i'm not surprised. you live on the east side of the state right? the roads are even worse over there than here and it seems like there is construction EVERYWHERE. now i'm not sure how this really works in most places but i do know that here, if you mess up your vehicle on a pothole or construction site, you can petition the city to pay for your repairs. doesn't always work but i've known a few people that it has worked for.
public park, on a boat, or the beach (not in the sand tho, that sux)
probably my favorite was in the woods and rain... i guess, anywhere outside is a pretty liberating feeling
definitely the pharmaceuticals. other than that, smoking and depression are common reasons people taste food less.
i heard once that if you regularly eat around scented candles or incense, that it can dull your ability to taste. not really sure if that is true though.
then i wouldn't call it a suck painting. i've seen peoples art that look like they were painting with all thumbs when they started, advance to remarkable pieces of fine art. seems to me you've got a head start and should keep at it when you can. its nice. particularly, i see specific spots throughout that show good texture which is actually hard for many others to develop.
moar paintings poof!