THE LAPTOP ANXIETY (November 19, 2012)
I dreamt that someone had stolen my Mac Book Air. I was teaching at a university where most of the offices were out in the open on wide floors with high ceilings. A colleague came along and wanted to show me something at his desk, which was some way away. I left my laptop on my desk, but excused myself and returned to collect it a couple of minutes later. It was gone by then. I knew I should call the university police about the theft. With some luck, they could retrieve my laptop, too. I also knew I should call the insurance people at the university to tell them what had happened. They would cover the expenses. But I was thinking mainly about the quickest way to get another laptop, for I had all my files saved the previous night. All I needed was a new Mac Book Air, and I was thinking about the closest store where I could get it. I was also thinking about getting a somewhat smaller one this time around, but not the smallest on offer. Although the medium size would be easier to carry in my knapsack than the large size I used to have, its screen would still be big enough for the sorts of things I usually do. I woke up before I managed to do anything I was thinking about. My first thought was about my Mac Book Air. Where was it? Having made sure that I had left it in a safe place upon arrival in Zagreb, I did my best to fall asleep as soon as possible. The laptop anxiety amused me, but I did not wish to spend too much time ruminating about it. There are anxieties galore, anyway.