The land of dreams

Just how long do dreams last, apart from the whole of one's life? Do they have any purpose? Perhaps what I am now offering will prove a delight to the psycho-analysts! An exercise in vulnerability perhaps.

Last night, retired to bed at 11.00pm but, was then laying awake until at least 1.ooam. Sometime between 1.00 and 2.00 I must have been asleep because I awoke from a dream shortly after 2.00am. In this dream, I'd paid several visits to a large chapel where, the minister was well known to me. The chapel wasn't particularly well attended, (that bit I presume was quite true to life!), and the cleric seemed to have a personal word for everyone in his address but, when it came to me ... nothing .. (that certainly seemed quite normal).

After the service, his reverend self took yours truly aside; I sensed this was some kind of special commission. Next time I turned up at the chapel, I found myself directed to the vestry door and a different minister pointed me to another door; I felt like telling him I was only there to read the meter but, instead I followed his command.

Somehow this door led me into the back of the balcony. The hall was full to bursting and I was passed over the heads of the assembled throng. That's when the panic struck but, by this time, all eyes in the building were focussed on me ... I started to run ...

Next thing I know, I'm wide awake and it's shortly after 2.00am. By 3.15am arrived, I'd given up on thoughts of getting back to sleep so I went downstairs to get a bite to eat. Returned to bed about 3.45 and slept until, I was vaguely aware of the better half making herself an early morning cup of tea.

The next I knew, I was at some sort of college and, found myself roped in to a dramatic production, to play some sort of sinister Beckettsian clown type figure! Called in to see my parents in some war-stricken village and, Mum said how proud she was that I'd been honoured, or at least trusted, in this role.

It was time to head back to the college so, small suitcase in hand, I headed off to do my duty. This is when I began to get lost but, several hours later I found the college. A general buzz of excitement was in the air, the only problem was that I couldn't find the dressing room. Perhaps this wasn't too major a problem as I had already donned some grossly oversize trousers en route. This was the moment to panic ... "I don't know the lines" was the refrain that kept echoing through the corridors so ... I ran.

This is the point when I got lost in the surrounding countryside but, not yet total panic. Turn a corner and a large petrol tanker is heading towards me; "this must be a punishment for chickening out" was the thought reverberating through my head. The tanker drew closer then, it suddenly swerved, veered over a cliff into a large sea loch ...

My wife entered the room, this bit was for real ... the dream was over. Do dreams ever have a resolution? How long does a dream last?

Preparing For Changes

Well, we've had the first plumber in, to estimate for a re-vamping of our bathroom and, we are impressed with his down-to-earth suggestions! [By the phrase "down-to-earth" I did not intend to imply ridding ourselves of a WC!] I've a feeling we will be sticking to a shower in a bath, as per current arrangements and, perhaps later on, we'll have a shower cubicle in one of the bedrooms which currently has a washbasin fitted.

The major change will be the shifting of the wash basins position, installation of an extractor fan and, perhaps, re-boarding of a currently problematic ceiling. The plumbing to the shower will, this time be concealed. I am anxious to see the changes but, not looking forward to the necessary disruption. My current state of health makes it difficult to cope with any changes but, with a little faith and perseverance, I'm sure we'll get by.

Two more plumbers will be calling round later in the week and, I'm just a little curious as to any suggestions they may have.

Thumbs Up!

A bruised and sprained thumb did little to affect my reputation for wonderful cuisine! A simple tuna pasta, instinctively spiced and herbed, provided a most satisfying repast.

And what of the abnormal thumb; I have no idea where/when the injury was sustained and, I'm trusting the discomfort will disappear as swiftly as it emerged last evening. One lesson I have learned, in this short time, is just how versatile (in synchronicity with other digits) this thickened and shortened finger is!

Feeding Time

Having contributed, in the past hour, to Heterocon's rant "Can there be smoke without fire", I feel surprisingly calm and at peace with my world.

Just popped out to the garden, to feed the fish, which brought about the usual flurry of activity in the pond and, am currently contemplating the preparation of a meal for my beloved and myself. Hopefully, our response to the meal will not produce such frenetic activity.

How fortunate and privileged we are to 'know' where our next meal is coming from!

Escapist Delights

Two evenings running my beloved and I have revelled in a bit of pure escapism. Last night we watched, and recorded to DVD, "The Mask Of Zorro" for some quite captivating buckling of swashes. Tonight it was the turn of "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" which, despite the gratuitous violence, is redeemed by the pure unreality of a tale excitingly told.

Tonight's viewing was accompanied by an appropriate, typically Oz, wine. Very gluggable but, totally upfront in both fruit and oak - 'Penfolds Winemakers Selection Chardonnay, 2004'. If subtlety is what you seek, neither the wine nor the film are to be recommended; it so happens that, on this occasion we enjoyed both!

Of Exercise, Sleeping and Eating

My mid-morning awakening led to the saga of the mysterious intruder, recorded by Heterocon but, since that time, there have been no major incidents to report. Fish-feeding routines, at both the garden pond and the aquarium, have been efficiently performed and, shortly before five pm, I even managed to get out for a (not so) brief, (not so) brisk, walk around some of the more tree-lined roads and avenues! The combination of sunshine and breeze was just about right for me and, didn't interfere unduly with my hypersensitive eyes.

Shortly after the return home, old Morpheus really held me in his thrall; a shock awakening, actioned by my beloved, signified it was almost time for dinner. An almost vindaloo heat minced beef Rogan Josh variant, prepared by yours truly on Saturday evening, went down bootifully with new potatoes, broccoli and leeks. Yesterday, we'd had the traditional saffron rice but, these days, I'm equally happy with pasta accompaniment. 'Tis the quality that counts!

An attempt to overwhelm tiredness

This afternoon's short walk proved quite enjoyable but, I was certainly ready to slump down on return; that's what ten minutes gentle exercise does for one! Subsequently began to feel extremely tired, in spite of interesting company.It's been rather a weekend for entertaining! This afternoon, Phyllis a friend from Helen's schooldays has called in with her son Sharif.

In order to prevent myself falling asleep, as if I hadn't already had enough, Helen suggested I pick up the laptop and, that is why you are being confronted with a further brief report on my day so far. My eyes are suffering from (an imagined) sleep deprivation so, that's it for now!

Ah! ... that's a refreshing change

Awoke, for the second time, at around 10.15 am but, after a further snooze and relaxation, finally plucked up the courage to disengage myself from bed around the time that Helen returned from her second visit to chapel at 11.40. I must admit to feeling quite refreshed today and, I've actually managed a bbw this afternoon. I'm certainly feeling much more alert than I did at the corresponding time yesterday.

Before my venture into the bed-free domain, I enjoyed playing around with Photo Story 3, creating the odd mini-video on my laptop. Oh what a life of luxury I lead.

A Visit from Ruby

It's amazing how much better Ruby's visit made me feel; she certainly is an absolute charmer. Unfortunately we didn't get to meet her mummy on this occasion, as she hasn't been feeling too well. In fact Ruby herself had been a bit off colour this morning so we (Helen & myself) were extra-pleased to meet her in the flesh and, to take our own snaps to add to the digital Ruby collection.

I also discovered that Ruby doesn't particularly like men, at least I'm not the first of my gender to have this young female crying on my shoulder. We also were pleased to meet Anne, Ruby's maternal grandma; a real family occasion.

Not One Of My Better Days

Well, I managed to force myself out of bed a little bit earlier and, I haven't felt right since! Afraid it's one of my "pale" days; if I was a dog my nose would be dry and my tail down between my legs. Ruby's visit has been postponed until a bit later in the day, she's sound asleep at the hotel at present; perhaps the delay is a godsend, as I may feel a little more awake when the visitors arrive than would have been the case earlier.

Popped into town to settle a credit card bill this morning but HSBC, with whom I have an account, have no human counter-presence on a Saturday and, Halifax, with whom we also have accounts and, which is part of the same banking group (Halifax Bank Of Scotland) as my credit card company (Bank Of Scotland) don't accept these payments. Got to admit, I voted against their becoming a bank but, it seems that as a bank they're far from fully fledged!

The certain fact is that none of the banks give a toss about their customers, their one aim in life is to pay their directors exorbitant salaries!