I’m just like Barbie in that I sometimes wake up with thoughts of death.
As anyone who knows me knows, I fall asleep, a lot. I just drop off. Sometimes without warning. Sudden sleep scenarios include but are not limited to: on the bus; in cafes; in the cinema; in the dentist’s chair; in polite company.
It’s uncontrollable and often comes without warning. It’s the primary reason I’ve never learned to drive. Sitting down is a trigger so I’d be dead if I drove. I’ve never fallen asleep doing a quiz but I have fallen asleep while standing on the London Underground and once, in Poland, while walking.
It’s a problem. People think I’m rude. People feel slighted by it, understandably.
It’s usually a super-short nap. A couple of minutes. And them I’m awake and I’m absolutely fine. In the brief time I’m asleep I can full-adventure dreams.
This narcolepsy (if that’s what it is – never been diagnosed) has it’s plusses. A bus journey can suddenly turn into a trip to the moon. Which is cool, as long as I keep it together and don’t freak out when I wake up.
And that’s the death-related part: the sheer surprise in waking up. Sometimes I kind of know I’m falling asleep; other times, like the one I had yesterday on the number 14, the sleep is completely without herald. It’s like time travel or wormholes or something. One moment I’m on Ferry Road and the next I’m miraculously at the top of Leith Walk. wtf?
It’s those surprise-wakeups that make me think – I wonder if death will be like that. That I’ll just pop off with no prior warning but this time I won’t wake up again. Is that all there is?
Whilst the peaceful nature of this departure-without-warning is undeniable, I’d maybe like at least a moment of realisation that the end is nigh, a wee moment to collect my thoughts and see what’s happening. Or maybe I wouldn’t. Maybe I’ll never find out
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N: Never Sad!
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Anyway, here are tonight’s quizzes:
Portobello Tap 6.30 pm (with Isla)
Tonight’s jackpot: £30
Free answer: One of the MUSIC ROUND answers is “THE KINKS” (See video below)
Safari Lounge 9pm (with me)
Tonight’s jackpot: £150
Free answer: One of the PICTURE ROUND answers is “IRAN”
We’ll see you later.
Love,
Dr Paul
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