Dreaming and Dreams

[John Blair]

Hi I'm new to dream central, and I probably would have never signed up if I hadn't had the dream I did last night. Before I go into that, I think I need to talk about How I dream (besides this will allow me to ask two questions at once).

My dreams are set in a world, like in a novel, that has its own rules, culture, politics, time line, and characters. I won't go in to details, as it would be quite lengthy, but I will make note of the important features of this dreamworld.

1. Time, in the dream world, goes by rapidly while I'm awake. So years will have passed by the time I re-enter the dreamworld.

2. Some characters, are immortal, and reoccurring. I know most their names.

3. I never dream about real places or people.

4. When I dream I am aware, and in control. This gives me supernatural (or natural since it IS a dream) abilities. Flight, teleportation, strength, speed.

5. The world is dynamic. For example, a few cities that were new when I was 12 are now ruins (as thousands of years have passed), and new cities have been built.

Ok, you've got the basics. On to the dream that has bothered me so much.

I start to dream. I find myself in a field with a bull grazing in the distance. I know where I am. While there are adventures to be found in the country, I would rather spend time in the cities. There are so many more people there. Since I'm dreaming I know it wont be long before I wake [usually 30 min to an hour], so I'll have to get to the city fast to really enjoy the time I have in the dreamworld.

Flight isn't the fastest means of travel, but it is the most fun. So I will myself into the air and head for the nearest [and it so happens, largest] city. Once I'm in the area I head for the mall. It's pretty huge, and I enjoy going to the movie theater in my dreams. [it always makes me wonder how my subconsciouses put together a musical.] I land in a secluded section of the parking lot, and make my way into the mall.

Inside the mall I notice that two stores are empty, with signs that indicate that new stores would be moving in later that year. Since I had pretty much decided on going to see a play or movie, I would have to go through the food court and up the steps to the second floor.

Up till now, this is all standard fare.

The food court is alive with with patrons looking for places to sit, or stand in line, or move to one of the many in-house restaurants [I told you the mall was huge]. Then there she was. A young woman about a head taller than me [5' 4"] with medium length wavy blond hair, a round face, blue eyes. She was wearing blue jeans, flats, and a cream and purple top [i really cant remember what her shirt was made of]. She was beautiful. That said, she wasn't the only pretty girl there. There was a gal with long black hair that was much more the vixen. But this girl... I KNEW his girl. But I couldn't recall her name, or where we had met. but there she was. Staring back at me, stock still, with a look of horror.

I approached the mystery woman. She waited, her eyes connecting to mine.

"John" she whispered. [A sense of fear came over me. I really wanted to solve this mystery]

"Hi" I responded, "I'm sorry, I just don't remember you, but it's obvious we have met."

"Yes, It was so very long ago. You wouldn't have any reason to remember me. Would you join me and my friends for lunch?" she paused " It's so good to see you."

Before I could answer, she asked me; "How much time do you have before you wake up?" [Very odd this, only two reoccurring characters, David and another I haven't seen since I was a kid, has ever seemed aware of this dreamworld]

Since I had only just started dreaming I told her; "If all goes well, i have about thirty to fourty-five minutes of real-time left.

She didn't respond. but she bit the corner of her lip, grabbed my hand with a sense of hurry and urgency as she led me into a restaurant [I didn't catch the name]. We made our way trough a crowd of people and approached a table.

Sitting at the table was a trim man with short hair, and a short round woman [not fat. plump I guess]. The woman at the table shot up when she noticed me, but the man seemed just as confused as I was.

"Where's dad?" the mystery woman almost barked.

"He's in the restroom."

At that, the mystery woman shot off, leaving me with my two new friends. Feeling awkward, I sat down and so did the plump lady. We didn't say anything while we waited. [Still haven't gotten any names at this point. And I never did. I wish I had]

The mystery woman came back without her father. I stood up, as she was pointedly not looking at me.

"Have you told him?" the plump lady asked.

"No. He doesn't remember me. He doesn't know." The mystery woman said as she stared at the floor. [At this point I'm thinking I'm going to have to answer for a past wet dream. lol... that would have made for a great dream =P]

The plump lady points a finger at her sister[?, a guess on my part]; "If you don't tell him, I never want to hear you talk about him again..... Tell him!"

The mystery woman turns and faces me. Moves in close, and puts her arms around me. And kisses me. [That's nothing new... I mean I kiss people in my dreams, but I have never had such intense emotion associated with it. It was like a first kiss. You know, a bit awkward but amazing at the same time. Electric.]

She pulled away, with a tear rolling down her cheek. [My heart was pounding in my chest.]

"Please remember me! I love you!" [I wanted to shout it back, But at the same time I KNEW it was a dream.]

She moved in to kiss me again, but I knew that I was going to wake soon.

"I'm waking up."

A look of panic washed over her face.

"Where can I find you when you come back? Where will you be?"

"Are you an Immortal?" I asked.

"Yes! Yes! I am. Hurry tell me." she almost pleaded.

"I never know where I will enter the dreamworld, I'm sorry. Find the immortal David, he seems to be able to find me when ever he wants."

She puts her arms around me and we held each other. [very tightly on her part]

I want to say her dad promised to spend every dime he has to find David, but I'm not sure if that is apart of the dream or something I interjected as I woke, since i don't remember him entering the scene, or what he looked like.

Then every thing starts to fade. I awoke with such a sense of loss, and despair. And, even now, I am still haunted by that kiss.

I know it didn't really happen. but it was so intense that I had to share it, hence the membership at some random dream site.

Anyway....

Two Questions: Is It common for people to dream in a persistent "world"? What do you think it all means?