How to dream ?

There was this time, when I could recollect very few dreams. Whatever little that I could recollect, was always below par and not worthy of mention. But lately, things have taken a turn for the good. Nowadays, my dreams are really intense. The other day I was in Afghanistan escaping from the Taliban and this was definitely one helluva dream. It was as good as any 'Tom Clancy story.

But, such things don't happen often and I kept wondering why I had this dream. And then I remembered, before sleeping I was listening to BBC documentary podcast on 'Afghanistan Opium Wars'. And since I had downloaded that particular episode and since my winamp always runs on 'repeat' mode and this particular episode kept playing again and again. And I guess, unlike other dreams which dissipate in just a few hours, this particular dream kept going on and on, more like a real-life story with a little bit of Kite Runner, Rambo, Saddam Hussein capture from a bunker, Hitchcock's North by Northwest fertilizer spraying glider scene etc.,

And as it always happens, the climax evaporated into thin air, when my mobile alarm rang. But, this time the difference is, I could recollect my dream, which I was never able to till then. 

Listen to exciting radio programmes and allow it to keep playing, even if you are fast asleep. And you would know what will happen next ! 

Happy dreaming!

The best US offers

a. Hollywood (Scorcese, Woody Allen, Clooney-Soderberg, Shyamalan, Coppola),

b. Centrist liberal media (NPR stations, NY times, AirAmerica etc.,),

c. Standup comedians (George Carlin, Bill Maher)

Border / Coastal State

The above picture is the epitome of US elections 2008.
Reds or Republicans are conservatives and Blues or Democrats are liberals.
Reds seem to be strong in hinterland, while Blues are strong in border areas or coastal areas.

Probable reason why Blues are strong in coastal areas or border areas is, people who live in these areas are exposed to other cultures who would have to enter US through these regions. Thus, the more likelihood of clash of cultures and which soon settles down and people of difference race/religion/languages start to coexist inspite of all these differences.
Probable reason why Reds are strong in hinterland is the exact inverse of the above i.e. people in hinterland have a lesser likelihood of interacting with people of other cultures and thus, grow more resistant to "change".