My most recent stressors

This morning I had the recurring dream in which I play a piano during freefall*. I had promptly dismissed its significance when I woke up, but now, sitting at my desk during my free period, I am having waves of dizzyiness and the sensation of vertigo.

Rarely do I have physical sensations of stress. Besides vertigo, I sometimes have this sensation of everything outside of me happenning in slo-mo, but my mind is jumping from one thing to another in ludicrious speed. These symptoms are usually concurrent with hyperventilation and being unpleasantly sensitive to the tactile texture of everthing. The strange thing is, as much as these sound like panic attacks, I think I am actually unwilling to let go of these symptoms when I'm having them, as if they are some kind of a high. Maybe they are what methamphetamine binges feel like.

Anyway, I'm not feeling any of these things right now, just a little bit dizzy and cloudy. Maybe it's just the drinks from last night's dinner, or it could be my most recent sources of stress which I will list here in an effort to make them seem more manageable to me.

Event: Trip to Thailand on 3/25.
Analysis: Lots to pack and prepare and plan for. Also, the trip becomes a mental deadline and I pressure myself to resolve everything by then so that I can relax and enjoy the vacation.
Solution: C'mon. This is supposed to be my vacation.

Event: CLAIR Japanese correspondance course
Analysis: The test is due 3/28, so I should finish the book and mail it out before Thailand.
Solution: Not a problem since I have just 10 more lessons to go.

Event: Filing tax return.
Analysis: Simona is doing hers and planning to send it out before Thailand. We would only have a week before the deadline after we get back, so I think I should do the same.
Solution: Not a problem since I'm again paying $0 to Uncle Sam this year. Should be nothing but simple, painless straightforward form-filling.

Event: Form 6166
Analysis: My biggest stressor. I need to file this to get my U.S. Residency Certification so that I can exempt myself from Japanese income tax. I had filed this twice last year, but the IRS was unable to process my application because it does not have my 2003 income tax return on record!? This was last April and I had completely forgotten (refused to remember) about this. I was recently reminded by the Daisen town office of this, and I really need to get the certification before I leave Japan or I might face terrible consequences. Exactly what, I have no idea now, but probably something like fiery death or having to pay back 2 years worth of Japanese income tax.
Solution: Make the phone call you've been putting off for a year, and contact IRS after basketball tonight and find out what the hell is going on. Worse comes to worst, I think I filed the 2003 return with H&R Block, so find that Joe whatshisface for more info. And stop worrying about it, it'll get resolved eventually.

Event: Jon and Kate's visit to Japan.
Analysis: Jon and Kate's in Tokyo now for their spring break. They booked a Tokyo hotel for the entire week and a half so it is unlikely that they will visit Tottori period, or even Kyoto for more than a day trip, before they leave this Sunday. Tokyo is a 8 hour bus ride away and Kyoto 4, trains are way more expensive and not much faster because of Okayama transfer. I want to see them while they're in Japan, but I don't want to spend more time on the bus than actually seeing them. Next Tuesday is a nationaly holiday, but I can't take Monday off because we have an enkai Monday night.
Solution: (tentative) Sorry Jon. I wish I could.

Event: To be added.
Analysis: That sinking feeling that I'm forgetting something.
Solution: Just update and add to the list as necessary, and I will eventually find the time to deal with them.

See, isn't that easy? Now you feel free and ready to take on the world and the falling piano!

*I think I've had this recurring dream ever since kindergarten or early elementary. It was probably due to a combination of too many hours of unenjoyable piano practice followed by too many episodes of Disney cartoon (especially the one that involves Mickey and friends playing a symphony inside a tornado).