Astrological Help for Tabletop RPG

I know many of you come directly to The OddBlog, but The OddBlog is actually a component of the larger site, The Weirding -- which is primarily devoted to tabletop roleplaying games, comic books, pop-culture, and entertainment. This is not yet another shameless plug, I have an honest question I'm hoping some of you can help me with:

I am working on a roleplaying game in which astrological signs play an important part. I specifically want to know, if you had to choose between the three, basic fundaments of a person - Mind, Body, and Soul - how would you rate them, in importance or assertion, by astrological sign, with 1 as the best and 3 as the least.

For example, I am a Libra and (from what I know of astrology), we Librans are more creative than most of the other signs, so I would think it would be:

1. Soul
2. Mind
3. Body

Now, I could be wrong as to creativity being Libra's strength, but it works as an example.

If you have the time to spare, I would love for any and everyone to rate each sign's strengths and weaknesses from 1-3, out of those three characteristics (Mind, Body, and Soul). I really would appreciate it!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Cluster of Quakes Hit Yellowstone

Scientists are closely monitoring Yellowstone National Park following a cluster of some 250 tremors. While "swarms" of earthquakes in the vicinity are nothing new, that many are; scientists are wondering if it is a sign of something bigger on the way.

A geophysics expert says one quake measured 3.8 - an earthquake measuring 4 on the Richter scale is severe enough to cause moderate damage. Of the cluster that occurred Monday, one measured 3.3, but most were "barely detectable."

In 1959, a 7.8 earthquake in the region triggered landslides which killed 28 people.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Pause for the Cause

It is once again a gorgeous, sunny, temperate day here - which is downright odd weather for this time of the year. Yesterday, it got up to 71º! And since I stayed inside all day yesterday and missed it, and literally everyone and their brother is outside, soaking up the rays today, it's going to be a bit before we get down to business here.

It's still falling below freezing at nights, and I didn't manage to get to sleep until about 8:00am this morning, so I will certainly be up. For now, enjoy the archives.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Times Square Kiss-Off

Organizers held a pre-New Year's Eve kissing seminar in Times Square the other day. Advertised on craiglist and elsewhere, the seminar matched-up 50 couples from the participants who showed up. They passed out lip gloss while an emcee offered kissing tips. Judges then scored the couples on their performance.

The idea came from the long-held superstition about kissing on New Year's Eve, a time surrounded with superstitions based on luck for the new year; kissing someone on New Year's Day, right after the countdown, is said to bring you good luck the year-round. Organizers suggested couples abstain from kissing until the big day, to make it more special.

Many of the participants had never met one another before and some even exchanged information with plans to date!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

The Japanese Love Their Manholes

Stop it right now. Apparently, there is such a large community of manhole afficionados in Japan that a new website has been launched featuring pictures of the best. along with details as to their location. Japan is a country known for their many and varied fetishes, and while this one barely meets the criteria for fetishism, what is less well-known is that Japanese manholes feature artistic representations of many cultural events, icons, and associated sights and scenes.

Ittemia Zensen allows users to upload pictures of manhole covers along with GPS information on its location. The website was designed to merge online and offline experiences, as well as discover obscure treasures in the manhole hobby (cut it out). It also features pages dedicated to other motifs, like traffic signs and train station signs.

In 1983, the Construction Ministry demanded manufacturers create manhole covers with distinct designs to raise awareness of sewer construction. 20 sewer manhole covers were selected. Now, local municipalities compete to have their design chosen.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

A Fishy Christmas Miracle

When Barbara Woodford discovered her goldfish's bowl was empty, she looked all around for the little guy to no avail. Assuming the worst, Barbara went on to work. When she arrived home some 13 hours later, she found her pet behind a shelf. She got a spatula and was surprised to see his little mouth gasping for air! Quickly, she put Ginger back in his bowl, where the little goldfish went right back to "swimming fabulously."

An spokesperson for the Association of Midland Goldfish Keepers noted that fish can live for quite some time out of the water, so long as their gills remain wet, adding, "But this is the longest I've heard of a goldfish staying alive. It's quite astonishing."

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Mystics Combat Wi-Fi with Orgone

Glastonbury, long a pilgrimage destination and center for alternative medicine practitioners, is also home to a pioneering, city-wide wi-fi system. But many of the town's residents blame the resulting EMF (electromagnetic fields) for all manner of illnesses, saying it disrupts their chakras and even the ley lines. According to them, the EMF (and radiation) generated by the wi-fi masts are causing headaches, nausea, even pneumonia!

While many are petitioning to have the masts removed, one Matt Todd has resorted to fighting back using orgone-based technology -- small, pure-energy generators made of quartz crystals, selenite, lapis lazuli stones, and gold leaf and copper coiling -- which is said to absorb and recycle the "negative energy" produced by the wi-fi masts. Orgone science was developed by William Reich in the 1930s, who posited that all living matter generates biological energy. It is actually based on the teachings of Sigmund Freud, and closely related to sexuality and Freud's libido theory: Orgone energy and orgasm share the same etymology.

Though only a single yellow journalist (repetitious) decried Reich's research, it was enough for the US government to set in motion their conspiracy to silence him (in fact, it was part of this conspiracy), and his research destroyed.  A joint task force involving the corrupt FDA and FBI (repetitious) worked to discredit his work, then tried him in absentia (likely without his knowledge), and incarcerated him for Contempt of Court.

While proponents of Glastonbury's free wi-fi insist there is no link between the wi-fi and the alleged illnesses, even some who embraced the wireless technology have since turned their backs on the idea, claiming they develop symptoms when using Glastonbury's free wi-fi that clear-up when they switch back to a traditional broadband system.

Opponents of Orgone science insist there is no evidence to support its existence. The effects of EMF, however, are well-documented, and have long ago been weaponized by military units. While "traditional" health "officials" confess electromagnetic fields negatively impact people's health, they claim that there is not enough data to conclude how dangerous EMF is. 

Glastonbury's city-wide wi-fi system is a pioneering effort: It is the first city in the UK to have free, area-wide Internet access -- something which displeases both the telecom industry and Britain's deadbeat government, alike.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

300-Year Old Aftershock?

Scientists claim the earthquake many New Hampshire towns felt on the weekend prior to Christmas was an aftershock from the 1727 earthquake.

About 4:35pm, December 21^st, residents reported a slight earthquake. Scientists say it was an aftershock of the 1727 earthquake, which registered a 5.3 on the Richter scale. They say aftershocks have been felt for three centuries since the earthquake, including one in October 2007.

Of course, 300-year old aftershocks are odd enough, but staying true to the nature of this blog, I have to wonder if the scientists and media aren't trying to cover-up what seems to be increasing earthquake activity in the Eastern United States. I find this grossly negligent.

Speaking from a layman's point-of-view, I think 300 years is right around the statute of limitations for calling an earthquake an "aftershock." The October, 2007 earthquake in this region measured a 1.3 on the Richter scale. I understand if certain factions want to avoid mass panic, but if there is substantial earthquake activity in a region (as there appears to be in the middle-Eastern United States), the focus should be on preparing for the possibility of a big one, not assuaging everyone's fears!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Albino Alligator?

It's been a heck of a month for oddly-colored animals, and The OddBlog has brought you the story of each as I've become aware of them. And so is the case in Florida's suspected albino alligator, though this one has an ending.

Residents and visitors to Florida's Indian River Mall began reporting an albino alligator in the region earlier in the month. Albino alligators are extremely rare (there are only an estimated 30 in the United States), so authorities checked it out. As they discovered, the alligator is not albino; the discoloration is the result of minerals found in an artesian well nearby.

You can check out pictures of the gator and read the whole story here.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Spontaneously Combusting Snowglobes

Hallmark recalled thousands of jumbo snowglobes due to a design flaw which makes them act as magnifying glasses. If placed close to a source of sunlight, such as on a windowsill, the snowglobes actually magnify the sun's rays, setting fire to combustible materials nearby!

The snowglobes were sold in Hallmark stores throughout the fall, fashioned in the likeness of a festive snowman. They retailed for a whopping $100, measuring 11x12x17. Consumer product safety agencies have received at least two reports of the products setting nearby materials ablaze.

The link above contains information on the recall.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Australian Arrested for Attempted Smuggling of Ancient Egyptian Artifacts

Egyptian officials confirmed the arrest of a 61-year old Australian man in Cairo for attempting to smuggle ancient artifacts out of the country. The artifacts included a mummified cat, an ibis, and nearly 20 religious figurines. The man's name has not been released and he has yet to be formally charged with any crime; the accused is being detained for now.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

The Return of Snowzilla

Snowzilla returned this year, even though authorities in Alaska issued a cease-and-desist order to prevent his appearance.  The gigantic snowman appeared just before dawn on one Billy Powers' front lawn, Tuesday.  Powers denies having anything to do with it; he insists Snowzilla simply surfaced once again.

Powers, the father of seven, and his kids began building the snowman three years ago.  With each passing year, Snowzilla grew by feet, as the Powers children collected snow from neighboring yards.

In 2005, Snowzilla rose to 16' and had a corncob nose and two eyes made out of beer bottles (beer goggles).  This year, Snowzilla is an estimated 25' tall with a black scarf.  While the giant snowman delights some, he incites others, and city officials deemed him a public nuisance and safety hazard.  Mostly, they objected to the traffic he drew.

The mayor's office defended their decision, stating, "This property owner has repeatedly ignored city attempts to find ways to accommodate his desire to build a giant snowman without affecting the quiet, residential quality of the neighborhood.  This is a neighborhood of small homes on small lots connected by small streets.  It can't support the volume of traffic and revelers that are interested in Snowzilla."

Further, they claim Powers "appears to run a junk and salvage operation from his home and has violated land-use codes for 13 years."  They claim he owes the city some $10,000 in fines.  While they refused to take further action until after Christmas, Powers says it's the city that's been obstinate, not him.  He says he has never been confrontational and the city's demands have gone on and on and gotten 'goofier' as they went.

The OddBlog sides with Mr. Powers and finds the city of Anchorage corrupt; their intention is to cash-in on Snowzilla and, failing to do so, are attempting to blackmail Mr. Powers through the courts.  This is another case of the American judicial system being abused by those controlling it and should be stopped.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Conspiracy Theories

The OddBlog is both a stand-alone blog and a department on The Weirding. So while I made the announcement over to The Rundown (where I cover gaming, comics, and pop-culture stuff), I wanted to mention Dark Conspiracy @ The Weirding here, too.

I know a lot of you come here just for The OddBlog, and anyone who ends up here from The Weirding most likely went there looking for something unrelated, but Dark Conspiracy is one of those subjects that straddles the spectrum. After all, The Weirding is a collection of subjects I'm interested in and most of the people I've met through one of these interests or the other was invariably keen on the... others. Ahem.

ANYwho, I wasn't going to mention Dark Conspiracy @ The Weirding here until I covered the Mystery Copter in Tempe article:

The very first thing I thought about when I read the copter was a Vietnam-era copter flying circles in a residential neighborhood was all those stories about the Bermuda Triangle, alternate dimensions, and time-space continuums! I know, I know - and it's really not like I seriously thought any of these things were at=play, it's just where my mind wanders - and I love it! That's why I love Dark Conspiracy! Even if you are not a gamer, you might get a kick out of it:

Dark Conspiracy is set in a dark near future where the tabloid stories (the good ones - the old ones from the 80s, like "I was a Bigfoot's Love Slave" and shit) are real and the Dark Conspiracy is hiding all manner of ugly aliens, bent on world domination. It is so right up your alley if you enjoy this blog!

Of course, a lot of the content is gaming-related and you won't have any interest in that stuff if you don't play, but Metrodome is an entire domed city for extended (campaign) play, so there's a whole lot of it that can be read, more or less, as a story (without a linear narrative).

Anyway, I've spent a lot of time on it - that's why things got slow this week (I figured I could afford the time off, with the holiday and all) - and I'll be spending a lot more time on it from now on, so I figured I'd give it a plug, just in case.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Tempe's Mystery Copter

Authorities fielded some 100 calls from concerned citizens in Tempe, Arizona last Friday, complaining of a helicopter circling their neighborhood at around 2am in the morning. Before much more could be learned, the helicopter returned to the neighborhood and circled some more that Saturday! But no one seems to know why the helicopter was there - or who sent it...

An environmental quality specialist told a local paper the helicopter flight was registered as a military flight, but it was not from the Luke Air Force Base, the border patrol, or the FBI. Immigration and Customs enforcement, as well as the local police, also denied having anything to do with it. However, the Scottsdale bureau of the FAA refused comment when contacted by the newspaper.

While some callers were told it was a military operation, no authorities are saying anything more - like who ran the flight... or why.

Radar confirmed the helicopter was a Vietnam-era Bell UH1 and it followed an "unusual flight pattern" on both visits to the neighborhood; it flew in circles. The helicopter took flight from the Phoenix Goodyear Airport. Eyewitnesses report the copter had "police-type spotlights or infrared," hovered for a long time without a determinable reason, and was very loud.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Merry Christmas!

I know I should do a whole post on the history of Christmas, how Christianity came to be involved, maybe even the birth of Jesus... but that defeats the purposes of taking some time off.

So let me just wish you all a Merry Christmas -- no matter your religious affiliations or beliefs, etc., I hope you enjoy your holidays!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Year in Review

I used to do occasional "roundups" (of course, we at The Weirding like to call them Rundowns for some reason) of posts for all my blogs. I did the requisite "year in review" feature, but I also did them monthly or every few months, just whenever the mood struck me. While some might think "well, that's an easy post," the reason I no longer do them is because the truth is exactly the opposite; no, you don't have to do any real research or writing, but you have to go through and collect all the links and all of that, so they actually take a lot longer than most regular posts because there is so much coding and collecting.

But this is the time of year when everyone is doing these posts and I came across a really good one on the top paranormal events of 2008. We covered some, but you will note that few of these appeared here. I have to admit, I missed some of these - not sure how, exactly, but there were several on this list I certainly would have included, had I known about them. There are also several I intentionally left off (the gnome is the one that sticks-out) because they were just too hokey or otherwise questionable.

Regardless, there will be no annual "best of" collection here, so check this one out and visit our archives for the stories we did cover!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Lost World Discovered on Google Maps

Some years back, a team of scientists was looking for a new area to explore at least 5000 feet above sea level.  They were astonished when they discovered a patch of forest in Africa not on any map.  How?  Google Earth, of course!

The forest surrounding Mt. Mabu had been overlooked for years by wildlife experts and cartographers alike, largely due to decades-long war in the region.  While few Mozambiqueans are even aware of the 27 acres of lush forest growth (or Mount Mabu), those who are have kept it secret as they use it for refuge when the fighting becomes too intense.  Researchers note that, while it may be on some maps under another name, Mt. Mabu is basically unknown.

Once discovered, a team of researchers from several countries (including Mozambique, Switzerland, Britain, and more) made the trip to discover a lush Eden, filled with rare and exotic species of butterflies (including three new species), giant snakes (including a new adder), and colonies of rare birds.  They returned home with some 300 samples of flora, and more discoveries have yet to be made.

The Mail Online has more on the trip, including pictures.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Vietnam Holdin' Stolen Frozen Pangolin

Vietnam customs agents seized nearly 300 boxes of frozen pangolin in the Quang Ninh province. Pangolin, or the scaly anteater, is a protected species whose medicinal and aphrodisiac properties make it a demanded meat. The trade of pangolin meat is illegal. The 300 boxes came out to be nearly 1500 pangolins. Officials say the cargo was headed to China, whose conservation record is... spotty.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

White Christmas Robin

Believed to be the only albino robin in all of Britain, visitors are flocking (ha!) to get a glimpse of Snowflake, the robin.  Albino robins are nearly unique in the wild, as their coloration makes them easy prey for predators, such as the sparrowhawk.  But Snowflake has been ubiquitous amongst the cherry trees of Hampstead Heath this holiday season and has become a bit of a celebrity.

If you are in the area, be on the lookout for the fellow, "You'd have to be a very lucky person to ever see another live white robin in the wild.  This is a unique and magical experience."

Robins have a special connection to Christmas and began appearing on Christmas cards in the 19^th-Century, according to research conducted by author, David Lack.  Check out the pictures and learn more in this article from the Sunday Express.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Agenda

We'll get back to our examination of the Leeds Devil folktale and its relationship to the Jersey Devil footprints today, but those posts take a long time, so I want to give you something to read while I work on them. Plus, weird news is always enjoyable to share!

Another subject I am hoping to have the time to tackle soon is that of underwater "astronauts." USOs have always interested me and they've regained some of their popularity as late, but underwater astronauts (it just sounds so salacious, doesn't it?) are generally relegated to the outlandish pile by serious researchers. Of course, some of the more outlandish tales are what first drew me to this field, along with other phenomenalists, so whether or not there is any validity to them aside, I want to share a few of the stories I find intriguing.

I also want to delve into Von Däniken's theories at some point. I've always felt his well-presented hypotheses have been maligned, both by the mainstream as well as the phenomenal world, and that's sad; at the very least, he presents many points which deserve more discussion.

One thing at a time. First-up, a few odds and ends.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Pete the Purple Squirrel

Students and faculty at a UK school were surprised to see a little, blue squirrel one day. They were even more surprised when he turned purple and began making the rounds!

Dubbed "Pete," the little squirrel is incredibly shy and runs away whenever approached, but most everyone at the school has seen him - he's become something of a school mascot. No one is sure how his fur has turned purple, though theories include chance meetings with paint, ink, even toner cartridges.

Officials have sent pictures to experts and even called upon celebrity animal experts. According to them, the paint theory is a no-go, as it probably would have proved the end for little Pete; but squirrels will nibble on anything - even if it's inedible - so the toner cartridge hypothesis is probably the best bet. Pete likely began nibbling on one and then groomed it into his coat.

The MailOnline has the story, along with pics!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

The Leeds Devil, Pt. 1

This bit of American folklore is often confused (in my estimation) with what is indisputably (again, in my estimation) an eyewitness account of an actual, paranormal event. In fact, I was not even aware of the connection between the Leeds Devil and the Jersey Devil until researching the folklore of the former. From what I can tell, the tales are only interchangeable amongst the New Jersey citizenry; everyone else seems to consider the Leeds Devil and the Jersey Devil not only as two separate accounts, but in completely different lights.

First, let us dispense with the folklore of the Leeds Devil. Since there are numerous variations on the story, I will pass along the account most often traded, as it is disputably the oldest of the bunch (published):

Mother Leeds of Burlington was a sober Quaker highly suspected of practicing witchcraft. In 1735, she bore a child during a terrible storm ¹. As the women of the time crowded around whenever there was a death, marriage, or birth, they were all present, and before their very eyes, the shape and demeanor of the child did change: it grew long and brown with a snake-like body, a horse's head, cloven-hoofed feet, bat's wings, and a long, leathery, forked tail. It increased in strength and size until it was the bulk of a full-grown man, whereupon it emitted savage screams and "fell on the assemblage," beating them all - even its own mother - severely with its wings and tail before escaping through the chimney.

That night, several children disappeared - eaten by the dragon. While it seldom did much harm afterward, it was glimpsed in the woods of the Pine Barrens many times. Wherever milk soured, cows dried-up, or corn was seared, the Leeds Devil was said to have been. On still nights, farmers could follow its trail by the howling of dogs, hoots of owls, and squawks of birds - but few did.

At this point, the account gets a little blurry, connecting the Leeds Devil to the shoreline, where it portended shipwrecks (and was sometimes "seen in the company of the spectres that haunt the shore: the golden-haired woman in white, the black-muzzled pirate, and the robber, whose head being cut-off at Barnegat by Captain Kidd, stumps about the sands without it, guarding a treasure buried nearby." - American Myths & Legends, Charles M. Skinner). It was blamed for the deaths of the fish in the ponds and creeks in the cedar swamps - as it wanted a "change of diet" and breathed upon them - as they whitened and decayed and floated in such numbers as to threaten illness to all the neighborhood ².

The legend of the Leeds Devil then comes full-circle when, in 1740, a pious and exemplary clergyman is secured - one who "had dominion over many of the fiends that plagued New Jersey" (including applejack, "which some declared to be a worse fiend than any other") - who banned the Leeds Devil for 100 years. And for a century, the area was unmolested by the creature.

The Leeds Devil was all but forgotten by 1840 when, as if on cue, it once again began stealing sheep and clutching at children after twilight. Sightings were rare and spotty, but it was reported in Vincetown and Burrville in 1899, which was its last, great raid - at least at the time this account was published. The Leeds Devil's lifespan was thought to have run its course and the fiend was seen no more again forever...

...unless you link it to the strange events which occurred in the very region in January, 1909. While this seems plausible, given this regional folklore, it becomes more difficult, once we include the events of 1885 in Devonshire, England. And I feel this necessary, given that these events actually occurred - whereas the Leeds Devil legend is almost certainly just that. Like all verifiable legends, it has many variations, little to no solid evidence backing it, and is completely far-fetched in nature...

Except that there is some evidence backing it. And the same could be said of the strange events occurring in 1885 and again in 1909, were it not for the photographs and multitude of eyewitnesses.

Note also the inclusion of other New Jersey legends. This co-mingling is somewhat unusual and must be noted when considering the intersection of the folklore concerning the Leeds Devil and the very real account of the Jersey Devil, which occurred in 1909. After all, the lore of the Leeds Devil was already present in the region, and the last "great raid" attributed it was a mere decade before, so - faced with such an inexplicable event - it was quickly associated. The legend told here, from the source cited, was published in 1903. Kind of early for the author's insistence on the finality of the Leeds Devil, but this is a folklorist's tale, which demands an end.

In the second part of this study, we will delve into the lore surrounding the Leeds Devil - independent of the events which occurred in and around the area in 1909.
---
¹ Leeds' impregnation alone is considered "proof" of her witchcraft in this published account - why, I cannot say, except to note that she is referred to as "Mother" Leeds, which denotes an advanced age. This particular account - passed-on in several books, at least - does not mention a husband or father, which may also be the reason.

² This suggests an historical event, possibly due to a massive turnover - the mixing of upper and lower layers of a freshwater body, which occurs in the fall and can kill fish, especially bottomfeeders, such as catfish - though this does not explain the deaths of the livery in the creeks, unless they are slow-moving. Disease is also a possibility - and, given the account, more probable - but as I have personally seen the effects of a turnover, and the condition of the fish as described is similar, I included it.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

What the Flock?

A Chinese shepherd, feeling the force of the recession, was inspired by a poster of a wolf he saw in a pen at a zoo. When his sheepdog died, he could not afford another, so he made a full-color poster of a wolf and carries it with him to herd his flock.

"People laugh and point but it works - and the poster eats a lot less than any sheepdog," he said.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Mass Florida Food Assault

Five teenage girls have been arrested on charges of "disruption of school function" following a food fight in the cafeteria. The arresting officer claims he came upon a circle of girls jeering a fight in progress, where one girl had what appeared to be a wig in her hand. Several lunch tables had been pushed aside and the girls admitted they had been fighting over something that had occurred earlier.

Florida has been in the news several times the past month for assault charges concerning food. In Florida, it is spelled "a-salt."

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Bright Pink Russian Hippo Stumps Vets

Zookeepers in Kaliningrad were shocked to discover one of their star attractions, a ¹/₂-ton hippopotamus named Svetik, had turned bright pink! Vets called in to check the hippo out are stumped, but think he may have a rare genetic condition. You can see a pic here, though it looks like it could be easily Photoshopped. Still, there are eyewitnesses who claim to have seen it, and the zoo is apparently doing brisk business because of it.

Aside from the bizarre discoloration, everyone agrees Svetik is doing fine; he is otherwise healthy and happy.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Charges Likely for "Gothic" Kitten Peddler

Authorities say a Pennsylvania woman is likely to face charges stemming from her online business. She sold "Gothic" kittens - kittens whose ears, necks, and even tails had been pierced. SPCA workers rescued three kittens from her home, where she also ran a pet grooming service in the basement. They were tipped-off by someone.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Twin Removed from Brother's Head

3-year old Sam Esquibel appeared to have a brain tumor but was otherwise healthy. Doctors went in to remove the tumor and discovered a tiny, nearly perfect foot, hand, and thigh. "It looked like the breach delivery of a baby, coming out of the brain," the doctor was quoted. He called the discovery unique and borderline unheard-of.

The unusual formation may be due to a type of congenital brain tumor, however they are usually less complex in nature. It may also be a case of "fetus in fetu," where one twin forms in the other, but these very rarely occur in the brain.

Little Sam is doing fine but will have to return for testing and physical therapy to help with the use of his neck.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Someone in Michigan is Absolutely Heartless

A human-sized heart was found at a car wash in Paw Paw, Michigan. The owner, who discovered it in a corner of one of the car washing bays, says it is not the first time body parts have been left there (! - wha-at!?) but it is the first time a heart has been. Animal parts have been discovered at the car wash before.

Authorities took it first to a veterinarian, who was unable to determine if it was human or not, so they took it to a cardiologist who could only tell them its size was "consistent" with that of a human's. The heart is now in the hands of forensic scientists, but Paw Paw police do not know when they will hear the results.

"If it's a human heart... then where's the body?" the police chief asked.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Bloomfield, NJ Dishes It Out, but Won't Take It

22-year old Frank Gilberti was upset over having to pay what he considered an unfair traffic ticket. To show his displeasure, Gilberti tried to pay in pennies - 112 rolls of them ($56.00US). Not only would the court not accept his money, it issued a warrant for his arrest!

Gilberti said he called the courthouse and was told they would only accept the pennies if he wrote his driver's license number on each and every roll. He asked them, if he should pay his fine in $1 bills, would he have to write his driver's license number on each bill? The court's response was to issue an arrest warrant for him. He had to pay $90 to avoid jail.

Pennies are legal tender and any organization which accepts cash is legally bound to accept pennies! As Gilberti said, "This is U.S. currency accepted all over the country [but] apparently not in Bloomfield, N.J..."

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Insults from Around the World

An article from today's Mirror discusses 10 insults from around the world and why they are considered insulting. Read the list, then come back.

Did you see #10? I'm not really sure if this was supposed to be tongue-in-cheek or not. Americans do make a lot of jokes about Canadians, but I always took them to be just that; after all, there may be some tension between cultures, but the jokes made about Canadians are usually done in a friendly way - they are "safe" to make fun of because they are such a close political ally.

Further, I have always lived down South so I could be wrong about this, but aren't the borders between our countries all but non-existent? I mean, from what I understand, there are lots of places where you can more or less just walk across the border without even going through customs.

I have never known there to be any real tension between us and Canadians, but I am far removed from both the region and subject - am I wrong about this?

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Folklore: Fact from Fiction

One of the things that makes sifting through the tall tales to find the nuggets of truth which inspired them is folklorists, themselves. Like scientists, many folklorists approach their job as foregone conclusions. The best of them simply record the tales they are told; the worst of them can't help but point-out the inferiority of the tellers' education and acumen, offhandedly dismissing the story's relevance or any truth it might contain. In other words, many folklorists - like scientists - approach their work with their minds already made-up: these are mere stories, told to amuse, and nothing more. This attitude taints their work.

Many also seek to further their own field by fitting incomplete data into fully structured tales. For example, in his excellent book, A Treasury of American Folklore, editor B. A. Botkin's footnotes indicate he collected his tales orally, then rewrote them in a manner "true to the speech of our informants" (p. 697). However, in so doing, Botkin forces the tales into a regimented structure - introduction of obstacle, climax, and denouement - even where said structure did not exist (especially where this structure did not exist).

Most often, folktales are less actual stories than free-standing accounts. For example, we have all heard how a relative, friend, neighbor, or the neighbor of a relative's friend once saw a ghost. That is basically the entire account; the tale does not include whose ghost it was, why the person was in the area, and so forth. Folklorists often add these details when they record the tales, as they make for better reading and "complete" the legend.

These details are nearly always complete fabrications by the recorder. That the folklorist strives to maintain the integrity of the culture's locution, phrasing, speech, and so forth does not matter for our purposes - especially not when the folklorist deigns to do so. Again, the best simply obscure the information we researchers seeks; the worst condescend and corrupt the testimony.

As paranormal investigators, we are obviously concerned with unearthing that nugget of truth in these tall tales - that single, inspiring factor which led to the account and its continued popularity - and this embellishment obscures that. Folklore is an oral tradition, so certain accommodations must be made when translating it into the written form; we can't blame folklorists for doing their job, but it bears noting that it makes our jobs more difficult.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Shapeshifting Others

Last night, I discussed an American twist on the witch's legendary power of shapeshifting (the "slip-skin" belief). As I said then, shapeshifting and witchcraft are intimately entwined, no matter the variations by culture and region. But while the legend of witches' shapeshifting comes with many permutations, their ability to shapeshift others is pretty cut-and-dried and remains steady to this day; the concept of witches turning others into animals is so steadfast that it still appears in pop-culture - children's cartoons and books are filled with it and it serves as the plot device for many.

One interesting take on this theme is that of being "ridden by a witch." While pop-culture often depicts witches riding broomsticks, the folklore source most often mentions them shapeshifting objects, including humans, to ride.

In one folktale, an American describes how a witch entered his home one night while he was in bed. As he got up to fend her off, she drew a bit and in the ensuing melee, managed to bridle him! As he was circling with the witch astride, he saw his legs becoming hindquarters and soon realized he had been transformed into a mule, which the witch rode to carry out her nefarious deeds (which, in this story, was meeting bank robbers). This activity continued for several nights.

The man approached a Witch-Master, who told him to mark the cave where the witch was taking him so he could kill the witch with a silver bullet and the two of them could take the loot. So the following night, when the witch had bridled and ridden him to the same cave they'd been visiting, he "jest drapped as many drappin's as [he] could, an' started in for t'chaw me a good big blaze on th' white-oak saplin', like [the Witch-Master] told me..."

He ends the story by saying he awoke in the morning to find he'd shat the bed and "dang near bit th' ol' woman's laig off!"

While a humorous take on the matter, the recorder of this tale notes that her aunt took her aside afterward and assured her the man telling it believed in witches and witchcraft "deep down in his heart," but would never admit it to any but his closest friends.

In all of these tales, the witch strikes when the victim is nearly asleep - drifting into that gray state where one starts dreaming but is still technically awake. The dreams one experiences are generally tied to stimuli in the immediate area. This period is notable in all folklore, as well as Occult practices, lucid dreaming, and psychology. This is the state in which "sleep paralysis" occurs - a phenomenon which was tied to witchcraft and called "riding." It was so prevalent a belief that Henri Fuseli even painted a famous piece based on the concept. This gray state is the "in-between" area amidst full consciousness and sleep; all "in-between" areas - passages, doorways, etc. - are said to hold great power, as they are literally portals between our world and that of the Unseen.

With this tale, you can see how this legend was built upon as it traveled across cultures.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Florida Sees String of Sandwich Assaults

Today marks the third time this month a man has been arrested in Florida for "assaulting" his girlfriend with a sandwich. 20-year old Matthew Rubin threw a sandwich at his girlfriend before striking her on the head with his fist and running away. Police caught-up to him and he was arrested, but the interesting thing is that Florida authorities have arrested two other men in the past week for similar sandwich assaults.

11 days ago, another man was arrested for smashing a cheeseburger in his girlfriend's face after she threw his drink out of the car. In this case, the girlfriend says he would not let her out of the car and the argument escalated. After the sandwich-smashing, the couple got out of the car, where the man once again put the burger on her face.

Almost exactly a month ago, in November, a Florida man was arrested after he threw a sandwich at his girlfriend, who was driving at the time. The attack nearly caused a wreck and knocked the female's glasses off her face. The nature of the sandwich was not released.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

SAB Miller Opens Plant in Sudan

For 25 years, Sudanese have faced the threat of 40 lashes for drinking a beer. Now, SAB Miller - one of the world's largest brewers, is about to open a brewery there.

25 years ago, Sudan fell under Islamic rule and uprisings led to a two decades-long war. Even now, north and south Sudan are in disputes over oilfields and both are preparing for war. Tensions run high in the region, but the new SAB Miller brewery, in which the company has invested some £25 million, is as much a statement of independence as anything else.

Previously, restauranteurs had to bicycle miles to bring back as much alcohol as they could carry, with the Sudanese having gained a semi-autonomous state from the Islamic rule of the Khartoum in 2005. Alcohol remains hard to find in the region, but all that will change when the new brewery opens its doors.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Upcoming

Working on the Dark Conspiracy material, I really ought to be focused on UFOs and the like, however I came across a couple books at the library the other day and had to have them. Unlike most of the books I check out of the library, I'm actually reading these, and am going to blog about them as I go.

In particular, the material I have chosen is on witches, ghosts, and faerie folk, so those are the topics to look forward to immediately. I will continue to bring you the regular odd news items that interest me, as well, but we've gotten pretty far off-topic lately, so this is a good change.

Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy bringing it to you!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Santa Lives

For three years running now, the Galilee United Methodist Church in Sterling, VA, has been visited by Santa.  This year was the biggest yet, with the Rev. Wayne Snead finding hundreds of presents on the church's grounds when he arrived Sunday morning.

No one knows who has been leaving the Christmas gifts for the last three years.

Merry Christmas!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Slip-Skin

Shapeshifting has often been related to witchcraft. According to the basic, European legends surrounding witches, a witch often performed a summonings ceremony to call forth a familiar. According to the culture and region, the witch was either able to see through the familiar's eyes and access its other senses in various fashions, or literally shapeshift into its form. But American folklore brings its own twist to this belief: that of the slip-skin.

According to much folklore, American witches are able to "slip-skin" - that is, remove their skin to reveal an animal beneath, thought to be their "true form." Most witches did this at night - some even used spinning wheels to accomplish the task - largely so they could go about, causing mischief.

As witches were killed with silver and this was young America, silver bullets were the usual manner of dispatch in these tales. In several, a strange creature, or domesticated animal acting strangely, is shot but survives. Shortly thereafter, a woman bearing the animal's same wound(s) comes to light.

The slip-skin belief seems to be isolated to America; European folklore leans more heavily toward witches' associations with their familiars. It may have its roots in American Indian beliefs in shapeshifters, which also used the slip-skin method to change form. Shapeshifters were prevalent in American Indians' beliefs.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Portland Waves its Freak Flag High

While one man sinks 20'+ needles in various locations of Portland, OR - places where he feels the city's chi is located - to give the city "acupuncture," others spend their days at the Velveteria museum (dedicated to black velvet paintings), and some participate in the annual 5K Bare Buns Run in Forest Park. Portland, OR is, undeniably, an odd town.

But this Chicago Sun-Times article details just how odd.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Cannibals in American Folklore

According to folklorist, B. A. Botkin, there existed a strain of American folklore in the "Wild West" days concerning braggarts who purported to be cannibals.

The American "Wild West" refers largely to the entire 19^th-Century, but more specifically (and usually) to the latter half of the century, after the Civil War and before the turn of the Century. As America was settled in the East, the West was indisputably "wild" by comparison, and true cowboys and Indians often fought it out across the plains as European descendants expanded westward.

From this era come many legends of violent, debauched men - many of whom were vilified in their day, but have since become heroes of a type. And according to B. A. Botkin, there was a second group of "pseudo-bad" men who boasted of deeds and behavior similar to such legendary men as Wild Bill Hickock, Jesse James, and the like. However, this group of braggarts laid claim to a practice which made them stand apart: "man-eatin'."

Apparently, this claim's origins can be traced back (somewhat) to "savage remarks" such as "I eat men for breakfast" and the stories carry much the same structure, regardless of whom told them:

I live in ____, Texas... whar the human man-eaters come from, and I'm one on 'em. Every person they don't take no fancy to is drug out and scalped alive. My hum range is so plumb full of murder and sin that [H]ell won't be no treat to me.

While the Wild West certainly forced many a man to do things most of us would consider inhuman, and others did these things out of sheer desire or "meanness," Botkin considers these tales to be exactly that and asserts those who told them were invariably drunk at the time.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Man Shoots Boss at Office Christmas Party

Eric Allen Kirkpatrick, recently laid-off, returned to his former place of employment and opened fire during a Christmas party, killing his former boss. While reports suggest Kirkpatrick fired several shots into a crowd of at least 20 people, no one else was injured.

Kirkpatrick was laid-off on December 11^th. Many Americans are losing their jobs, as prices continue to rise and employment continues to decline. While politicians insist America is not in a financial recession, statistics dispute their statements. While Kirkpatrick was charged with first-degree (premeditated) murder, his situation suggests an altered state of mind, so I expect the defense to go with an insanity plea.

Police surrounded the building, locked down the neighborhood, and ushered others to safety. They negotiated with the shooter for two hours before taking him into custody.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Woman Returns $97,000 She Found in Bathroom

A Murfreesboro, TN woman claims to have found $97,000 in cash in a Cracker Barrel bathroom and returned it. Among the bills were a stack of $1000 bills.

75-year old Billie Watts says she found the money in the restroom and it contained nearly $100k in cash, as well as some pictures. She contacted the restaurant about their "Lost & Found" and left her number. Minutes later, a woman Watts describes as "elderly" returned her phonecall and identified pictures in the bag. The unidentified woman told her the money was from the recent sale of her home and belongings and she was relocating to Florida to "start a new life" with her son.

Police have no record of the incident and Cracker Barrel employees say they never saw the money nor the elderly woman to whom it was purportedly returned. $1000 bills have not been printed since 1945.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Patagonian Tribe's Last Stand

The Chilean Indian tribe, the Patagonia, is years away from being extinct. While the Patagonia tribe once thrived in the remote Patagonia region of South America, there are only an estimated 12 - 20, full-blooded tribe members left. "It ends with our generation," a member of the Kawesqar tribe said.

As with many remote tribes similar to this one, respiratory illness contracted from contact with Europeans has wiped them out. The first outbreak occurred in the 1800s, with another in the 1940s. The youngest full-blooded members of the Kawesqar tribe are in their 40s and one of them already married outside the tribe. A leading authority estimates around 200 descendants of mixed Kawesqarian heritage. Soon, not only will their culture disappear, but their language as well.

However, some descendants have willingly relocated, noting the isolation, silence, and lack of modern necessities, such as education and medical treatment.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Parowan Prophesies Nuclear End

A Parowan, Utah man who claims to be a prophet says to prepare for a Soviet nuclear strike sometime before Christmas. Leeland Freeborn crashed a plane in 1975 and fell into a coma, during which time he claims to have "broken through to the other side" and gained the power of prophecy. He split with the Mormon Church and forewent his worldly riches. Now he spends his days preaching to his flock.

All of Freeborn's flock are former members of the Church of Latter Day Saints who have excommunicated themselves over disagreements with the Church's stand on various issues, including polygamy. They congregate at his house and believe him to be what he claims.

While Leland Freeborn, called the Parowan Prophet, has been shunned by many in his community and openly mocked on radio talk shows and other forums, he said he "truly believes" what he is preaching. And though he has offered similar Zero Hour predictions in the past, he and his flock are convinced these are the End-Times.

But the Parowan Prophet freely admits, 'Prophecy is not an exact science.'

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Malaysian Imprisoned by Supernatural Force

A Malaysian man claims a "supernatural figure" held him captive for three days without food or water in a haunted house he was trying to rob.

A police spokesperson told reporters homeowners found the man in their house when they returned from vacation. He was dehydrated and emotionally exhausted. They called an ambulance, which took the would-be robber away. He told them every time he tried to leave a "supernatural figure" shoved him to the ground.

Police declined further comment.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Britain Uses Biological Agents to Commit Genocide in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's information minister, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, told reporters the recent Cholera outbreak in his country was due to Britain's use of "a serious biological-chemical weapon; a genocidal onslaught on the people of Zimbabwe by the British [who are] still fighting to recolonize Zimbabwe." He pleaded for help from "all peace-loving nations."

Spokespeople for the opposing political faction in the region called Ndlovu's comments "politicking." Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), who may one day serve as (co-) Prime Minister, said, "either Mr Mugabe is mischievous or genuinely out of touch with reality."

The current president, Robert Mugabe, told reporters Friday the Cholera epidemic was under control, but experts disagree, noting new cases are still being reported. The unprecedented regional outbreak is due to sewage and water lines which have broken down and contaminated the water supply. Britain's foreign minister dismissed Mugabe's claims and blamed him for "death and destruction on a grand scale."

Mugabe's spokesperson said the president's claim that the outbreak was under control was sarcastic and Western news agencies had distorted his speech.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Wash Your Windows, Go to Jail

Police were surprised to discover windows-washing fluid fumes can apparently register on a Breathalyzer.

Monika Mårtensson had just cleaned her windshield when police pulled her over. She told them she had not drunk alcohol in over five years, but they are required to give her a field Breathalyzer test, which she failed. Both police and Ms. Mårtensson were shocked, so the cops let her breathe fresh air for five minutes and retake the test, which she then passed. While Mårtensson was embarrassed by the stop, she was allowed to go about her way.

A policeman told reporters, "I know that mouthwash has been found to register on the meter. There could well be [similar factors which indicate false positives]." The legal driving limit is only .02 in Sweden, compared to 0.05 across most of the rest of Europe and generally .08 in America, just in case you were thinking of using this as an excuse.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

A Day Off

One of the great things about working for one's self is being able to take a day off whenever you feel like it. It doesn't always work that way, but when it does, it's pretty friggin' sweet. Well, yesterday was one of them days. I still had to do a little work and wound-up on the computer for the better part of the day anyway (doing other stuff), but I really needed some time to just relax and not have to think.

Anyway, the whole "no more posting on the weekends" hasn't worked since I decided to do it, so why bother? I give. Still, as a rule of thumb, expect fewer posts on the weekends. Everyone needs some time off now and then and even on days I say I'm not working, I usually end up posting something. Still, I have non-Web-related things I have to handle and I need time to do them.

I am still working on these damned tags. It's daunting because there are so many and it's such repetitive work, but it's coming together. I am also going to be changing some of the design elements around, probably over the weekend, and it usually takes a few days for that to settle. You shouldn't have any problems accessing the blog, just letting you know in case things look a little funky when you do.

The Weirding is nothing if not a collection of my interests, and I've found throughout the years that, like me, people who are interested in one of The Weirding's topics usually have at least a passing interest in the others, so don't forget to check out the entire site, which you can access from the titlebar (top right) anywhere on the site and related blogs. A lot of the stuff I cover here serves as background and/or inspiration for RPG (role-playing) content and many posts force me to choose where I publish them, so something that might otherwise have been posted here gets hung in one of the other departments simply because it fits better there; take a surf around - who knows what you'll find?

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Rednecks Told to Take it Indoors

An Albany, GA measure was passed which makes it unlawful for residents to place indoor furniture outdoors - specifically, on their porches. A spokesperson said having couches on the porch shows a "lack of pride," while another noted it may take some time to achieve compliance.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Firemen Attempt to Rescue Plastic Owl

After being alerted that an owl perched on a telephone pole had not moved in days, fire crews and RSPCA workers arrived on the scene. They shouted at the bird for nearly a ¹/₂-hour without response and finally climbed the pole. To discover the owl was actually a plastic replica placed there by the telephone company!

The plastic owl is used to deter woodpeckers and other birds from perching on the poles. Obviously, better communications between departments is needed, but since this story is getting major online media attention, I have a feeling the mistake will not be repeated too often.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

More Americans Believe in Angels, Hell than Evolution

According to a new Harris Poll of over 2000 adult Americans, more believe in Hell and angels than in the theory of Evolution. While some 80% say they believe in God (no change since 2005), well over 70% said they also believe in the existence of Hell and angels. Only 47% believe in Darwin's theory of Evolution - though that is slightly higher than those who believe in Creationism (40%). Interestingly, Catholics are more likely to believe in Creationism than Protestants.

The new nationwide poll brings to light several interesting results, including the fact that 44% believe in ghosts and 36% in UFOs. You can find the actual data on Harris' site.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Santa Claws

A New Jersey woman brought in her pet bobcat for pictures with Santa... but the bobcat apparently did not enjoy the sitting.

Jonathan Bebbington, the in-store Santa, tried to calm the pet, who continued biting and scratching him.  The woman said she'd had the animal shipped-in from Wyoming for $1500 and kept it on a leash in her yard.  She did not leave her name or residence.  Authorities are looking for her.  Bebbington is undergoing rabies injections.

Bebbington noted he has sat with many exotic pets over the years, but even he was concerned when he saw the bobcat.  While not full-grown, bobcats can be deadly -- quickly.  They are incredibly rare in the wild and not much is known about them.  

I gave my eyewitness account of an encounter with one several years past on the old OddBlog and will rewrite it one day for you.  Needless to say, it is the only one I ever saw and no one else I know has ever seen one in the wild.  This is not your typical bob-tailed cat, which is usually from domesticated stock, and rarely larger than your ordinary housecat; bobcats can grow to weigh as much as 50-80 pounds!

Jonathan Bebbington has been the in-store Santa Clause for Petsmart for years.  Customers can bring their pets in for a picture on his lap at $9.95 a pop.  Part of the proceeds go to various animal charities.  The promotion is called "Santa Paws."

Bobcats do not make good pets.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Sasquatch: Pimp-Killer

"Rather than, ‘Did you see the movie with the Bigfoot in the woods,’ I want to hear, ‘Did you see the movie where the Bigfoot crushed that pimp’s head?’" says Sasquatch Assault director, Andrew Gernhard. The low-budget horror movie features everyone's favorite cryptid invading an urban area to fight police, the aforementioned pimps, and even "a super-sexy chick with switchblades."

While Sasquatch Assault holds absolutely no scientific merit, and probably less redeeming social value, I thought some of you might enjoy this. The movie is from Synthetic Cinema International, who also made a flick entitled Banshee!!!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

13-Yr. Old Sex Offender

Overzealous Wisconsin prosecutors are seeking to press charges against a (now) 14-year old boy for sexual assault after he grabbed a female schoolmate's behind when he was 13. The boy's name is being withheld because he is a minor, but apparently that does not preclude his being labeled a registered sex offender. Further, the "victims" in this case have appeared in court to say they do not want the defendant charged!

Earlier today, we brought you the equally bizarre story of an 8-year old guitar prodigy who is able to drink in Wisconsin bars as long as a parent is present and consents, but is not allowed to perform in one. I think it's safe to assume Wisconsin is not a state in which one wants to live.

And while we also recently discussed the sociological and philosophical ramifications of this sort of police state mentality, there is something else at-play here: prosecutorial misconduct.

One cannot convince me that anyone who manages to pass the BAR exam cannot tell the difference between a lit match and a bonfire. You simply cannot enact and enforce blanket laws which apply to every case, regardless of the circumstance or situation.

Wake up, America! Every District Attorney in this nation needs to be taken down a notch or 200.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

I Think I like You - WHAT!?

A young Chinese woman went to a hospital in the Guangdong province with a hearing problem. It turns out the 20-year old from Zhuhai was completely deaf in her left ear. The cause? Her boyfriend kissed her too hard!

According to her doctor, "The kiss reduced pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear." He urged kissers to "proceed with caution."

The OddBlog notes the young man is either very good at kissing or exceptionally bad. Since the paper which reported this story called the kiss "excessively passionate," we also surmise the girl is either extraordinarily beautiful or, again, this guy is a serious case.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Vanilla Fungus

A deadly and incurable fungus outbreak has hit Madagascar, the world's main vanilla-producing region. The farmers have had to "radically change" farming methods to combat the outbreak, which has infected some 80% of their crop in two of their major stations.

As most of Madagascar's vanilla is exported to the United States, look for already high prices to increase.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

The Buzz on HIV Drugs in Africa

People in South Africa are crushing their HIV medication and smoking it to get high.  The practice has been found in those to whom the drugs are prescribed, as well as others.  Both patients and healthcare providers have been caught selling the drugs for these purposes and patients are complaining that the lines are now too long, and they are not receiving their medicines.  Many have been robbed after collecting their prescriptions.

According to new reports, the drugs are crushed and sometimes mixed with painkillers and/or marijuana to be smoked.  The practice is most widespread amongst the youth -- specifically teenagers and adolescent adults.  Consumed in this fashion, the anti-retroviral drugs are said to be mildly euphoric and hallucinogenic.

Patients abusing the drugs risk building-up an immunity to them, as well as others in that medicine's class, opening themselves up to greater risks of developing full-blown AIDS.  Those who do not have HIV are exposing themselves to the side-effects of the drug.  Anti-retrovirals are only effective in combination.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Bullies Force Family to Flee After Killing Son

A group of thugs has forced a family to move after driving their son to suicide through bullying.

Alex Wildman, 14-years old, was driven to suicide by a group of bullies who pestered him at school and at home.  Following his death, they began targeting the family.  The police suggested the family move.  Forced to live with relatives, neither parent has been able to work and Alex' siblings have been unable to attend school.

The family is sharing a three-bedroom home with relatives; there are 11 people in the undisclosed location.  Police confirmed reports had been made, but no arrests.  It is unclear if anyone is being investigated for any crime.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

A Heartless Society

It is not a new thing. I have voiced my opinions on the matter many times here and elsewhere. But this article from Times Online goes into quite a bit of detail as to just how far our litigious society has gone and what it has cost us. This is why I often post stories which reflect poorly on law enforcement and legal authority (though far from the only reason!).

The truth is that ours is a prison-based society where we are constantly reminded of the potential punishments we face should we choose to do wrong and no rewards are offered for doing right. This oppressive environment has a damning, and self-perpetuating, effect. Like all oppression, it leads to a breakdown in reasoning and an outlash of emotion - in short, rebellion. This is, in large part, the psychology behind recidivism.

If one feels there is nothing to gain from doing the right thing and - worse yet - is likely to be punished regardless, fear, frustration, and anger take hold. This heightened emotional state becomes so common that one builds-up a tolerance to it, becoming perpetually "on-edge." It becomes harder to make rational decisions and, eventually, one gives-in and consciously decides to do wrong, specifically as an act of rebellion.

In an age of road rage and "reality TV," xenophobia has become the common the norm - yet it is a heightened emotional state; we are living in a state of fear and anxiety, which promotes irrational thought. As some crimes are committed in "the heat of the moment" and are sometimes defensible in like manner, the bar is being pushed ever higher: formerly, someone suffering xenophobic thought processes might be argued to be insane (even temporarily); as this has become the prevalent mindset of society - as the individual's tolerance is expected to have been built-up as a matter of society's acceptance of it - we are being expected to "take responsibility" for irrational decisions we admittedly cannot defend - decisions we never would have made, had we not been in a constant state of near-panic to begin with!

More and more, we hear people saying, "I don't know what happened; I don't know why I did it; I just couldn't take it anymore; I just snapped." In fact, there is a show on American cable with that very title! And it deals specifically with female criminals, who comprise about 7% of all murderers... which is up somewhat from previous eras.

Maybe I'm just supposing on a hypothesis here, but more and more, the effects of this heightened state of agitation, as a sociological mindset norm, are being seen... and ours is a poorer society because of it.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Weather Patterns Cloud Ufology Issue

I came across this great collection of lenticular clouds over Mt. Rainier the other day and wanted to direct you to it - especially you budding amateur ufologists.

Many times, lenticular clouds are given as "explanations" for pictures and eyewitness sightings of "flying saucer"-shaped UFOs. To be fair, lenticular clouds likely do account for some UFO sightings, but we all know this is just another in a long, long list of lame "explanations" proffered by hardline skeptics and flatearthers - it's right after "Venus" and just before "flock of geese."

As this series of stills clearly illustrates, some particularly sharp formations could easily be misconstrued by some, but many lenticular cloud formations are readily-identifiable as clouds.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Sea Denies Woman Marriage Proposal

A young couple were walking on Nesokwin Beach in Oregon at a spot which got its name from couples ready to marry. As the man went to propose, a 3' wave came crashing in. When it had receded, the woman had disappeared.

The 4', 11" woman was about 30' from the shore when next spotted. The would-be fiance stripped his extra weight to try and rescue her, but when he looked up again, she was gone.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Texas Hates the Mentally Ill

Not only does Texas routinely murder the mentally ill and incompetent, it has come to light that of those it allows to live, many are routinely beaten, neglected, and sexually abused. For the third time in as many years, criticisms of Texas' handling of the mentally ill have reached the Justice Department, which found the state in violation of mentally ill patients' Constitutional rights.

Investigators discovered that last year alone, dozens of mentally ill patients died from avoidable conditions. Countless others suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of orderlies and administrators. "In Texas, it's like a time warp," said one advocate.

Texas remains stubbornly attached to the idea of large, impersonal, and poorly-maintained group homes for the mentally ill, which it calls "state schools." The 13 "state schools" in Texas house about 5000 patients each - more than six times the national average, and has almost twice the number of housed patients per capita.

According to the AP, government entities are "all but immune" to lawsuits. Only lawmakers can close the "state schools" where the mentally ill are warehoused and viciously abused on a regular basis by drug-addled employees. They are reticent to do so because the "schools" employ so many people.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Man Bleeds to Death From Picking Nose

When his landlord found his body, he thought Ian Bothwell had fallen from his bed and suffered a blow to the head, but he could tell he was dead. However, a coroner concluded that Mr. Bothwell had actually "...he died from a nose-bleed, consistent with picking his nose."

Bothwell, 63, suffered a brain hemorrhage at age 20. Unable to work, he slid into alcoholism. He suffered dementia brought on by alcoholism and it is unlikely he realized his bad habit was killing him.

The clinical term for a nosebleed is epistaxis and the most common cause is picking one's nose.

So remember kids: don't drink and pick your nose.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Obese Dog Freezes to Sidewalk

Jiffy is a 120-lb., 11- or 12-year old collie mix whose owner could not get him in the house the other night. Jiffy stayed outside and became frozen to the sidewalk! While most animals would not have survived the single-digit temperatures of Sheboygan, WI, experts say Jiffy's fat probably saved him.

Jiffy's owner was arrested on suspicion of animal neglect. Shelter workers poured warm water over the dog's rear-end to get him unstuck. It is too soon to know whether or not he will suffer any long-term effects from his frozen butthole.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Ghost Adventures Live Chat Tonight!

Don't forget to join us here to The OddBlog tonight after the show for the Ghost Adventures Live Chat event. It will be embedded here, so you can access it right from The OddBlog.

Tonight, Zack and crew investigate the Old Idaho Penitentiary. You can see a preview of tonight's episode here. After that, they will be joining us online for a live chat, which you can access right here (post coming later)!

Be sure to watch tonight's Ghost Adventures as they investigate the Old Idaho Penitentiary, then join us at The OddBlog to chat with Zack and the rest of the guys.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Prescription Firearms

I think I need a "ridiculous" tag. A small arms manufacturer has produced a gun specifically designed for the elderly and disabled -- a gun they may be able to get by prescription!

The Palm Pistol is the world's first ergonomic firearm. Instead of a trigger, it is designed to fit in the palm and is fired by pressing a button on the top with your thumb. "Point and shoot couldn't be easier," the New Jersey-based gun manufacturer says. Even stupider, the Palm Pistol has been certified a Class I Medical Device by the FDA.

Now, think about that: 

The FDA routinely denies new medical advancements based on "moral" / religious grounds, as well as all other manner of asinine reasonings (almost always tied to money received from lobbyists), but they have classified a gun for the elderly and disabled a Class I Medical Device!

While the manufacturer is taking $25 deposits from interested parties, the gun is not yet available for sale. If they are successful in having it classified as "durable medical equipment," it will be covered by most insurance companies.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Karaoke Kill-a-Long

A Malaysian man was stabbed to death for hogging the mic at a karaoke bar the other night.  Apparently, the 23-year old man refused to stop singing and give the microphone to other bar patrons.  A fight ensued, which soon spilled into the street.  At some point outside, the punches turned into a stabbing and the man's body was found a short ways from the bar.

Two men are in custody.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Doctors to Attempt Surgery on Indian Girl with External Heart

An Indian girl was born with her heart and liver on the outside of her body. While doctors are uncertain that they can do anything to help her, they are attempting surgery. Last year, doctors performed a 27-hour surgery on an Indian girl who had been born with six extra limbs and a parasitic twin. The surgery was successful and the girl is doing fine now.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

7-Year Old Stick-Up Artist

On November 26^th, a 7-year old boy held a knife up to a 6-year old classmate and demanded $1.00 - that's right: the 7-year old mugged the 6-year old at knifepoint, in school, for $1.00.

The robbery happened at Pines Lakes Elementary in Pembroke Pines, FL. The younger boy's nose began bleeding after the encounter, which is being classified as an armed robbery. The 7-year old has been suspended for 10 days, pending an investigation, and is likely to be expelled to an alternate school for children with discipline problems.

On November 12^th, a 15-year old girl who attends an area highschool fatally shot her 15-year old friend.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Woman Wakes from 10-Year Coma When Husband Nibbles Her Toes

Lu Fengshuang fell into a coma after suffering a head injury. For 10 years, her husband tried everything to wake her to no avail. Zhang Kui dutifully remained at his wife's side, playing her music, speaking to her, even tickling her, but she remained comatose. "I then recalled someone saying that the feet are the home for many nerves. I wondered if I could wake her up by biting her feet," he told Chinese press.

Kui bit his wife's toes everyday for the last 10 years. The other day, as he was performing this task, his wife squeezed his hand.

While Lu Fengshuang has awakened from her decade-long coma and can smile, she cannot speak. Doctors are hoping to change that with rehabilitative procedures.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Witchdoctor Claims to Have Killed 110 Children

A Nigerian witchdoctor was arrested after he told a documentary film crew he had killed 110 possessed children.

Bishop Sunday Ulup-Aya was arrested on the Atlantic coast, along with six other suspects, after he claimed he had killed 110 children he believed were possessed by evil spirits. He told this to a TV documentary crew. Nigeria is well-known for its superstitious population and savage witchdoctor trade. The OddBlog has been covering such crimes in and around the region since its inception.

Upon his arrest, police found two children being held for "deliverance," as well as fetish items. No corpses were found. Many children end up being trafficked once separated from their families for "religious" reasons. Others are killed.

"I am not denying that I am a witchdoctor, but what I killed are witches in my patients with herbs, not children," Ulup-Aya told police.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Echoes of Ancient Supernova

In the year 1572, a new heavenly body appeared in the sky, shattering astronomers' (astrologers', actually) notions of the universe. The star appeared in the constellation Cassiopeia and was even visible during the day. Danish skygazer, Tycho Brahe, recorded the event in his book, Stella Nova. Its appearance challenged the idea that stars were unchangeable - a notion which was forwarded by Aristotle and his acolytes and dominated Western thought. Now scientists have uncovered "fossil evidence" of the supernova Brahe first observed and recorded.

Using telescopes in Hawaii and Spain, scientists picked up echoes from the supernova reflected by interstellar dust. The debris has expanded over the years into a cloud of dust approximately 20 light years in diameter. Brahe recorded the first light wave to pass Earth, but even today, light waves from the explosion reach us. These "echoes" create what are essentially fossil imprints which allow researchers to reconstruct the original explosion.

The BBC has more information on this discovery, along with video.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Ghost Adventures Preview: Old Idaho Penitentiary

This Friday, the Ghost Adventures crew is investigating the Old Idaho Penitentiary. As always, The OddBlog has a preview of this week's upcoming show. Ghost Adventures airs on the Travel Channel this Friday, December 5^th, at 8:00pm, CST.

Following this week's show will be a live chat event with Zack and the gang. Like last time, the chat will be embedded here. Make sure to join us, here at The OddBlog, this Friday following the show for the Ghost Adventures live chat event!



© C Harris Lynn, 2008