The mind plays tricks

Elaine wrote something on her blog this morning that triggered this memory..

Many years ago, when I had just moved into a flat in a local town in December 1984, I had taken a few days off work to do the move and on the Sunday night set the alarm clock to 7am as I had to be up and out by 7.30am to get to the bus stop for work by 8 and it was about a good 20 mins walk.

Well December is very dark, and the flat wasn't well lit from outside so when I heard the alarm go off I shot out of bed like a rocket.. ah the enthusiasm of youth for work; where does it all go I wonder...

Shivering in the cool air, as there was no central heating in the flat and not going to be needing the fire on for such a short time, I got dressed quickly before heading down to the bathroom for a wash and then breakfast in the kitchen adjoining. It was while I was tucking in to a bowl of porridge that I noticed the kitchen clock said 4.30am; at first it was with incredulity that I saw the time.. I had heard the alarm clock, I knew I had.. yet this one was stating it was 3 hours behind. Time to check the radio.

Needless to say my overactive mind was responsible for convincing me that I had heard the alarm clock going off and even went as far as thinking I had reset the alarm but when I checked it became quite clear that this was all part of the dream state and the stress of needing to be up on time and not oversleep.

So I did the sensible thing and got undressed and back to bed for a couple of extra hours; never had the same experience twice but it has tricked me on different things since then notably mobile phone ringing even though switched off. Still even now I can smile at the memory.. priceless.

ps - a good post methinks for my 100th...