The Dream Discussion

So, I've often wondered who dispenses dreams. Who dispenses them? Is it some kind of lottery?

Lottery? Like the Sandman decides who gets the nightmares and who gets the lovey-dovey dreams?

Right. Do we draw lots or something?

I don't recall ever doing that. Drawing lots, I mean.

Well, do dreams have a deeper meaning then?

I always thought it had to do with what was going on in your head at the time.

I had a dream about kissing my editor in chief.

I see. First I heard of that, but continue.

I hope that wasn't really on my mind, being that she has a boyfriend and all.

But does that matter when everything like that is in your head? The psychological thing. Maybe you weren't think about Ms. Editor at all, but "the perfect girl" and you happened to project her on that label because you see her everyday and she's slightly aloof from you. You don't know her, so it's safe in a way.

Perhaps, but *shivers* it's kind of creepy, because heaven knows she's far from perfect

Well, yes, I know that. And so do you. So what do you read into this dream of yours?

Sexual repression. A lot of sexual repression.

It couldn't be anything else? Guilt that you didn't turn in your articles in time, perhaps?

I don't think so.

Darn.

You think you're so funny. I really think it was that I was dealing with feelings for someone else, and perhaps I was projecting onto her.

Chalk one up for me. Isn't that sort of what I said earlier? Except that I used "perfect girl" instead of an actual name?

Bite me. I'm a guy. Freudian law says I associate everything with sex, and I didn't see anything about sex in your explanation.

But do you believe in Freud?

Haha. I believe him as much as I believe in God. Both make good points.

I think Freud was the sexual deviant. But back to the whole dreams thing. Let's see what you can make of this one. I've dreamt twice that there are two boyfriends. One is the "current" boyfriend: sweet, nice, into bass playing. The other one is generally a lot meaner and tells me that music is far more important to him than I am. He still cares, but not as much. But I get so confused because wouldn't I hurt the one to go out with the other? He didn't say he didn't care; he just said he cared more about music. And that's the dream I've had.

Perhaps your fears came out into your dreams, where your boyfriend (who does care about music) might act like the "evil" boyfriend in your dream.

That doesn't explain the two of them.

Of course, you could be sensing the presence of a doppleganger.

I see.

If you were a guy, and your boyfriend were your girlfriend instead, I might suggest that you were feeling sexually repressed, but you're not a guy, he's not a girl, and I don't see any sexuality in your dream whatsoever.

I've wondered about your first explanation, too. But I've also wondered about having two of them. Because at one point, I asked the music-loving one if my boyfriend cared about music more than me, and he said, "Definitely not. He loves you." Which I guess should be a good thing?

You asked him in your dream?

Yeah. The Music One not the Well-Balance One.

Perhaps it means that you're still optimistic in your dreams, represented by what the music-one said.

That makes sense. I always feel so guilty in my dreams when that happens.

Why?

I don't know. Because I'm not exactly sure which route I'm supposed to go, I suppose. Because in my dream everything makes sense, except for the fact that I'm supposed to be tied to both of them, and not just one.

Ah. Perhaps it's guilt that he can't have music and you at the same time?

My guilt?

Well, I don't think it's his guilt. Although, you may be psychically intertwined, which in my opinion, would be downright scary

Ah, yes. I can read your mind, Mr. Kyo.

Dwah! I was so not thinking about anyone naked.

Of course not. But you'll definitely be dreaming about it tonight.

*shivers* Heaven forbid. I haven't imagined anyone naked yet. Oh, no. Wait. I lied.

You can't lie about these things. That's just bad. Tsktsk.

It just isn't anyone I know.

Ah, okay.

I haven't imagined you naked, if that's any consolation.

I would hope not. That you imagined me naked, that is. And you can keep me out of your dreams, too.

Thank you. Although, I guess it would be interesting....no. Never mind I'll stick with unknowns.

That would make me feel a whole lot more comfortable. And it would keep my boyfriend from slugging you.

Maybe I'll just dream about him.

He'll still slug you.

Ah. Well. I guess I'll have to confine my dreams to my no- longer- but- still- always -and -forever - editor-in-chief

As long as she doesn't find out, more power to you.

Well, Mr. Kyo, I shall leave you to your dreams.

Alright Ms. Twee, just try not to be too worried if I start to dream about turning into a brontosaurus after eating potato salad with pepper... it's been known to happen

That would not be my fault. That would be yours. And the pepper, I suppose.

Perhaps. Or maybe a premonition! I would love to turn into a brontosaurus.

Yeah... I'll leave you to that...

...mmm....potato salad....

Owari!

So I've been dating the same guy for three years, and he is the only romantic relationship I've had in my life. Does that make me deprived? I don't think so.

Depends on your definition of deprived. You're a generation X-er aren't you? Where's the sex? The scandal?

Sex? Scandal? What happened to, you know, wholesome people that only did drugs and stuff? Aren't we generation Y? I'm confused already. Not, of course, that I do drugs...

No, no, of course not. Nowadays people want wholesome familiy activities the entire family can enjoy. Hence the television and modern gaming as we know it.Phooey. Generation X sounds so cool.

But where does that people us ex-high schoolers who are *gasp* going to college together? Isn't it weird how people somehow think that's the bane of all college-bound students' existences? That we can't do what's best for ourselves if we go to the same college? Now explain that one.

Well, first of all, there's a lack of variety after a while. Granted, I don't intimately know every single one of my fellow graduates, but after another four years, I'd probably get to know them a whole lot better. I guess you could say that it would be a lot like eating the same ranch dressing for eight years straight. After a while, you get used to it, and when someone brings, say Italian to the table, you might just freak out.

But it's different because people change and evolve. Ranch dressing does not.

It does if you leave it out long enough

Yeah, well, semi-evolved ranch dressing that has bacteria in it is not appetizing at all. And I don't even like Italian dressing, so your point is moot.

Ah, well how about some Russian dresssing? Flavored with perhaps a bit of Hawaiian?

If that wasn't appetizing to me, then I wouldn't be dating him still, right?

Hey, he's still on your plate, he must be good if you keep going back up for more.

In any case, he's not the same guy I started going out with in ninth grade, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. People change and I believe he changed for the better.

Perhaps. I agree that people change, I'm just not all that sure that everyone changes in such a way that you'd even want to know them later

Well, that's true. But nothing like that has happened yet. We fight, yes, but then we get over it. Smiles all around.

Oh, if only my world were so utopian. Forgive my pessimistic views, but not every relationship has ended up to the tune of "Hearts and Flowers." I can see how being around the same people can get old quickly

Yes, we end up on very different sides of the railroad tracks, I guess you could say. There is the idea that human beings aren't wired to be monogamous.

*Nods* I think I'd have to agree with that one

How so?

Taking a look at the different reproductive systems of *ahem* the different species if we presume that the purpose of life (at the most basic level) is to reproduce, then the males would be better off running around rampant, impregnating as many females as possible females are the opposite, being that they are only able to raise a few kids at any given time

But then there are other animals that mate for life. So why not humans?

Well to speak of other species, if we assume that they don't have higher brain functions the same as humans then they aren't exactly capable of lasting hatred, jealousy, etc. which makes our lives oh so happy

Well, you know, we are also capable of that nice little emotion called "love." Does that make me overly optimistic? Sure, people are annoying, we'd like to kill some people sometimes... etc. But we do like certain people. And not necessarily just as romantic partners.

True.

And there are so many stories of people being best friends for years and years. But what comes into play? "Out of sight, out of mind" or "Absence makes the heart grow fonder?" Do you have to reinforce your emotions for another person by seeing them? Or can you love them more by missing them?

I tend to believe the former is most dominant in the human "heart" in psychology, it's called the "mere exposure" effect in which the more a person is exposed to something, the more they will tend to like it i.e. when you sit next to the same girl for eight years straight, and even though you didn't like her at first you end up liking her a lot toward the end.

Because she's there

Could that account for the long lasting friendships?

If they always see each other, perhaps. In some ways, science makes some things extremely unromantic.

It's because none of them have girlfriends or lasting relationships

It's like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Scientists weren't invited to the cool parties, so they just said the cool parties were misusing science.

Precisely. Although, admittedly, I'd love to have an Improbability Drive... maybe I'd end up getting a girlfriend...one that lasts longer than six months

No, you'd want a Bistromathics drive. That's better.

*shrug*

Maybe you can just say you're too sophisticated for the usual high school tastes.

Or not sophisticated enough

No, too sophisticated, definitely.

After all, physical intelligence is an intelligence of its own

What is a high school girl looking for in a guy?

You tell me

I obviously didn't have to do much since I've been dating him since the ninth grade. I can tell you what I wanted, anyway. But I don't think I'm the usual specimen.

Me, I look for charm, wit, looks at least a decameter above medusa, and perhaps, just perhaps, a morsel of assertiveness

Hmm. I wanted someone I could talk to without being judged. And someone who could make me laugh all the time.

I agree. Those are excellent qualities to look for in a partner.

I think I'm satisfied. The rustic good looks and the intelligence just came as a bonus. Ah, he calls.

Yeah...my girlfriend is calling too.

Owari!

Speculation: Nintendo / Sega Fusion!

Was there ever a Sega/Nintendo merger?

If there were, imagine the gaming behemoth that could come out of that one. Mario/Sonic crossovers!

Forget crossovers, think about fusion! Sonic with a pipe wrench and mustache! personally, I'd love to see Knuckles with a raccoon tail.

Or Mario sporting blue overalls with spikes coming out of the back that inexplicably allows him to turn into a ball a la Samus. But it wouldn't be a Metroid thing, it would be a Sonic thing.

Speaking of Samus, I think she'd be great if she could ever find one of those awesome flame shields that Sonic wielded. Plus, I think Robotnik would have been a perfect villain for her.

Ah... no. Two roly-polies (granted, one able to make bombs and stuff in her roly-poly state) in one game wouldn't have fared well.

Perhaps.

But imagine the hardware that would come from a Nintendo/Sega fusion.

Hmm... *envisions the Wii*

Would it be wonderful? Innovative? Or too innovative? Too scary for another hundred years?

Sonic! Look out! Oh, no! I can't control him! Personally, the Genesis frightened me. The controller was huge and there were not two, but three buttons!

Have you seen the XBox controller? That's far more frightening.

*shudders* Don't remind me. Perhaps though... Dreamcast and the N64... that might have been feasible.

But of course it would be larger than the NES controller. Merely because the NES controller was small. Petite even. Dreamcast. I regret never having owned one.

*nods* If only Sega hadn't blundered in its announcements.

And to think the future of gaming was all but overlooked in the last console generation!

Perhaps it would be a four-way race between companies?

Sega always jumped the gun. I don't think they had a chance. I request a moment of silence for Sega.

*silence*

*bells tolls in the distance*

*bows head*

Personally, I think Microsoft is going to be the next Sega. With the 360 anyway.

A media center in your gaming system! What a thought! Because gaming consoles for gaming is just so... 2001.

What are you talking about?

I have no idea.

Let us take a ride on the Sega express! Complete with flux capacitor.

Okay, I'm game. No pun intended.

*revs engine*

See? Now in the future, gaming will be indistinguishable from real life. Think...The Sims....except you are the thing that you're clicking.

Right. So, explain to me, why would you want to buy a gaming console in the future?

Buy? Oh, no.

Especially if you're going to subject yourself to the Sims?

Well, by that time, I'm hoping that the Sim's franchise dies out.

But it's just so much fun to make soap operas happen in your computer.

And you'll really be in more of a FFXXXXIV kind of environment.

But what would FF XXXXIV look like?

Hmm. Oh look! *points to an old decrepit man* It's Solid Snake!

Solid Snake should have died years ago.

Oh, no.

Genetically speaking he should have.

He did die. This is his grandson. Raiden is still alive, though.

Of course.

Ah! The metaphor hit me like I was tied up on the tracks in front of Grand Central Station. It would be like Animal Crossing with an M rating!

An M Rating? Oh dear Lord...

The graphics would have to improve dramatically, of course.

That wholesome game? Subjected to the dirges of an M rating?

Maybe a little hot coffee....some iced tea. M rating easy.

Coffee and tea. How can people drink stuff like that?

Although...I can't really imagine Blanca getting into a wet t-shirt contest.

And why would you want to imagine that in the first place?

I wouldn't, but *points* in the future, you can see everyone else's thoughts while gaming.

Oh, god, Kyo, get me out of here. Please. And stop thinking that.

*rev's the engine again*

Ah...yes. Back in good ol' 1988

I see. Release of the NES.

And record breaking Super Mario Bros!

Because who would have thought a plumber could be so endearing! So wonderful! So Goomba-butt kicking? And a mushroom addict. Wait, did I just make a connection?

Well, it was the 80's...

I guess so. "Purple Rain."

Ah...the days of 8 bit music.

Did you know that Zelda was the first polyphonic video game? I Heart Zelda!

Me too! And Link!

More accurately, I Heart Link!

*nods* Well, it makes me wonder why on earth they would name a game after the princess you must save. But that sounds like a question for another time.

I'm getting kind of creeped out staying in the year of my conception.

*revs engine once more*

Welcome back to wonderful...2006

Beautiful, glorious, 128 bit graphics. (I think) And the age of the Katamari.

And another version of Purple Reign.

Yes. Purple Reign!

Ah well, if only Vectorman or Ecco The Dolphin could see us now.

Or Toejam and Earl. Yes, that was good game despite the awful name.

*nods*

Sega/Nintendo fusion?

Probably not.

Probably not.