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Thus, I am now into my third month of hours of sleep will do me. Later I have the
working. I love the job, or better yet, the service chance to actually sleep in my bed after 10:00
opportunity, and the pay is decent as well. The pm until morning. Wow! What a concept! My
only issue so far are the hours and work schedule. mommy always told me I was a smart… fellow.

I am on duty for three days, then three off. I The black circles began to lighten, the shrunken
work from 7:00 pm until 7:00 am. I must be look began to change, but that is when I made
awake during those hours. That means I “go to decisions that have changed my Toastmasters
bed” at 7:15 am and hope I can sleep during the life. Soon, I began to understand what Dracula

day enough to be fresh and ready for another went through daily, and embraced my night
twelve-hour shift. I have now decided that I don’t walker life- style. Hide from the bright sun
need sleep at all. At least that is what I have been and listen to the “music of the night” he
trying to tell myself. so loved. I have not bought my cape yet,

The first month was the worst so far. Could but it is on the list! Hopefully, we can skip the
not for the life of me get into a sleep cycle or blood sipping and fangs routine. And I am too
rhythm. On my days off, I couldn’t sleep at claustrophobic for a coffin. Come by sometime
night, and during my time on, couldn’t adjust and we can step out for a bite!

to the daylight, noise, etc. By my first paycheck, Sleep-glorious sleep. As you may know,
I had money in the bank, paid off my bills, but we need sleep to allow our body and mind
looked like a zombie or Beetlejuice with pallid to recharge, assist in fighting diseases, and to
skin and dark circles under my sunken eyes. I make us alert and energetic. We have a “body

think I picked up the “Walking Dead” shuffle as clock” that in conjunction with a healthy diet
well! Sleep? Sleep? I don’t need no stinkin’ sleep! and a positive lifestyle, will enable the essential
The second month was far better. On my function of our body to concentrate and our
workdays, I discovered the right kind of ear brain to function at its peak.

plugs-construction grade-which allowed me If we do not “listen” to our sleep-wake
to ignore most noise around me. (But not the homeostasis, then our brain will begin to shut
bag pipe practice under my window!) Then I down. Our sleep drive consists of two hormones;
discovered that on my first day off, about five melatonin which causes drowsiness and allows

VOICES! | JULY 2021 25