It’s Friday. The day has a different meaning than it used to, but then this is a time when change is the prevailing theme in my life, so that’s no surprise.

Friday has had all sorts of meanings for me. Like most people, I’ve almost always lived for the weekend, so the coming of Friday afternoon usually brought thoughts of a road trip, or some other relaxing activity. The weekend might hold a geocaching trip, or a fair or carnival, maybe some shopping, a romantic getaway, always something good.

I woke up this morning and realized I was glad it’s Friday, and wondered why. I thought about it for a bit and realized that the thing I most look forward to on Saturday or Sunday is the opportunity to sleep a bit later than usual. I’ve slipped into a pattern lately where I’m not sleeping enough. I stay up, restless, either on the computer or watching TV or reading, until 2:00 AM and sometimes even later. I then collapse, until morning rudely interrupts my slumber. It’s a good morning if I don’t hit the snooze button on my alarm more than three times. It’s frightening how well my drowsy mind manages to rationalize pushing that button just one more time. Even Tony gives me an odd look, as if to say, “C’mon, man, you’ve gotta get up sometime.”

I used to get about an hour in the car every morning to listen to news on the radio. I’m lucky enough to have a great news/talk station here in Atlanta, and I always felt pretty well informed. Now, my drive to work is usually ten minutes or less, so I read my news. My morning scan through the online Atlanta Journal-Constitution is sometimes fairly entertaining. A good example is this morning’s commentary from someone who has clearly recovered from any anglophilia he may have had.

[EDIT: 25 Feb 2005 16:06ET] Just to clarify, I did not write the article referenced above, nor am I in substantial agreement with it. I provide it for entertainment value only because I found it amusing.

Another story heralds the opening of the Pirate Soul Museum in Key West, Florida. Says the AJC:

Visitors to Pirate Soul can view nearly 500 artifacts, learn about legendary pirates including Anne Bonny and Keys buccaneer Black Caesar, and explore a re-created pirate haven and a ship during a simulated attack.

Yarrrrrr.

The news that really woke me up today, though, is news of a new soap containing that miracle alkaloid, caffeine. At $6.99 a bar it’s certainly not for the average, low-volume caffeine junkie, but I predict it will find its niche market. Says the AJC:

Shower Shock (aka “The Original Caffeinated Soap”) is the hygiene equivalent of Jolt (aka “The World’s Most Powerful Cola”). At 200 milligrams of caffeine per wash, consider Shower Shock your own Jolt-on-a-Rope or “the ultimate clean buzz,” as the makers of Shower Shock call it. “Mornings have never been so invigorating!” say the press materials for Shower Shock, distributed by thinkgeek.com.

Tony update: he seems a little stronger than yesterday, continues to eat well, and took his medicine without too much trouble yesterday.