I had a dream a couple of nights ago that I was briefly the drummer for Garbage. I had gone to the try-out and I made the cut. This was when I was 16 or so and still in high school. They were an unknown band and I didn't think it was a big deal.
A little time passed and I was informed that the band was going on tour to some small gigs. I couldn't go because my parents said my first commitment was to school. As a result, the band ditched me and Butch Vig stepped in to play the drums himself. He had originally only planned to put the band together and produce it.
The memory of the dream hit me full in the face as I was lumbering to work at 6am that morning. It felt like this was the TRUTH and it was a rediscovered memory that unknown forces were trying to keep from me. I was so convinced of the TRUTH, that I made a mental note to Google it later that day. It then slipped my mind until now.
Googling this memory now...
waiting....
waiting...
waiting..
hmm....tried searches with variations on the words Garbage, band, my name, my given name, etc... and getting a bunch of hits but nothing pointing me down the right path. The unknown forces may have either erased all public knowledge of that time or this occurred in a separate lifetime/reality. I will have to sleep on this.
hmm....I remember a couple of other dreams from two nights ago. I've been dreaming about my work alot lately. Over half of the ones I remember involved work.
I was at my desk typing away on my station. Based on the light, it was probably late evening, but it could have been early morning. Suddenly, a very large black rat slinked by. The lenth of its body easily matched the length of my arm.
Suddenly a large, but slightly smaller white rat walked by in the opposite direction. Lastly, a small brown mouse walked by.
The symbolism and progression of these rodents are too good to pass up.
I immediately had another dream where I was skateboarding down the street and having a good time. Next thing I know my ride ain't going too hot. I'm slowing down and the board is slinking lower in the front. I hop off the board and examine it. The front two wheels are shredded. I have a feeling of blaming someone (I know who, but am too ashamed to admit it).
In the Garbage memory, I had a feeling of blaming my parents for holding me back. I think I gots to go and work out some issues over lunch now.
I was packing up a few more of my things in preparation for my move to NY and came across these handwritten notes:
10/5/01 6:00 PM
Manchester, Lowry Gallery
Took the Eccles tram from City Centre to the Lowry Gallery. Seemed like a tourist thing to do and I am, after all, a toursit.
Didn't know it was a gallery dedicated to the ARTIST Lowry until I arrived. All the brochures made it sound like a happening place with a varied collection. When I arrived, I was informed that that the gallery was closed for refurbishing and would re-open next week. The only entertainment available at hand was a show I had neither the tickets nor the inclination to attend.
I figured now would be a good time to fill you in on my experiences in Manchester these past few days....
I was able to cover a lot of ground in two days. I was going to send you a postcard, but they only provide enough space for a soundbite.
I have visted all the neighborhoods surrounding the city centre:
- Castlefield
Famed for its one Roman ruin: an entryway to a fort circa 100AD. Being a great fan of history I was a bit underwhelmed.
- UMITS (University of Manchester, Institute of Technology & Science)
Typical of hte older, large building-ed universities one finds throughout Europe, I imagine. Red-bricked and solid, nothing at all like the beautiful open campuses one finds in the States.
- Chinatown
4 square blocks. 'Nuff said.
- Arnsdale Mall, nice mall...
- Deansgate
Like a miniature Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills with expensive shops and people trying to look smart.
I walked north along Deansgate Road and found myself smack-dab in the Yuppie Quarter northwest of the City Centre. Along the way was Manchester's City council, a magnificent converted cathedral with a beautiful open square.
What's nice about Manchester is that there are clubs and music spread throughout the city (unlike being concentrated just mostly in one area like in SF), and the ambience/crowd exactly matches the neighborhood so there is no guessing.
Went to two clubs, Club K and another near UMITS which I can't recall the name of. DJs were very good in both venues. I had visited the Bohemian Party/Music area of the city. I get a sense that I have visited Manchester during a cultural downturn, similar to what I experience in San Francisco [the dot-com bust was in full effect at the time]. I get a sense that its glory years were about a decade or more ago.
I was the Dry Bar and was peppering the bartender with all my tourist questions. Apparently New Order had declared bankruptcy quite a few years ago and had sold their stake in the establishment. Now it semmed like every other bar on the street. Then again what makes a bar or any other place special is one's connection to it and its community. That's what I love about a place like Manhattan (and to a certain extent SF); they are historical places with a large transient population. Everyone, including the residents, are visitors. Wherever one goes, one meets open arms and receptive faces. It is a frontier attitude where the frontier is not specifically physical, but the end-goal is adventure. Every one is a comrade in this adventure in these types of cities.
Not so in today's Manchester. It is an established town with established people. The inhabitants are friendly, but seemed surprised to be talking to a visitor and didn't really know what to converse about besides football [England had clenched a World Cup berth that same weekend in a match at Manchester where David Beckham of the local Manchester United (think Lakers) team figured prominently] and the Manchester of old. I sense Britons are quite literate and musical people, but do not possess much curiosity. Perhaps this was due to their cultural courtesy.
The New Order show at the Apollo was quite overwhelming. I was front and center not more than five feet from Bernard Summer. I was used to intense crowds, but not a hopelessly drunk one. Things were fine and I was properly exhausted after the show. They played at least three Joy Division songs, including a very rousing rendition of "Love Will Tear Us Apart". The only low was a very bad rendition of "Bizarre Love Triangle". They will have to make it up to me in Glasgow and London.
I have to admit the level oif drinking I have found here to be fairly appalling. People really get fucked up here and the amount of day-to-day alchoholism is shocking. You know that show "Scared Straight"? Well, I've been "Scared Sober" and have been dry since my afternoon arrival on Wednesday.
I'll be taking the train to Glasgow from Picadilly Station tomorrow morning.
Thus ends the first chapter in my three-part vacation...
From: Thomas Vong
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 11:26 AM
To: 'darrenh'
Subject: RE: back at the ranch
Thank you SO much Darren. I know the kid must've had a good time with you guys. I'm glad he's been such a good guest. It also eases my mind when thinking of when he'll be staying with you in late August until we get settled in NYC.
Dublin is GREAT! I like it much better than Montreal. It's odd that this is my 2nd dual-language city in 2 weeks. We're going to the Guinness brewery on Saturday and will be going to Dublin's oldest pub tonight. It's a place called Mulligan's and it's right by the Liffey river. It's supposed to have the best Guinness in town because they store it in the cellar which is cooled by the river. Ain't that one of the most romantic thoughts in beer history?
I'll have a couple of pints in your and Mochi's honor.
Cheers,
Thomas
-----Original Message-----
From: darrenh
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 8:01 PM
To: Thomas Vong
Subject: back at the ranch
thomas,
your dog is great and we (the collective house) have been having a great time with him. i spoke with shevann yesterday and we are going to exchange the goods on friday afternoon. mochi hasn't gotten into any trouble and i have been taking him to work with me where everyone loves him. i hope dublin is great and i'll talk to you when you get back. i just wanted to send you a letter to let you know that you shouldn't worry about your kid. he is in good hands.
cheers,
darren
