High School Dreamin'. Is There a Shrink in the House?

I had a high school dream last night.  I hate them because I always wake up angry. 

Basically, it’s always the same thing: I’m at a random party (as though I was invited to all of them) or in the high school minding my own business and I start to get picked on by the “popular” kids.  They approach me, get in my face and push and taunt me.  I get angry.

I must have a lot of unspent aggression.

The thing is, I loved high school. I had an amazing time.  But I think the dreams speak to two things – First, that anyone who questions the impact high school has on a person is an idiot.  If I’m still dreaming about it, it’s still affecting me.  Which is depressing.  Second, it illustrates the overwhelming competitive conditions of high schools.  I wasn’t picked on per se, but it was an extraordinarily intimidating environment.  Movies like “Mean Girls” only perpetuate the stereotypes and impressions of fear and “othering.” Now that I think about it, I remember seeing it was playing yesterday – though I didn’t watch it, I’ll bet that’s where my dream was inspired.

I opted not to go to my 10-year high school reunion.  Not explicitly because I harbor resentment toward most of my class (I don’t) but due to financial restrictions.  I imagine I could have put to rest some part of my subconscious brain that wants to go all Klebold on the school.  It’s embarrassing and a shame that I still dream about something that doesn’t affect my real life at all.  Though high school may have shaped me in some esoteric way, I don’t think about it unless my nonbrain is diarrheaing at night. 

The dreams are never violent.  Just confused and angry.  I recall (in that dreamy kind of way) that I responded very maturely to the bullies last night with a kind of “seriously?” vibe.  

I think I should see a therapist to instruct me how to stop dreaming about getting bullied in high school and more about having sex with the cheerleaders.