Thinking

It occurred to me that I must including thinking. During a Daydream, one fantasizes or allows an idea to run rampant for a while. If this daydream falls into the "possible" category, (and preferably good), there seems a good chance that one might begin to work it out. This involves the process of finding a possible sequence of actions and compromises in order to achieve that Daydream.

An example of this is the motorcycle that I ride each day commuting to and from work. It was possible, but a number of factors had to line up in order to make it real. Two rather obvious components are: money and the consent of my wife. There was a logical reason for me to promote the use of a motorcycle (other than the frightful pleasure it provides me). It would cut in half our expenditure on fuel. For a couple of years I would mention this possibility. When fuel prices began to rise dramatically, the expenditure was allowed. At this time, it more than pays for itself.

During the Daydream stage , I wanted a couple of more expensive bikes. The more expensive bikes were not only were more powerful but achieved better fuel mileage. During the Daydream stage I would imagine myself riding while driving my car, thinking carefully about the traffic and how to handle situations that might and did crop up. I daydreamed about good riding equipment, justifiable by the safety argument. I even wondered if I would find it tedious or too difficult. None of those have yet come to pass. I am grateful that I am able to do it. In the end, I bought the least expensive motorcycle that would do the job and fit my riding style. I love it. I bought a very good riding suit. 

A couple of years is a good time for the daydream to keep up in pretty much original condition and to run the possible scenarios until the right one drops into place. It is good preparation for the realization of the Daydream. I think that an effort a clear thinking is useful even in an "impossible" (preferably good) Daydream. Trying to conceive a logical sequence to achieve the impossible  must yield, in some instances, original thinking. Besides, the impossible is always more interesting. The impossible is a Daydream.

Reverie

Reverie is a word that I like very much. Most likely because it is derived from a french word, rever, "to dream". My mother is French. Among the definitions, one is "to Daydream". Others are: "a state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing", "a fantastic, visionary, or impractical idea" and "an instrumental composition of a vague and dreamy character". Incidentally, the definitions that I am using are from dictionary.com. 

At this point in the conversation (with myself, so far) I believe that the word Daydream is still appropriate. I will use reverie and fantasy when I feel that it might clarify a specific thought. For me, as I have previously stated, fantasy connotes something frivolous or sexual. I think that for me reverie will connote those thought paths that are some what foggier and perhaps more spiritual, less grounded in terrestrial life. I hope that I will arrive at some better connotations as I go along, but , this is a start.

Fantasies

I had a moment of thought about fantasies. Unfortunately it was while I was away from this keyboard. I think that I consider fantasies somewhat frivolous thoughts that really cannot be built upon. Daydreams, however can be big ideas. Daydreams are of the heart. Fantasies are of the loins? 

Whilst riding my motorcycle to work I was thinking about James Joyce's Ulysses. I have read approximately 200 pages and find it somewhat impenetrable and fascinating. It is largely Daydream. The book goes into a sort of poetry that transcends time and becomes a free-associative line of thinking about and around the events at that moment in the book. It veers seamlessly between reality and the poetic musings of and about that reality. It is a daydream that has been somehow delineated in language. This probably contradicts my earlier statement about language perhaps being an enemy of Daydreams. Now, perhaps I should ask an obvious question: Is the book part fantasy? Again, I fall on the side of Daydream. I have difficulty attributing such depth to a fantasy. I am still unable to define the difference. My only definition seems to be based upon how I feel about the word. 

In looking up the definitions of both Daydream and fantasy, I find that Daydream and fantasy are synonyms and that there are many more definitions for fantasy. Daydream is simply "reverie while awake". Fantasy includes "imaginative conceptualizing".  This among eleven other definitions. It seems that I might be mistaken in using the word Daydream in spite of an emotional attachment to it.

So, if I follow the word fantasy or fantasize, then I have to ask: am I good at "imaginative conceptualizing" and the other eleven definitions? A supposition based upon no solid foundation, visionary idea, illusion? Have I instead found something else I am not so good at? I had a feeling that this would cause me trouble.

Partial definition

It seems that daydreams can be divided into two large categories: Possible and Impossible. Within those two would be Good and Bad. This might seem too judgmental for some of you, but I like the clarity of these opposites. 

The Possible are those that one may reasonably expect to accomplish. The Impossible are those that one may reasonably expect never to accomplish. These might include expecting that you can (on Earth) fly by flapping your arms. In other words, something with which you have the same chances of winning a big lottery jackpot. Including winning a big lottery jackpot. The Possible includes things like opening a restaurant or taking a cross country motorcycle trip. One must allow for the kind that Albert Einstein had as a child that formed a question that was answered by the Special and General theories of Relativity. Those that seem impossible but can be tackled by indomitable intellect or perseverance.

The Good are those that are likely to have a positive, constructive or happy outcome. Acquiring a puppy or creating a piece of sculpture or doing volunteer work. The Bad are those that are likely to have a negative, destructive or unhappy outcome. Destroying or causing harm to people and or property.

I experience all four and have a tendency for each at different times of the day. For instance, the end of the day is the time that I have the most fun daydreams. Possible or Impossible. The beginning of the day (or work day) is the worst for me.

The assumption here is that these are fantasies in which one places oneself and feels as if it is happening. Are these simply fantasies? I think that daydreams should be  taken more seriously than fantasies.

In the beginning

Unaccustomed as I am to writing anything, no less anything public, I thought that I might make an effort to discover what I am really thinking. Language, to a daydreamer is perhaps an enemy, but it does require clarity of thought. The effort to solidify those pesky fleeting ideas that are much more beautiful in passing might destroy my fun at simply free-associating until I fall asleep or become distracted by some other really neat thought. 

At this moment I have decided that I am best at daydreaming. Perhaps I might become an expert at it and realize an income from this. Free-associating is one of those things that I do naturally and is probably a bit of a frustration to those people who know me and have taken the time to listen to me blather on in a rather undisciplined way about whatever it is that I am trying to describe. 

I have no doubt that there are those of you who will happen upon this and claim that you or someone that you know is a better daydreamer and will challenge my ability to daydream. Go ahead. Competition in free-association as in free-enterprise might prove to be a growth experience. Can someone cultivate daydreaming into a well oiled machine or is it in its nature an untamable animal?  Are those of us who depend upon daydreaming inherently undisciplined? If cultivated, can it become useful to others?

I might be mistaken in using "free-association" as a synonym for daydream but at least for now the two go together for me.

All of this has begun on account of my working with college students who are artists and designers and having the occasional conversation about their work. There is little that I enjoy more than discussing those directions and ideas with them. Not even my motorcycle rides to and from work. Now I am stuck wondering how I can make something useful (for both them and me) out of those really exciting and emotional interactions about their ideas. Perhaps an analysis will help clarify a direction. 

That is what I hope this will catalyze.

Onward.