Let me go ahead and get my procrastinating out of the way.

1. Tornado. Good God. When I woke up the next morning and looked at pictures of Tuscaloosa . . . a city I lived in for a good 5 years, it was heartrending. 15th Street, just gone. Thankfully, family and I are fine (and thanks to those who sent inquiries of concern), but there are a few others we know of in other cities who aren't.

2. Almost done with stories. Gotta finish these bad boys this weekend. And then that's going to be it for a while. I've got to get my life together before the big move.

3. This morning I did a little cultural activity at a local junior high. Brought some paella, pictures, Mexican sombrero, castanets, etc. The kids seemed to enjoy it.

4. God, help me endure. My learning center gig is wearing out my brain's welcome. Because of my genius move of quitting the best paying job I'd ever had in the middle of the year, I have to work this summer. (Can I stop sounding so spoiled and just be glad I have a job? Sheesh.)

5. There is a bespectacled man in here with a t-shirt on that has a picture of some muppets dressed gangsta-style. It gives him zero street cred or respect. And he has it tucked into some dusty black jeans. Boo.

6. Lady sitting next to me out of the blue starts involved emotional convo about the tornado. I gave her some kleenex.

7. And after chatting about other stuff, I told her I had to get back to work. So I have to be a woman of my word.