Buh. I had a hard time sleeping last night. I turned off the computer and got in bed with the laptop at midnight. Then I worked on my website until 1am. For the next two hours I stared at the ceiling.

I hate that so much. I was exhausted and I could not sleep. I’ve struggled with this all my life. I’m such an insomniac. I guess I’m just a night owl.

I remember when I was a kid, we’d go to bed at night, and within minutes I could hear my sisters breathing change. They were already asleep. I would toss and turn forever, cursing them, wishing I could fall asleep that fast.

Even in boot camp I couldn’t sleep. They’d wake us up at 5am or earlier every day and run us ragged with marching, exercise, classes, more marching, cleaning, more exercise… by the time 8 o’clock rolled around I was exhausted. But I still couldn’t sleep.

The only time in my life that I have slept soundly was when I was out at sea.

The gentle side to side swaying the ship, the hum of the turbine engines, and the cool air vent right near my face put me out *SNAP* just like that. Now THAT part about the Navy I loved…

Even in very stormy weather I slept well. When we travelled in the open ocean, like from Hawaii to California or Hawaii to Japan, we would get some nasty weather. 40 foot swells would engulf the whole foc’sle of the ship (the front part) as we dipped and dove up one wave and down its backside. The whole ship would shudder and shake as it leapt above the waterline. And still I slept like a baby.

I miss the ocean. I miss the spray of the sea, the salty sea air, the wind in my face and the warmth of the sun. I’d spend my lunchtime on the fantail (the back part of the ship) and bask in the rays. Nothing but blue in all directions. Water so clear you could see at least 50 feet down. Sea lions and dolphins and sharks and whales were common. But I digress.

So I cut my last class today. I was so tired from lack of sleep I just couldn’t concentrate on anything. I didn’t want to take a nap, however much I desired, because then I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. So here I am, tired and crabby, and wasting time until midnight. I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight either. Maybe I should just get drunk.

SIGH. Sometimes I kinda miss the Navy. I sure did sleep well back then.