I wish I didn’t get so sleepy at night. But I have to get up each morning at 5.45, and that means that if I want a decent amount of sleep then I’d better go to bed at 10 or 10.30. Last night Andy made a wonderful dinner (stuffed pork loins and pilaf) and I had a beer. And then we sat around for awhile talking about our Christmas baking plans. And I started yawning. Amd then we turned out the lights and started watching “Russian Ark.” And I yawned even more. And my eyelids were getting so heavy …

The film is a technical tour de force, shot on HD video in a single 90-minute long take (no cuts). This renders the film very dreamlike. Which is difficult if you’re already sleepy to begin with. I wish I had enjoyed the film more. I really did like the final 25 minutes or so a great deal. But it was just very hard to stay awake. (Aside from that, I thought the film fell into that Russian Film Trap of having lots of talky asides that are sort of superfluous: the writer liking the sound of his own words too much; and there just wasn’t quite enough substance to sustain the entire length of the film).

I excused myself to go to bed while Andy was still watching the special features after the movie, and I could tell he was annoyed. Earlier in the evening he complained, “We always have to do everything on YOUR schedule.” I can’t disagree with that. But I AM the one who has a job, and who has to get up at a certain time each morning, and who is trying to promote a book as well (stopped by Unabridged Books yesterday and dropped off a reader’s copy for the store owner, Ed). So yeah, I do have a schedule. What can I do about that? Rhetorical question.

Tonight I have plans to go see “21 Grams” with Clayton, a friendster friend who I’ve been chatting with for awhile. Hit the gym after work on the way home. I’ve pretty much decided to cancel my Sweat Shop membership next week and then transfer somewhere cheaper. $67 a month is just outrageous, even if it IS three blocks away.

Work is placid so far this morning.