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The early bird catches the worm but it also needs the nap 7 | Thursday, May 16, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com T he early bird catches the worm -- or so my father used to say... on an annoyingly regular basis. In retrospect, I think he constantly quoted the old proverb in an effort to turn the negative of never getting enough sleep into a positive -- hey, at least he was getting the worms -- and to rationalize the fact that his body clock refused to let him sleep in beyond 5 a.m. Or, perhaps it was just his way of apologizing for passing this genetic quirk on to me. Which is to confess that, like my father before me, I'm an idiotically early riser. A guy who, regardless of when the head hit the pillow the previous night, tends to be up and at `em before the sun rises -- awake at a time when the rest of the family is still blissfully socializing with the Sand Man. This is nothing new. This habit has history. When I was a kid, I would awaken each morning to the thwack of the newspaper, tossed by a strong-armed paperboy, hitting our front porch. At around 4:30 a.m. Now, I've always been a light sleeper and once awake, I just get up (as opposed to people like my wife who can be awakened umpteen times, only to crash right back into a coma). So, I'd rise at that awful hour to compete with my father for the newspaper's most-coveted section. On rare occasion when I would happen to sleep-in until, say 4:58 a.m., I'd arrive in the kitchen to nd my father sipping a coffee and hogging the sports section. When I'd remind him how badly I wanted to read that very section, he'd just shrug and say (wait for it): "The early bird catches the worm." Being a literal kid, I'd remind him that it wasn't a worm I wanted; it was the damn sports section. As I became an adult with a family, I realized the distinct advantages to being an early riser. Only in the predawn hours am I afforded the luxury of having the house to myself (even the dog refuses to rise with me). No one's bossing me around (like I said, the demanding dog's still in bed). No one's staking claims on my time. And I'm not reminding myself of the epic document that resides on That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor my computer under the ominous heading: To Do List. Also, in those early morning hours, the house tends to be uncharacteristically quiet. Not surprisingly, that time tends to be my most creative. And apparently, I'm not alone. In a recent post on Slate magazine's website, author Mason Currey wrote of assorted creative notables who were early risers -- from architect Frank Lloyd Wright to poet Sylvia Plath and author Ernest Hemingway (granted, I've heard old Ernie liked to write early in the day so it didn't interfere with his boozing). Currey concluded that waking early may well be one of the secrets to creative success. While acknowledging that the early hours are indeed my most cre- ative and productive -- typically, I get more done by 10 a.m. than I accomplish the entire remainder of the day -- early morning productivity has a price. Sure, I'm up and at `em. Sure, I'm getting the worm. But if I'm being totally honest, I have to admit that both the worm and me are probably going to need a nap shortly after lunch just to make it through the day. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesportjesters. Visit Our Showroom! 504 IROQUOIS SHORE RD UNIT #1, OAKVILLE 905.815.5252 All those beautifully restored and maintained Mustangs, Chargers, Caddies and more are coming back. The Lions Club of Oakville is bringing back its weekly Cruze Nights hosted by the Boston Pizza at Dorval Drive. The weekly event kicks off on Tuesday, May 21, running from 6 p.m. to dusk in the parking lot of Boston Pizza, and will continue each Tuesday evening until Sept. 24. The parking lot will be lled with classic and antique cars. There will also be prizes, 50/50 draws, and rock `n' roll music. Admission is free. Proceeds from ticket sales will bene t local causes supported by the Lions Club. Cruze Night returns May 21 INGROUND POOL Installed from $24,999 ABOVE INGROUND POOL Installed from $2,299 $1,999 FROM Huge selection of Cast Aluminium and Wicker Patio Furniture. SOLID HARDWOOD TABLE All at factory direct prices from $1,999 YOUR FACTORY DIRECT SOURCE FOR ALL YOUR LEISURE NEEDS!!