melanieb

I sense a theme here...driving in south Austin.

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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]I’m driving in south Austin along a two-lane road leadingtowards Ben White, a large road on the south side of the city. I’m in my SUVand I’m approaching a tight space where vehicles on each side of the road havenarrowed the lane down to something a vehicle could barely squeeze through. Asthough to illustrate this point a truck approaching me makes it through butscrapes on both sides against the bordering vehicles. [/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]I look at the truck as it goes by and I don’t care to havethe same thing happen to my vehicle. I reach out through my window and move thefolding mirrors to their inwards position. Unlike my mirrors that fold to theside in real life my dream-SUV has mirrors much like an Australian Land-Roverwith the actual mirror attached to a long arm that extends out to the side. Myfolding mirrors are located somewhere near the front grill and fold in front ofthe vehicle.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]After folding my mirrors in I start to move forward but Idon’t think I’m going to clear the space even with this space-saving maneuver. I back up a little from the tight space andturn to the left. Stepping on the accelerator in low gear I bump over theyellow-painted curb. I figure that’s why I got an SUV in the first place. Mightas well use it for a little off-road time.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]I pass the obstacle and as I look back I realize it was agood idea to go off-road as there is a large hole in the road, roughly six-feetin diameter and four feet deep. I don’t know how the truck going the other waygot past it but I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to try getting across it.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]And then I woke up.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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If there's one thing I can do well it's driving. I can even do it while asleep!

I've taken my lucidity to a new level with this dream.

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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]I’m going through a nearby subdivision on the other side ofthe hill when I hear an approaching siren. The vehicle it’s attached to comesinto view and I see a Life Services truck, a vehicle similar to a largeambulance but designated for pregnant people and the needs of those withbabies. [/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]I know it’s not right and to see such a service and thistriggers lucidity. I know I’m dreaming and though I’m still stuck in my SUV Iat least know how to solve my problem. I first think about how whenever I’mdriving things go wrong in a dream so this time I know I’ll do it right. I grabthe shift knob and put the vehicle in “Reverse”, actually making the effort tolook out the side window and see that I wasn’t going to bump the Life Servicestruck. Control of my driving is now my task.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]I spent a few minutes making my reverse attempt having toalternate between reverse and forward as I inched my way out of a tight spotwithout scratching up the side panel or mirror of the other vehicle. I feltlike I was going to lose the task, particularly when I saw the LS-tech staringat me from the lawn of the house he came out of. I actually squinted andsqueezed the shift-knob harder and maintained control of the dream.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Once I was safely out of the tight spot the guy on thestreet said, “Nice job! You’re better at that than me!”[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]I looked at the man and replied, “Driving is what I do best.”The man tipped his hat at me and I drove off towards a side street, looking fora new route to the big hill that would lead me home. I found the street I waslooking for and drove along the road quickly. At the end of it was the street Ineeded to be on.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Turning left I lost lucidity and suddenly my SUV turned intoa bicycle. I found myself staring at the asphalt below, a grey streak beneathmy feet on the pedals. I pushed harder to gain some speed before climbing thelarge hill, a hill that I haven’t been able to ride straight up since I was ateenager.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Jen was waiting for me at the top of the hill and as I cameup she shouted, “I don’t think you can make it! You better stop!” [/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]I wouldn’t listen. I was determined to get home and enjoytime with my family. Instead of pushing to go further up the hill I turnedsideways so I could make a series of switchbacks. Using the principle of alower slope and longer distance to gain elevation I was able to make it up therest of the steep hill without giving up or having to walk my bike.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]At the top I get a big hug with smiles from Jen. I’m happyto have finished the ride and I know home is just a few houses away. All Iswell.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT="Calibri"]And the dream ends.[/FONT]