I went ahead and joined the Craigslist online community and posted my first add for Aikido lessons.

Has anyone used Craigslist and or had any luck with them?

Ordered my first set of business cards today for Aikido lessons. I'll let you know how they look.

Someone did order through one of my Amazon links so I'm just a penny from my first commission from them. Please, if you purchase anything from them go there via my site. I want to use the money to fund Calliope Nerve, etc.

One of our friends Becca has a neat E-Bay store. I've always respected the fact that Becca always seems to have a side business going whether it's babysitting or selling, etc. If only I could figure out a good way to use E-bay. I'm thinking about trying to sell comics and toys through it. Any ideas out there? I've had a hard time finding things that I could discount enough and that are valuable enough to sell via auction, etc.

Got an idea for a story from the Robert Silverberg short story Sailing to Byzantium. Need to go re-read the story now.

Good night.

96-year-old Harvey Bernstein proves it’s never too late to write your book!

Now if that ain't inspiration, I don't know what is!

"Ink runs from the corners of my mouth. There is no happiness like mine. I have been eating poetry!" --Mark Strand

DISCLAIMER: This issue of Calliope contains adult language.

Calliope Nerve Part VIII: Why Go? featuring Michigan's own Shawn Misener is free of charge and available now.

the little god in the yellow hat

The Booming Voice From Above:

You can either be the dying crab on the beach,
or the jankety satellite that barely holds orbit.
Your choice!
You can either be the rotten discarded love kiwi,
Or the two way speaker at Rally's that never works.

You will forever be having to pull up to the window to order.
You will forever be having to correct the order.
You will forever be having to hear my dreadful voice.

You will forever be having to be, and that's a raw deal.
My voice has shook even the steeliest of balls.
My bounty has crumpled even the ironiest of knees.
You will forever be having to be my kinda bitch.

You can know death, though.
Would you like to know death?
You can know death then.

(recess)

Pleasant, no? A real no-brainer.
You will forever be having NOT that again.
I am in control, see?

You can either be the dried merlot in your toilet,
Or the hi tech plastic head to a nuclear projectile.


Get it?
You can be the last palm standing after the
next tsunami,
Or a broken support beam setting off to sea.

You will forever be having to make these great decisions.
Hooray for my questions!
Would you prefer fries with that,
Or the more sensible choice of a fruit cup?

--Shawn Misener

Other authors this issue include J.D. Nelson, Billy Jno Hope, Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal, and me: I'm Nobius Black.

Calliope Nerve features poetry, short lit, reviews, commentary, quotations, and odd bits in a wide range of styles. All editions are free of charge. Back issues available.

To order this issue send your snail mail address to nobius at gmail dot com. Email for submission info. (We are always looking for talent.) Internet link trades, advertising, and flyer swaps available.

To support Calliope order your Amazon products via my web log: White Rabbit - *BLACK HOLE*.

Name your muse! Calliope Nerve.

Vado talks dollars, sense, and comics asked what he'd do differently if he could do it over again, he answered that he wouldn't publish creator-owned work, "I'd own it all."

Wow, loved the finale of season three of Battlestar Galactica.

Is Colonel Tigh really a Cylon?

"Moving on is a simple thing. What it leaves behind is hard." -- Megadeth

Check out the streaming of the new version of Megadeth's controversial (and perhaps most poignant song) A Tout Le Monde originally on their Youthanasia album, the single was banned by most major outlets including MTV.

Dave and the gang have reinterpreted the song in a duet with the gorgeous Cristina Scabbia from the goth band Lacuna Coil as A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free) for their forthcoming album which the metal heads of the world are anxiously awaiting to drop.

More history on the song is available via the link.

Like I've said before, old school metal is still alive and well. And so am I.

The dynamic symbol from Fan Kan Do/Aikido soon to be on our business cards.

This is a test video of my brother Sensei Michael and one of our students Steve doing a simple Aikido technique called Shihonage (four directional throw) to the tune of Nickleback's Next Contestant.

Let me know what you think, as I'm planning on starting a martial arts blog/website.

"That each may say
At close of day,
"Dear Lord, I did my best.
Though measure small, I gave my all--"
Then leave to Him the rest." --Unknown

"The road to happiness lies in two simple principles; find what interests you and that you can do well, and put your whole soul into it - every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have." – John D. Rockefeller

Other than sleeping a little too much, I'm starting to feel much better and my body seems to be adjusting to the new medicine finally, etc.

The paperwork is in the mail for me to be officially separated from my old company and other than a few of the people, some of the the job functions, and the money I won't miss much. I've let go of the whole ordeal and feel much better. And as with all things karma, I wish them success. The old company is what it is and I am what I am. Chalk this up as another learning experience.

I did a phone interview on Friday and have a sit down interview tomorrow with a small local internet, fiber, and phone provider in a new position of CSR/Collector (both things I have plenty of experience in). I believe the pay isn't that much but it is an 8:30 to 17:00 type deal with an occasional Saturday which would allow me to spend more time with my family, my martial arts, side work and perhaps even a return to college. So, we'll cross our fingers.

The wife just signed back up with the temp agency again also.

There will be some financial and baby sitting challenges but it's worth it for me to move on with my life. Being miserable in your profession is not a way to live. It's a new beginning, a new chance for the future.

Because in life, what we see is what we get.

Unless we do something about it. And I have.

And while I'm thinking about it check out the new thrashing tune by Megadeth: Sleepwalker. Old school lives man.

"...the carving of forbidden words on clean flesh pages." --Ian Sinclair (Painting with a Knife)

"I lost some time once. It's always in the last place you look for it." --Neil Gaiman

"I am the least difficult of men." --Frank O'Hara



Gabcast! White Rabbit - *BLACK HOLE* #3

The Immateria

Don't scare for skin.
(or your belongings!)
Proverbial worm-
grave-food.

There is only life
and a life unlived.
(Yours is which?)

Today,
I am OCEAN.
Prayer rain,
Holy Water emancipate.
(tear)

when I no -longer-
tangled in the Sails
Wash me away God
In calm sea.

Immateria
The things unseen
(are there)
Ghost religion
Show Happiness
Promising Summer

Better
Times
Ahead.

For me,
The least difficult of men.

For me,
Who can not put the
Feeling in words.

Your Personality is the Rarest (INFJ)

Your personality type is introspective, principled, self critical, and sensitive. Only about 2% of all people have your personality - including 3% of all women and around 1% of all men. You are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging.