WOWZAH!

I came across the following story while I was on yahoo about to check my email. The title of the story is what caught my eye. In a world where all things Religion are put on the back burner it surprised me to read; "Robber hands over gun to victim and prays," on Yahoo's home page. Being the curious person that I am I had to learn more about Angela Montez A.K.A. the Check cashing Christian.

When Gregory Smith, alleged robber, stormed in and demanded Ms. Montez A.K.A. Princess of Prayer to empty her drawer full of cash, she kept a cool head and did the only thing she knew what to do...pray.

She told Smith that he was too young to throw his life away, and began to pray, telling him to join in. Soon enough Smith gave Ms. Montez A.K.A. Faith Fairy his only bullet and opened the flood gates to his soul.

What faith and courage Angela Montez had to have to do something like that and put herself out there. In doing so she might have saved that young man's life.

WAY TO GO ANGELA!!

If you want to learn more about Angela click the link below.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/angela-montez-prays-armed-robber-leaves/Story?id=8875272&page=1

In case you don't know...

I'm a bit of a nerd. I'm proud to say that as well, I wear the badge proudly. I even made nerd cards for my friends and I to determine what level we are. There are four levels; Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Adamantium =)

The reason I stated this is simple, I wrote a fictitious ballad for a friend of mine and wanted to share it with the rest of you. Hope you enjoy.

Hello Brave Stonecutters, even though you might not know it I was there the night you fought bravely against the Wind Hag. The way you came together as a team inspired me to write a ballad in honor of your guild. I hope you enjoy it. I would like to let you know it's my second most requested story I tell, right behind the tale of "Sir Viagra and the Amazons."Please to enjoy.

Hail travelers far and wide
Where were you the night The Wind Hag died??
She was dispatched as easily as a hot knife through butter
This feat belongs to the mighty Stonecutters

It all started on a night much like this
When the Iksar monk stated with a quite hiss
“Let’s kill that old wind bag, her butt and my boot
And when she falls down I call Dibs on the loot.”

The rest of the guildmates rolled their eyes and agreed
That The Wind Hag should die for all her evil deeds
Off they went ten heroes in all
To a land far away to start the epic brawl

Many miles they traveled over land, swamp, and sea
Not once did they stop, not even to pee
While they walked, plans the heroes did make
This battle would be tough no room for a mistake

They all gathered round the Wind Hag’s ancient tower
The Co-leader reminded them of her mighty wind power
“She can knock back the biggest tank with such ease
Not using much power maybe a slight sneeze.”

And don’t forget she can summon friends if things get to tough
Oh I almost forgot that Mez, Jag, and I still need to buff.”
Spell after spell were cast on the heroes
When it was all done the team’s mana was zero

“The time is now,” yelled the fully armed feline
“Give it everything you got, in Hell she will dine!”
The Stonecutters caught the Wind Hag off guard
Blood flew everywhere and feathers were charred

But the Wind Hag had a few tricks of her own
Cause when she finally fell the heroes weren’t alone
Elementals of Air popped up in her place
And beat on the heroes some lives they did erase

When it was over the Stonecutters were still there
The Heroes all smiled victory they did declare
So monsters of every shape and size
Do whatever you can not to run into these guys

The cursed replay button!

Are you kidding me!?!? I have had the same song playing in my head for five straight hours. Sure the first couple of hours I was really digging it and even sang along, but now it's starting to wear on my nerves. Please tell me I'm not alone, I hope other Candorteers out there know where I'm coming from. Tell me you too know the annoyance of "Looping Lyrics." How/why does this happen??

Is it because the song stuck in my head, this damnable "earworm," matches my current mood??

Or is it my subconscious trying to tell me something?? If "Blue Suede Shoes" is stuck in my head, does that mean I need to go shoe shopping?? If "Brick House" is on mental repeat does that mean I should pick up a realty guide, or have my brothers and I build houses of Hay, Sticks, and Bricks??

Wait do you hear that, =D ya me either! I think it's finally gone, finally gone! Oh happy day!!!

Sometimes it's about...

putting a smile on my own face.

Hello once again Loyal Candorteers I've decided not to make you wait another week for your next glimpse into the "corner." Every 3rd Wednesday of the month for the last year and a half the group I graduated with, along with some new faces, have gotten together for our monthly Pancake Breakfast.

This gives us a chance to catch up with one another without Life getting in the way. We talk about what's going on in our lives over a hot breakfast and a bottomless cup O' joe.

The reason for this back story is I usually send out a reminder email and try to make it amusing for all parties involved. I was pleasantly surprised with how September's email turned out and I wanted to share it will you.

So without further Ado...The Pancake Breakfast Email Reminder (I think I need to work on the title)

Here ye! Here Ye! Another Pancake Breakfast is upon us. Thou est would like to most humbling apologize for mine absence in month's past.

Be we shan't focus on thine past, but henceforth focus on the future, where greener pastures await!

Before our fellowship can meet we need to contemplate where thine meeting will commence.

Should the Meeting of Kings take place at the house where people flock from borders far and wide to enjoy the pancakes of the lords, or shall we commence the meeting on top of the hill littered with blueberries??

Or is there more of a Divine location where we can meet?? Say the original house where the first pancake was birthed???

Please send ye fastest messenger back to thy location to whence this message was sent.

This lord thankith thy patience in reading this message that was scribed in the language of Ol'

-Chris

Post Script

Topics that we will be discussed during our monthly congregation include;

-Lord Ostopuck's upcoming appointment to the alchemist to repair the damaged shoulder.

-Upcoming day where we internationally talk in the Pirate tongue.

-What should be done with the Turks?

-The Plague, fact or fiction?

-What's is the best way to tell if someone is a witch?

-Should Minotaur's be used while interrogation spies??

-Anything else the attending Lords wish to speak upon.

The Sport of Kings

Candorteers, I feel that it is my duty, neh my calling, to once again champion the sport of Baseball and explain why it IS the greatest sport on the face of the Earth, and maybe even the universe (the latter is yet to be proven because scientist are still trying to harness cold fusion that will be used for space travel). This all came about yesterday when I was out with a few friends and they wouldn't stop talking about how excited they were that the NFL started tomorrow, and "It's great that there's finally a real sport to watch." When I tried to explain how wrong they were and how they could have been enjoying sport's version of Heaven on Earth all summer long they scoffed and refused to listen. Well now I get a chance to give my rebuttal to why baseball is not only better than football, but why baseball is the greatest sport ever.

-Generally the masses are asses the masses like football over baseball which proves my point but I'll keep going to really drive it home.

-People complain about how baseball is slow, but baseball is a thinking man's game, it's not slow it's about the battle...maybe you're slow.

-"Quarterbacks have to ask the crowd to quiet down. Pitchers never do." - Thomas Boswell in 'Why is Baseball So Much Better Than Football' (1987, The Post)

-The nicknames are better in Baseball; The Flying Dutchman, Mr. October, Iron Man, and who could say Yogi doesn't make ya smile when you hear it.

-Having 162 games a year is 10.125 times better than having 16.

-Baseball is timeless, you can compare the demi-gods of yester year to the superstars of today. Football wasn't even the same sport 50 years ago as it is today.

-The Baseball Hall of Fame is in Cooperstown NY, the Football Hall of fame Canton OH. Have you ever been to Ohio??

-Baseball is more democratic, everyone gets a chance hit, field, and make a play.

-In Football if you're fat they stick you in the offensive line, In baseball if you're fat you're an offensive threat.

-Football has a time limit, 60 minutes then it's over, Baseball can last forever and do you know why that is?? You can't put a time limit on Greatness.

...And that is why baseball is the greatest sport ever.

Boom!

Show me the MONEY!!!!!!!

We live in a world than is all about the here and now, but every once in a while I find myself taking a little trip down memory lane and more times than not it's enjoyable.

My most recent "time traveling" adventure happened a few hours ago when I happened to come home to find my Mom watching "Jerry Maguire," a great flick from 1996. Now it's been awhile since I've sat down and watched the exploits of Tom, Cuba, and Rene so I decided to get reacquainted with my old friends.

After settling into my custom made Adirondack chair, popping open and Diet DP, and putting the phone on vibrate I started watching. To my surprise I forgot how much I enjoyed this movie. I might go out on a limb and say everything you need to know about life you can learn from "Jerry Maguire."

-How do you get out of a fight with you're significant other...you say, "You complete me."

-What do you say during contract negotiations...you say, "Show me the money."

-When you're stuck in an awkward conversation and have know idea what to say...you say "Do you know the human head weighs eight pounds?"

Boom, case closed.

Chris "Ambassador of Kwan" D.

Lead where you are

'Ello 'ello my beautiful Candorteers. Wanted to hop on to assure all my loyal fans that news reports are not correct, I am alive, I didn't drink myself into an alcohol induced coma over my Birthday weekend =)

I also wanted to recap how the Leadership Summit went this past Thursday and Friday. Overall I had an enjoyable experience listening to people that were as different as you and I, but came together under the common bond of Leadership. The speakers not only talk the talk, they walk the walk.

I found more than a few valuable pieces of info while I was there and I hope after you're done reading, you will leave with you're own nugget or two.

Please to enjoy.

First up was a man by the name of Bill Hybels, besides being a well renowned author he is also the founding pastor of the Willow Creek Community Church.

Pastor Hybels talked about navigating through the Rouge Waves that life sometimes brings. When these Waves threaten to throw your boat of course what do you do to get back on course?? What is your replenishment strategy?? A leader has the innate ability to give of him/herself, but there is only so much in the bucket. We need to have a plan to fill up the bucket once it starts getting low. Ask yourself what fills your bucket, is it vegging out in front of the TV, is it taking a long walk, it can be anything.

Make sure to have a Replenishment Strategy.

Next up was visiting professor from the London Business school, Gary Hamel. Prof. Hamel had a wealth of knowledge to pass along that had to deal with management, success, and overcoming denial.

Much like everything else in life, denial has a pattern, and if we are able to recognize this pattern we can break past denial and get on with correcting the problem.

Denial Pattern has four steps; 1) Dismiss- we tell ourselves nothing is wrong, 2) Rationalize- this is where we make excuses, 3) Mitigate- this is where we realize there is a problem, 4) Confront- well this is self explanatory =)

Harvey Carey wrapped up day one with an impassioned speech about breaking the huddle and play the game. Carey explained that you can have all the tools and plans of attack in the world but if you don't get out there and start using them, what's the use?

Some people suffer from Paralysis of Analysis. Which means we are so busy thinking everything through we fail to get off out butts and go do something, and Pastor Carey knows a little something about getting out there and acting. He leads a congregation in the poorest zip code, in the poorest city, in the state in the country, but does that stop them from breaking the huddle and playing the game?? No way, if you want to learn more about how Harvey Carey breaks the huddle and plays click here http://www.harveycarey.org/

There were other orators that had interesting things to stay and I will be incorporating what I learned from them in later Blogs, but I wanted to highlight these three people to get you thinking.

Remember to replenish your bucket, break the denial pattern, and get out there and PLAY THE GAME!