WyzWmn's World©

I was reminded
today at work
about the time I was Zippy the Clown
for a day

well
actually
it’s prolly happened more n oncet in my life
but this one bears repeating

so 2 summer’s ago
I was about to make the big trek over the Coquillhalla to go to Summer Stomp
(for those of you non-riding, non-BCer’s -that’s a weekend motorcycle bash held in Salmon Arm)

well you know me
I’m a girl scout
so I get me all prepared like
I buy all the supplies I need to go camping for the weekend
cos I can carry everything but the kitchen sink on my big green motorPickle!
and while I’m doing so I buy a tube of lip gloss that has SPF 30 in it
cos I always sun burn my yap when riding in the summer

round about the same time
I also bought a tube of vivid red gloss
prompted by the Voice of Doom
who spends a lotta time squawking
about me not doing face paint no more

anyway
the day I start my holiday dawns bright and clear
the sun is shining
and there I am
waiting for the first ferry of the day
to get off this big ole rock

on the ferry I go
across the sound I go
off the ferry I go
skirting the city I go
on to Hope and the Coquillhalla I go
about half way over the mountain there’s a toll booth

I am havin a blast!
first holiday off the island since I moved to BC
and I am motoring coolness

it occurs to me
as I am blasting along in the sunshine
that I’m likely burning my yap

without looking
I reach in my pocket
grab a tube of lip stuff
and spread it all over my lips
and then for good measure…
~cos ya don’t wanna get chin cancer
I paint a liberal coat over the top of my lips
just to make sure I don’t get burnt

a while later I arrive at the toll booth
all my coolness intact
I stop and take off my glove
and pass the toll booth guy some cash

it’s not till I reach up to pass him the cash that I look at his face
and he’s got that deer caught in the headlights look on his face

I thinks to meself
“that’s odd”
and as I lower my hand
I catch sight of my face in the side mirror

*oh crap!*

you guessed it
I’d spread red lipstick all over my chin
in lieu of gloss

~sigh~
there’s goes your coolness factor you moron!

“just call me Zippy the Clown” says I
the toll booth guy just continues to look stunned
as I and rode over to the facilities
to wash the lower half of my face
and hang my head in shame!!

***************************
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career,
however humble;
it is a real possession
in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity
and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.