"Manly" Stress relief

The other day, a discussion surrounding video gaming arose on a message board I belong to. Originally one member was trying to get information and opinions about what gaming system her children should buy with their savings, but through it all, the discussion swayed a bit and someone asked what the draw was about violent, shoot-em-up games, and stated that they couldn't understand the point of it.

In the end, it basically came out that it was a form of stress relief for many people. That it's mindless gaming, and in a life where they are otherwise required to be pleasant and law-abiding to everyone around them, it's their opportunity to exert some of their pent up aggression, anger and frustrations. You know - using a missile at close range to blow up a guy that reminds you of the asshole that cut you off on the highway; or shooting a woman in the knee because that payroll bitch chewed you out again. Nice? Not really, but for the most part, it's fairly innocent (although I DO recognize that some people take their gaming W-A-Y too seriously), and is just a mindless retreat from 'regular' life. It's the opportunity for someone to commit crimes without actually REALLY doing so. It's the inner 'evil' within our minds. The lizard brain. For the most part, it's a 'boy' thing.

Anyway . . . I'm regressing here somewhat. That wasn't really the point of this post. The conversation carries on that some people use TV as their escape from reality. That others exercise, and some, obviously, play video games. One member (love her to bits - and I KNOW she knows that I'm not making fun of her at all) commented that her husband focuses his frustrations and stress on yardwork and stuff around the house. That of course created a chorus of "in my dreams that would happen".

Indeed.

"I'm sorry honey but I'm really stressed out so I'm just going to go scrub the bathtub." (I need to give credit to the wonderful gal that I stole this statement from - thanks Jen! This statement still has me chuckling).

or "I've had a such a bad day at work, think I'll go ahead and clean out the kids rooms"

or "This has certainly been the most hellish day of my life, I'm just going to take this here bucket and cloth and clean all the walls and baseboards, then I'll go and clean out the fridge and cupboards"

or even better . . . "gosh darn it all dear, I'm SO stressed out all the time, would you mind it much if I asked you to stop doing any of the household responsibilities so I can work through it? You know, because household duties REALLY relax and soothe me".

Could you imagine?! Really? Could you?

No. Me either. But I sure *CAN* dream.