The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

Just 5 minutes...

.
It’s time to write something for the blog

But I’m tired

Doesn’t matter. It’s been 4 days since I last put anything up, and no one’s commented for a while. It’s time for a fresh post.

Can’t I just have a wee nap first?

Stop whinging, I’ve just had a coffee. I should be fine for an hour or so.

But the sleep was bloody awful last night, and the coffee has barely dragged me up to full consciousness.

It was an espresso. That ought to do the trick. Now shut up and let me think about something to write.

What do I usually write about?

Whatever’s obsessing me at the time.

Which is tiredness at the moment, right
?

I don’t want to keep writing about feeling tired

Why not?

I’m always writing about feeling tired. I don’t want this blog to be renamed Ramblings of the Tired One.

Well how about if I have a wee nap first, just close my eyes for 5 minutes – 10 minutes max – and I’ll feel refreshed enough to write clearly.

Pah! Don’t think I can be fooled that easily. Every time I’ve fallen for that argument I end up feeling even worse.

I can feel a yawn coming on.

Absolutely not! I am not going to yawn.

It’s coming...

NO!

It’s here...

YaaaaaaaAAAWWWWWWNNNNNnnnnnn. Bollocks.

That felt good didn’t it?

For crying out loud, can’t I just get on with writing something?

I think I can feel another...

Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! I refuse to give in! I am absolutely determined to write something before the coffee wears... yaaaaaaaAAAWWWWWWNNNNNnnnnn... off!

I could close my eyes for just 5 minutes...

Look, all this yawning is just giving me writer’s block

Is it a big block?

What?

A big, soft block, like a large squidgy pillow with a fresh cotton pillowcase, lying on a springy mattress under a warm and cosy quilt...

mmmmMMMMmmmmm... cosy quilt...

Just 5 minutes...

Just 5 minutes...

...

.

27 comments

Jupiter's Girl said...

That made me laugh out loud, here in my kitchen. The big block is a pillow... Ha.

Anonymous said...

That big block with a fresh cotton pillowcase sounds delightful. Now I think I need a little nap.

Z said...

It doesn't follow. You don't normally write about your beard, do you?

Why is it that daytime sleep is so irresistible, when nighttime sleep can be so hard to come by?

Mary Witzl said...

You actually made me yawn -- bigtime.

I got four hours of sleep last night, and although the dreams were very interesting, they didn't do a lot for my sleep quality. So I sympathize -- greatly.

Now I'm going to go and try for a nap myself...

Brave Astronaut said...

So, yawning is contagious even when separated by a big body of water. I, too, yawned when I read this.

But then again, I have found myself a nice case of insomnia over the past few weeks. Can I give that to someone for Christmas, maybe?

I told Mrs. Brave Astronaut that I would probably be more helpful with the overnights when the new baby arrives at the end of the month if the insomnia continues.

Now, go lie down.

Kim Ayres said...

JG - It was early morning in the US when you made that comment. Husband and kids must wonder what's making you laugh in the kitchen...

Julie - mmmMMMmmm...nap...

Z - luckily I don't shave. With this level of tiredness The blog would be called Ramblings of the scarred one...

Mary - hope your nap is a good one

BA - it's amazing how even a yawn written down can be contagious.

Is this your first child on the way? If so, you'll find new levels of tiredness you never knew existed.

So much to look forward to :)

Sam, Problem-Child-Bride said...

I was feeling knackered for a few days last week and it was really pissing me off so i decided if I was going to be that bloody tired I was damn well going to have done something tiring to show for it. It cost me every bit of my will-power and a teaspoonful I borrowed from my husband, but I pulled on my shorts, drove down to the beach and ran for 3 miles in the wind. Fatmammycat was my inspiration and by God, did it make me feel better. Physically I was still knackered but mentally I felt as if I'd won some minor battle over my body. Take that, body! said my brain. Take effing that.

Might be worth a whirl. I know your fatigue is deeper seated than mine but hell, why not? it may help. With the added bonus of being able to eat Maggie's cake guilt-free.

Kuin said...

oh great I yawwnnned twice during this....the power of suggestion eh.

ADW said...

You turned it into something that works. You go!!!

Jupiter's Girl said...

Everyone's bedroom doors were closed.

I do get in trouble for being loud in the morning - being an early bird and all. I go down early too. I close my door to the family's noises and they can laugh all THEY want to.

Restaurant Gal said...

Thanks for reminding me how little sleep I have actually had over the past few days. Yaaaaawn. Can't wait to hug my fluffy pillow--after I meet friends for dinner, yammer on and on, stay out too late, and get too little sleep again, tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

Unknown said...

You did with this post, what Mary did with her meal the other night. you made something out of nothing. Very funny and intelligent. You and Mary could start the Nothing Bistro. She would make tasty treats out of nothing and you could write the menues.

Apex Zombie said...

Hahaha! Brilliant post!

Kim Ayres said...

Sam - it's an ongoing one this - if it was just depression making me tired, then the burst of endorphins would make me feel good. Unfortunately, this fatigue has the effect that if I overdo it I can be wiped out for days - heavy exertion makes things worse rather than better. But I appreciate you thinking of me :)

Kuin - it's just so contagious

ADW - the internal dialogue never stops. I forget it can be a source of stories too

JG - you should rig up a microphone in the kitchen which feeds through to speakers in all the bedrooms, so that when you start clattering pots and pans, and laughing out loud, it ensures that everyone else is up with you...

Restaurant Gal - well if you will insist on giving up a hermit lifestyle...

Carole - did I ever tell you of my ideas for marketing empty bottles as "dehydrated water" (just add water for a refreshing drink)?

FLG - thank you :)

Kanani said...

Wow, that woke me right up!

Dr Maroon said...

I could see vapour from the other car’s exhaust but



Wait a minute, before I go on,


Yes it WAS windy, since you ask Mr Butinski. That’s what I remember most about it, up at the grave that time. The WIND. Our collars were slapping us in the face. It was blowing a fu*king GALE. And cold too. The wind is usually warmer than the weather that precedes it. Not that day. It was from the east.
Anyway, is your name Eryl? Why I’m asking, only SHE has carte blanch as my literary critic, editor and advisor. Have you changed your name by deed poll?
So I say the word “wind” too often, so hang me already.
Perhaps you’d like to tell us all what happened next?
I’m knockin ma pan in, trying to tell an epic here, a story that spans two millennia, but oh no, not good enough for Mr Kritic.
It’s too fuck*ng WINDY for him. Well I’m a naughty boy.
Working my fingers to the bone I am. Maybe HE will tell us what happened when we got back, that day, to the pub? Or should that be when we got back to the pub that day?
What’s he going to be like when I start going on about the true cross?
Will it be too much crucifixion for him?
I’m only doing my best, I swear to God I am, a man can do no more, I’m trying to tell you all what happened as faithfully and truthfully as possible, I’ve only two pairrahauns, but still not good enough for some people.
Mr President of the Nobel Prize Committee for Literature him.
Too windy for you? You better believe it mate.
The big man
The heid bummer.
The big chief
The head honcho
The big cheese

Right, where was I ? Oh yes, the steamed up car

Kim Ayres said...

Kanani - ...zzzzz....

Dr Maroon - There's a Storyteller's Cafe at the new CatStrand Centre in New Galloway on the 1st Thursday of the month. I'm going to check it out tonight. Maybe it's something you'd like to come down and participate in? I'm sure Eryl would be happy to meet up for a pint and literary discussion with us

Dr Maroon said...

That's kinda mental.
I was looking for your mobile number last night. Couldn't find it, must have thrown it out with the other rubbish.
This confirms my solipsism worse than ever.
email it to me.
I won't need to phone you now, but it's handy to have.

Pat said...

I didn't yawn but my head is buzzing with songs:

Give me five minutes more,
Only five minutes more,
Let me stay, let me stay,
In your arms.

All together now.
And then there's Steamy Windows!

Kim Ayres said...

Dr Maroon - There's another one in January

Pat - mmmMMMmmm... steamy windows...

savannah said...

you have the power! i started yawning IMMEDIATELY, sugar!!! but then again, i've been working since 4.30am...and there seems to be no end to this day...just little breaks..which is why i'm here..i miss all y'all! xx

Tom said...

I think you need to spend some time over on this site.

Mary Witzl said...

No, Kim -- I tried napping, but it didn't work! I can get very sleepy when I'm vertical, but once I'm horizontal, I'm wide awake. The problem is that I can't sleep well when I'm vertical, or I'd just make an armchair my bed and be done with it. I've had this problem all my life and it drove my parents quite wild. Now they're gone and it drives my husband wild instead.

I went out for a four-mile hike yesterday with two friends. When I got back, I was exhausted and ought to have been able to sleep well. But I couldn't!

A little company for your misery, Kim -- and one last suggestion: try light rather than heavy exertion, working yourself a little harder every day. Even if you do end up konking yourself out for a week, it's worth giving this a go.

Great -- huh? A little advice from a genuine insomniac. No two insomnias are alike, I know. But this has helped me in the past.

Andraste said...

If we could only figure out why the body likes to play this "Me never sleep at appropriate or convenient times so me need it when least convenient" game, we'd get so much more done.

Seems all through the work week I'm BEGGING for an extra 20 minutes before the alarm goes off, and yet on the weekends, when it's appropriate and fine to sleep in, my eyes slap open with an audible "PING" at 7AM and I couldn't BUY another 20 minutes sleep...

It's really very frustrating.

Freakazojd said...

Haha, that's funny! I understand completely - in fact, I'm about to attempt a nap. Of course, how long I sleep depends on how long the baby sleeps, so I'd better get on with it...

avocadoinparadise said...

You probably don't want to hear this, but a few months ago I switched from coffee to tea in mornings, and now have So Much More Energy!!! It's amazing really. There were, yes, a few weeks of painful withdrawal, but now things are really very different and nice. Highly recommended if you ever want a little project. :)

Kim Ayres said...

Savannah - you're always welcom here :)

Tom - I can relate somewhat...

Mary - unfortunately if I do conk myself out for a weeek, i won't be able to do any more light exertion each day...

Freakazojd - tiredness can reach whole new levels when you have babies

Avacado - I only actually have 2 coffees a day - one mid morning and one mid afternoon. That's not to say I wouldn't love to have 14 a day instead...

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