I just read that the best cure for insomnia is sleep. I wish someone had told me sooner. In the meantime, during two recent sleep-deprived nights: I solved all the world’s problems; evaluated every decision I’ve ever made; vowed to sculpt, paint, draw, pump iron, read El País (in Spanish and all the way through in one sitting), get up every morning before 9:30, finish hanging pictures, clean, iron, and be an all-round better person. Progress: I got out of bed before 9:30. But, then I wasn’t sleeping anyway. I’m not concerned about the insomnia. It usually lasts a few days and then all is well again.
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| I’M NOT ONE OF THOSE CATS THAT CAN SLEEP IN ANY POSITION. |
Despite being sleep-challenged, I’ve still been enjoying myself. A very exciting highlight this week: I walked over to Plaza de España the other day to check on the status of our residency card renewals and to find out how to obtain a document that will allow me back into Spain/Europe after I visit The Dowager Duchess and The Wonderful Brother — if our new cards aren’t issued before my next trip. I was treated well, but was told I needed to go to the original issuing office for that information instead of the renewal office. Since it was already early afternoon, the other office had a very long line outside and a waiting room filled with people. I was hot and tired and decided to go back one morning before breakfast next week. Afterward, my reward will be another perfect cup of coffee (café con leche) made lovingly by Fatima at Emperador Trajano.
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| MY MORNING COFFEE MADE WITH LOVE BY FATIMA. |
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| LATER THAT SAME DAY. IT’S ALL ABOUT ME. REFLECTIONS OF MY MORNING COFFEE AT THE CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART. |
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| PEEPING TOMÁS ACROSS FROM EMPERADOR TRAJANO THURSDAY MORNING. (BUT IT’S NOT HOW IT LOOKS… REALLY.) |
I’ve racked up about 5 hours sleep total between the last two nights (and 3-1/2 of those were last night). I prefer 8 hours a night. I rarely get it… but I prefer it. My thoughts can be random and scattered on the best of days. They’re pretty much tutti frutti today.
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| EITHER A VERY SMALL PLUM OR A VERY LARGE CHERRY. (TASTED LIKE A CHERRY.) |
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| THURSDAY’S TUTTI FRUTTI FROM FRUTAS FAUSTINO. MORE THANKS TO SAN GERALDO. (WITH A PLATEFUL OF MONSTER CHERRIES ON TOP.) |
Oh, my, I'm so sorry to hear about your insomnia. But, your description of it all is very amusing, ¡como siempre!
Judeet:
A Spanish phrase I didn't even have to think about! Thanks for making me feel so smart. I expect [INTEND] to sleep tonight! Thanks.
insomnia is awful 🙁 hope you can sleep soon.
But on a cheery note, that painting is amazing, what a bold work….if you can't sleep at least you get to visit great art, right?
hugs mr b
Monkey Man:
I did actually like this painting; and not just because it looked like my morning coffee that day. I'll have to see what's coming next to the museum!
Oh, those awful restless nights of tossing and turning and wondering what's wrong that you can not sleep! Been there, done that. You apparently get away with it, but I look so hagged-out the next day I want to hole up in a darkened room. Those darling boys of yours know how to relax–they are so beautiful!
Ms. Sparrow:
No tossing. No turning. Just sleepless and relaxed. Weird but not so bad. I think I look pretty worn out, but Jerry will never tell me … or else I always look as perfect as he says I do. Ha!
So… is it better to toss and turn and solve the world's problems or just get up and clean the bathroom or something else constructive? I tend to get up… but then I wake up Bill, who to my knowledge has NEVER suffered from insomnia. I hope in my next life I come back as a cat… insomnia? They have no idea!
The Odd Essay:
Jerry is also a light sleeper, so on these rare occasions I prefer to just tough it out quietly rather than wake him up, too. I have a brother-in-law who sleeps through anything. It's a good thing. His wife (Jerry's sister) irons, does laundry, runs the dishwasher, vacuums, and cleans at 3 in the morning. Well, he did wake up and draw the line at vacuuming.
I would love the experience of sleeping through anything!
Sleep deprived posts are awesome! They are almost as great as BWI(Blogging While Intoxicated) posts. You've seen a few of mine!
Nighty-night!
m.
Mark:
Wait, I thought the title of your blog was "Our Gin-Filled Lives"! I would imagine you don't know what it means to NOT be sleep-deprived.
I just loved visiting Plaza de Espana the last time we were in Seville. All that tile and canals. Did you know that the buildings were used in one of the Star Wars movies as part of Queen Amidala's palace. They made a few digital changes but it was still recognizable.
Stephen:
I had forgotten about Star Wars until reading your comment. It was also just used for the latest Sasha Baron Cohen movie, "The Dictator."
I am in awe every time I see the place.
Here's hoping you get some sleep!
kisatrtle:
5+ hours last night. Things are looking up!
Wondering where you were Mitch! See what happens when you miss a post!! We're watching…..
I LOVE that candid photo of 'Tomas'! And that piece of art/hanging!! I would like that!
Don't know what insomnia is like, but I hope you get some sleep soon.
Jim:
Why am I not surprised you're unfamiliar with insomnia! Doing fine, but falling behind on my "reading"!
Hey Mitch…maybe take it out at the gym..on a machine or in a swimming pool or get a doggy(they make you walk) or do push ups or…get my point…exercise the demons…that's what I do when I need some help. Hope this might spur an idea…you never know! Gees Sophie will you ever stop licking me!?
Ron
Ron:
Dudo was doing the same to me at 8 this morning! Exercise definitely helps, but sometimes my brain/body decides it just doesn't want to miss anything and it keeps me awake! Much improved today.
Sleep perchance to dream
REmember the 3 golden rules: get out of bed if you can't fall asleep in 15 minutes, get up at the same time every day regardless how badly you slept, and don't take naps.
Spo:
Oh, yeah, I actually have another several golden rules. Sometimes they even work! But, you know, rules were made to be broken.
That fruit looks tasty-licious. And lucky for us, today is market day!
Walt the Fourth:
I remember the first photos I saw of your market. Hope you had a great morning there.
We actually went to a supermarket. But I did get some nice plums and nectarines. Then we went to a nice butcher shop for big old sirloin steak for the grill. Yum!
Hope your insomnia goes away (I do mindfulness meditation and fall asleep instantly it seems) but you don't waste your time while awake! I really like that painting and am trying to figure out why.
Kristi:
I also really like that painting. At first I was simply attracted to it (I thought) because it reminded me of my morning coffee. But I think there's more to it than that. There was a lot of interesting art to see that day… and I guess I was open to appreciating it.
Insomnia not really a problem here but maybe not coffee at bedtime! New life style could be the way forward.
the cuby poet:
I used to not do caffeine at all. And no decaf after noon. Now I can have coffee at 11 and sleep well or have none and be up all night. At least I've got good poetry to read!
And yet some say that sleep is overrated…geniuses never sleep much like Einstein slept only two hours a night…Shakespeare is said to only sleep short cat naps…and said: "Ah, sleep, those delicious little slices of death".
And then there are some like myself who couldn't possibly be a genius but only sleep four hours per day.
However, when I am in Spain I do enjoy a siesta after a couple of sangrias. Are you into sleeping the siestas yet?
Raulito:
Jerry's sister would agree. Four hours is fine for her. I do take a siesta many days, but while experiencing insomniac nights I figure it's best to avoid them.