Inside a smaller sports arena or concert hall. Along the sides are an intricate design of ledges and ladders. It's understood that a person can climb around them and eventually make it to the top of the building. But you can't just climb straight up; you have to go in a counter-clockwise direction. The distances between each ledge are built in such a way that a human being can just barely reach. I spend the majority of my dream time exploring the ledges and trying to make it to the top level. Along the way I meet people. Meanwhile, there's some sort of concert going on in the center of the arena. I see familiar faces. Everything I have to climb over and all the things I find are very detailed. I pick up a magazine and intentionally stare at the pages. The words in my peripheral are blurry but then suddenly become clear when I direct my sights on them. And the sentences kind of make sense. I pick up a throw pillow that resembles a baby's face and try to drop it into the audience. Some girl freaks out and starts yelling at me – it appears to be Lauren Lowery.
...
I might've woken up a few times but when I go back to sleep I'm still there making my way around the ledges and get higher and higher. I find doors that lead to rooms where an old man lives. Then, doors that lead to an apartment where a family lives. In one of the bedrooms there are two teenage girls, sisters I believe. I hide under the blankets with one of them and pretend to be sleeping so the other family members don't notice me. The situation gets old so I leave. Peeping over the ledge. The concert is still going on.
I wait until a song is over and yell as loud as I can, "It's all a lie!"
Some of the workers for the arena notice the commotion and start chasing after me. I find a staircase that leads to a factory roof. Walking carefully along the plywood. I realize now that I've actually gone as high as I can and so I've accomplished my goal. I can wake up now.
▬ ○ ☼
Waking up at 10:40 a.m.
Ana and I make breakfast. My dad comes over to enjoy Blueberry Pancakes and Coffee with us. I was hoping my mom would be here but she's at church.
"Man, these pancakes are hearty! Delicious but heavy," I exclaim.
Later on, my dad tags along with me and experiences a "day in the life of". Stopping at Taylor's Do-it for a dish wand. Stopping by Soul Haven studios to record some vocal tracks with Nigel, Kevin, Jimmy, and others. Then, to Guitar Center to pin up some flyers and shop around. Then, to Trader Joe's. My dad's never been to one and we wanted to say hi to Ana. Then, to a pizza place called Your Pie. Solid personal pizzas to go.
[i]
At the house enjoying our Pizza and Salad together to the soundtrack of Lightnin' Hopkins. It's been a nice afternoon hanging with my dad. He pulls out a check with a significant number on it to give me as an early birthday present. I can tell it means a lot to him to be able to give me something like this. He was never the kind of dad that just gave you money and that's it. He's always made an effort to spend time with me and raise me as his own growing up. I know he cares. And I'm grateful that even though I had divorced parents they both loved me.
ELO rehearsal.
Back home. Bean Chili with Bamboo Rice, Kale, and Carrots.
Working on creating a website for Music Makers using Squarespace.
Sleep 2:30 a.m.
[i] Images by me.
