In a pub. Dolphin Dave is the landlord. Some of my students are there.
In a bath. A long-haired American man is washing my hair and massaging my scalp. He provides a running commentary on the process like it is a great artistic event. This annoys me. As I get out of the bath I throw him in it. He hits his head and loses consciousness. I drag him out to prevent him from drowning. I check he is breathing. He is, so I leave.
In a pub at closing time. It is nearly empty. El is there. She says she must have some of my tomatoes. I tell her they are still green, but she insists. Outside the pub I check my watch. 3:30 a.m., but the sun is already shining. The sky is a deep blue like I am seeing it through shades. I walk past a man who is standing outside a row of cottages. The cottages are small and slightly run down. I am depressed by the fact my lack of money means I will have to live in a place like this. "They've got the power going again," says the man.
Walking with El. We meet a woman with dark blonde hair and bright red lipstick pushing a pram. There is no baby. She addresses me by name and I ask her how she knows who I am. She says she overheard my name. She wears a brown skirt and puts one foot on a wall. The wall surrounds a graveyard. I end our conversation by saying "The truth will out!" I am trying to be enigmatic because I find the woman attractive.
At the tomato plants with an unknown woman. She criticizes me. Calls me a "crazy artist." Instead of picking tomatoes I have to water tiny plants. They are in a seed tray . A fine spray of water is falling. I have to get the lid off the seed tray. My hands get wet.
In a physics lecture given by Ken. He asks me what he should cover and decides to derive Torricelli's law, but I see he has the wrong notes. His handwriting on the board is almost illegible.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Job Interview
At the IoA, Cambridge. I am on the job market. There is a reception with good food, brandy. It feels more like one of the old colleges. I talk to the wife of an astronomer who describes her plot to blow up something important. Gary arrives. He is no longer a publisher's rep for Wiley. He tells me he works for a University of London college and is helping them hire someone from the IoA. I notice I am wearing scruffy clothes. Gary hands me one of my dress shirts and tells me that I didn't get the job but should go down to London anyway. The implication is I still have a chance. I will be staying near Kings Cross.
Walking with Mike eating chocolate. The daughter of an IoA astronomer is talking to us. I ask her when she will visit us in South London.
On a train. I get off at a tube station. The sign says "Twickenham Spurs." I am at the top of a flight of stairs. A tube train rolls into the station. A man walks on the roof of the train. A sign explains that the number on the front of the train is related to the score of the most recent Spurs' game. I run down the stairs but the train doors close before I get there.
An envelope on which is written a song. It sounds like "You're crazy but you're beautiful," but when I try to play it I cannot make the words scan. I tell someone I wrote it fifteen years ago and it worked fine then.
Walking with Mike eating chocolate. The daughter of an IoA astronomer is talking to us. I ask her when she will visit us in South London.
On a train. I get off at a tube station. The sign says "Twickenham Spurs." I am at the top of a flight of stairs. A tube train rolls into the station. A man walks on the roof of the train. A sign explains that the number on the front of the train is related to the score of the most recent Spurs' game. I run down the stairs but the train doors close before I get there.
An envelope on which is written a song. It sounds like "You're crazy but you're beautiful," but when I try to play it I cannot make the words scan. I tell someone I wrote it fifteen years ago and it worked fine then.
Time Machine
At a party. I have a time machine which is broken. I am anxious about this and talk with Ray about the possibility of it being repaired. I tell my wife that in the past I organized a conference to discuss the problems produced by time travel at which we agreed to a set of rules to minimize these problems.
In a different time. I am in a relationship with a brunette woman. We sleep together under a towel in a large room like a dormitory. The woman is concerned that she is pregnant. I tell her that she is not, but could be if she wanted to be. I plan to travel back in time to arrange this.
In a bar. I ask people if they have met me yet. They are confused. On the TV there is a presentation about Canadians. Examples of Canadian hostility towards the U.S. are shown. Interviews with Canadians further illustrate the hostility. There is a map on which everything south of the U.S.-Canada border is gray.
In a different time. I am in a relationship with a brunette woman. We sleep together under a towel in a large room like a dormitory. The woman is concerned that she is pregnant. I tell her that she is not, but could be if she wanted to be. I plan to travel back in time to arrange this.
In a bar. I ask people if they have met me yet. They are confused. On the TV there is a presentation about Canadians. Examples of Canadian hostility towards the U.S. are shown. Interviews with Canadians further illustrate the hostility. There is a map on which everything south of the U.S.-Canada border is gray.
Ravioli
Fighting with my brunette wife. In frustration I break crockery and windows in our house. I have the feeling we are both dead.
At my neighbor's house. He owns a bar. He has invited people over for a party. Many of them are young Englishwomen who walk past me in single file. I kiss one of them and notice that she tastes of tomato sauce. It is visible on her lips. I ask her if she has been eating ravioli. She says she has. The party goes on all night. There are sinister undertones.
The first light of morning. I am wearing my pajamas, boiling water for coffee and cooking breakfast. There are wild animals wandering about. My neighbor and I have particular trouble with a couple of bears, one black one brown. Giraffes wander by. I put on khaki trousers. I am supposed to let some gypsies into the house while my neighbor leaves to deal with a pick-up truck. A man arrives at the house and comments that my trousers are government issue. "Yeah," says my neighbor, "he can understand any official language and do what he likes with it."
At my neighbor's house. He owns a bar. He has invited people over for a party. Many of them are young Englishwomen who walk past me in single file. I kiss one of them and notice that she tastes of tomato sauce. It is visible on her lips. I ask her if she has been eating ravioli. She says she has. The party goes on all night. There are sinister undertones.
The first light of morning. I am wearing my pajamas, boiling water for coffee and cooking breakfast. There are wild animals wandering about. My neighbor and I have particular trouble with a couple of bears, one black one brown. Giraffes wander by. I put on khaki trousers. I am supposed to let some gypsies into the house while my neighbor leaves to deal with a pick-up truck. A man arrives at the house and comments that my trousers are government issue. "Yeah," says my neighbor, "he can understand any official language and do what he likes with it."
Barnaby Stops
In Queens Park. I meet a group of drug dealers who hassle me. The next day I run into them again. They abduct me and inflict pain.
In a pub. I meet my "lawyer," Barnaby Stops. He is a mobster who is going to take care of my problem with the drug dealers. One of my allies puts chicken breasts in my jacket pocket. He owns the pub, but works for Barnaby Stops. He puts something else in the same pocket. I cannot tell if it is stuffing or mashed potatoes. My brother is in the pub. He is a woman.
In a bank. A group of us are here for a committee meeting, but it turns into my wedding. I change into a gold suit and new shirt and choose a tie from a selection that someone has brought with them.
In a pub. I meet my "lawyer," Barnaby Stops. He is a mobster who is going to take care of my problem with the drug dealers. One of my allies puts chicken breasts in my jacket pocket. He owns the pub, but works for Barnaby Stops. He puts something else in the same pocket. I cannot tell if it is stuffing or mashed potatoes. My brother is in the pub. He is a woman.
In a bank. A group of us are here for a committee meeting, but it turns into my wedding. I change into a gold suit and new shirt and choose a tie from a selection that someone has brought with them.
Baseball
In Quebec. Robert, Tim, Jack and I are here to see a baseball game. Oakland versus Quebec. It is the last game of the regular season and spectators are let in free. Sometimes we watch the game on TV. The game is being played on an open field rather than in a stadium. A quiz is in progress. People are wagering on what will happen with Morris on first and the last batter up. Some complain that the quiz is unfair. They win money to buy goods like TVs. Bobby Battista is there talking about someone called Panicek.
War of the Plants
At the Fitzjohn Avenue house. I am living with Gina. We have been bothered by a man and a woman trying to sell us things. The man wears loud clothes that are too young for his gray hair and wrinkles. They try to sell us a paint treatment for cars. We cannot get rid of them. I shout at them. A man called Mr. Majestic with an Italian accent stops by and talks about the hawkers and weed killer.
In the kitchen. Mum is in the house talking to her friend Rita. A couple of house plants that came into contact with the weed killer declare war on each other. Stuff shoots from one pot to the other as bells ring. One plant seems to be winning. When Mum enters the kitchen everything is covered in mud. I am outside laughing.
In the kitchen. Mum is in the house talking to her friend Rita. A couple of house plants that came into contact with the weed killer declare war on each other. Stuff shoots from one pot to the other as bells ring. One plant seems to be winning. When Mum enters the kitchen everything is covered in mud. I am outside laughing.
Shadow Puppets
On a roof. Rough black tar on a row of garages overlooking an auditorium. Andy is sitting with his girlfriend who isn't Debbie anymore. They are talking about me.
In the auditorium. I am wearing a suit, white shirt, and heavy black cape. There is going to be a classical music performance, but I do not see an orchestra. The music begins. It is dreadful, easy-listening "popular classics." On a projection screen rabbit shadow puppets move roughly in time with the music. In front of me, men in tuxedos begin bobbing up and down to the dreadful music. Their actions have been prearranged. As the music gets worse they jump higher and higher. The bearded conductor stops the performance and asks pompously how long he is going to be made a fool of. I shout out that maybe people don't like the music. Some in the audience applaud. The conductor says we will take a recess.
Walking from the auditorium. The cape is much too hot so I take it off. It is a nuisance carrying it. I meet Tom and shake his hand, then continue walking on my own. I pass a cafeteria which is empty except for a couple talking. I come across a smaller room where people are gathering. Tom and Mike are there. An attractive blonde woman walks over to us. She asks us if we will buy her and her friend a drink. She says they have liquor if we can provide the juice. I ask her which bar is open, trying to give the impression I know where I am. She says the one on the third floor. Mike and I rush to an elevator. The doors, which are made of old, patterned glass, close before I get there.
Outside in daylight. I tell Mike I did not like the music. He says he thought it was okay, but it was spoiled for him because during the performance someone near him was frying chicken.
In the auditorium. I am wearing a suit, white shirt, and heavy black cape. There is going to be a classical music performance, but I do not see an orchestra. The music begins. It is dreadful, easy-listening "popular classics." On a projection screen rabbit shadow puppets move roughly in time with the music. In front of me, men in tuxedos begin bobbing up and down to the dreadful music. Their actions have been prearranged. As the music gets worse they jump higher and higher. The bearded conductor stops the performance and asks pompously how long he is going to be made a fool of. I shout out that maybe people don't like the music. Some in the audience applaud. The conductor says we will take a recess.
Walking from the auditorium. The cape is much too hot so I take it off. It is a nuisance carrying it. I meet Tom and shake his hand, then continue walking on my own. I pass a cafeteria which is empty except for a couple talking. I come across a smaller room where people are gathering. Tom and Mike are there. An attractive blonde woman walks over to us. She asks us if we will buy her and her friend a drink. She says they have liquor if we can provide the juice. I ask her which bar is open, trying to give the impression I know where I am. She says the one on the third floor. Mike and I rush to an elevator. The doors, which are made of old, patterned glass, close before I get there.
Outside in daylight. I tell Mike I did not like the music. He says he thought it was okay, but it was spoiled for him because during the performance someone near him was frying chicken.
Cat Princes
In a large house. I am a servant to two princes who are brothers, one good the other evil. They are both cats. The evil one is transporting gold and jewels to Hawaii to build a new palace. There is a creature who consumes the gold and jewels in order to transport them. The creature has no eyes or other features except a mouth set in a glassy green face. It wears heraldic costume. The good prince races around and explains the plans of his evil brother using complex gestures.
Exit Only
In a tunnel. Walking along the tracks of the London Underground. Trains approach from both directions. To avoid being crushed by the trains I open a small door in the side of the tunnel and hurry through it. "I could have been killed," I say.
In the Uplands Road house. I am in a rush to get to the airport. I am going to Minneapolis to see Gina. I had a reservation on a rental car, but I do not have enough time to get to the rental car place. I ask Richard if he will drive me to the airport. He is very reluctant and says Mum will take me and that she will be back soon. He seems to be hiding something. He claims that he has to go for a walk for the next hour and a half. I tell him if he doesn't help me out I will never speak to him again. Finally I persuade him to lend me his car. It is Friday. I promise him I will bring the car back from the airport on Sunday. He is not happy. There is construction on Uplands Road and a triangular sign that says "Exit Only," black on yellow with one vertical arrow and another pointing to the left. I look at my watch and remember I have not packed my bag yet. There is not enough time for me to catch my plane.
In the Uplands Road house. I am in a rush to get to the airport. I am going to Minneapolis to see Gina. I had a reservation on a rental car, but I do not have enough time to get to the rental car place. I ask Richard if he will drive me to the airport. He is very reluctant and says Mum will take me and that she will be back soon. He seems to be hiding something. He claims that he has to go for a walk for the next hour and a half. I tell him if he doesn't help me out I will never speak to him again. Finally I persuade him to lend me his car. It is Friday. I promise him I will bring the car back from the airport on Sunday. He is not happy. There is construction on Uplands Road and a triangular sign that says "Exit Only," black on yellow with one vertical arrow and another pointing to the left. I look at my watch and remember I have not packed my bag yet. There is not enough time for me to catch my plane.
Blue
A blue lagoon. Floating on a raft with a naked blonde woman.
Driving my car. I am not in the car. It drives up an overpass and I can no longer see it.
In a room. A polished wooden interior with an upper balcony like the tiered shops in Chester. A man playing with a huge Scalextric set that includes slot cars and a train. The train comes off the tracks and bounces up the stairs to greet me like a dog.
In a large blue room, next to the blue lagoon. I look for my note book to record the dream but can only find an address book. Then I remember that I already recorded the dream but used binary code. I am a poet who dreamed he was a scientist. A woman in the room comments that nobody has seen me for a while. I explain that I have been dreaming.
In a dangerous part of town. I walk with a man and a woman. The man has a gun and points it at someone. I tell him we must not fight as it would draw attention to us.
Driving my car. I am not in the car. It drives up an overpass and I can no longer see it.
In a room. A polished wooden interior with an upper balcony like the tiered shops in Chester. A man playing with a huge Scalextric set that includes slot cars and a train. The train comes off the tracks and bounces up the stairs to greet me like a dog.
In a large blue room, next to the blue lagoon. I look for my note book to record the dream but can only find an address book. Then I remember that I already recorded the dream but used binary code. I am a poet who dreamed he was a scientist. A woman in the room comments that nobody has seen me for a while. I explain that I have been dreaming.
In a dangerous part of town. I walk with a man and a woman. The man has a gun and points it at someone. I tell him we must not fight as it would draw attention to us.
Baltimore in the Alps
Walking to work. There is snow on the ground. As I pass the athletic center I see Colin ahead of me wearing an ill-fitting gray suit. I walk faster to catch him up and drift slowly off the ground. I look across the road to where the Institute used to be. An Alpine village is glistening, quaint, sunlight on snow.
Looking at the window in my bedroom. I write down the dream on my pad.
In a room. Sitting with Bonnie and Gina. I drop cigarette ash on Bonnie's leg and it burns a hole. She smiles.
Looking at the window in my bedroom. I write down the dream on my pad.
In a room. Sitting with Bonnie and Gina. I drop cigarette ash on Bonnie's leg and it burns a hole. She smiles.
Numerical Restaurant
Dinner time. I am driving with Jack but there is a problem with the address of the restaurant. The address is a seven-digit number beginning 516. To find the remainder of the address you add the number of the meal you want to a four-digit number. Sometimes Jack and I find the restaurant. At other times Gina and I find it. Sometimes Gina and I are Peg and Al Bundy.
In the restaurant eating. A waiter with a Pythonesque French accent comes to our table explaining how the sole must be eaten at exactly the right moment. Other diners explain that they like to support the restaurant despite the chef's strange ideas because they have a financial interest in its success.
In the restaurant eating. A waiter with a Pythonesque French accent comes to our table explaining how the sole must be eaten at exactly the right moment. Other diners explain that they like to support the restaurant despite the chef's strange ideas because they have a financial interest in its success.
Turning Japanese
In a bedroom. Annette is trying on underwear and asks for my advice. She says she wants to go "Franglais." My glasses have a twisted arm. I try to straighten the arm, but instead it breaks off. I go through other pairs but none are comfortable, even when I adjust the bridges. I look for a pair with a similar arm so I can replace the broken one.
In a club wearing a silk dressing gown. A Japanese guy comes over and shows me how to tie it properly. A band is playing. I am carrying a TV remote.
I see myself walk towards a large building. My hair is longer and fairer. On Psychedelic TV with no sound I watch myself ask a guy if he has any cocaine.
In bed with a dark woman. She tells me she is going to The Pavilion.
In a club wearing a silk dressing gown. A Japanese guy comes over and shows me how to tie it properly. A band is playing. I am carrying a TV remote.
I see myself walk towards a large building. My hair is longer and fairer. On Psychedelic TV with no sound I watch myself ask a guy if he has any cocaine.
In bed with a dark woman. She tells me she is going to The Pavilion.
Newspaper Reporter
On the phone. Talking to a woman with a Spanish name who works for a newspaper. She wants me to send her some figures from my research. I have a feeling we arranged to speak about this today, since it is the day after she returned from her vacation. I have a photo of the woman. She is dark, mid-thirties, rather dumpy.
Driving my mother's car. I hear her describing an oddity of the steering wheel. She is not in the car. The steering is heavy. I am about to complain to my mother about the lack of powered steering, but stop myself as I know it will annoy her. As I drive down Fitzjohn Avenue I have to maneuver around a large umbrella in the road. I get caught up with some hosing that knocks over several plastic cups which roll down the hill. I get out of the car and gather up the cups so I can return them to the owner up the hill.
Driving my mother's car. I hear her describing an oddity of the steering wheel. She is not in the car. The steering is heavy. I am about to complain to my mother about the lack of powered steering, but stop myself as I know it will annoy her. As I drive down Fitzjohn Avenue I have to maneuver around a large umbrella in the road. I get caught up with some hosing that knocks over several plastic cups which roll down the hill. I get out of the car and gather up the cups so I can return them to the owner up the hill.
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