I'm about to take my cousin to the airport which is about an hour away. I tried to go to bed but just didn't sleep. I have to be there at 5:30 (an hour from now). This reminds me of something that's been happening to me all too often lately. There have been about 4 times now in the past 2 months where I had to stay awake and almost couldn't.

The most recent was just a few days ago when I was driving home from Chicago to Detroit late at night and had had a very tiring day. I left almost at midnight for some reason and was nearly passing out within the first hour. I had to talk to a friend on the phone and stop at a rest area just to keep going. On top of this, for the last hour it started pouring rain and I was hydroplaning all over the road. Fun times!!

Also, about 2 weeks ago my best friend and I were hanging out and we got totally hooked on a Road Rule's marathon. We hadn't seen eachother in awhile so we decided to make the most of our time and pull an all nighter- drinking beer, talking shit, you know. I kinda lost track of the fact that I had to pick up my parents at the airport later that night and ended up staying up 36 hours. Now the tricky part is that I was energized almost the entire time. It didn't hit me how tired I was until I had to drive. My god was it a struggle. I had to open all the windows and put the air on full blast. I was drinking Coke non-stop. That still wasn't enough. Not only was I pumping loud music but I had to sing all the words just to remind myself that I was still awake. I think if I hadn't I would've just let myself fall asleep on the expressway. I was slapping my face, bugging my eyes, talking to my dog in the backseat...anything to stay focused. What a mess!

So I fear I'm in the same predicament this morning. I've got to stop doing this to myself! I'll let you know once I get back how it goes. Hopefully, my cousin will drive on the way there and I can just chill.

What are some of y'all's tricks for staying awake? I'm sure Darin (endorphin74) has quite a few of them.

Coffee, Vivarin, smelling salts, etc.

I struggle to stay awake in my classes. If I catch myself falling asleep, I drink water, or take off my jacket/sweater, or pinch myself VERY hard on my stomach or the undersides of my arms.

I struggle to go to sleep...then I pay for it then next day...my key TRON is lots of Mountian Dew and camel ultra lights...the breakfast of champions.

Vanilla :O

Every Monday night, I have to play this game as part of my job. It's my one overnight a week. I try to get a good 3-4 hour nap in before hand, but sometimes I don't get one in.

So, it's lots of caffein, pop, coffee, and loud music. The last hours are the hardest fighting sleep just to get through it.

Here's what I do, some might think it slightly radical but it works for me...


I keep my eyes open, and don't close them all night and miraculously I don't go to sleep.

I talk to LaVisHh, that always keeps me wide awake.

Well I made it safe and sound. The trip went fast and my cousin drove on the way there. I listened to a cool oldschool radio station on the way home and that kept me going. My eyes were burning a bit but I wasn't on the verge of passing out this time. I think now I'm going to crash for the day. I hope I sleep like 10 hours.

TRON said:

Glad you got home safe. I've nodded off behind the wheel before, it ain't fun. Luckily I woke within seconds & it scared me so I was able to make it home...

I do what you do - loud, energetic music, windows down, singing @ the top of my lungs. Sometimes I carry Ginseng but it takes a while to kick in...

That's a good one. I'll have to remember the ginseng.

TRON said:

Ginseng is great for keeping you alert, I used it when I was revising for my exams. You can add it to tea.

Natsume said:

...OUCH!

that's the only way to stay awake...

I drink a lot of tea... although, it doesn't seem to have an effect on me any more.

i'm glad you've always made it home safely

delete delete delete

You can always pierce a part of yourself. Nothing keeps you alert like pain!

just snort a line of cocaine or cystal meth and call it a day...or two days...or three days...or four days...

hey, by the fifth day and you still havent slept...driving will be the least of your worries...

I like the extreme options. Maybe I'll try them sometime.

What are you deleting Aaron?

TRON said:

personal stuff goodnight, for now

DJEmale said:

hey everyone...if u need to stay awake take DJ's advice...the boy NEVER sleeps...oh wait a minute forget that...i take that back...he doesn't sleep at nite, the bastard sleeps all day!!!

At night i get very tired driving so i suck on my left index finger then stick it out the window...

lillith said:

"Bastard"?! :O

Thanks.

Make sure u have alot of caffeine that always does the trick 4 me.

Since I'm a professional procrastinator, I often find myself pulling near all-nighters, maniacally studying for tests or writing brilliant papers with the help of coke or coffee, loud and upbeat music, a lot of artificial light, and the sheer terror at the thought of spending my life working retail.
And remember, kids...if you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute!

I pretty much do what you do, Nathan. I slap myself in the face, blast music and sing. Biting my lip helps too.

Have you tried wedging two matchsticks in your eyes to keep your lids open.

It works in the cartoons.

bkw said:

Always b4 driving to Vegas. I have to go to Starbucks & get thier Mocha Frap with 2 add shots. Kept me up for 36 hours straigt. Then I slept for 11 hours.

"Bastard"?! :O

Thanks. [/quote]

oh DJ u know i mean it in the most loving way possible...
i'm just saying u r a genius when it comes to staying up all nite!! u do have interesting ways of doing it...