So I went on a mini vacation this past weekend, and it was a lot of fun. But if you noticed the title of this article, you’ve probably guessed that things didn’t quite go as planned.
I planned a trip with a couple of my friends, and we decided to fly instead of drive. Given the price of gas right now and the amount of time saved by flying, it was definitely worth the extra cost. Being the frugal people that we are, my friends and I bought tickets for the 6:30 AM flight, because it was the cheapest option.
Unfortunately, I’m not a morning person, and the morning of the flight was no exception. I set two alarm clocks just to be safe. Being a child of the technology age, I use my cell phone as my main alarm clock, and my backup is a typical battery powered travel alarm clock. With two alarm clocks set, what could possibly go wrong?
On the morning of the flight, I awaken to the feeling of the sun shining through the window onto my eyes. Wait a minute. If I had woken up when my alarm went off, it wouldn’t be this sunny yet. I pop up and look at my clock.
6:05 AM
@$%#!!!
I find my cell phone on top of my stomach, and it’s not even turned on. That’s right. I somehow managed to turn off my cell phone in my sleep. I also managed to avoid and/or completely ignore my other alarm clock, since I have no recollection of ever hearing it that morning.
I turn on my cell phone to be greeted by a voice mail from one of my friends. It was supposed to be a wake up call, but since my phone was off, the message was something more like, “It’s 5:00 AM, and your phone is off. This is not a good sign…”
So even though I already knew I missed my flight, I scrambled to get out the door and to the airport in hopes of catching the next flight. What I didn’t know at the time is that I should have called the airline to let them know that I was going to miss the flight, because they would have reduced the extra fee I had to pay to get on a different flight. Policies vary by airline, so you should find out what your airline’s policy is beforehand if you’re prone to oversleeping like me.
Luckily, I was able to get on the next flight out, but I had to pay a $100 fee. And to think that all of this could have been avoided if I had just had an extra alarm clock — one that can’t be turned off or ignored. Anybody have any recommendations?
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I have a very similar problem, which is partly why I love working 3-11pm! When I did have to get up at an ungodly hour, though, I placed the two alarm clock system – the cell and the plug in – far enough away from my bed that I would need to get up to shut off the annoyingly loud music. The body, however, has a knack for winning against any strategy you might think of!
Have you heard of Clocky? I thought it’s a pretty clever idea. From what I read, this alarm clock will “jump off” your side table and roll and hide while still alarming forcing you to get up and find it because it’s that annoying.
Augh!!!! What a story!
When I absolutely positively HAVE to get up, I set a wind-up alarm clock (lest the power go off during the night) on a table way across the room. Find the loudest, most annoying alarm clock you can find. No clock-radios…it’s too easy to just lie there and listen to music and talk, or sleep through it. Then put the thing where you have to get out of bed to shut the racket off.
You used to be able to get these annoying clocks at the drugstore. Try a Walgreen’s or even Walmart.
Your post made me smile. Reminds me a lot of my younger brother…personally I just drift in and out of consciousness and never really fall into a deep sleep the night before anything important is to happen. I’m one of those people who’s annoyingly wide awake 5 minutes before the alarm clock. Maybe if I got a couple of extra alarm clocks I’d sleep better… Anyway thanks for sharing! Amanda
I used to never wake up to alarm clocks, then was given the Most Annoying Clock in the World! It was made to look like a parrot on a log, with the clock embedded in the log. When it was time for the alarm to go off it started SQUAKING and say “Wake Up, Wake Up!” and all of this is beyond loud. And when you finally get it turned off, instead of shutting up it says “Good Morning!” Honestly I was always awake, and often contemplaiting throwing it out the window, but I was never late.