I haven't been sleeping lately. It's not uncommon for me to stay up all the way through the night. Over the past two or three weeks, I've seen the sun come up 4 or 5 times. I've tried Ambien, reading, noisemakers, hypnotic sleep podcasts, a glass of wine (or three), everything… Or nearly everything.
In perfect timing, this post on '5 Effective Ways to Improve Your Sleep' appeared in my RSS reader yesterday. The two biggest takeaways for me are: ditch the computer an hour or so before bed and read fiction.
I've been reading nonfiction at night and it stimulates my brain. I start thinking of ideas and I can't sleep because all I do think. The solution is not to stop reading; but to stop reading nonfiction. I go back and forth on the value of reading fiction. On one side it helps creative thinking, exposes you to a different style of writing, and it provides some escape from reality. On the other hand, reading is time consuming. And if I'm using hours in my day to read, then I want to read something productive and applicable like nonfiction.
Months ago, I discovered that Nashville's library system is top notch. Ever since I got my library card, I haven't purchased one book. There is a downside though: the wait. If a book is currently checked out, my request goes into a hold system queue. Like Netflix in a way, though at the library you can check out up to 25 books at a time. Today, and by that I mean early this morning at 3:38am, I started adding fiction books to my library reading list. I was AMAZED at how long some of the waits are on these books. 286 holds?! Insane. And the library doesn't have just one copy, they have 30. I postulate:
lots of people in Nashville are trying to escape from reality (probably true)
people in Nashville like fiction better than nonfiction
Nothing like Fridays on Percy Priest Lake with the homies. Note to the packer of the cooler next time: bring more beer. It's hot outside and ice cold brews go down like water when you're under the sun on the lake.
I've had great memories at Saffire, so it carries nostalgic value with me. That is not to say the food is bad; it's been voted Best Restaurant in Nashville for a couple years standing. Saffire is located close to downtown Franklin in the Factory. Pop a couple corks of wine, kick back to jazz music, and enjoy a great time.
Jackson's is probably my "go-to" restaurant. If I'm trying to entertain an out-of-town guest, we go to Jackson's, if I want to grab an after movie snack and brew, I'll hit the bar at Jackson's. To best experience Jackson's, sit outside on patio on a late summer night and suck down a couple glasses of their signature pale ale. The chicken salad torrado (spinach wrap) is to die for. Jackson's is also a marquee spot to people-watch in Nashville's Hillsboro Village.
Today I made international superstardom on the World Wide Web. The online book retailer, Premiere Collectibles, has documented my rise to fame on their site. I think the highlight of this video is my smile.
Occasionally, I'm asked to make road trips with a few authors (insert name drop here) and help run book sales and book-signings. I really enjoy these trips because I can escape the office for the perfect length of time. I love our office culture, but it's good to get out and travel every couple months. I'll be at this event next month, it should be a fun one.
Last night I sold my iPhone. During the month or so that I had it, I could not get used to the keyboard. Texting and emailing turned into a laborious task and it was just a bitch to deal with. So I'm back to the trusty 'ol Treo.
I listed the iPhone, along with the $100 rebate, on craigslist and within hours the emails poured in. I met up with a guy yesterday and after we talked some, we then exchanged the goods and went on our merry way.
Or so I thought, less than 30 minutes later I receive an unhappy text from him and here is our full conversation:
1615***7804 (9/27 7:57 pm): Hey just got the iphone back home. I thought you said this had never been dropped. The case is splitting from the top there is a dent in the top and more?? Me (9/27 7:58 pm): It hasn't been dropped. Case wasn't split when I sold it to you 1615***7804 (9/27 8:00 pm): Were did the dents come from? the black housing that contains the wifi ant has three gouges in it as well Me (9/27 8:01 pm): We must be talking about a different phone. 1615***7804 (9/27 8:02 pm): Apple store says it is void of warranty 1615***7804 (9/27 8:02 pm): I only have one iphone Me (9/27 8:03 pm): I'm sorry to hear that, phone was sold as is… 1615***7804 (9/27 8:06 pm): What do think we should do? 1615***7804 (9/27 8:11 pm): Well u did say it was mint and no dents your now going back on what you represented it as Me (9/27 8:12 pm): Well, I've been upfront, and the phone is in great shape. The case was not splitting when it was in my possession. Hope it works out. 1615***7804 (9/27 8:12 pm): It will work see you soon! Me (9/27 8:13 pm): Ok 1615***7804 (9/27 8:14 pm): Oh may I ask how the dent came to be by headphone jack? 1615***7804 (9/27 8:22 pm): Well?
It was very odd to me that he would want to return the phone after only 30 minutes. He had no objections when we first met, so what happened between the sale and the time he took it home?
If you read this article, you will find that Apple released a statement earlier this week saying that iPhones that have been hacked or unlocked would result in “in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed."
In short, my buyer's iPhone is now a $310 paperweight. Glad he paid cash…
There is no doubt in my mind that the pics turned out fantabulous. (and yes that's a word, I just made it up.) All our photographing was done by friend, Brandon Chesbro. Staff pictures were shot the following day at the Parthenon off West End.
Two weeks ago I turned 25. Mom and Dad came to Nashville and we did everything touristy there was to do. (hey I wouldn't have done it otherwise…)
Last week Lana came to visit me. She gave me a book, cleaned my apartment, washed my clothes, and the movie we went to see we ended up walking out of. I wonder how she had a good time and still considers me a friend.
I started this week right by playing golf at a course nearby. It's been a long time since I've played and I was pleased with the results. Golf is a soothing pleasure for me…
Here are some new things in my life:
….reading three books: On Writing Well, A Whole New Mind, and Free Agent Nation ….working on business plan for a new company, OutSmores ….apathy towards the thought of purchasing a home and/or marriage ….my rekindled love for country music ….laughing more, worrying less
I was reading the news on Nashville's Channel 5 website this morning and ran across this article. Look about halfway down the article and guess whose name appears. What are the chances of their being another Taylor Brooks in Nashville? Crazy…
Someone recently asked me to recommend my top 5 "must do's" while in Nashville. I could only think of three at the time and after thinking about it for some time I had a chance to come up with this list. In random order of course:
in some ways i despise the music scene here in nashville. here is why. because every frickin band looks the same. they spend two or three hours (probably) coordinating their ‘i just threw on whatever clothes were on my floor’ look and the ‘i just woke up’ hairstyle. who are you fooling?
anyway these types are more prevalent in the hillsboro/belmont area. fortunately i don’t have to deal with them too often down in cool springs. they aren’t the only ones who have an image crises. there is a different archetype right down the street. vandy kids struggle with the same problem. only it’s horsies, crocodiles, sheep, and whale logos that pepper their collared shirts. bottom line…….they are just as guilty with their own image problem. *btw, i tend to fall prey to this line of apparel*
anyway, i really wanted to write about landon pigg. he’s part of the nashville music scene, and gaining traction as well as nationwide attention. one of his tracks was featured on the show grey’s anatomy. he’s also recently appeared on last call with carson daly and on conan. he’s actually a fantastic performer/songwriter and CPA graduate. that’s Christ Pres; not the other acronym for accounting. i saw landon and his band at 3rd and lindsley with ainsley tonight. also in attendance was nash-villain songwriter, mat kearney.
landon’s lp titled - LP - is great and his live show is simply epic.
i will paypal or send 5 bucks to the first person to match the logos i named earlier to the respective brand.
