I’ve been reading up on sleep disorders to discover why I always have problems sleeping and found a quiz. These were the results:

Insomnia: You have symptoms that are suggestive of Insomnia. See the following information for ways you can learn more about this sleep disorder.

Narcolepsy: You have symptoms that are suggestive of Narcolepsy. See the following information for ways you can learn more about this sleep disorder.

RLS/PLMD: You have symptoms that are suggestive of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) . See the following information for ways you can learn more about these sleep disorders.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder: You have symptoms that are suggestive of a Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder. See the following information for ways you can learn more about this sleep disorder.

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A few months ago, around Halloween, I was involved in a collision with a deer. My insurance company handled the claim efficiently and I was highly pleased with their service–until now.

The center of my dashboard has recently developed a crack and I felt it was direcly related to the accident as a result of the stress. I made an appointment with an appraiser for today and was told he would come out and look at the damage before making the decision to reopen the claim. Perfectly content with that–it was exactly what I wanted.

Until I received a phone call from the appraiser who was not given any information about the collision, the damage that resulted nor the reason I was filing the claim. I wasn’t upset about that–sometimes information doesn’t get shared and I tried to inform him what happened…I got as far as “I hit a deer” and he laughed telling me there was no way it was related. When I asked him to come out and look at it he laughed again and said it wasn’t necessary because it wasn’t possible.

If he were to come out and look at the vehicle before telling me the result I would have been disappointed but accepted it. To not even look at it? He’s just being lazy. Definitely going to go meet with my insurance agent on my next day off.

I want a girl
Who gets up early
I want a girl
Who stays up late

I want a girl
With uninterrupted prosperity
Who uses a machete
To cut through red tape

With fingernails
That shine like justice
And a voice that is dark
Like tinted glass

She is fast and thorough
And sharp as a tack
She’s touring the facility
And picking up slack

I want a girl with a short skirt and a long…. long jacket

The Royce is no longer open 24/7–they are now operating on a schedule of 6am-2pm daily. I give it 6 months before they either change it back or decide to close their doors. For 10 years I’ve been going to the Royce and primarily sitting at the same table for the same amount of time. The stories, experiences and general memories I hold are too numerous to discuss.

It was my first job and home to countless unforgettable discussions…For those that didn’t frequent the Royce often its appeal is often overlooked. Overpriced food, blackened ceiling and general dirtiness that came from running a hole in the wall 24-7. For me, it was freedom. I had my routine, never had to wait for a refill (I would get it myself) and not to mention I had every track selection I enjoyed memorized from the jukebox. It was comfortable and constant…and more to the point it was my place.

A couple of my friends have commented it hasn’t closed down and I can still visit but for all intents and purposes it has.

I tried going to Denny’s with a friend the other night and wound up leaving before we were seated. The restaurant was almost empty and after waiting five minutes to be seated BAM seemed the better choice. Waffle House will give two refills before charging again..Denny’s and Waffle House are the only two 24/7 restaurants in town serving coffee come to think of it.

Someone suggested to be a battery powered or 12-volt coffee pot to keep in the car…there’s a good thought.

A friend of mine opined all Russians were either filthy peasants or corrupt bureaucrats who haven’t contributed to society. Aside from my jaw dropping at the blatant over-generalization of a culture I couldn’t believe she hadn’t heard of the rich traditions of the Russian people: Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky…Stravinsky, Shostakovich…the list goes on. While it is true that the Russian nobility and later the government has not done justice by the people in some time–it doesn’t represent the true spirit and resilience of the People.

Learning Russian made the eventually column of the things I’d like to learn list…I’ve been reading a lot of Pushkin as of late and feel I’m missing out by not reading it in the original Russian…and considering I’m having trouble falling asleep here is something Pushkin wrote during a brief period of insomnia:

     I can't sleep, the light is out;
     Chasing senseless dreams in gloom.
     Clocks at once, inside my room,
     Somewhere next to me, resound.
     Parcae's soft and mild chatter,
     Sleeping twilight's noisy flutter,
     Life's commotion -- so insane..
     Why am I to feel this pain?
     What's your meaning, boring mumble?
     Disapproving, do you grumble
     Of the day I spent in vain?
     What has made you so compelling?
     Are you calling or foretelling?
     I just want to understand,
     Thus I'm seeking your intent...

It’s nice to be back at a job that allows me to sit down and surf the internet on my downtime. It doesn’t pay as much as some of my others but provides a few more comforts. Desk, computer, getting to actually sit down. Actually, the sitting around bit is overrated–I find myself walking around during lunch simply because I’m not used to sitting around for 8 hours a day. Blah.

The new year is always good for reflection:

3 years ago I was just starting at Computers Plus
2 years ago I ditched my lab coat for an apron at Ochuck
1 year ago I got paid to be myself and push AT&T products and services on each other…

and today I’m doing taxes

On a scale of hatred I think I’m a LITTLE less hated than a salesman. Somewhat. Maybe. By those that get a tax refund anyway…

Classes start next Monday and I intentionally took a bit of an easy load, 12 hours. Working 32, taking 12. I think it’s a pretty nice balance…I’m ready for it. Hoping that life will calm down enough to actually let me finish a semester again!