Categories: uncategorized
Date: 05 November 2006 16:35:41
When I do nights at Dad's, we have a simple alarm system which has meant that I can actually go into quite a deep and relaxing sleep, confident in the knowledge that Dad can call me easily if he needs me. This system is a cordless front door bell. Dad has the button by his bed and I have the ringy bit under my pillow, set to ring with Big Ben chimes directly under my ear. It works magnificently.
Two nights ago - DING DONG DING DONG... DING DONG DING DONG
I leap from my snuggly duvet and pleasant dreaming, casting a glance at the clock on the wall as I went. 1.50 am! Strange, actually, seeing as it WAS 1.50 am - the battery in the clock had run down and the clock would have said that time whatever the time really was. But 1.50 it was, as my Dad's alarm clock confirmed.
I arrive in his room.
"I rang the bell because I am not sure about something. Can you help me? You see, my clock says it is nearly two o'clock. What precisely does that mean?"
"Er... in what way, Dad? What do you want to know?"
"Well, is it nighttime or is it daytime?" (Hmm.. no hint from the degree of darkness, Dad?)
"It's nighttime, Dad. It's two o'clock in the night."
"Ah, that's OK then. You can go back to bed now, that's all I wanted to know."
I head back towards the door.
"Hold on a minute. I wondered whether to get out of bed and stand up for a minute or two, get the circulation going. Is it cold?"
"I'm not sure, Dad, I've just got out of bed and I'm wrapped in my dressing gown"
"Well, could you just stand there for a few minutes and see if you get cold so I know whether to get out of bed or not?"
"Dad, just stay in bed. Let me tuck you in and you can go back to sleep for a few more hours. It'll be warmer in the morning!"
I do manage to stay polite. Honest I do.
Glad the confusion isn't ALL the time.