cadence231]

The next day after having a GOOD night's sleep.

[3chordwonder]

I envy Sandy for being able to be happy and relaxed while helping the animals at a shelter.

I would be a trainwreck of depression in the same situation, thinking not of the comfort I'd be giving the animals there, but of the coming day when they get killed if nobody's come to adopt them (that's what happens here, at any rate).

Totally selfish, I realize. I should get over it and help out at my local shelter but cowardly prefer to give money in the hope that allows them to keep more animals in care at one time.

I forgot - best relaxation is hanging out with happy pets, or happy girlfriend or other friends, turning off the amp after playing some loud nasty rock in a band of likeminded people. The latter happens very rarely over the last 15 years for me, but I remember the high that produces. Nothing like the feeling of being in the middle of a band going off at loud volume, it's like you can play with electricity itself.

[cadence231]

I envy Sandy for being able to be happy and relaxed while helping the animals at a shelter.

I would be a trainwreck of depression in the same situation, thinking not of the comfort I'd be giving the animals there, but of the coming day when they get killed if nobody's come to adopt them (that's what happens here, at any rate).

Totally selfish, I realize. I should get over it and help out at my local shelter but cowardly prefer to give money in the hope that allows them to keep more animals in care at one time.

I know. It's hard.
I have adopted ex-racing greyhounds and I see a bunch of creepy stuff that I can't get out of my head but at the same time I do what I can do. Ya know?

[3chordwonder]

I know. It's hard.
I have adopted ex-racing greyhounds and I see a bunch of creepy stuff that I can't get out of my head but at the same time I do what I can do. Ya know?

I can imagine.

I don't have much faith in human nature as it is, seeing too much of what respectable civilians do to animals to entertain themselves or just because they can make a buck out of it would turn me into a misanthrope in no time at all.

P.S. Yes you're right, doing what you can do is all you can be expected to do and absolutely a more positive and useful attitude than just complaining about it - like I do (apart from rescuing the odd injured wildlife or having adopted a few cats from shelters over the last two decades, which isn't doing much at all really).

[cadence231]

I can imagine.

I don't have much faith in human nature as it is, seeing too much of what respectable civilians do to animals to entertain themselves or just because they can make a buck out of it would turn me into a misanthrope in no time at all.

P.S. Yes you're right, doing what you can do is all you can be expected to do and absolutely a more positive and useful attitude than just complaining about it - like I do (apart from rescuing the odd injured wildlife or having adopted a few cats from shelters over the last two decades, which isn't doing much at all really).
:beer: :beer:

[slowgoing]

the scalp rub portion of a haircut.

[Sandy]

My wife's touch. The closest I have came to an emotional breakdown was adverted by her stroking my hand.

What a wonderful response. Shows how much can be communicated and felt by a simple extension of touching. I guess we should all do lots more of that to the ones we genuinely love. I will today- both in the human animal world - spouse, so,...., and in the non-human animal world- pets.....

Thanks for the response.


Softly Stroking Sandy

[Sandy]

A salt bagel, whipped creame cheese, and a can of cold Coke

JG

A fresh cinnamom raisin bagel, still warm from being baked, with cream cheese, sounds really good to me!

Sandy

[Sandy]

I envy Sandy for being able to be happy and relaxed while helping the animals at a shelter.

I would be a trainwreck of depression in the same situation, thinking not of the comfort I'd be giving the animals there, but of the coming day when they get killed if nobody's come to adopt them (that's what happens here, at any rate).

Totally selfish, I realize. I should get over it and help out at my local shelter but cowardly prefer to give money in the hope that allows them to keep more animals in care at one time.

I forgot - best relaxation is hanging out with happy pets, or happy girlfriend or other friends, turning off the amp after playing some loud nasty rock in a band of likeminded people. The latter happens very rarely over the last 15 years for me, but I remember the high that produces. Nothing like the feeling of being in the middle of a band going off at loud volume, it's like you can play with electricity itself.

You are being much too hard on yourself. There is a woman who works part time at the shelter in order to make additional money to help take care of dogs. I always knew that she would never go back into the kennel area. I thought that she might be afraid of the dogs. It turns out that she has about 8 dogs, and won't go back to the kennel area because she know that she will take another one. It is too tough on her to look at the dogs.

I used to spend much more time at the shelter but had problems with energy. I am doing much better now and plan on spending more time there. I have been mostly seeing one dog in particular as he has been at a shelter since April- a very long time, has no applications because of extremely strict rules in adpoting the breed (pit bull), barks and growls some when patrons come to the cage initially if he does not know them and hence does not present himself well, but is remarkably affectionate and trusting when he gets to know you, He and I have bonded.

When I would spend lots of times at a kill shelter, I would sometimes get very frustrated, thinking how little I was doing in the grand scheme of things. So many dogs and all I was doing was walking a few of the zillions at shelters. Knowing that the supply far exceeds demand and knowing that lots of truly wonderful dogs will never make it, can often be very frustrating and sad. That is the hardest part.

All I do is walk a few dogs and interact with them and others (give some donations also), but the people who foster care and rescue dogs are the ones that I really admire. They give love and great daily time to the animals. They are the heros to me.

Each person does what she or he is capable of, in their own way. I went to the kill shelter with a young and remarkably caring young woman yesterday. A couple of things happened there which upset her so much that she had to leave early. She became very emotional and told me that she just had to go home. She works at a no kill shelter and was just volunteering at the one we visited. Her love and care for dogs is so obvious. I admire her wonderful work with the dogs.

Donations are critical.


Sandy

[3chordwonder]

Having just spent some time doing it, can I add 'removing garish stickers from new wheels'? Very effective, relaxing and rewarding especially when the stickers are the kind that peel off beautifully leaving no residue. Thanks DT Swiss for being so thoughtful.

And Sandy - good on you for spending time at those shelters. Your post above implies that as I thought it's hard work when you care, but of course unless those who care do it, nobody else will.

One day I'll have my workload throttled back, more time and consequently a more relaxed frame of mind and hopefully will do my bit. Meantime I'll keep up the donations.

[Bruce K]

Sandy;

Your Bar Mitzvah is going to be revoked!

Cinnamon Raisin? :eek: :help: That's not a bagel, it's a pastry

Now egg or poppy seed, THOSE are bagels. ;)

BK

[Sandy]

Sandy;

Your Bar Mitzvah is going to be revoked!

Cinnamon Raisin? :eek: :help: That's not a bagel, it's a pastry

Now egg or poppy seed, THOSE are bagels. ;)

BK

Now you are a man who knows his bagels. How does lox, cream cheese, tomato, and a hard boiled egg sound on one of those bagels you mentioned? Sounds great to me.....even relaxing.


Sandy

[Sandy]

dogs and dog cookies

Love the photo of your dog!


Sandy

[Too Tall]

What relaxes me??? Whatever relaxes you!

Solitary bike rides, talking with good friends.

Second best: rain drops on roses...

[ti_boi]

I like to lay back in my knotty pine paneled room in the belly of my house...

with my two elderly terrier dogs beside resting comfortably....

and a hot mug of Kava tea. m-e-l-l-o-w

[mikki]

A long bike ride followed by a massage by an outstanding therapist.

My cat when she curlsl up inside my bathrobe on my chest. Her furr is like silk.

Good music or a good book.

A roaring fireplace.

Hoping into our wonderful temperpedic bed with a down comforter and pillows that really support my neck.

A glass of aged, full body Cabernet Sauvignon .

And when I am too wound up for the above to do the trick, two capsules of MyoCalm (Natural herb muscle relaxers that put me out in sleepyland in an hour).

[gt6267a]

And when I am too wound up for the above to do the trick, two capsules of MyoCalm (natural muscle relaxers that put me out in nana land in an hour).

so, you take two pills and become a grandmother. that is either the best thing ever or really disturbing.

[Fixed]

aahhh... beer and stuff
cheers imho

the gentle side of john coltrane

[TimD]

What ashwa said - all of it :)

I once ate half of a small tablet, the half having the numbers "71" on it, which made me VERY relaxed :)

Nowadays, >= 20 miles on the bike, absent any unpleasant encounters with cars, usually does the trick. If ridden before 0700 hours I'm good for most of the day.

[CNY rider]

Sitting in the woods for hours on a not-too cold day, waiting for the one that never comes.
I'll admit that I"ve had some of my best ever naps sitting in a nice sunny spot, rifle in hand, waiting for deer. Sometimes I'm really glad when they don't show up. :beer:

[Fixed]

bro that was 714
cheers

[BURCH]

Sitting in the woods for hours on a not-too cold day, waiting for the one that never comes.
I'll admit that I"ve had some of my best ever naps sitting in a nice sunny spot, rifle in hand, waiting for deer. Sometimes I'm really glad when they don't show up. :beer:


This used to be my most relaxing activity, but now I find it a little too boring to be relaxing. I start staring at the watch too much. I would have to say fly fishing on a wooded stream to be the most relaxing. Or mtn biking... Tomorrow is a full day of bowhunting.

Although there is nothing like a nap in the woods when the son is keeping you warm in the coler months.

[mcteague]

Listening to Arvo Part, particularly this disk.

Tim McTeague

[flux]

5 hours in the coffin.

[saab2000]

- Long, solo bike rides west of Appleton, WI
- A good dinner with fun people
- Driving across Wisconsin, listening to NPR
- Red wine
- Beer, in the hotel bar after a 12-hour day working
- Sitting in the garage in the summer, working on my bike
- Working, after a long spell of not working (like right now would not be bad....)

[swoop]

learning, goose necks, mirrored objects, the sound of chamois cream squishing out of a bottle, dire straits, combing stevep's hair, grant's collection of partridge family memorabilia, katie holmes movies, lip gloss, unicorns, getting clear of thetans, dremel tool accessories, collecting vintage toothbrushes, the smell of burnt wool, gluing tubulars wrong on friends bikes, trying to steal the straw hats off USCF officials.. you know... the usual.

[David Kirk]

As odd as this might sound - good loud punk rock and driving at 10/10. Both will wear me out and put me to sleep.

Dave

[e-RICHIE]

a drive around the block in the back one of these atmo -

http://www.limousinehirelincoln.co.uk/images/hummer_limousine_3.jpg

[fiamme red]

a drive around the block in the back one of these atmo -

http://www.limousinehirelincoln.co.uk/images/hummer_limousine_3.jpgPOTD

[sc53]

Sitting in front of the glowing "fireplace" of my Quad Classic tube amps and Cary preamp playing Bill Charlap, Houston Person, John Hicks, or Billy Taylor Trio through my ProAc speakers = relaxing bliss. Add a glass of red wine--the medium-bodied varieties like Pinot Noir or cotes du Rhone--and both my dogs sleeping rather than whining nearby, and I can drift away into pleasant thoughts rather than stress. Hmmm...I guess I've got my Friday evening planned!

[TimD]

bro that was 714
cheers

I cannot confirm or deny that... my girlfriend ate the other half :beer:

[Climb01742]

surprised no one has said this one: sex. with someone you love.

[e-RICHIE]

surprised no one has said this one: sex. with someone you love.
atmo - (http://serotta.com/forum/showpost.php?p=432414&postcount=43)
doh!

[CNY rider]

surprised no one has said this one: sex. with someone you love.

I know lots of forumites love themselves too. ;)

[stevep]

e-richie and his hot shiit stretch team hummer.
i think it looks silly...
when the team comes out they look like clowns coming out of a phone booth.
i wanna use it for the summer...
my mega well funded program... last cross race 4 guys, 6 bikes and 10 pr of wheels in a honda civic.
i refused to ask how.
these kids are a riot. ahh, remember the day.
" hey, i know this girl...she has a big car..."
"nice, whats her number?"

ginger, what kinda car do you have?
just curious.


spinelli in a stretch hummer limo?
oye vey.
( yiddish for *** )

[jerk]

me and miki we be on the same page and Shiite. vicodin is the only way to get on the real down low tip these days. muscle shots of h and hanging out against the same wall with the same beer at the same party in the same sunglasses for five nighttime hours just don't cut it no more.
jerk

[e-RICHIE]

me and miki we be on the same page and Shiite. vicodin is the only way to get on the real down low tip these days. muscle shots of h and hanging out against the same wall with the same beer at the same party in the same sunglasses for five nighttime hours just don't cut it no more.
jerk
don't blame the shades.
see me atmo -

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1105/750231614_07c99fa46e_b.jpg

[Elmer]

What relaxes me is watching these two girls relax in the sun.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/ElmerJosina/Dogs/IMG_0109.jpg
Does this work for you Sandy?

[Fixed]

hip cat

imho

[Grant McLean]

Lego + Count Chocula + saturday morning cartoons



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


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cEOKS5-DcQ&feature=related


-g

[Fixed]

surprised no one has said this one: sex. with someone you love.
bingo :beer:

[ShockTreatment]

aahhh... beer and stuff
cheers imho

the gentle side of john coltrane

Naima. That song can make me cry.

[maunahaole]

Getting in a good groove on the motorcycle.

[ti_boi]

Getting in a good groove on the motorcycle.


yeah man this is good..............playin guitar also does it for me. :cool:

Sex? Yeah, but waaaaaay to obvious...and if you are doin 'it' to relax...well, somethings wrong. :)

[keno]

An hour or so ago my wife told me that I fell asleep this afternoon in the middle of a sentence she was uttering. I don't dare analyze this event. Nonetheless, it was relaxing in some sense of the word.

keno

[Fixed]

Naima. That song can make me cry.

bro you know alabama ? i love naima too
cheers bro :beer:

[Tobias]

Walking along a flowing stream in a tranquil forest.
A warm shower.
Rain on a metal roof.

[Grant McLean]

An hour or so ago my wife told me that I fell asleep this afternoon in the middle of a sentence she was uttering. I don't dare analyze this event. Nonetheless, it was relaxing in some sense of the word.

keno

...better than falling asleep in the middle of sumptin' else, know what i'm sayin' ;)

-g

[Grant McLean]

bro you know alabama ? cheers bro :beer:

bro, that song makes me sad.

:(



-g

[Sandy]

What relaxes me is watching these two girls relax in the sun.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/ElmerJosina/Dogs/IMG_0109.jpg
Does this work for you Sandy?

That works for me just great! Thanks!


Sandy

[Sandy]

An hour or so ago my wife told me that I fell asleep this afternoon in the middle of a sentence she was uttering. I don't dare analyze this event. Nonetheless, it was relaxing in some sense of the word.

keno

You are one wise man! She was saying- "Honey, I would really like a diamond necklace." :rolleyes:


Sandy

[Fixed]

bro, that song makes me sad.

:(



-g
tragic time = beautiful music Lonnie's Lament

[ShockTreatment]

tragic time = beautiful music Lonnie's Lament
Agree. One of my favorite records is Afro Blue Impressions. I also like to listen to McCoy Tyner on his own.

[jimcav]

back when i fancied doing an ironman, long swims totally relaxed me--just got in a groove and sort of mindlessly went--caveat: the water was not too cold.

a hike in an old growth forest where the sunlight is shooting beams through the limbs is nice too.

oh and a 7 mile run to ocean beach (San D.) and then laying down listening to the surf for awhile.

wow i really realize how much i dislike my windowless office.

jim

[David Kirk]

a drive around the block in the back one of these atmo -

http://www.limousinehirelincoln.co.uk/images/hummer_limousine_3.jpg

Dude that car IS around the block.

Dave

[taz-t]

a week sleeping in the dunes on Ocracoke Island - no tv, computer, cars or people. Takes at least a couple of days to decompress, then blissed out.

- taz

[KeithS]

These are the kids I used to have and the kids I still have. On the beach with the young'ns.

[Fixed]

Agree. One of my favorite records is Afro Blue Impressions. I also like to listen to McCoy Tyner on his own.
we are bros imho
cheers :beer:

[BumbleBeeDave]

atmo - (http://serotta.com/forum/showpost.php?p=432414&postcount=43)
doh!

. . . a Twizzler® with wheels, don't it? :rolleyes:

BBD

[onekgguy]

In no particular order...
riding...obviously
tinkering with my bikes
mowing the lawn
a glass of California red wine with Tammy to close out the day
sitting at the computer with my pups on my lap
music
road trips in the car
vacations
writing
tv
reminiscing...I'm big on this one
the end of the day when I've gotten a ton of stuff accomplished

Kevin g

[DarrenCT]

...better than falling asleep in the middle of sumptin' else, know what i'm sayin' ;)

-g

:crap:

now thats funny.... i dont care who u are...