Monday, July 28, 2008

Not Knowing Your LInes

Last night I dreamed I was cast into a play, but I didn't know my lines the night before the performance. At first, I was relatively unconcerned about knowing my lines. I figured I'd put an index card in my hand and could read my lines or someone would hold up cue cards. Well, as the dream got further in, I realized that I needed to know my lines and couldn't fluff it in front of a live audience. So I futilely tried to memorize the lines, but nothing was sticking.

So I guess this is my re-entry after a week teaching and writing at Minnowbrook Retreat Center!

The play, by the way, was "Cinderella." And I was playing Cinderella. Half-way through the dream I made the joke to someone that since Cinderella was just a "dumb blonde" (an expression I thought was really fun in my dream, but not in real life) she wouldn't have to say much since she was the pretty, dense type. She could just fall and love and live happily ever after. The person/guy playing so-called "Prince Charming" reminded me that I had more lines than I thought, so I'd better get busy....

I remember being amused as a I dreamed about this that I was actually agreeing to be in the "Cinderella" play.

Is this a sign that the semester is going to start soon? That I don't feel ready to get back into the swing of things. Has the golden coach left for the castle without me or with me only half-way on board? Why Cinderella, a fairy tale that is not exactly my all-time favorite?

I woke up relieved I never pursued a career in drama....

This dream reminds of the "lack of readiness" dream I often have when the semester is going to start. In it, I'm supposed to be ready for my class, but I'm not. I don't have the syllabus or the assignments, and I'm trying to fluff it and give some kind of introductory lecture. The students either leave or disappear at some point in the dream, and I'm left trying to sort out what happened and how to carry on.

So....