Sleep Patterns

Apparently my issue with working to fill any deadline isn't exclusive to me. It's known as 'Parkinson's Law', which can best be described up as, "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion" or "work expands to fill the time available." I think that sums it up quite nicely (although Wikipedia doesn't go any further to offer any cure for sufferers). I wonder what sufferers are called? Let's just say I don't think I'll be shouting from the roof-tops that I have 'Parkinsons'. I know, cheap joke.

It's late and I'm forcing myself to stay awake just a little bit longer, perhaps until 2am. Since the clocks moved forward at the weekend my sleep pattern has been all over the place. I can't sleep until about this time of the night/morning, and then find myself in a viscous cycle in which I can't get out of bed until late morning at best.

In fact, no. I can't blame the clocks changing. My sleep patterns are always all over the place.

I think when I started university in 2003 I developed some kind of issue, whereby I feel the need to stay up ridiculously late, doing very little. I usually find that I don't go to bed until everyone else in the house has dozed off, often hours later. I think there a couple of explanations for this:

Firstly, I really enjoy the peacefulness of everything when it's really late. Everything being so quiet makes a change from the hustle and bustle of the daytime. Even when it seems quiet during the day, it's not. It makes me realise that I take silence for granted, and also that I'm quite content with my own company.

Secondly, I sometimes have an irrational concern that going to sleep would mean I miss out on something good, whatever that something may be. It's the same even when there is clearly nothing to miss out on. It's ridiculous really, but it's probably the same reason why there are always certain people who have to be the last one standing at a party etc.

Lastly, I blame YouTube and Facebook. I often find myself just watching endless videos of people injuring themselves in some horrible freak accident. Don't get me wrong, I'm no masochist, I just like those 'face-plant' genre videos on youtube, where some teenager on a skateboard really stacks it.

It's now really late. I have to try and get up relatively early in the morning to finish some work I started today before my class starts at 3pm. No doubt I'll use all available time to finish it - damn this Parkinsons.

...and so it begins

Right, so here we are. My first ever blog. I've never really even considered writing a diary before now, but for some reason I suddenly feel compelled to write a blog. This might seem odd, especially as a diary allows your to keep your thoughts private (unless you become famous/infamous enough to publish your memoirs to the highest bidder) but I can't really see that happening. So if I can't even write a personal diary why would I want to publish my thoughts to the entire world? I haven't quite worked that out yet, but I'll be sure to let you know if I find out - who says anyone will be bothered to read this anyway?

First of all, a little bit about me:

I'm male, I'm in my early twenties, I'm single, I live at home with my parents in a leafy suburb of North West London, I have aspirations of being a Solicitor one day, I study on the LPC (legal practice course) in Central London, I play tennis to a reasonable standard, I play football to an unreasonable standard, I like spending time with my friends and family and love listening to a very wide range of music. I also fully appreciate that this is beginning to sound a little like a bad 'about me' section on a social networking site.

You'll get to know more about me through future entries, but I imagine most who read this will know this gumpf anyway.

What should I be doing right now? Well, my course is currently taking up an unacceptable amount of time in my life and has been for the last two years. I often find any reason to avoid doing the work until I really have to. So here I am, procrastinating. I should be reading about Ancillary Relief in the context of Family Law (which is actually interesting in comparison to much of what I have to read!) but I simply can't be bothered at the moment.

Actually, something I find interesting about myself in this respect, is no matter how long I have to do something e.g. an essay or preparation for class etc. I will use up all available time, even if it is the most menial task.

This doesn't necessarily mean I leave things until the last minute, because generally I don't.

For example, let's say I have 1 hours worth of work to do and 5 hours to do it in: I will spend the full 5 hours doing the work at a rate of 20%. Why? I'm not sure. Some psychologist out there must have an explanation? Maybe it's just because working at 20% for 5 hours feels like less than 1 hour at 100%. I think maybe I should address my work ethic and try to make more efficient use of the time when I am working, especially when it means I can free up the rest of the day for doing the things I really want to be doing.

That's enough for now. I really should get back to reading about the joys of Ancillary Relief, maybe adopting my new and improved work ethic? Personally, I'm sceptical.

Comments are always welcomed and encouraged, mainly so I know I'm not just writing these entries for the sake of it.