The Creativity Switch is on and I have to go to work...I can never win.

Brain Powered

Warren's Brain Powered column has finally been updated on Artbomb. Current article covers the current world of Web Comics including Patrick Farley--who I blogged earlier under Spiders.

just south of poor
is can't meet the needs
and making ends meet
Main Street's dreams broken
something missing from the dinner table (bread of life)
when the people are not able
shirt off their backs worn thin
in our America
can't take a nation back
can't look in the mirror
can't be what I wanna be
or who I should be/could be
scratching for pennies
there's not enough
the price tag too high.
You sir, are worth nothing.
in my crumpled best suit, with fading blue tie
pole bearer for the casket that carries middle class
a funeral for the masses
to the others
I do say, "we're just south of poor."

the hands that touch me are the ones i resent
the smile is gone
i'll never be happy until i die
hush it won't be long now
we can never fly or cry or tell you we are nothing
and mean nothing
every thing else more important
my love she don't lie to me
she simply pretends i don't exist.

The 6 Characteristics of Highly Creative People

Good article, related to the creativewritingprompts.com website I posted about a few days ago. Are you highly creative?

Creativewritingprompts.com

Appears to be a good site. Includes good writing prompts, software, e-mail courses, and newsletters. I'm going to take the free course on imagery.

The writing prompts appear to be stored in a BLOG. I had a similar idea myself of using a BLOG in this way with prompts for science fiction, horror, and fantasy writers. It appears to me, there are not a lot of writing sites or magazines directed toward that market. File that idea under "future."

One yellow crayon and some old scrap paper that Daddy brought home from the office....that's all it takes to entertain my Lacey. Her squiggly lines seemingly thrown all over the page to create a 3 year old's master piece, a Mona Lisa of childhood. The pictures go up on the refrigerator as I tell her, "You're drawings are so beautiful!" This is the only affirmation that she needs and bliss is upon her, a smile from ear to ear. She gives me a drawing to take to the office-- it's one for the road. My instincts tell me there is a Van Gogh or Norman Rockwell already coursing through those little veins. My daughter will be something I am not, something better than I am. That thought does not bring sadness, it brings joy, it's what every parent wants. Laughing and giggling resound through the room as Lacey now shows baby Jacob the delicate art of drawing. This moment, stopped in time, etched in my mind's eye, I shall never forget. The yellow crayon is forever.

My last 'From the Journals' post seems incomplete. So many beautiful phrases, quotes, words, running around in my mind. To me the right words are more valuable than gold, and all of these phrases measure up.
________
"And you are wolf lovely as lovely can be." --Tanith Lee
________
"Before you die, you see the Ring." --The Ring Movie
________
"...a feeling of fucking and whiskey to it." --Warren Ellis
________
"A mind is a terrible thing to taste." --Nobius Black
________
"I was meant to be a poet. But one does not eat good intentions, so I have become some other things." --Vertigo X: Winter Man
________
"And what do you want from me?"
"Everything. What else is there to want?" --Neil Gaiman
________
"When he was a child, his pet gerbil told him that Daddy made Aunt Susie say prayers into his trousers." --Artbomb
________
"It's all fun and games until someone licks the sarcophagus." --Cory Doctorow
________
"Well you do what you do and you pay for your sins...there's no such thing as what might have been." --Tim McGraw
________
"We have created a society that begs for monsters to be born. If there is anything left at all, it will be an epitaph: They did it to themselves." --Anonymous
________
"Evil prospers when the good do nothing." --Anonymous
________
"Time is a four letter word." --Grant Morrison
________
"I never thought you'd become what you became." --Elliott Smith
________
"If they were real, no one would be saved." --Nobius Black
________
"That's some lamb". --Stan Rice
________
"I was feeling some feelings you wouldn't believe and I decided I was never coming down." --Nine Inch Nails
________
"I always knew I'd be somebody. I kept it in my head. I never needed anybody." --Kiss
________
"Peace sells but who's buying?" --Megadeth
________
"And when I start to come undone, stitch me together." --Metallica
________
"There I sit with writing on the paper, trying to think of words you can't ignore." --Alice in Chains
________
"Writers are born to write and doctors to heal. You can't run away from what you are, Slade, especially if what you are includes the legs you run with." --Grant Morrison
________


Many, many more pieces locked away in my brain, what fun it will be to let them out to play.

David Kilpatrick Home Page

Take some time and check out David Kilpatrick's web site. I'll be putting his books on my Christmas list. The site contains info on his career and writings and sports a great BLOG with good articles to help the budding writer. One article talks about the time it takes to write a novel...if you read nothing else read that one.

Installed a new search function...this one at least searches my BLOG, however again it only points to a whole page and not individual entries... back to the forums....

I am no webmaster...my search function isn't working at all...nada...zip...zelch...zero. It searches the web just fine though. Funny thing is, I haven't done a damn thing to it.

CNN.com - Drug benefits bill hurdle: Firms may drop coverage

Let's just let 'em all die...who needs senior citizens? This is America after all. Even though every other industrialized nation on Earth has universal health care, why should we? Medical care is for the weak.

Seems, that's the way our goverment thinks. Sad isn't it?

A Softer World.

We've said it a billion times. Comics can tell any type of story. 'A Softer World' does just that with an image style all it's own.

I got the search function to work all by my little lonesome...now if I can just get the color scheme of it fixed....it could be worse I guess.

It's not quite what I wanted, wanted to be able to search all text in the BLOG, but it does work. Searching for any string of text seems to be connected to what has or has not been crawled by GOOGLE. If I search the word 'brain' for example, I get a search result of every instance of it whether it's a post like 'Fire Brain' or the word 'brain' like in the text of my post 'Fire Brain.' However, 'Sweet' brings up no matches and that is a brand new post.

Time to study more about GOOGLE. The add for the search function said 'Google Free Search -- get more traffic.' Now that would be nice.

Sweet.

Sugar,
Sacharine,
Sweet like you.

Rain,
Water,
Wash it all way.

Rain,
Water,
Wash you away too?

In this next installment of my Journal archiving, I will simply list some of the great quotes by others that have inspired me. Words can be so beautiful, and oh so deadly.

These are some of the words that replayed in my mind over and over, after the book was done, the song finished, spilling over in my head.

________
"I believe in peace bitch." -- Tori Amos
________
"While some fall, others are pushed." --Neil Gaiman
________
"I don't feel it anymore." --System of a Down
________
"What if your heart stopped, but the music didn't." --Johnathan Carrol
________
"But when you listen," said Uwen, "you even hear what people didn't say." --Orson Scott Card
________
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you fee." --Gospel of John
________
"Sodium Penathol is an idea I had." -- Anthrax
________
"Tell them about Jesus, then put them in the electric chair." --Sister Helen Pejean
________
"Everything is perfect, everything is sick." --Anthrax
________
"Truth was not always beautiful or desired." --Tanith Lee
________
"I don't want you to beat me. What did I do? It's just because." --Mushroomhead
________
"Where's the one that ordered me to kill Snow White? In the moment before we awaken screaming, we will always hear our own voices saying, 'We did.' --Milbre Burch
________
"They thought they could create heaven, but where there's a heaven, there's always a hell." --Paradise X trailer (Marvel Comics)
________
"You're just a pussy, my sweet boy." --Tori Amos
________
"I have been to lots of parties and acted perfectly disgraceful, but I have never collapsed. Oh Lana Turner, we love you, get up! --Frank O'Hare
________
"Who killed the Lord in the first place? Was it you?" --War Babies
________
"The truth is obsolete." --Warren Ellis
________
"I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you-nobody-too? Then there's a pair of us!" --Emily Dickinson
________
"I don't know what if feels like, I can't decide." --Days of the New
________
"The flesh of the story, is always easier to swallow then the bones." --Tim Wynne Jones
________
"Reason has no image. One can not picture it. But breasts, and lips, and hair..." --Tim Wynne Jones
_______
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." --Albert Einstein

That was fun, there are so many more lines from others drifting in my head and written in my journals, I'll be posting more soon.

Nobius truly has a long way to go on my journey toward publishable writing, so this post is not a stab at anyone or a personal jab. I've read many BLOGS, web sites, etc. lately where the author states something like this, "This is what I think...but since no one is reading my web site..." or I've even seen people title their BLOG "This BLOG sucks" even though they write well. If you put that type of negative thought out there, you will only get negative back. If you are stating your writing is terrible or no one is reading it, no one will. As writers, we all have different talents and levels of talent. We are not all blessed enough to be Stephen King or Warren Ellis. All writers write poor material some days, that goes staright to the rubish bin. Writing is an art form that takes much practice and time to master....that fact is common sense. And writing, of course, is a lonely endeavor. So, we as artists must encourage ourselves and other writers always. Through practice, we will grow and improve our skills. Sometimes the only encouragement we receive is the 'pat on the back' we give ourselves. Be proud that you are creating something whether it's a BLOG, a journal, a novel, etc. There is something to be said for people who don't just think about writing, they write. Like you, like me.

Sci-Fi Channel may sue NASA for UFO documents

Sue the government that still can't figure out who shot Kennedy? It would be interesting to see what the government is hiding, and they are hiding something. I personally have a theory regarding aliens. Aliens may not be "alien" at all. There may be advanced, indiginous life here on Earth living in some undetected civilization. I theorize this because the amount of energy required to travel to and from distant galaxies while sustaining life would be immense. Any thoughts?

Slush Factory

Slush Factory is an excellent web site covering the four-colored world, however it's the columns section that I like. Including several columns from veteran comic book journalist Keith Giles, the best of which is 'Writing is Hard Work.' It sure the hell is Keith, look for my post soon 'Writing is Even Harder Work While Balancing 4 Kids and a Full Time Job!"....ha ha. Well hey, no one said it'd be easy...

The Spiders: An Online Comic

I swear I'n not trying to create a Warren Ellis fan club BLOG....this link is to another site he introduced the world to in his email newsletter Bad Signal. I promise more original material from me soon, but in the meanwhile check out the on line comics of E-sheep. Welcome to the world of President Gore. Spiders is the story of an alternate reality, post 9-11 world that shockingly mirrors our own.

Muhammad, Defending Himself, Challenges Concept of 'Truth'

And up next, Muhammad questions the meaning of the word 'sex.' Our tax dollars hard at work....again.

Oh yes, I'm rolling around in the mud of life;
wallowing in my own depression,
getting down in my own shit.
My bed--the pen that hasn't been gotten out of in weeks.
Eating the slop of day-to-day living,
Ugly to behold,
The Beautiful Pig that I am.
The things you can tell just by looking at her.

"Something is wrong, I didn't think it was in your genes to turn down sex, babe."

"There is..."

"Mr. Clever, you must have something to say. Some insightful in-your-face-comment or wittier-than-thou observation. Certainly you are not without words?"

"Not tonight dear, I have a headache. There is something to say but I just can't f*cking seem to get it out."

"Just tell me how you are, tell me what's on your mind."

"I can't. I have writer's block."

Daki: New Format

It seems I am not the only one that has been inspired by that fiend Warren Ellis...:) Daki shouldn't of saved the head.

It was the heart, so weak. Still beating every day with the whole in it until today. Now his fragile heart beats no more. No more. Little Rod was one of my best friends, maybe even my best friend. Loving with out judgment, always making me smile. I never met a person who didn't care about him. He gave us so many good memories. It was his special talent. Rod was the little brother I never had and always wanted. He will never be forgotten. Now it's his turn to make the angels laugh with that unique brand of humor and for the pain to stop. There is an extra special place in Heaven for him. The loud speakers declare, "Rodney has left the building." We miss you already. And now the whole in the heart, is the one in mine. Rest in peace old friend.

My brother-in-law Rodney died today at 130 PM. The world has stopped.

LISTENER: A book for the Internet in sixty entries

Does this guy ever sleep? I just found out about Warren's new blog, which will be what it says it is. A serialized book for the Internet and it's free. It's top notch screw-with-your-head--*fiction*--the Warren way...Mr. Ellis, we are not worthy.

This is the premise of a new script I am working on:

I am working on a comic idea (outlining the idea now) called Synaptic. It is essentially in a post 'Thought Police', post apocalyptic type world. Synaptic exists in a time just after the fourth World War in which some lands have technology and energy, and some don't. The 'synaptic net' was a instrument worn by all people in order to control their minds, it also linked them all the time to the Internet, things like that. The premise is that our hero 'Gabriel' (might change that name) wakes up in this world with few memories of his past and destroys his net by pulling it out of his brain. Gabriel then discovers he has Mutant like powers to manipulate energy/gravity with his mind. Of course, the downside as he and our readers find out later, is that his power kills him every time he uses it. In his travels, he meets many people in this new world--some think he's Jesus, others the devil, some want to even kill him. He travels from nation to nation, learning about this new world. In some of the lands, people still where the 'Synaptic' and it works, in other lands it doesn't work. Bottom line: is everyone wants a piece of Gabriel and Gabriel is dying, and he knows it. If he can't save the world, can he save his friends, or even himself? And all along the way, our readers discover where he's from and why he's here and that inevitable truth may be more ugly than the world Gabriel now lives in.

Women's Gas

Oh those wacky Japaneese! This site is in such bad taste and written in such poor English, I almost didn't BLOG it. But if I didn't who would? I couldn't make something up this gross...he loves stinkers and the women who produce them. Go ahead you sexy, gassy, bean eating ladies, click on the link and email him and his broken English.

Haven't had much luck with Google or by posting in forums...I need a tool that will let external users search my BLOG for content the same way I can do when I'm logged into BLOGGER. If anyone knows of any tools, please let me know.

Group Hug Confessions

Need to get something off your mind? Would confessing make you feel better? Are you a masked bandit who leaves floaties in the pool, in love with your best same sex friend, or a man who cries during chick flicks? Grouphug.us is your on line confessional, safer than a priest, and completely anonymous. Now the world can read about what a putz you are and never know it's you. Isn't the Internet life grand? I had to confess on the web site, I wrote this article just to have a good laugh.

It's truly scary, how many hits 'Bible Approved Underwear' gets:

Bible Approved Underwear

Some religions clearly have too much free time. Why feed the poor when you can make a fashion statement. Wouldn't want to be caught dead wearing Mohammed approved underwear, now would I? But damn it, I'm keeping the Buddah sized thong.

Episode one of my new seires, Tangled Web. It's a crazy and tangled Web we weave, full of the bizarre, full of people with too much time on their hands:

Heaven's Gate Mirror Site

The believers may have all committed suicide, but their web site lives on. Like, rock on dude. It was their last chance to evacuate before Earth was recycled, can't you tell? Check out this link, which is a mirror of the original Heaven's Gate Web Site. Site includes their position against suicide (um...okay) and a statement from an E.T. presently incarnate (phone home). And to think, these fools are in Heaven while we're hanging out here on Earch waitin' for the appocalypse. Surf's up.

Twice a month, the girls and I get out the Legos and build (my son is too small). It is one of our favorite activities together. It's times like these that remind me how funny kids can be and how lucky I am to have children. These are actual comments made while we were playing:

Lacey (age 3)
"Jakes poo is ewwwieee!!"
"My Legos!!"
"Daddy, I lub you."

Marinda (age 5)
"Daddy, look at my creation first!"
"Do you think your boss will let you build Lego stuff so you don't have to answer the phone?"
"Do you think Mommy will let you build Lego stuff so you don't have to take care of the babies?"
"Daddy, Kayla's boy legos don't love my girl ones."
"Do Legos come in Power Puff Girls?"
"How come there's no pink ones?"
"I'm building a mirror to see my pretty face."
"It didn't break apart, it died. Can we flush it down the toilet like the dead fish?"
"If Jake ate this antenna, would it come out the other side?"
"Daddy, I luv you."

Kayla (Age 8)
"Look, I've given birth to art!"
"Can we sell our creations on Ebay? We'll be rich!!"
"When you make me stop playing, you break my heart."
"Two hours isn't long enough to play."
"We can't be done yet, my invention isn't complete."
"I wonder if I can go to college for Lego building"
"If you put a real engine in this car, we'll never have to buy a car again!"
"Dad, can Steve from Blue's Clues come over for dinner."
"See...this it cuts off people's heads so I can rule the world."
"Remember the back yard wrestling ring you built for the Barbie's. I liked Undertaker Barbie the best."
"Do you want me to get you a beer to go with those Legos?"

Here's an Image title that I hope comes back, the artwork is sensational and the story never got close to getting off the ground: Radix.

Many, my child, many.



And still many more.

Snoopware

Now as I said before, read my entry 'Thought Police.' I'm gonna send these e-cards to all my friends...lol...:)

Franz De Leon

Franz has the beginnings of a beautiful website. I can't wait until more of his art is posted on line. Quite simply put: his artwork rocks!! Franz, how about a few drawing lessons so I can finally publish one of my comics? Good luck to you!

Democratic debate

Last night's debate was a lot of fun to watch, it is rare that we get to see our politician's views on display virtually uninteruppted. Two thoughts occurred to me while watching it:

1) All of these social programs are great ideas but unforuntately how are we going to pay for them? A nation has never taxed itself into prosperity.

2) Why couldn't all the candidates have swords? Everyone loves a good tussle! It's been said, politics are a bloody sport, let's make it so. Al Sharpton would win that debate--hands down, and poor old Dennis Kuscinsch--we'll he'd probably be first to drop out of that race (literally)--all 105 lbs of him.

Throbbing, beating, lying on the ground, pulsating in purple ooze. Ideas no matter how horrible, can not be contained forever. I had to get them out...all of them...every last one. And if they won't come out on their own... Skull cracked. Bone broke. Poor man's lobotomy. Sugery has been performed, sugery was a success. The brain of all creation exposed to the midnight sun, poured over the floor. Now we must wring out all the thoughts like a wet-wet wash cloth, until it's dry...until it's dry. Duty demands. But if the brain slides, if the brain moves--blast it into oblivion!

Dad and kids built these robots last weekend:

The Official Dave Matthews Band Website

I've always thought Dave had a great voice but none of his music ever struck much of an accord with me...until now. "Grave Digger" is the first single from Dave's current solo album. Can't get the song out of my head. I find the song so powerful that words can't justify a description, instead here's the lyrics:

"Grave Digger" by Dave Matthews

Cyrus Jones 1810 to 1913
Made his great grandchildren believe
You could live to a hundred and three
A hundred and three is forever when you're just a little kid
So Cyrus Jones lived forever

Grave digger
When you dig my grave
Could you make it shallow
So that I can feel the rain
Grave digger

Muriel Stonewall
1903 to 1954
She lost both of her babies in the second great war
Now you should never have to watch
Your only children lowered in the ground
I mean you should never have to bury your own babies

Grave digger
When you dig my grave
Could you make it shallow
So that I can feel the rain
Grave digger

Ring around the rosey
Pocket full of posey
Ashes to ashes
We all fall down

Grave digger
When you dig my grave
Could you make it shallow
So that I can feel the rain
Grave digger

Little Mikey Carson 67 to 75
He rode his
Bike like the devil until the day he died
When he grows up he wants to be Mr. Vertigo on the flying trapeze
Ohhh, 1940 to 199

Grave digger
When you dig my grave
Could you make it shallow
So that I can feel the rain

Grave digger
When you dig my grave
Could you make it shallow
So that I can feel the rain
Feel the rain
I can feel the rain
Grave digger
Grave digger

Every lyric in the song reminds me of someone who has been taken from my life by the hands of time. The song sports an equally striking video. All I can say to Dave is, "Bravo!"

The Cult - The Official Site of Chuck Palahniuk

The Cult is the fansite of the former diesel mechanic turned writer Chuck Palahniuk. Chuck's books include Fight Club, Invisible Monsters, and Lullaby. Themes of his work range from mass suicide, millitant gay-rights activism, fetal brain harvesting, to religous martydom. It was Chuck who wrote "The only difference between suicide and martyrdom is press coverage."

Where have the thirteen years gone, since you left us Dad? I keep thinking, "It'll get better, I'll be all right." But it doesn't and I'm not. Each day falling through the hour glass, each tear falling down my cheek. I should of known when you asked me to "take care of mother," what you were going to do. But, I didn't and I haven't. Still today, I don't know if I can take care of myself. For thirteen years, I have tried to pick up the pieces of my heart that were scattered to the wind the day you chose to die. For thirteen years, I've missed you. For thirteen years...

My new AIM handle is ...you guessed it...Nobius Black.

The past is creeping up on me--an ocean tide grown high. Memories once receded, coming back; flowing over my sand mind--my shore--bringing back the things that were out to sea.

And the new image host is on line....:) Now maybe, I can always see my graphics.

And testing...
And testing...
And testing...

So, I find a good deal on the Internet for image hosting, 1500 MB for $24.95 a year, includes all the bells and whistles. Even includes the things I don't need like a photo album. Go to purchase an account and the link is down. I can not win. Emailed customer support, wonder how long it will take for them to help me. As my brother would say, "Welcome to bleeding edge technology, bringing you tomorrow's problems today."

My image host server is down. Graphics aren't loading. Might see if I can find a new server. This happens way too much, I guess you get what you pay for.

Today no concepts, each and every synapse is dead, not firing, no electricity--the power is out in my thought brain.

Tomorrow, I may have so many ideas that I do not sleep, I do not rest, that impending feeling that if every idea is not poured out and written down then surely I will die.

Or tomorrow every dead synapse, may die again hopelessly waiting for the words and craft that is writing.

________
synapse:

n : the junction between two neurons (axon-to-dendrite) or between a neuron and a muscle; "nerve impulses cross a synapse through the action of neurotransmitters"
________

HEREINMYHEAD.COM | A Tori Amos Website

It's the fan site, that's oh so much better that the official website of Tori Amos. Site includes MP3's and links to purchase limited edition material. The site intro is so haunting, you will be dreaming about it for years.

If you have never experienced Tori's work...now is the time. Her intoxicating music is gorgeous sounding yet inherently dangerous. Definitely, one of my favorite artists.

I'm sending this email out to all of my friends and associates. I am proud to announce the revamping of my BLOG website "White Rabbit-*Black Hole*." You are cordially invited to visit or revisit the site. Newly renovated with a nifty new look and design, new links, private commenting system, hit counter, and a whole 'lotta attitude. It would take 10 bowls of those other BLOGS to equal one bowl of Nobius.

Don't understand? My web log (BLOG) is more than an online journal or diary. Though I might mention things in my life, it's a place for me to express my creativity, log things that interest or inspire me, a place to practice my writing, and most of all it's fun. The blog is chock full of nuts and creamy nuggett, and some original work along the way.

And last buy not least, Bunny the "Black Hole" mascot is looking so cuddly..:) While the world he presides over is not always so beautiful.

Here is a list of some (but not all) of my favorite entries located in the BLOG archives:

September:
"Hate the Rich"
'Thought Police"
"Need Sleep/Need Time"
"Fire Brain"

August:
"1-2-3 Supplements: The Cheap, Shameless Plug"
"Someone Has to Die II"
"Bullet Time"

July:
"Brain Food"
"Nobius Waxes Political"
"Killing Time, Killing Me"
"Cold Summer/Blue Winter"
"Blogger Hell"
"Word Horror"
"The Secret of Everlasting Creativity"
"Word Horror"
"Immortality"
"With Out"

June
"Eighteen"
"Nobius Blank"

Please visit or revisit my site again, and let me know what you think...even if you hate it. The bunny is waiting for you: nobius.blogspot.com!

I hope you'll come back for more.

Sincerely,

Nobius in Black

Iced Earth Update

It's official home town metal singer, Tim "the Ripper" Owens has joined Iced Earth. The link will tell you about the new album soon to be released by the band. A metal group with brains...what a concept!

Global Frequency

Another series by Warren, almost at the end of it's run. Catch it, before it's gone. Global Frequency...cleaning up after the 20th century, stopping the apocalypse...one case at a time.