July/August 2007

Enter Sandman

Sweet Dreams of a Norfolk Nap Event that could add years to our lives.

By Larry Maddry

I know that I have my faults and that people speak poorly of me from time to time, but I have never wavered in my defense and promotion of the nap. Mid-day napping in my recliner—with my tabby cat, Boots, curled up on my chest—is one of life's great pleasures.

People scoffed years ago when I proposed an event to be called the Norfolk Nap. They called it "a pipe dream" and railed against it in print, and in person, claiming it had no purpose. One of my column readers complained that, "Norfolk is a city with get-up and go. You want us to lie down and sleep. That's not the image we want to project to the world."

Hrrruummmph.

Another reader wrote to say a civic even was totally unnecessary because reading my column put him to sleep "faster than a dozen Tylenols." Ouch.

Isn't it amazing how many geniuses are the victims of brutal criticism? Until the day arrives (not always in their lifetimes) when events and circumstances reveal their nobility of thought.

Well, modesty prevents me from reprinting the headlines from newspapers around the world about researchers at the University of Athens and Harvard University who have revealed that napping can add years to a person's life.

But, as you may know by now, a six-year study of nearly 24,000 Greek adults found that those who regularly took naps in the middle of the day lowered their risk of dying from heart disease by more than a third.

"We interpret our findings as indicating that among healthy adults, siesta, possibly on account of stress-releasing consequences, may reduce coronary mortality," author Androniki Naska wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

This latest news has given a new dimension to what was a terrific idea from the beginning. Norfolk is already associated with hearth health because of the Sentara Heart Hospital, ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

My original plan for the Norfolk Nap, hatched in the Eureka bar about 20 years ago, was for it to be a free event attended by people wearing pajamas or other suitable nightwear. Folks would bring their own blankets to lie on and assemble at the park adjacent to Waterside on the Elizabeth River.

An orchestra (maybe led by maestro Pat Curtis) would be present to set the mood for the event. It would play suitable sleeping music. "Girl of My Dreams" ... "Beautiful Dreamer" ... "When It's Sleepy Time Down South." Stuff like that.

An important part of the festivities would be the arrival of the Sandman. Nappers would be given updates on the progress of the costumed Sandman as he approached Waterside on a sand-filled barge. His arrival would be greeted with cheers and fanfare. I can see Pete Decker, Jr. in this important role.

Before and after the nap, there would be a sheep-counting contest, best pajamas contest, and the introduction of a hypnotist who would be on call for sleep-resistant nappers.

Talk about an idea whose time has come. The Norfolk Nap is It.

Ain't it amazing how many great ideas are hatched in bars?