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Profile:
Real name: Alex
Aliases: Akren, RKnight, RKnight718
Age: 24
Sex:Male
Martial Status: Married. (sorry ladies)
State of Residence: Aside from Denial? Maryland.
Intrests: Games.
Places you can find me Online: Here at my blog, or in Achaea at www.achaea.com, the best MUD in webspace!
E-mail for KISA applications: rknight718@earthlink.net
People I want to give shoutouts to: Lenalia, Letano/Sandano, Faile, Meg, Avery, Mark, Steve L. from Tenn., Jamie, Ariax, Fred P. from WV., any other blogger who likes my ramblings of insanity, and of course my beautiful and talented wife Caroline.
Current members of KISA:
Alex aka Elder Knight Akren Slaymore, Ambassador of Justice
Caroline aka Elder Knight LeLeanne Slaymore, Ambassador of Compassion
Danielle aka Squire Danielle, Ambassador of Compassion
Matt aka Squire Mateo, Ambassador of Honor
Kitty aka Page Lenalia
Jamie aka Squire Eadaoin
Megan aka Squire Megs, Ambassador of Honesty
Avery aka Page Avery
Mark aka Squire Mark, Ambassador of Valiance
Once there was an apprentice with an armload of scrolls, who asked of the wizened old sage: "Master what are the harmonies of the Earth?"
"Come!" said the teacher, "Bask with me in the Sunlight, Bathe with me in the Moonlight." By the edge of a softly flowing stream, where water-bugs sketched rings among ripples, he sat him down and leaned against the trunk of a willow, whose branches were a stage for a bluebird's song. The master closed his eyes.
With great impatience the boy stood, walked in circles, snapped twigs, placed pebbles in piles, blew a blade of grass into music. "I ask you again, Master: What are the harmonies of the Earth?" Without a word the scholar arose, pushed his pupil into the river and watched cat-tails nod in agreement.
Contact Me
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Feb 2, 2004
Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Stop with the stoning! I'm here! Jeez, don't log on in a few days and your fan base will eat you alive, with some of that butter sauce. Yes I'm here, stop throwing things OOW! HEY! NO BRICKS!!! (ahem) anyway. To pick up kinda where I left off. Caroline is doing much better now. Must've been one of those 24 hour nasty flu attacks. I never got it, thanks to my being pumped full of Vitamin C! **BLATENT PLUG ALERT** "Drink your OJ kids! It saves Lives!" I am germ free and done being snowed in. The driveway is finally done and whats in the forecast? F&%@# ICE!! Supposed to get a 1/4 inch or so tonight. Better break out the skates. Oh wait, I don't know how to skate. This should be interesting. The weekend was chock full, as usual. I gamed with Caroline's little brother and helped him beat Wind Waker. (I am Link! Seriously, I am. Just ask Kitty) Sunday was a concert in Rockville. One of Caroline's friends, Robin, was in the chorus for the concert. The concert was Paco Pena and the flamenco dancing group. This one guy dancing was sweating pretty hard, so when he spun it was like "Mr. Sprinkler Head!" Some of it hit Caroline, and she loved it! She was oogling most of the guy performers up there. I didn't mind, I was oogling the females. One looked kinda like J. Lo, but 10x hotter! But I'm running on no sleep now, trying to make this entry for you people so my house doesn't get set on fire. OWWW! WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT THE BRICKS! Yes, i'm tired. Is it that obvious?
RPG Maker 2 is on hold. No help so far. What's wrong with you people? Have I taught you nothing? Well, I guess I havent been here that much, so I guess not. I've had a couple ideas, like doing my own Final Fantasy. I did make an Akren character though. Complete with scar. For the new members of my cult, Akren is my alter ego in the online MUD known as Achaea. Join up! Its fun!
Blogs to check out that I found:
http://mooglelrrp.blogdrive.com
http://littlechaos18.blogdrive.com
That last one has this clip of a kid getting bonked with a ball. I know it's wrong to laugh, but the poor thing was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The owner of the blog tells me the kid was fine, just surprised. no harm done. So since the kid is fine, feel free to laugh at it over and over again! I'm sure he/she will too once they're older.
Check back later and maybe i'll of updated again!
Posted at 07:48 pm by RKnight718
Jan 25, 2004
Good Ol' Fashioned RPG Fun
Just recently picked up a MAJOR gift I wanted for x-mas and never got. RPG Maker 2. Ever wanted to make your very own RPG? Here ya go. Word of warning though: It's not for non-computer people. It gives you a lot of pre-set stuff, and even a sample game so you can see how stuff works, but when it comes to writing programs and scripts and setting events? Tough stuff. I've determined I'm a better designer than programmer. I can build houses, dungeons, caves, castles, lairs, etc. I can design heros and fighters, mages and wizards, thieves and monks, but ask me to write a program? Yeech. It took me an hour just to make a program so when my hero walked into his house, it would actually go from the town screen to inside his house. Then it took another hour to have him go upstairs and back down again! I'll make an RPG with this software if it kills me, but I might be 80 when I'm done. I really have a LOT of respect for the people who makes this stuff. And professionals usually do this in teams! I'm going solo! Madness I tell you! Luckilly, theres a strategy guide available, which i'm sure is a lot like a "RPG World 2 for Dummies" book. Fine by me. I can't even get my treasure chest to face the way I want it to. If anyone out there has this program and can help me with scripts and the like, please PLEASE let me know. Further updates as events warrant....
In other news, We're supposed to get a snowstorm late this evening. I've heard everything from 5 inches to 12, starting at 7 to 2 in the morning...i dunno. Nor do I care. Just PLEASE be enough to get me out of work tomorrow. Also, please wish my wife Caroline well. She's been very ill since this morning. I'll need all the energy you can offer. Thanks and Blessed Be.
Posted at 09:09 pm by RKnight718
Jan 24, 2004
I know I haven't updated in a while, but since the cat decided to erase my entry, I havent felt like writing. But now I have something to write about! I recently started playing XIII for X-Box. It's really quite fun. I can't say its the best, but it really brings out the FPS (first person shooters) basics. Goldeneye is still the best. (yes, even better than Halo, so there!) Anyway, I'm playing it and remembering my old skills in this kind of game so I thought I'd put up a little "Beginners Guide to FPS" or for all the Veterans and "00" Agents out there, a refresher course on the finer points of the FPS genre.
1. "Lather, Rinse, Reload. Always Reload."
Never be caught with your pants down or your gun empty. Reload any quiet moment you get. I don't care if you have 99 bullets left in that mini-gun clip, RELOAD!
2. "Don't you die on me!"
XIII has an interesting health pack feature that allows you to take med-kits with you instead of using them upon pick-up. Not all games have this luxury, so try to keep your health as high as possible, of course. But be sensible, theres no need to waste a full health on a flesh wound. Remeber where med-kits are so when you are hurt you can run back and make good use of them.
3. "Slice the Pie!"
Mmmm....Pie....(ahem!) um, that is to say...Slicing the pie is a technique used by Swat Team members and FPS junkies alike. When approaching a blind corner, like a 90% angle hallway corner, never walk around it like you would in real life. Its also not a good idea to face the wall to your side and strafe straight over. This leaves a blind spot on one of the sides of the hall. To "Slice the pie", strafe around the corner while turning. You should be able to see the entire hallway as it unfolds before your eyes, right to left or vice versa. This way, even if there is an enemy hugging a wall, you'll see him just as he sees you. No surprises.
4. "Silent as a Shadow, Strike like a Snake"
Stealth is a FPS players best friend. Lets face it. These games aren't (usually) made for the gung ho Rambo style players who bust in with guns blazing. You waste ammo, attract a LOT of attention, and usually end up getting killed or badly hurt. Do like me. Take out as many guards/soldiers/whatever as you can without making any noise and if possible, using little ammo. Use knives, batons, anything without a bang. Your fists tend to work well from behind. The less guards there are, the less that will show up if one hits an alarm. Do well, and the only people wo will respond to the alarm will be 2 scientists, a janitor, and a guard with his pants half down cuz he was in the bathroom. :D
5. "Don't just stand there!"
When in a big open air area, the liklihood of snipers is big. If you're getting shot at, try to locate the source, then take cover behind anything! A rock, tree, wall, whatever! Then return fire! You have legs, use them! Get out and away from the open and take cover.
6. "Bunny Mode?"
Abusing your jump button does little but make you look like a damn bunny. It may work well in a multiplayer or deathmatch, but against the computer, you're just a bouncing target instead of a running one. Besides, what goes up, must come down. And all I have to do is time my grenade to greet the underside of your foot. So unless you like being fragged religiously AND being made fun of for hopping right into shrapnel, keep your feet on the ground unless you're leaping across a ledge.
So there ya go. Some basic tips to staying alive in an FPS, courtesy of me and XIII. Enjoy.
Posted at 12:51 am by RKnight718
Jan 11, 2004
Wow. Lots going on this weekend. Guess I'll start from the top. I was up late Friday night, as usual, so around 9-10 in the morning Caroline is trying to get me up and is being all sweet about it, but I just didn't feel like it. Then her mom screams for her from the kitchen. *NOTE* I live with My wife Caroline and her mom in thier house. Turns out she is all pissed cuz the sink isnt cleaned out of dishes and she can't find a freakin spoon. Regardless of the simplicity of the problem, mom-in-law goes apeshit about it, and I hear it all the way in the bedroom. I decide to stay out of it and pull the covers over my head to get a few last Zzz's. A while later the screaming and arguing has stopped, so I brave the outdoors and head for the kitchen. I stay just out of sight, but then hear them talking, then laughing! So I figure everything is cool again. I head in and have breakfast, then we get ready to go. Caroline has a Spanish Grandmother, Ita. She celebreates this holiday known as Rayce, I believe it translates to "3 Kings", in reference to the 3 wise men or something. In any case its a reason to party, so I'm not gonna argue the religious symboliusness. (I don't know if thats a word or not. It's late. Don't like it? Sue me) So we go and I get to see Caroline's little brother and sister, Josh and Julie. I'm like a big brother to them and they welcomed me into the family so warmly when we first met. Julie is actually mistaken for Caroline and I's daughter occasionally. Josh and I are the game buffs, and he got a Gamecube for X-mas, so he brought that and I help him thru a temple in Zelda: WindWaker and we get 2 more people to participate in a 4 player, 20 round game of Mario Party 4. Quite fun. Never played with 4 humans before. Caroline and I got Josh another controller for x-mas, so he didn't have to use the one he borrowed from a friend. The game was done by about 10 p.m. and we were leaving, so I drove back cuz mom-in-law had some wine. I get to do it all again tomorrow...somewhat. I have another "playdate" with my little cousin Johnathon. I swear, this kid is a spitting image of me about 12 years ago. Complete with my love for games. He's wearing my old Nintendo and Mario shirts!! Its like looking into a mirror of the past. Freaky. He is a little out of date on the whole game thing. e is all excited about his Nintendo 64 and his newly acquired Pokemon Stadium game. Like I said, a little out of date, but he loves it. He knows that I'm a big gamer too, so he's all excited and is always asking when I can come see him to play. So I'll be doing that tomorrow. I got a game borrowing going on between Josh and I. He wanted to play the old Zelda: Ocarina of Time, so I asked to borrow Pikmin. I wasn't too sure on Pikmin. Looked weird. But I just played a bit and holy crap. It's like crack, you always want just a little bit more! Then on Feb 1st, Caroline and I get to go see a friend of hers sing in her choir. This girl Robin. Voice of an angel, and looks to match. If I hadn't been with Caroline at the time, I would've fallen for her right then and there. She just has that sort of look and power that makes any guy who talks or even looks at her, instantly fall in love with her. Caroline already had me grounded to her, so I was immune to her Siren ablities. I swear she's a real live Siren. With her power over men and that voice? Gotta be a Siren. Anyway, we get to go hear her sing in the choir on the 1st, so I'm looking forward to that as well. Speaking of Sirens, If you're reading this Lenalia, let me know how you're doing? Well, I best be off. Need sleep so I can deal with more kids tomorrow. Where do they get that endless energy supply? I swear, if there was a way to harness that, California would never have blackouts again. *draws up blueprints for 500,000 children running on gerbil wheels to power turbines and dynamos*
Posted at 01:12 am by RKnight718
Jan 8, 2004
What was it when I looked at you?
What power has chained me through and through?
And binds my heart so tight,
I cannot live without the sight
Of you?
What nameless thing has captured me?
And made me powerless to flee?
What thing is it without a name,
That brings my mind ever back the same
To thee?
The name of love cannot apply,
Its commonness does not defy,
The haunted, hunted, painful cry
My heart makes for you,
That ever my soul eternal makes for you.
Posted at 10:20 pm by RKnight718
Jan 4, 2004
Brain rambling...and Poetry!
Yay! good day! Granted its a Sunday and I have to go back to work tomorrow, but good nonetheless. I finished my first druid task, and met Letano's girl Ariax! She's awsome. Great Catch Fuzzy! Anyway, She and I started talking about stuff. She's been helping Akren to move on since Lenalia left Achaea. Her and Akren's mum, Faile. Akren has come to terms that it wasn't a break-up, more of a sorrowful parting of ways. He can accept that. Still have to help him get out some emotion. So here's some of Akren's works:
Love is everywhere yet unattainable.
It flits to and fro, never resting, never stopping.
It can be beside you, behind you, or even right in front of you and you'll never know it.
I was lucky enough to look beyond mortal sight and find it.
Without words or glances, I just knew.
I was in love. I still am.
The saying is true: "you never know what you've got till its gone"
She may be gone, but she will live forever in memory and spirit.
Love makes you share things, everything. Things you wouldn't even tell your closest friend.
I guess thats because your love BECOMES your closest friend.
I found myself revealing things about myself, my past, that I though I had locked away forever.
High on a shelf in the closet of my mind. Never to be seen again.
She brought it out. She found the box and asked what it was.
And I told her. Without fear or regret or worry of consequence.
Love does that to you.
Why does Love exist?
It's such a pleasureable thing, yet it cuts as deeply as it heals.
Like the sharpest double edged sword, it helps as well as harms.
But if it hurts so much, why havent people given up on it?
Hope.
Hope that things will get better, or return to normal. The way things were.
People tend to be like sheep. They will follow whatever tells them to follow.
Love makes people follow whats in their hearts.
Love is indiscriminating. It cares not whether the people end up happy or sad.
Thats up to the couple themselves to decide.
I love you Lenalia. I will never forget you and I promise to always follow my heart.
-Akren
Posted at 06:20 pm by RKnight718
Jan 3, 2004
Watch out! Non-game related entry! Aack!
Had a pretty good day today. Caroline and her mom went out and did the shopping, so I got major game time all to myself! whee! After I was done though, I got on MSN messenger and started talking with a friend of Lenalia's; Aveman. Ave and I got to talking, and just got to know each other better. A fellow gamer himself, we get along great. But now we've bonded further! Look out Lena, your friends and I are getting along. :) I even got to impart some "wizened old sage" advice abvout life and love and such. Also found out that I really matter to a certain someone. Its a great feeling to know that even though you've never met a person, but you've talked enough that you could say you do know them, and then you ask them to keep a promise and they do. Then I find out I metter in other aspects too. It's just a good feeling. I was begginning to feel like a welcome mat. I'm a pretty nice guy, i'll go out of my way to help people. I did that a lot in school. In elementry in middle school, your classmates appreciate that. You get to high school, and all of a sudden you're the smart kid with all the answers. You are "the" kid to copy off of and get paired with in projects. I end up doing all the work and then they ask for the answers. Annoying as hell. So I started to distance myself, I found it hard to trust people with things and found I can't rely on anyone but myself. It's dissapointing when the world around you changes from this carefree happy-place you know as a kid to this dangerous hell-hole we call Earth as an adult. People are all about stabbing each other in the back, using everybody else as stepstools to get higher in life. So a person like me, who willingly and honestly try to help people, are the first ones to get stepped on. So to recap, after feeling like a dirty welcome mat for so long, its wonderful to know I mean something to a person I've only talked to online and for 5 seconds on the phone. You know who you are, and I love you. ;) Wow, my first true rambling blog. That felt good. I need to do this more often...
Posted at 08:06 pm by RKnight718
Jan 1, 2004
Happy New Year and stuff...
So its 2004. Whoopy. Sorry, my new years eve wasn't as smooth as my past ones or other peoples that i've been reading about. My one day of the year where I really get trashed and get all funny-drunk and fall off funiture and laugh like a loon at the Aflack duck...and I barely got a buzz. Only had 1 glass, maybe thats why. My evening consisted of comforting a friend who's boyfriend was being a dick, fighting with my mom-in-law and comforting Caroline when we couldn't find the saurkraut and then realized we never bought it, (her mom eats this saurkraut dish every new years, supposed to bring good luck. Old german thing i think. Hasn't worked so far.) and beating Prince of Persia. I won't go into that now, don't feel like doing any reviews. Would rather get some personal stuff up here.
I have been listening to my Evanescence CD "Fallen" for hours on end while i'm at work. Whole thing can play in my head. But while working, I really got a chance to listen to the words of the songs closer. One song in particular, "My Immortal" realy got to me. Actually, I should say it got to Akren. He hasn't seen nor spoken to Lenalia in forever, and misses her like crazy. The words in the song display his feelings of loss about her. So I put it on her blog, with a message just saying "Missing you, Akren" If you're reading this Lenalia, don't take it like it was a ploy to make you feel guilty about not coming to Achaea. It just felt right as to how much Akren misses you. I've barely been on myself. Turns out She was away in Tacoma or someplace for a bit. Caroline is passed out on the couch now. Poor girl. She hasn't felt well and has had problems sleeping due to dogs that like to bark at 3 AM. Namely ours. Huh, thats odd. Thought I had more to write but my mind just went kaput. Oh well. Guess i'll do more later if I think of it, as well as updates on ffx2 and prince of persia. Note on both games: GET THEM! ffx2 is good if you're a Final Fantasy nut like me (KUPO!) and PoP is just incredible. Anyone who hates that game should be shot. Well, till next time.
Posted at 12:40 pm by RKnight718
Dec 28, 2003
For starters, check out my new quotes in my profile and side sections. Next, just a quick post to tell you all to get Prince of Persia; The Sands of Time. If you've been looking for a great platformer/adventure game that'll keep you entertained, whoo boy is this ever it. Largest movement set I have EVER seen, battles are fluid and seamless, and the story is gripping, better than a dry peanut butter sandwich with no milk. This game has been given "Game of the year" nods like nothing else this year, and now it gets mine. Great job Ubisoft! (just don't screw up GC Harvest Moon or the pain will be eternal.) Also liking FFX-2. Full fledged sequel. Basically, if the ending to FFX left you wondering what happened to Tidus, get this. You'll get your answer. I don't have it myself yet, but know there will be a major emotional outletting on this thing when I do. OK, enought talk. Must go play more Prince of Persia!!!!
Posted at 12:22 am by RKnight718
Dec 24, 2003
I had an interesting comment posted on my last blog that I want to bring to attention. The following is a comment from Kyr:I'm thinking you're getting at an awesome and intelligent point, but you seem to contradict yourself (that or I'm reading it wrong). At first you say that parents shouldn't blame video games for violence (which I agree with) and then you go into how violent the games really are, making it seem like you believe that that's where (some) violent young people get their ideas from.
Kyr bring up a very valid point, and I apologize for any confusion. Lemme clarify. What I dislike are parents blaming video games for the kids violent behavior, INSTEAD of blaming the parents who did not "parent" properly and did not censor/monitor what thier kids were playing. Its not that hard. You can read right? Pick up the instruction manual (psst! its in the game case!) and READ it. Or just watch the kids play it! Watch the game, watch the reactions of the kids. THINK!! Might be surprised with what you see! And if you see nothing wrong with it and they go kill thier teacher anyway, guess who I'm gonna yell at? So my point is if you're old enough to play them according to the rating, then you should know better. Yes the games are getting violenter (more violent?) but thats called freedom of speech. Parents need to supervise and just BE parents. Now then, on with my review..
Manhunt is violent. Manhunt is brutal. The last stage I played made it moreso. You have to save your family members that have been taken hostage. If any gang members spot you? BLAM! Momma's gone. I restarted this level multiple times. I ended up saving all 4 family members! Woot for me! It defintly made you think differently on how to play the level. Its got this rating system for each level. Better rating = unlock more bonus stuff. Thats a hook for a perfectionist like myself. I'm not gonna rest until I have 5 star rating for all the stages. I know this isn't much of a review, but I havent finished it yet. Ok, you're right. This was more like an excuse to prove my point about stupid parents. I'll shut up about the game until I'm done or unless I'm told to keep doing it like this. Merry Christmas and Happy Yule!
Posted at 11:26 pm by RKnight718
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