In which I am not taking hallucinogenic drugs

But I might as well be. My dreams of late have been bizarre. Now I expected this because I am revising and revising always brings up my insecurities and insecurities mean strange dreams. Last week I dreamed that I looked out the back door and Emma the Yellow Wonder Dog was walking up the drive, limping and dusted with grave dirt. (I WISH I were making that last part up.) She was looking at me accusingly and I kept saying, "But we BURIED you!" Most unpleasant, as you can imagine, although it was nice to see her.

Sunday morning I awoke to the realization that I had just dreamed an entire novel. I jotted down notes as fast as I could, but it was still a bit of a Coleridge moment--I know I lost details with waking. And the travel dreams have begun as well, usually complete with lost luggage and difficult desk clerks. In the last dream the staff at the Austin Marriott lost my reservation and I was insisting they rebook me into the Four Seasons. Of course, the Austin Marriott was the worst stay on my book tour so apparently my subconscious is holding a grudge. It's also taking liberties with Austin because I'm not sure there even IS a Four Seasons there.

I'm fascinated by these themed dreams. My insecure dreams used to be the classic school scenario--forgot my locker combination, big test, haven't studied, have no idea where the classroom even is. But those stopped after a particularly vivid one where I stood up in class and said, "I'm a published writer. I don't HAVE to graduate high school again" and walked out to go to the mall. (I suppose that speaks to personal empowerment.) Anyway, the travel dreams started in earnest a few years ago and it would be very lovely if I could go all Norma Rae in those too. Of course, my worries would find a new venue and I suppose it's a matter of the devil you know...

Comments

[Lacy]

I dreamed last night,that we lived across the street from Brad and Angelina. I went over to tell them the top of a hug oak tree had fallen in their front yard. The child who answered the door was holding an orange and a very sharp paring knife. They all came out to look. The rest of the tree fell on their cat flattening but not killing her. I offered to babysit, so they could take her to the vet, but they said she would have to learn to live that way.

[Danja]

Such intense dreams. I love how you stood up in class and defiantly announced that you don't need to graduate again. I hope I remember that the next time I have a similar dream. For me it's always about a math exam in high school and since my degree is in math it really unnerves me.

[Lara H.]

I have been having horrible dreams of complicated messes and nonsensical disasters myself, my sympathies to you.

Austin does have a Four Seasons. It is coincidental you should say you had a bad time at the Marriott, since my friend who is a lawyer was trying to save his client some money by staying in the Marriott here, instead of the Four Seasons. He had the WORST experience and so vowed never to stay at the Marriott again for the sake of a couple hundred dollars. I do believe the Four Seasons is on the river! You should come back, I will petition B&N and Book People! Can't you taste that Maudie's chipotle enchilada now?

[Lara]

The most bizarre dream I've had lately was of Sali, the week before we left for Florida. I emailed it to her and she immediately wanted to know what drugs I was on. Very vivid and colorful- unusual for my dreams.

[Melissa(The Artist)]

I have odd dreams all the time, but mine are pretty disturbing. Nothing I really want to remember but they sort of refuse to go away. Not sleeping usally works but then school becomes a bit difficult.LOL

Ughh, I think every one has had the one where they are in a t-shirt and undies taking a test and not having enough time to finish. Those are soo annoyning!
Good for you! "I'm a published writer. I don't HAVE to graduate high school again"

XX

[CHH]

I had a dream where I was being attacked by zombie rabbits. It was very suspenseful but not particularly scary.

[Hallie]

(To be cliche, long time reader, first time poster.)

Sorry to hear about your dreams. I, too, have been having odd ones recently. Prize for strangest goes to the one where a very large man pushed my sister out a window, and then he fell out as well. I stood there talking to her as she fell, trying to convince her to use his underpants (which had come off despite his being fully clothed) as a parachute. Maybe it's the phase of the moon?