Podcasts about Kato

OJ Simpson Murder Trial Expert Tim Mangione comes on to discuss the trial and his thoughts along with his EXCLUSIVE new theories and why it happened and WHO did it AND how much did Kato really know?!? Yeah....we also have a KISS Geekfest. Also we have Dating Tips From Porn Stars with Goddess Ayla Jane. Join the patreon for ONLY $5 a month!PATREON - https://www.patreron.com/realizzypresleyWEBSITE - https://www.izzypresley.comIzzy's linkshttps://www.lasvegasguitartradeshow.comhttps://www.sotastick.com                                                                                            https://vintageguitarsrus.com                                                                                      https://www.beeteramplification.com                                                                         https://www.thesmokinkills.com                                                                                   https://www.7thavenuepizza.com                                                                                 https://www.lockecustomguitars.com                                                                        https://valkenburgusa.com  https://www.monstersofrockcruise.comCAMEOhttps://www.cameo.com/realizzypresleyRAISE YOUR GLASSES https://www.amazon.com/RAISE-YOUR-GLASSES-Celebration-Celebrities/dp/B0DF6KDKLL

The show revolves around the thrilling escapades of a reporter aspiring to uncover the truth behind a violent incident involving her husband. As she navigates the dangerous underworld and the unscrupulous business practices of a rival, the Green Hornet emerges as a pivotal figure in the unfolding drama. The narrative explores themes of ambition, deception, and the quest for justice, culminating in a tense confrontation and unexpected twists.TakeawaysThe aspiration to be a reporter drives the protagonist.The investigation reveals deep connections to the underworld.The Green Hornet plays a crucial role in the narrative.Business rivalries can lead to dangerous consequences.The importance of courage in the face of adversity.Unexpected alliances can form in the pursuit of truth.The impact of violence on personal relationships is profound.Strategic thinking is essential in high-stakes situations.The narrative showcases the complexity of moral choices.The story emphasizes the power of the press in uncovering corruption."The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.The Green Hornet Radio Show: "The Green Hornet," a thrilling radio adventure series, first buzzed onto the airwaves in January 1936, captivating audiences with its tales of a masked vigilante battling crime. The initial portrayal of Britt Reid/The Green Hornet was voiced by Al Hodge, who was later succeeded by several other actors, most notably Brace Beemer, who became synonymous with the role for many listeners. Kato, Reid's loyal valet and skilled martial arts expert, was famously voiced by Tokutaro Hayashi and later Rollon Parker. The show's central premise revolved around Britt Reid, a wealthy newspaper publisher who secretly operated as The Green Hornet by night. Using his resources, along with Kato's fighting prowess and their signature gas gun, they fought criminals while maintaining Reid's public facade as a playboy. The target audience for "The Green Hornet" was broad, appealing to both younger listeners with its action and adventure and older audiences with its suspenseful storylines and charismatic lead. The original radio run spanned over fifteen years, concluding in December 1952, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture. Throughout its run, the show featured contributions from various talented actors and writers who helped shape its enduring appeal, including Fran Striker, the creator of both "The Green Hornet" and "The Lone Ranger."

Are you telling a story that empowers you—or one that sabotages your success?In this conversation, Scott Perry (Creative on Purpose) and Kato McNichol (Wolf Criers Club) dive into the narratives solopreneurs live by, and how those stories shape our identity, creativity, and business.Together, we explore:* How the roles of hero and villain show up in your personal and professional life* Why self-sabotage often disguises itself as helping others* How to reframe your story and reclaim your path* Why playfulness and perspective are your most powerful tools for growthIf you're a purpose-driven solopreneur tired of the inner critic and ready to tell a more empowering story, this conversation is for you.

The Green Hornet Radio Show: "The Green Hornet," a thrilling radio adventure series, first buzzed onto the airwaves in January 1936, captivating audiences with its tales of a masked vigilante battling crime. The initial portrayal of Britt Reid/The Green Hornet was voiced by Al Hodge, who was later succeeded by several other actors, most notably Brace Beemer, who became synonymous with the role for many listeners. Kato, Reid's loyal valet and skilled martial arts expert, was famously voiced by Tokutaro Hayashi and later Rollon Parker. The show's central premise revolved around Britt Reid, a wealthy newspaper publisher who secretly operated as The Green Hornet by night. Using his resources, along with Kato's fighting prowess and their signature gas gun, they fought criminals while maintaining Reid's public facade as a playboy. The target audience for "The Green Hornet" was broad, appealing to both younger listeners with its action and adventure and older audiences with its suspenseful storylines and charismatic lead. The original radio run spanned over fifteen years, concluding in December 1952, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture. Throughout its run, the show featured contributions from various talented actors and writers who helped shape its enduring appeal, including Fran Striker, the creator of both "The Green Hornet" and "The Lone Ranger."TakeawaysThe Green Hornet is a vigilante who intervenes in crime.Firefly is a racehorse at the center of a murder mystery.A character named Jerry is murdered, raising suspicions.The race is suspected to be fixed by professional gamblers.The investigation reveals connections to a gambling syndicate.The Green Hornet aims to restore integrity to the race.Characters express doubt about the true identity of Firefly.Tension builds as the race day approaches.The story highlights themes of justice and corruption.The narrative combines elements of suspense and action.Green Hornet, horse racing, murder mystery, race fixing, Firefly, gambling syndicate, crime, investigation, suspense, thriller

OMG you guys, there are too many spoilers for this one! Let's just say: Madison, Kato, a corpse that disappears, enemy spies, knock-out gas, treason and a little bit of gender swapping. It's the Adventures of the Green Hornet as only Madison could do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

בפעם הראשונה – סוכני הבינה המלאכותית שלי, דפני ומארשל, מדברים בעברית! ואם אתם מובילים, מנהלי ארגונים או יזמים – הפרק הזה עשוי לשנות את הדרך שבה אתם חושבים על זהות ונוכחות דיגיטלית. בפרק הזה, בפינת מחקר אחד, אני מציג מונח חדש שטבעתי: אפקט פליפ פרוטאוס – תופעה שבה אווטארים מבוססי בינה מלאכותית כבר לא רק מייצגים אותנו, אלא משפיעים ממש על מי שאנחנו, איך אנחנו נתפסים, ואילו הזדמנויות נפתחות או נסגרות בפנינו. בהשראת מחקר חדש מאוניברסיטת טוקיו, אנחנו בוחנים כיצד אווטארים הופכים לפיגומים רגשיים וחברתיים – ומה זה אומר על ניהול מוניטין, זהות והשפעה. בפרק תגלו איך עקרונות של אינטליגנציה משחקית יכולים לעזור לכם לעצב נוכחות דיגיטלית שמקדמת אתכם – אישית, עסקית וחברתית – דווקא עכשיו, בעידן של בינה מלאכותית והייפר-מציאות.  אהבתם את הפרק? עקבו ודרגו עם ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ בספוטיפיי – זה עוזר לי להמשיך ליצור תוכן איכותי! יש לכם מיזם מעניין ורוצים להתארח בפודקאסט? שלחו מייל >> hi@julootapps.com עקבו ושתפו: LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube מקורות: אמסטרדמסקי, ש' (8 במאי 2025). הטרלוקרטיה. מוסף כלכליסט. כלכליסט. https://www.calcalist.co.il/magazine/article/rjqi5118egx Takano, M., Yokotani, K., Kato, T., Abe, N., & Taka, F. (2025). Avatar Communication Provides More Efficient Online Social Support Than Text Communication. arXiv preprint arXiv:2505.00287. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2505.00287   * This episode is based on Dr. El-Hanan Gazit's upcoming book: 'Gameful Intelligence: The Secrets of Business Growth and Personal Happiness in the Gen AI Era' (working title). הפרק נוצר בעזרת NotebookLM של גוגל.

In this thrilling episode, the Green Hornet investigates the mysterious Mr. X, who has been sending warning letters to the Sentinel newspaper. As the story unfolds, the Hornet and his partner Kato delve into the criminal underworld, uncovering a numbers racket run by Slicker Kane and Bragg. The tension escalates as they navigate danger, deception, and the elusive figure of Mr. X, ultimately leading to a confrontation that reveals the truth behind the racket and the identity of Mr. X.TakeawaysThe Green Hornet is a vigilante who fights crime.Mr. X is a mysterious figure behind local rackets.The Sentinel newspaper plays a crucial role in the investigation.Slicker Kane is involved in illegal activities.The characters exhibit a mix of humor and tension.The story highlights the challenges of journalism.Kato is a loyal partner to the Green Hornet.The investigation leads to unexpected twists.The theme of deception runs throughout the narrative.The resolution reveals the consequences of crime."The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.Green Hornet, Mr. X, crime, investigation, mystery, rackets, journalism, suspense

What really happened on Cielo Drive in 1969 — and who was Charles Manson really after?In this gripping episode of One Degree of Scandalous, hosts Tom Zenner and Kato Kaelin sit down with Hollywood death historian Scott Michaels (Dearly Departed Tours) to trace the terrifying legacy of the Manson Family murders. Hollywood death historian Scott Michaels takesTom and Kato explore the real locations and stories behind the Manson Family murders — from Cielo Drive to the LaBianca home to Spahn Ranch. This isn't a conspiracy — it's first-hand Hollywood crime history. Discover why Sharon Tate wasn't the intended target, how music producer Terry Melcher set the chain of events in motion, and what it was like to walk through the actual locations where history—and horror—unfolded.—

Hi, I'm Dr. Elhanan Gazit, and this is The Gameful Intelligence Podcast – One Study Corner. In this episode, I team up with my AI co-hosts, Marshal and Daphne, to explore a Tokyo University study on avatars as emotional and social scaffolds. We introduce The Flip Proteus Effect—how AI avatars reshape identity and society in real life. From Donald Trump's “Trollo-cracy” AI avatars (Amsterdamsky, 2025) onto Israeli journalists and celebrities reimagined as AI warriors in October 7th wartime, we reflect on how the Gameful Intelligence approach helps us navigate and grow in the AI era. Enjoyed this episode? Follow, rate five stars, and share it with someone who'd benefit! I'd love to hear your thoughts.Let's connect:: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Want to learn more about The Gameful Intelligence for Personal Growth? Talk to me, or book a consulting session today! >> Juloot.com Subscribe to MetaYeda Newsletter to learn more >> MetaYeda.com   Read One Study Reference: Takano, M., Yokotani, K., Kato, T., Abe, N., & Taka, F. (2025). Avatar Communication Provides More Efficient Online Social Support Than Text Communication. arXiv preprint arXiv:2505.00287. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2505.00287   * This episode is based on Dr. El-Hanan Gazit's upcoming book: 'Gameful Intelligence: The Secrets of Business Growth and Personal Happiness in the Gen AI Era' (working title).

Fresh off his victory in Times Square, Rolly Romero sits down with Danza & Kato for a no-holds-barred episode of The Danza Project — and he came to talk his talk. In this full interview, Rolly opens up on everything from his strategy vs. Ryan Garcia to his unfiltered thoughts on the state of boxing — and even calls out the biggest names in the sport for fighting for money, not legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

W tej Pogadance, nagrywanej tym razem w lesie, rozmawiamy o poufności, prywatności i zaufaniu. Zastanawiamy się nad tym, czym jest ten "świadomy przepływ informacji między ludźmi" i jak dbać o to, by informacje powierzone nam w zaufaniu, a czasem po prostu zasłyszane, nie krążyły w sposób, który byłby niekomfortowy dla innych.Z tej pogadanki dowiesz się:Jak nasze dziecięce doświadczenia związane z naruszaniem prywatności wpływają na nasze rozumienie poufności i zaufania.O idei braku tajemnic w bliskiej rodzinie i jak może to prowadzić do naruszania granic, gdy nie sprawdza się, czy druga osoba chce się czymś podzielić.Dlaczego dzielimy się informacjami o innych ludziach i czy zawsze robimy to świadomie, a także czy opowiadanie o innych buduje zaufanie.O tym, że granica tego, ile i co komu mówić, jest skomplikowanym procesem i jak ważna jest otwarta i jawna komunikacja (metakomunikacja) na ten temat.O idei braku tajemnic w związku i jak może to prowadzić do naruszania poufności.Dużo mówimy o poufności w kontekście zawodów zaufania publicznego, zwłaszcza psychologów i psychoterapeutów.O różnicy między dzieleniem się informacjami o sobie w celu uzyskania wsparcia  a naruszaniem poufności.O rozróżnieniu między prywatnością, tajemnicą i intymnością.O tym, jakie potrzeby zaspokaja poszanowanie prywatności.O szukaniu równowagi między skrajnościami (dzieleniem się wszystkim vs. niczym) w bliskich relacjach.W pogadance wspominamy o:Książce "Kato tata".• Naszym wcześniejszym webinarze na temat seksu i seksualności.

Kato On The Track link in bio: https://www.fvr.fan/katoproducerlisten to Kato On The Track on all streaming platforms nobigdyl. link in bio: https://ffm.bio/nobigdyllielisten to nobigdyl. on all streaming platforms

The conversation revolves around the adventures of the Green Hornet, focusing on the character Britt Reid and his sidekick Kato as they navigate through crime investigations, rivalries, and union issues. The narrative introduces Mr. X, a mysterious antagonist, and explores the dynamics of crime and justice in their world.TakeawaysThe Green Hornet is a vigilante fighting against public enemies.Britt Reid and Kato work together to solve crimes.Mr. X poses a significant threat to the Green Hornet.The investigation reveals deeper issues within the union.The characters face moral dilemmas regarding their actions.The narrative highlights the importance of teamwork in crime-fighting.The story showcases the tension between law enforcement and criminals.The Green Hornet's methods often blur the lines of legality.The union meeting serves as a pivotal point in the plot.The characters' motivations are driven by personal and societal stakes.Sound Bites"Hot green hornet!""The Green Hornet strikes again.""I want to protect her.""I'll be right out, Bryce."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Green Hornet03:52 The Investigation Begins10:09 Unraveling the Mystery of Mr. X18:05 The Union Meeting and Its Implications"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.Green Hornet, Mr. X, Britt Reid, Kato, crime, investigation, union, strike, mystery, adventure

Japan is not considering the idea of using possible sale of U.S. Treasury bonds it holds as a tool in its tariff negotiations with the United States, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said Sunday.

China is said to be conducting an assessment on US trade negotiations and urged the US to demonstrate sincerity for trade talks, while it urged the US to correct mistakes regarding tariffs and noted it is currently evaluating possible US trade talks.US Secretary of State Rubio said the Chinese want to meet and talk, while he added those talks will come up soon and there's a broader question about how much we should buy from China going forwardJapanese Finance Minister Kato said Japan's huge US Treasury holdings are among the tools it can wield in trade negotiations with the US but added that whether Japan wields that card is a different question.European bourses are entirely in the green as the region returns from holiday; US equity futures gain, AMZN -2% & AAPL -2.7% pre-market.USD's recovery pauses for breath as markets brace for NFP, AUD outperforms.Gilts outperform, EGBs largely unaffected by HICP, USTs digest trade updates & Kato's remarks into NFP.Crude is on the backfoot, whilst XAU and base metals benefit from the softer Dollar.Looking ahead, US NFP & Durable Goods, Earnings from Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Apollo, Brookfield.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

YouTubeはこちら https://youtu.be/83dkkfRtBek　TOKEN ECONOMIST https://www.token-economist.com/Kato-san: https://x.com/TokenEconomistXenea: https://x.com/xenea_ioKinjo: https://x.com/illshinAKINDO: https://x.com/akindo_io1.直近のweb3に関して思うこと2.インフラレイヤー多すぎ問題どう思う？3.web3をマスアダプションに導くのは何か？AI、既存金融、エンタメ、DeFi？加えてWeb3におけるUXの改善とオンボーディングの課題なども4.トークンによるExitについて正解は何？5.日本のWeb3規制と国際動向6.Ethereumの近況について7.Hackathonの未来について加藤さん過去出演Epoisode働きたいweb3プロジェクトTOP100からトレンドを読み解くhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/3IMVmgB39hEqIBBbdOXjLT?si=1695d7080c644b40

In this episode of The Conspiracy Podcast, the boys dive deep into the life, mysterious death, and legacy of Bruce Lee, a martial arts icon who left an mark on Hollywood and global culture. Sean, Jorge, and Eric explore the shocking events of July 20, 1973, when Bruce Lee passed away at just 32 years old, right as he was on the verge of worldwide stardom. The official cause of death—a fatal allergic reaction to a painkiller—was ruled an accident, but many believe the circumstances surrounding his demise are far from ordinary.The boys take listeners on a journey through Bruce's extraordinary life. From his early days as a child star in Hong Kong to his rise as a groundbreaking martial artist and film star, Bruce Lee's impact was immense. His roles as Kato in The Green Hornet and his starring performances in The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, and Enter the Dragon broke barriers and showcased his unmatched talent. Bruce's innovative philosophy of martial arts and his vision for a more inclusive and practical fighting style led to the creation of Jeet Kune Do, a martial arts system that challenged traditional boundaries.However, on the night of his death, questions began to emerge. What truly happened during the final hours of Bruce Lee's life? Was it really an allergic reaction, or was there a darker force at play? The episode breaks down the official findings, including the autopsy that confirmed cerebral edema—brain swelling—as the cause of death, but left the trigger for the swelling uncertain. Theories have flourished ever since, ranging from heatstroke caused by his past surgery to remove sweat glands, to suspicions about the involvement of the Triads, the Chinese mafia, or even the American mafia seeking to control his rising Hollywood career.The boys also delve into alternative theories, including a possible family curse or mysterious martial arts rivals seeking revenge. The conspiracy surrounding Bruce Lee's death remains one of the most discussed and controversial topics in pop culture history. Was it a tragic accident, or was Bruce Lee's sudden death part of a larger, hidden story?Join the boys as they revisit the incredible life and mysterious death of Bruce Lee, unraveling the facts, speculations, and wild theories that continue to capture the imagination of fans around the world. Was Bruce Lee's death really an accident, or was it something far more complex? Tune in for an in-depth exploration of a legend whose influence is still felt to this day.https://www.patreon.com/theconspiracypodcast

What we'd do if we found money.. How we use artificial intelligence.. Plus, Kato heads out for Torture Tuesday.

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

Tällä videolla käyn läpi omaa kokemusta masennuksesta – ei siksi, että voitaisiin yhdessä vajota syvemmälle, vaan siksi että joku ruudun toisella puolella saattaa tarvita juuri tämän viestin:It does get better. Siitä voi selvitä. Mutta jonkun täytyy muuttua – ja ainoa joka voi tehdä muutoksen - olet sinä itse. Tämä ei ole ammattilaisen näkökulma, vaan kokemusperäinen tarina siitä, miten olo alkoi pikkuhiljaa parantua. Ja mitä kaikkea piti laittaa uusiksi, jotta elämä taas alkaisi maistua.Videolla puhutaan mm.:Miltä masennus tuntui ja miten se ilmeniMitkä muutokset oikeasti vaikuttivat: työ, koti, uni, ravinto, liikeMiten löytää merkitystä, kun mikään ei kiinnostaMiksi vastuun ottaminen omasta hyvinvoinnista on avain toipumiseenJos tuntuu, että olet juuri nyt syvällä, tämä video on tehty sinulle.toivoa on AINA vaikka mieli koittais muuta väittää

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"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

This week, we break down Alex Garland's Warfare—a rare war film that actually nails the realism. Kato and Brian dig into what the movie gets right, discussing everything from set design to radio jargon. Then we shift gears into the pursuit of rifle accuracy, exposing the myths around “sub-MOA” expectations and unpacking real-world data from the field. We close it out with a sharp take on the growing trend of AI girlfriends and what that means for the future of relationships and onlyfans.Another packed episode—let's get into it.

Things we cheat on.. Tom has some tax facts.. What women hate last minute.. Plus, a tax day Torture Tuesday with Kato.

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion, is strongly rooted in animism, with Japanese believing that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. Shinto does not have a single creator or specific doctrine, and instead exists in a diverse range of local and regional forms emphasising a sacred connection between humans and the natural world.In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Taishi Kato about the deep-rooted significance of Shinto and the ongoing efforts to preserve its rich heritage.Hey it is Nick Kemp here from IkigaiTribe.com, just before we get into this episode I wanted to let you know I am running a Ikigai Workshop Webinar this month. The workshop is 2-hours long and covers the work of pioneering ikigai researcher Mieko Kamiya. We look at her definition of ikigai and her 7 ikigai needs.If you are interested go to https://ikigaitribe.com/ikigai-workshop

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

Hana shines and Aya rises.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.“It is selfish to believe that your family will always love you. At some point you will be asked to earn it.”My equilibrium decided to cut me some slack and not invoke the reflexive vomiting. "It is only me, Hana, Imogen, Deidre, Mom, Buffy, hi Juanita," I hadn't spotted my designated bodyguard standing behind Chaz."Don't talk to me right now," she seethed. "I'm furious with you." Yep, she was the Caribbean Buffy."Perhaps she's pissed about the five extra Illuminati bodyguards added to the regular two around Hana plus the two circling Ghost Tigers having not a fucking clue what those other armed parties are doing in Hana's company," Pamela joked. She could. Everyone else was giving me crap about my social gaff."Hey now. This meeting is important. Imogen and I are going to have a child," I enlightened them. The door chimed open and we piled in with two Amazons whose 'fresh' look indicated a use of the showers within the past ten minutes."You consistently maintain particularly low standards," Chaz dryly remarked."I sent her here for a check-up and that gave Buffy a chance to meet Mom, Deidre and Imogen, plus two unarmed bodyguards," I kept bailing out the Titanic."Chaz, I am happy we aren't going to miss this one (lunch)," Pamela smiled at her two grandsons."Cáel, are you going to tell your fiancée you've impregnated your aunt?" Chaz was back to being mildly sympathetic to my 'totally fucked-up' life."Yes. I figured Buffy shooting death rays at me from her eyes will garner me enough confusion to get the words out of my mouth without her throwing her drink in my face, slapping me, then storming out," I envisioned.I got no more shit until I reached the garage for my vehicle. There an armed FBI Special Agent Virginia Maddox (did you know when a Federal Agent adds 'Special' to their title it means they have a gun?) stood next to my chariot. She'd drawn the short straw, meaning she had been given the chore of driving today.I found myself wondering when Yasmin would finally finish her orientation. Her training involved some serious mental challenges including a crash course from the FBI at Quantico concerning modern judicial theory & practice as well as whatever pre-Iron Age jurisprudence the Host practiced.Javiera promised me (and Katrina) that she would not-so-subtly remind those scholastically-groomed legal minds that a (couldn't use the word 'Amazon') legal code they followed had existed, with minor tweaking, as a successful social instrument for over 3,000 years. If they truly behaved in a respectful manner, the owners of the code might even show those people the Codex on the original horse-skin, written in Hittite cuneiform.Anyway, everyone assumed I had a good reason for heading to my apartment (aka need to retrieve a sleepy Odette.) Had I repeated 'the Bitch stole my fortune cookies', they might have simply taken me to an Asian-inclined grocery store. As we hit the second story landing, Chaz in the lead, we heard a passel of folks come down toward us from the fourth level.I didn't think there were that many people on the entire floor. Chaz and Pamela each went for their holstered pistol, while keeping them hidden in their jackets. Wiesława, who went for her PDW, backed up so she could fire through the stairs from beneath.Juanita, bless her heart, and Virginia had remained in the S U V because sending in more people would have left us piled into one another. If a firefight did break out, Juanita could bring in some serious hardware to back us up while Virginia called the appropriate authorities before rushing in herself.Around the corner on the third floor landing came a number of women, early/mid-twenties, physically fit, foreign clothes and downcast expressions. A few looked like they were about to cry. They were all in shirts and jeans, with no obvious weapons. Not looking lethal didn't ratchet down Chaz's vigilance. Me? I was instantly reminded how much sex I had been missing."Prince Cáel! You are alive!" spilled out of the first one, a fiery red-head with a billowing, thick mane, porcelain skin and adorable freckles. Her Irish brogue was enchanting. I had to wonder if she cried out in Gaelic during orgasm. Wasn't I about to meet my future bride plus numerous other love interests?She was fit, curvy and wearing an aqua shirt which exposed her midriff with a belly ring bearing a pearl drop, the requisite tattered skin-tight jeans and soft leather calf-boots."Why wouldn't I be alive?" I grinned, like a pirate discovering an all-girls school oceanographic classroom in need of plundering."How do total strangers know how unlikely it is that you would still be alive?" was Chaz's spin on things."We talked with your roommate. He said you had moved to Svalbard where you suffered an excruciating painful, yet richly deserved, death in a lemming stampede," she pouted, "and then the UN had your ashes exiled to Pluto because the Sun was too good for you."9, 10, 11 --12 of them looking, 3 with pale blonde hair that eerily reminded me of my fiancée, another red-head, two russet and five with deep, dark brown, or black hair. They were all fit, fit, fit! With an air of 'I graduated college only to discover: 1) no one was hiring Saline Soil Scientists, or 2) I no longer want to do any of the things I wanted to do when I picked this major. I was familiar with both types.Timothy would have been at work and Odette would have invited the troupe in to regale them with all sorts of tales, which would have included a tour of my bedroom. They clearly had missed Odette so, now I recalled; that particular excuse was one of the ten I had given the guy in 4B should anyone suspicious come calling.I imagine twelve hot, English-as-a-Second-Language girls might be considered, a bit odd. See, his was my address of record. I lied about my actual apartment, so random people who came looking for me went to him instead. This arrangement had been made prior to my understanding of the nature of my employment at Havenstone.I'd neglected, telling him to move out and go far, far away? Poor guy. I'd find a way to make it up to him later."Actually it was a southern vole immigration incident that was set off by the Bulgarian consulate offering repatriation for the first 10,000 applicants," I frowned, clearly traumatized by memory of the incident."These poor southern vole, native to the vacationer-friendly Black Sea resorts, were accidently introduced to the coldest inhabited place in the Northern hemisphere and they've been trying to get home ever since, that would be the equivalent of a century and a half in 'vole-years.""Despite the UN trying to quarantine any news of this Cricetidae catastrophe, I decided to evacuate the six most critically injured vole using a Bortolanza Pluto ultralight, which he must have confused with the UN sending my ashes to Pluto," I explained.Mind you, the 'southern' voles are native to, among other places, Norway, the owner of Svalbard. They were also native to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast so, The Pluto ultra-light, once built in Italy, is now called the 'Puma' and made in Canada, has a maximum range of 675 km, which would leave me crash landing into the Barents Sea, 260 km north of the northernmost airport in Norway, rendering me and my voles so much frozen food."You are an animal rights activist too?" several of the girls gasped. Yes. Yes I was. I was an animal and I was all for me having rights."Please, don't tell anyone about this," I grew serious. "I don't want my philanthropic efforts to be publicized. What I do, I do for the Earth's endangered ecosystems because it is what everyone should do, not because we suddenly feel bad about neglecting it.""E haere koe ki te whai kia nui ai," Pamela snorted. I'd ask her why she knew Maori later, right after I figured why Grandpa knew it."Ko toku mahere whānui," I replied. The girls looked confused."I'm also trying to revitalize endangered languages and revive dead ones. It is more of a hobby than life pursuit," I informed them."You really are a modern-day noble warrior-poet," the red-head leader sighed."Nah. I'm just a guy," I shrugged. "Besides, Ba ch ir fear a bheith ar eolas ag a gn omhais, n  a oidhreacht." (A man should be known by his deeds, not his heritage)."Sa ch s go bhfuil misneach, t  s il agam," she replied using my 'family' motto."Jos on jalot on toivoa,", "Ahol van b tors ga, van rem ny," and "cesaret olduğu yerde umut vardır," all followed. 'Where there is Valor, there is Hope' in Finnish, Hungarian and Turkish. I got the sneaking feeling this wasn't a college field trip gone awry. These chicks were coming at me with a purpose that included more than sexual gratification and a kiss good-bye. Ugh."Thank you," I genuflected, paying honor to their reciting of my personal vow. "Anyway, you appear to be looking for me, but I am afraid I don't know any of you. Taking into account that I have a late lunch date with my fiancée in a half-hour and will be taking notes at a feminist convention at 8, what can I do for you?" I was establishing my escape plan."We have come here to join you," an assertive, dusky-skinned one smiled. I had to think about this. I was a bit tired. Taking all twelve of these girls on in one orgy was currently beyond me. I'd do eight tonight and the last four before breakfast tomorrow. Ah, happy thoughts of the Lacrosse Finals."What exactly do you plan to do with Mr. Nyilas?" Chaz interrupted."We are the (Irish) 'Na conairte soith an   S aghdha ar', (Hungarian) 'A szuka kuty kat Herceg Nyilas', (Turkish) 'Prens ok u Kaltak K pekleri' and (Finnish) 'Narttu koirista prinssi jousimies'," they chorused.Pamela snickered. All of those fancy sounding names were variations on 'the Bitch Hounds of Prince Archer/Nyilas (with the Irish going for O'Shea)."You want to be my bodyguards?" I gawked. Lacking lions, the Irish choice of the 'fur-balls of death' were hounds. Being women technically made them 'bitches'. I had to move fast. Any second now Wiesława was going to figure out these over-anxious non-Amazons were trying to replace her."You do realize I've left piles of dead bodies in my wake, right?" I nearly choked. Pamela slapped me on my back."Of course," they sounded so chipper. Fuck you Internet and 'First Person Shooter' games. This wasn't a fucking game! Trained combatants who joined my retinue met grisly ends and this was their freaking profession!"Can I think about it? I mean, do any of you have any combat experience at all? Attacked someone in anger? Send off a blistering instant message?""Some of us have (combat experience I was assuming). We won't let you down.""You do realize Ms. Dubois is going to kill them, don't you Sir?" Chaz sent me a chilling look."Ms. Dubois?", "who is that?" and "kill us?" floated around."Ms. Dubois is my blood-hungry ferret who wears a 'naughty berserker' human suit to trick the masses.""Three of us have military training," one of the Finns spoke up.By that they meant they had volunteered for military service in their native countries, then left after their first term because they found military life to be boring. On the 'plus' side, all but one had martial arts experience and six of the twelve had been a member of a Gun Club of some kind. Yep, Buffy was going to kill them, all twelve at once by herself."I'll make you a deal," I offered. Chaz was giving me his 'I'm a stone yet clearly unhappy with you' face. "At 7:15 tonight, you will show up at Havenstone. I will sign you in, we'll go upstairs to one of the gyms and then warm up for fifteen minutes. When you are ready, or 7:30 rolls around, we are going to the sparing mats. If I lose, you can stay. If you lose, you will write this off as one of a legion of ideas that look good in print yet are foolish in practice. Do you accept?""How many of us do you have to beat for us to join with you and your Crusade?" the lead Irishwoman asked."All of you. I will fight you all at once. The mat space is quite extensive.""You mean all twelve of us against you at the same time?" one of the Turks blinked in disbelief."Yes. I am not disrespecting you, any of you. You've shown initiative, courage and a spirit of adventure. I found all three to be both admirable and worthy of reward (i.e. I will gladly have sex with you). What I am also telling you is of the three people with me, the only one I can most likely defeat in single combat is her," I motioned to Wiesława, "and I'm only saying that because she is 19 and relatively new to the art of killing."Their eyes flickered to Pamela. Chaz was scary without even trying. Pamela could be threatening, or appear harmless, as she wished."Chaz is a professional military man from a long line of diligent warriors and in a branch of service that requires close contact with hostile individuals, teams, tribes, clans and nations.""The woman behind me is much, much worse. I've met precisely three people who could possibly kill her and I killed one of them. Would you agree, Chaz?""Absolutely," he concurred."We know who you two are," a Finn spoke up. She had a dazzling smile and cleavage that had to obscure her toes when she stood."You do?" Pamela played nice. For once, it was technology biting her in the ass, not me. Yay?"You are Rhingyll lliw Siarl Yfory," the Irish lass looked at Chaz. That was Welsh, and meant Color Sergeant Charles Tomorrow, I imagined his superiors in the British military weren't going to be happy with any of us, him being a 'secret military operator', emphasis on the 'secret'."And you are Sverkhsekretnykh Shpiona Vsemed Svaya," the Turkish girl pointed at Pamela. Pamela snorted. In Russian that meant 'Super-secret Spy Pamela Pile'. Since Pamela in Russia was pronounced 'Pamela' they had gone back to the origin of the name of Pamela, a fictitious 17th English novelist creation using mangled Hellenic, which translated as 'all-honey'.'All-honey' in Russian was Vsemed. Pamela snickered. Oh yeah, those twelve had combed through millions of articles and pictures to figure out who Chaz was and who Pamela claimed to be. Actually, one of my Hungarian admires back when we were all in Eastern Europe had suggested Pamela was a remorseful ex-SMERSH agent turned Princely-sidekick. Pamela jabbed me, the unspoken 'sidekick' thing.(For those who don't know, in Russian SMERSH loosely means 'Death to Spies', it really existed from 1943 to 1946 and was resurrected by Ian Fleming as a foil for James Bond.)"Chaz, since Cáel is, without a doubt, already having a stupendously wretched day, we must insist he inform Addison of all three of these developments, in person. I want to see the look on her face," Pamela plotted with the man who had thrown himself between me and an explosive vest, probably out of some psychic impulse that I would suffer far, far worse later, like in today, within less than 24 hours of said act."Why am I here again today?" I lowered my head and groaned."Are you okay?" a dozen innocent voices cried out."We are here to pick up Odette," Wiesława reminded me."Oh yeah, fortune cookies," I mumbled."Is 'Fortune Cookie' a nickname for one of your other operatives? Many of them are real enigmas. We can't find out anything about her," one of the Hungarians said. Yeah, because SD doesn't have a Facebook page, or Twitter account. Odette, she was protected by a completely unremarkable lifestyle, but I had a feeling that was fading fast."Excuse us," I asserted myself. "I need to get something on the third floor. Chaz began pushing forward while Pamela had my back."What are you doing?" to me and "Hey, is that a gun?" to Chaz, then Wiesława. Pamela was too sneaky to get caught."I'm here to pick up Agent Fortune Cookie then head out to a meeting with some really shady characters and my fiancée," I informed them."Agent Fortune Cookie," Chaz mused. "She's going to love that,""And then," Pamela continued."She is going to want a gun," I groaned.Oh goddess! No! Chaz had joined Pamela and my 'group think'."No, I have not," Chaz corrected me, about my mental ruminations."I've been coaching him," Pamela faux-consoled me. As my new prospective bodyguards parted for my current bodyguards,"Do you have psychic powers?" "Where is your android?" and "Is it true you can have sex up to ten times a day?""Yes, but we can't talk about it," then, "Which one? We have six models," and finishing up with, "Yes, I can have sex up to ten times a day with each session lasting at least an hour, though I do need breaks for food, drink, quiet romantic conversations and showers, cause shower-sex is so damn fun."While they mulled that over, I unlocked my door in time to see a nicely-dressed (as if she was about to go out on an expensive lunch date) Odette spring off the sofa. Looking at the crowd behind me, she blessed me with an incredibly happy smile."Oh cool! Do we really have enough time for an orgy?"I wanted to cry.(A Family FUNction, minus the 'fun' part)My fiancée giving me a congenial and contented look. Good.My fuck-buddy/friend Libra giving me a salacious 'you and me are going to hook up soon' smile while dressed in a red, 'business suite/slinky number' combo with a plunging neckline. I put her invite on my mental day-planner. Fellas, if you can't keep it in your mind, forget about it. Print equals pain, believe me.Brooke had joined the lunch group, sharing a smile and wink with Libra with the secret agreement for a three-way. Sweet! I could do this, hmm, lunch break Friday, yum-yum-yum. She was wearing a beige business suit with slacks, minus the shirt. Only her cunningly cut jacket kept her goodies from exposure.Hana was a saint for putting up with those two, and me.Buffy was studying me with the clear desire to put me in a dog cage for the rest of the week. Technically she had to produce my body for work Monday. As for the hot, sweaty, intense Brooke-Libra-Cáel m nage   trois, Buffy was reading the undercurrents and setting up a breakwater. At least her attire suggested well-paid, successful international assassin. I wondered if I had paid for her clothing as well. I'd given Chaz's wardrobe a serious upgrade courtesy of Pamela faking my signature.The gathering was rounded out by Mom, Imogen and Deirdre. Thank God they all had different hair styles and forms of dress. Mom was in 'casual-durable' attire, Imogen was going with the military-chic and Deirdre's get up was in the same style as Hana.I was pleasantly pleased that Hana had reserved two adjacent tables for what she assumed would be my support network, Pamela, Odette, Chaz, Wiesława and Juanita, plus Imogen's five and her (Hana's) two Illuminati minders. That made me squeezing my twelve newest over-eager admirers into the mix doable, if not comfortable. Better yet, none of the new girls was dressed for a restaurant this exclusive.Hana was quietly amused. Buffy was volcanic. Thankfully she was being a volcano on the mid-Atlantic ocean ridge ~ submerged."Chaz, Pamela, explain," Buffy seethed."I don't work for you," Pamela playfully bantered back, "Sweet-Cheeks.""They are part of a clandestine operation to provide cooperation and assistance from the European Union," I offered up in such a sincere manner. I almost had them. Buffy looked to Chaz who opted to channeled his 'inner- Cáel'."I can neither confirm nor deny their status as operators from four European nations," he nodded.Buffy forked a helpless appetizer shrimp then catapulted at one of my Finns, I thought it was Oili. It bounced off her bosom. She couldn't even claim to not have seen it coming."What?" Oili gasped."Operatives?" Buffy sizzled at me."Prince Cáel," Flannery asked, "why did that strange woman throw a, shrimp at Oili?""It was a hand-eye coordination test," Odette informed her. "Had Oili been a real spy, you would have snatched up a nearby napkin, deflect the item with the napkin and all while drawing down on her. It is what they do all the time. It is pretty neat to watch.""Why use a napkin?" Oili asked Odette while eyeing Buffy in case another decapod was coming her way."You use a napkin because the shrimp might have a contact poison on it," Odette rolled her eyes. "Buffy used a fork to flip it at you. She didn't use her hands, so the possibility existed." Pamela gave Odette an 'atta girl' high five."Prince Cáel?" Brooke giggled. "What have you been up to?""Okay. I got this. Ladies, may I introduce Annikki, Belgin, Berit, Flannery, Gizi, Ilkay, Kato, Neve, Nuray, Oili, Pirkko and Zsuzsi. These fine women have decided to put their productive lives on hold so they can be my bodyguards," I made the introductions."They have volunteered to be, basically the 'Hounds of Prince O'Shea/Nyilas/Archer'. My Hounds, please let me introduce Hana, my fiancée, Brooke, my close friend, Libra, a sweet & sincere childhood acquaintance, my Mother, Sibeal, my O'Shea aunts, Deidre & Imogen and Kalmarasērmi Buffy."Despite the absurdity of the situation and my clear irresponsibility, Buffy let a smile crease her frown. 'Kalmarasērmi' was my term for her in the Amazon language = my Mountaintop."I will volunteer my facilities to train them," Aunt Imogen offered me drolly. She was the primary trainer for all O'Shea guardians/Special Forces."Train us?" a half dozen voices murmured."Yes Child. I am Imogen O'Shea, Cáel is the greatest treasure in my life and I have serious doubts any of you can be anything more than distracting bullet-catchers for my favorite (and only) nephew. It annoys me to think you are yet another walking advertisement showing him to be both big-hearted and soft-headed.""I will offer prayers upon the mounds of my ancestors (lie, her only 'ancestor' refused to stay buried) for Cáel's safety. You should invoke whatever supernatural entity you place faith in to keep Cáel safe as well, because if he gets so much as a scratch defending any one of you, I will exercise my nearly endless knowledge of human pain to make you pay.""Is she Ms. Dubois?" Flannery asked Odette."That would be me," Buffy showered fury their way."Do you really want to kill us?" Neve tried to stare Buffy down."Until ten seconds ago, Yes. Now I want to hand you over to these two," she motioned to Deidre and Imogen with her fork."Prince Cáel, why are they all so hostile?" Flannery requested understanding from me. "We have come here to help you. We have skills. All we are asking if for a chance to prove ourselves to you.""To Us," Buffy snapped. "Cáel's vote doesn't count.""Chill, Buffy," I snapped back. "I'm dealing with this, and your lack of trust is pissing me off.""Buffy," Hana intervened. She placed a hand on Buffy's thigh out of sight, yet not outside of my notice. "When was the last time Cáel failed to take your advice on something life-critical? These young ladies appear to be honest and diligent. If not, Pamela and the Color Sergeant wouldn't have let them come here, or near Odette."If I dated dumber women I would have less explaining (lying) to do, but I'd miss the challenge both inside and outside the bedroom. Hana's deft touch and gentle words calmed Buffy more than anything (outside of a righteous cocking) I could have accomplished. I was suddenly seized with the realization there was a goodly number of Katrina's positive attributes in Hana. How had I missed it?"Marrying you is going to be Hana's first step toward mortal beatification," Brooke teased me. Normally only dead people were made saints."A Servant of, probably not Jehovah. I think everyone at the table can agree she has interacted with supernatural forces," Sibeal hid her joking well."Martyring her hopes of monogamy?" Deidre's fey gaze flickered over the women of note (the women at the main table)."Her Heroic Virtue is Prudence?" Buffy added. Buffy had been Catholic?"Ladies, I'm Lutheran. We don't normally venerate saints. Joking aside, I was given a reason to believe this lunch date was important on a social level between myself and my fianc . Food would be nice too."Brooke and Libra's presence regulated Pamela and Chaz to an adjacent table. A waiter slipped in, took my order, I decided to forgo an appetizer because I was late, then the conversation began."Hana, this is my Mother, Sibeal Nyilas. Imogen and Deidre are my family from Ireland," I made the introductions, most definitely unnecessarily. I was buying time to get a better read on the women around me."I know," Hana showered me with mature compassion."Get to it, damn you," Buffy huffed."Wow, I'm thinking of the best way to tell you this," I barely could meet Hana's eyes."I am pregnant with your fianc 's child," Imogen cut to the chase. What she said was delivered on purpose. Imogen wasn't as socially maladjusted as Rachel. The fewer women in my life, the easier the O'Shea would have roping me in. Imogen's words were meant to hurt Hana and drive a wedge between us."You too?" Hana's sad eyes studied Imogen. She hid her anger-disappointment-disgust well. In this crowd her efforts to obfuscate her feeling only worked on Libra and Brooke. Those two ladies were less astute at concealing their surprise."She's your aunt, right?" Libra's look settled on me instead of a blatant Imogen, or a pained Hana."No," Mom answered for me. "My sisters and I were born sterile. It is impossible that our paternal heritage has been passed along. Whatever Imogen's maternal contribution was, it is not from our DNA. My sister does have a child inside her, Havenstone verified it and will have the precise genetic make-up within 24 hours," she persisted (lying)."If Cáel has a failing, it is that he was seduced by my sisters who played upon his very confusing Mother-Son relationship. I faked my death when he was seven. I 'died' in a quite painful manner and he had to watch helplessly as he witnessed me wasting away. I did such a horrible thing to a young boy because the people who were hunting me down, the two O'Shea before you and the nine who aren't here, would have used numerous means of torture to verify my death."(Until they realized 'what' I was. Then my imprisonment would have begun)"My wonderful husband would have died without giving them the truth. It was too much to ask of our son. For fifteen years he believed me dead. He learned the truth at his Father's funeral. I believe every woman at this table knows my son doesn't handle emotional pain well.""Imogen's statement was a thinly-veiled stab at Hana's heart and a kick to my son's sense of responsibility to both Hana and his unborn child. How could this not hurt Hana? How could Cáel possibly respond, torn between the woman who has already sacrificed so much of her happiness for a man barely aware of his own maturity, and the woman bringing his child into the world?""Good one, Imogen. Those two are better than you, or I. By all means, make a mockery of my son, your nephew, who has pledged to fight for your life when he should clearly walk away and let the rest of you die. He asks nothing of you yet you feel no remorse at sullying his happiness.""There are ten good reasons for you getting up and walking out of here intact right now. There are six better reasons for making you pay for your cruelty," she threatened."Ten?" Brooke whispered."The sisters' five bodyguards, the two body guards they gifted me with, Deidre, Imogen and Cáel. You don't think he would let the woman bearing his child take a beating, do you Brooke?" Hana enlightened her."No.""The Six?" Libra scanned the room."My other two bodyguards won't act unless I am directly threatened. They won't be out to hurt anyone. If anyone tries to hurt me, they will jump straight to the making them dead option. The 'Six' are Buffy, Pamela, Chaz, Juanita, Special Agent Maddox and Sibeal.""We'd help," Libra insisted. Brooke was onboard with that proclamation."No," came forth from Hana, Mom and me."Brooke and Libra; you two, Odette, the other twelve and the wait staff will only confuse the issue. My sisters and their soldiers will use you and the rest to distract Cáel. Except for Ms. Maddox, the rest won't give a fuck so your best bet is to hit the deck and let the professionals deal with things," Mom clarified."Brooke, Libra, this is a wacko chicks with guns moment," I put things in perspective."Hana?" Libra put a hand on Hana's shoulder."Don't mind me," she patted Libra's hand. "I'm diving for cover and not getting up until you, Brooke, Cáel, or Buffy tell me to get up. Sorry Sibeal, but I don't know you that well yet.""I understand," Mom agreed.To punctuate the awkwardness of the moment, Aisha (the Arabic swimsuit model) and three other SD ladies waltzed into the place and took a table. When the maytre dee tried to impede them, Aisha threatened to exterminate his entire extended family with a look alone. Been there, done that, and the maytre dee was nowhere close to being in my league.I had to think that through. Had Buffy called them, the SD would have been here before I arrived. Pamela was a possibility, except the SD still hated her over Constanza's maiming. If she told them my life 'was' in danger, they would still show up. My life wasn't in danger and Pamela wouldn't yank their chain.It had to be Juanita. The head of my bodyguard telling Elsa that I was in an exposed position with 9 armed Illuminati would have elicited this level of response. Pamela prodded Odette. Odette had a 'what do you want me to do' non-verbal exchange with Pamela then got up and went over to Aisha.Odette even remembered to navigate the room in such a manner Aisha and her team could keep an uninterrupted view of the threat. Pamela and Chaz's lessons were paying off. They weren't training her in the lethal arts. They were showing her how to not be an obstacle, which was better, given our current circumstances."Hana, don't hate Imogen. The only parent she's ever known was Granddad," I returned my attention to the crisis at hand."Oh, I'm sorry," Hana sent sympathetic waves Imogen's way. If there was a hint of 'you bitch' hidden within those words, none of us would admit it."Yes, yes," Imogen smiled back. "Father was a real troll.""That's not true," Hana responded. "I've met him and he has always been very nice to me. It was easy for me to look past the nations of dead he's murdered, his propensity to rape his daughters and his plans to destroy my Cáel.""I don't hold you to blame for not protecting Cáel more than you have. He's a handful and reminds you of your Father, the mass-murdering rapist. And Imogen, don't try to hurt Cáel using me again, you Bitch. I'm not a part of your circus. That doesn't render me powerless. I love more than I hate. I count a person great by the lives they save, not those they take. Where there is Valor, there is Hope and my fianc  has both in spades. Do we understand one another?""Proving you are smarter than Ms. Sievert is not something which equates to being a threat," Deidre countered."Cáel, why aren't you saying something?" Brooke whispered to me."Because he knows better," Mom grinned. "This is a battle Hana has to win, or lose, on her own.""Cáel has plenty of women willing to go behind his back and kill people, Brooke. Now, if Hana asks for such a favor, we know it is not over some petty bullshit," rolled menacingly forth from Buffy as her feral countenance made a few of the Illuminati at the next table nervous."That won't be necessary," I broke up the tension. "We are as dysfunctional a family as they come, but we are family and we will all treat one another as such by the standards of the only one who matters. Clear?""You?" Deidre soothed me."No. Ferko Nyilas', my Father and the best man I've ever known. He taught me to never make excuses for your own behavior. Surrendering our control over our lives is a cop-out. If you want to continue acting like the creepy-ass bitch daughters of Cáel O'Shea, so be it. That is your choice to make. I care for you.""I care enough for you to fight Granddad over your futures. I hope all of you know I mean what I say. Whatever you decide to do, no matter how you act, I will always love you. I've made my choices and I am going to hold you responsible for yours. Let's eat lunch. It has been a rough fucking day and it isn't over yet."If there was ever any doubt, I destroyed those twelve hopeful bodyguards on the mats. They possessed neither the skill nor the savagery necessary in a warrior culture. We Amazons didn't recoil from pain. Our sisters' lives were on the line. That was why you practiced no-holds-barred fighting with, or without, weapons."We can learn," the lead Finn protested. The rest were getting over the physical and spiritual pain of being so easily beaten."My normal bodyguards go through three years of intense 24/7 training. Being a member of that elite body means you train in all forms of weapons as well as hand-to-hand combat techniques.""Once you've mastered the core physical and skill baseline requirements, and this core training never stops, no point is considered 'good enough', you begin learning at least two specialties. Those are disciplines such as close-protection, sniping, small unit tactics, infiltration, battlefield medicine, electronics, computing, communication systems, linguistics and 'training' expertise.""In my current team, the ones who fought at my side in Hungry and Romania, all have three specialties. Discounting their regimen since the age of five, each had been on the job in a professional capacity at least six years. The leader had eleven years in.""Finally, when you are at that level of excellence, you need a specific mindset. What you need to do is think why you shouldn't kill someone, not if you should. If there is any doubt, you strike. If you hesitate, someone close to you might be killed, not just me.""Look around you. If you aren't ready to kill for any of your companions, you will never cut it. Now, I'm going to have you shown out. I will have taxis take you back to your hotel. Think about it. Seriously, think about dedicating yourself to more than some stranger you've met on the internet.""You will be dedicating yourself to the other elven women in your group, to the death. That is the level of spiritual dedication it takes to be at my side. Go, take a rest, talk it over, search your souls. Call me if any of you want to continue and we can have lunch Sunday and make plans. Questions?""Do the other women around you do this, make those choices?" one of the Turkish women frowned while nursing a bruised jaw."No. They have it worse. They have thrown their old lives away, never to return. Each and every one has either murdered a human being, or attempted to, before they are even considered for the task.""Under normal circumstances, we wouldn't be having his conversation. You would never be given the chance. You are woefully unqualified in every way except spirit. Your willingness to cross the Atlantic to make your offers resonates with me, so I am both warning you this is horrible, horrible path you are taking and I am explaining precisely how slender any of your chances are of accomplishing your goals.""I, I don't know," whispered one of the Hungarian lasses."At the Seven Skulls, I led three such women into combat (Rachel, Charlotte and Saku) against a group of warriors who were fighting free of 500 elite Romanian Mountain Troops. Of the Romanians, nearly 200 were either dead, or wounded. The FBI Special Agent we took with us was badly wounded."One of the three was killed, a head shot, and the remainder left her body where she had fallen because the enemy were still out there and they had to protect me. The world will not bend to your sensitivities. Life around me is exceedingly dangerous and unforgiving," I finished.No immediate consensus united them. Fear and disbelief were the major vibes I was picking up. None of them were angry, insulted, or overly terrified."Time for you to go," Buffy concluded our meeting. "Tigger Maeve and Dora Farānak, would you please see Cáel's guests to the lobby." A new pleasure of Buffy's was using the House names of the Full-bloods she interacted with.I have taken a few mystic liberties:Maeve was a Celtic War Goddess ~ the Enslaver of Men.Farānak was a Scythian Goddess also known as the Lynx Goddess and the Silent Huntress.As for the other new hires:Daphne was, as explained earlier, of House Cotyttia (Thracian Goddess of Sex, War and Slaughter)Fabiola was of House Minerva (Roman Goddess of War & Strategy)Violet Maza was in House Oshun, the Yoruba Goddess of Love, Sexuality, Beauty and Diplomacy; Lady of the Orisha ~ life spirits.Paula Wadena was of House Cybele (Phrygian Earth Mother, Guardian of the Lion Throne)}They were dismissed and smart enough to know that was the best possible answer to their current predicament, learning your romantic adventure was actually a gory supernatural battle for survival. A growing number of Isharans had been gathering while I dealt with the wannabes. A few were amused, perhaps even understanding, of my actions.Soon enough, using her position as Record Keeper of House Ishara, Helena cajoled the other Amazons into giving us peace and quiet. Not all left. Watching a jury-rigged House Ishara work through its business in a semi-public setting was an event both unlooked for and possibly enlightening.For this gathering, we had 122 of the 159 members. The missing members were not close enough, or were providing a critical function that wouldn't allow them to be in New York on this night."Sisters, a moment of personal prayer for each of us to seek guidance from our Ancestors as we seek to continue their legacy," I intoned softly, calling the meeting to order.I had barely opened my eyes, failing to get any inspiration from Yakko, when the struggle began."Why are we including them in a House Ishara meeting?" Madori pointed out the three 'new hires' who were sticking around."Memasant (Amazon for to speak true)," I answered her. Since Daphne, Paula and Violet had clearly been sitting among us before the meeting began, I gave Buffy a disappointing frown. "Ishara respects these three for teaching the rest of you the Amazon language so that we can teach it to others, thus all of you becoming able to engage all our sisters in our native tongue.""I doubt any other House would extend this honor to others. Thankfully, we are not like any other House. We know better. We have all been outsiders. We aren't a 'normal' House and I am working toward us never being one. We have to be kind and just when necessary, and forgive when it is what the Host needs.""We will do this because we Isharans alone will decide on the prestige of our sisters. If the other Houses make an issue of it, who cares? None of them have made the sacrifices necessary to be Isharans. I know that you have not all gathered here tonight to hear me pontificate. Who wants to be first?""Will you accept a challenge?" Madori stood up. We had spread out in a ring, two Amazons deep, along the edges of the mats. I had never sat down."Put forth your complaint," I responded."You emphasize duties other than that of a House Head. You don't take the time to show up at initiation ceremonies. In essence, you ignore your sisters to advance your own prestige.""Yes, I am not showing up at the initiation ceremonies.""Yes, I prioritize other activities over running the day-to-day operations of our House.""Yes, you are utterly ignoring the two Amazons sitting at either side of me. I chose Buffy Ishara and Helena Ishara to lead this House because I knew I would have others issues coming up in my life concerning the Host.""Buffy, are you challenging me?""No, Wakko Ishara," she responded angrily. She wasn't angry with me. She had chosen the majority of the assembly and they were turning on me, thus her."Helena, are you challenging me?""No Wakko Ishara. I am intimately familiar with your work and the dangers you constantly confront for the greater Host," she answered in an equally hostile tone."Now that the issue of relevance has been dealt with, I will accept any challenge from any of you selfish, bigoted, power-hungry cunts who wish to put your own self-interest above that of our House. By all means, stumble over one another for the top spot," I mocked them. I'd played nice. No more.It was telling that my classification of any challenger was completely ignored. Madori and five supporters stood. In theory, challenges were the rare 1-on-1 Amazon experience. Another Amazon, Arianne, stood with another supporter."Cool beans," I nodded.I backed up, stepped off the mats and picked up the four axes I had pre-prepared. Back on the mat I went past my handful of supporters, brandished two weapons and advanced a quarter way onto the sparring area. The mass of my opponents muttered in confusion and resentment."Ishara, we have not trained in archaic weapons. Most of our facilities never had then," Madori protested."Amazons don't play fair," I glared. Several migrated to the walls to pick out whatever looked the least daunting. Buffy, Helena, Marsha, Daphne Cotyttia, Violet Oshun and Paula Cybele did likewise."Is this how you want to answer a challenge for leadership?" Madori glowered. "Cheating, utilizing a clear advantage in a farce of equality and justice?""No. Please step back and call every member of JIKIT," my eyes narrowed. "How about this, call the Amazon's contact with the Earth & Sky? Can't do that either? How about convince the 9 Clans to help us pursue a House obligation?""You duties as Chief Diplomat are not that of Isharan House Head and actually make you less of a House Head," she countered. She had chosen a short spear, using it two-handed. And that made Katrina what precisely?"I should fucking kill you," Buffy snarled."Madori Ishara, Dot-Ishara is not the Goddess of Scrabble. She is not the Goddess of," and Madori tried to catch me flat-footed with a spear-thrust. I was appalled at how easy I dealt with her. My right axe diverted her spear enough so when I twisted my stance, she missed. I placed the head of my left axe on her shoulder, blade against her throat."Madori, you lose. Sit back down and contemplate that you were beaten by a 22 year old man," I seethed. There was no 'you didn't give me a chance' bullshit. She had struggled for advancement in the Amazon way. Such people weren't crybabies. "Next."Arianne approached me with a shield and short sword. My read on the situation was she was going to use acrobatics to compensate for my superior reach. I readied myself."I don't suppose you would accept a suggestion we fight unarmed?" she put out there. I took two steps toward her then dropped my axes."I trust you," I looked down at her. I could see the 'oh, fuck me' written all over her face. The unfairness had been tossed in her lap. She put the point of her leaf-shaped blade under the left side of my ribcage, close to my kidney."Yield.""Never.""Yield, or I will kill you."I took a quarter-inch penetration when I clamped down on her right wrist and slammed my elbow into her face. A quick exchange of footwork ended up with both of us on the mat, Arianne on her back, sword pinned to the mat and her shield trapped between us. Head-butt followed head-butt until she was unresponsive.I stood up, blood oozing down my side."Water!" I barked. A bottled water was rolled my way. Three more Amazons were sizing me up. This challenge phase was far from over. I splashed water down on Arianne's face until she sputtered into wakefulness."Pathetic," I sneered at her. "This House is worth any and all of our lives. If you were the best candidate to lead this house and I refused to yield, then why did you spare me? Not only could you not kill me when you clearly could, you failed to do so even when it became an unequal contest of arms."Arianne was shamed and furious. I was treating her like a presumptuous, outsider woman."I'm feeling particularly generous in victory, Arianne, don't you dare stand up," I growled when she tried. "I will not kill you for your disrespect. I will not exile you from our House because doing so would show both of us failing to grasp one of the key principles of our People, learn. Learn and keep learning. A loss is nothing more than a temporary setback. Learn, don't repeat the same mistake twice and never stop striving for success until you take yourself to the cliffs."One of the two newes

Today's episode of Networth and Chill features none other than Kato on the Track, the dynamic music producer who's been behind some of the biggest beats in the contemporary hip-hop and rap scene. We dive into his journey from underground beatmaker to working with artists like Tyga, B.o.B, K Camp, Snoop Dogg, E-40, Jay Park, Jack Harlow, Paul Wall, and even members of the Wu-Tang Clan. Kato breaks down the art of producing hit tracks, shares behind-the-scenes stories from the studio, and how a music producer actually makes money. Check out Kato on Instagram HERE and TikTok HERE! Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok! Prefer video? Check out all episodes of the podcast on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@YourRichBFF Got a financial question you want answered in a future episode? Email us at podcast@yourrichbff.com Thank you to our sponsors: Brooklinen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Secret tests guys use on a first date.. What not to do if you want a viral video.. Hawk has a few facts about March Madness.. Kato does a basketball Torture Tuesday.. Plus, Tom is concerned about his DNA.

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

Wrapping up loose ends and moving forward.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.Love is like a crossbow quiver. You only have so many bolts to shoot before it runs outThere was a long pause. Pamela took another long breath then an impish grin came to her lips."With your luck you'll get those, then end up in the Artic," she scoffed."Not the Antarctic? I've got a soft spot in my dreams for penguins.""Nope. You get to be chased by polar bears," she nudged me. I nudged her back playfully. She gave me a Charlie horse."Ow!" I yipped. The two SD chicks from the front of the plane looked back our way. I didn't care about their misconceptions. My muscles needed some self-massages."I was pretty scared," I whispered to Pamela."Good for you. You were also pretty lucky and I'm sure pretty pissed with your 'Albanian' attackers," she replied quietly. "I missed you too."I liked the way she read my mind about that. I would have liked it some more if I hadn't glanced to my other side, then fallen straight to sleep.{1 pm, Monday, August 25th ~ 14 Days to go}On Tuesday night, Aya got one of her wishes fulfilled ~ sorta. I slept in Caitlyn Ruger's bed and I wasn't alone. The Sandman had dropped a Scottish sand trap sized load of sand on me and there was more than enough spillover to flatten little Aya too. Because I lived among Amazons, Caitlyn woke me up at 5:45 in the A M and only so much lollygagging was allowed.Aya got to sleep for fifteen whole minutes more than I did. She hugged me and kissed my cheek (which amused her three Fatal Squirt compatriots to no end) while I stuffed away my breakfast. Desiree showed up to take me to work minutes later. While Aya showed off her battle scar to the pre-caste Amazons and her Aunt D. (they had not been awake when we showed up the previous evening), I was chided for being late for weapons practice.Yes. Life and death battle successes meant nothing to the Amazons. If you had a spare moment you had better be training, or working out your mind and/or body. We had no 'weekends', though we did get an quarter day off in celebration for the religious festivals based on the sacred days of the various matron Goddesses. A full day off didn't happen.7:00 AM saw me with the intern group, just as if nothing had happened to change our relationship over the past two months. Oh, we were different. They teased me about my sunburn and wanted to see my latest scars. I couldn't work with Buffy anymore, since I was her spiritual leader. Due to my 'high risk' status, Desiree was the only other Amazon Katrina trusted me with, so I got to get beaten at her hands for the last three days of the week.To be fair, I teased Desiree incessantly. I made her smile when she thought I was doubled over in pain on multiple occasions. Beyond that seven-to-five schedule, I exercised after work until six and then managed to bike home in a manner that avoided the paparazzi.I was easy to track outside of the building by the members of the press (who thought I was still somehow newsworthy) and despite my persistent desire to not talk to any of them. Felix had 'vanished', so I was the only man left. What had happened to him? Katrina allowed me to take a glance. He was at an Epona Wyoming freehold training for the Great Hunt and reveling in his 'lone man in a household of twenty-two single women' status.Unlike the three other members of our 'first class', Felix got to choose his re-location location and communicated with me daily because he wanted us to create a battle plan for the upcoming Hunt. It was official; it was going to be a two man vs. thirty Amazons affair and there was no rule that we couldn't work together though only two Amazons could win by capturing us and holding onto us until sunset on Sunday, September 14th.No one except Krasimira, the Keeper of Records, knew what terrain we would be hunted on so we could expect anything from swamps to mountain ranges. The Amazons were in the same boat. Already the House heads had volunteered one member for the Hunt. The ancestors would be consulted for the half who would actually participate. Krasimira had also added her own twists.House Ishara couldn't compete because technically, I was already their participant. With 52 houses halved, that equaled 26. The final four? Runners. If a runner won, the Keeper would consult the ancestors to see which house they would automatically be inducted into. Eight runners were nominated by the department heads and four of those would be chosen by the Augurs as well.In a normal organization it would have been thought that Krasimira was abusing her station since there was no High Priestess to oppose her decisions. Not in the Amazons. No. She consulted the Augurs and the Augurs worked the will of the Ancestors and that was that. No Augur would lie about the sacred communications imparted to them. That was inconceivable sacrilege.What that did mean was that at sunset on Thursday, September 11th, Felix and I would be inserted with a knife, map and clothing into the hunting zone. When the sun rose on Friday morning, the thirty Amazons would be put into the zone. No Amazon could attack another unless they, or their targets, 'possessed' a man. They could team up but only two could win. It was promising to be a great 'get to know your buddies at work' moment for all of us,What was Felix getting out of this besides his freedom? (His freedom was no longer in danger. House Epona would protect him.) No, for Felix, if he survived free until the sun set on Sunday, he would become a Runner. If he lost, he would have to spend another year as an intern. This convinced me that Felix was totally dedicated to avoiding capture. I was good with that.Meanwhile for me, it was Brooke Wednesday night, Oneida on Thursday and Timothy and Odette going clubbing with me on Friday night. Saturday was my first House Ishara group activity. We gathered in the early morning at Doebridge, me with a hangover and Buffy giving me crap at every opportunity. Fortunately the rest of my 'sisters' treated me with a great deal more reverence.Now they all knew about my Summer Camp role, Romania and my kidnapping. Even in their 'man-hating' ideology, I was the exception to the rule ~ I was reliable, dedicated, smart, lethal and worthy of their trust and respect. On the council front, Buffy hinted to me that there was a way around the deadlock for who would be foisted onto the Regency Triumvirate, but she refused to tell me what it was. That was a cause for concern.Sunday, I worked with JIKIT, did some Amazon diplomatic stuff and discovered Desiree was my new bodyguard. Katrina thought a full SD team would be cumbersome and my best bet was to remain unconventional and mobile. I agreed because it allowed me to play the field a little more. Speaking of playing the field,This bright Monday afternoon, I was standing in a hangar at Stewart International Airport waiting on my fiancée, Hana Sulkanen. She had flown from Tibet to London with the Dali Lama. That exalted individual had passed on the mantle of national leadership to the Tibetan Constitutional Committee and left the country with the stern decision that the country would move forward toward democracy and not backwards toward theocracy.Now he was playing the role of goodwill ambassador, encouraging the Tibetan Diaspora to spend a few months to a year back in their homeland to help rebuild and teach. He also was rallying support for Tibetan recognition and financial support. Already the UN had voted to send a small international group to establish border security against both the Khanate and the PRC.With the PRC treaty-obliged by the ceasefire to not oppose Tibetan freedom, the UN acted rapidly. The UN Tibet Force(UNTFOR) combat elements consisted of the UK (+ Gurkha), Chilean, French (+ French Foreign Legion), Germany, India, Italy, Romania, Spanish and Thailand each sending one battalion each. Algeria, Denmark, Chile, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Canada, Cameroon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Brazil agreed to make smaller contributions. The USAF would supply a serious level of logistics support for the mission.The UN also created the UN Tibetan Training Force (UNTTFOR) which provided a structure for giving access by Tibetan forces to German, Italian, Chilean and Romanian bases to train to E U standards over a five month period. The Khanate provided gobs of captured Chinese hardware to the creation of a tiny Tibetan Armed Forces, easing worries about adequately equipping the troops once they were trained.The Dali Lama was simultaneously arriving at JFK to public fanfare in order to thank the UN personally on behalf of the nation he loved. Hana was able to finally shed the limelight and was coming into a secure National Guard facility to finally take a step back to a 'normal' lifestyle. The last bit of oddity: the hangars used by the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 of the Marine Corps Reserve was courtesy of JIKIT. No press was allowed, or expected.It was an odd grouping of us. Jormo Sulkanen (Hana's father), his chauffeur and Hana's daughter  Annela were in one car. Hana was traveling with Libra and Ms. Meacham, so they would need the limo he came in. My appearance was a simple moment for us to touch base in person, as opposed to over the internet, or mobile phone. The third group waiting was Sten Phillip M nnik (her ex-husband) and two unnamed associates.Sten was being a total jerk, which may have been due to me calling him Philip when we first met. Philip wasn't 'ethnic' enough for him, so he never used it. Because he hated it, Brennan (Hana's deceased step-brother) had used it constantly. I had overheard it and thus screwed up our first meeting. But Sten's current blistering hatred had two positive side effects: Jormo came over and stood by me, a suggestion of solidarity I hadn't expected, and since we were standing next to each other, we finally began the dialog that we needed if Hana was going to be family to both of us.We chatted about the thing that mattered most ~ Hana. He asked me if I had really hired a team of assassins to protect her, so I told him a little bit about the Ghost Tigers. He talked about how proud she was to be bringing peace to a suffering planet and I agreed that she looked spectacular doing so.Some things remained the same; I had set in motion the death of his youngest son who had paraded a raped lady in front of me. A bunch of other dilettantes had perished as well. Balancing that was the joy I brought to the child closest to his heart, his adopted daughter Hana. I also had proved to be my own brand of eccentric knight in tarnished armor. I meant well, and in Jormo's book that meant something.He also told me he would strangle me with my own intestines if I broke her heart. I looked him straight in the face and asked him how he felt about open marriages. He hit me. To be fair, I let him hit me. He didn't try to do me serious harm."Don't be an asshole," he grumbled."I'm not sure I know how?" I shrugged. I got another hard stare."She loves you," he said with surprising tenderness."I would rather face that typhoon again than break her heart. The thought of that scares me because I've never been all that good at romance," I confessed."That wasn't what I expected you to say," he harrumphed. "I recall those two ladies I first saw you with. Libra Chalmers and,""Brooke Lee," I said."Yes, her. Are you staying loyal?""She has never asked more than she thinks my current level of maturity can hope to achieve." He looked at me. "I'm discrete and mindful of her sensitivities.""You aren't trying to befriend me," he noted."I don't feel it is right to expect you to like me. I think we both know I'm supposed to be nice to you and you aren't going punch me again. I believe Hana would see thru any deception on our part."I paused. "I wouldn't mind us getting along. I'll try not to piss you off because that would be rude to you and cruel to her," I continued. "I'll never ask you to forgive me and I'll never feel like what I did was inherently unjustified. I am sorry that I caused you pain because I think you are a hard, courageous man, and she loves you.""That's her plane," he stated."Thank God," I muttered. And thank you Ishara. I was starting to blather. We remained thankfully silent until the plane had pulled into the hangar and the people started to deplane. The first out was a young woman with dark blonde hair and hunters glasses.No one else appeared until she had reached the bottom of the stairs and continued to look about for a moment. Hana came next, smiling at me, then her eyes were following Jormo as he moved to the car to retrieve little  Annela. Libra followed with Ms. Meacham on her heels. Libra still wasn't used to playing the second fiddle/personal assistant. A short Mongolian fireplug of a man was the last passenger down the stairs. He looked like, a wolverine with his feral, primordial energy and general hostility.I imagined the girl was his apprentice and he was the prime assassin. That was how the Ghost Tigers operated. They were doing me a deep personal favor by putting aside their normal role as hunters to take up body-guarding duties. According to Addison, they had also managed to get their fair share of killing people of various persuasions. Not only had the Seven Pillars tried to take her out more than once, Chinese Intelligence and some criminal cartels had taken an active interest in her too.The young woman scanned from me to Desiree, then to Sten. She had a good eye for threat assessment. Jormo was partially concealed, but would rather die than put Hana at risk. I was the ally of the 9 Clans, and she probably thought she could take me in a quick-draw contest. Desiree? She left Desiree for her mentor to worry about."Ms. Sulkanen?" Sten's closer minion walked her way. The bodyguards got in the way instinctively. The man reached into his coat and nearly died. The women did a palm strike to his windpipe then grabbed his tie, yanking him to the hard concrete floor of the hangar.(Russian) "He has a piece of paper," she stated in a detached manner"Sten, what is the meaning of this?" Hana worried. I moved toward the woman.(Russian) "I am Cáel Nyilas. Let me help."She did more than that. She retreated from the downed man and put her body between Hana and Sten.I was schooled enough now to realize that was the deception. I hadn't seen the older man draw a gun but I knew he now had one out. It was down by his side and he was using his body to shield it from view."Are these the kind of people you want around our daughter," Sten asked haughtily. I had an inkling suspicion. I wasn't alone.Desiree pushed past me and attended to the downed man. She had him standing, patted him on the back and frisked all inside ten seconds."He's a process server," she commented to the group."What he is here to do is serve you with papers, Hana," Sten grew angrier. "You are an unfit mother and have developed an unsafe environment for her to grow up in.""What?" Hana growled. "You don't like the fact that I've finally moved on and found someone new. You don't care a damn thing about our daughter.""We will let a judge decide that. Right now I have an order of detention for  Annela," he grinned wickedly."Ms. Sulkanen," the second of Sten's minions step forward more cautiously, "the Family Court in the State of New York has,"I laughed."Oh," Desiree looked my way then shared a sliver of a smile with me."There is nothing laughable, I assure you," the lawyer snapped."Really, what's your name?" I asked."Mr. Dornier, not that,""Where are we?""What does that matter?" then, "New York State.""Incorrect Dornier. You are on a Marine Corps base, dumbass. Look around you," I smirked."So? What does that mean?" Sten harangued us."This is federal property," I explained as I strode toward his car."Hey, what are you doing, I'm talking to you," Sten pursued me."Excuse me," I grinned. I flipped out my Amazon Honor Blade and slashed one of his tires."What?""Go for it," Hana simmered. "Touch Cáel and he will defend himself.""He has a knife," he countered. He didn't touch me. A second tire began to deflate. "That's assault with a deadly weapon.""It would be if he turned to face you, or anyone else," Desiree had her 'bored ~ don't press me' voice. "Right now he's being a vandal." She put her hand on the process server's shoulder and shoved him back toward Sten and Dornier. "You should know your jurisdictions, asshole," she told him."Hana, I will drive back with Cáel," Libra announced loudly. That was a cue for Hana to shoot me an apologetic look, which was odd, considering that even knowing me was putting her child custody at risk. It took me a second to realize what a bastard Sten could be. I also doubted he had three spare tires. I left one untouched as I headed for my car."Hana, I'll catch up with you after you talk with your lawyers," I called out. It was infuriating for me that this was her reception home. Sten had better be thanking his lucky stars we weren't alone or I would have pummeled his ass, and given him the nuclear wedgy of all times, jackalope."Let's go home," Libra tapped my arm. Desiree was watching Jormo's limo speed away. She didn't dawdle. The Marines would want their hangar back ASAP. We'd let them decide if they wanted to help Sten, or not. Desiree tossed me the keys. That was her way of telling me I need to blow of some steam, and not by getting frolic-ee with Libra on the hour long commute home.{11 pm, Monday, August 25th ~ 14 Days to go}{Late that night with Hana}"So, who was the guy who gave you this?" I looked over at Hana while running my hand over the silk scarf some lama in Lhasa had given her to give to me ~ a 'Thank You' gift for the liberation of his homeland and the aid package heading his peoples' way."I never got his name, but my translator said he had traveled for three days straight to be there for the celebration," she smiled warmly.I picked up my second gift and began to play with it. The object was a fascinating toy, all the more so because it was more than a child's plaything. It was a simple prayer wheel. I put the handle between my two palms and rubbed them back and forth, causing the two balls to beat against the drum heads."I think you find that thing more interesting than you do me," Hana pouted."Oh no you don't," I pounced on her. With one hand I tickled her while I placed my Tibetan gift aside. I didn't want us rolling over on it as we frolicked naked on her queen-sized bed. "You were a happy little camper ten minutes ago and you certainly drove your vigor home with this grand Lothario.""Eek!" she playfully tried to bat my hand aside. She began giggling hysterically.Even when I pulled away so that she could breathe, she kept snickering."What?" I worried. I had been ramping us up for a second round of sex. Round one had been 'comfort' sex, helping her compartmentalize her feelings for that bastard of an ex-husband and the threat he posed to her custodianship of her daughter,  Annela.Those were emotions she'd deal with later. Fretting about them tonight, her first night back in the States, was counter-productive. She knew that, which was why she'd accepted my dinner invitation. We had now been seen in public together for the first time since she became famous; afterwards we had traveled back to her place. How serious was I about cheering her up? I'd brought a spare suit, biking clothes and my bike. I was planning to spend the night and make my way to work my usual way come sunrise."I," she gasped, "asked Libra how you "compared" in her experience, which seems to be extensive, as a lover on the way over. And after several, very long, I must say, seconds of introspection, she told me you were indescribable and incomparable. I've been trying to put my thoughts together since Rome and, why are you scowling?""That was rude of you two," I now play-pouted. "I like to think I'm 'thunderous', though 'stunning' will do in a pinch."Hana helpfully pinched me. "Ow!" I squalled. And back to tickling I went. I quickly showed her my 'sheet-fu' was superior to hers, which meant I tangled her up in her sheets before she realized she was helpless before me. Or so I bragged. Hana played helpless well."Oh please, Mr. World-Conquering Wombat," she pleaded. Wombat?"Wombat?" I questioned her. "How have I become an irascible furry marsupial?""Well Honey, you need a shave," she teased me. "You are a little furry.""Romantically that is called a five o'clock shadow," I protested."It scratches my thighs," she murmured.I had a remedy for that. Sliding down to her hip, I turned my palms toward me, interlaced my fingers and positioned my thumbs pointing up. My chin rested on my fingers and the thumbs covered the sides, so when I stuck my tongue into the three-sided void created, my hands, but none of my scruffiness, touched her intimate flesh. Once I had this technique in place, I rolled over her thigh and got to work."I find," she gasped, "that you have the answer to that conundrum down pat. It makes me, ah, think I'm not your, ah, first girl." My dedication to my erotic task (and the carnal reward that waited) kept me from responding. Besides, my upper lip was busy rolling back and forth over her clitoris. There I let the bristles of my oncoming moustache teasingly tickle her. I was pleased when the pleasure I caused quieted her and she settled down to running her fingers across my crown as she ramped herself up toward a climax. 'Not my first girl' indeed.Forty-five minutes later, I was coming back to her room from the kitchen with a glass of tomato juice for her and rice wine for me (she was out of beer). I heard a noise from  Annela's room, so I deviated to make sure she was okay. I was in boxers, not totally naked.  Annela was out like a light, caught up in some sort of childish dream. By the cherubic grin on her face, she was having a good one.She was another delicate female issue in my life. I had made her existence harder by just being me. Hana let me know that nothing 'bad' had better happen to her ex-husband, Sten. I couldn't beat him up, threaten him, or sic any of my Amazons on him. Stupidly, I had asked if using the CIA was okay. She'd banned all of JIKIT intervening as well, negating the use of the best pest removal people on the planet, the 9 Clans."You are going to have to get used to children making sounds while they sleep," Hana surprised me. "You'll learn to tell the dreams from the nightmare.""In spades, I'm going to have to learn that in spades," I nodded.{4 pm, Tuesday, August 26th ~ 13 Days to go}My schedule had remained steady. I had firearms practice at 6 am every morning, was in Katrina's office by 7 and working my cue by 7:15. According to my regular morning briefings, I continued to be a menace to the foundations of freedom, civilization and the terrestrial biosphere. It was wonderful to stand there side by side with my fellow New Hires.At lunch, around 11 o'clock, I had a brief get together with the other members of the Amazon diplomatic corps since I was still Chief Diplomat of the Host ~ we were a small unit. Daphne, who now worked with JIKIT, would give me a brief briefing on what the 'office' was up to in my name. I gladly kept my distance from their regularly scheduled mayhem. The truce in China didn't stop the Secret War from raging on and on.My three o'clock knife training with Pamela was slowly evolving into a greater study of human fighting philosophy and anatomy. I still studied the techniques of a larger single bladed hunting knife as well as the hilt-less, double bladed Amazon Honor Blade. Pamela promised me she'd start teaching me how to do the 'long-distance' and 'short'/snap throw for the blades. She made it look so easy.Pamela also began educating me on the basics and basis of the Amazon personal hand-to-hand fighting style. The eight points of emphasis in Amazon combat were: the finger, fist, elbow, shoulder, foot, heel, knee and hip. It encouraged channeling both your energies and the energy of your opponents by using fluid blows and throws. It also worked well with the close-in knife fighting Pamela was teaching me. Working with her once more did her as much good as me. We had come to feed off one another's moods, which was a good thing.Tuesday, walking to the elevator at the end of the session, the door opened to reveal Rachel talking to an SD chick I barely knew, Meridian."Oh, it is great to see you, Rachel," I enthusiastically stated. Her hesitation as she replied worried me."It is great to see you too, Cael Wakko Ishara," she responded softly, compassionately."Ladies, can you spare Rachel and I some private time," I asked Meridian and Pamela."Come on," Pamela addressed the SD Amazon, "we have tons of nothing to talk about.""As you wish, Ishara," Meridian answered. She looked to Rachel. She stepped off the elevator as Pamela stepped on. Away they went."I heard you were back in New York," I told her."I heard you were off of JIKIT for the time being.""I was running on fumes psychologically and my body wasn't too much better. Javiera gave me a week off. I go back Thursday.""That was the right move, Cáel," she said. "You've been stuck sweating both the small stuff and being caught up in the big picture. That is a humongous burden to bear for someone with your training and background.""I know, I'm not ready for where my life has taken me.""No one is, Cáel. You have training that has let you get this far when most of us would be lost. You carry that weight, plus you've had to work the physical side of the equation. I get to focus on you. You've had to focus on all of us."Rachel was being both honest and kind. I felt a sudden renewed kinship with my primary guardian."Thanks for that, Rachel, can I tell you a secret? Something you can't tell another soul. Something I've never told another living person?" I could tell Rachel. I couldn't tell Katrina because she was so close to Hayden. Pamela, Pamela had already prepared herself for a miserable afterlife and wouldn't have connected with my pain for another.Since she was my 'sister' in Ishara, I couldn't really confide in Buffy, but only an Amazon would understand my thoughts on the matter. It had to be Rachel."I cannot betray the Host, but you know that. What is it you wish to share?""Hayden lived life as an Anahit, yet lives forever in the Halls of the Isharans." Since that was now well known, Rachel knew that couldn't be the secret."When I was trying to induct her, Dot Ishara refused her entry. I thought she was challenging me and I was right.""I recall that she wouldn't accept Hayden, even though her death was righteous in the name of the Host. Has no one ever asked you what changed Ishara's mind? Not Buffy, or Helena?""Neither one ever asked. I think it was because they sensed I didn't want to talk about it, nor insult them by not opening up. Ishara refused Hayden because of me. I was refusing to accept my place in the Host. I kept playing, pretending, I was not really one of you. I kept thinking I could divorce myself from the evil we did because I was special.""But you weren't special in the way I think you are using the word," she nodded. "You were chosen by the Ancestors to be one of us, man, or not.""Yeah. I stupidly put my life on the line because I wanted to be the 'good guy'. I've always wanted to be the 'good guy', even when I hurt people. I'd tell the girl it was my fault, yet I excused that behavior by thinking that I hadn't meant to hurt anyone, so I was okay. I have never blamed myself for any of the shit I caused.""That has always been a rather annoying quality of yours," she noted."When I was on the roof of Havenstone, daring Ishara with my life on the line, that's when I felt it. I owed and owned my Amazon heritage in that moment. I finally blamed myself for something, for not accepting sacrifices were being made for me and I was dishonoring every one of you by denying their purpose.""You are Ishara," Rachel stated firmly. That was her entire argument."I had to believe that. I had to believe I was nothing more than one Amazon in a long line of Amazons dating back to that first night of betrayal. I had to realize I was one of many, not someone special, with special rules. I wasn't getting to be the good guy, or even the bad guy. I was just, an Amazon. One more Ishara among the hundreds that stood in my place.""And it took that moment for you to realize what most Amazons know from the age of five," Rachel stroked my cheek. "It is easy for us to forget your bravery comes from a place that is uniquely you and you didn't grow up around the fires with tales of our mothers, grandmothers and all those who have come before. We see our honor is gold and sing the songs in the First Tongue. We live as Amazons.""I wanted you to know because," I faltered at the last memory."Charlotte. You want to make peace with me about Charlotte," she touched my cheek yet again. "Cáel, I told her mother and daughter about how she died. They want to meet Vincent when he is feeling better. They want to talk to you. They worry about you not understanding that Charlotte lives and will live on until the Sun dies and the stars burn out.""Charlotte was in the Warband that killed Ajax the Unconquered, Cáel. She fell on that ridge, looking down on Ishara's triumph over Ajax and her spirit took the news of that victory to the next life. She is a welcome exemplar to House Ska i. She will be remembered in the lists of the Security Detail, our Warrior Elite. Charlotte was my friend and I didn't wish her to die, but war is what we do. And she buried her enemies and saved our lives."Ska i was a j tunn and the Nordic goddess associated with bow-hunting, skiing, winter, and mountains. I had known her house. The SD didn't talk about their families much because of their devotion to the craft of war, so I had never known her mother was still alive, or that she had a daughter."She did much more than die, Cáel. She killed men so that when you finished with Ajax, none of them, left on that field, could avenge him," she added."I hadn't looked at it that way," I confessed. "I'd like to meet her family. You said she has a daughter. I didn't know.""You didn't need the distraction. We all knew you would have only done incredibly stupid things trying to keep us alive. If it helps, she is five and cried freely, deeply and long. Her mother is fifty-two and runs a freehold in Saskatchewan. She'll be around for a long time, trust me."Charlotte's mother had to be one tough D O B (daughter of a bitch) to see sixty. I did know she was the second of five daughters, with the middle one being in the Ska i House Guard."I am doing something for, well, for me, but for Charlotte too. Sakuniyas is leading seventeen House Isharans and two ladies from MI-6 in West Africa.""I'd heard about that," she smiled. "Charlotte's Fist." Four (the core of any war band) was a sacred number to the Amazons, as was five (the number of digits) so twenty was a classic warrior unit. It was also the number of the original houses. Normally these groups were referred to by their leader's name, but I wanted the Condotteiri to know they'd killed the wrong Amazon and Sakuniyas agreed to the naming convention.The Condos had sent Ajax to Hungary and Romania to kill me. Charlotte had died stopping them, but this was not a matter of revenge. This honored her and was a request for her to watch over those who sought inspiration from her when they went into battle. West-Central Africa was one of the three Amazon Homeland (Eastern Europe and Southern India being the other two) and was where the war was heating up.JIKIT (Joint International Khanate Interim Taskforce) became involved when the Condos and Coils of the Serpent (one of the 9 Assassin Clans) began killing local civilian and military leaders. The Condos did it to spread chaos for them to use as a smoke screen behind which they could hide the large numbers of mercenaries in the area hunting down the Amazons. The Coils attacked any official that was on the Condo's payroll.As the body count began to rise, the US and UK began having 'normal' covert agencies investigate the killings, yet they remained blind to the reasons behind the actions. It wasn't until a whole Condo 'training camp' ended up being extinguished that they realized there was a third player in the game (as opposed to the governments and the rogue mercenaries).The Coils of the Serpent were one step ahead of the intelligence agencies. And that allowed the Amazons to hunt down the Condos. We in JIKIT had estimated it was roughly 15,000 Condotteiri foot soldiers (consisting of mercs, local paramilitaries and the occasional regular army commander) versus the roughly 3000 Amazons and 1000 members of the 9 Clans. The Golden Mare was asking for Havenstone and the Freeholds in North and South America to raise up 'fists' to join the struggle in Africa. In Belize they would be trained for two months to ten weeks in jungle warfare before heading over."Are your people going to be ready?" Rachel inquired."We have done well in Japan," I replied. "The former 'Runners' actually do better moving through urbanized society than their Old School Amazon sisters.""I heard they are more prone to taking orders from the Ninja," she looked me in the eyes."I told them to. This is the Ninja's war and we serve them best by doing what we do best ~ taking the fight to the Seven Pillars when they expose themselves," I clarified. "And you got me off talking about Charlotte," I realized a second later."A long period of mourning is not our way, Cáel," she confided. "You were our friend, but you were our mission first and foremost. That hasn't changed.""Are you going to," I began to say 'remain my bodyguard'."Yes. I have a dozen House Guard members expressing a desire to join the Security Detail and be our new electronics expert. Eight of those I'm giving serious consideration to.""The other four?" I asked."Three are too young and are too interested in you for my taste. One is too old and a rather odd individual.""I like odd.""I will reconsider her then," she allowed."Are you saying that to make me happy?""No," Rachel grinned. "I admire your instincts. Do you know how soon you will be needing us?""I'm going to stay in town until the Great Hunt. After my stupendous victory, I'll see if I can get to Brazil, so mid-September.""It will take longer to integrate a member ~ the last week of November," she bargained. I really wasn't in the mood to argue. I was too much the boy who was glad to see his primary guardian standing before him. Pamela was by far the most loving and lethal one of the pack. Rachel was my rock. She kept me alive and I helped give her something to live for, even if it was a flawed 'me'."And Wakko, you don't need to give me a piece of your soul to replace Charlotte. What is hers is hers and what is ours is ours. I'll always miss her and I'm okay with that. She was a good friend and a proud compatriot and I loved her. I never had any sisters of the flesh. Mona, Tiger Lily and Charlotte have been the only real family I've had. I will find another sister and I can now accept that.""Is it alright if I still miss her?" I pondered."Of course, Ishara. Will you still be capable of taking my orders when required?""Yes. If I started ignoring your advice, I wouldn't have been worthy of leading someone like Charlotte into battle. I can honor her by letting you do your job.""Thank you. I still worry about you trying to save everyone, but now I'll worry a little less," she confessed."I still plan to do crazy stuff, hey, do you have a daughter?""No.""Want one?""I'm in the final drawing of lots for the Great Hunt," she smiled once more."You could just ask.""My way is more fun. This way I'll be sure you'll obey," she let her eyes sparkle with a mirthful fire."Don't think I'll go easy on you. I plan to win," I pledged."Of course not. Why would you change now?""I'd rather you bust my balls than mock me?" I pouted. "Instead of spending a moving moment, you are cheering me up.""It is my job to look after you, even now," she stroked my neck affectionately."Especially now," I added as I hit the elevator button."Let's catch up with the others. I need to tell Meridian that she's back in the running.""Oh, that is fortunate," I grinned. "Oh, we'll start our mission to Brazil on Thursday, February 12th.""Is there a significance of that date?"I laughed. I put an arm around her shoulder as the doors opened. There were two others Havenstone ladies onboard."Carnival in Rio de Janeiro!" I exulted. "Half a million tourists a day. Two million Brazilians. Everyone wears a mask. What's not to love?""You are so fortunate you waited until you had witnesses around," Rachel groused."Desiree says it's bad for my prestige to be beaten in public," I chortled. "I'm glad you agree.""Maybe we can spar on the mats today when you get off work?""Oh, I'd like to see that," one of the other Amazons remarked. "Weapons or hand-to-hand?""I'll let him use a weapon. I'll use my hands. I want him to think he has a chance," Rachel declared. My arm was still around her shoulder, so I knew she wasn't really pissed."Didn't you kill Ajax?" the other one noted."He tripped over his shoelaces and impaled himself on his own sword," I sighed dramatically.Since the two women looked at one another, then to Rachel, I knew I'd told the lie well."Cáel had an ally shoot a grenade overhead, Ajax died in the confusion, so whatever blow killed him is irrelevant. Cáel beat Ajax with his mind before a single blow was landed. He made his foe fight his battle and that was how Wakko Ishara won," Rachel responded."Like an Amazon," the first one nodded."With balls," I added."An Amazon with balls? I guess you are, but I don't think the testes mattered in that you beat our foe in a matter your ancestors can be proud of," the second one said."Well said," Rachel nodded."Thank you," I shook her hand. "I'm Cáel Wakko Ishara aka Nyilas.""Oh, I'm Wynona of Allatu," she answered. She shook my hand, I ran a finger over her pulse and got her to blush slightly. Allatu was the Goddess of the Underworld in Canaanite mythology and one of the First Houses."Behave," Rachel whispered."Not likely," I whispered back."Did I say something wrong?" Wynona worried."No. Rachel is my moral guardian. So, do you want to go fishing, I mean swimming tomorrow after work, say 5:15?" I inquired."Sure," her smile broadened. "I excel in the water.""Good, maybe you can teach me a thing or two," I answered. The door opened at the lobby and there stood Desiree."Here," Rachel shoved me out the door. "Take him before he fishes himself into more trouble.""I understand," Desiree grumbled. "Come on fisherman. Financial Investigations is working late tonight and we need to pick up Italian food for twenty-two.""Lead and I shall follow," I proclaimed."Why do you call him the 'Fisherman'," Wynona asked Rachel."Fish, barrel, I'll explain it to you on the way to the garage," Rachel sighed. The doors shut and off we all went.{7:10 pm, Wednesday, August 27th ~ 12 Days to go}"Will you still be having dinner with us once you return back to JIKIT?" Europa asked as Lorraine passed me some Cajun rice."Every Monday and Wednesday night and on Fridays early," I grinned."We are going to be spending some time in Doebridge over the Labor Day weekend," Europa griped. "Do you want to come with us and save Aya from retelling her ordeal to yet another band of pre-Amazons?""Aya, do you want me to run interference for you?" I asked."No," she smiled. "I want you to train for the Great Hunt. Aunt Katrina says Elsa is virtually a guarantee to be one of the thirty.""Ugh," I groaned. "That's the cherry on the top of a rather bizarre day.""Was today bad?" Loraine asked."Let me see, for starters I got to use a variety of weird weapons for firearms practice. I had a feeling I was part of a round-robin, the way they rotated their assistance to me. In the elevator, I was with Brielle and her buddy when we had a security drill. The elevator cut off, but the air handler went into overdrive, dropping the temperature. After a quick democratic vote, I lost my shirt to an impromptu fire to stay warm, alive," I chuckled. "Then we cuddled together for warmth. I was about to lose my undershirt and pants when the alert ended.""Security alerts last less than fifteen minutes," Caitlyn noted. "I doubt you were in any danger of freezing to death.""Brielle was under the impression security alerts could last hours, despite my questionable knowledge otherwise from the handbook I'd read. Since she had the seniority, I thought she knew better.""So now you are shirtless," Europe smirked."I had a spare shirt stashed in Katrina's office, but I was required to change during the meeting because we were running late. Oh, and yesterday I forgot to feed some genetically superior white rats at one of our labs. Apparently they gnawed through their cages, broke out and now are in the Manhattan underworld, plotting a rodent rebellion," I related."Oh, that was my idea," Loraine perked up."Do you sit around the table with Katrina thinking up this kind of crap!" I protested."Occasionally," Caitlyn admitted. "Most of those are pure Katrina though.""Glad to know my misery is a family bonding experience.""You should be glad to know we care about you," Europa beamed."Yeah, I'll remember that and once you are casted I'm going to absolutely abuse my authority in some serious payback," I faux-glared at her."I promise you we will make it fun," Aya pledged."You would betray your own sisters?" Caitlyn questioned."Sisters are sisters, Mother, but boon companions are for life," Aya countered."That's cool, Mom," Europa snorted. "We'll always be taller than Aya, and faster.""Only more proof she'll be smarter," Caitlyn shook her head. "So Cáel what happened next?""What makes you think the rest of my day wasn't mundane and boring?""According to Katrina, you are the best stress reliever at Havenstone since they put in the Jacuzzis. With it being open season on you today, I figured your day was one misadventure after another," Caitlyn smiled warmly."Fine, I had to go to Financial Investigations to discuss my expense account in Europe.""That doesn't sound all that exciting," Loraine said."We were in the pool swimming in the classic Amazon style, I swear, sometime I think I should go to work wearing nothing but a trench coat and a smile," I grouched."Did you make any babies?" Aya chirped."No, I can't have that kind of fun with any employees for another twelve more days. Anyway, they were quite cross with me not using their services and let me know for an hour and, thirty-six minutes. After that I had to get a reference physical.""You are as healthy as a horse," Europa neighed."Funny Epona," I sniffed indignantly. "You are a load of laughs, filly. After I had been turned into a prune they made me undress again. There was some nonsense about all the combat I had been in had made me shorter and given me muscle constriction.""That is a good one," Aya nodded. "I'm glad they were being as creative as you are, Atta.""Who is to say that I'm not being the creative one here?" I winked at her."Were your muscles 'constricted'?" Loraine snickered. Europa gave her a thumbs up for joining on the fun."Nope, all my reflexes are in working order and I can still salute on demand," I smiled. "Which was good because after that, I worked through lunch with Acquisitions discussing Khanate plans for Siberia." There was a pause."What was so horrid about that?" Loraine inquired, as if I had been tortured up until that point."We had to do the whole three hour routine on the practice mats. I was pinned grappled and I had something that was strangely reminiscent of a titty-snuggle. I mean, all that skin-tight clothing, close contact and sweaty bodies was murder on my concentration," I confessed."We aren't going to be investing in Siberia, are we?" Aya winked at me."I don't know. I spent three hours saying "I don't know" and "I haven't a clue.""You are good at that," Europa jibed. I flicked a pea at her, bouncing it off her chin. She was getting ready for a spaghetti & meatball counterattack when Caitlyn's cough brought her up short."He is the Head of House Ishara. He can act that way. You are Epona and we are better behaved."Europa stuck her tongue at me, I returned the gesture and this time Caitlyn's cough was aimed at me. She followed that up by rubbing her foot along my shin. I smiled at her, then caught Aya smiling at the both of us. Then I recalled Aya had set the table, damn it."I'll get us dessert," Aya beamed happiness my way. I was thinking about dessert alright, damn that girl.{Rhada Revisited}"I'm home gang," I exhaled. "Ready to go out?" and was promptly shot with a Nerf gun. "What did I do this time?"Timothy and Odette were getting off the sofa. Odette was taking aim while Timothy left his single-shot where he'd been sitting."We are going out. You are not," Timothy grinned. "You have company in the bedroom.""Man, I was looking forward to," then Odette shot me in the stomach with her six shot nerf repeater."You have company," Odette emphasized the 'company' part. To me this implied someone who I couldn't seduce with a few words, maybe get busy for half an hour then go out partying. That could only mean,I opened my door and there lay Rhada, completely naked, hogtied and bound. She had even been gagged. Her look of hate and loathing turned to, something else; part fear and part heartsick yearning. Could Timothy and Odette, really just Timothy, I loved Odette but she had the combat skills of a Tribble. Could Timothy defeat Rhada so thoroughly that she could be so bound?Not likely. I'd been neglecting her, What with being kidnapped, running off to Europe and generally doing my job, I'd neglected her well-defined physique, olive skin and athletic curves. I'd been a fool for letting her waste away while I'd been 'not' earning a paycheck. Hell, I was working too much. I'd played around in college and still managed to graduate with good grades, and it wasn't like I had been hired for my brains."Oh, I've been missing this," I relished her helplessness while rubbing my palms together."Mumph," Rhada protested. It was hard for her to move her body. Her legs were bound above the knee to her shins while her ankles were lashed together and then to the top of her thighs.Her elbows and wrists were tied behind her back, wrists to wrist. The ropes securing her arms crisscrossed above and below her breasts and looped around her neck. She looked tightly secured. A bit too secured. I couldn't see how to un-hog-tie her."Don't you dare go anywhere," I warned Rhada then backed out of the room hurriedly."I suggested the ass plug!" Odette smiled as I turned around. I'd missed that given the shapeliness of her buttock,"I color-coded the ends of the ropes for you. Pull the yellow, then green and then pink and she'll come undone just fine. I put some ointment by the bedside for after. It will help numb the burn and promotes healing without scarring," Timothy patted me on the shoulder. "Now that you've b

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

Los Angeles is the epicenter of Hollywood glamour, but it's also home to some of the most notorious serial killers and unsolved murders in history. Kato Kaelin and Tom Zenner take you deep inside the dark side of Tinseltown, uncovering stories of serial killers, unsolved mysteries, and infamous true crime cases that have haunted the city for decades. 

Kato Kaelin joins the show for the first time and the guys obviously talk all things O.J. Simpson including why he thinks O.J. was guilty, inviting himself to eat McDonalds with O.J., Kato working with Bryan on MADtv, Naked Gun stories, his connection to multiple bad people and much more. DraftKings - Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code: FIGHTER O'Reilly Auto Parts - https://oreillyauto.com/FIGHTER True Classic - Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/fighter ! #trueclassicpod Magic Mind - http://magicmind.com/

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

Welcome to Trilith Institute Talks!     In this episode of Trilith Institute Talks, host Hunter Barcroft speaks with Production Designer Kato Lawton, along with film students Austin and Andy, about their experiences on the ECR 2024 feature film 'A Mess of Memories.' The discussion delves into the parallels between method acting and production design, the creative process behind crafting detailed and immersive sets on an indie budget, and the personal backgrounds that led each guest to their current roles in the film industry. Key topics include the challenges of working on a hoarder's house set, the importance of understanding character for effective production design, and valuable lessons from past experiences that contributed to their current skills.       Episode Timestamps     00:00 Introduction to Method Acting in Production Design 00:35 Welcome to Trilith Institute Talks 01:06 Meet the Guests: Kato, Andy, and Austin 01:57 Kato's Journey to Production Design 05:04 Austin's Path to Filmmaking 09:40 Andy's Background in Theater and Film 11:52 The Role of a Production Designer 14:18 Challenges and Creativity in Indie Filmmaking 15:50 Building the Hoarder House Set 21:19 Leadership and Team Management in Production Design 27:30 Valuable Feedback from Non-Filmmakers 28:40 Happy Accidents in Filmmaking 29:56 Production Design Tricks and Techniques 31:35 Challenges of Filming in a Hoarder's House 34:57 Influences and Inspirations in Production Design 38:34 The Art Department Experience 47:48 Advice for Aspiring Production Designers 50:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts     About Trilith Institute Support The Next Generation of Storytellers Take A Professional Education Course Get Involved With Trilith Institute Contact Us Follow Us On Social Media! Trilith Institute Talks Instagram Trilith Institute Instagram Trilith Institute Facebook Trilith Institute LinkedIn

Hawk has a few facts about plastic surgery.. Gross things people do in the shower.. Plus, Kato gets shocked for Torture Tuesday.

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

Most common mistakes people make with their laundry.. Employers that won't allow social media.. The latest crazy internet challenge.. Plus, Kato heads out for Torture Tuesday.

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

01. Kshmr, Shy Niko, Datti - 7 Days a Freak 02. D.O.D - Reach For You 03. Kygo, Hayla, Joel Corry - Without You 04. Ragash - Move Your Body 05. Stang, Glasscat - Ghost Of You 06. Riton, Feyi - Bounce In The Brass 07. Hawk, Atiope - Live Is Life 08. Nlw - Desires 09. Ownboss, Deadline, Luisah - Miracle 10. Dombresky, Makinn, Shells - In My Room (VIP Mix) 11. Aspyer, Zander Shine, Meryll - Falling Into You 12. Deadmau5 - Jaded 13. Macker - Check One 14. Malaa - Bonnie 15. Yero, 9 - After Hours 16. Hugel, El Chuape, Gspr - Pompi 17. Bijou, Corrupt Uk, Julia Temos - Firestarter 18. Lily Tix - Cluster 19. Flakke - Neurose 2.0 20. York, Chris Howard - We All Return To Dust 21. Going Deeper, James French - In My Head 22. Dimitri Vegas, Chapter & Verse, Goodboys - Good For You 23. Wh0 - The Funk 24. Charming Horses, Kickbait - Don't Want No Scrubs 25. Oomloud, Thando, Jusske - Famous 26. No Thanks - New Whip 27. Cherry Tooth - Ooh La La 28. Kream, Jem Cooke - Blue Symphony 29. Kato, New Northern - Sauce 30. Gobbs - Call Me Back 31. Chester Young, Mark Krupp - Your Voice 32. Cheyenne Giles, Nxsty - Pecadora 33. Legacy, Nubass - Like This 34. Zsak - In The Music 35. Dont Blink - You Know What I Like 36. Wax Motif, Greg (Br), Doug! - Shake It 37. Jack Orley - Shine 38. Sikdope - I Remember

Legendary LAPD detective Tom Lange sits down with Tom Zenner & Kato to discuss Los Angeles' deadliest serial killers, including the Hillside Strangler, Southside Killers, and Skid Row Stabber. With firsthand experience hunting down these dangerous criminals, Lange breaks down how eight serial killers were operating simultaneously in 1980s L.A., the media's role, and the forensic advancements that changed homicide investigations forever.Tom Lange Shares Insights on:The Southside Killers—multiple predators targeting victims in L.A.'s underbellyThe Hillside Strangler case and its gruesome detailsThe psychology behind serial killers and their lack of remorseHow detectives use forensic evidence and investigative techniques to solve murdersThe impact of true crime media on public perception and copycat killersThe Wonderland Murders and their connection to Hollywood crimeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/one-degree-of-scandalous-with-tom-zenner-and-kato-kaelin--6258576/support.

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

On this week's episode, Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear and Photo Editor Casey Ek detail reporter Mark Fischenich's recent chronicling of a slashing of fees for developers in Mankato. Plus, a new housing development may be in store for Good Counsel hill. 

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante, and his partner Kato fighting crime. Britt Reid, related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew, used a secret passage in his apartment to access the "Black Beauty" car for their night missions. The series showcased a dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato, with Reid exuding charisma as a businessman and Kato as a skilled martial artist. Together, they embarked on thrilling missions, utilizing their resourcefulness and the iconic "Black Beauty" to outwit adversaries. The series also featured a rich cast of supporting characters and villains, including Lenore "Casey" Case, Black Mask, and Miss X. "The Green Hornet" captivated audiences with its adventures, compelling characters, and timeless themes of justice and heroism, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

"The Green Hornet" radio series, originating in 1936, featured Britt Reid, a masked vigilante fighting crime with his partner Kato. They used a secret passage in Reid's apartment to access their car, the "Black Beauty," for their night missions. Interestingly, Britt Reid is related to the Lone Ranger as his grandnephew. The series saw various actors voice the Green Hornet and Kato, alongside a cast of allies and enemies that enriched the narrative .In the captivating world of radio drama, "The Green Hornet" stands as a legendary series that has thrilled audiences for generations. First conceived in 1936, this radio show introduced Britt Reid, a wealthy newspaper publisher who leads a double life as a masked vigilante known as the Green Hornet. Accompanied by his trusted partner, Kato, a skilled martial artist, the Green Hornet wages a relentless battle against crime and injustice. At the heart of the series is the dynamic partnership between Britt Reid and Kato. Britt Reid, the public persona, exudes the charm and charisma of a successful businessman. However, beneath the surface, he possesses an unyielding determination to fight crime on his terms. Kato, on the other hand, is a master of martial arts and a fearless warrior. His unwavering loyalty and quick wit make him an invaluable asset to the Green Hornet. Together, the Green Hornet and Kato embark on thrilling missions, using their cunning and resourcefulness to outwit their adversaries. Their secret hideout, located beneath Reid's apartment through a concealed passageway, houses the iconic "Black Beauty," a souped-up automobile equipped with advanced gadgets and weapons. With the Black Beauty at their disposal, the Green Hornet and Kato effortlessly navigate the treacherous streets, evading danger and pursuing justice. What sets "The Green Hornet" apart is its rich cast of supporting characters and villains. Britt Reid's secretary, Lenore "Casey" Case, serves as a steadfast ally, providing invaluable assistance and maintaining the secret identities of the Green Hornet and Kato. The series also features a rogue's gallery of villains, each with their unique motivations and criminal schemes. From the cunning and ruthless underworld kingpin, Black Mask, to the enigmatic and seductive criminal mastermind, Miss X, the Green Hornet and Kato face a diverse array of challenges that test their mettle.

If you are watching Manhunt: O.J. Simpson on Netflix, you know the O.J. Simpson trial remains one of the most captivating and divisive events in true crime history. Kato Kaelin, a key figure in the infamous saga, joins Tom Zenner to share rare, personal stories from the night of the murders and the chaos that followed. Kato recounts eerie details from June 12th, 1994, including unsettling sounds in the night and his tense interaction with detectives just hours after Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were found murdered.From the surreal atmosphere at Nicole's funeral to O.J.'s chilling request for an alibi, Kato offers an unfiltered look into the most pivotal moments of his life. With the 30th anniversary of the trial approaching, Tom and Kato dive into the lasting impact of the case, O.J.'s magnetic yet disturbing personality, and the cultural phenomenon the trial sparked.This episode provides an intimate and thought-provoking exploration of one of America's most infamous murder trials. Whether you're a true crime enthusiast or fascinated by the psychology behind these events, this is an episode you can't miss. Subscribe to Tom Zenner Scandal:    / @tzscandal   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Tom on social media Facebook | http://bit.ly/3YJI1jH Instagram | http://bit.ly/3XJ1pvB Twitter | http://bit.ly/3lSjSsoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/one-degree-of-scandalous-with-tom-zenner-and-kato-kaelin--6258576/support.

The Menendez brothers' case remains one of the most shocking family murder mysteries in American history. For over three decades, Lyle and Erik Menendez have sat behind bars, their story captivating audiences worldwide. Sasha Masjedi, a Beverly Hills High classmate of the Menendez brothers, shares rare and personal insights into what the brothers were like before their lives took a dark turn. Sasha describes their privileged but complicated upbringing in the heart of Beverly Hills, their father's intense demands, and the pressure to fit into an elite social circle. Allegations of abuse, a shocking double murder, and a high-profile trial transformed the Menendez family from Hollywood's elite to true crime's most infamous. With resentencing hearings now on the horizon, could Lyle and Erik Menendez walk free? Tom, Kato, and Sasha break down the controversy, the trial's impact, and the lingering question: did their parents' alleged actions justify their sons' horrifying retaliation?For anyone intrigued by true crime and the psychology of one of America's most infamous families, this episode of One Degree of Scandalous is a must-watch.Connect with Tom on social media Facebook | http://bit.ly/3YJI1jH Instagram | http://bit.ly/3XJ1pvB Twitter | http://bit.ly/3lSjSsoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/one-degree-of-scandalous-with-tom-zenner-and-kato-kaelin--6258576/support.