Sunday, February 22, 2009

Then Followed Sunday

* * * Warning: Yet still long-winded, irrational and cryptic in places!! * * *

Woke up several times with bad dreams. The first was a replay of my last four days in Japan in January; I didn't want to leave. In my dream I said so to Mom and packed slowly; in real life we both knew but neither said, and I packed efficiently. Dark-hour thoughts on whether I missed out a lot by living far away from my family for big chunks of my life, or if I won because I escaped dealing with daily drudgery. Regretted always wanting to go somewhere else; I know far more about Minneapolis than Yokohama or Nelson and I was happiest there, but I hate cold winter and I can't go back to being that young. This dream probably brought on by recalling what fun we had putting on that cashmere warp. And having to put that into words.

Then I dreamt my neighbor Neil passed out his/my (?) house and I was to ring the ambulance but couldn't. Neil symbolized my good neighbors (of which I have many) whom I neglected/avoided getting to know in the 12+ years we lived here. Fear of rejection, having to explain why I speak with an American accent, being reprimanded for being shitty gardeners were the most obvious reasons. Not having children made it harder; having a dreadfully shy husband did not help. Neil spent a few months in Antarctica recently; must ask him to show us his photos. Must make the effort. This dream was possibly brought on by the identity exhibit yesterday.

Third dream, I cannot remember. Not significant or symbolic, perhaps; dream analysis fatigue at 5PM more likely. Went right back to sleep this time.

Read Hamish Keith's book in bed until 1PM. Got up only because I've perhaps 50 pages left, and didn't want to finish yet. Absolutely the best New Zealand book I've ever read; one of three best books in my life. Intend to write to Mr Keith expressing gratitude: intend also to collect as much of his writing as possible, as finance allows. Intend to ask everybody if they've read it, and if so, their opinion.

Still not committed, work-wise, to much, but I must now list possibilities to think more rationally.

It's past 4.30, but will spend the rest of the afternoon hemming four scarves and getting them out of my way. I need to post a more coherent rant about the Hamish Keith book, for me, more than for you. You've been warned.

Appreciating, once again, being surrounded by good people: Grae Burton, Kath Bee; Julie, Ann-Marie and Andrea at the Suter; Pat, Ronette, Neil, Ben, Mom, and you among them.

6 comments:

  1. Lots of anxiety in there my dear, do take care of yourself.

    What was Neil doing down there?

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  2. I'm not sure, but his whole house is his tinkering rounds, and he's your prototypical Kiwi guy who restores cars, fixes things, and I think he built his own house. So in real life, I sure see him carrying huge car parts or whatnot all over the place all around. In my dream, Ben and I heard something and we rushed and his son was looking at Neil, and we dialed 911, except in NZ, it's 111 and I couldn't get through. It felt like quite a real scenario, though in real life I think he's very careful and experienced.

    I think in real life if you do dial 911 it gets forwarded to 111 because so many people watch too much television, Geodyne.

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  3. The 911 thing is scary, isn't it?

    Here in the UK they run tandem emergency services numbers - the other being the same as that used in Europe. First-aiders are advised to use that one because it's less used and faster!

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  4. The power of popular television, I think. Interesting, in all the BBC shows, particularly police shows, we never heard the UK emergency number.

    I'd hazard to guess that in NZ, 111 is probably less used than 911.

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  5. And I remember when I was a school child they told us to dial zero. Then we had to relearn 911. When I have had to call, I always hesitate slightly to remember... oh yeah, 911!

    But if I get Alzheimer's? will I remember?

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  6. O? Would that have been the operator?

    In Japan, it was always 110 for the police and 119 for fire and ambulance as long as I can remember. Googling reveals 110 was brought in as a system in 1948 in six major cities plus two that had major telecommunications centers. A couple of other cities used 1110, which was changed to 110 by 1960.

    119, on the other hand, has been used since 1927. (112 for a short time before that.) After 1817 and 1926/7, one needed to get the operator and shout "fire". Imagine that!

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