As I listen to Yoga at 6 a.m. (a tad too flexible for my reach today)I wonder if anyone is unhappy with his/her story idea and wants to try writing about Coping with the #$#!! Time Change? I don't know how many of us are impacted, as I think we're still too new in the relationship to openly complain to one another, but I have encountered folks at the pool and in the elevator who are truly stumped as to what to do with their malfunctioning/still functioning internal clocks.
The first day, on the elevator at 7 a.m. one bedraggled native of the East shared, "I called my husband at 4 a.m. I couldn't think of anything else to do." Last night another of us whined about still being out and about at 11 p.m. sleep-deprived-head time. (We were in the story meeting last night until 8:30 -- 11:30 our time -- OMG!)
I don't know about you hidden "others," but I don't know when to take my meds (Arthuritis does offer a pretty strong reminder, tho); I'm not hungry when I should be, but just keep eating; couldn't get to sleep last night-- either too much/too late caffeine or that late-nite (it was 6 p.m. Phoenix time -- 9 p.m. head time) brownie.
Has this ever been addressed before in the newspaper covering this fellowship? I couldn't find it. How many of us are actually struggling? I know of at least 4 -- are there any great tips? My husband frequently travels to Houston and Minden, Nev. from South Carolina and he said, "Try to stay as close to home time and routine as possible -- or you'll lose a lot of time and be a mess when you get home." To which I replied, "But I'm here for TWO WEEKS!"
I'm sure he's more worried about my abusing our children because of sleep deprivation than about my well-being for the duration of the fellowship.
As Carlos did, I'd like to offer some tips:
1. Don't fight it -- exercise, try to stay positive. The angrier you get, the harder it is to sleep.
2. Yoga is on at 6 a.m. (9 a.m. head time) on channel 7 -- thank God! The pool opens at 5 a.m. -- again -- Thank God!
3. Watch caffeine/chocolate consumption. And don't rely on alcohol -- you'll wake up when it wears off.
4. Subscribe to the in-room laptop connection. The web never sleeps. And we did get that great per diem check.
5. Send me your names, fellow Sleep Deprived Sufferers -- we'll laugh, commiserate, share other coping tips and learn about one another.
6. Let's get together -- how about 7 a.m. Wednesday morning at the pool? Bring some coffee and a smile. It may be a tad early for alcohol (altho I could use mind-altering substances about now) and we can get a jump on tasks that need to be completed; swim a few laps; or just kvetch and distract ourselves from self-mutilation or going postal. (I just re-read to edit -- let's meet Thursday a.m. -- today IS Wed. -- just checked my newspaper and figured that out -- OMG!)
Keep smiling -- it's better than the alternative. :) :l !!!
Lynn Dulcie
Rock Hill High School
Rock Hill, SC
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Hey Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI go down to the exercise room at 5 a.m. (7 a.m. in Texas) and get on the machines, plug in the headphones and walk/peddle for about an hour while reading a copy of the Arizona Republic available in the exercise room. Then I hit the pool for a couple of laps.
This morning I left the hotel at 6:45 and walked around downtown Phoenix. Down the streeet is Bank of America and a pizza place. Around the corner from the Cronkite building entrance are three restaurants: El Portal (Mexican food), Subway (Subway) and Sbarro (pizza).
By the way, the bank is on the second floor. Hours, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
I forgot the signatureto the above post:
ReplyDeleteMark Webber
Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts
Laredo, Texas
Hi Lynn-
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are brave enough to out us ... I took a bath at 4 AM Monday. LOL
Debbie Aughey
Campbell High School
Smyrna, GA
Changes to routines are tough. You have some valid points about how to cope. You also are crossing a line when you suggest that "mind-altering substances" are acceptable. What type of message does that send to people reading, including our students who are sooner or later going to search for us on the internet. I am even uncomfortable with the suggestion that drinking is the way to go - it is legal but it is a zero tolerance issue for students.
ReplyDeleteJust as we heard in one of our recent sessions that working for a newspaper means you represent the news organization 24/7, so should you uphold the principles of your school. More and more disticts are requiring teachers to sign morals/ethics clauses in their contracts. Even a statement made in jest could potentially come back to haunt you.
Jeff Jones
Miyamura High School
Gallup, NM
What about someone to stay up to 1:00 AM with ME? That's only 10:00PM Hawaii time :)
ReplyDeleteOh, who am I kidding? I'll sleep any time!
Kye Haina
Kamehameha Schools Maui
Pukalani, Hawaii