Nashville!

I have been humming and hawing about the prospect of flying out to Nashville in January for the Digital Wedding Forum (DWF) annual conference. I almost went last year but then backed out because I didn't want to leave Henry AND Ben.

I had actually written the conference off because I needed something to push me into going. Call me crazy, but I was asking for a "sign" that would tell me to go. I decided I wanted to get an e-mail from Expedia or Travelocity advertising a Nashville flight special. Not necessarily from Seattle, just a Nashville flight special in general. It never came, so I kind of gave up on the idea. Until yesterday.

Another Seattle photographer e-mailed me yesterday asking if I wanted to room with her to share expenses. That was the sign I needed! After discussing it with Ben, I purchased airfare today and registered for the conference. I'm in!

I'm really excited to see the speakers who will be presenting. Kevin Kubota, Jerry Ghionis, etc. I'll also have the opportunity to go to the Imaging USA trade show, see a new city and hopefully make some new friends. I added an extra day to my trip for time to sight see, and possibly do a bit of shopping.

The best part of the trip, I think, will be the opportunity to be 100% submersed in my craft. For five FULL days, I'll be focused on my career, photo education and finding inspiration. I think it'll be a great source of energy and renewed spark for 2010.

Have you been to Nashville? Any must-sees? I won't have a ton of extra time, but would like to spend at least a little bit of time in the city. I've also heard it's possible to find some great BBQ. Recommendations?

Lovely Wenesday.

What makes a perfect Wednesday? My mom having the day off and offering to watch Henry while I run errands and shop. Add in a perfect pair of patent leather flats and you've got true perfection!

Dealing with sleeplessness.

Not sure exactly why, but I've been dealing with some sleeplessness issues lately. It's been about two weeks now that I've been having a hard time falling asleep. A few nights it's taken me until around 3am to finally fall asleep! That's just so not like me. So to deal with these issues, I've been having to find ways to make the whole thing easier on myself.

For as long as Ben and I have been together (8.5 years now!), we've always gone to bed at the same time. I don't think either of us thought anything of it, until I started protesting that he wanted to go to sleep at 9pm and I wasn't nearly tired enough. It's been a big adjustment, but I've been staying up later than he has in order to avoid laying there struggling to get drowsy.

I'm not entirely comfortable with being the only one awake in the house, but I'm getting there. I don't know why, but it has always bothered me to be the only person awake. I can remember even as a little kid panicking that everyone was asleep and fearing that I would be awake forever. It's strange how childhood fears can bleed into our rational adult lives.

People have recommended chiropractors for help with sleep issues, and that something I think I will check out. Ben has been to the chiropractor many times and said he's enjoyed it. I think it's worth a shot.

Have you had sleep issues in the past? How did you deal with it?