I’m attending one of the first events held by a newly created university swimming super league. I’m there with my family. We’re all wearing these plump oversize white sports hoodies. The overhead ones, with the big front pockets, like those worn by American college sports fans. There’s an odd feeling to the experience: the sense […]
Dream diary: Fancy dress at the aquatic super league Read More »
Early childhood generates some of our most powerful memories. We remember the first instances of joy, disgust, fright and love. In a matter of years we find ourselves subject to greater emotional depths, and our memories correspondingly become more complex. I’d argue that as soon as we’re old enough to form a truly vivid memory,
Childhood memories, ranked by embarrassment Read More »
I’m in a hotel room having a chastening argument with my father about a broken ornament. The item in question is a hefty piece of carved and painted folk art. It features something approximating the segmented design of a totem pole, but with the rough dimensions of a large baguette. I’ve managed to accidentally break
Dream diary: broken ornament, Tesla coil, angry activist Read More »
I’m supposed to attend a superhero fancy dress party very soon, and I may have found the perfect accessory. I find myself on the second floor of a cosy independent clothes shop. It’s evening, sometime in late autumn, maybe in the past. I’ve discovered a replica of the cowl that Michael Keaton wore in his
Dream diary: the bargain Batman Read More »
I’ve been introduced to the next big technological innovation: cars that shrink or expand in a matter of seconds. For reasons that I cannot remember, I’m the new custodian of one of these vehicles. In its current state, it looks like nothing more than a large radio-controlled car, roughly the size of a shoebox. When
Dream diary: test-driving the future Read More »
I’m at an airport, catching a flight to America with some friends, although I’ve managed to become separated from them. That’s not my main concern though. I have a bigger problem. It seems I need to complete not one but two rapid Covid tests before boarding the aircraft. There’s a further complication. These tests are
Dream diary: bizarre covid tests and strange chapels Read More »
I’m in a shabby atrium encircled by a series of strange, narrow rooms. The area is dingy and neglected, like the squat from Midnight Cowboy. These oddly shaped anterooms, which fan out from the atrium, seem to be entirely without furniture. Most of them are fitted with saloon doors to reduce privacy. I’ve arrived in
Dream diary: Panic at the Border Crossing Read More »
The Parable of the Chinese Farmer has been on my mind recently. Though in my case the Parable of the Sleepless Writer would be more appropriate. A couple of years ago I bought an alarm clock. I wanted to sleep without my phone by my bedside, in an effort to reduce my screen time. My
The Good Decision / Bad Decision Alarm Clock Read More »
I received my final mixtape in 2005. In those days, receiving a cassette already felt slightly quaint, if not yet anachronistic or performative. Still, you could hand it over with some confidence that the recipient could find a way to play it, on a compact kitchen stereo or an exhumed walkman. This romantic mixtape was
A Mixtape and the Trough of Longing Read More »
I’m on my way home when I realise that I’ve left my backpack behind somewhere. Even in my dreams, I’m always fussing with my belongings – checking and double-checking that I have everything with me (wallet, keys, mobile, headphones, mask, gum). In an ironic twist, my adherence to these frequent ritualistic checks has led me
Dream Diary: Lost backpack, Mistki melody Read More »
