Interestingly, even though I was tired last night, and I didn’t exactly leap out of bed this morning, I did feel less tired today. There’s a lot to be said for both acknowledging that something is going on and then seeing what the causes might be. That’s actually a part of critical stress debriefing, knowing that these feelings and reactions are normal and will progress and change over time.

Today we were really busy in the apple store, which made the time go really fast. Barb brought in a crock pot full of beef stew and biscuits which was GREAT since Ian and I had been on duty alone for part of the busy morning and so our lunch breaks got delayed til about 2. When I thanked Barb later, she admitted that her secret recipe was Campbells. Let me tell you – it was mighty tasty! The crockpot idea worked out really well, so maybe next week I’ll make my chicken glop: chicken (usually thighs), keilbasa, tomatoes, kidney beans and rice. Heck. I could even do that with left over turkey.

Almost forgot to mention — it SNOWED tonight! whooo hooo! First flakes of the season. Nothing on the ground of course, but winter is here at last.

It’s true. I have often been asked ‘how do you get so much done? Do you not sleep at all?’ The answer was revealed to me years ago when a woman in my guild said she had figured it out – she had decided that she was my sleep surrogate. What a concept. I get to stay up to the wee hours and do my work. She goes to bed early and sleeps for both of us.

So lately, I’ve been plain exhausted. Deeply tired. I’m still getting some stuff done, but not to my normal level and it’s a push to keep going. what the heck is that all about? I kept trying to convince myself that it was the new job, the change in working hours, the change in seasons. none of that made a lot of sense to me.

Finally I realized tonight – it’s my sleep surrogate’s fault! She must be staying out and partying til the wee hours herself and not sleeping for me. This means that I’m sleeping for two myself now. That stinks! After the meeting I told her my conclusions and that I didn’t think it was really all that fair that she was having all this fun and I might even have to go out and find myself a new sleep surrogate if that continues.

Luckily she laughed. And then she told me that I was the fifth person she knew who was describing this deep tiredness. We talked some more and decided that it was probably all related to September 11th, and hopefully would pass with time. In the meantime, I hope she understood my need for her to take afternoon naps on my behalf for awhile!

On a more positive note, thanks to fortune elkins at bread, coffee, chocolate, yoga for the good news about chocolate

Yes, chocolate IS good for you. We already knew that. But according to this report, it can be used as a regular diet feature to help increase “good” cholesterols in your blood. OK, I can work with that. :-) Pass the Godiva please, or as Ms Elkin suggests, a good El Rey will do the trick!

Strikes me as this is up there with my tshirt: Hand over the chocolate and no one gets hurt!

Last time, gentle reader, I wrote some vague phrases about starting out assuming a goodness in people. Today, although I find all that still true, I find myself confronting those times when people are just, well, incredibly rude.

Today I worked until 4 (was scheduled until 3:30 but was actually SELLING something to a real customer!). As I started home I thought – I’ll just pop in to my MD’s office. I really need a flu shot and maybe a pneumonia shot as well. I doubted if they’d give me one on the spot but I’d see what they have for appointments. I go in and explain what I need and that I normally work from 9 or 10 to 6 or 7 so I need something early, probably first thing in the morning. For them that’s 7 or 7:30 am. After the interminable last name, first name, date of birth litany, I’m told that they’re only doing nurse appointments for flu shots. How about 9:30 on Friday. How about I explain again that I work from 9 or 10 til 6 or 7. How about 8:15 am. How About I have to BE at work most days at 9 am, so I can’t be HERE after 8 am. Well all they have is 8:00 – 2 pm for nurse appointments.

She actually told me there was nothing she could do but have the head nurse call me tomorrow to discuss this and what’s my Date of Birth and phone number again? I point out that of course, I’ll be working tomorrow, so probably won’t be home whenever the nurse calls me. thanks anyway.

Now how’s THAT for caring customer service? AND she was a little annoyed that I walked away from the counter as I explained that I would indeed be working tomorrow and not be there. As they say – get over it honey. It was better than me actually saying what was in my head.