Dream with Our Eyes Open

We have one of those very messy Washington D.C. winter storms coming through right now. We sit at the confluence of several climatic zones, a hop-skip-jump from the moderating waters of the Chesapeake Bay, a short drive from the low but still-significant Appalachian Mountains. The difference here between rain and colder, harder stuff is often just a few degrees Fahrenheit, a few miles on the map. Right now, it's snowing. But they're calling for an ice storm overnight.

And I've been having mild panic attacks ... what if we have an ice storm and the power goes out? For days?

I'm not just worrying about the practical stuff - the pipes freezing, how would we keep the bunnies warm - not to mention the family! No, my big issue is how the hell will I finish my costume ?!!!

See, the costume symbolizes so many things. I've been talking about it for weeks. It's my happiness at this con. It's my improved mood over the past couple of weeks. It's my new friendship online. Arrggggh!!!

So life isn't difficult enough, that I've got to do these things to myself?

The library cataloger brought Valentine's Day goodies - cookies, mini-cupcakes - to the office. I've really gotta watch that stuff. Sugar acts as a stimulant, and I'm beginning to see a pattern between blood sugar spikes and panic reactions in myself. It's much worse at night, though.