3 dreams
1. We find ourselves on the shores of a lake. In this situation we are merely an eye watching over things. We are not playing an active role in this part of the dream. But we are able to observe a sort of kidnapping and attempted murder. We witness Kevin and two other people (I want to say two other men, but it may well have been a man and a woman) being forced below ground into a septic tank. Literally forced into raw sewage. And so time passes.
I do not know how much time passes but next scene we are back lakeside and it is myself and two friends along with Kevins two boys (minus Forrest). Somehow we have discovered evidence that Kevin has been kidnapped and taken to this location. We are frantic. We find the manhole and mancover for the septic tank and frantically attempt to remove it. I just remember the smell (awful) and Kevin's boys pacing around somewhat nonchalantly. Regardless we manage to get the mancover off and slowly peel it away to reveal lots of darkness and a ladder. Shining flashlights down into the opening and again, battling more nasty aromas, we see a few colors: blue and red as we realize this to be the colors of Kevins shirt when he went missing. And all of a sudden, someone is moving around down there, and it's him! And so frantically, excitedly and hurriedly we holler down to him attempting to motivate him to climb out as none of us want to brave climbing down to him. Slowly but surely he climbs the ladder towards us and we pull him out only when he is within arms reach. He collapses on the grass near the lake. He is completely covered from head to toe in nasty sewage. Completely. What's more is that he tells us the sad news: that the other two haven't survived. He also brought some mementos back from his several day ordeal: a few wooden shards with writing on them, something to remember this experience by? I don't know. But regardless, I remember him either diving into the lake or heading off home to clean himself up.
Next thing I know is that we're in his kitchen, and we're celebrating. I wish I could remember the writing from the wooden shard but I cannot, it mentions something about pulled pork, and so that is what we eat to celebrate. I rememeber the mood being fairly upbeat and excited, we are all happy that Kevin survived. And this is it. End of dream.
2. We are at a park and we're attempting to play baseball. Unfortunately, after the transition towards normal post-covid life, everyone else is eager too. And despite the fact that there are 6 fields, we notice nearly all are currently occupied. We spot one far-off in the distance that looks free and so we make our way in that direction. Once we arrive we become overwhelmed with famiies and coaches and players and we are being swept up into the fray and told that the field has been reserved. Disappointed, we slowly walk off the field. As we walk towards town I turn to glance back only to see the teams lined up on 1st and 3rd base side for the national anthem.
We arrive to town and it feels like somehow we're in Sisters. Both streets are closed off for car traffic and it's a freeflow of pedestrians. The middle of the street has been widened and there is enough room for tables and other various services. I remember walking into a shop bent on finding a couple of gifts for Laura. Somehow I arrive to find just the perfect one, a miniature violin (a viola?) I don't know, but it was very small and delicate and I knew it's exactly what she needs for her place to display. And so Warren sells me this miniature violin and he follows us out to the middle of the street to deliver it and chat with us briefly. I thank him and taking the package we slowly walk away. He lingers for a bit too long, grinning widely as he walks back into the shop, somehow he seems bummed or jealous, I don't know, but I sensed a melancholy note. Regardless we are walking away back towards the ball fields. And Sisters is different. The two main streets are different. South of downtown has changed, the buildings have been knocked down and there is a clear view to the ball fields in the distance. As well, the vendors have taken over the middle of the street. As we walk through, they try and get us to buy things or ride on their rides. We decline and quickly pass through the flashing lights and cheap rides. On the walking path towards the fields I can't feel enough excitement with the purchase I've made. I just know that Laura will love the gifts. But then soon enough, we're parallel with the ball fields and the lights are on and fields empty. We cannot help ourselves and walk out onto the field and finally get our chance to play. My brother (who has been present all along) begins hitting first. I take the outfield (someone else is pitching) and we sprawl out. My brother is hitting deep. I remember huffing and puffing as I chase the balls. Finally it is my turn to hit. And I remember feeling proud of the distance I was putting on the balls hit out of the infield. The bright green grass. The lights overhead. It was great. A few people were watching. Then the dream ended.
3. We're walking through the city. It's on the coast and there are others around, but it's not bustling. There are lots of little shops and cafes and eateries here. It seems busy but not crazy. There are trees and plants and flowers. It feels like somewhere exotic, Italy, Spain, perhaps the middle east or somewhere I've never been. It seems almost as though there is a small canal system and lots of little hills with shops perched on top. It's midday and I remember the sunlight being overhead but not overly harsh. I was with a female friend, maybe my sister? I don't quite remember. But we were moving hurriedly through the city. We wanted to browse but we had somewhere to be by a deadline. And so we went.
We must have gotten to where we were going because next thing I know, we're on a boat going for a tour of some coastal waterways. For whatever reason I remember hearing things about the Dead Sea. But the water is brown, dirty, bubbly, there is some trash, but also wildlife. We are in a big speedboat, we're wearing lifejackets and we have a guide named Samir telling us facts about these waterways over a loudspeaker. I remember wondering: "Is this really the Dead Sea?" We sped around and cruised around and all the while I am lost in thought. The sun was again overhead but this time it was harsh. I needed sunglasses and a squint to bear it. Next thing I know the boat tour is ending and we are back to shore.
Slowly we all make our way from the docks and into a waiting van. Our gear has already been loaded on. And now, familiar faces appear: Jordan from Sunriver is there with his girlfriend, and there are others but the specifics are hazy. We climb into the van and we start off. We must be rolling 10 deep, plus Samir. I remember seeing his off-white turban as he starts off down the track; guiding us and telling us stories all the while. His skin is tanned and he has salt and pepper stubble. I remember his accent. And he has a very specific route. He must have done this many times before. Each turn and alley we stop at a new spot and learn from local shop owners. Eventually we climb out and begin talking amongst ourselves. We joke that we've been planning on this trip to Yemen our entire lives. We begin talking about lack of cell service, and I joke that the only reason I bought service with this provider is because of its promised quality coverage, even in Yemen! Jordan and his girlfriend laugh at this. I remember wearing my camo hat. The sun is still overhead and harsh but it's beginning to get lower in the sky. We swoop around one more corner and get out again. Samir is on high alert for some reason and tells us to be vigilant: we are near the edge of the city. We talk with one last shop owner before heading back for the van. And this is when Samir tells us, "It's time for you to take out your rifles," and we all know what this means. We are heading out into the desert and there will be less protection. I am excited. I grab my camo hat and swap out my shoes for boots and grab my rifle. Slowly everyone gears up. I climb into the front seat. As the sun gets lower we all climb in. Headlights on. Engine rumbles to life. Samir swings the van around to the right and we head for the desert on the left.
Later on I am trying to explain to my sister where we went and which cities we visited. On a highly detailed app I am showing her the waterways and cities we were in, airports and airplanes and city streets. The app on my phone stops working and I feel frustrated. This is where the dream ends. I wake up.
I do not know how much time passes but next scene we are back lakeside and it is myself and two friends along with Kevins two boys (minus Forrest). Somehow we have discovered evidence that Kevin has been kidnapped and taken to this location. We are frantic. We find the manhole and mancover for the septic tank and frantically attempt to remove it. I just remember the smell (awful) and Kevin's boys pacing around somewhat nonchalantly. Regardless we manage to get the mancover off and slowly peel it away to reveal lots of darkness and a ladder. Shining flashlights down into the opening and again, battling more nasty aromas, we see a few colors: blue and red as we realize this to be the colors of Kevins shirt when he went missing. And all of a sudden, someone is moving around down there, and it's him! And so frantically, excitedly and hurriedly we holler down to him attempting to motivate him to climb out as none of us want to brave climbing down to him. Slowly but surely he climbs the ladder towards us and we pull him out only when he is within arms reach. He collapses on the grass near the lake. He is completely covered from head to toe in nasty sewage. Completely. What's more is that he tells us the sad news: that the other two haven't survived. He also brought some mementos back from his several day ordeal: a few wooden shards with writing on them, something to remember this experience by? I don't know. But regardless, I remember him either diving into the lake or heading off home to clean himself up.
Next thing I know is that we're in his kitchen, and we're celebrating. I wish I could remember the writing from the wooden shard but I cannot, it mentions something about pulled pork, and so that is what we eat to celebrate. I rememeber the mood being fairly upbeat and excited, we are all happy that Kevin survived. And this is it. End of dream.
2. We are at a park and we're attempting to play baseball. Unfortunately, after the transition towards normal post-covid life, everyone else is eager too. And despite the fact that there are 6 fields, we notice nearly all are currently occupied. We spot one far-off in the distance that looks free and so we make our way in that direction. Once we arrive we become overwhelmed with famiies and coaches and players and we are being swept up into the fray and told that the field has been reserved. Disappointed, we slowly walk off the field. As we walk towards town I turn to glance back only to see the teams lined up on 1st and 3rd base side for the national anthem.
We arrive to town and it feels like somehow we're in Sisters. Both streets are closed off for car traffic and it's a freeflow of pedestrians. The middle of the street has been widened and there is enough room for tables and other various services. I remember walking into a shop bent on finding a couple of gifts for Laura. Somehow I arrive to find just the perfect one, a miniature violin (a viola?) I don't know, but it was very small and delicate and I knew it's exactly what she needs for her place to display. And so Warren sells me this miniature violin and he follows us out to the middle of the street to deliver it and chat with us briefly. I thank him and taking the package we slowly walk away. He lingers for a bit too long, grinning widely as he walks back into the shop, somehow he seems bummed or jealous, I don't know, but I sensed a melancholy note. Regardless we are walking away back towards the ball fields. And Sisters is different. The two main streets are different. South of downtown has changed, the buildings have been knocked down and there is a clear view to the ball fields in the distance. As well, the vendors have taken over the middle of the street. As we walk through, they try and get us to buy things or ride on their rides. We decline and quickly pass through the flashing lights and cheap rides. On the walking path towards the fields I can't feel enough excitement with the purchase I've made. I just know that Laura will love the gifts. But then soon enough, we're parallel with the ball fields and the lights are on and fields empty. We cannot help ourselves and walk out onto the field and finally get our chance to play. My brother (who has been present all along) begins hitting first. I take the outfield (someone else is pitching) and we sprawl out. My brother is hitting deep. I remember huffing and puffing as I chase the balls. Finally it is my turn to hit. And I remember feeling proud of the distance I was putting on the balls hit out of the infield. The bright green grass. The lights overhead. It was great. A few people were watching. Then the dream ended.
3. We're walking through the city. It's on the coast and there are others around, but it's not bustling. There are lots of little shops and cafes and eateries here. It seems busy but not crazy. There are trees and plants and flowers. It feels like somewhere exotic, Italy, Spain, perhaps the middle east or somewhere I've never been. It seems almost as though there is a small canal system and lots of little hills with shops perched on top. It's midday and I remember the sunlight being overhead but not overly harsh. I was with a female friend, maybe my sister? I don't quite remember. But we were moving hurriedly through the city. We wanted to browse but we had somewhere to be by a deadline. And so we went.
We must have gotten to where we were going because next thing I know, we're on a boat going for a tour of some coastal waterways. For whatever reason I remember hearing things about the Dead Sea. But the water is brown, dirty, bubbly, there is some trash, but also wildlife. We are in a big speedboat, we're wearing lifejackets and we have a guide named Samir telling us facts about these waterways over a loudspeaker. I remember wondering: "Is this really the Dead Sea?" We sped around and cruised around and all the while I am lost in thought. The sun was again overhead but this time it was harsh. I needed sunglasses and a squint to bear it. Next thing I know the boat tour is ending and we are back to shore.
Slowly we all make our way from the docks and into a waiting van. Our gear has already been loaded on. And now, familiar faces appear: Jordan from Sunriver is there with his girlfriend, and there are others but the specifics are hazy. We climb into the van and we start off. We must be rolling 10 deep, plus Samir. I remember seeing his off-white turban as he starts off down the track; guiding us and telling us stories all the while. His skin is tanned and he has salt and pepper stubble. I remember his accent. And he has a very specific route. He must have done this many times before. Each turn and alley we stop at a new spot and learn from local shop owners. Eventually we climb out and begin talking amongst ourselves. We joke that we've been planning on this trip to Yemen our entire lives. We begin talking about lack of cell service, and I joke that the only reason I bought service with this provider is because of its promised quality coverage, even in Yemen! Jordan and his girlfriend laugh at this. I remember wearing my camo hat. The sun is still overhead and harsh but it's beginning to get lower in the sky. We swoop around one more corner and get out again. Samir is on high alert for some reason and tells us to be vigilant: we are near the edge of the city. We talk with one last shop owner before heading back for the van. And this is when Samir tells us, "It's time for you to take out your rifles," and we all know what this means. We are heading out into the desert and there will be less protection. I am excited. I grab my camo hat and swap out my shoes for boots and grab my rifle. Slowly everyone gears up. I climb into the front seat. As the sun gets lower we all climb in. Headlights on. Engine rumbles to life. Samir swings the van around to the right and we head for the desert on the left.
Later on I am trying to explain to my sister where we went and which cities we visited. On a highly detailed app I am showing her the waterways and cities we were in, airports and airplanes and city streets. The app on my phone stops working and I feel frustrated. This is where the dream ends. I wake up.