Sleepless in Notting Hill

Happy Monday, all! Yes, it's my first full day back at the Writing Desk after a lovely long vacation, and I'm dragging my butt to my office chair with all the enthusiasm of a child to a plate of broccoli (I'm sorry -- that's all I could come up with).

Why? Because last night was one of those nights. You know, a night when you lie, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling as your mind swirls aimlessly from one topic to another, wishing the man beside you would STOP SNORING so you'd have a hope in HELL of getting some sleep! Ahem.

Much as I'd like to, I really can't blame it on the snoring. I often go through cycles of sleeplessness, and I've devised my own little handy-dandy ways of coping.

1. Move to another location, if possible. A change is as good as a rest -- hopefully! If nothing else, at least the dragging-your-arse-to-the-sofa might tire you out. Extra bonus: the clatter and clang as you alter locales will likely awaken your significant other, so the two of you can experience sleeplessness together! Hey, it may not be quality time, but it's all about quantity. Or not.

2. This is a particular favourite of mine: if you live in an old building like me, entertain yourself by imagining all the previous inhabitants. How many people have died in this exact same room? Or even . . . been murdered here? What grisly secrets could this room hold? The aftermath of the resulting spurt of adrenaline will leave you exhausted for sure.

3. Still awake? Why not contemplate, for hours, turning on the light and reading, but never actually do it? Instead, toss and turn, simply because it's much more invigorating.

4. Count the whoosh of the night buses as they fly down the street. Similar to the sheep method, but minus cute fluffiness and with squealing brakes instead of gentle baaing.

By now, you should either be asleep -- or it should be morning. The long night is over. Now to get through the day . . .

Have a great one!