The other day I popped awake at 3 am and after watching several invisible sheep who’d rather taunt me than cure my sleeplessness, I got my ass up and read + wrote. I’ve done this before at 2am, 4am, midnight… whenever the evil gremlin of insomnia swats me in the head and spits on my brain. Funny thing is, though I end up feeling (and possibly looking) like the walking dead, when that nasty haze clears I am left with a profound sense of accomplishment. I also have a cool little story for the week: “Shit man, I was up from 3 am ’til midnight and I banged out so much work!”

True, this may be a not-so-positive testament to workaholic American tendencies, but I stand behind my pride. I did somethin, ma! I really did somethin! That post-verbiage-gush feeling is one I’ve been able to count on all my life. It’s a fusion of euphoria, dopamine (see, even scientists think so*), calm, chill, peace, release, relief…

It’s like I just had sex with my brain and good goddamn did my brain get me off.

Here’s a few of the reasons why:

1. Writing during insomnia = coming out of a crappy situation with something to show for it. So you win!

Here’s another thing my nerd ass does during insomnia… play with red lipstick and force Chia to get out of her dog bed and take selfies with me… Don’t be jealous of my maturity

2. If you are a writer, you must write. You SHOULD be writing – or reading – as much as possible. Simple as that.

Or you could face time friends while you’re f&*(ng off and not getting your work done! Just kidding… this pic was during weekend break time… and bother Helena with face time… time

3. In my case ~ Every time I write and especially if I complete a piece of good work, I am doing what I was put on this Earth to do. I feel that I am fulfilling my destiny.

Kind of like my friend, Dustin Freechild, an AMAZING singer/songwriter who writes his own music. This is him last week doing a set at Bar Lubbitsch… Check him out if you ever see him playing in your town!

4. Putting thoughts and ideas into words helps to make better sense of an unpredictable world.

You know what else helps to make sense of an unpredictable world? Wine. Lots and lots’a wine ;) … this wine is at Luna Park on La Brea

5. While in the writing zone, the extreme focus needed to execute the task can put you in a meditative state.

And you know what else puts you in a meditative state? SWINGS! … Actually, when you catch crazy air it’s more of a euphoric high than a calm, meditative state… but it gives you the same benefits! These swings are at Pan Pacific Park in Miracle Mile

6. If someone is annoying you, you can put that person in your story and make them run high and naked through a strip mall while everybody laughs at them.

You can also give an annoying person this t-shirt… (though I do think it’s funny*)

7. If a situation is annoying you, you can write yourself into a better situation. Even if it’s only in the story or in your brain, the feeling does help.

Either that, or you can go to The Piano Bar in Hollywood and get free BBQ on Sundays… (it’s the troof! That food is free!)

If you haven’t clicked that link (see: dopamine) in the second paragraph above, I highly recommend it. It’s a great read about scientific studies which explore the real physical, mental and emotional benefits of writing. I’ve seen these benefits all my life ~ whether it be via poets I performed with while touring the U.S. and overseas who healed past traumas by expressing their experiences in words, or high school students I met during workshops who had so much to share. Hell, I’d even say there are positive emotional benefits from writing well-crafted Facebook posts! (Note: the phrase “well-crafted”)

That being said, if you haven’t tried writing ~ test it out! It’s good for the brain. It’s good for imaginary sex with the brain. And if you’re having sex with your brain that means you can have it anywhere and everywhere you want. In fact, I’m doing it while I type this freaking blog post (#multitasker)! Now who wouldn’t want more of that?* … (… and you think I’m joking …)

*Of course you knew I’d insert sex references at some point, didn’t you? ;)

Make it a good – and productive – one today, Killas!

Ciao!

MC

PS: If you like this blog, check out more of my writing via my newest book, “10,000 LIKES” on sale now at amazon.com

Obligatory blog pix of my recent LA adventures below…

At a party in the Hollywood Hills…

My party partners in crime…

Bao sandwiches at the party… which were SO F^&*(NG GOOD I spent more time stuffing my face in the kitchen than talking to the hot people roaming around looking… well… hot

The party was thrown by Veev liquor…

More pix at The Piano Bar in Hwood*

Rolling around Hollywood with the top down…

A visit to The Holocaust Memorial at Pan Pacific Park… powerful imagery… gut-wrenching…

Bday dinner for a beautiful lady named Jennifer… at Luna Park on La Brea…

ps: I recommend the gnocchi and the fondue*

Until next time, Ciao!