Does your mood ever go to the other extreme, Kendall? If so you should check out a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D068483183X/102-3726647-4829727">Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness & the Artistic Temperament by Kay Redfield Jamison where you will find confirmation that you are probably a creative genius (if you didn't know already). There's even a dedicated webring to which you can link your own website.

Peg, the Major Oak must certainly have been rather grand once upon a time, though Californian Mudcatters might not have been that impressed. These days it is held up by an array of props, which admittedly become increasingly vestigial as the technology advances, but the effect is still rather demeaning and touristy.

If you do make it to these parts, Kendall, don't forget to have a little gloat at Newark Castle, where Bad King John ended his days (after losing all his treasure in The Wash).