sleep deprived

Whoever invented insomnia should be shot! Its a awful thing. Lying awake sensing that the sun has risen and you haven't yet fallen asleep. And then hearing the brids chirping cos its the wee hours in morning and you know you should be up soon. I have not been able to fall alseep before 3am for about 3 weeks now. It is slowly driving me to the verge of insanity.

Any ideas/remedies anyone??

Best of...

Its a new year (Happy New Year by the way), so its not uncommon to do best ofs (the last year of course). Here's my best ofs for 2006.

Best cafe:

• Simply Paris was a great find! They have wonderful bittersweet (handmade) hot chocolate which has made me expect good hot choc from French places (and thus was bitterly disappointed with the French deli in Mt Albert in Auckland). Their savoury menu is fairly simple - but yummy. But my fav thing is thier dessert and pastries, particular the custard millefoulle (I'm sure its the wrong spelling!). You HAVE to check it out if you're in Wellington.

Best movie:

• As it is in Heaven was a fantastic movie. Probably my favourite for the year. Though the Bond movie was a pleasant surprise and highly recommended.

Best CDs:

• For jazz, my all time favourite is still Diana Krall's 'Look of Love'. Her sultry voice and the bossanova style is just the thing to relax to.

• Hard to say which album of U2's in particular, as I have been listening to all of them on shuffle.

Best books:

• Bono on Bono was a great read. Its done interview style and over at least a couple of years. Good insight to the famous and activist front man of U2. My respect for him has grown after reading the book.

• The Time Traveller's Wife was also a fanstastic read. Its a different take on a love story.

Best toy:

• My Canon 400D digial SLR. This baby rocks (and takes good photos)! I have been able to just be trigger happy, play with various exposures and angles and not worry about how much it would cos me to develop the film later on!
  

Best concerts:

• Jacques Loussier Trio is simply brilliant. They really have groove and they are just musically so tight. A real pleasure and treat to listen to.

• Of course the U2 concert which has to be one of the top highlights in the year. Being up the front, and seeing them up close (let alone live!) was a bonus. The atmosphere was just pumping (despite the rain) and the boys do put on a good show.

Best misc moment:

• Being at the Collinson twins first birthday and dedication. It was a mad idea to drive up and down from Auckland in a weekend. But it was worth it! Brings new meaning of family.

Feel free to share what have been some of your best ofs for 2006.