More Than Six Word Saturday

Big-D was going to a company banquet to receive his 5-year service award. I was supposed to meet him downtown afterwards. However, my van was broken, so I had to borrow an old truck from one of the men in my neighborhood. I arrived downtown, but there was no place to park near the banquet, so I had to park a few blocks away.

I approached the building, but could not find Big-D. I asked everyone I saw there. They told me the same thing; they had never even heard of him. I felt a little bit panicked. How did they not know who he was? He is the one they call when their computers have issues. On top of that, he was being presented with awards. I walked up some stairs, and then a few more. Down a hallway, and then down some more stairs. I ran into my friend from back home. Her hair looked great! I asked her what she was doing there. She informed me that she worked there, as the administrative assistant to the general owner. I told her my situation. She said that Big-D WAS there but that he told everyone to tell me they never even heard of him if they saw me, because he never ever wanted to see me or talk to me again. I was really upset by this, and kept trying to call him. He ignored my calls. I didn't want to start having an emotional break down right there in the building, so I left.

As I neared the truck, I noticed a guy was in there trying to hot-wire it. I started running towards him, yelling, "Stop! That's MY truck!" Even though it wasn't really mine. But it made more sense than yelling, "Stop! That's my Neighbor's truck and he said I could borrow it!" Nevertheless, he stole it and took off. I started to cry. It was the worst day ever. What would I tell my neighbor? Since Big-D was avoiding me, I didn't know who else to call, or who could come and pick me up.

I started walking towards the park. I thought there might be a bus I could catch. There was a woman walking in the park, carrying a baby. As I got closer, I noticed a man approach her and then he started shooting at her! I was appalled. I mean, she was carrying a baby. I hunched down behind a parked car so as not to get hit by his bullets (since he was a horrible shot, and they were flying everywhere but at her - luckily). I grabbed my phone to call 911, but my heart was pounding too fast and too loud that I could not catch my breath, and I couldn't even dial. I was shaking badly. But I knew I had to do something to help this woman out. I reached in my purse and pulled out my own gun. It has sights on it, so that's cool. Then I got worried that if I shot him, I would be the one in trouble. I took a deep breath and tried again to dial 911. It felt like my throat was in my chest. I could barely spit out the words, "I am at the park and a man is opening fire on a woman and her baby. I have a gun and I am going to take him out." I didn't even wait for the 911 dispatcher to reply. I was shaking so badly, that I just hung up. I took another deep breath and turned to fix my view on the suspect. I lined up the sights and pulled the trigger. I shot him right between the neck and shoulder. I was pleased that all of my practicing had paid off. He went down. However, three of his friends came out of hiding, with their own guns and were looking to see from where the shot came. My heart was pounding. I didn't think I could stay calm enough to take all of them out. Lucky for me, the po-po arrived just then. I saw them surround the men, so I just sort of crawled away, and then got up and ran once I got to safety.

I ran right into Big-D as he was leaving his building. I was visibly upset. He asked me what was wrong. I told him, between sobs, that I was upset about the stolen truck, upset about the shooting and upset that he had been purposely ignoring me. He played dumb like he had no idea what I was even talking about. He said that he didn't know why anyone had told me that, because he had never even said that. I was very confused. If he didn't say that, then why were all of these people trying to keep us apart?

My head felt like it was spinning. Then I woke up.

Dreams, Again

I don't know what it is about my brain, but I seem to have the most vivid and crazy dreams. Last week, for 3 nights in a row, I had 3 crazy dreams, and of course they all seemed so real. Keep in mind last week was also finals week for school. Perhaps the stress played a big part in my dreams.

Dream #1 - My van was pulled to the side of a road. It was cold and snowy. My kids were being picked up in another vehicle; leaving for a trip with their dad. After saying our goodbyes, I got back in and started driving down the freeway, in the cold and dreary snow. I felt anxious to get home. There was no more oil in my van. I was in the middle of nowhere. Finally, there was an exit for a very small town. I exited and began searching for a gas station or a store; someplace that would sell oil. I did not see one anywhere. There was a butcher, a baker, and yes - a candle stick maker. Then I came to a road block. I lowered my window and asked the construction crew where the gas station was. They informed me that there wasn't one in this town, and the next town was miles away. I decided to go back into town and see if there was a hardware or something that would sell the oil. I parked my car on main street, for fear that continuing to drive would cause more damage. I walked all around town in and out of the shops. I could not find a hardware. I did see a dentist, a post office, a diner, a candy shop, and a museum filled with odd church art and lots of water fountains. As I walked in and out of each shop, I felt like I was getting more and more lost; losing track of which street I was on and how many turns I had taken. I entered a saloon, and asked the towns folk about the oil. They all seemed to have an answer, but talked at once. It sounded jumbled and I didn't understand. One of the bar keeps came over and stood next to me and tried to make a few passes at me. It was all very uncomfortable, and I just wanted to get home. I woke up before finding the oil.

Dream #2 - I had just pulled into my driveway and exited my van. A man was there to greet me. I consciously tried NOT to roll my eyes, as I was not fond of him. We will call this man JJ. JJ and I happened to see another man approaching from across the street. This man was my old friend Hat Dude. JJ knew of my history with Hat Dude and suddenly became jealous, saying that he had to hurry and find his own hat so he can appear a little taller before Hat Dude reached us. The next thing I know I am surrounded by tons of people; asking me questions, wanting my attention. I felt dizzy. I was overwhelmed. And soon, I passed out. When I came to, there were paramedic around me, as well as my neighbor, Holli. Holli was so excited to see I was awake. She exclaimed something about going to tell the girls I would make it to girls night after all. She hopped in some roadster-jalopy thingy and backed out of my driveway like she was in a getaway car; figure eights, screeching tires, etc. She nearly hit two other cars; but I guess she was just excited. Anyway, I started to get ready for this fancy girls night out which ended up being in the middle of a discount department store from back home; Meijer. Meijer had roped off a few sections and cleared it out and set up fancy tables and chairs and place settings. It was just beautiful for our Girls Night Christmas party. Holli and her mom found me and said they were glad I was okay. We started a conversation, but couldn't finish as loud sounds of the song "Thriller" came pouring over the loud speaker. We could hear people hooting and hollering. We went to go check it out. Right there, in the women's dept, next to jewelry, a group of people were dancing the choreography from the music video Thriller. The store director mentioned something about their daily "Thriller break". Weird!!! After that, my other friend, Mary Jo came over to look at and buy some beaded bracelets PrettyPrettyPrincess had made to sell. Then I woke up.

Dream #3- I was using a can of air spray to clean my computer and keyboard. Cooked rice kept falling out of the keyboard of the pc. I asked the kids about it. They all said they don't eat rice anymore at home (since I don't make it), and especially not while on the computer. I started to get very angry as my super-sleuthing skills had deduced only one person that had previously been in my house that consumes that much rice. I guess I still have some issues... lol!


What about you? Do you ever have strange, vivid dreams? Do they occur randomly? Or just when you're really stressed, anxious or tired?

Into the Cave

I had to hurry or I'd miss the flight. All I could think about was walking faster, and yet I knew it was impossible to walk any faster than I already was. I was panting and breaking a sweat. I practically ran down the winding corridor. Soon the crowds dissipated and the high-gloss sheen floors turned dark; the air felt cool around me. The lights were dim and I could sense a dampness or moistness in the air.

I turned the corner and there were the Kisers - a family I had known while growing up. My best friend Heidi was there, but she was off in a corner helping a group of people with something. Instead, I had to talk to her parents and her sister, Hilary. They were standing at an opening in the ground, which has suddenly turned to rock. Hilary had a rope tied around her waist as did both of her parents on either side of the opening to the cave.

"You need to hurry," urged Hilary. I was confused. I wasn't sure why I was even in a hurry. But I sensed that time was of the essence and there was a look of urgency on all of their faces. I took the rope that their mother had offered me. Somehow I managed to tie it around my waist. Slowly they lowered me into the cave...

...which didn't end up being a cave, after I was lowered about 10 or 11 stories into the ground. A bell sounded and elevator doors parted ways in front of me. I stepped out on the floor of a building... it was like a dormitory. However it was still dark; still cool and damp, and still quiet.

I walked without seeing or saying so much as one word to anyone. My heart began to pound, and suddenly I knew that I needed to remain as quiet as possible. I realized that I was hiding from someone; or perhaps looking for someone who was hiding. Nonetheless, I didn't want to be caught, and therefore had to remain silent.

I tiptoed up the back stairs, took a tram from one section to the next, and entered an area of the building which was no longer a dormitory, but an upscale hotel.

Again, I had to remain silent. I opted for stairwells instead of elevators. Turning and climbing; climbing and turning. It was so much work. I made one turn, and the next thing I know I am sitting at a stop light, in an old beater car waiting for the light to turn green. I am not sure what happened next... I remember feeling lost, and looking for an address scrawled on a paper somewhere in the car. I was frustrated I could not find it.

I drove the beater car home, feeling defeated; in the depths of despair. I crawled into my bed and cried softly on my pillow. What did it all mean, and more importantly, "Now what was I going to do?" It all felt very sad and very gloomy, and then I woke up.

That dream of just a few nights ago has me so perplexed I am not even sure where to start... I mean, it was so intense, it had to mean something, right?

Pregnancy, Secrets and Orange Smarties

I know I have shared some strange dreams in the past. This one nears the top especially because the dream felt so realistic in spite of it's unrealistic nature.
________

I am traveling by train. It is night time and dark outside. I get off the train and it's raining. I am wearing sort of this gypsy skirt. I walk through the streets of an outdoor mall that never seems to end. Finally, I make it to a campus. I am looking for something, though I am not sure what. I enter a dorm. The halls are dimly lit. I walk up a few flight of stairs. An old woman greets me and says I look tired and hungry. I nod. Am I some sort of vagabond, I wonder. She seats me at a table and fixes me a plate of leftovers. She then brings out a few history books about the college. I thumb through the books, knowing that a clue to whatever I am looking for must be in there somewhere. Her adult son joins us. There isn't any conversation. But I eat and eat and can't seem to get enough. The old woman brings more food to the table and remarks that I must be starving. I think about that, and rub my tummy.

I think about the unborn baby I am carrying. Has anyone noticed? I don't appear to be showing and yet I am about five months along. I leave the dorm and travel back through the mall. I am tired. I think about the fact that I only have $25 in my pocket and I will need to provide clothes for my unborn child. I worry about what people will think when they find out I am pregnant. I wonder if they will believe me when I tell them that I have not had sex with anyone. How will I explain that I am pregnant when I don't even know myself how it happened?

Soon, I happen upon an old historic apartment building. I look up. The light is on in the apartment upstairs. I enter and make my way up the stairs. I knock at the door and Big-D answers. We sit on the couch and I pour my heart out, telling him all of the stress I have been going through. I tell him about the baby. He said he knows and has known all along. I stress about it. He tells me to relax and that everything will work out. I offer him some Smarties. He says he has never heard of them and asks what they are. I tell him they are candy. I pull a roll out of my pocket. I eat a few, but feed him the ones I do not like. He makes a sour-face. I laugh and tell him that they are the orange ones. He then gets a call from his friend asking if he sold his place yet. Big-D says that yes he sold his place, but doesn't let on that he sold it to me. It seemed as if it was all supposed to be kept confidential, which for some reason I am grateful. After talking to him I feel less stressed. I feel like I can breathe again.

It is day time now and the rain has let up. I talk to my mom and she mentions that she has a whole bunch of gift cards for Kohl's that people have given her. She tells me that there is no way she is ever going to use them all. She asks if I want them. I get excited, since Kohl's is my favorite store. I tell her I would love them as long as she goes shopping with me. I tell her I need to buy baby clothes for my unborn baby, which is most likely a girl. She says that she already knows; that a mother always knows. I was relieved. She brought my sister from back home out to come shopping with us too. No one seemed mad or upset or disappointed that I was pregnant. And even weirder, no one seemed to challenge me on my statement that I had not had sex since prior to my divorce, well over a year earlier. They just all seemed accepting of me and my situation.

The dream comes to an end as we start discussing possible baby names... McKinnley, Kade, Kale, Sawyer, Collier, ... and that's all I remember.

Dream Sequence: Round 2

Thanks for all of your input/psychoanalysis of my DreamBaby Dreams. Very interesting. Certainly gave me things to consider. As promised, here's another one of my weird dreams. I had this one Sunday night. [segway into dream music]

I am meeting my mother for lunch at a buffet somewhere. We are filling our plates with food, including really big luscious red strawberries. Anyway, as we are approaching our booth, there are two guys sitting in the booth next to us. I recognize them. They are apparently good friends of mine. They motion for me to come sit down with them. They need to discuss our recent transaction. My mom doesn't think I should. But I convince her they are good friends. She doesn't seem upset, and like what happens often in dreams, she disappears completely from the dream.

Suddenly we are no longer in a buffet restaurant, but some greasy-spoon diner. The two guys and I start to chat - a little small talk. The big guy tells me about his family and about the fun stuff they have planned for the weekend, etc. The smaller guy appears to be a closer friend to me than the bigger one. We talk briefly about his struggles as a gay man (I don't know what that reference is about).

Anyway - to cut to the chase, they bring up the fact that my latest "move" has actually cost us money. The three of us are apparently investing in something together. Anyway, I get confused. I tell them I didn't understand how it all worked. I feel mortified that I have cost us money. I apologize. They are very forgiving.

They are both trying to explain how the market works, and how to make money in it, etc. I can hear them, but can't understand the words they are saying; it's mumbo-jumbo. I feel overwhelmed and start to cry. "I can't do this. I can't do this anymore. I don't know what I am doing!" I exclaim. They both try to get me to calm down, but I just keep crying and repeating myself. Until, that is, I actually woke myself up from crying so hard.

So, I turned my tear-stained pillow over and go back to sleep, never to see my "investment friends" again.

Weird... any thoughts on this one???

DreamBaby

Ok, lately I have had some weird dreams, which actually isn't all that weird for me. So, today's post will be about "DreamBaby", as I call her, and the rest of the dreams we'll get to later this week.

Ever have a recurring dream? This is what DreamBaby is; a recurring dream. I do not know why, but this baby continues to appear in my dreams. I guess I should say "toddler", as that is what she really is. Anyway, the DreamBaby dreams are always a little weird. I do not remember all of them when I wake up, but I remember that she was there. In one dream she wanted to eat some of my McDonald's French Fries. In another dream she was in an orphanage and I couldn't leave her, so I had to take her home with me. In another she wanted my help with something, but I can't remember what. Oh yeah - and in another she was blind.

She is such a cute little girl, that no matter what the dream is about, I can't get her out of my head once I wake up. All of my drawings look like cartoons, but I had to draw her, to get the image out of my head. Here is DreamBaby, to the best of my drawing ability...

So, the question is, is she someone's child I have seen before? Is she a ghost/spirit from the other side? Is she a figment of my imagination because I have thought about babies this year? Is she someone I knew from my childhood?

Go on - gimme your feedback. I'd love to hear your psychoanalysis on this one!

Things That Go Bump In The Night

It was shortly before 1:00 am.

I tossed and I turned. I was hot and then cold. I couldn't find a comfortable place for my shoulder to rest without feeling like my arm was gonna pop out of its socket. Being well-endowed in the chesticle dept, I "arranged" and "rearranged" the girls so there would be room for all of us. Then there's the issue of my rotated pelvis. Tried my side. Even tucked a pillow between my knees. Could not get comfortable. I told myself to relax; practically commanded myself. I didn't listen. I tried the more gentle approach - Body Scan Medidation; a yoga technique my mother taught me years ago. Warmed up some chamomile. Then had to pee. Went back to bed. Finally found a comfortable position. Realized I left the bathroom light on and it was piercing my corneas. Got up. Turned off light. Went back to bed. 1:30 am - ugh!

Started deep breathing exercises and began to relax. Was very comfortable. Then the 4-Legged-Creature perked up her ears and began to growl. "Shut-up," I command. She continues to growl. Crap! Is someone outside? I halt my breathing and sit up a little to listen. But my ears seem to be ringing. The 4-legged-creature continues to act nervous. I start to freak out. I get up and walk through the house, double checking all locks, my cell phone in hand, 9-1-1 already entered and "talk" button on stand-by. I peek just beyond the curtains of the huge 8' x 6' window that stood between my safety and the outside world. I see nothing. 4-Legged-Creature is perched up at the window next to me. She barks. Something darts out of the bushes in front. I jump and gasp for air as my heart begins to rip through my chest, palpitating so strong I can feel it in my eardrums. Stupid Calico! She was barking at a Calico Cat. 1:52 am.

Stumbled back to bed. Crawled under the covers. Everything seems to fit comfortably into place. Everything is still. Just as I begin to fall asleep...Tap-Tap-Tap. What is that? I glance over at 4-Legged-Creature. She cocks her head and raises her ears. Palpitations begin again. Tap-Tap-Tap. Whistle-Tap. I sit up to "listen". I realize it is the wind, and it is blowing a branch which is tapping against the metal awning over the back patio. Exhale. Lie back down. 2:12 am.

2:15 am. Hear creaking. like someone is walking up the stairs. It's the house settling - go to sleep, I tell myself.

2:24 am. A buzzing kicks on. Just the fridge, I scold. Go to sleep.

2:39 am. Scratching sound. I sit up. A mouse? I HATE mice! Went to kitchen. Turned on light. It was a paper on the fridge, being blown by the ceiling fan, flapping against another paper. Went back to bed.

3:00 am. Turn on TV. Perhaps I can fall asleep while trying to watch a movie or something. Heaven knows it works when I try to stay up late on purpose. ("City Confidential" rerun is on. A serial killer murders three women in their homes then ties up their hands like they were lying in a coffin.) Begin to hear several "noises". Creaks, moans, groans, scratches, crackles, and finally a loud vibrating rumbling that practically makes my heart stop. I sit up, pull the blanket up to my chest, and reach for the phone on the night-stand. I look over at 4-Legged-Creature. Useless mutt! I am all alone in the house, and about to be tied up and killed for no one to find me, and all you do is lay there? But Calico Cat comes to drop a dookie in the bushes and you alert the National Guard? Oh. Ooops. It actually sounds more like a train now. Yep, it's a train. Sorry 4-Legged-creature. Good doggie. I finish the show on pins and needles. I must make sure the guy is captured or else I'll never be able to go to sleep.

4:00 am. If I fall asleep now, I will have 2 1/2 hours of sleep, I encourage myself.

4:15 am. If I fall asleep now, I will have 2 hours and 15 min. of sleep, I prod myself.

4:30 am. If I fall asleep now, I will have 2 hours of sleep. I begin to cry. I just want to sleep. No more noises. Just sleep. [Crying continues]...

I am not quite sure exactly what time I fell asleep, but I know for sure that I did, because at 6:30 this morning, I woke up. The good news is, I was alive! No murderers or robbers or rapists, and no mice.

I hate this whole sleeping alone in the house thing. The Sounds of Silence keep me up way too often. [Yawning]...I need a nappy-poo. Aww, crap. Time to go to work.

Dream Diagnosis Anyone?

As far as I can remember I have always had dreams. Not like the "I have a dream today" type dreams, though I do have hopes and dreams. To what I am referring are night-time sleeping dreams. I have always had vivid dreams and remember most of them. If you think my mindless musings are peculiar (at best) when I'm awake, then you can only imagine how unconventional my subconscious notions can be.

About a year ago, when I was visiting with my counselor, we talked a lot about dreams. She said that many experts would encourage one to run out and purchase the newest Dream Dictionary. However, she advised that dreams really only mean something to the person that has them. In this case me - and that if I really thought about it, I could totally figure out the significance of the dream. This concept seemed right up my alley, as I love to over-analyze things.

Needless to say, over the last year I have had ample opportunity to analyze plenty of my weird dreams. Many times I can totally figure out why I dreamt about a certain event or a certain person, or perhaps even the overall symbolism of the dream. However, last night seemed to be an exception. I truly can't figure this one out. Here goes...

The Dream

I was at a friend's house relaxing alone in his bed! In comes this heavy-set man, dressed in fly fishing gear, with a newspaper under one arm, devouring a can of Pringles (only about half the chips actually end up in his mouth). He sort of talks in this semi-gruff Chris Farley-ish voice. "Scootch over and make room for pops!"

I was like, "ewww". In real life this man resembles my friend's dad no more than I do. At any rate this was supposedly his father in the dream. Apparently he wanted to watch the TV in the bedroom. In order to distract myself, I take out a little piece of white paper and begin to fold it in half several times over until it is about 1 square inch. Then I take a pair of scissors and attempt to cut out the tiniest homemade paper snowflake the world has ever seen.

Soon, I am getting rather irritated by "Pops" who is continually chewing with his mouth open and getting Pringle crumbs all up in the bed. I decide I can't take it anymore. I leave the bedroom in search of my friend, who has apparently abandoned me to fend for myself. I pass the hallway bathroom - and the door is wide open - and there he is, on the John, with his pants down around his ankles, reading a magazine!!!

I tell him to hurry, that Pops is driving me crazy, and then I head downstairs to the kitchen in search of a drink, as I am suddenly parched. Dishes are everywhere, though they appear to be clean. And even weirder, the counter tops are covered with baby bottles. My friend doesn't even have any babies. I yell up to him and inquire about the bottles, and he responds something about feeding the baby animals. Not only does my friend not have babies, he doesn't like animals. Well, not that he doesn't like animals, he just doesn't have a need for any pets in his life. I decide that the dishes need to be put away, and if nothing else it will keep me away from piggish Pops. So, I end up cleaning the kitchen, and feeling like my work is never done.

So, there you have it - the dream that makes no sense. Dream Diagnosis Anyone?