My high school German teacher, Mrs. Betterman, organized a field trip to the moon. Besides her and several crew, I was accompanied by Bryan (from grad school) and one other friend (not from real life). We had one of those Aliens-type robot suits with us. As we were walking along one of the streets on the moon, we saw a stray dog. Apparently, our mission was to rescue it and bring it home. So we hatched a plan. We would draw several crosswalks so we could maintain an even pace towards the dog without alamring it. We'd be inconveniencing several cars, but hopefully it wouldn't take long. Then Bryan offered to play the part of a dog that I would be walking on a leash. He started walking on all fours and panting. As we crossed the streets, he did somersaults and other crazy tumbles as we neared the stray.

Suddenly, my parents called and told me to come to Mars. I was instantly transported and saw that my sister and my uncle's family (including 3 of my cousins) were there too. We entered a big white cave, and I was so excited to be exploring. As we sat down in front of a large inscribed stone notepad, my uncle started talking. He said we should spend our time discussing the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam, and everyone else agreed enthusiastically. My heart sank, because I wanted to explore. So I sneaked out of the cave, and as I looked back, I saw a sign engraved into the front saying "Church, Inc." I sighed and stepped back a few into the grassy lawn and lay down. The sky, blue as ever, stretched out with rows of little clouds, overlooking a residential area thick with skyscraper-height houses. The one on the closest corner had a gorgeous display on its front, a diorama of sorts with two large trees flanking a golden light.

I realized with a start that the group on the moon didn't know I had left, and would be frantically searching for me... and that eventually they would have to leave thinking I was dead. I was able to find a monitor that showed them working on the moon, with Bryan in the robot suit. But I couldn't tell what they were doing or talk to them.

In a second dream, I was back home with my parents and had just pulled into the garage. I got out of the backseat reading the local sports page, and an article described the latest cut from the Chicago Bear's roster: the "fourth guy who blocks for punts." He was 64-years old and was cut during the season. I went to work at the family business, which was running a souvenier store. The guy who was cut from the team walked in and started complaining. He showed us several documents detailing why he was cut, saying it was so unfair. One sheet said that no one in the organization remembered his name, and that he had never won any awards. He said that's why he was cut, not because he was a bad player. He had white hair and definitely had an older man's body, but he was still pretty much in shape.

We went together across the street to watch the game at a diner. I saw a little of it, and one of the waitresses starts screaming that that's her on the screen. Apparently she and a friend had won a contest letting them be cheerleaders for a day. Suddenly, I was driving home with my parents, who lived in a huge mansion (not in real life!). As we pulled up to our circular driveway, my mom pointed out a big wooden box on a stand that my dad had built. It was divided down the middle; the right side held mail and the left side had a slatted door that held old newspapers. Then I woke up.

posted by Larry at 8:07 AM