1 Part Inspiration, 3 Parts Perspiration

Some days, like today, I have to be satisfied filling up my creative tank with experiences, observations and person to person encounters.

Any day that begins at the Department of Motor Vehicles probably should be flagged with a sign that says, "No Line For Creativity Here." If I had been alone, I could have written some. I came prepared for that, but I was with my teenage daughter who's now 18 months overdue for getting her permit. We came 30 minutes early which put us 16th in line.

We sat down holding #455 for the line that began the day at 450 which initially seemed promising. Elysse and I chatted and giggled, yes giggled, over this and that whispered under our breath. After 55 minutes we handed over identification to the woman at the counter, and then she sent us to get a photo. Excitedly we hurried over to the chairs near the camera, but we waited there 20 minutes for a picture which, at least in black and white, did not please Elysse.

If I knew how to read signs from the universe, there probably was an important message at the DMV. I teach at a small high school about 20 miles away from this location, but during my time waiting I encountered 1 teacher from my school, 2 former students, 1 student new to me this September, and 7 students from this past school year. I am not typically this well-known in public places.

Upon leaving the DMV with the paper-version of my daughter's new permit in hand, there still seemed to be plenty of time for creating something like quilts or stories or articles or even dinner, but there wasn't. From there it was on to Driver's Ed class and then home to even out the four hours of sleep from the night before (aka nap), a movie with the family, "Year One" (not one of Jack Black's finest), 79 pages of reading on Learning Communities for a class next week, a yoga class, and then another movie at home (due back tomorrow) with the family, "Outsourced" which was really quite good.

Maybe the universe was trying to tell me this: fill up your writer's tank with daily adventures, and you can knead and pull them into shape to write them out. Look Mom, I did make something today....I made this blog. I can now go to sleep content. Tomorrow adventures on the city bus. Good night!