Do you think photography is a kind of release for you from the daily grind, or another daily routine?

Now it's a release, but for the 5 years where I was shooting professionally, it was a grind at times. "Oh it's Saturday time for the weekend... nope, just another weekend with another all day wedding to shoot". Even though most events were a lot of fun. I met a lot of cool people shooting weddings, bands, models, runway shows, etc. It was definitely fun.

Now days, that I'm busier with day job and home life, it's definitely a release for me. I take my camera when me and the wife go out, and sometimes I specifically want to go do things because I want to take pictures. Local county fairs and art shows, the state fair, go hiking and exploring in our beautiful parks, go to the various winter carnival events. Gives me a reason to go out and get some fresh air, spend some time with my wife, and take some pictures. Like you said, it does get me to open my eyes, after shooting for so long it's really helped me SEE things better even in normal situations. I'm not just looking around, but I'm looking at how the light looks on something, looking for reflections in odd places, looking at shadows down at my feet, and everything in between.

I keep a point and shoot on me, a P7000, at most times. It's in my work backpack which goes almost everywhere with me. For more scheduled photo outings I bring my D80 normally, or a D300 and my tripod if I have a real specific shot I'm looking for, like a long exposure of some kind or something that needs multiple exposures.