The Cabinet of Dr. Rowdigari (2009)

One of my favorite movies is The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a German expressionist film from the turn of the 20th century and one of the very first horror films made. It is about a mudering sleep walker basically. Excellent story telling, beautiful cinematography and you should watch it. Heck, even the remake from a few years ago is worth watching as it is a good homage to the original.

But back to me, because it is always about me. Got it?!?!

I don't sleep to well. I have nightmares and I wake up about every 45 minutes. Not fun. So other than melatonin and valerian root and ambien and exercise and total silence and dark as possible I couldn't think of anything else to help my sleep better.

But then I got to thinking. (Danger Will Robinson, danger!)

Times I have flown long distances, like the 20 hours from Kuwait City to Washington DC non stop, I have definitely made sure I used earplugs to separate myself from the rest of my surrounding environment so that I can rest and relax as best as possible. When flying first class various times I have also been given the little night time kit that includes a sleeping mask. Guess what? Target has nice soft little sleepy time masks you can buy!

So I did. It even came with earplugs in a little pocket over the nose part of the mask. It hurts for me to sleep with earplugs in so I don't use them for that but I did get to thinking it is a convenient little pocket for sleeping pills instead! So smart I know. About the first 3 nights it didn't stay on my head through the night and I would find it in all sorts of odd places in the bed the next morning. Finally though I have been able to keep it on all night.

Does it work? Have you ever watched the Crocodile Hunter? What is the first thing he does after he jumps on a croc's back? He throws a tarp thingy over their eyes. You cover their eyes and they are soothed, calm and less combative. That is the effect I'm going for.