Worms Are Blind... Mostly. (E1)

What to Do if Reading in the Dark

Some of you might recall my previous post about the problems with a book series... Well this is another extension on a somewhat book related topic. Please note that in no way am I promoting the reading of books in the dark. If you choose to do so, then whatever consequences there may be are your responcibility. I just know from experience that if you're going to read in the dark, you're going to have to be crafty. Especially if you're a high school student living with parents who don't appreciate you being up all hours of the night and don't accept your excuse of not being able to put the book down. And so, without furthur ado, here are five things you need to know if you're going to read in the dark...

1. Keep a flashlight on hand, always, and know how to hide it.
2. Make sure your bedroom door is shut, the shades are drawn, and if you're really nervous about someone seeing light seep out, plug up the crack under your door like you would do if there were a fire.
3. Memorize the general positioning of things.
4. If you are nearsighted, and the lighting is dim, the surrounding dark, do not wear your glasses.
5. Keep a clock on hand.

1)   Throughout my time of reading in the dark, I've used my phone's light, candle light, a weird glowing... thing, moon light, and just flicked the switch on my bedroom wall. I've generally found that a flash light works best. Something big enough where you can just click it on but is not bulky or a hastle to use. It's also a good idea to have some place to stash it before or after you go to bed. I know at least my parents wonder why I have a random flash light lying around.

2)   If you're going to read in the dark, it has to be dark. My mom stays out, for example, at all hours of the night working. If she comes home and notices the light on in my room... Or, if my dad get's up at night because the dog is woke him up again, someone who's accustomed to the dark will notice even the slightest sliver of light peeking through. Which leads me to my next point...

3)   Memorize the general layout of your room, or area. If you're going to read completely in the dark, then this is a good thing to know. Especially in the case of emergencies. Quick! Stash the book! Put out the light! Fall asleep quick! Sleep tight!

4)   This actually goes for everyone. Reading in a dim lighting actually isn't a good thing. It will put a dent in your eyesight. That's why you need to have a good flash light and need to be prepared to take the risk, if so you choose. However, concerning nearsighted people, don't wear your glasses while reading in the dark. This will definitely hurt your eyes in the end. Sure reading in the dark can be a good thing, for me at least, but I know that over the years my eyesight has gotten plenty worse. A good part of that came from reading in the dark with terrible lighting.

5)   If you're going to read in the dark, then it's a good idea to have a clock of some sort on hand. If not to look up every five seconds from your book because you feel guilty for reading, then at least to set a time for yourself as to when you will absolutely stop reading your book. You have to go to bed at some point, and as unhealthy as it is to read in the dark, it is so much worse to become sleep deprived. So set a time to go to bed, and keep a clock on hand to just take a glance at after every chapter or between a set number of pages.

And so, these are some of my tricks to the trade. Pretty basic, but hopefully helpful. What do you think? What something good to know when you're staying up late to read in the dark?