I think you might have seeded another anxiety dream: forgetting to charge it and arriving at customs with a flat ePassport! I am going to be worrying about that now...
Hah, oops. Make sure you charge yours in a few weeks!
Funny, I hadn't thought about it, but perhaps there was a seed here. Upon arriving back from the UK, my ePassport failed to work in the gates and I had to queue to do it the old way, worrying then (and still left not knowing) whether it'll be forever broken until it is time for a new one.
“This clinking bottle has something clear and fizzy, the yellow label wrapped around the glass that's now in my hand.” Great use of sound to bring a moment of focus and clarity through the diaphanous sheet that folds over a dream sequence. I love when I remember those weird transformations in a dream, almost like briefly waking before being drawn back under the blanket. Always a pleasure to read your writing!
On second thought (and a peek into the other comments), you actually have a digital passport that needs to be charged? Forgive my ignorance, I didn't know such a thing existed & simply appreciated the surrealist closing image.
Oh no, hehe, that's just me being silly with a friend.
Our e-passports simply have a chip in them like in a credit card, that is read by a machine. No charging required, thankfully. (Well, except in the dreamworld!)
Must be the best use of the image generator I’ve seen. Looks like a German expressionist painting. I looked for a link to one. Makes me think of Daumier’s Third Class Carriage.
To me the idea of empty trains feels more terrifying for some reason, because you’re vulnerable in the carriage. (Edward Hopper has some good paintings of this.) but I also delight when I have a ton of space on the train, so there you go weird brain of mine.
Intro is a lovely dive into the mind. Relatable. The dark ways of the mind are often more haunting and exhausting than reality. Plus you keep your reader guessing! I’m for it.
And yes, I knew that *had* to be the image as soon as the generator spat it forth.
I'm a big fan of empty space on a train when I'm commuting in my early-morning state, but also like the cosy feeling of being tucked into a seat and the presence of others nearby (though not *too* nearby) when trundling through the countryside on a train.
Reading this makes me feel less alone in my strange dreams. What is this weird place we travel to in our sleep? My recurring dream is set in a crowded party/event in a big, dimly lit hotel-ish building. The people there are not very nice, and I'm sort of wandering around from room to room. Two nights ago, I misplaced my bag containing my wallet and phone in one of the rooms... oddly similar to your dream, Nathan.
I’m very glad you put that #1 footnote in there, because I was going to say..! You’ve perfectly captured (and transferred!) the tension of an anxiety dream, here. Have you ever read any dream interpretation books? Or had someone analyze a dream of yours? I remember being told ages ago that water in dreams represent emotions (which, as someone who frequently dreams of watching incoming tidal waves, I immediately dismissed).
Hehe 😉 No, not properly, I've only skimmed the odd book of definitions of images from dreams but never gone into any proper analysis. I'd find it quite fascinating, I'm sure. And if there was some great revelation about my inner psyche, then likely this would be me: https://media1.tenor.com/m/pXe-GokoyA0AAAAC/the-s-impsons-bush.gif
😂 yes, totally. No one needs to be looking into the depths of my psyche, thank you very much! I remember dreaming about loads of whales once, and being told that it signified a major life event on the horizon--but I'm fairly certain it just meant that I'd watched a couple of hours of Blue Planet before I slept!
Made me smile all the way, the rhythm and words reminded me a bit of Dr. Seuss. In the best way. The Man with the Bag with his Cat in the Hat! Only, the cat was in the bag. This was fun!
Well, no swimming pool dreams, but rather one about being in a very posh hotel bar, getting ignored by everyone and not being able to get a drink. That must be what dry January does to you 🤔😁
I think you might have seeded another anxiety dream: forgetting to charge it and arriving at customs with a flat ePassport! I am going to be worrying about that now...
Hah, oops. Make sure you charge yours in a few weeks!
Funny, I hadn't thought about it, but perhaps there was a seed here. Upon arriving back from the UK, my ePassport failed to work in the gates and I had to queue to do it the old way, worrying then (and still left not knowing) whether it'll be forever broken until it is time for a new one.
intriguing, and very Oulipian: Georges Perec recorded his dreams and published a book of them.
That's cool. I think maybe you mentioned that before on an Oulipo post.
indeed. https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/dream-writing
That's the one, thanks!
“This clinking bottle has something clear and fizzy, the yellow label wrapped around the glass that's now in my hand.” Great use of sound to bring a moment of focus and clarity through the diaphanous sheet that folds over a dream sequence. I love when I remember those weird transformations in a dream, almost like briefly waking before being drawn back under the blanket. Always a pleasure to read your writing!
"The disaphanous sheet that folds over a dream sequence." What a beautiful phrase! Thanks for the comment, Brian.
You plug your passport in to charge! Brilliant.
I quite enjoyed this, usual style or not. It feels a little bit like a Picasso painting although the one you put in the post is a great fit as well.
On second thought (and a peek into the other comments), you actually have a digital passport that needs to be charged? Forgive my ignorance, I didn't know such a thing existed & simply appreciated the surrealist closing image.
Oh no, hehe, that's just me being silly with a friend.
Our e-passports simply have a chip in them like in a credit card, that is read by a machine. No charging required, thankfully. (Well, except in the dreamworld!)
Must be the best use of the image generator I’ve seen. Looks like a German expressionist painting. I looked for a link to one. Makes me think of Daumier’s Third Class Carriage.
To me the idea of empty trains feels more terrifying for some reason, because you’re vulnerable in the carriage. (Edward Hopper has some good paintings of this.) but I also delight when I have a ton of space on the train, so there you go weird brain of mine.
Intro is a lovely dive into the mind. Relatable. The dark ways of the mind are often more haunting and exhausting than reality. Plus you keep your reader guessing! I’m for it.
Wow, now that's a great painting(s). Seems there are three? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third-Class_Carriage
And yes, I knew that *had* to be the image as soon as the generator spat it forth.
I'm a big fan of empty space on a train when I'm commuting in my early-morning state, but also like the cosy feeling of being tucked into a seat and the presence of others nearby (though not *too* nearby) when trundling through the countryside on a train.
Thanks for reading and the comment, Kate.
I've had similar dreams
A common theme, I guess.
I’ve definitely had dreams like that. Enjoy the tennis! Hugs and best wishes.
Thanks Beth. Pesky anxiety dreams.
Same to you!
I was so wrapped up in and feeling your anxiousness I forgot it was a dream!
Hehe, sorry about that ;)
Thanks for reading, Lisa.
Reading this makes me feel less alone in my strange dreams. What is this weird place we travel to in our sleep? My recurring dream is set in a crowded party/event in a big, dimly lit hotel-ish building. The people there are not very nice, and I'm sort of wandering around from room to room. Two nights ago, I misplaced my bag containing my wallet and phone in one of the rooms... oddly similar to your dream, Nathan.
Very similar indeed, Ann. And yes, the strange realm of the nighttime, with all its mysteries!
I’m very glad you put that #1 footnote in there, because I was going to say..! You’ve perfectly captured (and transferred!) the tension of an anxiety dream, here. Have you ever read any dream interpretation books? Or had someone analyze a dream of yours? I remember being told ages ago that water in dreams represent emotions (which, as someone who frequently dreams of watching incoming tidal waves, I immediately dismissed).
Hehe 😉 No, not properly, I've only skimmed the odd book of definitions of images from dreams but never gone into any proper analysis. I'd find it quite fascinating, I'm sure. And if there was some great revelation about my inner psyche, then likely this would be me: https://media1.tenor.com/m/pXe-GokoyA0AAAAC/the-s-impsons-bush.gif
😂 yes, totally. No one needs to be looking into the depths of my psyche, thank you very much! I remember dreaming about loads of whales once, and being told that it signified a major life event on the horizon--but I'm fairly certain it just meant that I'd watched a couple of hours of Blue Planet before I slept!
Bahaha 😂
As Ebeneezer might say, “Perhaps a bit of undigested beef...” 😂
Haha. Perhaps so! 😄
Fun! I've been dreaming of strange gardens lately - tomato trees lined up to the horizon, dripping with fruit; and black pumpkins shaped like spiders.
Those are some excellent strange dreams!
Made me smile all the way, the rhythm and words reminded me a bit of Dr. Seuss. In the best way. The Man with the Bag with his Cat in the Hat! Only, the cat was in the bag. This was fun!
Thanks, Alexander. It was a fun one to write, and a bit of breathing space after the intensity of writing The Sernox!
I have to say Nathan that this is probably the best dream sequence I’ve ever read.
Thank you very much, Jim!
I still remember the jugs. 😁
😉
The jugs must not be forgotten.
And they are not!
My dreams about trains and bags, purses, or mobile devices are never good.
As I’m sure we’ve discussed before, Nathan, these are the scariest of dreams, when you’re not in control
You’re on the train, but is it the right one?
You’ve got your bag but then it’s gone. Someone’s taken it but who? And why don’t they tell you?
It’s that uncertainty that makes everything so unsettling
I’m not sure if dreams are trying to tell us something, but maybe this is a fear of heading towards something that you can’t stop 🤔
Anyway, I’m heading off to sleep soon, so we’ll see what tonight brings. As long as it doesn’t involve a swimming pool, it’ll be fine 😁
Hehe, may you have a swimming-pool free evening of dreams ahead Dan ;)
I will be getting to your watchlist soon and look forward to reading about what you've been watching.
Well, no swimming pool dreams, but rather one about being in a very posh hotel bar, getting ignored by everyone and not being able to get a drink. That must be what dry January does to you 🤔😁
Haha, excellent. January is nearly over, which hopefully will be a relief ;)