Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Lady of the Night


I'm somewhat of a Lady of the Night. A true professional, but not THAT kind. As a massage therapist, I work a lot of late evenings because clients need to get in after their work day...which extends mine. I don't really mind. I made my choice. Work by "The Man's" hours and rules or work by mine. Being a "woman," I chose mine.

So, it's about 9 p.m. as I pull into the driveway. Dragging my duffel bag full of soiled linen to the washer, like a dead body, I stop a moment on the pathway and look up to the frosty, November sky. Crikey! It's getting cold in the evenings now! The sky always looks different to me in the colder part of the year than the warmer. Don't know why, to me, it just does. Clearer, maybe. Sharper.

Heck, right then and there, I plop my tired glutes down to sit on that soft, body of sheets. Shiver-upon-shiver ripple across my human landscape, but still, I sit, mesmerized by the belt of Orion. The damp coolness of the earth rising up around me. Knees bent. Elbows on knees. Arms crossed and folded across each other. Neck extended back. Eyes pointing to the black sky, sparkly stars pointing back to mine, I contemplate.

And it hits me. We are all occupying the surface of this massive rock that is traveling at enormous speeds through space. There are billions of other rocks, smaller and bigger, flying around just like we are. Just waiting to hit us. Or we hit them. Or whatever! Something WILL hit something...eventually! We ride around on the outside of our planet waiting, like a jouster about to be knocked off his horse by his opponent, for our turn. One big smack and we're all goners. Maybe it would be safer if we could somehow ride inside the Earth for some protection. But, NO! The Earth's core is a huge fire ball of raging, molten Hell.

Earthlings are carried around the sun, another massive fire ball, at nearly 67,000 mph. 670,000 miles per hour! At the same time, the Earth is spinning nearly 1000 mph at the equator. So fast it causes our planet to bulge. Our entire solar system, including Pluto which is no longer considered a planet like it was when I was in school, is buzzing around the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way, at nearly 560,000 mph. Our galaxy is moving in respect to other galaxies. And maybe, just maybe, the entire universe is moving too.

Did you know that, #3 on Top Ten Ways to Destroy the Earth is: The Earth is pulverized by impact with blunt instrument. Feasibility rating: 7/10.

Or, something hits us and Earth is Hurled into the Sun, the #1 way for Earth to be destroyed. Feasibility rating: 9/10.

And, maybe even scarier, there are folks who spend time making these feasibility ratings.

I think I've just discovered the source of my, albeit occasional, free-floating, can't-put-my-finger-on-it anxiety.

Maybe we spend too much time worrying about all the wrong stuff. Spend too much time in self-analysis, self-absorption and introspection. Too much time debasing ourselves and others for our lacks and losses. Too much time thinking we can't have this or do that. Maybe just staying on the ride without getting bucked off is good enough. Yep, probably plenty good enough for me. I wonder what the feasibility rating is that I won't have to have to fold all this laundry?

20 comments:

Mrsupole said...

I am so dizzy right now with all this traveling I just did in the time it took me to read this. My mind is spinning and I am thinking that the feasibility rating is that you are gonna have to fold it all. And then do it again and again.

Which is a good thing cause then that means you are working and have a job, which during this time is a good thing. And not working for "The Man" is an even better thing. Which is why I am not working right now. I hate working for "The Man", whoever that man might be.

Although I might have to go back to work again if the economy does not change pretty soon or if that bill to raise our energy costs is passed. Our electric bill was so high this summer, that I almost had to become a real "Woman of the Night" to pay the frickin thing. If the dang thing goes any higher then I will have to take out a loan on the house to pay it.

I was reading the list of taxes on it and was shocked to see that my city adds 8% onto my bill. So for every dollar I use of electricity, they are getting 8 cents, then that means the feasibility of them getting more money goes up with me using my air conditioner or my heater. It goes up with each flick of the switch.

I am so sick of paying so many taxes. I think the feasibility of me exploding is becoming greatly increased. Well that is if I keep eating so much due to the depression of paying all these freaking taxes to who the hell is adding all these taxes to all my bills. May these taxation without representation people go rot down in the middle of our planet and burn to a small piece of ash to go flying off into another galaxy of a hunk of burning lava.

Okay, now that I have blown off a little steam, I am gonna go get started on those loan papers to find out the feasibility of getting one. Uh, I think I like the word feasibility for some reason.

Feasibilitingly (is this a real word) gonna say;

God bless.

PS...I am just asking if everyone can help me shamelessly promote "made4aid" again. It's that time of year again and the feasibiltiy of giving a gift is greatly increased.

Dorraine said...

Yes, I do believe staying on the ride is good enough. I'm big into the universe, and have read about these things you've mentioned, but there is nothing we can do about any of it, so might as well be happy and hope not to get hit by anything, including laundry!

This was beautifully written, Ronda!

Brian Miller said...

Maybe we spend too much time worrying about all the wrong stuff. Spend too much time in self-analysis, self-absorption and introspection. Too much time debasing ourselves and others for our lacks and losses...

i could not agree more. but it is so hard to let go at times. but i keep trying...smiles.

Erik said...

The only thing I ever paid anyone to do for me when I was in college was wash and fold my clothes. What was I thinking...Becoming a massage therapist? Now I go through 5 sets of sheets and 2 sets of clothes in the course of an afternoon! I need to find a college kid to hire!

Regarding the time we get to spend on this amazing and magical massive rock: I have come to accept it as a grand adventure. Worry only exists in the future, I am doing my best to stay in the present.

We on the rock ride is inevitable until we fall off or remove ourselves. Enjoying the waves and swirls on this wet rock while we are here seems to be the key.

CiCi said...

Some introspection is probably good if it helps to become a happier person. Dwelling on things we cannot change does not make me happy. I like the way you bring us back to the present and to the acceptance of enjoying the ride.

DUTA said...

No technical device can substitute the fingers of a human massagist. This fact should give you much satisfaction in your work.

As for the earth, I believe it's approaching to an end ,but when will that happen, only God knows.

Ronda Laveen said...

Oh, Sherry...nice rant! I love it when you let your inner-bi**h fly. "May these taxation without representation people go rot down in the middle of our planet and burn to a small piece of ash to go flying off into another galaxy of a hunk of burning lava." Sing it sistah!

I will be happy to promote Maid4Aid. You can make a career just with your comments. If "feasibilitingly" isn't a word, you just made it one.

Dorraine: The universe and cosmology is one of those subjects that I go in and out of studying. But it is always in the the back of my consciousness, influence just about everything in my life. Yep, it's good the laundry is soft 'cause I get hit with it daily.

Glad you enjoyed the ditty. I am honored by your compliment.

Ronda Laveen said...

Brian: Ya know what? That's all we can do is to keep trying. But each time I catch myself going there, I get better and better at seeing when I'm about to take a step in the direction I don't want to go. I'm not sure if practice makes perfect, but it does make me more aware. Smiles back.

Ronda Laveen said...

Erik: Welcome! Oh, how funny it is that you paid to have your laundry done when you were in college and now have piles of it to do. I guess the universe, in her inate wisdom, brings back to us what we try to avoid. But I agree, help would be nice. Every once in the while, the Wonder Husband helps me fold. I try to nit pick his folding technique only a little and gentle explain that wadding is not folding.

Yes, we are on a magnificent Rock Ride. Best just to sit back and enjoy it!

TechnoBabe: I am working on not dwelling right now. I think this is where this piece came from. Look. Watch. Change. Accept. Master. A work in progress, am I.

Ronda Laveen said...

DUTA: I've tried a number of those mechanical massage devices and they are all unsatisfactory at some level. You are right, they've not been able to duplicate the human touch. That kind of Artifical Intelligence would be way to freaky, I think.

Yes, the Earth will end sometime but, I agree, only God knows when.

Baino said...

Haha you said 'crikey' very Aussie of you! Orion is one of the few constellations that can be seen in both hemispheres. I just thank my lucky stars for those huge planets that cop a lot of meteoric shit each day so that we don't! I think you're right about sweating the wrong stuff. I wish I was a little more relaxed and less introspective. And I don't fancy you having a low feasibility when it comes to doing the laundry!

JGH said...

Definitely some things to think about (that I haven't thought about in a while!) Really, it's amazing we haven't been banged-into yet, isn't it? Someone must be watching over us.

Ronda Laveen said...

Baino: I'm trying to learn your language. I study your blog endlessly. But it rolls off your tongue so easily and I fear I will never get the tempo. But I continue on...

Yeah, high feasibility rating on that laundry! Back at it today.

JGH: We've gotten a few bumps and bruises but so far so good. Someone is watching over us!

Kate Hanley said...

Great post AND great discussion on the comments. Nothing much to add except that when I'm under the weight of introspection (what did she mean when she said that?) I read a few blogs and am brought back to my senses, just like now. Thanks!

Mike said...

We would probably have some great conversations! I think about the universe quite a bit! Hell with the introspective stuff! LOL!

Ronda Laveen said...

Kate: Wow! I know what you mean about reading blogs and finding your way back to yourself. It is so nice to read others' view points.

Otin: I'm sure you think about the universe a lot, after all, you are a Wizard. And from your stories, I see that you contemplate the Heavens on occasion. I'll bet we would have some great converstaions.

Megan said...

Tell the kids. Tell them - you don't need any help to get high. It's all there in your head. Don't let it scare you. Embrace it.

Candie said...

I know those kind of nights,they even happen in the day for me!And I know you are completely right,but I can't stop it!Oh I unwillingly made some rhymes!

Candie said...

you are definitely always inspiring!

Ronda Laveen said...

Megan: That is a wonderful sentiment, and so true. We already have everything that we need inside of us, physically and mentally. I love that: "Don't let it scare you. Embrace it." That is probably the root of the whole problem. Fear. You nailed it, toots.

Candie: You are so funny. It happens to you in the day? Yikes.

You are so very good at making rhymes. And, thanks.