Forced Perspective

She was a friend from years ago and she stood in the middle the street, in what was supposed to be New York City.  I immediately knew that it was a fanciful representation, for down the street was the beginning of Chinatown, with its crowded sidewalks and street-level vendors.  In the opposite direction (in plain view) was the New York Public Library, lions and all.  Only this time, the surrounding park was missing; indeed, the lions and steps themselves were made of gold, bathed in light, and inviting readers to take part in the truly Royal Act of Reading.

I rarely remember my dreams.

The last two days I have been traveling.  Two separate trips took me to see family on one day, while the other carried one child to a computer camp.  Regarding the latter, I left quickly when I saw my kid blend in with the small herd of Steve Urkels, Jimmy Neutronses and Poindexters.  As much as we wish to hold onto our youth, playtime is for the kids...

Still, my waking dream was fun.  My friend from school was eating an ice cream cone in the middle of the street (which had been closed by the police; a parade had just passed).  I ascended into a restaurant / bar that was built on a series of platforms that slopped upward.  My friend followed and had changed into yet another friend (a guy) from another school and he was now drunk.

I drank a soda (even in my dreams I am a teetotaller).  Along the wall, behind the bartender and running down to the street was a projection screen that showed graphics from old Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship albums, which were animated like sprites on a computer screen.  I mused over the construction of the sloping bar, the ceiling of which now resembled the underside my roof, up in my attic.  With one last bit of insight, I figured that the city and bar were built in forced perspective, a trick used by designers to give the illusion of length, height, depth, distance, etc.

This year I didn't go to any reunions.  I didn't think it would matter, nor did I think I would miss the city of my youth.

Sometimes our dreams force us to see what is truly on our minds and in our hearts.

Always B. Positive!