The Start of A Great Adventure pt 2.

Okay, the next part of my story isn't written by me. I had started to do a collaboration with a girl named Reka at Cornerstone University however, things got put off as far as writing went (college is hard enough without the addition of writing a novel to it) and then we lost touch.

So here's what she's written. I'm considering opening it up again to making it a group collaboration, in which you, the reader, will email to me the next part of the story, and then I will post the winner's contribution in the next week's continuation of the story, along with their name. Leave feedback as far as that goes in the comments. That's all, so without further waiting, part 2 of the story:

The guards spotted Shadow only a split second before they saw the lifeless body of the king.
"Get that man!" one of them shouted. His cry brought more guards running. Shadow ran toward a curtain, thinking a window lay behind it. He was wrong, and this mistake could cost him his life. He pulled his sword and prepared to try and fight his way out of the nightmare in which he suddenly found himself.

Shadow didn't know it, but a second figure dressed in black was watching from a corner concealed in darkness. The figure shook its head and the long graceful arms crossed over its chest. The dark knowing green eyes took in the situation that had formed before them. Five guards had joined the original two. The young assassin was up against seven trained guards and none of his training had prepared him for that. He was an assassin, trained to be invisible, trained to silently kill his victim...one unaware, defenseless victim. The invisible figure pulled a small crossbow and aimed it at one of the guards. The small arrow flew straight and true. The guards were not wearing helmets and it had cost this guard his life. The second guard fell just after he saw his comrade go down.

"That's two," the figure pulled its sword and stepped out of the dark into the moon light. The figure was still invisible; the only indication of its position was the piercing green eyes from behind a black mask. Three guards fell on this new threat, one of them went down immediately.

Shadow caught a glimpse of the figure. He quickly turned so they were now back to back rather than facing each other.

"Four left friend," he said. The new comer shot him a glare. The guards advanced on the pair. Within five minutes the remaining four guards lay on the floor, dead.

"You're bleeding," Shadow said to the newcomer.
"You don't look so hot yourself," was the reply. The figure began to move silently and quickly toward the only window which lay on the opposite end of the room. Shadow stood frozen to the floor. The figure turned to look at him. "You had better follow me, the changing of the guard is in ten minutes, or do you actually want to get caught tonight?"

"You're a girl," Shadow said in shock.

"Yes I am, and apparently I am a better assassin than you." Suddenly, they heard footsteps in the hall and then a shout too muffled to make out. Without further communication the two made their way out the window and down to the ground. "There are horses waiting for us," the woman whispered. They quickly made their way to the waiting stallions, mounted, and rode off into the woods.

They had ridden hard for about and hour and a half before they stopped. She dismounted next to a small stream and gently guided her horse across. Once on the other side she knelt down and began to cleanse the wounds on her arm and the three inch cut on her face. Shadow knelt next to her and began to cleanse his wounds as well.

"I was lucky you were there tonight," Shadow began, "Thank-you, I owe you my life."

She shook her head, "You're right, you do owe me your life. I don't know how you botched this as badly as you did. I was able to finish the queen and the rest of the royal family AND get into the king's chambers before you even entered the room. They weren't supposed to be found until tomorrow."

"The entire royal family was assassinated," Shadow was shocked. "Why would he send a woman to kill the rest of the royal family? I thought only the king was to be killed."

"You don't really think you are the only assassin that he has do you? And besides, why do you assume he tells you everything he has in mind?" Shadow remained silent. "Besides that," she continued, "apparently I am the better assassin, even if I am a woman."

"If the king hadn't woken up there wouldn't have been a problem."
"Shadow, your timing was horrible, of course, so is the timing of the rest of the male species." She rose from the side of the stream and looked toward the horizon. She moved quietly and strongly toward her horse.

Shadow stood riveted to the ground. She moves so gracefully, he thought. She quickly mounted her horse. "Get to your rendezvous point Shadow, you have three hours."

"How do you know that," he asked.

"I know more than you think," she replied. She turned the head of her horse and began to ride away.

"Wait," he called.

"What is it Shadow?"

"I would really like to know the name of the woman to whom I owe my life."

"Jael." With that, she vanished into the darkness, leaving Shadow by the stream wondering when, if ever, he would encounter this mysterious heroine again.

My battle monster

Found this while scouting out Susie's Blog from Practical Penumbra

Andrew is a Giant Dragon that fears the Military, is Very Slow and in League with Dark Forces, and picks up Cars and Throws Them. Strength: 9 Agility: 6 Intelligence: 10 To see if your Giant Battle Monster can defeat Andrew, enter your name and choose an attack: fights Andrew using Strength Agility Intelligence

oddly enough, Marine names don't help your odds any . . .

What is love? (Baby don't hurt me . . .)

As the blog family knows, blogfather Harvey posts Love Notes every day (except on weekends)

Well, aside from the obvious fun had by twisting the love notes into Lecherous Notes (which is occasionally harder than you might think) I did some thinking on what love actually was, and this is what I've come up with:

To define love into words is a hard thing to do. I think the Bible is pretty clear:

1Co 13:4-8

(4) Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head,

(5) Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

(6) Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

(7) Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

(8) Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. (MSG)

Through the Bible, we can know what love is, however, knowing and understanding are two different things. The only way you can understand true love is to experience it. To truly understand true love (unconditional love or agape love), you must also experience true hatred. Hatred is the opposite of love- the only way I have to describe it is to tell you how I experienced it. I came into a situation where I was willing to kill a guy if I ever saw him. I knew that he would go to Hell if I killed him, but I was willing to kill him anyway. That is hatred. It will consume you and keep you from experiencing the joy the Jesus gives his followers.

So while I can tell you what love is, and what hatred is, you can never understand them until you experience it for yourself.

My Anti-Drug

Ifilm is hosting a video that I think should be made into one of those "Anti-Drug" comercials.

I Am Drugs is "A series of Public Service Announcements to young people to stay on drugs." however, I think it could be used for reverse psychology. It's a really well done video, and is better than any of the corney anti-drug comercials I've seen while watching TV.

Pimp my Bible

okay, Metallicarat of Flashbang mentioned that you could view his site Snoop-ized. I noticed that at the top, you can place any site you want into the search box, and it will snoop-ize it for you. After some random site viewing, I got the idea to snoop-ize the Bible. God may hit me with a lightning bolt or five for this, but it looked really cool. click here to view the passage normally. Without further wait, the first chapter of a pimped out Genesis. (Parental Warning: explicit verses)

Genesis 1


The Creation of tha World

1:1 In tha beginn'n 1 God 2 created 3 tha heavens n tha earth. 4

1:2 Now 5 tha earth 6 was witout shape n empty, 7 n darkness 8 was over tha surface of tha watery deep, 9 but tha Spirit of God 10 was mov'n 11 over tha surface 12 of tha motherfucka. 13 1:3 God said, 14 “Let there be 15 Light.” 16 And there was light! 1:4 God saw 17 thizzat tha light was good, 18 so God separated 19 tha light from tha darkness. 1:5 God called 20 tha light “day” n tha darkness 21 “night.” There was even'n, n there was morn'n, doggy stylin' tha first day. 22

1:6 God said, “Let there be an expanse 23 in tha M-to-tha-izzidst of tha wanna be gangsta n let it separate playa 24 fizzle wata. 1:7 So God made tha expanse n separated tha crazy ass nigga nigga tha expanse from tha wata above it . They call me tha black folks president. 25 It was so. 26 1:8 God called tha expanse “sky.” 27 There was even'n, n there was morn'n, a second day.

1:9 God said, “Let tha playa unda tha sky be gathered ta one place 28 n let dry ground appear.” 29 It was so. 1:10 God called tha dry ground “land” 30 n tha gathered gangsta he called “seas.” God saw that it was good.

1:11 God said, “Let tha land produce vegetizzle: 31 plants yield'n seeds accord'n ta they kinds, 32 n 33 fruit trees ballin' fruit wit seed in it accord'n ta they kinds.” It was so. 1:12 The land produced vegetation—plants yield'n seeds accord'n ta they kinds, n trees bear'n fruit wit seed in it%

I like "Bad Managers"

Susie is a bad manager but in this case, it's a good thing. Go read her entry after reading this entry or just scroll down a little.

"Usually I just give the most hours to the hardest workers, and when the slackers get tired of $15 paychecks while everyone else is getting $75 or $100, they either shape up or quit."

Unfortunately, since I belong to a Union, hours are given to those with the most seniority otherwise Meijer gets in trouble with the Union. I can deal with that, what I can't deal with is the complete lack of respect from management. I found out from a co-worker who overheard it that I actually got a customer compliment about two months back. I still haven't heard any atta-boys from management. On the other hand, I've noticed they are quick to respond when someone does something they shouldn't.

"At the theater, business comes in tidal waves. There are no set breaks, but between shows the clerks can go get ice cream, run home for a snack, do their homework, go out for a cigarette,* whatever--as long as I know where they are, and that they'll be back in time for the next set, they can have as many breaks as they want."

I can't even go get water from the water fountain unless I'm on my scheduled break, and heaven forbid I should need to use the restroom. The sad thing is, the only days its really busy are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yet they still won't let you leave your lane outside of break time unless you pose some kind of health risk (ie, going to vomit)



At Harvey's request in the comments of my previous entry, in a fight between Meijer and Aquaman Meijer would trick Aquaman into working for them as a cashier, and increase his stress to such great levels that Aquaman will finally snap and go retail (much like going postal, but for retailers) Meijer will then call store security and have him escorted out of the store via the men in white jackets before he can do any actual harm to himself.

How work really works pt. 1

As none (or very few) of you know, I work as a cashier at Meijer (I scan and bag the items the customer wants to purchase). For those who don't know what Meijer is it's a super store, think Wal-Mart, but with a worse working environment, and it came first. I've been there for about a year and a half now, so I've basically learned the ins and outs of working there. Pretty much every Customer service position is the same, so once you know what you can and can't do at one work place, you are set for the rest of your career in customer service.

Don't ever let management see that you are having a good time. Smiling and laughter, no matter how few customers are around, mean that you're not doing your job properly, we shall therefore find something constructive for you to do with your time (usually some type of cleaning).

Never expect your break on time. According to Union (I hate Unions) contract, we're supposed to get a fifteen minute break for every two hours of work. I've worked shifts where my first break wasn't until four hours into my shift. And then they have the nerve to try and send me on my lunch thirty minutes after I get back from that break.

Don't work any harder than you have to to keep from getting fired. Okay, this is a big one. It should be one of the first things you learn. No matter how hard you work, it won't matter. Promotions and hours given are based on seniority, not on how hard a worker you are.

Never date a co-worker. Yeah, this is another big one. I had to learn this the hard way (twice). It started out okay, but then I found out that rather than a sylph, I was dating a banshee.

Those are the biggest things I can tell you not to do in a customer service position.

Based on moral alone, if Meijer and France were to go to war with each other, France would actually win the war. They would then quickly surrender to the nearest person they found after the war to shake the unfamiliar (and thus very scary) feeling of victory.

Last days

Now that May has officially started, my days as a civilian are quickly drawing to a close. Monday is my last day of classes before summer starts. After tomorrow I have twenty-one days before I leave for recruit training. I look back and compare myself to just a few months ago. A few months ago, I couldn't run a mile without getting winded before we were half-way through. I couldn't do a single pull-up, I was pathetic . . .incredibly out of shape. Now I'm running three miles without stopping and wanting to go farther. I'm almost at four pull ups, I'll be at at least six before I leave. I've been losing weight rapidly since I started exercising, and now I need a new wardrobe, all my old clothes are at least two sizes too large. I think this is why people so often don't lose weight, they can't afford new clothes.

Sissy has offered to keep the blogfamily updated while I'm at recruit training in San Diego. So if my friend decides not to update, then you may be hearing from her while I'm gone. (From what I've seen of her blog, she's pretty cool.)

Later this week I'll post a little more of, The Start of a Great Adventure.

The Start of a Great Adventure pt. 1

I could get into serious trouble if I get caught, he said to himself as he slowly crept into the king's chamber. The full moon cast enough light into the King's chamber as to make it seem as day to the young man. A mirror was on the wall directly across from the kind was made of pure silver. In it, he could see is entire body. He had a look about him that was popular among the women. He had a slightly chiseled face, his brown eyes have an almond tinge and his black hair was kept short to show off his looks. His only physical flaw was a scar that ran from the middle of just above his left eyebrow to an inch below his eye. His had a wirey build, letting him move faster and stealthier than most men. On his hip was the sword, Alchaizer. He was short, which helped him hide. He wore a simple black tunic and pants, which helped him well in his profession.
The floor tiles were perfectly square, and made to look like ice. Hell, he thought, maybe it is ice; it's damned well cold enough in here.
Shadow crept slowly toward the bed, the king's light snoring the only audible sound within the room.
"Aaaahhh!" The King awakened with a shout, a cold sweat covering his old frame.
Shit! Shadow thought, what a time for the king to have a nightmare! Quickly, Shadow reached into his belt, grabbed a knife, and threw it straight at the king. The knife flew straight and true, as if it couldn't wait to taste the warm blood of royalty. It cut right into the king's throat, the force of the impact sent the king backward into the back board of his bed, where the knife imbedded itself with a loud cracking sound as the wood was violently shoved apart. Blood began to flow quickly down the king's front. The king was dead before he even knew he was awake.
Shadow quickly retrieved his knife and cleaned it on the sheets. Blood began to spill out of the king's neck as the knife was pulled away. Just as he was left the bed, two guards in chainmail armor forced their way into the room, the door disentengrated into so much scrap as they broke it down.

When will the waiting end?

Anyone who has read the Bill of Rights knows that the second Amendment states: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Thanks to the NRA, we as Americans are pretty much assured that our right to carry guns will not be taken away. However, Arms is not just solely in reference to guns, but to all weapons. Why am I denied my right to carry a sword at my side? Or to legally keep throwing knives on my person? I believe it is unconstitutional to forbid the bearing of knives and swords (or whatever weapon we want to bear) while we allow people to conceal guns on their person. Is someone less dead because they were shot instead of stabbed? True, I'd rather have a gun in a knife fight than a knife in a gun fight, but I think that there is an art to swordsmanship that has been lost because no longer are we allowed to carry them at our side.

I hope that one day America will realize that we have not realized in fullness our constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and that one day in the future, I will be allowed to carry my katana at my side.

Custos Honor

My name is Andrew, I hail from North Carolina originally, but have lived in California and Michigan. I currently reside in Michigan, but hope to remedy that eventually. I really don’t like to talk much about myself, preferring instead to listen to others about their life. However, I have always been a firm believer that wisdom, humor, and life should be shared. To do otherwise would be a travesty. I love to write, and am currently working on a novel, which I will post pieces of every now and again. Ultimately, the purpose of what I’m doing is to share a bit of what I’ve learned with you, and to learn from you as well.

Custos Honor, meaning guardian of honor, I chose this as the name of my blog because I believe that, like "a man who doesn't spend time with his family," a man with no honor isn't a man at all. Honorableness is something that I admire most in a person.

The Suckiest Post To Ever Suck At Sucking

Okay, so Harvey over at Bad Example, I guess he'd be my blogfather, (He really gets around, can't help but wonder what his Beloved Wife thinks of that.) explained that everyone's first blog is supposed to suck. Well, I'm not sure if I'm able to do that, because I suck at sucking, but I guess in a way that counts too. This is merely to say that I, Andrew, now have a blog, and that as such, I really have no idea as to what I should write about. Obviously I'll post letters from Boot Camp while I'm there. Well, a friend of mine will take over for the duration after I leave. For now though, you're stuck with me, so deal with it.