I think they are great, btw
I know what you mean about the rut - been having that problem myself lately ...its the #1 reason I hang around the TWIP Critique group, I get inspired to try new things ... I feel like I "copy" a lot, but that eventually turns into something that is my own ...
nevertheless, it is hard to break out of the box sometimes ... I feel your frustration

I just dont. have much time to venture far from the nest. So, I go on these micro treks. In any case, good artists borrow, great artists steal.

I like that axiom quite a bit!
I hate to say that my latest way to break out of the rut has been doing more post processing - I was glad to hear the TWIPers say that most of them do color work in post (I do try and get the exposure right in the camera)