Night Owls and Insomniacs

[Nomadicus]

It was a rare occasion last night. I went to sleep quickly and stayed asleep until 7 this morning.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

It was a rare occasion last night. I went to sleep quickly and stayed asleep until 7 this morning.

There's a trick I use whenever I have trouble sleeping, or when I'm in the dentist's chair (terrifying to me) - and that is to imagine doing a project, step-by-step, in every single detail. I picture myself moving the furniture, sweeping the edges, going to the basement to gather painting supplies (what do I need? find it), carrying it up the stairs, applying tape to the moldings, patching nail holes in the walls, spreading the drop cloth, opening the paint can, etc. and so on). It works like a charm.

I used to ride motorcycles, and one of my favorite destinations is Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills. So I imagine riding that highway, smelling the pine, leaning into the curves, and stopping to wade at the base of a waterfall. Or, I design a house. I pick the location in my mind, imagine what kind of house I would want there, and get busy designing the layout.

During a root canal, I once 'designed' a house to take my mind off what's going on in my mouth. It's at the sloped base of a low rock cliff, extending into the rock face and overlooking a mountain valley. The back of the house is all glass and is open to the 2nd story overlooking the living and dining areas below. Wide spiral staircase, with an elevator in a space separating the home office and studio areas from the main house. There is a spring streaming down the rocks on one side, with a bridge connecting the house to a shed, garden and chicken coops. The spring continues down to a string of small pools and waterfalls over the rocks, with mulched paths and flowerbeds. Covered wrap-around deck, from this bridge around the kitchen (which juts out from the house), to a large open deck and entertainment space, and entry to the dining area.

The 'front' entrance to the house is actually at the top of the cliff, where 2nd floor rooms are level with the parking area and garage, and a staircase (or elevator) down to the main level entry to house on left and office and studio on the right. Master bedroom and bath is on the main level, tucked into the rock behind the kitchen, with a separate entrance to the bridge and deck access. Guest bedrooms, bath, and a library/sitting room are on the 2nd (ground) level. There is storage and additional parking below the deck at the base level, with deep storage bored into the rock at the back. There's an outdoor staircase up to the deck and kitchen entrance on one end, elevator on the other. Viewed from the front, it looks like a normal one-story rock-clad house with circle drive and flowerbeds. But from the back, it's a 3-story mountain mansion. IMHO, it is a masterpiece and I should put it to paper.

Last night, when I returned to bed, I imagined my shelf-building project. I had to get up twice to deal with the still-skittish and whiny dogs, and both times picked up where I left off. I never got the shelf finished in my mind - last thing I remember is drilling holes for the ceiling supports. The trick works!

 

[Nomadicus]

There's a trick I use whenever I have trouble sleeping, or when I'm in the dentist's chair (terrifying to me) - and that is to imagine doing a project, step-by-step, in every single detail. I picture myself moving the furniture, sweeping the edges, going to the basement to gather painting supplies (what do I need? find it), carrying it up the stairs, applying tape to the moldings, patching nail holes in the walls, spreading the drop cloth, opening the paint can, etc. and so on). It works like a charm.

I used to ride motorcycles, and one of my favorite destinations is Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills. So I imagine riding that highway, smelling the pine, leaning into the curves, and stopping to wade at the base of a waterfall. Or, I design a house. I pick the location in my mind, imagine what kind of house I would want there, and get busy designing the layout.

During a root canal, I once 'designed' a house to take my mind off what's going on in my mouth. It's at the sloped base of a low rock cliff, extending into the rock face and overlooking a mountain valley. The back of the house is all glass and is open to the 2nd story overlooking the living and dining areas below. Wide spiral staircase, with an elevator in a space separating the home office and studio areas from the main house. There is a spring streaming down the rocks on one side, with a bridge connecting the house to a shed, garden and chicken coops. The spring continues down to a string of small pools and waterfalls over the rocks, with mulched paths and flowerbeds. Covered wrap-around deck, from this bridge around the kitchen (which juts out from the house), to a large open deck and entertainment space, and entry to the dining area.

The 'front' entrance to the house is actually at the top of the cliff, where 2nd floor rooms are level with the parking area and garage, and a staircase (or elevator) down to the main level entry to house on left and office and studio on the right. Master bedroom and bath is on the main level, tucked into the rock behind the kitchen, with a separate entrance to the bridge and deck access. Guest bedrooms, bath, and a library/sitting room are on the 2nd (ground) level. There is storage and additional parking below the deck at the base level, with deep storage bored into the rock at the back. There's an outdoor staircase up to the deck and kitchen entrance on one end, elevator on the other. Viewed from the front, it looks like a normal one-story rock-clad house with circle drive and flowerbeds. But from the back, it's a 3-story mountain mansion. IMHO, it is a masterpiece and I should put it to paper.

Last night, when I returned to bed, I imagined my shelf-building project. I had to get up twice to deal with the still-skittish and whiny dogs, and both times picked up where I left off. I never got the shelf finished in my mind - last thing I remember is drilling holes for the ceiling supports. The trick works!

My minds works when I lay down like a runaway freight train designing, building, etc. I just lay awake until I get it finished and then sometimes it's time to get up and go to work.

 

[Nomadicus]

Nap failed today so maybe with meds I will get another good night's sleep tonight. I'm gonna give it a good try anyway. Need to be able to drive safely tomorrow.

 

[Nomadicus]

Even after a failed nap I can't sleep. I got on my roost but couldn't sleep and when I can't sleep I can't just lay in bed. Took some more Melatonin and I hope that works This always seems to happen when I need a good nights sleep because of what is on the schedule for the next day.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Even after a failed nap I can't sleep. I got on my roost but couldn't sleep and when I can't sleep I can't just lay in bed. Took some more Melatonin and I hope that works This always seems to happen when I need a good nights sleep because of what is on the schedule for the next day.

I hope you slept like a log, finally! Please drive safely.

 

[Nomadicus]

I hope you slept like a log, finally! Please drive safely.

I did. By the way. When living in Chilli town north of you I made regular trips down to Richmond. Always stopped for lunch at a Maidrite (spelling) drive in burger joint.

I remember that. Is it still in business?

 

[The Moonshiner]

I used to ride motorcycles, and one of my favorite destinations is Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills.

Been there many times. I think Needles was more my favorite on a bike. But both are great.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I did. By the way. When living in Chilli town north of you I made regular trips down to Richmond. Always stopped for lunch at a Maidrite (spelling) drive in burger joint.

I remember that. Is it still in business?

Sadly, no. But there is one just across the river in Lexington!

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Been there many times. I think Needles was more my favorite on a bike. But both are great.

The Needles are great, too! Most times I've been there have been during Rally Week, so the roads were always packed with bikes. Cruising to the Needles was a favorite destination, and extremely curvy, lots of pull-outs, etc. Had to take it pretty slow. Favorite photo location: The rock formation that looked like, well, certain male body parts. Do you know it? There's another right behind Rushmore. LOL. Spearfish Canyon wasn't quite as heavily traveled (almost), but wider roads and fewer hairpins (none?) so we could cruise better. At the end of the trip, Deadwood - ah, perfect place to kick back for a bit of fun - then back down the Canyon. I have two brothers living in Custer, so never lacked for a place to stay during Rally.