Monthly Archives: July 2003

The magic of moonrise

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I think I have seen the most gorgeous thing possible — a nearly full moon (seven hours past) rising over water (Lake Michigan). At first, it was a discreet orange-red sliver that might have passed for urban glow. But it soon became apparent that it was Old Man Moon, but quite discreet, nothing like the sun, which screams even at 3:20 a.m. (astronomical twilight), “I’m coming!” Just a quiet orange-red sliver. Now it is about my thumb’s length above the horizon and growing an ever-paler orange-red. Can I catch it in the act of becoming silver?

Maybe I can witness it again tomorrow . . .

Dream: Home invaders

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I came home and found straw hats with colourful bands and colourful bandannas and things like that on my bedroom windowsill, along with a sense that children had just been there. It was disturbing because I could think of no way they could get in or out, since it’s a 12th floor apartment and the only way to get in would be past the front desk or past the security cameras in the back. Yet this happened several times. I think I heard laughter once, and spotted some boys at one point.

After another incident in which I had apparently just missed the kids (they were always ahead of me, but by less and less), I finally determined to do something about it, although nothing was ever missing or stolen, and I was also afraid of retaliation. I couldn’t decide whether to call the manager or see her. After a long internal debate, I went to see her but she was in a meeting. I was talking with the front-desk person, and she had decided that I would need new keys, which meant everyone would need new keys. Meanwhile, through the magic of dreaming, I could see the kids in my windows, looking down and laughing, and I knew they’d always be there.

Dream: What is “good”?

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I was talking about a somewhat philosophical topic in a classroom setting; it may have been about “good.” The instructor shot down everything I said easily, leaving me feeling quite stupid. Then a friend of my brother’s spoke up very intelligently, so intelligently I couldn’t quite understand what he was saying even though everyone else could. He argued everything I’d said. I wondered, “What is wrong with me that I am so stupid lately?” I also kept seeing this man, whose nickname appeared in print was “Platoon Leader,” and my brother as football teammates.

I woke up wondering if I have become stupid through spending too much time alone (by choice).