Livin' on Caffeine

I've had short nights before. The kind where you wake up at 4 in the morning and end up listening to the sounds of night until you finally give in and get up. Well last night was an all time, put it in the books, sleep little type of night!

I went to bed, extremely tired, right around the ten o'clock hour. So far, so typical. I awoke at eleven, having felt as if I had already sacked a good six hours. You've got to be kidding, I glanced at the clock expecting it to read the usual three or four in the morning. It's only been an hour, this is not good, as I fluffed the pillows, repositioned myself for an even better 2nd go of things.

Slowly my mind took over and went down many roads of it's own,... I have Back to School Night coming up - really should plan for that,... I really did a good job on grilling the chicken tonight,... My arms are still killing me from lifting the other day, I wonder what the old guy rule is for recovery,... How is it that the street light always seems to land right on my face through the smallest of slit in the shades,... what time is it? This is the point you glance at the clock and hope it's time to get up - nope. Twelve minutes just rattled off. A whopping twelve.

I spent the next hour tossing and turning trying to convince myself that if just find that one elusive spot of slumber, I will be out like a light. I close my eyes, clear my mind, breath deeply to soothe the body into rest,... and yet I'm still awake!

The next phase is what I like to call 'The Argument'. I should just get up and go watch some television,... no I shouldn't because I'm comfortable and I need to fall asleep, not be up watching a late late show. It's that inner struggle that bounces back and forth long enough that you finally give in and head to the living room. Why? BECAUSE YOU"RE STILL AWAKE AND TALKING TO YOURSELF IN SILENCE - SEEK HELP!

Perhaps if I just lay down on the couch as I watch tv, I will eventually drift off. This plan had the makings of brilliance, if it weren't for a couple minor flaws: the dog's sleep barking and my intermittent moments of falling to sleep, only to be woken by a hefty snoring sound that shook my inner being. The bright spot here was the fact that I now knew sleep was possible. By two I was ready to hit the sack once again and round out this night of horror.

For some reason, as soon as I laid my head down on the pillow, my mind went right back to the wandering trail of torture. I drifted from one thought to another, one checklist of things needing accomplishment to long term projects. Three rolled around without the slightest nod to slumberland.

So here I sit. At school, with absolutely nothing to do,.. because I got up at three and came to work and cranked out all my plans, all my paper work, and yes,.. even the Back to School Night agenda. It's now that I realize that while I've pumped myself full of caffeine, there is no hope. My mind is shot, my energy drained, and my desk looks good enough to sleep on.