January 12, 2008

I had a dream last night that I was a Navy Captain. I had my own little ship and crew.
There was a problem with the fresh water tank - the pump was clogged. I was called down to make a decision. I ordered the tank drained to find the problem. When the tank was empty, I used a magnet to pull out the following items: a cross pendant, a bible, a few ball bearings, and some washers.
It was a Friday morning, and my crew was looking forward to going home at the end of the day. I had to punish the crew for dropping items in the freshwater tank, so I ordered the entire ship painted before anyone could leave.
The groans and grumbles were audible even to me. About 4 hours later, someone reported to me that the ship was painted. I asked "Everything?". He responded "Everything except the stuff labeled '38'." (Somehow I knew that stuff labeled '38' meant it had to be painted at a specific time.) So I went for an inspection. Everything was painted different colors, and the person who was supposed to paint the deck didn't do a very thorough job. I was climbing up ladders and maneuvering through tight galleyways in high-heels and a skirt, I got paint on my dress-uniform.
I decided that the crew had been punished enough (even though they did a real shitty job.) So I declared that everyone could go home.
As the crew was celebrating and leaving, I walked beside a young female recruit and told her that she had potential and should re-enlist and take her test to be a staff-sargeant.
End of dream.

Now, I wonder why I let the crew go home after giving me shitty work? In real life, I don't tolerate crappy workmanship.
Secondly, I wonder about the significance of the items found in the fresh-water tank?
What about the items labeled "38"?
Why did I show preferential treatment to the worker who painted the deck in a half-assed manner?
Why was I a Navy Captain in a dress? Where did that come from?

Anyway. It was a strange dream.