Humor and good fun in ‘Saratoga sleepz’ album

Of late, Facebook has become a vicious battleground where photos are no longer limited to selfies and prom pictures, but far-from-flattering pictures of people sleeping. The mastermind? Senior Sasan Saadat. 

“I think it’s a fun way to make people realize that we're all a little over-worked here at Saratoga,” Saadat said of the album, which is still growing and currently features over 30 photos of peers sleeping.

Saadat originally took these photos recreationally, but when he noticed the sheer quantity of pictures he had on his phone, he knew he had to start an album. From there, the villain lurking in Saadat awakened.

“There’s a look of pure defeat on their faces when they realize what has transpired,” Saadat said. “The cruel man in me relishes the sight of it.” 

Senior Allison Bruno, who was captured slack-jawed  during a bus ride to a field hockey game, is among the dozens of students whose naps have received recognition in Saadat’s album.

“I fall asleep a lot in public places, but that was a particularly embarrassing picture,” Bruno said. “The whole idea is super funny, though, so I don’t mind it.”

According to Saadat, senior Maggy Liu is the biggest repeat offender.

“I’ve stopped taking pictures of her sleeping because it’s just too easy,” Saadat said. 

Liu concedes that she is no sleeping beauty. 

“Sasan manages to get the most unflattering angles,” Liu said. “Usually, my head is tilted back, so you get a nice shot up my nostrils.”

However, Liu has also been caught in a variety of other sleeping positions.

“I can also go for a more conservative look, and put my head between my arms,” Liu said. “That’s the look that most people go for, but I’m a rebel.”

Sadaat finds that lecture-heavy classes yield the most sleepers. 

“If I had to pick just two top ones, Government and French have offered the biggest trove of sleep-pictures,” Saadat said. “[But] any classes where the lights go off for slideshows or videos help.” 

Saadat has also received contributions from classmates for the album.

“I get texts from people I don’t even know with pictures of sleepers attached,” Saadat said.

But no one is safe. Not even Saadat himself. 

“Even I’ve been bested at my own game when I was caught sleeping during French class,” Saadat said.

Despite the embarrassment, most of Saadat’s victims are good-natured. 

“I thought I would have a greater legacy from Saratoga High, but I’ll take what I can get,” Liu said.