Sleep Did Not Come

So, despite being exhausted from being sick and from many nights of poor sleep, I still need to manage sleep well. I have that horrible kind of insomnia that both makes it difficult to fall asleep AND makes it hard to fall back asleep if you get woken during the night. I'm sure it is stress, and I blame my job. My brain just chatters, chatters, chatters and I can't get it to shut up.

For example, at 4:00 a.m. I was lying in bed composing an email I wanted to send to my whole project team (50+ people) with an update on where we are with the different ares of our implementation. I mean, come on! Is that something I should be thinking about at 4:00 in the morning?

Then I tried counting backwards from 100. I did that 3 or 4 times. Then I thought, that's too east. I can get distracted from counting and go back to the inane chattering. So I then tried counting backwards from 500, but in threes. 500, 497, 494, 491, 488... that lasted for a while as it did require me to pay attention, but when I got down to the 200s and I still wasn't any closer to sleep, I gave up.

As you can see, it was not a restful night. I tossed and turned from 3:00 am to about 4:30 am, then got up to watch some TV and try to fall asleep on the couch, then went back into bed around 6:00 am, at which point I did finally fall asleep, only have to get up at 7:20 so I could get ready for work.

Is there no justice in the world? Can't someone just give me some sleeping pills please? Or maybe a bellhop who can carry around my stress luggage?

Not all Excitement is Good Excitement

Earthquakes used to seem exciting to me, at least until 1989 when we had the 7.2 quake in SF. Since then, I suffer a different sort of excitement and it's not the kind of excitement I like. We had a 5.6 this evening, around 8:05 pm CA time. 5.6 is considered moderate by the US Geological folks. The kitties didn't seem to think it was moderate. Keiko, in particular, was quite freaked out by the event. 12 seconds doesn't seem like a long time, but with the pictures shaking, the windows shaking, the house shaking, the earth shaking, well, then 12 seconds feels way too long. It's now close to 9:30 pm and I haven't yet felt a follow up. I can only hope if there is one that it will be minor and unnoticeable as I sleep a deep and untroubled sleep.

Checked in with the Bro -- the center of the quake wasn't far from him -- and all was fine down in the South Bay, though I expect they felt quite more then I. Gave the parents a call, just in case the 5.6 made the NJ news. Parents worry.

To keep things in perspective, there was a 7.2 in the "Pagan Region, Northern Mariana Islands" today as well, though the link on the USGS Quake site is broken as I write this so I am unable to get any additional information. If I'm reading my maps correctly, this is would be north of Guam (sort of between Japan and Papua N. Guinea). I would rather have a 5.6 than a 7.2.

Anyway, I'm ready for sleep now, and hope it will come quickly. I haven't been sleeping well since being sick and I really want to get some rest. Some others are turning up sick now, too, including one of my devoted readers. I can only hope that those getting sick will recuperate quickly.

World Without End

How do you know you are starting to feel better? You can smell yourself. 6 days home sick doesn't always result in daily showers, and when you do take a shower, it's more to ease the suffering of whatever it is that ails you. Okay, I know that's kind of nasty, but I'm just trying to be honest. I swear I'll take a nice, hot shower after I post this. I'll even wash my hair! But perhaps my week alone at home will justify what will be a long entry...

Despite having the same several books on my Reading Materials list for quite some time now, I still bought a new book. I couldn't resist -- there I was in Borders and the first thing I see in the New Fiction section is World Without End. I didn't even hesitate to take a copy once I realized what it was... a sequel of sorts to Ken Follett's earlier (late 80's?) book, Pillars of the Earth.

I read Pillars of the Earth while hanging out in a little town called Roses, on the coast of Spain -- an area known as Costa Brava. This was in 1992. It was a great book, the story of which revolves around the lives of people in a town in England as a majestic cathedral is built. The timing was perfect because I was traveling through Europe and seeing medieval churches galore. I think I read all of Follett's books while in Europe then. No matter what train station I found myself in, I could be assured that a Follett book would be close at hand. But I digress. I got totally engrossed in Pillars of the Earth and even regretted finishing. It was no great work of literature, but it was easy to get caught up in the lives of the characters and to imagine myself there with them. And to see cathedrals that were similar in ways to the one described in the story made it all the better. I have recommended the book many times since then and most of those who actually read it based on my recommendation enjoyed it as well.

I've only read a short way into World Without End yet I am already getting the same feeling while reading. Follett is a great researcher and, as a person who loves history, it is always a pleasure to see fiction tied so nicely with history. The details make the scenes more realistic, but do not take away from the story in any way. It is a large book, so I expect it will take some time for me to make my way through to the end. I will keep you all appraised as I progress. So far, one of the characters has narrowly escaped a horrible fate, another has succumbed to a moment of lust that may last him a lifetime, and yet another is plotting his rise to power. Sigh. Such drama. Such excitement.

I should note that I did finish reading my last book before I started World Without End. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is the first Le Carré book I've read, despite having seen all the Hollywood renditions. I was never big on spy stories, though I have read a few over time. But this was an exceptional book. Well written, intriguing, holding you to the very end, waiting to find out the identify of the Soviet mole. I shall read more Le Carré.

And another picture for your viewing pleasure. This one is a piece of detail from a needlepoint tapestry that hangs at Filoli, a beautiful historical home with sprawling gardens near Redwood City. If you live in the Bay Area, it is a place worth visiting.

Counting Tissues

Being home sick for several days is a good way to watch some movies you might otherwise never come across. For example, Love Serenade. Dare I recommend this film? I can't resist. Yes, you all must see this film. It is, in every way imaginable, one of the more bizarre films I've seen, which should not be surprising since it is an Australian film. Synopsis: two sisters living in the middle of no where with no life. In comes the, uh, sexy DJ from the big city (Brisbane). Love and intrigue unfolds. I will reveal nothing more.

Other then watching movies, there isn't much to do when you are sick. Count used tissues? No, too boring. Nap? Certainly. Play on the computer? Not so much, but I'm starting to feel better now. Look through old pictures? Sure, why not. Here's one for your viewing pleasure, from my trip to London a while back.

AARP as Aarp?

I forgot to mention in my posting last night that while reading the local senior newsrag at my grandmother's, I learned of two hot items in the senior world these days. First, AARP -- most commonly known as the American Association for Retired Persons -- thinks they should just be referred to as Aarp, because so many of their members are not yet retired. Apparently it's because so many are "feisty geezers" who want to work until they are completely bent over and dragging their feet because working until you are 90 is just so great. It has nothing to do with the fact that companies keep stealing people's pensions, healthcare is so expensive, and that so many older people can't afford to pay for their life expenses if they do retire these days.

The other news is that "senior" is no longer politically correct. The author mentioned the use of "grown-up" instead. What does that make me? A child still? (Well, maybe mentally and emotionally.)

I gave up on any further reading at this point, and did the Sudoku instead.

My Senior Star

I went to help set up a new iMac (new-used, that is) for my grandmother and while there, she showed me an article in the local Senior newspaper -- she was the featured senior of the month! My grandmother (by way of my grandfather's fourth marriage), had some significant column space dedicated to a insanely fast overview of her life. My father's side of the family is full of outspoken, vocal, honest, ethical folks who definitely lean on the left side of the seesaw. Some of them make me seem out and out conservative -- which I so am not! The article had a great picture of her and pulled out some nice tidbits on her life, though it focused mainly on her political activism and, oh, things like her sitting next to Martin Luther King, Jr. at some political event! The things I learn as I get older. *sigh*

At 87, she remains very active in her community and each time I see her I am reminded of how important it is to live by right actions. We can't fix everything, but we should always try and make the world a better place, even if it means discomfort for ourselves. A hard motto to live by, to be sure, but one worth trying for.

On a totally tangent note, I'm supposed to help my friend paint her kitchen orange tomorrow. Orange? I'm trying to reserve judgement.

Another Week Gone By

You know, it is rather difficult to write an interesting blog when nothing intersting happens. Work continues along in its usual fashion. Parents returned east Wednesday morning, ending a nice, but brief, visit. There was no excitement during the week accept the fun of a late Friday afternoon ice cream social at work. Ice cream is always a good thing.

The real event of the week was the arrival of Líknbjörn.


Líknbjörn is a most vicious bear - as his viking garb will illustrate. He does possesses, however, a deep well of compassion. While he may like to rape and pillage strange lands, he does so with a certain generosity of spirit and tries, as best as he is able, to minimize the havoc he wreaks. It will be interesting to see what the cats will think of their new companion.