Zero Tolerance

Do you know what else pisses me off?

Everyone has a self-righteous attitude regarding sleep deprivation and stress. You can't even voice a legitimate grievance without someone throwing it in your face. There are two sides to this that I am absolutely done putting up with.

1) Everyone thinks they have it the hardest. What's most annoying is that they make you bloody well aware of this. There isn't a hierarchy built on the principle of who has it worst. Okay, so I had four to five hours of sleep each night for the past 4 nights. I'm sorry if you had even less, but I wasn't trying to one-up anyone. I wasn't bragging, i was explaining. If you don't want the truth, don't ask me what's wrong.

2) Apparently if you are not willing to submit yourself to an all-nighter, you aren't a real composer. Screw that. I care about my health, and there are many, many reasons sleep is vital to vitality--reasons many people are evidently unaware of. I'm not a "pussy" just because I want eight hours of sleep. I'm not lazy, either. I'm health-conscious. I'm just plain sensible. So stop perpetuating the sterotype that all college students are required to get less than eight hours of sleep every night for 6+ years. That's a crock. Get over yourself already.

If I am explaining my hardship, and someone responds with "Well, I..." NO. If you emphasize yourself at the beginning of a retort, whatever you have to say is grounded in ego. Eat powdered bleach and die.

If I'm going to suffer, I want a little more respect for it. Don't undermine someone else's tribulation just because you want to be top dog in "Who's Who Among Workaholics." I can handle sleep deprivation at least as well as the next guy (I passed the ROTC fitness exam after being awake for 26 hours, back in 2002--then I got laryngitis).

Just because I don't elect to do it doesn't mean I can't. Just because I try to get enough sleep doesn't mean I don't have enough to do. I'm not weak. I'm still awake, aren't I? "We're all busy," I know. I never whine. If I complain, it's because I was prompted to do so. Don't ask me if you don't want to offer support. I offer only legitimate grievances.

Stress is not a pissing contest. Grow up.

I'm tired, Eve.