Napmares

Mare 1-

Im in Isla Vista, a strange combination of all the houses I lived in during my tour. There are several dudes, none identifiable. There is a mentally disabled young man that seems to be an amalgamation of all the handicapped people I see at UCLA med center. Im eating kettle chips when I notice they are harder than normal, upon investigation I find that I have begun to masticate my own teeth. I get a strong taste of iron, the blood mixing with teeth chunks. Panic strikes, it is palpable, but my dream self seems cool as a cucumber. I remove a canine and gaze at it calmly as it sits cracked and bloody in my hand. The dudes pay no attention, and the disabled boy only babels and is no help. I put the tooth back into the socket and try to eat more Kettle Chips. It's not working, I feel panicked, helpless, overwhelmed with frustration. The teeth keep breaking and for some reason I keep chewing, unable to control my own body. Things get fuzzy, in the real world a motorcycle peels out from the stop sign in front of my house. I wake up fully and realize Im soaked with sweat and my heart is pounding. All my teeth are intact.

For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to go back to sleep.....

Mare 2

Im in Santa Barbara, my brothers dog Ozzie riding shotgun in my truck. The road twists and turns through majestic oaks and lavish estates. The trees open up and the landscape of the 154 unfolds in front of me, something is off. It's the structures. Reminiscent of Tecate, Mexico where I journeyed once in my youth. The estates have been replaced with trailers and shacks, the oak trees and lush foliage with barb wire and plastic bags. I decide to turn around. Pulling into the first drive way I see I'm met with the barking of several desert dogs and a rundown old trailer. Images of dusty old women with wrinkled faces and permanent frowns peering out from sun bleached curtains enter my head. Im in San Francisco, Ozzie has been replaced by my long time surfing/mischief buddy David. We complete the U turn that began in the hills of Santa Barbara/Tecate and just as I crest the the steep driveway I realize I have run over large plastic sheets of nails glued down to the road, perfectly spaced to inflict maximum deflation to my tires. Its night time. I get out and the city is buzzing with activity. A drunk man laughs at me hysterically and runs into a near by house, leading me to believe I am the victim of his well placed trap. Hookers with long legs walk down an alley. David and I make it to the house party that was apparently our original destination. Inside I see typical house party shenanigans, bongs and beers and drunk girls. Im trying to get to a phone, trying to explain that my vehicle has been immobilized and that its really quite important I remedy that situation. David is no help, instantly intoxicated as the rest of the party goers, he disappears into the subconscious haze. Im stuck in a room thick with smoke and stereotypes, I must escape. I climb out onto a ledge, seeking the open window only a few yards away, for some reason the ledge is slippery with ice and glass. Im walking back to my truck, which is parked somewhere. I search endlessly, frustrated beyond all reasonable limits. I run into a patient from work. She is on her way to a Save Ferris concert at the Fillmore/Bimbo's/ every venue I have ever been too. She does not know where my car is. I cant shake the image of the homemade tire spikes and that smug son-of-a-bitch laughing at me. I decline an invitation to the concert. Im fighting the smug son-of-a-bitch with a bat. My blows land with full force. He is pulp. I wake up sweating and in a daze. It takes me a minute to realize I was dreaming.

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These were two of the most intensely vivid and realistic dreams/nightmares I can recall having. Like most dreams there seems to be no reason or rhyme as to why things happen. Though all the elements are things I have previously experienced (minus the beating someone with a bat) they combined into a very weird and wild world. The only commonalities being an overwhelming sense of frustration and lack of control. I will not be taking afternoon naps again anytime soon