THE GREAT LOVE OF MY LIFE

I keep a calendar, a notebook with handwritten times, places and reminders.  I write down my work schedule, plus any other non-negotiable tasks, in pen.  Things I should do, need to do at some point, are in pencil.  Easily erased, never there, no shame in lack of accomplishment.

What I want to write down every day, in pen, is sleep.  Between appointments, between work sessions, between pick-ups and drop-offs it would be there – sleep.  Nap.  In the car, on my bed, or sofa – any place really, so long as it’s warm.  I can always sleep.  And I always want to sleep.  It is my less-than-secret passion, the great love of my life.  It’s ridiculous, but it’s true.  I am never done with sleep, and it is never done with me.

Some nights I put it off, delaying the gratification.  Some nights, early in the week, I give in and crawl into my bed by 9pm and just let it take over.  In Pete Holmes’ comedy special he talks about being a new parent and how sleep is different now, because you don’t get to fall asleep and stay asleep, but instead get to fall asleep about 22 times per night – and isn’t that the best part, the falling asleep?  I completely agree.

Mike has to have the room completely dark and buzzing with white noise for a good night’s sleep.  For me, both curtains and a window open is preferable – real sounds from outside and real light in the morning help with sleeping and waking up.  And the waking up is never easy; whether I’ve been down for 6 hours or 10, I rely on an alarm, plus at least a couple smacks to the snooze button.

And then there are my dreams.  But that’s another 300 Words.  At least.