Switching Again

bloody hell

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Setting the clock again.
So, in about a week I am switching shifts again. This time, it's gonna be more permanent. On October 2nd, 2004, I am going to be working the 10:00pm to 6:30 am shift, and yes, I volunteered for it.

See, there's a chance that this way, I'm going to have more of an opportunity to see my girl. If I'm getting off from work at 6:30 in the am, I have enough time to grab a coffee and read the morning paper, before going to get my girl from my parents' home and bringing her to the school bus for 8:30. By the time she's left I should be going to bed. I'll sleep while she's at school. (From 9:00am - 3:00 pm) then wake up, and get to hang out with her until at least 8:30pm. I'll have another hour to myself and then it's off to work. The downside is hoping that those hours of sleep (totalling six) is going to be enough. And that I'll even be able to get to sleep is a worry as well.

There's not much I can do, but hope it all works out fine.

I'm hooked.

Thanks to another Joeuser, I've been reading a lot of fanfiction at Appericium. The link is posted below. So far, I've been spending a lot of time reading Harry Potter stories; some shite and some suprisingly good. One of the things that interests me about it, is seeing how young adults look at characters and start developing relationships for them. I have seen so many people try to turn Draco Malfoy good, that its obvious that JK Rowling's character has touched the imagination of many.

And why not? It's kind of the same thing as me, in real life, always liking the jerk. Attracted to the negative. I'm sure there's a lot of psychological meaning here, but right now, I'd rather not get into it. And before anyone might mention it, yes, I'm aware that the Harry Potter serious is for young adults. But hell, I like it too.

At first, I felt rather guilty about reading fanfic. After all, if you can't come up with your own storyline and characters, why bother? And then, after reading some really good stuff, I thought, why not? After all, look at how many novelists and stories JRR Tollkien spawned. As well, it's apparent that some of these stories are attempts by young writers. Admirable attempts. Maybe years from now, some of these writers will try writing their own, equally compelling material.

Here's to hoping.

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It sounds like your new schedule could really be a boon in terms of giving you more time to be with your girl. At first I am sure it will be difficult, but I would imagine you body gets used to it, and you can sleep fine during the day. I have had many friends who worked graveyard shifts and they became accustomed to sleeping during the day. Best of luck to you. Hope it works out.

I have, in the past, read some fanfic. Mainly for the "Wheel of Time series". There is some surprisingly good stuff out there. I have also read some interesting fanfic stuff from the TV series Alias. I suppose it serves us all to read good writing wherever it may be.

And before anyone might mention it, yes, I'm aware that the Harry Potter serious is for young adults. But hell, I like it too.

Heck, I am actually rereading the whole series right now. about a third of the way through the fifth book. Some of my favorite books are not specifically written for adults. "The Chronicles of Prydain" by Lloyd Alexander is one of my all time favorite series of books. I also immensely love "The Dark is Rising" sequence by Susan Cooper. Again, good writing can be found just about anywhere.

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Nicky,
congrats on your promotion... hehehe... i've been working the graveyard shift (we call it MIDS) for more than 2 years now (i even worked mids in the desert), and i can tell you that it's the greatest shift ever. I won't list all the things I love about it, because i'd rather you find out on your own. but i will give you a couple tips about adjusting sleep schedules. These being from my many months of experience.

drink water. I know it sounds funny, but for some reason, staying hydrated is important for body rhythms... especially when you're about to change 'em. it will be tempting to rely heavily on caffeine, but i strongly encourage you not to do so. that will only dehydrate you and confuse your body rhythms. a little bit once in a while is fine... depending on it everyday is bad.

make yourself stay up when you're supposed to be up, even though the only thing you'll want to do is sleep. by not letting yourself take naps, this will ensure that your body will let you sleep when you need to, which is during the day. (while the rest of the world works BTW)

the most important thing of all is to black out your windows in the room you sleep in. you can do this with a black sheet, aluminum foil, venetian blinds with a blanket on top of 'em, roll down shutters, (those are GREAT!) etc... as i'm sure you know, the sun shining in the window is going to tell your body to stop producing the chemical that makes you sleep... that's bad... you need that chemical. it's mela-somethin'...

the hardest part of being on Mids is adjusting your schedule on the weekends when you're not working. single people with no family around have it easy... they just stay on the same schedule all weekend. they party all night, and sleep all day. their friends get jealous cause they can pull the allnighter and never bat an eyelash. For you this will be much tougher. the little one is still gonna want to hang out on Saturday afternoon with Mommy, when mommy's body is gonna want to be asleep. but alas, i have the answer. what a lot of my co-workers and I do, is we stay up after work on Friday, or we take a very short nap. this allows us to sleep a regular schedule on Friday night, and be up on Saturday morning. (and Sunday)... then on Sunday evening, we'll grab a 4 or 5 hour nap before work, and get set to do it all again.

that's some free albeit unsolicited advice from a long time midshifter. if you find yourself wondering about anything else in regards to the greatest shift ever, feel free to ask... (if your co-workers can't help ya that is)

good luck!

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Mainly for the "Wheel of Time series".

Do you have a link? Thanks for writing. I'm going to check out some of the other authors you've mentioned, too.

That's the best advice! My co-workers and I are all looking for tips and advice on how to make this adjustment. We will be the first shift ever to work these hours and have no one to turn to. Looks like you came back just in time. How long do you think it will take to get used to the shift?

thanks so much for the help!

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So wait, maybe I missed it..what's the job? I was a security guard for a year in college working midnight - 8am, but it was only one day a week and an occasional weekend or two...that messed me up pretty bad. Especially since I had class at noon the next day!

Good Luck, and avoid sugar late at night. that always gave me bad gut rot.

-suspeckted

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this prob'ly isn't what you want to hear, but then, it won't be a shock either. everyone reacts differently to it. Some people will be able to just switch with no prob, and others will come to work with big bags under their eyes everynight, and will have trouble staying awake at work...

follow the tips from the previous post and I think you'll be just fine... let me know how things go, k?

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