Sleepless in Boston

Well, I just got back to Boston last night. And after a long day of wanting to sleep and trying to doze off in cars, airport sofas, and airplanes, I finally have a bed and I can't sleep. My mind is full of songs, scenes from my favorite shows, and other miscellaneous thoughts. So be warned that the rest of this entry may feel a bit like a stream of consciousness, like it's been lifted out of some first-person narrative.

What have I tried so far? Counting sheep? Nah, that never really worked for me (not even electric sheep). I did try to sing myself a lullaby, but no dice. Maybe it's just jet lag and I still think it's Pacific Time? (it is after all, only around 10:30 back in the Bay) But, hrm, I did stay awake for most of the previous night to catch my flight. And while I did catch some Zs in aforementioned airport and airplane, shouldn't I be more drowsy around now?

So now I'm trying to write. Maybe if I just put some of my thoughts on paper, it'll clear my mind. That makes sense, right? You know, maybe it'll work like a Pensieve and allow me to siphon my thoughts into paper? I'm thinking of this quote by Dumbledore:

"I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind... At these times... I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure."

Ah, yes, I know the feeling only too well. I could certainly do with a Pensieve.

You know what? I think the effort required to write coherent sentences is starting to have a soporific effect. I may not even have to write down all my thoughts. That probably saves you from tons of Buffy/Angel spoilers as that's my show of the moment.

What was I thinking about again? Smurfs come to mind. Yes, there's a particularly funny moment in Bones when Brennan wants a Smurfette doll, but Booth gives her a Brainy Smurf doll instead. I don't really know what made me think of that. Sometimes scenes from some of my favorite TV shows, books, or movies, just pop into my head and make me smile for a few seconds.

Weren't there some songs in the mix too? Oh yeah, I was listening to XM radio 20on20 on the flight. And you know what I realized? My life would suck without Kelly Clarkson. And I can apparently find God on the corner of channels 2 and 3 on the inflight radio. Also, I finally found out the name of this song that I can't get out of my head. And wow, Coldplay covered it? Well, here we are now, entertain us.

Ok, perhaps I ought to give this sleep thing another try. I think I've already filled this post to the brim with enough cultural references. How many did you find?

--Arkajit