metempsychosis_dw | (no subject)

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~~Most persistent spam ever~~ ~~I'm assuming that this isn't for a Viagra support group~~ ~~How the hell do you do this?~~

Hello. I got tired of deleting the email from my inbox and this seemed to be the only way to get it to stop. I'm not entirely sure what comes next but I hope it doesn't result in more random emails from mysterious sources. Is there a next step to this or am I free to reclaim my internet connection again?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

~~So long as you don't call me Late For Dinner~~

My name is Calvin Hobson. Call me Cal, I guess. When you ask about other names, I am going to guess that you don't mean like a confirmation or a middle name.

It's very nice to meet you, Cal.

But, um, no, not really. I don't want to freak you out, and I don't know if you've watched the news much over the last several months, but if you've heard any talk about godlings... Well... that's us.

But the people here are good people. Really.

*There is a very, very long wait before Cal's next post shows on the board and, if it had been done by hand, the paper would have been torn clean through by the number of false-starts and erasures.*

My other name is Bes.

But I'm just a normal guy so I probably got this email by accident. I teach second graders in Harlem. Nothing more dangerous than spit-balls, honest.

I don't think anyone gets directed here by accident. But we come from all different walks of life.

So... It's Bes? That makes you... Egyptian, then? I'm not as up-to-date on my Egyptian mythology as I am with my Greek, I'm sorry.

My other name is Erato. Muse of lyric love poetry and mimic imitation.

Please don't apologize. You already know more than I do and you offered some help here.

So... hello.

I'm sure you'll get used to this all very soon.

So... What is it that you teach?

Second grade. So whatever the kids will sit still for, basically. I also volunteer-teach piano to kids on the side at the local Boys and Girls Club. One kid is trying to get me to teach him guitar, too. I think he thinks it will help him get a girlfriend. ~~Just tell me to stop talking, okay? Geez.~~

What do you do?

Oh, how wonderful! That is so sweet.

Me, well... I'm a sophomore studying Classics at the University of Washington, and I usually work as a barista. Sometimes, I'll go up with my guitar on open mike nights, but mostly I like to listen. I haven't been working recently, though, and I'm taking the semester off, though. Lately, I've just been focused on taking care of my baby boy, Alex. He's just over a month old now.

I don't blame you one bit for taking time off and spending it with your new little guy. Babies are adorable but they don't stay babies for very long. Besides, I bet Alex is extra cute so how can you resist? One of my neighbors is expecting and she knows she has a standing offer from me to watch her other little boy if the two of them become too much. I suppose I'll end up offering to babysit the new one, too, when he comes along.

Like I said, who can resist kids?

That's really nice of you to do that.

Alex isn't growing up nearly as fast as the others who share his birthday, but he is a very special little boy. Destined for greatness, I'm sure. He is the son of Achilles, after all.

~~Nice? It's just being helpful.~~

I don't mind. Her son Connor is a really good kid. Just a little hyperactive. It's no big deal to take him to the park and run him out of energy and I know it gives her a break.

I'm sure Alex will grow in his own time and make you more than proud. You and his dad. Do you ever play your guitar for Alex?

Well, it's a little hard to play guitar and hold a baby at the same time, but I do sing for him a lot. Lots of lullabies and nursery rhymes.

Good point. I hadn't thought of that. Sorry.

I bet he loves hearing you sing.

It's okay. Sometimes, I'll put him in his crib and play. But he does seem to like it. Big smiles, or else he goes right to sleep.

That's great. Either way, he is a happy kid with a beautiful song to end his day on. Lullabies and kids' songs are the hardest to get just right. The balance is so very fine and you have to hit on something that catches fire for them. They're the hardest songs I've ever written ~~but I've gotten one or two good ones if you want them~~

Do you write a lot of songs?

Not as many as I did back in school but sometimes. It depends on the mood or if I'm having a good note day. Sometimes putting a song together helps remembering things. ~~Oh, man, was that what that song about the dancing feet of a goddess meant? ~~For me and the kids both. Do you write?~~~~

Oh, I know how that feels. I do as much writing as I can get the opportunity to jot down. Sometimes in song form, sometimes just poetry, and sometimes as prose, but they're all stories. Love stories are my specialty.

Love songs are the second hardest to write. At least for me. To get it just right, universal and still personal and meaningful. I've killed so many trees over it so I went and planted one for Earth Day last year.

Plus the chance that your audience for love songs is a tone-deaf infant is slim.

~~Come to think of it, I can't remember the last one I wrote and played myself.~~

Do you prefer it when you get to write longer stories?

Maybe you just need the right Muse to help you.

And it really depends on the story, but I think some of the best ones are those that develop over time.

Maybe. Probably. Inspiration is all about the right everything sometimes.

Given time and space and the chance, a lot of things can develop into beautiful stories.

Would you tell me your story sometime? ...or are you wanting to write a new one?

My story isn't very exciting. Nothing like what I'm sure others around here could tell you. But, if you want, I could - even if it's just a short story.

So I guess I want to write a real, new one.

I love all stories. And, even though we're on opposite coasts at the moment, I'd be happy to help you write a new one.