Unforseen (& largely negative) Side Effects of Turning Nocturnal

For those of you who chat/IM with me, or just see my regular status changes in Facebook, you know I've been trying to roll with my insomnia as well as possible. The latest "rolling" has meant I stay up most of the night watching "tv" on my laptop - lots of things I've downloaded from iTunes. Then when I'm very sure I'll sleep, I go to bed. Doing this I stay up to date with shows in the states and try out new shows (to me) that I'd never tried before. I've noticed, however, that while I'm generally less stressed about the insomnia with this new perspective, there are some distinct drawbacks and here are some of them, in no particular order:

• Cost - staying up for hours at night, in bed with my laptop watching TV means I buy the shows I'm watching. And while Santa and my family gave me lots of iTunes gift cards for Christmas and more for my birthday, I go through that credit balance fast! But so far I don't regret anything I've purchased!

• Medical attention needed (and this could also become an issue of cost too) - I need to see a chiropractor! While leaning up against pillows looking at my laptop for hours doesn't bother me at the time, the next morning I'm woken up by really acute lower back pain and a very uncomfortable neck-ache. Last night I tried to do stretching before I finally eased into the horizontal position to sleep, but that and regular ibuprofen haven't so far changed the morning (actually afternoon by the time I wake up) aches.

• Puffy eyes - this is a result of how emotional I get the later it gets. I find I might burst into tears much more easily in the wee hours of the morning than I normally would. Thus I wake up with puffy eyes.

• Facebook - as a result of the growing emotional wobbliness that seems to increase with each hour that I'm up, I will post status changes on Facebook that reflect this. It's a bit embarrassing to see it later and think "Wow, I thought I was being deep, but it comes across as a bit self-indulgent".

• UNproductivity - even though I'm sleeping once I'm asleep, even if that doesn't occur until 5, 6 or 7am, I am still waking up tired and groggy and find it a challenge to be productive. The hours one would normally be productive seem to be reallocated to hours in bed watching tv.

• TV addict? This is the first time that I've started to see how people can "escape" in TV. I have always loved TV but watching 5 or 6 episodes of The Closer in a row, and feeling a part of their world is showing me that there is some escapism going on there. Thankfully I've only got 6 more episodes to watch to catch up to the current season, so I'll have to either let go of the escapism or find another world (any ideas?)

• Weight gain! Not just because of the rather sedentary nature of this, but because I get up and get snacks every couple of hours (with Abby always following close behind in case I drop a peanut, pretzel, noodle, toast...so many snacks!)

I'm hoping that none of this is long-term, but rather just a temporary experience. Insomnia I've experienced on and off for a while, but hopefully once I'm in a job where my day has to be restructured AND I'm naturally tired after working all day, this will fall away.

I Don't Get It - Part IV

Since when was this necessary?

Barry Manilow (or Barely ManEnough as I like to call him), one of the most prolific songwriters has launched into singing greatest hits of eras? To my shock and horror, I just saw a TV ad promoting the Greatest Songs of the 80's, where Barry is actually singing classic 80's anthems such as "Open Arms", "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and even "Islands in the Stream!" - what in the WORLD? Is he like Michael Jackson and hurting for money?

This is what you will enjoy...

"Barry Manilow now unveils his latest compilation: "The Greatest Songs of the 80's" adding his own unique flare to these all-time great classic songs. He breathes new life and vitality into these truly wonderful songs, bringing the great songs of a great era to a new generation."

By the way, he's also done the same for the 50's, 60's and 70's. EEK!

Signs of Spring!

Having made it through what was apparently the coldest winter in 10 years (wasn't really all that bad, if you ask me), I definitely noticed differences as I walked Abby the other morning (sunny morning!) and clearly they were signs of the seasons once again changing:


Buds have started to form on once bare tree limbs.


Crocuses popping up here, there and everywhere.


Easter Bunnies start to appear in pots outside front doors.


Breaking out the shades - okay they weren't really needed but you never know - it could happen!


Freshly planted planters ready to bloom.


This has nothing to do with Spring, but maybe "Shwing!" I crack myself up, really I do.