Is there anything worse than a boring dream? Now, I don’t mean wanting to be an accountant when you grow up. I don’t mean when your big vacation destination is to see the world’s biggest ball of lint. If you dream about being an accountant, be the best accountant you can be. If you really love lint, get in the car and drive.
When I talk about dreams, I mean those random screensavers your unconscious mind cooks up at night while you’re watching the backs of your eyelids. Dreams are a place where anything can happen. Houses in the sky, breathing underwater, secret doorways and tunnels, talking animals and whatever else the brain can cook up, remix and repackage on short notice. The sky, whatever color it might be, is the limit.
All of which is what makes boring dreams so disappointing. Edgar Allan Poe said “all we are and all we seem is but a dream within a dream.” If my dreams are boring, maybe that means I am boring. I really hope not, but the fact is my dreams have taken a decidedly pedestrian turn lately.
My brain has churned out plenty of boring stuff over the years, but sadly I seem to be on something of a roll these days. The first in a recent string of nighttime duds took place at a convenience store.
I walked in to prepay for gas, but the registers were all the way in the back. Typical.
Getting irritated, I stormed past rows and rows of candy bars, chips, cookies and more. Products upon products as far as I could see. Where was the register? Then it occurred to me that was the whole point.
The store had been specifically designed and laid out to force consumers to see all the wonderful products for sale before they ever reached the checkout, increasing the likelihood they would grab something extra to buy on the way.
When it is so like reality as to make the distinction between awake and asleep pointless has to be the very definition of a boring dream. In fact, I didn't realize I was even dreaming until I had made it all the way through the entire store and wound up in an empty lot out back, along with a minor exodus of other confused customers, never having bought a single thing.
What was going on? How hard could it be to pay for some gas?
Right about then it dawned on me I was waking up. I can still recall how disappointed I was— in the dream, not the waking up part. Dying in your sleep sounds nice, but it is still dying.
That exercise in modern problems was a dream? When I was young my dreams were wild adventures full of dangers, weird maze-like buildings, strange signs and omens. My wife has often observed all my dreams were about escaping people chasing me. To me, they were as gripping and exciting as any action movie.
No more though. Now I dream about trying to dodge the traps and pitfalls of consumerism. No matter how dull, a man can still dream!
Editor, The Times: Whether we agree or disagree, taxes are necessary. Although taxes are not a subject we enjoy, they are really needed. I am writing this before the results come back on my Sept. 4 appeal on my property taxes. After a year or so of expressing my disagreement over the county-wide tax appraisal, I’m glad it’s over. I really did all that I knew to do to oppose it. I went to speak with the county appraisers. I went and spoke at the county commissioners meeting. I presented a letter that was also printed in The Blackshear Times. I collected personal information like appraisals on my property, surveys and tax year comparisons. It really has been difficult gathering information to present my case to the board of equalization!
Why would you go to so much trouble? Because we are blessed to live in a nation where such freedom is permitted. We all should be thankful for America and vote to keep our freedom. People should stand up and not shrink back on issues that affect our families and our community. Let your voice be heard as you stand within your rights.
D-Day Sept. 4 came my time to present my property tax appeal to the board of equalization. I arrived at the courthouse somewhat intimidated as I entered the large ornate courtroom. However, I was very glad I was not there for any criminal offense. Meeting me were County Appraisers Bill Rozier and Christian Walker. They are both men I respect and appreciate the fact they are also Christian men. I also stood before the three men who are on the board of equalization. These men too I believe are Christian men. Making my appeal, I presented information and documents relating to my case. It made me feel like an attorney who was giving the judge information. The appraisers also presented county documents and photos of my property. They, too, explained why my tax was as it was. I made an opening statement that even if my tax was increased by 50% I’d be thankful to settle for that and we could all go home. However my tax increase was far more, perhaps 175%. That’s why I was there.
After all was said and the hearing concluded, they told me the results would be issued in a few days. Once again, I’m writing this letter before the result is known. This is not meant to be in the paper until after the appeal decision is made. One way or the other, I want to say to them and our community, I do appreciate the work they do.
Leaving the courthouse, walking down and around the ornate stair cases and then headed home, my initial reflection was, I do thank you Lord for being in a small community, a county such as Pierce. I am very thankful for Christian men and some women, too, who serve as leaders in our community. I pray God will give them wisdom and courage to do what is right. We have men and women serving us, who are due our respect. Take note of our local government and school board who are at work to better our county, our schools and our families. As I felt leaving the appeal — I am proud to be an American and to know some of the freedom we enjoy. Freedom comes with responsibility. We are all responsible to pay our “fair share of taxes.”
In closing, you need to be aware of any property tax exemptions you may qualify for. Call or go to the county appraiser’s office and ask. They will advise you. Also, this tax increase has taken a bite out of our budgets. We are all feeling it. The ones I am concerned mostly for are those on fixed incomes. If someone in your family needs help — see about helping them.
Gordon Ross Patterson