I took a trip …

It started with a sugar cube and nearly twenty minutes later I was on my way. Waves of euphoria and laughter washed over me like a constant rising of the tides. The walls, floors, and everything in between began to move, breathe, and pulsate with energy. I decided to go out on my bike and see what the world had to show me. I rode fast and free down my city streets and through familiar places while seeing everything as if for the first time. Sounds were extraordinary and coming from elements I would not normally have been aware of like passing conversations from people on the street, a slip of music from someone’s car or window, crickets, the wind. I rode down to the river and to the top of the Eau Gallie causeway where I was delightfully assaulted by a swarm of swerving sparrows flying under the bridge. Their calls took my breath away and their dashing and darting mesmerized me. The lights of the city, on the water, and in the sky were overwhelming. I stood entranced and wondered what people driving past thought I was up to or seeing. I saw an abandoned bike on the causeway and feared someone who had been hit left it. It disturbed me so much that instead of continuing to the ocean, I turned back toward home. Zooming down the causeway like the first drop on a roller coaster felt as if I might take off at any moment. The ground and the air around it all seemed to bleed into a collage of colors and altered forms. I could see the faeries everywhere. Their gnarled forms lurking out of the trees and bushes, absorbed in the shadows, but released in my heightened sight. I rode back toward home but lost my way. The familiar became foreign and direction lost its meaning. I wasn’t afraid. I just kept going. I stopped to text my friend Joe about the experience and was temporarily hypnotized by the lights coming from my cell phone. I had to resist the impulse to ride my bike carelessly through the streets heedless to traffic. Somehow, I returned to my own neighborhood but still couldn’t find my own apartment. The street names were familiar but I still couldn’t make out directions. Eventually I found my way and went in for some much needed water and food. I slowly came back through late night TV. It seemed cold and I crashed under covers and blankets.

Disturbing Dream

I had one of those very detailed and seemingly real kind of dreams. Following is an account of the dream as it unfolded.

I'm living in an unknown city, but it's something like a cross between Chicago and Boston. The weather is pleasant, so it must be late summer or early spring. I've just acquired the most amazing apartment in a doorman-type building. The apartment is bigger than anything I've ever had or seen. The rooms seem to go on and on and I feel as though there are areas in the apartment that I haven't seen yet. Also, the unit is furnished with the previous tenant's stuff but I'm really into their tastes, lots of unique and antique pieces mixed together. There are wood floors throughout, many windows with park views, and at least two balconies. It has separate living and dining rooms, more than one bedroom, and long, wide halls.

My niece, Heather, comes for a visit and after showing her around the place, we decide to take a nap. We curl up rather close, practically spooning, on my bed which sits by a window. She falls into a deep sleep but I'm restless and stare out the window for awhile. I notice it has become very warm and get up to check the thermostat. It's been raised to 73 and I assume my niece raised it, but I lower it to 70.

I begin to wonder around the apartment, marveling at the array of furniture and space. I can't believe I live there. Suddenly, I hear a noise coming from the back stairs and head toward the kitchen. A group of 10-15 girls are coming up the stairs and come in my back door. I recognize my former neighbors Jennie and Aim as well as friends of Jennie's like Marf, Tina, and Summer. They're surprised to see me there because they thought the unit was vacant. They've come to have a party and continue to do so even though it is now my apartment. They set up, lay out food and drinks, and put on music. They fall into various conversation groups around the apartment. I walk around wondering at their tenacity and make sure they don't damage anything. After awhile, they decide to leave but don't bother to clean up after themselves. I watch them go out the door and feel relieved once the quiet has returned.

I place a call to my friend Christina and leave a message apologizing for not keeping in touch better. After I hang up, I begin to wonder around again and it dawns on me that I have no idea what the rent is, nor did I pay any security or first months rent. What's more, I'm not even sure I can afford the place.

Good Looking, Dirty, Boston Shoes

"Bye Bye" Boston Shoes

Farewell My Boston Shoes

I'm one of those people who wear a pair of shoes till they are completely worn out. Recently, I began a job that required me to be on my feet all the time and it's a messy job to boot (punny). So, I rummaged in my closet for my most rugged pair of shoes and decided on my Boston shoes. What are Boston Shoes? Well, the shoes themselves were Merrills (pictured above) but I came to call them my Boston shoes because they came to me in that intellectual city of the northeast. I was visiting my friend Jennie and we were touring the city in March. The streets were covered in old snow, ice and rain. I remember we had been walking around for awhile, checking out the lay of downtown, the park, and some of the old cemeteries when I realized my feet were not only cold but soaked through as well. Of course, the shoes I was wearing were another pair that I had worn out and the lining had holes I wasn't even aware of. Jennie's girlfriend, Natalie, was with us that day and I think I turned to her at one point to ask if her feet were as cold as mine. Then I asked where the closest shoe store might be. We decided to venture over to Filene's where one of Jennie's landlords worked. Ray, I think. Ray said the store didn't have much but that there was a DSW across the street, so, after browsing what little Filene's did have, we went over to DSW. I tried to be quick and efficient about it but I'm a miserable shopper. I pretty much feel compelled to look at everything before making any kind of decision. Also, I buy shoes so rarely that I have trouble locating the correct size. I'm still not entirely sure what size I wear, somewhere between a 10 and 1/2 to an 11, only there isn't a 10 and 3/4 available. Anyway, it took me so long and I remember seeking out the girls to apologize for taking so long, even though they said it was no big deal, I know they wanted to get moving. Well, I finally settled on the Merrills and had to buy a pair of socks as well because mine were soaking wet. I went through the checkout line and then squished over to the closest garbage can where I dumped my old shoes and socks and replaced them with the new ones. Later, I was so astonished by the difference that I kept remarking to Natalie how much better I felt. I don't know what she thought of me. I also left a pair of underwear at her apartment (don't ask, there's no story here). Talk about embarrassing! Anyway, those shoes lasted almost three years and probably would have lasted longer if it weren't for the rigors of printing and the stress it put upon my ill-fated Boston shoes.