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Ann Handley

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Morning Person

birds at sunriseLike millions of people around the world who are following the Beijing Olympics, I’ve been watching a lot of TV this summer. Parked on my couch watching the events, it’s alternatively a new experience as well as a shot of nostalgia. Here, in 2008, I’m watching the summer games with my own kids. But I can’t help but recall a few decades ago, when I was the kid in the room, watching the events with my own parents, and Jim McKay in place of Bob Costas.

My network’s broadcast schedule means that I’m getting to bed late most nights. At least, late for people who have trains to catch and clocks to punch. Because I work at home, I have a little more slack on this issue, and so, for the past week or two, the Olympics have helped me reconnect with the deliciousness that is sleeping in.

But today was a different story. This morning, I got up at 5 AM. Unlike other people I know, who love to crow about how early they get started in the morning—how splendid the sunrise, how empty the roads are when they go for a jog at dawn—I am not especially happy about it. In fact, I’m not what anyone would call a morning person, and I’ve never quite understood this whole business of the worm giving it up for the early bird.

Who says that rising at daybreak is somehow the hallmark of an honorable, virtuous life? While I’m sure many glorious things happen in the world between daybreak and 9 AM, lots of good stuff happens for me between those hours, too, spending them, as I have been, swaddled in my bed, conjuring adventures in my dreams.

Last night, I drank a tall glass of water before bed. I paid for it this morning when I rose to pee and couldn’t fall back to sleep. I had loads of stuff to take care of today, and those niggling details nagged at me until I sighed, gave in, and un-swaddled. I was barely at my desk when my teenage son stumbled up to my office. It wasn’t yet 6 AM, and looking up to see him standing in the doorway, disheveled and swaying slightly, seemed as jarring as discovering a monkey in a baby carriage. It turns out he couldn’t sleep either, and, like a drowsy but friendly street person, he had wandered in to say hello.

Like me, Evan has a tendency to lie around, writ large as an unperturbed teenager. On a weekend, I might rise by 10 AM. But this summer, he hardly ever sets foot out of bed until the crack of noon. Seeing him there upright, as the sun crept over the horizon behind me, reminded me of a story my friend Scott told me recently about his grandfather.

The old man was a notoriously early riser, lulled to an early sleep, Scott said, by an afternoon spent busily throwing down tall glasses of whiskey. Come daybreak, he would be well-rested and raring to go. And when his grandkids would visit, it would irk him that others didn’t keep the same hours.

He’d rise at 5 AM or so, full of loving gratitude for the day and sipping his coffee in the kitchen while his family slumbered upstairs. But by 6 AM he was banging cabinets and slamming the fridge door. By 7, he was livid. So he took to positioning himself at the bottom of the stairs with a marine horn, fetched from the garage, the kind with a can of compressed air fixed to a plastic horn. They are meant for a distressed boater to use to signal the Coast Guard, or sometimes they signal the start of play at soccer or Little League games. Whatever the case, the horn is meant to sound loud enough to melt your eardrums. In Scott’s grandfather’s house, one long sound of the horn simultaneously shook the paintings on the walls—and the kids and his wife from their beds.

One year at Christmastime, Gramps retrieved the boat horn only to find the compressed air too cold to make the horn sound. Muttering, he tramped into the kitchen, running the air can under hot water and shaking the propellant loose.

I don’t know much about marine horns. But after Scott told me this story, I located one, and right there in the store aisle I read the text of a warning label that clearly said, “Caution: Contents Under Pressure. Do Not Heat.” I don’t know whether Scott’s grandfather, in his fury, couldn’t read or what. But the thing blew up in his hand, precisely as the Warning… well, warns.

What the warning doesn’t tell you is that when it blows up, it’ll boom loud enough to rouse anyone sleeping in, say, the room situated above the kitchen. I imagine that, sleeping there, Scott’s grandmother got quite a start, too, which was kind of lucky for Scott’s grandfather, since he needed a ride to the emergency room. He came back wearing a bandage the size of a boxing glove. But what really irked him at that point, Scott said, what really set him off and sent him bellowing back at the bottom of the stairs, was that Scott and his brothers were all still tucked under their blankets, invoking the sweet dreams of the innocent.

And so I wonder, in part for Scott in the 1970s and in part for me now, what’s so great about getting up early? For me, now, it’s 5 o’clock in the afternoon. And yet at this impossibly early hour for dining I’m irritatingly aware of gnawing in my stomach. I’m too young to eat dinner at 5 PM… but do you see how getting up early will age you prematurely?

It makes me wonder anew: Who says that rising at daybreak is somehow the hallmark of a virtuous life? Who came up with the notion that sleeping in is somehow lazy, slothful, weak, despised?

What about the merits of a soul that’s well-rested? What of the virtue of late-night camaraderie, or—this summer, anyway—the national solidarity of staying awake to the bitter end of the swim finals? What’s wrong with all of that?

Flickr photo: Brenda Anderson

Filed Under: Politics & Society, Pop Culture, Women Tagged With: kids, marine horn, Olympics, Parenting, sleep, summer

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michael A. Stelzner says

    August 20, 2008 at 4:23 pm

    Ann – My best work is always in the morning.

    In fact, to write my book, I sacrificed one hour of sleep each day for about 5 months, getting up at 5am to write before my kids woke up.

    Now I am thinking of doing it again…

    Mike

    Reply
  2. Michael A. Stelzner says

    August 20, 2008 at 8:23 am

    Ann – My best work is always in the morning.

    In fact, to write my book, I sacrificed one hour of sleep each day for about 5 months, getting up at 5am to write before my kids woke up.

    Now I am thinking of doing it again…

    Mike

    Reply
  3. Steve Woodruff says

    August 20, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    Sorry, gal, but on this one, I must beg to differ – not on the basis of virtue, but strict pragmatism. I can get more done between 5:30-8:30 a.m. than any other time, because creativity flows from this fountain while the robins are yanking unsuspecting worms from their swaddling turf. On the other hand, the engine starts to sputter in the mid afternoon, and apart from the occasional evening second wind, I’m not worth a nickel at night (when some folks I’ve seen on Twitter just seem to be revving up!).

    Reply
  4. Steve Woodruff says

    August 20, 2008 at 8:29 am

    Sorry, gal, but on this one, I must beg to differ – not on the basis of virtue, but strict pragmatism. I can get more done between 5:30-8:30 a.m. than any other time, because creativity flows from this fountain while the robins are yanking unsuspecting worms from their swaddling turf. On the other hand, the engine starts to sputter in the mid afternoon, and apart from the occasional evening second wind, I’m not worth a nickel at night (when some folks I’ve seen on Twitter just seem to be revving up!).

    Reply
  5. Jim Sutton says

    August 20, 2008 at 5:02 pm

    Ann — Thank you for the story about “gramps” getting his just, or perhaps unjust, desserts. There is no particular virtue in getting up early, or late, particularly when neither work nor school call for our early rising. Perhaps the old man was just lonely at that time of day. He had a unique way of expressing his existential angst though. Jim

    Reply
  6. Jim Sutton says

    August 20, 2008 at 9:02 am

    Ann — Thank you for the story about “gramps” getting his just, or perhaps unjust, desserts. There is no particular virtue in getting up early, or late, particularly when neither work nor school call for our early rising. Perhaps the old man was just lonely at that time of day. He had a unique way of expressing his existential angst though. Jim

    Reply
  7. Samer Forzley says

    August 20, 2008 at 5:10 pm

    The day should be divided in 3 equal parts, 8 hours work, 8 hours rest, and 8 hours for leisure and study, at least according to my Grandpa. Sounds good in theory but life is not as defined and work these days, well it takes more than 8 hours of the day. The main point however is you need a balance, sleep in once in a while, wake up early once in a while , stay up to watch the Olympics once in a while, its all good

    Reply
  8. Samer Forzley says

    August 20, 2008 at 9:10 am

    The day should be divided in 3 equal parts, 8 hours work, 8 hours rest, and 8 hours for leisure and study, at least according to my Grandpa. Sounds good in theory but life is not as defined and work these days, well it takes more than 8 hours of the day. The main point however is you need a balance, sleep in once in a while, wake up early once in a while , stay up to watch the Olympics once in a while, its all good

    Reply
  9. Amy says

    August 20, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    I think it’s all personal. Like you, I’m not a 5 a.m. person. I’m usually up around 7-7:30, puttering with the coffeepot, reading the paper, and at my desk working by 9 or so, and I’m very productive from 9-1, when I break for lunch. My next best period of productivity is from about 3-7. That’s my perfect dream schedule.

    Reply
  10. Amy says

    August 20, 2008 at 9:17 am

    I think it’s all personal. Like you, I’m not a 5 a.m. person. I’m usually up around 7-7:30, puttering with the coffeepot, reading the paper, and at my desk working by 9 or so, and I’m very productive from 9-1, when I break for lunch. My next best period of productivity is from about 3-7. That’s my perfect dream schedule.

    Reply
  11. Leigh Duncan-Durst says

    August 20, 2008 at 5:19 pm

    Ohhh Annie. I’m with you.

    God must have a sense of humor. I have been given a son who is a MORNING PERSON!!! He is, with regularity, up at 5:00 am. 🙁

    I crave the day when I will, once again, sleep. Blissful sleep. I crave the life well rested. In the mean time, get some for me, okay!?

    LOVED your description of Evan. Hysterical. Michelle is the same way.

    As always, my dear friend, your writing is a TREAT.

    Reply
  12. Leigh Duncan-Durst says

    August 20, 2008 at 9:19 am

    Ohhh Annie. I’m with you.

    God must have a sense of humor. I have been given a son who is a MORNING PERSON!!! He is, with regularity, up at 5:00 am. 🙁

    I crave the day when I will, once again, sleep. Blissful sleep. I crave the life well rested. In the mean time, get some for me, okay!?

    LOVED your description of Evan. Hysterical. Michelle is the same way.

    As always, my dear friend, your writing is a TREAT.

    Reply
  13. Ann Handley says

    August 20, 2008 at 9:24 am

    I admit that as much as I hate getting up in the morning, I’m a little jealous of folks like Mike and Steve.. who do so effortlessly. Heck — getting up at 5 afforded me the time to write this post, so there you go.

    @Amy My best hours are the “morning,” too, (and I define them a little more like you do than how Steve does), and then again late at night.

    @Jim — Regardless, it makes for a great story, doesn’t it?

    @Samer — I like the way your grandpa thinks!

    Reply
  14. Ann Handley says

    August 20, 2008 at 5:24 pm

    I admit that as much as I hate getting up in the morning, I’m a little jealous of folks like Mike and Steve.. who do so effortlessly. Heck — getting up at 5 afforded me the time to write this post, so there you go.

    @Amy My best hours are the “morning,” too, (and I define them a little more like you do than how Steve does), and then again late at night.

    @Jim — Regardless, it makes for a great story, doesn’t it?

    @Samer — I like the way your grandpa thinks!

    Reply
  15. Tonya says

    August 20, 2008 at 5:52 pm

    That grandpa anecdote had me laughing out loud–reminded me of my dad… In my family, only he was a morning person, and he expressed it daily with a booming voice that somehow regularly shocked us awake. (Naturally, the clomping around gathering this and that necessity would then keep us awake.) I’m totally with you on revving up late and staying up later, though. Thanks for the tale!

    Reply
  16. Bev Barnett says

    August 20, 2008 at 5:52 pm

    What a great story! For me, its always about the story.

    … and I’m with you, NOT a morning person. I was up at 5 yesterday, and watched the Olympics too late. Definitely having a low energy day today.

    Reply
  17. Tonya says

    August 20, 2008 at 9:52 am

    That grandpa anecdote had me laughing out loud–reminded me of my dad… In my family, only he was a morning person, and he expressed it daily with a booming voice that somehow regularly shocked us awake. (Naturally, the clomping around gathering this and that necessity would then keep us awake.) I’m totally with you on revving up late and staying up later, though. Thanks for the tale!

    Reply
  18. Bev Barnett says

    August 20, 2008 at 9:52 am

    What a great story! For me, its always about the story.

    … and I’m with you, NOT a morning person. I was up at 5 yesterday, and watched the Olympics too late. Definitely having a low energy day today.

    Reply
  19. Paulette says

    August 20, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    Though I can occasionally drag myself out of bed around 5 or 6am (as I did this morning because I had no other time to get a workout in), my idea of a good morning is waking whenever the sun nudges me, lingering over coffee, my journal, a poem perhaps, and a stack of books before settling in for a nap around 11. I’m definitely a mid-afternoon to evening person, except of course on those nasty 5am up-and-at-’em days. One last thought–I enjoy the a.m.s much more if they don’t involve any interaction for at least the first 2 hours I’m awake. Thanks for such a delightful post.

    Reply
  20. Paulette says

    August 20, 2008 at 10:34 am

    Though I can occasionally drag myself out of bed around 5 or 6am (as I did this morning because I had no other time to get a workout in), my idea of a good morning is waking whenever the sun nudges me, lingering over coffee, my journal, a poem perhaps, and a stack of books before settling in for a nap around 11. I’m definitely a mid-afternoon to evening person, except of course on those nasty 5am up-and-at-’em days. One last thought–I enjoy the a.m.s much more if they don’t involve any interaction for at least the first 2 hours I’m awake. Thanks for such a delightful post.

    Reply
  21. Paul Chaney says

    August 20, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    I’m with you Ann. Even God is not up at 5 a.m. However, I find myself unwillingly awake at that time of day (night) more often than I used to.

    Whether it’s the many cares of the day (the one upcoming or the one just past) or the fact that bladder control is more of an issue than it used to be, 5 a.m. is a time on the clock I’m getting more used to seeing. No air horns needed.

    Reply
  22. Paul Chaney says

    August 20, 2008 at 10:51 am

    I’m with you Ann. Even God is not up at 5 a.m. However, I find myself unwillingly awake at that time of day (night) more often than I used to.

    Whether it’s the many cares of the day (the one upcoming or the one just past) or the fact that bladder control is more of an issue than it used to be, 5 a.m. is a time on the clock I’m getting more used to seeing. No air horns needed.

    Reply
  23. Jeff Glasson says

    August 20, 2008 at 7:03 pm

    Ann, You are great story teller and I really enjoyed this post. Personally, I can’t remember the last time I slept past 8am. I’m definitely not the type to get up as early as 5am either – primarily because I can never seem to shutdown before midnight.

    I think its all good until you start answering those 5pm grumbles with a trip to the “all you can eat” for the early-bird special!

    Cheers, Jeff

    Reply
  24. Jeff Glasson says

    August 20, 2008 at 11:03 am

    Ann, You are great story teller and I really enjoyed this post. Personally, I can’t remember the last time I slept past 8am. I’m definitely not the type to get up as early as 5am either – primarily because I can never seem to shutdown before midnight.

    I think its all good until you start answering those 5pm grumbles with a trip to the “all you can eat” for the early-bird special!

    Cheers, Jeff

    Reply
  25. amythecopywriter says

    August 20, 2008 at 7:16 pm

    Before this month, I was a morning person by punishment. I MADE myself get up and go the gym every morning before the family rose and I started them on their day of life enriching activity. (If not the gym there was always work, laundry, dishwasher, etc.) Recently my son was diagnosed with Lyme Meningitis and given a PICC line so we can administer home IV’s for 28 days. A PICC line means no running, swimming, biking, hanging…pretty much piano and reading are okay. So I’ve taken the month off, we cancelled our vacation to Maine and have hunkered down in “get well mode.” Well, the Olympics have been a Godsend! It’s fun, new, exciting and a great way to add thrills to the otherwise ho-hum recovery period. So now we’re all up until 12 or 1 with the rest of you Olympic nuts and then we sleep until 10 or 11. Why not? No pressure to play, exercise or anything else. (For the boy. Don’t worry. I’m still squeezing in some.) It has totally changed my mindset. There is something about sleeping in that may feel self-indulgent but can actually be the ultimate in self-compassion. And while I don’t think this A-typer could do it forever, I think it’s helped me become an A- type for a while.
    Shoot. Sorry so long.

    Reply
  26. amythecopywriter says

    August 20, 2008 at 11:16 am

    Before this month, I was a morning person by punishment. I MADE myself get up and go the gym every morning before the family rose and I started them on their day of life enriching activity. (If not the gym there was always work, laundry, dishwasher, etc.) Recently my son was diagnosed with Lyme Meningitis and given a PICC line so we can administer home IV’s for 28 days. A PICC line means no running, swimming, biking, hanging…pretty much piano and reading are okay. So I’ve taken the month off, we cancelled our vacation to Maine and have hunkered down in “get well mode.” Well, the Olympics have been a Godsend! It’s fun, new, exciting and a great way to add thrills to the otherwise ho-hum recovery period. So now we’re all up until 12 or 1 with the rest of you Olympic nuts and then we sleep until 10 or 11. Why not? No pressure to play, exercise or anything else. (For the boy. Don’t worry. I’m still squeezing in some.) It has totally changed my mindset. There is something about sleeping in that may feel self-indulgent but can actually be the ultimate in self-compassion. And while I don’t think this A-typer could do it forever, I think it’s helped me become an A- type for a while.
    Shoot. Sorry so long.

    Reply
  27. amythecopywriter says

    August 20, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    I hope the length of my last comment didn’t make any of your early risers fall asleep.

    Reply
  28. amythecopywriter says

    August 20, 2008 at 11:17 am

    I hope the length of my last comment didn’t make any of your early risers fall asleep.

    Reply
  29. amythecopywriter says

    August 20, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    Oh and I met it’s turned me from an A type to an A- type. Okay, I’ll shut up now. Can you believe I have a blog known for it’s brevity?
    Amy

    Reply
  30. amythecopywriter says

    August 20, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Oh and I met it’s turned me from an A type to an A- type. Okay, I’ll shut up now. Can you believe I have a blog known for it’s brevity?
    Amy

    Reply
  31. Nedra says

    August 20, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    Amen, sister. We’re on the same team.

    Reply
  32. Nedra says

    August 20, 2008 at 11:26 am

    Amen, sister. We’re on the same team.

    Reply
  33. Marina Martin says

    August 20, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Not everyone peaks at 5am. This myth drove me berserk for years as I strove to get up each day at the crack of dawn. The result? No matter what time I went to bed, I was sluggish until mid-afternoon, and even if I hadn’t slept at ALL the night before, when 7pm rolled around, I got a huge productivity wind.

    Last year I embraced my inner night-owl and I simply go to sleep when I’m tired and wake up when I wake up. This means I usually sleep from 5am – noon and skip sleeping altogether one or two nights a week. My productivity has skyrocketed, I’m much happier, and I can go days without caffeine and not notice. (If I get up in the morning, I need a venti Americano just to think.)

    To whatever degree you’re able, listen to your body and set your own schedule. Your happiness and productivity will thank you.

    Reply
  34. Marina Martin says

    August 20, 2008 at 12:24 pm

    Not everyone peaks at 5am. This myth drove me berserk for years as I strove to get up each day at the crack of dawn. The result? No matter what time I went to bed, I was sluggish until mid-afternoon, and even if I hadn’t slept at ALL the night before, when 7pm rolled around, I got a huge productivity wind.

    Last year I embraced my inner night-owl and I simply go to sleep when I’m tired and wake up when I wake up. This means I usually sleep from 5am – noon and skip sleeping altogether one or two nights a week. My productivity has skyrocketed, I’m much happier, and I can go days without caffeine and not notice. (If I get up in the morning, I need a venti Americano just to think.)

    To whatever degree you’re able, listen to your body and set your own schedule. Your happiness and productivity will thank you.

    Reply
  35. Kim Cornwall Malseed says

    August 20, 2008 at 10:16 pm

    Great post Ann, you really know how to tell a story 🙂

    I’m so with you, definitely not a morning person, never have been. Caused plenty of conflict with my parents growing up, as they are both early risers. Luckily my husband (although much more of a morning person than me) understands my love of sleeping in on weekends.

    Part of what I love about having my own biz and working from home is the extra 2 hours of sleep I get each day since I don’t have to spend time getting ready for work and commuting – I live outside D.C. and traffic is horrible so I used to drive an hour or more. I can get up at 8-8:30 am and have coffee, shower and wake up, then be ready to work at 9.

    I’ve really been into the Olympics too, I’ve been praising the inventors of the HD-DVR every night as I record it and start watching it a half hour later so I can fast forward through the gazillion commercials. I hate TV commercials, although I do have to say the VISA ads with Morgan Freeman doing the voice overs are pretty good.

    Reply
  36. Kim Cornwall Malseed says

    August 20, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    Great post Ann, you really know how to tell a story 🙂

    I’m so with you, definitely not a morning person, never have been. Caused plenty of conflict with my parents growing up, as they are both early risers. Luckily my husband (although much more of a morning person than me) understands my love of sleeping in on weekends.

    Part of what I love about having my own biz and working from home is the extra 2 hours of sleep I get each day since I don’t have to spend time getting ready for work and commuting – I live outside D.C. and traffic is horrible so I used to drive an hour or more. I can get up at 8-8:30 am and have coffee, shower and wake up, then be ready to work at 9.

    I’ve really been into the Olympics too, I’ve been praising the inventors of the HD-DVR every night as I record it and start watching it a half hour later so I can fast forward through the gazillion commercials. I hate TV commercials, although I do have to say the VISA ads with Morgan Freeman doing the voice overs are pretty good.

    Reply
  37. Christian Gulliksen says

    August 21, 2008 at 5:57 am

    Ever noticed that the folks who trumpet this concept are morning people by nature? I imagine it made a little sense before electricity, when rising at noon meant losing five or six productive hours. In an age of light bulbs, though, it’s a lot of bunk. I’m no good before 10 AM, and best after 10 PM. So I guess we’ve got that in common 🙂

    Reply
  38. Christian Gulliksen says

    August 20, 2008 at 9:57 pm

    Ever noticed that the folks who trumpet this concept are morning people by nature? I imagine it made a little sense before electricity, when rising at noon meant losing five or six productive hours. In an age of light bulbs, though, it’s a lot of bunk. I’m no good before 10 AM, and best after 10 PM. So I guess we’ve got that in common 🙂

    Reply
  39. Susanne Sicilian says

    August 21, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    Scott’s grandfather is just like my Sicilian grandmother who lived with us…when I would come home from college for any holiday…I wouldn’t get up out of bed until noon…a mortal sin in her eyes…but if I did have to answer the call of nature early in the morning and get up to go to the bathroom…when I returned to my room I would find that my grandmother had sneaked into my room and made my bed…thank god she didn’t know about that horn.

    Reply
  40. Susanne Sicilian says

    August 21, 2008 at 5:21 am

    Scott’s grandfather is just like my Sicilian grandmother who lived with us…when I would come home from college for any holiday…I wouldn’t get up out of bed until noon…a mortal sin in her eyes…but if I did have to answer the call of nature early in the morning and get up to go to the bathroom…when I returned to my room I would find that my grandmother had sneaked into my room and made my bed…thank god she didn’t know about that horn.

    Reply
  41. Mukund Mohan says

    August 21, 2008 at 2:02 pm

    I have to hand it to you. Taking such an obvious daily routine and writing the most beautify synchrony of prose to provide some great contours around it.

    Like I told you before, its good with a cuppa in the morning.

    BTW I am a morning person big time. Wake up at 445 most days. Loving it.

    Reply
  42. Mukund Mohan says

    August 21, 2008 at 6:02 am

    I have to hand it to you. Taking such an obvious daily routine and writing the most beautify synchrony of prose to provide some great contours around it.

    Like I told you before, its good with a cuppa in the morning.

    BTW I am a morning person big time. Wake up at 445 most days. Loving it.

    Reply
  43. Ann Handley says

    August 21, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    Hey all — Your comments here are pretty much confirming for me that there are two kinds of people in the world.. those who get up early, and those who don’t. Seems like this should be part of the standard questioning on eHarmony or marriage prep or whatev… as it’s a pretty fundamental thing!

    …and I love that Christian added his comment at something like 2 AM!

    Reply
  44. Ann Handley says

    August 21, 2008 at 7:59 am

    Hey all — Your comments here are pretty much confirming for me that there are two kinds of people in the world.. those who get up early, and those who don’t. Seems like this should be part of the standard questioning on eHarmony or marriage prep or whatev… as it’s a pretty fundamental thing!

    …and I love that Christian added his comment at something like 2 AM!

    Reply
  45. Larissa says

    August 21, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    I too dread morning people. My mom is one, and although she never had grandpa’s horn I remember her unloading the dishwasher at the crack of dawn as loud as humanly possible – which she still does to this day (to my father’s night-owl dismay).

    Reply
  46. Larissa says

    August 21, 2008 at 11:25 am

    I too dread morning people. My mom is one, and although she never had grandpa’s horn I remember her unloading the dishwasher at the crack of dawn as loud as humanly possible – which she still does to this day (to my father’s night-owl dismay).

    Reply
  47. Shelley says

    August 21, 2008 at 11:19 pm

    Anyone notice a disturbing personality defect in these so-called Morning People? Blowing horns, slamming doors, clandestinely making beds, banging dishes… just to make those of us on the cool side of the pillow as miserable as they are? ;]

    Reply
  48. Shelley says

    August 21, 2008 at 3:19 pm

    Anyone notice a disturbing personality defect in these so-called Morning People? Blowing horns, slamming doors, clandestinely making beds, banging dishes… just to make those of us on the cool side of the pillow as miserable as they are? ;]

    Reply
  49. Amber Naslund says

    August 22, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    Hi Ann – you’re so right. It’s a personal decision, and I’m of the non-early persuasion. Ever since I was a kid, one of the delights in my life is sleeping in until my body tells me it’s time to get up. The work world sometimes forces me into something different, but I work as hard in “my” hours as other people do in theirs.

    Your writing, as always, is superlative. I enjoy your blog as much as many of my favorite little literary indulgences. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee and a late morning. 😉

    Reply
  50. Amber Naslund says

    August 22, 2008 at 6:38 am

    Hi Ann – you’re so right. It’s a personal decision, and I’m of the non-early persuasion. Ever since I was a kid, one of the delights in my life is sleeping in until my body tells me it’s time to get up. The work world sometimes forces me into something different, but I work as hard in “my” hours as other people do in theirs.

    Your writing, as always, is superlative. I enjoy your blog as much as many of my favorite little literary indulgences. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee and a late morning. 😉

    Reply
  51. Dana Ironside says

    August 22, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    Ann… the fact that you can even sleep in that late and your children are now at the age to let you – is enough to make this momma jealous. My kids are up between 6 and 7 and are only willing to enertain themselves to their stomachs growl, which is normally just minutes after they wake. Sleeping in here means 8 on a Sunday. That’s a miracle and one my husband and I mastermind up the evening before by picking sticks. Whoever gets the long one sleeps in. 🙂

    I find myself neither a morning or night person by nature. It would depend on what was going on in general. Put me in a beach house and I love to get up at 6 and walk down to the beach and watch the sun coming up with all the peace and beauty. Put me with my college buddies and I’ll be up all night with plenty of wine and I’m sure I won’t be watching any sunrise! It’s all about the moment in time in your life. Enjoy all of them. Morning, noon or night. Great topic Ann! Keep ’em coming.

    Reply
  52. Dana Ironside says

    August 22, 2008 at 9:03 am

    Ann… the fact that you can even sleep in that late and your children are now at the age to let you – is enough to make this momma jealous. My kids are up between 6 and 7 and are only willing to enertain themselves to their stomachs growl, which is normally just minutes after they wake. Sleeping in here means 8 on a Sunday. That’s a miracle and one my husband and I mastermind up the evening before by picking sticks. Whoever gets the long one sleeps in. 🙂

    I find myself neither a morning or night person by nature. It would depend on what was going on in general. Put me in a beach house and I love to get up at 6 and walk down to the beach and watch the sun coming up with all the peace and beauty. Put me with my college buddies and I’ll be up all night with plenty of wine and I’m sure I won’t be watching any sunrise! It’s all about the moment in time in your life. Enjoy all of them. Morning, noon or night. Great topic Ann! Keep ’em coming.

    Reply
  53. Mack Collier says

    August 23, 2008 at 5:37 am

    And the ironic thing is, how many of you that commented that you aren’t morning people did NOT arise at 7am every Saturday morning as a kid to the latest exploits of The Superfriends? I know I did. I would normally wake up around 6am cause I was scared to death of missing an instant of Casey Kasem’s voiceover of Robin. When I flipped on the TV to discover that Ag Day or the Farmer’s Report or some pre-cartoon crap was still on, I’d mutter in my Batman pajamas and try to keep from falling back to sleep.

    All about motivation 😉

    Reply
  54. Mack Collier says

    August 22, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    And the ironic thing is, how many of you that commented that you aren’t morning people did NOT arise at 7am every Saturday morning as a kid to the latest exploits of The Superfriends? I know I did. I would normally wake up around 6am cause I was scared to death of missing an instant of Casey Kasem’s voiceover of Robin. When I flipped on the TV to discover that Ag Day or the Farmer’s Report or some pre-cartoon crap was still on, I’d mutter in my Batman pajamas and try to keep from falling back to sleep.

    All about motivation 😉

    Reply
  55. Jeannie Walters says

    August 25, 2008 at 2:10 pm

    Since becoming a parent, I’ve missed the days of waking way past the sun. Even on those incredible days when the 4 year-old and the 15-month old either sleep, I find myself waking with the sun and unable to drift back to sleep. I miss those days. Even now, when I have some small amount of time I find I putter around, picking up toys and scrubbing up dried oatmeal, until those early morning coos. It’s hard to indulge in me time right now, but that is part of the joy.

    And, yes, the Olympics caused me much sleep deprivation. But it was worth it.

    Great post. Clearly hit a nerve!

    Reply
  56. Peter Shankman says

    August 25, 2008 at 2:10 pm

    You know I love you, but I LOVE getting up early. To have my moments of freedom, no cell phone ringing, no one bothering me, is luxury that you just don’t get at 11:30am when the masses are awake.

    Reply
  57. Jeannie Walters says

    August 25, 2008 at 6:10 am

    Since becoming a parent, I’ve missed the days of waking way past the sun. Even on those incredible days when the 4 year-old and the 15-month old either sleep, I find myself waking with the sun and unable to drift back to sleep. I miss those days. Even now, when I have some small amount of time I find I putter around, picking up toys and scrubbing up dried oatmeal, until those early morning coos. It’s hard to indulge in me time right now, but that is part of the joy.

    And, yes, the Olympics caused me much sleep deprivation. But it was worth it.

    Great post. Clearly hit a nerve!

    Reply
  58. Peter Shankman says

    August 25, 2008 at 6:10 am

    You know I love you, but I LOVE getting up early. To have my moments of freedom, no cell phone ringing, no one bothering me, is luxury that you just don’t get at 11:30am when the masses are awake.

    Reply
  59. The Franchise King says

    August 25, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    Ann,
    I love your musings, but this one has me a tad agitated. I cannot stand when my wife sleeps in on the weekends. I feel it is a waste of life. really. full days are so important.
    Joel Libava

    Reply
  60. Joel Libava says

    August 25, 2008 at 6:41 am

    Ann,
    I love your musings, but this one has me a tad agitated. I cannot stand when my wife sleeps in on the weekends. I feel it is a waste of life. really. full days are so important.
    Joel Libava

    Reply
  61. Karen Swim says

    August 25, 2008 at 2:55 pm

    Ann, I was once an early riser. Convinced (or brainwashed) by the early bird gets the worm theories. May I point out that the habits of birds have also changed due to environmental forces? I remember running 20 milers at 4 am. I still run but not at 4, 5 or even 6 am! I have learned that my body has its own rhythm and it changes with the seasons and seasons of life. Some rise early and sleep early, others are busy masterminding in the wee hours. Are the days any less full if you spend your waking hours on a different schedule? I for one vehemently say not at all. BTW, my own personal favorite day of the year & one I actually celebrate is the end to daylight savings time. I hate being forced to awaken an hour earlier just because someone decided it would be a good idea to manipulate time!

    Reply
  62. Karen Swim says

    August 25, 2008 at 6:55 am

    Ann, I was once an early riser. Convinced (or brainwashed) by the early bird gets the worm theories. May I point out that the habits of birds have also changed due to environmental forces? I remember running 20 milers at 4 am. I still run but not at 4, 5 or even 6 am! I have learned that my body has its own rhythm and it changes with the seasons and seasons of life. Some rise early and sleep early, others are busy masterminding in the wee hours. Are the days any less full if you spend your waking hours on a different schedule? I for one vehemently say not at all. BTW, my own personal favorite day of the year & one I actually celebrate is the end to daylight savings time. I hate being forced to awaken an hour earlier just because someone decided it would be a good idea to manipulate time!

    Reply
  63. Steve Woodruff says

    August 25, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    Marina, Karen, and others of course are absolutely correct. If you have the luxury of owning your own schedule, just listen to your mind/body’s unique rhythms and work when you’re at your peak. It took me a while (once working for myself) to give myself permission to chuck the standard 8-5 mindset and simply go with the flow irrespective of what the clock says. My internal clock says early morning, others get juiced at night, and it really doesn’t matter – just ignore the pre-fab expectations of others and play with the deck you’ve got!

    Reply
  64. Steve Woodruff says

    August 25, 2008 at 7:11 am

    Marina, Karen, and others of course are absolutely correct. If you have the luxury of owning your own schedule, just listen to your mind/body’s unique rhythms and work when you’re at your peak. It took me a while (once working for myself) to give myself permission to chuck the standard 8-5 mindset and simply go with the flow irrespective of what the clock says. My internal clock says early morning, others get juiced at night, and it really doesn’t matter – just ignore the pre-fab expectations of others and play with the deck you’ve got!

    Reply
  65. David Felfoldi says

    September 4, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    I think the virtue is not waking up early, but knowing thyself. Ask yourself: if you could go to wake up without an alarm clock, what time would you get up? What if you did this for a week? What would be your average time?

    Then why do so many of us set our alarm clocks for 5 or 6am?

    I blogged about my stand against Sleep Deprivation Braggarts http://felfoldi.wordpress.com/?s=sleep

    Check out http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Sleep-Medicine-Connection-Happiness/dp/0440509017 for more on this subject.

    Reply
  66. David Felfoldi says

    September 4, 2008 at 7:48 am

    I think the virtue is not waking up early, but knowing thyself. Ask yourself: if you could go to wake up without an alarm clock, what time would you get up? What if you did this for a week? What would be your average time?

    Then why do so many of us set our alarm clocks for 5 or 6am?

    I blogged about my stand against Sleep Deprivation Braggarts http://felfoldi.wordpress.com/?s=sleep

    Check out http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Sleep-Medicine-Connection-Happiness/dp/0440509017 for more on this subject.

    Reply

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