i use automation the same way that i do riding a mix on a board...
plus, i'll use panning automation to work arrangments, using the same track panned hard left or right to suit a mix.....
same with vox, i'll pan them up center, and on certain parts of the arrangments, i'll change them to wide left and right....
and doing auto pans across the stereo spread is fun a lot of times as well...
i'll automate all of my effects sends.
all of them.
i hate mixes with a constant barrage of delays or reverbs...
i'll put it in ONLY where it matters, and where it makes sense to make the space..
why have soupy guitar parts when you don't need them?
i'll automate my sub-busses (sub group mixes) and i have even mixed entire songs with fixed faders on the tracks, and all mixing going on below the master sub....
i'll automate EQ, for special effect, or simply to De-Ess certain parts........