CONCEPT OF TIME

From a post on 1/10/2006:
"This photo was taken from the balcony of Florian and Anya who live in Cremorne Point at New Year's."

CORRECTION: David reminded me that I took this photo from Mrs. Macquarie's Chair yesterday. I think my concept of time has gone all crazy, but maybe it's just my perception...which brings me to tonight's post topic: CONCEPT OF TIME

A recurring theme in my conversations lately has revolved around sleeping habits, and how to explain them. Since I've been in Australia, I have been going to bed early (9:30-11:30pm), and waking up early (4:30-7:30am). I find myself waking up anywhere from 2 to 20 times during the course of the night.

Here have been former conclusions:
1. Jet lag
2. Feels like 'being on holiday'
3. Different bed/space
4. Climate
5. Caffeine
6. Lack of caffeine
7. More exercise
8. Not enough exercise

But what really is the cause of this new-found habit of tossing and turning?

This is where my discussion turns to one on the concept of time. What if the habit always existed and there is no new cause; instead, it's my concept of what *often* means that has changed?

Over the last year, I had corrective LASEK eye surgery. Until then, I had terrible vision without corrective lenses - so terrible that when I'd wake up in the middle of the night, I really wouldn't notice that my room looked any different than the inside of my eyelids. NOW, I have 20/20 vision and when I wake up, I can see the alarm clock very very clearly. I can remember vivid red numbers like "1:25AM", "2:19AM", "4:53AM", and so on. I mean, I don't feel particularly more or less tired during the day but continue to complain to anyone within earshot that although I'm enjoying Australia, that I haven't quite settled enough to get a decent nights' sleep.

Other conclusions I've drawn based on my former perceptions:
- I need to live in a 2 bedder (i.e. "2 bedroom apartment") and get another bed
- I should hunt for Melatonin to help regulate my sleeping cycles
- Everyone else is against my good nights' sleep
- Kookaburras really do have the most annoying and loud cackle (even worse outside my window) in this universe and should be silenced, at least from 4am to 9am

So you see, from now on, instead of telling people how I'm not getting enough sleep, I'm going to tell people my opinion on the pros and cons of corrective eye surgery. I think the benefits far outweigh the cons.