Just like an athlete stretches before practice, i usually stretch my brain out and ease into the programming.  My coding ritual is to go over all the code written the day before and make sure it is properly commented and formatted.  When i am in the zone i tend to forget about commenting my code and so i often have block after block of uncommented code.  Its terrible, if I wait till the end f the project to insert the comments i usually do a terrible job.  I have also found that by commenting the day after i find the methods that i am not using because i found a better way.

My precoding ritual also involves supplies!

I have a half gallon igloo thermos that i fill with water and ice.  I probably drink four of these a day, because you have to keep your brain hydrated so it does not cramp up.  I will also have a bowl of toasted almonds to chew on...

I must be entertined!

I have an amazing Pandora channel that i listen to.  I have been using Pandora for almost 6 months now. Pandora knows my music preferences pretty well.  If i am doing java or any type of real programming i will keep the pandora going.  I also have a blockbuster online account for when i am writing html and css...  I have been writing  HTML for 15 years so its to the point where its just cruise control now. I have a blockbuster online account and will often buy a movie to watch if i know i have to build a ton of pages...  I also have my tweetdeck open, tweetdeck is an awesome utility for monitoring twitter and facebook...

The Cool Down - I need to do my victory lap...

I often code late, i mean really late, like 2 or 3 am late...  When errands and client phone calls dominate my day i will often end up cranking out my code at night....  I have always been a night person, I am more creative and night than in the mornings. If i try to go to sleep immediately after programming my mind will not shut off. I will spend the next 3 hours in a pseudo state of sleep where my brain just keeps programming on its own, its just odd, i have object oriented dreams.  Before bed i usually will watch a couple of shows on HULU or SIDEREEL. Lately i have been watching alot of modern familly.  It might delay going to bed by an hour but it will lead to a good nights sleep.  Lets me honest, would you rather dream about java session management or would you rather dream about Sofia Vergara.