"Sure! I can install a ceiling fixture for you, dear! The new baby
needs light!"
Seemed like a simple statement. So 4 hours later here's my predicament.

1) I opened a hole for a ceiling junction box intending to use a fan
brace. I have discovered that the joists in this particular building
are spaced very closely. About 12~13 inches. Therefore, all of the
ceiling fan braces I have been able to find for old work will not fit.
They seem to start at 16 inches. Am I going to have to open a big hole
to span the joists with a 2x4? Any other choices?

2) The entire run of where the wall meets the ceiling appears to have a
metal girder all along the header. This precludes me drilling a hole
vertically to drop the BX. Can I notch the header where appropriate to
drop into the wall? It's not like it's carrying any significant
load...the building is poured concrete construction.

3) There is one joist I need to cross. Right now it just happens to be
that there is enough space between the joist and the drywall for the BX
to cross into the proper spot between studs. Should the joist be
notched? Or is it okay to leave it as it appears in the picture below,
crossing between the ceiling joist and ceiling drywall?

Here is a picture of the situation mentioned in 2 and 3.
http://www.hockspot.com/help/joists.jpg

Any/all help is appreciated!
Thanks.
-ben