[MKSixer]

I had a very interesting experience which I thought I'd share here.

I've been working on a complicated algorithm for the last 2 or 3 weeks and the final resolution of the problem set has eluded me for the last few days. I have been close but upon checking work, it was always slightly off. It has really hacked me off.

Now here is the rub and please bear with me: My current gf is several years (16) younger than me and had never seen The Wire. This is something that was intolerable and I had to correct immediately. For the last 10 days we've been binging it and finally finished on Sunday. She loved it.

Last night I dreamt that I was sitting with Lester Freamon from The Wire in the crappy office they used and he was walking me through the problem set. Once he finished the explanation I awakened and went to my office and made the changes, "Lester", explained in the dream and "BAM"...problem solved. I sat there stunned for a moment the got up and made my coffee.

My general problem solving methodology is to study a problem and all of the information I can put my hands on with regard to it's solution then think intensely and model as much as I can. I can't ever remember a solution coming to me through a dream in this manner.

Does anyone else have this experience? If so, please share.

Cheers-mk