Caffeine-induced-insomnia

You would think I would know better.  It isn't as if it is a surprise.  But I just couldn't resist that creamy latte I yearned for at 4 pm.  It was warm and I was cold.  I made a small one with only 3 oz of espresso versus the 4.5 ounces I do in the morning.  I never ever drink coffee or green tea during the afternoon for one reason and one reason only.  Caffeine-induced-insomnia.  My husband can down a Dr. Pepper at bedtime and sleep like a baby all night long.  Not me.  I thought I was good.  Fell asleep with NO PROBLEM around 10 pm.  And, then BOOM.  Wide awake at 1 am.  Now it is almost 4.  And, right now I can feel a buzz in my inner ear.  My brain is going crazy with all the things on my to-do list for tomorrow.  Of course, because I have been up for the past two+ hours already, I will be sleepy all day tomorrow.  So that means the workout I had intended in the morning may have to get kicked from the list in addition to half the mountain of things I need to get done tomorrow.  I have already been working on those things in my head.  Too bad I don't REALLY have them done.  Sigh.

And, I have definite deadlines right now.  This weekend I am heading to Chicago to attend the See The Light workshop hosted by my dear friend Marianne Drenthe - owner of Marmalade Photography.  I am so excited to finally meet her and to share in her wisdom!  We met online years ago through something having nothing to do with photography.  She is a very caring and generous person not to mention the fact that she is also incredibly talented and motivated.  I can imagine she will do an awesome workshop.  My invisible friend will no longer just be invisible!

So I have been packing my camera in my head.  Deciding which camera to bring.  I usually don't travel with my most expensive camera but for sure my D2X THIS weekend.  Which lenses.  Three?  Four?  How many compact flash cards.  At least both my 4 gb.  Maybe another.  OH, I better not forget my card reader.  (as if I would forget my card reader..)  Do I need my flash and SU-800? no I don't think so.  Gosh, I need to update the software on my laptop.  And, I probably need to free up some space on my drive.  I can pack that portable.  I rely on my desktop for all my photo editing but this weekend I will WANT to edit my images.  I better remember to update all my actions.  Where are those actions I have written myself, anyway?  In the library?  Or in file upon file upon file in the applications folder??  Gosh I wish I remembered.  Oh, and all my brushes and logos.  Ugh.  I wonder if she has wireless internet.  Does my hotel have internet?  Will I be able to chat with Ian?  I better remember my iSight.  And, what about the fact that I am still running on 10.3?  But I can't install Leopard unless I install CS3.  And, I can't install CS3 unless I pay for another license which is absurdly overpriced.  But then I can't play with the D3 NEF files that I will capture when I borrow her baby because I only have CS2.  So what will I do???  WHAT WILL I DO?????? 

So what time will UPS deliver my photos for my portfolio on Friday?  If it is time to go to the airport and he hasn't gone by can I track him down in the neighborhood and demand my WHCC package??  Is that totally unsat?  I can collate on the plane as long as I have the package.  Why didn't I order them on Monday instead of Tuesday?

This is my inner monologue at 3 am incase you were wondering.  At least now I have it written down to remember my card reader and my iSight so I don't have to worry I will forget.  Oh, and let me remind myself now to charge my GPS tomorrow.  And, my iPod.  Phone charger.  Don't forget the phone charger.

I need a book.  What is that Oprah book club book??  Yea, I need that.

Who is going to pick me up from the airport on Monday??  

Well, one thing I HAVE done in my two hours of 'post-midnight mental tasking' is go to weather.com to see the forecast for my big weekend in CHI town.  Um, Mare?  It is only going to be 50 degrees there!?!  What's up with that??  Are we going to be indoors the whole time?

Gosh, that means I am going to have to pack sweaters.  And, boots.  But which boots??  I better do some laundry tomorrow so I am not waiting on UPS AND the dryer on Friday.  What will I wear on the plane? I have to be ready to go right out and meet everyone once I get there.  Going out clothes....  jeans...  boots.....  

I am a freak.  I sound like I never travel.  But it has been a while.  After the traveling blitzkrieg of 2006 you would think this would be old hat.  But I was a freak about all the details for each of those trips, also.  Think of all the great places I went that year.  I miss traveling.  Why can't I just be happy with a backpack staying at a youth hostel so I could afford to travel all the time?  No, I want nice hotels and fine dining.  Cocktails by the pool.  Dreaming of Puerto Rico....  Lisbon...  Singapore...  Must go back to Europe.  Stat.

nearly 5 am.  almost sleepy.  not quite but almost....