1 year ago
Monday, January 25, 2016
THAT WAS WEIRD
"I had a dream"and not a prophetic one like Martin Luther King. Mine was the kind that makes you cringe when your spouse, friend or co-worker springs those 4 words on you. You really don't want to hear the details and certainly won't get the same response as the teller got. However, just like those friends and co-workers, I am hitting you with my dream anyway.
I dreamed that I went to sleep an old white woman and woke up a partially bald, weasel faced, squinty eyed, middle aged black man with a huge nose and facial hair. Huh??
I was a bit pleased that I was middle aged and was assuming the whiskered face was male though I really did not check below my belt to see if I had sprouted any "junk". However with that face, I could only hope I was male.
The mirror fascinated and horrified me. Dang, I was ugly. If I had to turn into a black man, why not a Taye Diggs type?? I fingered my goatee and knew I needed help but doubted even my beautician would know what to do with me to make things better. This would require extensive surgery.
Then the day to day adjustments I was facing also hit me. Will I remember to pick the right restroom and will I remember to stand when peeing?? At least I was pretty sure I'd remember to put the toilet seat down.
However as I studied my new black face. I suddenly felt paranoia consuming me. News headlines flashed through my head. Now even simple things like traffic stops took on a whole new dimension. Will I be suspiciously watched while shopping?? Will I be able to handle the stares and barely concealed hate of the prejudiced?? I felt actual fear and did not like it.
I was thinking of all the drastic changes I was facing when thankfully I woke up. I wasn't reassured however till my mirror revealed my old wrinkly white lady face with bed hair staring back at me. Phew. Somehow I didn't look so bad anymore.
This wacky dream did have an origin however and was not just a bad reaction to the many drugs I am taking. I had just finished reading the novel "Ridiculous" by D.L. Carter before going to sleep.
In this book, set during the 1800's in England, the heroine assumes the identity of her deceased, wealthy, male cousin in order to provide for her impoverished mother and two sisters. It is an amusing novel with a clever premise but I must warn you, it can give you nightmares. Combine that story with recent headlines and a strange dream was born.
Ever have a book or movie take over your nighttime dreams? Did it bring joy, amusement or fear?
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That dream was sadly grounded in reality and that's what made it so terrifying. I think one of my scariest dreams was when I dreamed that my husband was a voracious vampire. Worst was that I couldn't wake him up to reassure me because he was, well, a vampire!
ReplyDeleteMarty,
DeleteTrue, seldom do dreams scare me. The fear I felt was so real.
Ha ha, a vampire husband?? Most teens would call that a good thing.
Funny you should ask. The other night I dreamed Ron's unknown and illegitimate son Blaine and grandson Rupert showed up unexpectedly. Ron was not as happy to see his son as he was to see his grandson Rupert. Ron had to leave for a few days and his son and grandson also left. A short time later I was attempting to save my chickens from the flood waters. I sprinkled food but in order for them to get to the food. They had to try to ford a running Creek. In my effort to help them cross the water and come up through the back alley toward our house I saw a couple walking by to see what was going on. They were friends of Blaine's and received a long letter from him with concern about his father. He was also very interested in an old car that Ron owned and had said would be for the grandson Rupert. I discussed with these people my concern about Blaine and his possessiveness of Ron and that I felt like he was trying to ruin our marriage. While I was talking Blaine and Rupert came in with Rons suitcases and and were returning him from the airport. I went to run to give Ron a hug and a kiss and he would have nothing to do with me. THE END Well, you asked. I think it brought me joy, amusement and fear.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteMercy,all that drama and you even threw in some chickens. You did cover all the bases and emotions. Bet you were tried when you woke up.
Glad you got out of THAT dream. Yes, I've had dreams from books and movies I've seen. Nothing quite that dramatic, and I don't seem to have any pop into my mind right now, but yes. I love that wrinkly old white lady. :-)
ReplyDeleteAww thank you.
DeleteYep, I was really glad to wake up. Sometimes I am sorry to leave my dream world but not that one.
I have confidence if you were stuck in that dream, you would have done well. A good heart knows no color.
ReplyDeleteGail,
DeleteHow sweet of you to say. You may have more confidence in me than I have.
Gracious I feel deprived. I'm sure I dream but it's very seldom I remember them. I think some people dream in color, I do not. Apparently I miss a lot by not dreaming. Wonder what that says about me.
ReplyDeleteWell the good thing is that you don't have bad dreams or at least don't remember them. That is a plus. I thought everyone dreamed in color. Interesting.
DeleteI had a terrible dream after seeing the movie "Deep Blue Sea" where I was killed by sharks. I was shocked! I thought you couldn't die in a dream. Once i was eaten I didn't know what to do and finally woke up.
ReplyDeleteHoly Moly. I am with you. I didn't think we could die in a dream. That is plum scary.
DeleteLast night I dreamed I was a skeleton and was pulled over by the police. I never saw the cop, but I did see the blue lights flashing behind me. I was worried that I'd lost an earring only to reach up and realize that I had no ears. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to hear the judge when I went to court. When I woke up I laid in the bed for a while trying to figure out where that came from. I still have no idea.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
DeleteWow, those are the kind of dreams where we lie there for a while being really grateful to be awake.
Thank God you can still speed through stop lights and shop lift without being followed.
ReplyDeleteInteresting dream for sure.
Joeh,
DeleteAnd not worry about being worked over or shot. Well that could still happen but my chances are better as an old white lady:))
I dream a lot and occasionally I call out and my husband has to wake me. Sometimes, I'm dreaming and realize that it's a dream and I'm awakening, so I try and go back into the dream state by making up a scene when I'm partly awake. Last night, I was an assistant to Peyton Manning but morning came before I could fully understand what my duties were.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteI can direct my dreams sometimes also. Love Peyton Manning. That would be a dream I'd have been sorry to wake up from.
That was quite a dream sweet Patti. At least you know where the dream came from. I have weird dreams and never know where they came from. The other night I dreamed I walked through the front door of a lady's home unannounced walked to the backdoor and out. I saw the lady sitting at a desk looking at me but she never spoke. Later I met up with her on the street a ways down from her home. She asked me if I was lost. I told her I was looking for the mental hospital. She told me it was way over on the other side of town. Really don't don't know what to make of that...or if I should be worried or not. :)
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
DeleteConsidering what you have been through as a caregiver, I think you are fine but maybe a bit tired and looking for some rest. I don't worry about dreams or else I would be worried that perhaps I am wishing I were an ugly black man:))
You made me laugh sweet Patti....thanks for that. Hugs
DeleteThat is quite a dream. I don't remember ever having one like it where I became someone else. Dreams can have quite a visceral impact, like this one.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteYou are right. Generally I just wake up and think that was interesting night. This one made me think.
Wooooo---what a dream you had. Maybe it was more of a NIGHTMARE.....AND---did you know that dreams 'can' come true????? ha ha ....
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteHa ha that is a scary thought. I'd be 30 years younger but soooo ugly. Hum.
Once, for about a week, I dreamed that my toes were falling of. No pain, no blood--but eventually no toes!!
ReplyDeleteFran,
DeleteGoodness, you and Lisa with the missing body parts. It would mean you could get a smaller shoe size though but sandals might be out.
What an interesting dream experience.
ReplyDeleteI really don't have story dreams. Mine are mostly just snatches of frustration dreams.
Linda R,
DeleteOh, so sorry you don't have stories. It is like living two lives.
Sometimes those frustration dreams are good as they provide a safety valve.
I very seldom dream, and never really remember the ones I do have. Usually when my head hits the pillow I'm out.
ReplyDeleteBrighid,
DeleteAh---I envy those those who sleep easily and long but I do love my dreams--mostly.
I never have had a dream like that....! Your dream was fascinating! I have had some strange dreams, though none come to my mind at the moment......Dreams can be so very powerful, can't they? Yours certainly was.....! It would be very very interesting to actually become a different person for a day---male, black, whatever.....To actually live through the kinds of things people of color live through every moment of their day, every day of their life---Lots of lessons to be learned from that, I think.
ReplyDeleteNaomi,
DeleteYou are so right and perhaps if we could we would understand each other, realize we are more alike than not .
For one thing, you're not that old wrinkly white woman. You must be thinking of someone else. :)
ReplyDeleteHa ha, wish it weren't true Manzi but sadly it is. That's Ok, I'm use to her:))
DeleteAlways disappointed I'm not a dreamer. Now I'm not so sure...:)
ReplyDeleteTB
DeleteSo sorry you aren't a dreamer for most often they are fun. Sometimes they can be scary.
I wish all white people would dream they were a black man, at least once in their lives.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteToo bad there isn't a pill we could make everyone take to experience that so they would understand and not hate those who are different.
That was an interesting dream. I am sometimes deeply troubled by dreams, but I don't usually link the dream to what I am reading. Usually it is a result of life issues which I am working out.
ReplyDeleteSally,
DeleteI get those too. I much prefer the fun ones.
I have had one constant dream since a child. It has to do with being in water (can be a pool, the ocean or whatever) and I am trying very desperately to get to the edge (shore or side of pool, etc.) and can never make it. I always wake feeling very frustrated !
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
DeleteThat sounds like a rather unpleasant night.
I have to be very careful about what I read before bed because it often triggers my dreams. So only light reading for me. I often awaken during a particularly frightening dream by telling myself to quit being so scared, that it's only a dream.
ReplyDeleteNCMountainwoman,
DeleteKnow what you mean. Last night I was reading about the Holocaust. That was not a fun dream.
I had weird dreams earlier this week. It must be the stars:)
ReplyDeleteRick your latest follower.
Rick,
DeleteWelcome to TNS. You might be right.