A few months ago, my co-worker and friend Michelle was celebrating her 29th birthday. A large group of us met at a restaurant for drinks and appetizers. At some point, someone decided we should head to a night club for some dancing.

That’s when the crowd began to thin.

The reason for leaving the party?

People were tired.

Another co-worker and friend, Greg, was less than impressed with the sleepy heads. It’s a special occasion, he told me. They can’t sleep in the next day?

Apparently not.

This isn’t the first nor the last I’ve seen of people’s desire to sleep. It seems to be an increasing trend, as though the world is suddenly taking Ambien.

I remember when I would sit for hours hanging out with someone because we were having so much fun that we couldn’t part. The next day we would be so tired. But it was a good tired. It was the kind that came from being happy.

And, oh, the long days or nights of being on a date or chatting via phone with someone who liked you as much as you liked them. Who cared how sleepy you got?

Now, I text someone at 8:00 p.m. and don’t receive a response for 14 hours or sometimes not at all. The reason I am told is, “I was asleep.” Plan a dinner for Friday night? Folks can’t make because they can barely move they are so drowsy.

It’s not that I lack sympathy or empathy. It’s just that I remember the heady days of staying up late or keeping odd hours because being together or being in contact was so special. Yes, I am taking this personally.

Maybe life has become more stressful no matter what the age of the person. The constant crush of information and technology including the Internet, text messaging, and cell phones might very well be draining us. We are now so constantly connected to our jobs, partners, family, friends, and the world that the only way to actually escape is to close our eyes and drift off into the Land of Nod.

I sent Greg a personal message via Facebook to tell him I was writing an article inspired by the birthday party we attended in July.

He responded with passion. “O boy where do I begin? First off birthdays and going away parties are special. Sleep is not. You sleep everyday but the other comes once a year if even that. Leaving a party too early is selfish. Is the party for you? No it’s for them so don’t leave like a bitch. You can sleep when you’re dead.”

Singer, musician, and songwriter Warren Zevon couldn’t have said it better himself.