"I must govern the clock, not be governed by it." --Golda Meir

I felt a bit guilty yesterday about my work out. I only exercised for about forty five minutes and had a very hard time concentrating. I did work up a nice sweat and got a little cardio going (which I need more of) but I always shoot for ninety minutes for my routine.

But then it occurred to me how tired I was. I almost didn't get up the gumption to practice at all. ALMOST.

Sometimes, I am way too hard on myself. I could of just taken a well deserved nap after all I did get up with the kids Wednesday and work twelve hours amongst other things.

Success means doing the things others won't do. It's what I do. Though my practice was short, it was far better than not practicing at all.

"And just maybe, I'm to blame for all I've heard." --Nirvana

"Move like a beam of light: fly like lightning, strike like thunder, whirl in circles around a stable center." --Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido

After practice Monday night I was standing in my martial arts gee filling up at the gas pump for an unbelievably low price of 2.49 a gallon when the lady next to me asked, "What style are you a black belt in?"

We had a nice little chat. Her husband used to take Aikido and her son did Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, etc but she seemed a bit distraught that though I teach I don't do tournaments, etc. No trophies in our martial arts school.

If you want to be my student you better be in class for more than awards. You better be there to learn to defend yourself. To train. And train. And then train some more.

I spend 90 percent of class time teaching techniques and doing defense drills including sparring. In most Aikido based classes, traditional sparring is shunned but not in mine. I believe that all techniques must be applied in a realistic atmosphere. I will push you because I push myself.

I'm saving up my money for mats and an upright punching bag. Ordered Keith Pascal's Coin Snatching martial arts book today. Working on designing business cards, etc. It's been hard to find new students but I am undaunted.

Pursuit is life. And I live.

"A year from now you may wish you had started today." -–Karen Lamb

"The crown of literature is poetry. It is its end and aim. It is the sublimest activity of the human mind. It is the achievement of beauty and delicacy. The writer of prose can only step aside when the poet passes." --Somerset Maugham

Finally got moved. I love the new neighborhood. I had no idea this place even existed before my wife found the add in the paper. Funny to think that I was living only about a half mile away before.

Tonight though the night air was humid, the temperature was a nice comfortable sixty five degrees. Cloudy but no rain--just the way I like it. I kicked up my heels on the front porch and watched the kids play baseball with their friends while sneaking in some reading time with issue ten of DMZ and nine of Testament. I also couldn't help admiring the new landscaping that I put in (even the neighbors have complimented my hard work). Love that extreme red cypress mulch.

Go back to work tomorrow night and it's been a productive eleven days off. I believe this is the longest vacation I've had since high school a.k.a. half a life time ago.

Lots more to do including getting my new dojo area ready and working on some more zines including more Calliope Nerve. Also my computer needs some work, having a lot of software conflicts thanks to Bill Gates wonderful operating system. How did he get to be a billionaire again?

And for some reason I keep thinking about my favorite Star Wars toy off all time: The Droid Factory.

Hope everyone is well. Let me know what's up. Nobius out.

Excuse me while I'm AFK, not forgotten any of you or this blog, etc. Been very busy and I'm in the middle of moving. Not going far, only about 1/2 mile away but moving is moving. More soon.

"Tell me why this is a land of illusion." --Genesis

"I don't play chess but I could play with you." --The FIXX

Pigs and Machines

Pigs
and
Machines
are every man.

The
Fire breathing crying
Love less.

All that remains

After his broken heart.

Grant sent me: