I Have Crossed The River Styx

In a large, open, room with very square, concrete-like walls and edges. A canal or river runs through the middle of the room. I am on the far side of the canal, having already crossed it, and kneeling over my backpack of supplies packing up for the next part of the trip. My team is around me. Behind me is a doorway with a stairway leading downwards. I realize that I have a blind-spot up and to my right, that up there is something mysterious and important, but something that I, for now, have to deal with not being able to see, and something that I have to trust will be okay.

Opportunities Missed

Working late. At some point I stop working and start watching t.v., though it's somehow still related to work. A. is there, at some point she starts leaning against me and watching television, too. I'm not sure that what she's doing is okay, but I don't say anything. I am aware that it's late and I should go home. L. calls, she says, where have you been? There was an XTC concert today, she continues, and I ended up going without you. It was awesome, she says. I vaguely remember seeing this somewhere, and now can't believe I forgot about it--XTC doesn't tour anymore, so to see them live is incredibly rare. I am really upset that I missed it.

The Hipster Scene

I'm at a house party with musicians from the local scene. One of them introduces himself to me as Chris or Krist or something, he shows me a routine he used to do where he dances backwards while playing the violin. It is funny and impressive. Later, I am walking home, talking on the cell phone to L. and telling her about the party and meeting this guy. I am wondering if he was actually a member of Nirvana...wasn't the bassist named Krist or something like that? I'm in Bellingham, on 16th, and then walking up the hill to the alley behind my parent's house. I am still talking to L. as I come up to the back driveway. Just as I reach it, a body falls from the sky right in front of me and lands on the cement with a sickening thud. Oh my god, did you see that? gasps L. (apparently watching for me out one of the back windows). I realize it is Amy. Amy, what happened, are you all right? I ask. I move to help her, but she gets up on her own, says nothing, and walks dazedly off the other way down the alley.

Road Trip

In Columbia, New Mexico, visiting the family. We have a free day before our flight home, and think about driving down to Jasper (also in New Mexico) for the day. I get in the car and onto the freeway, but it is crowded and confusing, and I realize I don't know where I'm going. Returning to the house, we consult a map and determine that the drive is two hours, which means four hours there and back. Then confusion, perhaps it will take us eight hours in the car just to get there. This is okay, I didn't really want to go anyway.