A DARK AND STORY NIGHT

Where is Joseph when you need him? I have rarely been able to recall dreams for the last 40 years or so. But in the last few weeks I remember two or three a week. AND THEY ARE STRANGE.

I cannot recall the whole dream, only bits and pieces. I don’t know if it is something I ate. I know it is not something I have seen on TV. I have been a whirlwind of activity for the past week, and the dreams have gone on longer than that. No two are the same. I see no connection from one night to the next.

Last night (the parts I remember), I got a call to meet Brent in a theater in what I believed was downtown Portland. That in it’s self is strange since we worked together in Salem. The place looked nothing like Portland or any place recall. When I got in my car (one I have never owned) it was “a dark and stormy night.” In fact I could barely see. I know it wasn’t the rain as my wipers were not on and, but it was dark, very dark. In fact, I ran into a downed tree. That did not stop me as I drove right through it. I remember being surprised that no tree trunks or branches stopped me. I cannot remember how badly scratched the car became and I don’t think I even cared.

When I reached the theater I could not find Brent so I bought a ticket and went in. The inside of the theater was lighter than outside. Strange, and why would he want to meet inside with a movie already started? Strange. The room was sparse. I saw Brent right away. He was looking around for me. When he spotted me he got up and came toward me and we hugged like we had not seen each other in a very long time. It has been several years. He lives in Alaska now, but he interned with me for two years and his wife let him travel with me up the Inland Passage cruise to Alaska (my richer days).

He asked if I wanted to watch the movie or got get a cup of coffee. I remember wondering why I would want to watch a movie when we hadn’t seen each other for years. Maybe my movie addiction brought that on. We left the theater, I woke up got a drink of water, went to the bathroom and tried to get back to sleep. But instead of sleeping, I am writing about my dream. Strange.

I have never put much stock in the interpretation of dreams. If I had known Joseph, I am sure things would have been different. If this one had meaning, I sure don’t know what it was, but lets give it a shot.

Thinking of Brent meant good times were had. So I assume that means good times are coming. Good memories are going to be built. Traveling in the dark is a warning to stop waking up when it is dark and stop bumping into things. I broke a toe smashing it on the foot of the bed. That was the first bone I had ever broke. I guess the tree means I am about the face trouble, but I will sail through it unscathed (or it could mean watch where you are going). Meeting Brent in the theater is a sign of my film addiction, but since it was light it means I haven’t seen a film for weeks and haven’t missed it, as I would rather have a cup of coffee with friends.

If it doesn’t mean any of this I guess I had better watch what I eat before bed. However, I did like the slice of berry pie with ice cream that is in the forbidden food category. If that is going to bring on strange dreams, I just hope they continue to be as weird as the one last night.

Today’s assignment (reminds me of CBC days) is to finish this sentence. “It was a dark and story night when… Don’t let me down. These will be graded and it will be on the test. It’s always on the test.