Hullo Sqrl,
You're obviously an extremely accomplished thinker and writer, so when you comment on my poems, it means a great deal. Bout time I returned the favor, mate (or luv -- not sure of your gender, to be honest. Not meant as an insult, just the fact that your observations tend to transcend gender stereotypes).

I understand all-too-well your sense of playing the role of Voltaire's character, though, truth to tell, when I go into an up cycle I usually fire the afterburners and don't think twice about the fact that eventually that dial with the F is going to roll over to E and I'll plunge to Earth with devastating violence (I had to take a two-month disability leave from work last year when Icarus flew too near the sun and the wax holding his wings together melted in a flash).

But seeing as you are such a talented writer, I was wondering if sometimes you're able to channel a lot of the mania into creative works. I know this happens with me. I'll have ideas for three poems and once and scarcely be able to get the key metaphors and turns of phrases out before they evaporate and are lost. Do you find creative pursuits like writing (or painting, drawing, or photography) to be at all helpful in harnessing the mania just a bit. I know it works for me on occasions and I was just curious if you turn to this outlet as well. Ta. Cheshire Cat