Breathing vapors of creosotes, coal tar, coal tar pitch, or coal tar pitch volatiles can cause irritation of the respiratory tract

sometimes i find it helpful to remember that

redemption
COMES
thru darkness

a healthy activity

during the terribly bleak season i lived on tyrell, the morning pages exercizes from the audio book "the artist's way at work" got me through. i also loved the view down that street to park from the dining room. and since there was a clever little coffee station right by that big window, i was able to form the discipline to do 3 long hand pages of writing every morning first thing, even though i had an office job then and some pretty early morning starts. its a half hour daily exercize to do first thing. never let your hand stop. just dump whatever's in your mind on the page.

the routine has kept me grounded and calm and has really helped me to re-invent myself, as an artist, while helping me to improve relationships in my life. sometimes i learn things from what i've written, but usually it's only the practice of them that's meaningful. they are not done for the product.

i usually read them back after 6 weeks and blog anything that seems insightful, or poetic or whatever, and i also pull highlights that need to be added to my daytimer in a things to do column.

its a constructive ritual i recommend.