Are you talking to me? If you get an answer, let me know. Right now, I am exhausted and need a lie down although my list is as long as the line of traffic with the current dumpster revolt...
I'll check the comments later to find an answer
You could probably simplify your email responses if you recognize (1) that writing in your blog is a good way of responding to everyone without repeating yourself and (2) as in conversation most people enjoy being listened to. So just by reading you've done a lot! Don't forget to tick that off your list.
If you're interested in Newtonian mechanics and need to "learn to slow down" I suggest trying to watch Snooker on TV! World Championships just ended so maybe you'll need to find pool or billiards or something. I'm sure there are life lessons there (and watching the pros pot those balls is soothingly hypnotic!)
Is it warm enough to sit in the park and read? Should we send someone over to your place to remove the power cord from your computer? Should we send someone over with a shaker full of lemon drop?
My first response was, "Chocolate." But then I realized that, first, that response has probably contributed to my rather significant weight gain over the last few years when I'm supposed to be retired and slowing down, and, two, that I can eat chocolate as obssessively as I can do calendars. I do meditate, though. It helps. So do warm baths. Also an enjoyable but not overly intelligent movie and knitting. When it gets too bad, I leave. Maybe not responsible, but helpful. I know a hotel with great views, a wonderful bathtub, good restaurants on site and a balcony overlooking hills and wildlife. It's only a couple of hours away. That's my escape. They knew me by my first name when I was writing my dissertation.
If you're sure you have done a complete brain dump and there's nothing kicking around in there waiting to be processed or written down, then it's time for some drastic action.
I suggest a nice cup of herbal tea (especially if you have Celestial Seasoning's Tension Tamer or Mood Mender or anything with Valerian). Then if all else fails, force yourself to sit down and watch a film or tv or something. Nothing numbs your brain like tv, even the educational stuff that makes up the bulk of what I watch. But sometimes you just *need* to shift gears and zone out for 45 minutes in order to snap out of whatever was the problem before.
Alternately there is Ravelry but that tends to suck entire weeks whole out of the schedule so use only in dire emergencies 
A birdfeeder, was my random thought. Mojo would be entertained too. Something to just sit and quietly watch and let be.
Oh, and, since you like your Stephen King etc etc, you'd get to watch the occasional murder-mystery, Attack of the Killer Birds of Prey, too, if you did. Heh. (Having seen a golden eagle and a red-tailed hawk here because of my neighbor's birdfeeder.)
Let's see what we can come up with...
--Definitely can get away with posting on your blog to let us know how you, Mojo, your Mom and everyone else important in your life (and vicariously important to the rest of us) are.
--Feed Mojo some catnip and watch her get silly
--Go somewhere that has great people watching and watch
--Take more pictures for days when you need to stay in. On those days, enjoy them!
I often plan knitting projects in my head when my brain wants to be busy. In your case, go ahead and plan them, just have Ken or Stephanie actually knit them. Just in case either of them should run out of projects ; ) !
Oh, gosh, I heard someone give a talk recently and it included stuff about different brain states, now who could that be, whoooo could it be??? :P Anyways, you need to rent a new series, that always does it for me. I can't remember what you've watched - I've heard The Wire is good, I haven't seen that. I just re-watched all the Sopranos. Deadwood is lovely, but you'll swear like a sailor after a couple episodes. Have you seen Carnivale? 2 seasons of creepy wonderfulness. I'm one of the few who really liked John From Cincinnati, maybe you would to.
Solitaire on the stupid computer makes me veg out, but that's an extreme measure.
I have two potential solutions that I use regularly:
Stupid TV. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Grey's Anatomy, anything that sucks me in, pulls me up, makes me go deeeeeeeeeeerrrrrr...just give my brain a rest. Stupid books can also work.
Get out of your house. Find a park or a cafe or whatever. Watch people, birds, cats, cars; just try and let your brain sleep a little. Yesterday, with a brain too full from new-job training, I got a bagel and some soup and ate my lunch sitting on a rock. It was incredibly restful.
I think the key is to get away from the things that make you go nuts and try to push yourself; if you stay close to them, it's too tempting to say "Weeeeell, just this once..."
Reality TV
Today is Saturday. I've sat in my garden with the sun on my face and looking for the new life that's about to bloom. I think that was a mini vacation.
Lene, try the parks near you. Watch the kids. Listen to the birds.
Wednesday was supposed to be your day off?
Hopefully my visit didn't ruin it.
My brain tends to whirl around the most when I'm trying to fall asleep. I can veg for ages during the day, with little brain activity going on, but when it's time for bed, my mind perks up and decides I must try to solve all of life's problems right then and there.
Happy Mother's Day to Mojo's mommy!
When you find out, let me know. I haven't posted in almost a month because I started making lists and I still haven't finished anything on the one I posted.
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