(Warning: semi-spoilers ahead!)

So I saw Inception two nights ago, and just like the rest of Leonardo diCaprio’s movies, this too blew my mind away. I read an interview article wherein Leo mentioned that he was fortunate to have the opportunity to choose the movies he does. And judging by the movies he has made in the last few years, we can definitely say that he’s got taste. The Departed, Blood Diamond, Shutter Island are among the best I’ve seen recently. And his latest movie, Inception, is just as mind-boggling and exciting.

I found the movie intriguing because I, myself, am a big dreamer – literally. I dream almost every night. Most times they’re vivid enough that I can tell people the details of what I dreamed about; and sometimes they’re not that it causes me to spend a few moments each morning “digging deep into the recesses of my mind” to remember what my dream was about (srsly! it stresses me out, lol.). And as for “Inception”, I think I’ve done it to myself once.

Believe it or not, I mastered driving in my dreams before I did in my conscious state. When I was maybe 14 or 15 years old, I got obsessed with driving. For a time, it’s all I could think about — that I must learn how to drive. My dad and my brothers taught me the basics, and they did make me practice from time to time, but I get too scared when I’m on the road, especially a busy one. Once while practicing, I halted and froze in an intersection! The cars behind me were honking loudly while there I was, panicking behind the wheel, not knowing what to do next. Good thing someone was there to remind me to calm down. I got out of there alive, but barely. Lol.

Even though fear took over me, my desire to learn was more intense that I had to do some improvisation. So I learned how to drive in my thoughts. And because I’ve been thinking about it too much, my subconscious of course joined in the fun. And so, for weeks, I practiced driving in my dreams. Yes, while I was asleep! In my dreams, I usually wasn’t driving an ordinary car, but a monster truck complete with those huge wheels! (Go figure.) I would take out the truck from the garage, drive around the city, and when I was done cruising in it, I would drive it back home. The details of my dreams felt real — from turning the keys in the ignition, to shifting gears, balancing the pedals, turning corners, driving in reverse, and parking! My mind was responding accurately to what I was seeing in my dream: the other cars and jeepneys on the road, the pedestrians crossing the street, the sidewalk, and other obstacles.

After some serious practicing (in my thoughts and in my dreams), the fear I had when I’m driving went away. It’s like I suddenly got used to the chaos in the streets that it didn’t bother anymore. I was able to remain calm and do my thing to get from Point A to Point B. Then one day, I was able to drive on my own, for real this time, without supervision. And it was the greatest feeling in the world! At that age, at least. :D

Cobb: “The seed that we planted in this man’s mind, may change everything.”

How silly of me trying to relate my story to the movie Inception, HAHA!! The way I learned how to drive is of course not like what happened in the movie, but I just found a slight connection in there somewhere and used it as an excuse to tell this story. LOLLL.

Obviously, the movie is just fiction, but it does prove something that is real and true: that the mind is so powerful that it can enslave us in so many ways.

I’m mentally tagging Inception as one of my favorite movies. It’s a visionary masterpiece! Looking forward to Leonardo diCaprio’s upcoming films. And Ellen Page’s, too. Good job, June-bug! :)

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