So, I have some strange form of "road narcolepsy".
Sure, it's self-diagnosed, but I can tell you that it is absolutely true. When I drive more than 30 minutes, I can often fall asleep at the wheel.
The trouble with this is, besides the obvious, is that I have no idea that I'm sleeping. I'm just sitting there driving, with my eyes open, and dreaming of another world.
Dawna has caught me many times, while I was driving. Basically, I'd be sitting there, and she'd say "WAKE UP!" I'd be "What? I wasn't sleeping!" And she'd respond that I'd been snoring. As I came to think about it, I had been dreaming about working on a unicorn ranch. It's a little surreal.
So, how does one deal with this "problem"? (Or "power".)
1. Coffee. McDonald's Ice Hazelnut coffee usually does the trick, and it's cheap as heck. When I drink one of those, I can't fall asleep for many hours. It's the sugar + caffeine + ground gristle that does the trick, I'm sure.
2. Sleep more. I was primarily had this problem when we were commuting for 2-3 hours per day, and I was working 10 hr days, and then working on the business on the side. Basically, I was exhausted for a number of years doing this. Today, I'm being greedy, and don't get up until 5:30 am. I'm now getting enough sleep, and I feel a bit better about life.
So, there you have it. What's your driving/sleeping issue?
- Daniel
