I’ve been having bizarre dreams lately. Dreams fade quickly, so the only thing I remember is their bizarreness. I did manage to hold onto one dream, though.

I’m on a spaceship, about to enter into peace negotiations. I’m not the captain or anything; I have the distinct feeling that I’m an outsider, some type of rookie. In fact, I’m someone from the past (frozen, a long time ago).

I start to think about what I’m going to say and realize how unprepared I am. One needs to be thoroughly prepared for events like these. But now that I’m in this situation, now that I have been given the chance, I cannot back down. I will enter the negotiations with the mindset that I will bring peace; I am confident.

As soon as the enemy spaceships arrive, one of our men begins firing. “Cease fire, cease fire, damn it!” I shout. As I shout it, it sounds ridiculous, like I’m some salty guy from a cheesy movie. The guy stops, but it’s too late. The enemy ships disappear and suddenly reappear (hyperspace jump?) on our flank, firing away. Luckily, it is not a long engagement and we survive the surprise maneuver.

Later on, I’m angrily saying to someone that I would’ve brought peace if it hadn’t been messed up. On one level, I know it’s bluster. I want others to believe in me. But on the other hand, it’s not as if there was a 0% chance I would’ve been successful.

I wonder how the negotiations would’ve gone. Bluster, force of will — these are no substitutes for preparation.

And there we go, I understand the dream now.