In my dream, I have just discovered a quick and easy way to tie a Slip Knot. The normal way requires three or four motions but this way requires only two. And, in either case, you didn't need access to either end of the rope to tie it.
I tie it and untie it several times, just to confirm that the procedure does in fact produce a legitimate Slip Knot, and then prepare to show it to a friend. In my mind, the knot produced will be useful in securig a rope to support a tent or other equivalent tasks.
I tell that to my friend about this discovery and then try to repeat the tying procedure I had been practicing. It doesn't work. I try to recall the exact procedure I've discovered, but the images in my mind don't result in the knot I want. So I tie the knot iin the normal way, and it works just fine. I show the result to my friend and tell him about its use in holding up a tent.
My friend expresses doubt on this point -- although I don't recall whether he says anything or just frowns -- but in either case, he walks away.
After he's gone, I recreate the Slip Knot (but don't recall which way) and, in looking more closely at the path of the rope to make the knot, realize that it's totally useless forf securing a tent or any equivalent use.
At the right time and in the right place, a Slip Knot can be quite useful -- moreso than any other know I know -- but in this case, it's useless.
