Today’s in-a-hurry, down-and-dirty bullet points/thoughts–

1. So tired, so thankful

Last night I stayed up until four in the morning helping my friends pack. I’m happy to have the work. Then I went to Walmart to prepare for my upcoming family road trip and went to bed at five-thirty. Today I am–functional. I just got a haircut and need to get ready to meet friends for dinner. I should shower. They might appreciate that.

2. I’ve got to be crazy

The road trip tomorrow will be to Albuquerque, where my sister lives. It will be me, my dad, my mom, my aunt, and our dog (Ella), and we will all be crammed into my car, Tom Collins. If nothing else, the trip will give me plenty to write about. Stay tuned.

3. You never know

Here’s something I found while helping my friends pack. It’s a poem from a 1960s (?) elementary-school autograph book by some kid named Joe that says, “Roses are red, Violets are blue, The shorter the miniskirt, The better the view.” (Geez. Straight people.)

You never know where your words will end up.

4. Can’t get a(head)? Here are two.

For six years when I had the dance studio, I hosted a dance event called Southern Fried Swing. Even now, no one gets the name right. They call it Kentucky Fried Swing, Deep Fried Swing, Chicken Pot Pie (my favorite). Anyway, the head of my decorating committee, whom I’m helping pack, was and is always super-creative, and we came across these painted mannequin heads that were leftover from our 2010 event. (I think it was 2010). Check them out. I’m still amazed. People are so talented.

5. Holy Mother of God (Batman)

I’m writing a lot about my friends who are moving. I mean, I have been spending twelve-hours days at their house quite a bit lately. Anyway, I’m not usually moved by religious iconography, but they have a picture of the madonna and child that stops me in my tracks every time I see it. I said something about it, and the next day my friend gave me a smaller version of the painting, one she found in an old school book. So yesterday I bought a frame for it and hung it in the small space between my closet doors. The painting is by Raphael (the painter, not the Ninja Turtle), and I’m not sure why I love it. I guess I think Mary looks like a nice lady–accepting. Plus, the painting makes me think of the Beatle’s song “Let It Be,” although the song was about Paul McCartney’s actual mother and not the Blessed Virgin.

But still.

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

6. Have a Coke and smile

Yesterday I taught a dance lesson at the local Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Talk about a cool gig. I used to be obsessed with Coca-Cola, decorated my room with Coke wallpaper, and yesterday’s lesson was held in their museum. (Sometime’s life is pretty bitchin’.) Anyway, afterwards I got to find the Coke calendar from the year I was born. Check it out.

7. Hey, loser

After yesterday’s cool experience at the Coca-Cola plant, I got an email about a writing fellowship I applied for. There were 700 applicants, and I wasn’t one of the winners. Neither was a friend of mine, so when I called her to commiserate, she said, “Hey, loser,” and I said, “Hey, loser.” I don’t know–I’m a little disappointed, but not really. Normally I’d think, I can’t get ahead, but today I’ve been thinking, This feels right. Perhaps this is a sign of progress, a sign of my being able to let it be. More and more, I’m not sure I know what’s best for me. I have these dreams I’d like to see happen, but WHO AM I to say if they should come about or HOW they should come about if they do? Who am I to push the universe around? That thinking is stressful, the idea that something should be happening that isn’t. No–I’d much rather image the universe as the madonna and me as its beloved child wrapped safely in her arms, where everything all right and okay, exactly as it should be.