stressful!!!

is anyone else noticing that these are tough times? i have to tell you....it seems like everyone i know is depressed lately. the economy is shit, everyone just seems worried, the election is making everyone irritable and partisan...it seems like 2008 is shaping up to be a bummer of a year for many folks. as for me, it's a very mixed year. on the one hand, my family is happy and healthy, and i've got good friends who are the same. at face value, life is good. but i've also got deep stresses - mostly with work and money - that are certainly taking their toll.  a few weeks ago i had chest pains - which i know are completely related to stress - as i was going through a particular tough time. and it reminded me that all of this stress is very deterimental and unhealthy. i hope we can all collectively turn a corner soon. this cloud needs to blow away. on a positive note, thanks in part to the BITE NO MORE, i'm now making progress on my nails. the hard part isn't growing em long...it's keeping em there.  i know that many of my problems are less significant than those that you all are going through...it's only in my hour of need that i seem to remember that there are those out there who are less fortunate, and it makes me want to reach out and help.