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Elaborate dream last night about building a space rocket. I was working with a team of people who were responsible for designing, building and launching a space probe. There were many details regarding the propulsion system and how the rocket was kept stabile. I had come up with an idea of a multi-sleeved skin where there were concentric tubes, each inside the other, that could rotate and be used to stabilize the craft.

I had proposed the idea to one of my co-workers and he thought it should be communicated to the project leader. We were each scheduled for a debriefing on the last test flight. I was nearly last on the list because I was just one of the grunts on the project. But I was looking forward to describing my idea when the time came.

In the meanwhile, as we waited for our debriefing session, we were working on the software system that went with the launch vehicle. There was a sense of chaos surrounding the system since it had been built up in stages based on whatever component was ready to be tested. The overall architecture was kind of scrambled and patchworked. I was busy knitting modules together so that they didn't work so independently, but worked more together as a whole.

People kept coming by and looking over my shoulder. They asked what I was doing and most gave me positive feedback and encouragement. It looked like I was on to something so I kept working away. In the back of my mind were thoughts of being promoted or of being given a job with more responsibility.

There was a part of the dream that involved a huge base or launch facility. It was constructed on this expansive hillside--not unlike the fields overlooking the river in my previous night's dream. Everything about the place was extremely orderly. Buildings and roads were finished and clear of any confusing patterns or random elements. You could tell at a glance that it had all been planned out and then built to that plan. People and vehicles moved about with precision and unhurried order. Everything that was being done looked deliberate and carefully acted upon.
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Got up early today and went to chiro. Returned home after wandering a bit. Ate some breakfast, wrote out my dreams from last night, transferred some money into bank account so I could pay off credit card, wandered some more. Finally left again to drop off mail, grab a bite of lunch, a chai, and visited with L for a bit. She's really getting off on her new digital camera. Astounding technology.

Woman at next table was enjoying each bite of her pastry. With each bite, she closed her eyes, savored the food and chewed it slowly. She appeared to be following some protocol that she'd been reading about--like enjoy each minute, each action, each bite, thoroughly. She seemed to be pleased with her actions.

Later in the parking lot, I was questioned by a kid--one that seemed to be a bit challenged in some way--about my truck. What year it was, what was the camper shell for, did it have side airbags, and other such details. I answered his questions and he went away seemingly satisfied that he had asked the right queries.

I keep reflecting on my life--the aimless quality of it and what I am doing. I keep thinking about starting to build some structure around me, some kind of regimen and form. I tire quickly while thinking such thoughts. I keep experiencing regrets and tapes of should-have-dones.

I heard a short interview with Isobel Allende on her new book(s) about Zorro. She described her research and some of her writing activities. She's in her 60's now, but still prolific. I have to create some space around me so that I can begin to write more than these journal ramblings.

Tonight, I'm supposed to have dinner with my daughter. That will be nice, but then I need to be making more solid plans. Will return here after dinner with any new thoughts--actually with any thoughts, new or old.
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Self-publishing has arrived. Beyond the blogs. It's all available on lulu.com. Nothing in the way between writing and it ending up in a book. And it does so with only some minor effort involved--no fees, no costs. Amazing.

So I just need to settle down and write.

No more excuses. The e-world has spoken. There are no doubt other venues as well, including all of the start-up sites. A new world is opening. The human mind is an awesome tool.

Nothing more to say tonight--except do it, do it, do it. Let the games begin.