Marine Removed for Proselytizing

Drove Moneylenders from the Temple

A US marine has been removed from active duty in Iraq for distributing coins inscribed with Biblical passages, written in Arabic.

Residents began complaining that the coins were being distributed at a checkpoint. Investigators found coins with Biblical passages inscribed in Arabic on both sides. The marine was promptly removed, as marines are barred from proselytizing.

This incident comes a week after another marine was similarly dismissed for shooting holes in a version of the Koran, the ostensibly religious text Muslims rely upon to justify murder, rape, genocide, and other sins.

Think that's irresponsible reporting -- that I injected my personal opinion into the middle of a story?

Well, the incident led to a 1000+-man protest which resulted in at least three deaths... 
UPDATE:  At the time of this writing I, like most American civilians, was entirely unaware of just how far military contractors go to ensure job security; without such division -- be it of a religious, racial, political, or other nature -- said marine wouldn't have a job, and neither would the War Profiteers known as "contractors" that offer everyday necessities in war-torn areas, such as laundry services, cafeterias, and (of course) murder. 

One of the most famous of these War Profiteering contractors is Blackwater, a division of Academi, which includes Raytheon and (possibly) TigerSwan.  The name, Academi, is ironic on the surface, given that Prince's sister, Betsy DeVos, was appointed to the position of Secretary of Education under President, and former reality TV show host, Donald Trump.  This name game is colloquially referred to as "Disclosure" in the circles in which pieces of shit like these run (Zone 1), although it's real legal definition is Sedition (under Title 18 › Part I › Chapter 115 › § 2384). 

It is in their own self interest that such entities commit War Crimes -- but their personal lack of morals, ethics, and religious values should never be discounted, as many active service members are actually pressed into service following criminal convictions. 

An overwhelming number of these "contractors" hail from the Eastern Seaboard -- particularly South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida.  

And Texas.  (2018)

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Japanese Woman Squatting in Closet

A 58-year old Japanese woman was found squatting in a 57-year old Japanese man's closet.

After food began disappearing from his refrigerator, the man installed a surveillance camera in his home. He took the tape to police when he discovered it showed an unknown woman hanging-about his place in his absence.

The police searched his residence and found the woman in a closet. The closet was just big enough to fit the mattress she had brought with her. Police do not know how she got into the residence undetected, but believe she has been living there, off and on, about a year. They currently think the woman has been "closet-surfing" - living in different peoples' closets for short periods of time - for a while now.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Isolated Brazilian Tribe Photographed

We rarely provide photos here due to copyright concerns and the like, however these pictures were issued by conservation groups and the Brazilian government, so even though I don't know who holds the rights to them, I think we're okay because of the nature of the story.

Survival International took this (and other) picture(s) to prove the existence of isolated tribes in Brazil and Peru. The group claims these tribes' lands are being threatened, and thus the peoples, by a logging industry out of control. You can clearly see the tribesmen aiming bows and arrows at the plane as it flew overhead to capture these images.

A spokesman for the group said the pictures were necessary because some people refuse to believe the tribes exist. However, more than half the world's 100 or so uncontacted tribes reside in the same general area. Direct contact is reckless for many reasons, not least of which being that tribesmen have no immunity to or tolerance for illnesses such as... the common cold!

I honestly did not know that there were still uncontacted tribes in the world. Call me stupid if you like, but I thought that Aboriginal tribe they gave all those watches and T-shirts to back in the '50s pretty well handled that whole part of Sociology? (Is that Sociology, or what would that be? I don't even know that!) Of course, now that I do, I absolutely believe we should do what we can to preserve them and their way of life.

And, if we're going to be truthful, I am not sure how the whole "natural fibers" bit works out in the environmentally-friendly philosophy. To my way of thinking, why would you cut down a tree in order to be "green" when you can use a suitable synthetic as raw material for whatever it is you want to manufacture? I understand that the synthetic material may take longer to decompose, but I think the ingenuity necessary here is in finding better, more effective, means of waste disposal.

I am not sure how much more of this story we'll get, but I will stick with it as best I can.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

S-L-O-W-L-Y

Hey guys:

As I told you earlier this week, my ISP and I parted ways Monday. It was an acrimonious split and I went a few days there without any access at all. But then I remembered that I know someone who has a local account but isn't currently here, so I got their login so I can bring you more weirdness until the 6^th, when my high-speed will be restored.

And speaking of weirdness, some guy in Denver is supposed to release a video of actual aliens peering into his window tomorrow! I sincerely hope the guy's not just batshit-crazy and he actually has some kind of smoking gun, but it's no matter; I'll be bringing you the story, regardless.

Still, dial-up is what it is, and I can't do half of what I can do with high-speed access, so we'll just have to deal with it for a week.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

No Internet

You may have been following the ongoing hassles I have been getting from Charter Comunications over to The Rundown. If not, suffice it to say, I have paid them over $800 since August and they still say I owe them $210! I have jumped through hoops, gotten bank statements and credit card reports, dug-up confirmation numbers and even paid someone to take me 30 miles to the "local" office, where they refused to look at my statements! They lied, cheated, and flat-out stole my money and I canceled them the other day.

I will have satellite TV tomorrow, but it may be several more days before my Internet connection is re-established. I wasn't certain when Charter was going to shut it down, but it didn't matter much, since they soaked me for all the money I need to get any other service, so I have to wait until next week to afford anything, regardless.

In the meantime, I will do the best I can from the library here. It means posts will be less frequent for the moment, but I'm sure you've gotten used to that. I got some pretty good ones out last week, so enjoy the archives while I m away!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Later, Nerds!

Okay, I'm out of here for a day or two.

Enjoy the archives!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Does the Devil Travel by Night?

In the case of the Jersey Devil, a single line of hoofprints stretched across 30 towns in 1909. They went up the sides of walls, over rooftops - whatever happened, it left a lot of evidence and has never been explained to this day.

And it wasn't the first time.

On the evening of February 7-8, 1885, snow fell across Devonshire, England. The next morning, townsfolk were surprised to find "a vast number of foot-tracks" that some believed to be "the marks of Satan himself." The single line of hooved tracks stretched through the towns of Topsham, Lympstone, Exmouth, Teignmouth, and Dawlish and the account was "descanted on from the pulpit."

Just as in the case of the Jersey Devil some 24 years later, the tracks were found "in all kinds of inaccessible places," including rooftops and the tops of narrow walls, enclosed gardens and courtyards, and open fields. It caused a sensation "among all classes," and though the Times of London never carried another article on the matter, Unexplained author, Jerome Clark, uncovered more information in letters to the editor of Illustrated London News.

The tracks covered 100 zigzagged miles and were in the general shape of a horseshoe. Each track was exactly 8 ¹/₂" apart. The "evidence" was never investigated, certainly no photos exist, and no documentation has come to light suggesting anyone witnessed the creature.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Upcoming

I have one or two more things to get out to you, then I am taking the rest of the day off. Probably to drink. Probably too much. Possibly for days.

But I wanted to say a few things briefly because we've somehow picked-up several new readers and subscribers and I'm very glad! I know I lost interest in this blog a while back (and it used to be one of my favorites) due to all the technical issues we were having with the feed, the URL, and everything else, but I really love being here and discussing these things. With renewed interest, thanks to the redesign and fixing all (?) of the tech issues, I simply haven't been in a position to be here as often as I'd like this past month.

Hopefully all of that is clearing-up, though... hopefully.

So what I am going to be researching for your entertainment and educational (edutainment, infotainment?) pleasure is as follows (in no order):

• Cattle Mutilations
• White River Monster
• USOs and Marine Aliens
• Mad Gassers
• Geophysical Explanations for Paranormal Experiences
• The Most Inane and Ludicrous "Logical" Explanations Forwarded by Skeptics

Anything you would like to see while I'm at it? Just let me know.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

The Crystal Skulls

When I reported on the story of the crystal skulls being fakes the other day, it occurred to me that I was not very well-versed in the whole crystal skulls legend.

Now, you have to realize that I have been reading books on the paranormal since I was a little, little kid. I was found to have a collegiate-level reading comprehension in the 3^rd-grade and I have always weighed-in at a cool 98-lbs., so reading was something I truly enjoyed. And reading about ghosts, unexplained phenomena, and the Loch Ness Monster (in particular) always tickled my fancy.

As I got older, I became more serious about "researching" these subjects. By the 5^th-grade, I was reading full-length, scientific books and diatribes on these things and making notes. I still have newspaper clippings of sightings from Loch Ness and the like, going all the way back to the 1980s. As an adult, I had amassed a small collection of books relating to these fields and knew most of the stories and accounts more or less by heart.

Of course I had heard of these crystal skulls, but in reading the piece and reporting on it, I realized I really didn't know the story. And that perplexed me; how could I not, if they were such an important part of the paranormal canon?

So a little bit ago, I pulled most every major source I have - many of which are not even listed as Sources for The OddBlog because of their dubious content (no matter how earnest the writer may have been) - and figured out... none of them even mention the crystal skulls!

And, I mean, here's chapter after chapter on the Aztecs, Mayans, Lake Titicaca - from mentions of spacemen and alien visitors to the truly bizarre (marine aliens, ancient heart transplants, etc.) - the Nazsca Lines... no crystal skulls.

While the mainstream scientists and media will often lead you to think we, as a community, will just lap-up any old wives' tale as "evidence of something," it just isn't true. The real truth is that intrepid paranormal researchers have often done a very good job of separating the wheat from the chaff and these crystal skulls, no matter how well they fooled the so-called "experts," didn't pass the muster.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

European Beaver

The European Beaver will be reintroduced into Scotland after 400 years. The animal.

Four beaver families will be caught in Norway and moved to Scotland in 2009. They will be quarantined for six months before being released into five lochs proposed for the process. This will be the first time a mammal has been reintroduced into the wild in the UK and the program will have a trial run of five years. It is being hailed as an "historic moment."

The European Beaver was hunted to extinction in Scotland in the 16^th-Century.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Parents of eBay Baby Arrested

Authorities in the German Bavaria arrested a couple for listing their baby for sale on eBay.

The 7-month old child was listed as "nearly-new" and "can be used either in a baby carrier or stroller."  The woman, 23, insists the listing was a joke.  She told reporters she is being subjected to psychiatric testing.  The couple was arrested on charges of child trafficking.

The opening bid was for about $1.50.

We'll see how this plays out, but I have to admit, I get it -- and thought it pretty funny.  Seeing as how authorities were alerted to the auction, it seems kinda stupid they did not bid on it -- after all, the only way to be sure it was not a joke would be if they managed to complete the transaction and the couple actually packed the kid up in peanut plastic and shipped it out, marked DO NOT BEND.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Drinking-Related Hospital Visits Up in England

Alcohol-related hospital admissions have more than doubled in England since 1995. This includes those due to alcohol-related illnesses, as well as those in which alcohol was only a contributing factor.

Further, while the number of kids (11-15) who say they have never had a drink rose 6% from five years ago, of those that have, they have drank more and more frequently. In fact, 30% of 5-year olds said it was fine to get drunk at least once a week. 72% of men and 57% of women said they had imbibed at least once in the previous week, with 12% and 7% (respectively) admitting to drinking at least once a day.

Alcohol is almost 70% more affordable than it was in 1980, though that's a skewed statistic, since the case study above was from 1995-2006. You can find more statistics here.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Witches Burned to Death in Kenya, Arrests Made

11 elderly people were burned to death for witchcraft by a mob of angry Kenyans last week.

The OddBlog has been covering these stories since our inception, but the frequency of the attacks has risen in recent years, prompting a call to action by legal officials. The latest incident led to the arrest of 19 people. Authorities have been hesitant to condemn the attacks because the belief in witchcraft is so widespread in the area.

Eight men and three women, all between 80 and 96 years old, were singled-out by villagers as witches to be burned alive. The mob systematically dragged each individual from their home, burned them alive in the street, then set their home ablaze. Villagers claimed to have found a book containing the witches' minutes.

Police said that while all 19 people may not have been directly involved in the attacks, they incited them. While they will be charged with incitement, those found to be directly responsible for the burning deaths of the elderly will be charged with murder. The victims' families, fearing reprisal, have gone into hiding, but police are protecting everyone from revenge-motivated attacks and report the area "calm."

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Vast Cracks Found in Arctic

Canadian research teams unveiled evidence of giant cracks in the Arctic Shelf yesterday.

This is being hailed as dramatic evidence of the ice caps breaking apart. The cracks were part of a 10-mile network on Ward Hunt, the area's largest shelf. It indicates the individual pieces could float away at any time.

Last year, we brought you news about the Ayles Ice Island, which has since split into two pieces. These developments are part of an "emerging pattern" in the Arctic, which recent data suggests may have more to do with natural, biological factors than anything man-made.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Yes, this is Memorial Day Weekend - no doubt about it! I was told last weekend was and I didn't think that was right, but mentioned it and no one corrected me until after I'd discovered otherwise on my own... regardless, this really is Memorial Day Weekend.

I know most people are probably out and about, so I'm not expecting a whole lot of visits or anything, but since I have no real plans and do have some real work to do, I will be here. I am hoping to get a lot of these articles I bookmarked out of the way and hopefully get into some real, down n dirty, freaky stuff.

Sadly, with BlogCharm's collapse, we lost all the content that had been there. I may do some searches to see if I can recover any of it, but I think it might be too late. Of course, I had wanted to move it here since I established this, but was unable to because BlogCharm blocked me from deleting the content and I didn't want to be penalized for "duplicate content." Really bad outfit and I am glad to see it finally caught-up to them.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

BlogCharm Went Under - This is It

If you ever read the original OddBlog (it was called The Weirding, then), you visited a hivesite called BlogCharm. As I wrote before, one of the reasons I moved the blog here is because BlogCharm ripped me off.

Well, I am happy to report that BlogCharm no longer exists!

This is not really "odd" news, as I am sure if they ripped me off, they must have done as much to others. I just wanted to note it because we still appear in some of the search engines as being on BlogCharm and we obviously are not. Plus, it's a bit o' OddBlog history - or OddBloggery, if you like.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Buy a Car, Get a Gun

A truly American concept, Max Motors in Butler, MO, is offering new car buyers their choice between a $250 gas card and... a handgun. No, really.

And most buyers have chosen the handgun. In fact, the owner said every buyer "except one guy from Canada and one old guy" chose the gun.

Owners say sales have quadrupled since issuing the offer and they have sold more than 30 cars in three days. Their logo is a cowboy holding a gun (shock and awe!).

"We did it because of Barack Obama. He said all those people in the Midwest, you've got to have compassion for them because they're clinging to their guns and their Bibles. I found that quite offensive. We all go to church on Sunday and we all carry guns." [italics are mine]

Um. ? Yes, that was... that was his point, as well, you dumb, shitheeled hayseed.

But I disagree with Obama, as well: I have no compassion for armed ignoramuses.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Perception and Precognition

We have told you about business magnate, George Lindemann Jr., previously. Recently, the Miami Herald carried a story which said George Lindemann Jr foresees crash, and the wording of that made me start thinking about how difficult it can be to distinguish between perception and bonafide precognition.

Obviously, Lindemann is something of a business genius, whether or not he possesses any special quality(s) which set him apart that lay above and beyond the normal ken of his fellow businessmen. But the use of words like "foresee" generally insinuate some sort of divinatory forces at work and are often used to connote distrust on the part of the writer.

While it's true that a lot of people do not necessarily believe in the paranormal, I don't like it when they connect the two in such a manner. Lindemann's "foreseeing" of a crash has far more to do with his business acumen and nothing at all to do with any sort of precognitive powers, but the headline reads as though he is some second-rate circus act making predictions from a roadside tent.

What gets me most about these shoddily-worded articles is that, regardless of whether it is an accomplished business tycoon or an actual roadside soothsayer making said "predictions," if it turns out to be right, there is almost never a follow-up article crediting the predictor. In the case of the business magnate, there might be a mention of his "prediction," but the paper will downplay it because they know they originally worded the article to cast doubt on the matter and they don't want to draw attention to that fact.

Funny world, hrm?

Stonehenge Vandalized

Two vandals assaulted the Heel Stone at Stonehenge with a hammer and screwdriver, absconding with a coin-sized chip and leaving a large scratch in the structure.

Security spotted the men, who escaped over a fence and drove away. Police have been notified and are looking into the matter. The two men may have been the same that were spotted "acting suspiciously" previously.

This is the first such incident at the site in decades, according to officials. Stonehenge is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments. The damage was minimal.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Wetlands to Blame for Global Warming?

Biologists and researchers said that Arctic wetlands may have been to blame for recent global warming conditions.

A multitude of scenarios and theories were forwarded, all having to do with biological factors, as opposed to human ones, such as increased waste and a general lack of concern for the atmosphere. In particular, emissions from wetlands, the release of carbon dioxide from permafrost, and a release of methane from seawater. Most data suggests these effects are centralized to the Arctic region.

Of course, we should pull our own weight, but scientists say this indicates the recent climatic changes are biological in nature and will likely run their course without human intervention.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

A Little Wistful Rambling

This is going to be a bit... something - I don't know what until it's done, but I know it's kind of silly. I just wanted to put this down because it has been on my mind a lot lately.

I am watching Back to the Future (great flick) and recently saw a documentary featuring the Bad Brains, and both have positive messages which have to do with one's mindset or outlook. In the movie, the message is "you can do anything if you put your mind to it." The Bad Brains generally espouse the philosophy that if one keeps a positive outlook, positive things will happen.

Now I applaud the efforts of both and want to believe in this philosophy, but is there really any merit to it at all?

I have often tried to have a positive outlook, but the truth is that I am a pretty cynical young man. Cynicism aside, I like to think of myself as more pragmatic. Maybe bitterly pragmatic is a better way to put it, but it's a pragmatic outlook moreso than "negative." But my outlook has never really helped me, so I would love to change it.

However, my outlook has often prepared me for disappointment. Not to say these things were inevitable or anything like that, just that, had I maintained a positive outlook, I believe several things in my life would have come as greater, more crushing, blows than they did because they would have been largely unexpected.

Like I said, there's nothing new to any of this and it isn't some personal revelation - just something on which I've been musing a lot lately and wanted to open up for discussion. It doesn't just affect me; the current state of the world is pretty bleak, so I'm wondering if an overall change in outlook would do all of us any good. Obviously, I am not going to chuck it all and become some sort of "Have a Nice Day" guru or start preaching the values of a happy mentality to the world at-large, but I am interested in hearing what others think.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

SAD? -Sniff!- Happy!

Medical researchers believe they may have found a nasal spray - yes, a nasal spray - that alleviates social anxiety disorder (SAD¹).

Developed/discovered a few years back, the implications of this discovery are staggering. Thieves and unscrupulous people (such as politicians) could conceivably use the drug on victims to allay their fears and natural instincts, but scientists have other applications in mind.

Hypotocin is a naturally-produced hormone found in animals and humans. Nicknamed the "cuddle chemical," scientists are studying its uses against social disorders, such as autism and SAD. They have concluded that a lack of the hormone can be directly linked to social phobias "specifically relating to trust."

¹ SAD is also an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

BANG!

I have to admit, when I first read about an Internet firm that takes a "holistic" approach, I was skeptical. However, after reading BANG's mission statement, purpose, and explanation of individuals comprising the team, I truly believe them to be a competent and valuable web2.0 user experience consulting firm.

If you are interested in getting involved in online business, but do not know much about the practices involved and are too busy to learn, then hiring a firm is definitely the way to go. I actually enjoy what I do and am always learning more and looking to improve, but I have to admit, it's an uphill battle! Things change every moment - I would say "everyday," but that would be too late - and one person (even a small firm of several people) face a Sisyphean feat to keep up with it all while still producing viable, quality content. Add to all of this the marketing and promotion involved and you start to understand why outsourcing could be the answer to your Internet business strategy.

Take a moment to check out their site, read their information, and truly consider BANG for your Internet consultation needs. I think that you will find them as honest and purpose-driven as do I.

Indy's Wild Goose Chase

According to several researchers, the crystal skulls which have been at the center of many books and movies since the 1960s (including the new Indiana Jones movie) are fakes, most likely manufactured in the past several decades.

Many point the finger at 19^th-Century French antiques dealer, Eugene Boban. According to documents, Boban sold at least two of the dozen or so crystal skulls that have surfaced and analyzers believe those he handled may have been created within a decade of the time he purchased them - some suggest he may have requisitioned workers to have them made.

Most of the skulls only recently began surfacing - specifically in the 1960s, when New Age Mysticism was at a cultural peak. While research has yet to identify where the quartz used in the works was quarried, possibilities include Madagascar, Brazil - and the Alps. However, those working on the skulls say they have determined that abrasives and rotary wheel technology - both 20^th-Century innovations unavailable to ancient peoples. While two of the skulls predate this time period, this research indicates none of them known to exist were fashioned by ancient cultures, such as the Mayans and Aztecs, the forerunners of those previously thought to have created the crystal skulls.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Hello-o!

Sorry guys, this has been a colossally bad week so far. The only good thing about it is that it's nearly over, but there's still today and tomorrow to go, so I'm tempering my excitement.

Plenty to get out to you throughout the day and I'm going to go ahead and employ the "future posting" bit so that you don't go without, in case I get busy elsewhere. In fact, given my current position, I am going to have a busy weekend, because I am not sure I will even have Internet come Monday.

Long, angry, frustrating story that I simply cannot get into right this minute due to the fact that I don't want to give myself a stroke!

Anyway, let's get things underway.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Agenda

Yes, I know I missed today. I had an appointment this morning at 9:50 that usually takes all of 10 minutes; I got home at exactly noon! I was so worn-out that I fell back to sleep and woke up at 2:30, only to remember that I was supposed to have paid my utility bill today!

So, barring their turning off my utilities tomorrow (pray for me!), we'll be back on track then.

I left for the evening and will be back home tomorrow afternoon, so things may not get started until after lunch, but I will be here. Have a good evening!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Climate Changes Endangering Birds

Climate changes have affected one-in-eight species of birds, according to a new global study.

Droughts and other extreme weather stresses key habitats and significantly threatens over 1000 avian species. Eight were put on the Critically Endangered list this year.

The list is compiled and reviewed every four years by Birdlife International, a conservation charity. Conservationists suggested we heed recent trends toward less carbon emissions and lessening our "carbon footprint." But though climate changes have been most important, other factors are also at-play.

For the full article, click here.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Racial Rights

Homer Plessy was arrested in New Orleans on June 7^th, 1892, for disobeying a law stating that blacks and whites could not ride on the same railroad car. This led to a constitutional challenge of the law which ended in 1896, when the Supreme Court ruled that the law did not violate the 13^th and 14^th Amendments. However, the (incorrectly numbered) 13^th Amendment, abolishing slavery, had been ratified in 1864 and 1865, so this ruling was wrong.

On May 17^th, 1954 - one day shy of the 58^th anniversary of Plessy's ruling - the Supreme Court overturned that incorrect verdict. Legalized segregation was stricken-down with Brown v. Board of Education.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Agenda

I told you that I have a lot of technical things to get into today, and also a few errands to run, but I have a few short items early this morning to get out to you first-off.

I know there have been a lot of ads this weekend, but there were a lot of posts. Since I was unable to work the past few weeks, they got backed-up and I had to get them out the door. I have one or two more this morning, then we'll be back to normal. Plus, there are several that have expired in the archives that I need to go through and remove. That's just part of the technical stuff I need to get to this week.

For the most part, the appearance will be slightly different, but things will work the same. I have to finish the tags too, which will make things much easier to find.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

The New World

On May 14^th, 1607, English settlers arrived in the Chesapeake and founded Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

Facing many challenges, the settlers suffered greatly in those years. Poor leadership, fouled relations with the Powhatan Confederacy, a harsh climate, and the travails of establishing a self-sufficient colony conspired against them. When additional colonists and supplies arrived in 1610, only 60 of the original 214 colonists were still alive.

Previously, two colonies had been established. In 1585, the first colony of Roanoke was founded and the survivors were rescued by Sir Francis Drake. Two years later, the second Roanoke colony was established. In 1590, no trace of the 90 colonists was found. A single word had been ominously carved into a nearby tree. It said "CROATAN."

No one knows what became of the colony or colonists, nor what the word, Croatan, means.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

One Canuck's Broken Heart

A 24-year old Canadian man asked his 25-year old girlfriend to carve a heart-shaped symbol into his chest during a round of rough sex. The inebriated girl pressed a little too hard and ruptured her lover's heart!

While originally given little chance for survival, the man made a full recovery and is backing the woman. He agrees that the two had been drinking heavily and that he requested she carve a symbol into his chest when the mishap occurred.

The failed artiste was handed-down a 3-year probationary sentence.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

The Oceanic Dead Zone

An oceanic "dead zone" has been discovered off the coast of Oregon. Scientists say the lack of Oxygen in the area can kill any creature caught in the area that cannot swim/scuttle away fast enough!

There are hundreds of these dead zones worldwide, mostly caused by pollution, but this one (which exists between the states of Oregon and Washington) was caused by winds and currents which disrupted the ecosystem. You can take a tour of the area through the video on this page from the Smithsonian website. It is about halfway down, on the right.

Many things can cause dead zones and many will disappear and recur over the span of several years. Most are small areas, but some span miles.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Township Turns Down Federal Aid

The federal government listed the Ohio township of Chardon eligible for disaster aid to the tune of $10,000. And Chardon turned it down!

A trustee told a local newspaper that they suffered only a regular snowstorm, unworthy of such a large sum of disaster aid which would be better-served elsewhere. Another trustee disagreed with the decision, noting that no amount of aid from the federal government should ever be turned down.

This is an interesting case, as I can see both sides of the argument. After all, federal aid is often hard to get, but by that same token, it can be so hard to get because too much of it goes to the wrong places!

If the former trustee is correct, then the money should be returned; that the latter is a greedy opportunist surprises me not at all, though I can see his point - federal aid trustees can be greedy sos-and-sos themselves, after all.

In fact, the most interesting (and oddest) thing about this story is that a political figure is being honest!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

You Got a License to Ho?

The Dutch cabinet has said they are cracking-down even further on prostitution in Amsterdam to further impede human trafficking.

Prostitution was legalized in 2000, but authorities have been "cracking-down" on it since then. Human trafficking has been a big problem in the Netherlands, particularly in prostitution. While hookers have plied their trade throughout the city for centuries, prostitution is now a major tourist attraction.

The latest proposal would force hos to get a license. Unlicensed hos and their clients could face fines and even jail time.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

North America's Oldest Primate

Fossils recently uncovered in Mississippi revealed North America's oldest primate.

the Teilhardina magnoliana was a tree-dwelling primate that weighed about an ounce. It flourished about 56 million years ago and suggests that primates crossed the Bering land bridge from Asia, as some believe humans did about 55 million years later.

The fossils were discovered by K. Christopher Beard of the Carnegie Museum of National History in Pittsburgh.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Orangutan Escapes Pen at Zoo

A 29-year old orangutan named Bruno escaped from his pen at the Los Angeles Zoo Saturday.

Bruno made a hole in his pen, but he didn't try to leave the zoo. Instead, he hid behind his pen while zookeepers herded 3000 visitors out of the area. Last year, a tiger escaped from her San Francisco Zoo enclosure and injured three people, killing one. Bruno was not aggressive.

In fact, since all of the zoo's great apes are trained to allow zookeepers to administer medicine, a handler simply put him through his motions and he allowed her to approach him and administer a sedative by hand. Bruno went to sleep and was carried back into his bedroom.

The incident was over in about 20 minutes.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Big Fat, Hairy Pig

No, I'm not dating again.

Drivers in Wisconsin created a traffic jam as they rubber-necked to get a look at a 450-500 lb. sow that had been hit by a semi-truck. One driver said he was looking for tusks, but if there were any, "somebody got to them before I did."

Large populations of wild boars are thought to inhabit the wilderness in the area, but seeing any is rare. Seeing one hit by a car is even rarer. The state considers them a threat to both the environment and agriculture and small game hunters are allowed to shoot them all year long.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Help Gilligan Get Off the Island!

Scientists from the Ivory Coast are trying to sell a rare, multi-headed coconut tree for $1 million.

While the multiple heads is extremely rare, it is usually due to insect attack or other damage done to the tree in its youth, but this particular plant shows no signs of damage, suggesting the rarity may be genetic. The scientists have multiplied the tree about 150 times to see if the mutation will be duplicated, but it will take about 20 years to find out.

The tree was brought in from Malaysia some 40 years ago and produces about 150 fruits a year, as opposed to the usual 30-60 from single-headed varieties. The money is to fund the Marc Delorme research station, which has been around since the 1940s and is struggling in the wake of the Ivorian civil war.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Vatican: God Created Aliens

The Pope's chief astronomer says that life elsewhere in the Universe cannot be ruled-out.

Father Gabriel Funes said alien lifeforms, created by God, could exist. The search for extraterrestrial life does not refute the existence of God, Father Funes wrote. He even speculated that some of these lifeforms could be free of Original Sin.

The Vatican is organizing a celebration of the birth of Charles Darwin next year.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

House of the Phallus

Nestled in the small fishing village of Husavik, nearly 500 miles from Iceland's capital, lay the Icelandic Phallological Museum -- a pee-pee museum.

Curator, Sigurdur Hjartarson, began collecting peni when he was a school administrator.  At the time, he says it was "just a hobby" and he had no idea he would one day run a museum dedicated to the subject.  Of all the phalli on display, Hjartarson has paid only for one -- an elephant's penis.  The largest in the collection is from a sperm whale (5'5"); the smallest, from a hamster (at only 2mm, it must be viewed under a microscope).

The one penis he is missing is that of a human's, but he has five donors from around the world who have offered theirs for display once they're done with it.  The Icelandic Phallological Museum attracted 6000 visitors in 2007, 60% of whom were female.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

More Church-Related Child Abuse

I really do not know the psycho-/socio-logical connection between organized religion and child molestation, but at least within the Christian faith, it is undeniable that such a link exists.

Rev. Joe Barron of the Texas-based Prestonwood Baptist Mega-Church was arrested last week after driving his wife's car 200 miles to meet a 13-year old girl he had been chatting-up online. When arrested, the good reverend had a package of condoms and a webcam and headset.

It's always the Baptists - again, that's not a slam, it's just the undeniable truth. This hearkens to the whole "he who smelt it dealt it" ideology: those who bark loudest are being defensive. And Baptists "bark" louder than anyone about everything.

It is long since time that these corporations were taxed like all others. The Baptist Church is simply a front for organized child prostitution and pornography.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

You Will Soon be Hearing Voices - Paranormal State

Hypersonic Mind Control

Hypersonic sound technology delivers waves of hypersonic sound at a pitch undetectable by human ears. When the waves hit a solid object, such as a person's body, the waves slow down and reform to create a sound which is delivered directly into the target's eardrums; people around the person hear nothing.

A&E Television used the technology to promote their new show, Paranormal State, in New York. When people heard about it, they came to experience the technology for themselves. The advertisement whispered, "Who's there? What's that? It's not your imagination!" Only those who were in the waves' path could hear the ad, which sounds as though it originates inside your head.

While others are interested in hypersonic sound technology's advertising application, the technology is being used for better means elsewhere. The New York Public Library uses the technology to allow people standing in front of a bank of TVs to hear the news; others in the library hear nothing. Future applications might include allowing club-goers to hear music without disturbing surrounding residents, and making it so that ambulance sirens would only be heard by those in front of the vehicle. The technology may one day make headphones obsolete.

But consumer advocacy groups are worried about the possibilities for invasion of privacy. Manufacturers of hypersonic sound devices say their fears are overblown.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Agenda

I told you yesterday that I had a lot of technical stuff to get to, and this is going to take me at least an entire day to complete. My approach is to get as much of this stuff that I've been sitting on out to you this weekend, then start in on this technical stuff next week.

The tags are still a mess and there are a slew of sponsored posts that are outdated and need to be removed. Then I need to fix the banners and general layout. I have some personal computing issues to tackle (I need to delete a load of fonts and rearrange some documents and folders), then it's back to the site, proper. Medical issues have precluded my working lately, but those are being handled and that will keep me away for several days here and there over the next few weeks. But since I can schedule posts for later release, I may be able to avoid a lot of time away if I can get to everything else in time.

Today, I am going to just dump a ton of posts on you so that I can take Monday off to do the technical stuff. Of course, if anything interesting pops-up, I'll drop by, but you'll have plenty to keep you busy.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Lost Vivaldi Symphony Performed

A harpsichordist with a passion for rare music tracked down Vivaldi's Argippo, originally composed for the Czech capital and premiered in 1730.

The opera disappeared after that and Ondrej Macek had only a copy of the opening night's program to go by.  However, he traced the original orchestra's movements to Germany.  There, he found an anonymous music collection by various composers, and Argippo was among them.  Since only ²/₃ of the score had survived the centuries, Macek used arias from Vivaldi's other works to finish the work.

Argippo was performed for the first time in 278 years March 2^nd in Prague.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Mr. Roboto Conducts Symphony

If you haven't seen this, you really have to! Click on through to see the video of this little robot conducting an American symphony.

Honestly, I was skeptical of it at first because the little guy is so lifelike! He hunches over and shuffles on his tiptoes to the front of the orchestra, then waves at the musicians. His movements are deliberate, but so fluid as to be bizarrely natural.

I don't really know what practical application this exercise has, so I'm assuming it was simply for fun. I mean, I guess an orchestra needs a conductor, but are they really in such high demand that a manufacturing line is necessary?

A line of robotic cops - now that's something to think about!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Off-Duty Cops Still Abuse Authority

As we constantly report on police officers' abuse of authority and power here and elsewhere, I wanted to mention last night's segment on ABC's 20/20.

They had videotape from several sources which clearly showed off-duty police officers over-indulging in alcohol and attempting to drive. On at least two occasions, the police officers used their occupation to get them out of trouble. In one of those cases, when the tape made its way into the hands of the media, the cop was suspended from duty, but not charged with a DUI or drunk and disorderly.

Corruption can take many forms, but the most common is an abuse of power. It has been a long-standing tradition in America for police officers to be above the law. Like corporations, police officers do not have to obey the law, which is precisely what has led to the overwhelming corruption of all police officers and forces throughout the land. This, in turn, has led to rampant distrust of the government, which has led to a rise in "alternative" networks (gangs and politically-motivated organizations), which has led to a rise in violent crime.

Day after day, we are confronted with video of police officers committing heinous crimes for which we citizens would be convicted, fined heavily, imprisoned, and more. Sometimes these convictions lead to further complications, such as loss of employment and/or housing, marriage and relationship problems, and more. Cops don't have to worry about any of this, yet it is often reported that they are underpaid.

Well, just like corruption, benefits take many forms. Cops get insurance, pensions, bonuses, and are exempt from the law. When you add this to the millions of dollars per year in illegally-gotten gains they collect, American police officers are some of the most well-paid workers in the world!

My suggestion is to drop their pay, put them on food stamps and offer them free housing in governmental projects. It's a simple Socialist move that will save we taxpayers millions of dollars a year while increasing the amount of cash-on-hand cops have to spend on other things - like hookers and dope. Of course, they rarely spend much on those things because they get them for free.

Further, since they have continually proven they are cowboys with "loose cannons," cops should be completely disarmed, excepting the SWAT and riot squads. Target practice should still be encouraged because they may need to be issued weapons at certain times.

If you have some better solutions, I'll gladly listen, but something has to be done. These bullies' actions affect so many more aside from them and their victims. Not only the victims' families and friends, not only their co-workers and customers, but society in general. As the video linked to above shows, Tennessee state trooper, Randy Moss' arrest led to the release of 29 people, including illegal aliens who were not deported. The amount of taxes spent on those illegal aliens, as well as the revenue lost on the convictions, as well as the resources squandered in missed work for defendants - this arrest of a single corrupt officer cost the state of Tennessee millions.

This is no longer a philosophical argument; cops cannot be trusted and they can always be counted on to abuse their power and authority. They are a danger to the people they were hired to protect and unless some action is taken - unless something new is tried - the situation will only get worse. We can understand why cops are abusive, violent thugs, but we should not excuse them.

American police forces have become just another street gang innocent citizens fear and unless they are held responsible for their own actions just as we are - until the law is applied equilaterally - things will only get worse. With soaring gas and food costs, the chance of spontaneous rioting is greater than ever.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Alien Visits Doubled Since 'Close Encounters' Release

According to once-secret documents from England's Ministry of Defense, aliens have been visiting for decades, their trips doubling after the release of Steven Spielberg's 1977 film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

The release of the documents is the first in a four-year program which will disseminate all of the Ministry's reports from 1978 to the present day. While they dismiss 90% of these as having mundane explanations, that still leaves over 1000 cases without explanation. Regardless, they assure the public there is nothing to be afraid of.

Many of the reports included are obviously the products of insanity, ignorance, or sheer stupidity -- but there are several, very interesting, reports. Many of these cases were investigated but England's own "Project Bluebook" also concluded that UFOs do not exist.

Of course they don't.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

DNA Clears Lizardman of Attacks

A family whose van was attacked and severely damaged originally thought it had been beset by none other than the legendary Lizard Man. DNA testing exonerated the mythical(?) beast.

A South Carolina couple awoke one morning to see their van had been seriously damaged: the front fender was chewed-up, there were bite marks on the wheel wells, and blood was left on the scene. The Rawsons collected samples and sent it to a lab in California.

The results suggest the van was attacked by a domestic dog, but most people aren't sure about that. As Mr. Rawson said, 'It would have to be one big dog." The sheriff also balks at the results, suggesting it may have been a wolf or large coyote.

The Lizard Man became a local legend about 20 years back, when numerous witnesses reported seeing a tall, big-eyed, unknown creature. While the creature was never identified and reports curtailed, the legend remains and there is no explanation.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Agenda

Hey there, spooky people!

I know I have been absent a lot lately, but I have medical issues which have kept me from my usual breakneck pace and there's simply nothing I can do about that. Luckily, I got some medicine which is supposed to help and then I go to a specialist the next couple weeks to see what the prognosis is and what comes next, so all things told, it's going to continue to be slow for the immediate future, but will pick back up shortly.

The other thing I wanted to mention is that The Weirding still needs to be upgraded and that is becoming more and more important with each passing day - particularly since I've had to sit so many out lately. That's going to get more attention in the coming weeks, which means less attention will be here.

You will notice some changes around here as well, though. I changed the blog templates several weeks back and then gave them some time to work-out the kinks. The OddBlog template performs beautifully and I love it! However, I have to be a bit more creative with the advertising, due to limitations with the layout, and I am not pleased with what I currently have, so I'll be moving things around and changing stuff.

I would really love to hear more from you guys! Honestly, I don't know who reads The OddBlog - what your ages are, what you do, what else you're interested in - I don't even know your gender! And that works against me on so many levels, but particularly with the advertising. Regardless of whether or not I make money, the ads I choose to feature are supposed to appeal to you - hopefully introduce/direct you to other products, services, and sites that you'll like. Not knowing much about you means I have to just guess. So I really wish y'all would get more involved.

The upswing to all of this is that I have had more time to read and research, which means more keystone paranormal posts are on the way, but there is no ETA. In the meanwhile, we'll have more odd news as usual, a little humor, a little weirdness, and all the usual.

Oh! And I am going to start focusing more on food. When you think about it, what we eat, how we prepare it, and everything else cuisine-related is so important on so many levels that I can't believe I didn't consider it before. It relates to history, society, psychology, occupation, religious/spiritual beliefs - it is so crucial to everything that something as simple as a regional recipe can form the foundation of research. We Southerners have black-eyed peas for New Year's in order to ensure good luck, while the Germans eat sauerkraut, and one's diet is the basis for much of Chinese medicine.

Very broad, interesting, in-depth subject that we will be delving into more and more. It will be useful too, since I'll be imparting all kinds of recipes along the way.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Fatty, Fatty 2x4, Eating's Gonna Start a War!

Fatassed obese folk are being blamed for the world's food shortage, as well as climate change.

Fatty fat-fats consume up to 20% more food and fuel, due to their being so fat. Thus, they can be blamed for environmental problems and the lack of food for the poor and starving.

But the solution is not to starve them (I know, that's a no-brainer, right?); actually, less dependency on cars would solve everything. If more fatties were forced to walk or bike to and from the fast-food joints they haunt, not only would it lessen environmental damage, it would use less fuel. Using less fuel would lessen the price of both gasoline and food, since higher fuel prices are passed on to food costs. Finally, the exercise would help the obese lose weight, thereby increasing their metabolism, resulting in their eating less!

Others called the study "discriminatory" and said the fatties shouldn't be blamed for the world's ills, just poor hygiene, bad health management, total lack of self-control, and a refusal to accept personal responsibility.

And torture to cute and fuzzy animals, like bunnies and baby seals.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Home, Sweet Home and the Sticky-Icky

I know I'm not the only person to grow-up and realize something he should have known all along but somehow remained ignorant of his entire life. Yes, it is Denial, but it's also a matter of social conditioning; after all, if you are raised in the midst of such an environment, you have no real comparison by which to gauge what is "right" and what "can't get right."

Some bohunk in Cleveland, TN is accused of handing a court clerk his pot when he came to visit. Upon entering the Bradley Court, Archimedes here emptied his pockets into the plastic bowl before passing through a metal detector. Amongst the contents were a bag o' dope and some rolling papers. When the guard realized this and began to say something, the man bolted from the building.

Quickly apprehended, he was charged with the obvious, as well as evading arrest.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Aussie Avoids Alcohol Abuse - Oi!

An Australian man has been fined over $350 for strapping his crate of beer into a seatbelt and sitting his child in the floor!

When pulled over, the constable was "appalled" to find the vehicle contained four adults, all buckled-in properly. Between them set a crate of beers (30 in all), also buckled-up. On the hump in the middle was a toddler!

While this semi-humorous episode has made news around the globe, shocking and upsetting most, I have to admit I see where this guy was coming from - after all, the kid most likely has some kind of medical coverage; had something occurred, the beer would have been lost!

Besides, there are too many people anyway. And never enough beer. Oi!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Agenda

Sorry for the absence as of late. As I discussed over to The Rundown (as I've said before, if I'm not found here, you can usually find the reason over there - it's really the flagship blog of the site), I have been on Other People's Time basically since Friday, so I'm not in full control of my own life and how my time is spent at this point.

Even today, I have to run errands that I have been trying to get done since Monday - well, Friday really, but Monday specifically. But since I have to rely on someone else for a ride, I can't say when I'll be leaving, when I'll be returning, nor anything else; we'll just have to take it as it comes.

Unlike the past two days, I am not abstaining from doing the things that need to be done around here, simply because I don't know when she's going to show! I hate stopping right in the middle of something because, given my personality type, said things are rarely finished; I'm one of those "inspired" people who has to have some thrust to finish projects and when I stop them in media res, I rarely return to them right away... if ever (might as well be honest). I hate that about me and am working to improve it, but it is me, and I can't fight it too much.

Anyway, let's get into it...

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Spongebob's Watchful Eye

Spongebob Squarepants now has his squishy, watchful eye all over Colorado's Pike National Forest, thanks to vandals who adorned an abandoned, historic building's chimney with his likeness.

The US Forest Service is now searching for the cats what done it. They apparently used four different colored paints and spent no small amount of time and effort on the endeavor. Representatives say it is just the latest in an increase in vandalism in the area.

It will cost several thousand dollars to remove the image from the historic cabin's chimney. The cabin was used as a base for forest rangers until it was abandoned in the 1930s.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Organized Religion the Gateway to Molestation

While others may argue the veracity of this claim, the proof overrides their objections.

On a regular basis, organized religious sects - called "cults" in almost any other regard - are being found to participate in heinous sexual abuse against minors. Even excepting such atrocities as the recent YFZ (Yearning for Zion) compound in Texas, we are left with more of the same across the boards. A local Baptist preacher in my area was just sentenced to prison time for distributing child pornography, in fact, and the Catholic Church is literally infamous for the practice.

The simple fact of the matter is that we now have the proof that these practices are not limited to specific sects, cults, or congregations; organized religion - at least in the United States - is simply a front for child sexual abuse and pornography. And while that, in and of itself, is pernicious enough, there is a larger, overlying precept which makes all forms of organized religion evil by nature: the covering-up of the crime.

We've discussed Evil here before and it most certainly can be measured. Divorcing the idea from any dogmatic or other overtones by cultural more or societal anything leaves us with a very clear and concise definition: Doing whatever one wants to further one's own desires, especially to the detriment of others.

While merely "doing bad things" is wrong, we all do it occasionally because it's part of human nature. I'm not here to argue human nature as inherently Good or Evil; everyone does Evil things from time to time for all sorts of reasons, but that is not the point of this discussion. The point is that, while Evil acts happen and Evil occurs, this does not necessarily make the person who does them necessarily Evil. However, when one's intention is to commit Evil, one follows through on the intent, and then takes action to cover it up... that, right there, is the specific way to determine if someone/something is Evil.

And organized religion fits that definition, clearly and plainly.

Even worse, it indoctrinates others into the circle of Evil it perpetrates, insidiously corrupting people into thinking Evil is God's plan, His will. Once the circle is begun, punishing the victims is (though heavily favored in a backward, Puritanical nation such as ours) clearly the wrong approach; such people have to be deprogrammed - a process which is almost as hard to carry-out as to undergo, and one that can be unpredictable.

All manner of atrocities, sins, and the overall retardation of Man's advancement can be laid at the Church's doorstep, yet no one answers the door.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

More Manson Murders?

Starting May 20^th, investigators will begin digging on the infamous Manson Family Ranch in California, looking for more victims of the Manson Family.

Charles Manson was convicted in 1969 of killing seven people, including actress, Sharon Tate, even though he never actually murdered anyone himself. Over the years, he and other members of the cult have suggested there were more victims buried at the ranch where they lived. Initial investigations proved inconclusive, so investigators decided a dig was necessary.

We will keep you apprised of developments.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Moon Plants

A team with links to the ESA (European Space Agency) have found that plants like marigolds can thrive in a rocky, lunar-like environment.

While some excited researchers suggested this may lead to the terraforming of the moon, others say such an idea is pure "science fiction." Many have theorized that, if we can find some way to grow flora on planetary objects such as the moon, there is a chance for human habitation. Others have said the idea is without merit.

Of course, a makeshift environment would have to be provided for them at first, but if they can take root and thrive on their own, a threadbare system of water circulation and recovery could be established. Plants have been grown on the space station with some success and the process here is not altogether dissimilar. Outside of the Earth's atmosphere, the plants are subject to higher doses of radiation and other factors.

More information.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

You're an ANIMAL!

We just got one step closer to the world of comics and RPGs.

Scientists at Newcastle University have created the world's first part-human, part-animal embryos. While they only survived for up to three days, the hopes are that they will be useful in understanding, possibly even curing, a range of illnesses, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The Catholic Church called the advancement "monstrous."

The scientists created embryos from cows' eggs because human eggs are in short supply. They say the embryos would never be allowed to develop beyond two weeks, at which point they are still only about the size of a pinhead. Researchers want to extract stem cells from the embryos for further testing.

Of course, the Catholic Church considers the entire concept "immoral" and sinful, but who really cares what a bunch of poncing, aged queens think? Sadly, if the cures for any diseases come from this type of research, the Catholic flock will gladly avail themselves of said treatment; poetic justice would be a thinning of the herd by Papal Decree -- when it is adjudicated that Catholics who use such treatments are Sinners who must face a slow, agonizing, and painful death.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

UPDATE:  Not only was this post tampered with and the links removed, the source links online have been tampered with and/or removed.  One was accessed as recently as January 12. - 2018

Rise of the Robocops

Remember the ending of Aliens, where Sigourney Weaver dons the exoskeleton and fights the queen? So do the engineers at Sarcos, the robotics firm which created XOS, an exoskeleton for use by US troops.

With the exoskeleton, soldiers can lift and maneuver weights far exceeding their own. The hope is that it will speed construction and similar operations. But later models are already being designed with greater things in mind - such as flight and combat.

I decided to include the link to the original BBC article, as it contains several video clips you will find interesting.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Ready to Get Odded-Out?

Er... yeah, okay - I was stuck for a title.

Anyway, in order to make up for the lack of content the past two weeks, I am going to drop a series of posts on you over the weekend. I know I said I was going to get back into the paranormal more in the future, and I still have the notes from the research I did before everything fell apart a couple weeks back, so I will, it will just be... in the future. Most of what I have for you this weekend falls in the realm of "weird" news and straight science. It's news pieces and stories I've collected over the weeks and I'm just going to get them out of the way before I get into a few keystone paranormal posts. Obviously, the latter take longer to accomplish and since they will be referred to often, I have to make sure they are well-written and -edited.

Anyway, I also have an event today that is going to keep me away from the computer for most of the afternoon, so I want to get as much of the easy stuff out of the way as early as possible to give you something to read in the meantime.

Enjoy!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

A Glimpse

Yes, I know I haven't been here much and that I have posted a few "excuse" entries along the way, but I thought I would share this little story with you, just to give you some idea of how my life has been going lately:

My pansy-assed mama's boy of a downstairs neighbor got into it with his live-in girlfriend over some dog she brought home or something, so I haven't heard her down there in the last few days. But ever the temper-tantrum-throwing wuss, he wanted to make damn certain we all felt his pain, and so has been waking at the bonnie hour of 4 in the AM all week long. Now this, in and of itself, is no big deal, but he has one of those home theaters, and he likes to listen to music and watch TV to start his morning off. Of course, he prefers the bass be very loud for this early-morning programming... of course. And, of course, this programming is bass-heavy, of course.

Today, I'm not sure if I beat him to the punch or he woke me as usual, but I got up around 3:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. Luckily, Scream was on, so I watched that and smoked a cigarette or two and kicked-around a bit until he carried his sad sack to work at 7:00. I got back to sleep around 7:30 and slept until almost 10:30 and have basically been walking around in a fog for the last two hours.

In fact, what prompted this little essay on the sadness of my life is that I walked into the kitchen to see the pot of tea I'd made this morning and set to steep, still setting there. Now I'll have to throw the whole thing out and start all over because it's probably turned - no sense chancing it, either way.

This is a real event, but it's also the perfect metaphor for my life over the last two weeks: a lot of pointless running around simply because I am awake, accomplishing nothing - just spinning wheels - and by the end of the whole thing, I'm exhausted... and still completely behind on everything. All I've been able to do is lie around and try my best to catch an hour or two of sleep here and there along the way - to no avail.

So it isn't that I've lost my ambition or anything so much as I've simply had no time with which to be ambitious. Still, today's a new day and tomorrow will be as well, so we'll see how things go. I know I'll get a few things out today and probably throughout the weekend, so we're just taking it as it comes.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Back to the Action

Sorry guys - I wasn't exactly "sick," per se, last week, but I did have some medical issues that kept me couch-ridden the entire week. I could have gotten up this weekend, but I decided to stick it through until today, just to give it a little extra time. I'm still not 100% and won't be until I get this all taken care of.

Turns out, the growth or knot or whatever on my wrist is most likely a "ganglian cyst." It's probably just the location and the fact that I can't stay off the computer that's making it painful. That's part of the reason I decided to lie around all last week - and lie around I did - I didn't wash dishes, vacuum the floors, pick up anything; I did nothing the entirety of last week. And I honestly can't say how much I'm going to be good for this week, so we'll take it as it comes, but I can say that I am getting back into the swing of things, so there will definitely be posts throughout the week.

Hope everyone's doing well and wish we had more comments!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008