Who Needs Sleep

At the grocery store, at my kids' schools, at charity events... I get one question more than any other:

"What time do you get up in the morning?"

My alarm clock is set for 2:40AM (Now, in 2014, it's actually 2:30AM). That is ridiculous, I know. I have to fight the urge to cry like a baby go back to bed every morning. I usually spend the first five minutes of the day stumbling to the shower, going over my agenda for the day and figuring out when/if I can squeeze in a nap.

But I'm not complaining -- not at all. I really love working the morning shift! Sure, some days are harder than others -- some days require a little more under-eye concealer and a lot more coffee.. and some days I don't see my wife, or at least I'm not conscious when I do -- but I think the good of this schedule outweighs the bad. I enjoy being on the air in the morning -- there's a special connection with the viewers who are starting their day. (And with social media, that connection becomes even stronger - another topic for another time...) I enjoy being available in the afternoon to go to a preschool concert or soccer practice or to get my daughter off the bus. And I enjoy being home in the evening for dinner and bedtime.


You can get a lot done when your day starts before 3:00AM. The challenge is not stretching myself too thin -- not becoming, as my family calls me, "Angry Dad" at about 5:30 in the afternoon. It's all about balance. It is for anyone, really -- and especially for anyone who works an odd schedule.  I try to sneak in a nap when I can. I try to fit in a run or a trip to the gym. I try not to stay up too late. I try...

But, honestly, I don't have any tricks -- and I'm always open to suggestions. Got any?

Oh.. and what time do I go to bed? Not nearly early enough.

Today's title: BNL ask the question, I answer: "ME!"