Well, I have had this “head cold” for over a week now. No worse, not much better. Appointment tomorrow for my annual physical. We will see if my doctor has any bright thoughts.

In the meantime, I go through the days alright, just with less exercise and reduced activity generally. I generally write a blog post before going to bed and tear it up in the morning and start over. And my sleep is fitful, at best.

In fact, the only reason I know I sleep at all is when I know I am dreaming.

1. Like last night, I assume I was asleep when I was arrested. I was just walking down the street with a friend. For absolutely no reason, we were arrested and sent to join a large group of others, also seemingly arrested arbitrarily. We were all told we could not speak with each other and that we were to follow those ahead of us as we were marched for a long way down the center of street after street.

What city was I in? Not Washington for sure. I thought it might be Moscow, but had no reason to think that. Language did not seem to be a problem. The city itself was a mess. On the left, for a long while, were building after building, five or six floors, adjoining each other with no space in between. No cross streets. I couldn’t tell if these buildings were under construction or falling apart. On the right were small, unpainted one story concrete blocks, with doors but no windows, clearly abandoned, with litter strewn across their small, uneven lawns. Building that should never have been built.

Eventually, we got to a large flat, warehouse looking structure. We were told this would be our home. We would be given two meals a day. Otherwise, we were on our own. We were told this was not a work camp. But we were told we would be under constant observation, and the lights would always be on.

2. Also last night, I assume I was asleep when five women in my office were going to lunch and asked if I wanted to join them. I said “no”, knowing that I would be uncomfortable listening to them talk about “girl things”. Another woman suggested that she and I just go to the office cafeteria, and I said “yes”. I don’t know who she was. She looked like a school teacher in a classic western. Much taller than me. Gray hair pulled into a bun. Severe face. Plain, old fashion dress.

It turns out, it was Meatless Monday in the cafeteria, and all they had was cole slaw. I told her I needed more, and left. I went out the door and on to the roof. The weather was beyond perfect. My view was of other roofs and tall, older buildings. I decided to walk to the river. I knew where it was, but I did not know what city I was in, or what the river was called.

3. I must have been asleep when I went to give my speech at the indoor protest rally. The auditorium was filled. There were a number of people giving speeches. Soon, my name was called. I took off my long, heavy, black overcoat. I was wearing a suit and tie.

I had no idea what was being protested, or what I was going to say. I told them the speech would be short because, although I had a lot to say, I was not allowed to say it, and they were not allowed to hear it. They asked me where I worked. I told them I was with the government. They asked what I did. I told them I was in charge of government transparency.

That was my night. Now, on to my day.