Hello Gang,<br /><br />I haven&#39;t been around since Sunday evening.  I more, or less, flunked my sleep study.  Got there<br />at 9PM, after stopping in the hotel restaurant and picking up some fried calamari and sushi ( the UCSF<br />sleep study lap is on the 5th floor of a Japantown hotel ).  I was all hooked up to the electrodes and reading my book at 11:30 ( had taken an Ambien at 10PM ) when a voice on the intercom said, &quot;Carmen,<br />aren&#39;t you sleep yet?  We need at least five hours of sleep time to do a proper study.&quot;  So, I dutifully<br />shut off the light and TRIED to sleep.  I tossed and turned, had to go to the bathroom a couple of<br />times and, at 5AM, that was it.  They said I had only really slept a couple of hours, even taking the<br />Ambien.  Unfortunately, that&#39;s the problem&#33;&#33;&#33;  So, when I return from Europe, I may have to go in for<br />a repeat performance.<br /><br />It&#39;s kind of scary heading off on a Med cruise with the financial crisis.  I, of course, have never had<br />any investments...no stocks, hardly any savings and most of that went when I was disabled in the past.<br />Raising the three boys without any child support, I thought I was just doing well to provide a home and<br />food and occasional fun for us.  I think my city county retirement ( not that great since it is only based<br />on half time employment - most of my income the past 21 years comes from my on call per diem <br />work and I don&#39;t get retirement on that is secure but, really, NOTHING is secure.  <br /><br />Still haven&#39;t put the first thing in a suitcase for the cruise...and I&#39;m at work now and work tomorrow...flight is at 7A on Thursday....what does this mean.  I know I will be awake all night <br />tomorrow which is usual the night before a cruise.  <br /><br />I leave you with a poem.<br /><br />Creative Writing  www.helium.com Poetry: I AM<br /><br />There are 134 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #74 by Helium&#39;s members.<br /><br />by Carmen Henesy<br /><br />I am forever chasing rainbows, <br />Even when the skies are blue, <br />I always try to see one&#39;s best, <br />I am a friend who&#39;s always true.<br /><br />I am happiest at daybreak, <br />When the dawn makes its debut, <br />I am thrilled beyond belief, <br />When I get a kiss from you.<br /><br />I am plumper than I want to be, <br />And diets make me crazed, <br />I am tempted at a bakery, <br />By anything that&#39;s glazed.<br /><br />I am saddened at injustice, <br />And the pain so many feel, <br />I am bound to make an effort, <br />To help our planet heal.<br /><br />I am fretting over gray hairs, <br />And wage war on dirt and grime, <br />I am my own worst critic, <br />But you tell me I&#39;m sublime.<br /><br />I am touched by children&#39;s antics, <br />And enraged when they are hurt, <br />I am shy at times, a bit withdrawn, <br />Having never learned to flirt&#33;<br /><br />I am honest with my feelings, <br />Sometimes I say too much, <br />But I am quick to show my love, <br />With a look or hug or touch.<br /><br />I am myself, whether good or bad, <br />I know no other way to be, <br />It&#39;s the only way I can live my life, <br />And I hope that you agree&#33;<br /><br />