Last night I was besieged by a series of strange dreams, two of which I actually remember well.
In one, I recall being at a party in a large apartment flat. There were lots of people on many floors, but for some reason the party didn’t feel at all crowded. Perhaps it was early in the evening and just getting started.
I made my way around, gently acknowledging people, all strangers, as I explored the flat. In the frontmost room there were large banks of windows that overlooked the street. I thought it reminiscent of my surrogate grandmother’s apartment—it was familiar in a way, but not the same. In the room was a series of oversized curved leather couches—probably four or five of them—each of which I sat on for a few seconds. I remember feeling like someone was going to kiss me, but there were no people in the immediate room, only the voices and sounds of the party from other rooms.
As I sat pondering kissing—envisioning lips and tongues engaged and entwined—I recognized a voice coming from another room, but I couldn’t place it. Perplexed, I investigated and found a couple singing the John Denver song “Country Roads.” As if that were not enough, the woman of the couple was dragging the man by grabbing the shoulders of his sweater and sliding him along
the floor. He was barely mouthing the words to the song and she sang in a quivering, teary voice. They both looked up at me with a look of terror but continued dragging and singing.
Sensing that something was wrong, I asked the woman if she needed help and she nodded yes. I realized that the man appeared to be choking so I stood him up and performed the Heimlich maneuver on him. Twice. On the second thrust a large chunk of unmasticated seafood, followed by a yellow liquid ejected from his mouth. He coughed a bit, turned around and looked at me blankly.
In one, I recall being at a party in a large apartment flat. There were lots of people on many floors, but for some reason the party didn’t feel at all crowded. Perhaps it was early in the evening and just getting started.
I made my way around, gently acknowledging people, all strangers, as I explored the flat. In the frontmost room there were large banks of windows that overlooked the street. I thought it reminiscent of my surrogate grandmother’s apartment—it was familiar in a way, but not the same. In the room was a series of oversized curved leather couches—probably four or five of them—each of which I sat on for a few seconds. I remember feeling like someone was going to kiss me, but there were no people in the immediate room, only the voices and sounds of the party from other rooms.
As I sat pondering kissing—envisioning lips and tongues engaged and entwined—I recognized a voice coming from another room, but I couldn’t place it. Perplexed, I investigated and found a couple singing the John Denver song “Country Roads.” As if that were not enough, the woman of the couple was dragging the man by grabbing the shoulders of his sweater and sliding him along
the floor. He was barely mouthing the words to the song and she sang in a quivering, teary voice. They both looked up at me with a look of terror but continued dragging and singing.Sensing that something was wrong, I asked the woman if she needed help and she nodded yes. I realized that the man appeared to be choking so I stood him up and performed the Heimlich maneuver on him. Twice. On the second thrust a large chunk of unmasticated seafood, followed by a yellow liquid ejected from his mouth. He coughed a bit, turned around and looked at me blankly.
At this point of the dream, I awoke, scratched my head for a second and went to the bathroom to relieve myself.
***
I’ve always been fascinated by dreams. There seems to be many schools of thought on the functions and meanings of dreams. At one extreme, some scientists explain the existence of dreams as the mind merely keeping itself active while the body rests. At the other end of the spectrum, psychologist see dreams as portals to the unconscious psychic self…revelations of deep personal meaning.
I’m not sure who’s right, but I think even wacky stories can teach us valuable lessons and here are a few I’ve gleaned from this particular dream:
1. If you find yourself inclined to kiss someone at a party, hang out in a room with other people. Even better, hang out near someone who might want to kiss you back. Also, it’s the holidays—mistletoe can’t hurt!
2. If someone you’re with starts choking, having them sing songs will not help the situation, no matter how much said song may remind him or her of home.
3. If you must start a sing-along while someone is choking, at least select an artist whose life didn’t come to a tragic end—adding such darkness will only compound the chokee’s anxiety.
4. Learn the Heimlich maneuver, it saves lives. It’s so easy even I can do it—and have…twice!
5. Eating large quantities of Lucky Charms just before bed may stimulate odd dreams.
6. Chew your food well.
7. Be wary of people who try the Heimlich maneuver on you when you are not chocking. They may be trying to kiss you…or something.
8. If someone saves your life with the Heimlich maneuver, thank them for it.
***
I’ve always been fascinated by dreams. There seems to be many schools of thought on the functions and meanings of dreams. At one extreme, some scientists explain the existence of dreams as the mind merely keeping itself active while the body rests. At the other end of the spectrum, psychologist see dreams as portals to the unconscious psychic self…revelations of deep personal meaning.
I’m not sure who’s right, but I think even wacky stories can teach us valuable lessons and here are a few I’ve gleaned from this particular dream:
1. If you find yourself inclined to kiss someone at a party, hang out in a room with other people. Even better, hang out near someone who might want to kiss you back. Also, it’s the holidays—mistletoe can’t hurt!
2. If someone you’re with starts choking, having them sing songs will not help the situation, no matter how much said song may remind him or her of home.
3. If you must start a sing-along while someone is choking, at least select an artist whose life didn’t come to a tragic end—adding such darkness will only compound the chokee’s anxiety.
4. Learn the Heimlich maneuver, it saves lives. It’s so easy even I can do it—and have…twice!
5. Eating large quantities of Lucky Charms just before bed may stimulate odd dreams.
6. Chew your food well.
7. Be wary of people who try the Heimlich maneuver on you when you are not chocking. They may be trying to kiss you…or something.
8. If someone saves your life with the Heimlich maneuver, thank them for it.
1 comment:
For what it's worth, I would like to kiss you AND give you the heimlick.
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