6:42 AM

It's 6:42 in the morning and the rest of the world is just waking up. I haven't gone to bed yet. I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Not staying asleep, but going to sleep. Contacts out, glasses off, lights out, covers drawn up, and I lay there, thinking about things. My mind doesn't rest now.

Outside, the river looks beautiful. I can't take a picture because the camera couldn't possibly capture the beauty of this morning. As the first pale light of the morning sun illuminates the cloud-covered sky, the water reflects this, creating the illusion of silvery water upon which toy boats float. The cityscape is like a mock up - a miniature model of New York City in some perfectionist's train garden. The buildings all around on this side of the river - and over in the city, too - let up puffs of smoke, perhaps the furnaces in their basements have just kicked on to provide the slight warmth for the day to those who will inhabit the facilities. It's cold out, but if it weren't for the smoke rising from the buildings, it wouldn't look it. It would look instead like the perfect morning - pink horizon, soft blue-grey skies and shimmering silvery water. I hate the cold, but this is New York and despite all my protests, I rather like it here.

I'm going to try to get some sleep now. Knowing that the skies are getting brighter might hinder my efforts, but I really am tired. The days are so short, and the nights are so long - and here I am, caught in the time warp between the two worlds. Rest well, friends.