Frame 352: On Texas Cryptid Hunter: "21 Degrees Between Bigfoot and You"

Frame 352: On Texas Cryptid Hunter: "21 Degrees Between Bigfoot and You"

" Don't Tell Anyone About your Arsenal/Preperations" via piglipstick

My comments inspired by a link on the piglipstick blog about medical personnel asking patients if they own guns or not. Slightly sticky topic: who likes guns? Well, a lot of people, obviously. I don't, not very much. And the whole gun culture -- no thanks. But as I comment at my blog Octopus Confessional, there have been times when I've considered owning a gun, and I will make sure I own one, and know how to use it correctly, when I move to the country. That aside, this article isn't a question of the right or wrongness of owning guns, but the our personal freedoms and an ever increasing fascist government. I may have mixed feelings about guns, but I am very clear on the individuals' right to own, or not own, one, and it's no one's business if they do or not. Octopus Confessional: piglipstick: Don't Tell Anyone About your Arsenal/Preparations

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Octopus Confessional: The Latest Grinding Down

Octopus Confessional: The Latest Grinding Down

We've come to take it as a matter of course that any potential job hire requires a drug test. No matter the type of job; you will be drug tested. Most of the time reasons for rejection of the employee, based on the drug test results, are not given. Too bad if your medications or diet influence the test results. The insurance companies have sold the rest of us the lie, long ago, that drug testing is good for society. For both consumers and worker bees. A huge load of crap of course but, along with the tragic and failed War on Drugs, the two -- big biz and the anti-drug campaigns -- we've come to accept that drug testing is just part of the process.

  Rest at Octopus Confessional.

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"Paranoia runs deep . . . " not that there's anything wrong with that.

Octopus Confessional: Pa. church conducts mock kidnapping on youth group - ABC27 WHTM

Another fake attack on students:Octopus Confessional: Pa. church conducts mock kidnapping on youth group - ABC27 WHTM

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Skeptiko – Science at the Tipping Point 165. Dr. Caroline Watt Defends, There is Nothing Paranormal About Near-Death Experiences

Alex Tsakiris interviews Dr. Caroline Watt on her research - which is weak and lacking, it appears, and is Tsakiris' point -- into NDEs:Skeptiko – Science at the Tipping Point: Blog Archive 165. Dr. Caroline Watt Defends, There is Nothing Paranormal About Near-Death Experiences

Audio and print versions on the site.

I must say, Dr. Watt comes off as obtuse, playing the "I'm a real skeptic" game while of course, defending the skeptoid anti-paranormal realm with all her might. Host Tsakiris doesn't let that stop him however.

Alcatraz Stories

My new Trickster's Realm column is now up at Binnall of America:Alcatraz Stories

Fox's Alcatraz, is one of the new shows I find myself enjoying. Mainly because it's about Alcatraz; the conspiracy/mystery part is a bonus. (A Trickster moment: the lead role is played by Sam Neill; on The Dead Files last Friday, the psychic did an investigation of Alcatraz, and found that one of the prisoners (or was it a guard? I don't recall) was named Sam Neill.)

I've had a fascination with Alcatraz since I was a child. A combination of factors probably contribute to this interest: a love of all things watery, the mystery of the island as prison, growing up in Los Angeles, the 1969 Native American take over (which is rarely if ever mentioned on shows about the island, particulary if it's a program about hauntings. Whether that's out of respect or political, as in propaganda, I'm not sure) and ... the nuns.

New blog: Ecto-Ville

I can't believe I did it, but I have a new blog about ghosts and related ghostly things: Ecto-Ville

I will be the guest for Trice Sheridan's 3/9/12 show A Global Focus, please listen!

Not desperate sounding at all!

But Trice is a class act, I really admire her interviewing style and consider her one of the greats in the UFO radio community. Very honored to be asked to be on her show. If you have never heard it before, it should be an envigorating evening of pointed and articulate questions from the host. The archive will be posted to Joe Montaldo's radio network immediately after it airs.

Octopus Confessional: U.S. Officers Killed in Retaliation for Koran Burn...

Octopus Confessional: U.S. Officers Killed in Retaliation for Koran Burn...: U.S. Officers Killed in Retaliation for Koran Burning Two American officers were shot dead at close range in Afghanistan's Interior Ministr...

From Mystic Politics: 'Why Can't the Mormon Church Stop Baptizing Anne Frank?'

Comments from Mystic Politics on the Mormons once again baptizing Anne Frank. With link:Mystic Politics: Why Can't the Mormon Church Stop Baptizing Anne Frank?

Rense.com: 'Should Henry Makow be permanently banned from the Internet? | Henry Makow Watch'

Wow. I've been ranting for years about "Mad Makow," as I've liked to call him. And now this: Should Henry Makow be permanently banned from the Internet? | Henry Makow Watch I haven't been following this story too closely; I have no idea what exactly it is that went on. From what I gather, Jeff Rense has washed his hands of Makow. When once Rense had, each day, link after link after link to various surreal misogynist homo-phobic anti-Semitic "essays" by Makow (or his "contributors") those links have abruptly ceased. Now Rense has links leading to calls for Makow's Internet demise, as in the above. (See previous post.)

I think Makow is fucking fruit loop loony tunes. Like, crazy, Daddy-O. Even mildly dangerous and certainly highly disturbing. But ya just can't ban people from the internet. Once we go down that road, ... well, you know. And if you don't, well, you're as ignorant as Makow and his supporters.

Ah, conspiracy alarmist internet drama!

Paul Drockton M.A. Who "Turned" Henry Makow?

Not that I much care; they're all nuts as far as I'm concerned, but here's more on the saga of Henry Makow, and by extension, Rense:Paul Drockton M.A. Who "Turned" Henry Makow?

ANONYMOUS for Responsible Internet Journalism: Using Our Internet Platforms To Defame (by Libel or Slander) Is Character Assassination

When I saw this, I thought, finally, someone who is fed up with Rense and most particularly, Henry Makow's insane misogynist, racist, anti-Semitic rantings. Not so, sigh: ANONYMOUS for Responsible Internet Journalism: Using Our Internet Platforms To Defame (by Libel or Slander) Is Character Assassination

Modern Book Burning: Banning Natural Medicine in Educational Institutions | Gaia Health

Modern Book Burning: Banning Natural Medicine in Educational Institutions | Gaia Health

(And some say athesism/skepticism isn't a religion...)

An Australian group of doctors and modern medical researchers call themselves Friends of Science in Medicine. They have set themselves up as the arbiters of what may or may not be taught, and what modes of treatment insurance companies may cover. To this end, they are calling for the end of alternative medicine training in universities.

Their attacks include any and all alternatives: traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic, naturopathic, and aromatherapy. What all of these therapies have in common is that they’re a threat to the chosen modality of the FOSM: often deadly conventional medicine based on Big Pharma’s toxic drugs and invasive treatments.

If they were truly confident in their field, it’s hard to believe that they’d have the slightest concern about the teaching of alternatives. Instead, they’re using jackbooted methods in an attempt to destroy the competition.

Article provides link to protest the would-be censors.

Sinister Orbs?

My new Trickster's Realm is now up at Tim Binnall's Binnall of America.

Are orange orbs negative "entities?" Read more here.

UFO-Mary: Philip Coppens: The Atheist Religion

UFO-Mary: Philip Coppens: The Atheist Religion

Alfred Lehmberg on Abductions: UFO Magazine Blog - ...The "You" You'd�Recuse...

Another great piece by Alfred Lehmberg: UFO Magazine - UFO Magazine Blog - ...The "You" You'd Recuse...

Think what you want, friend, regarding *Abduction*. A nest full of liars, mistaken, or cursed? Consider them making a play for your dollar, not worthy your notice—revolting, or worse?
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Then make them a scapegoat? Make them your clowns! Make them embarrassed? Make them suffer your frowns!
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Use them, abuse them—assign "yellow stars"! Mock them as bar-flies from Venus or Mars! Do what you will to stay 'comfy' and 'safe.' Lie to yourself! Pretend it's you, brave!

I don't know if Alfred has considered this, but I think it'd be great if he put together, thematically for example, his work as a collection. E-book or what have you.

There is no investigation! You've maintained that it's unneeded! No one's even *looking*! "Looks" entreat and beg, beleaguered! No one has the *courage* 'cause they know it's unrewarding. Ford knows *that* kind of courage is discouraged—MAIMED, and thwarting!

Witchy

Lesley often posts a "Blog Quiz of the Day" at her blog The Debris Field. She received this one; I took the quiz too and, as often happens when I take Lesely's quizzes, got the same result. Great minds!

You Are 65% Witch

You've got some pretty witchy stuff going on. Even if you're not a witch, you've got to admit that you're a little freaky. You have a strong independent streak - social norms be damned. More power to you. Luckily, the time when you would have been burned at the stake has passed!

Are You a Witch?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

       

Animal Forteana: The Grey

I really dislike rants about books or film where the ranter hasn't read the book or seen the film. But I'm breaking my own rule. Furthermore, I love Liam Neeson. Love him, and I've forgiven him for getting that glazed, empty-eyed plastic surgery job that he got a few years ago. In spite of that awful eye job, he's still dreamy. However, it's impossible to forgive him for starring in a movie like The Grey, which is -- I assume, based on the previews -- basically, Moby Dick. Only on land, and with a wolf and not a whale. No, I haven't seen the movie, and I probably won't, unless it's late and it comes on cable and I think "what the hell..."

The rest at my blog Animal Forteana: Animal Forteana: The Grey

Skeptics on Strieber: Magonia Blog

Expected review of Strieber; comments left, including one by Strieber himself who remarks that if riches were to be had from exploring and sharing one's anomalous experiences, he wouldn't have had to declare bankruptcy or lose his home, etc.

I have a couple of thoughts on the skeptoid's responses to experiencers of the strange. Those of us who experience a variety of weirdness are somehow fabricators, because of the variety of strangeness. Ghosts and UFOs and entities and telepathy and ....? It's all too much. Therefore, it's all crap. It doesn't seem to occur to them that there might be clues to the enigma in all that seeming variety of experience.

The second thought: that some of these memories, experiences and travels through one's own anomalous journey might be, at times, manipulated by humans. Yep, I do indeed mean sinister forces. It often seems beyond possibility for debunkers to consider that there is an orchestrated manipulation of phenomena by psychotic and sociopathic humans. THE MAGONIA BLOG: THE STRIEBER ENIGMA

Yoga, pt 2

OK, so more about yoga.  I went to my first official yoga class the other night and it was possibly even more amazing that my private consultation.  The form of yoga I am taking is rather new (mixed with old, of course), it is Dahn Yoga.  A mixture of yoga, tai chi and meditation.

I hope to some day meet the creator of this form of yoga, Ilchi Lee.

Not because he is necessarily a genius, but because he has managed to merge common sense, intuitive methods that most people may in some way instinctively know but shrug off as being woo-woo.  I include myself in that.  In a certain way that is genius.

Aside from the yoga and tai chi, this is the first time ever that someone has explained mediation to me in a way that makes sense. Previously I avoided anything to do with meditation because I did not feel that I could do it.  Last night at class, I literally was worried that I had to keep a grip to prevent having an OBE, which I would rather do in the privacy of my own home.  Perhaps some day I will be more open about that.

Oh, and my instructor, Jo, she is just awesome!  Someone you would hope to be teaching you and not someone you are just stuck with.

Most of all - The pain in my neck and back are totally gone.  I am going to guess that a lot of that was stress, but also that we can heal ourselves if we are trying.

Recent article about me in The Examiner (Thanks to Jeffery Pritchett!)

Examiner article on Anya Briggs

I Come From Circus Folk: Novel: Tom Mix Died For Your Sins

I Come From Circus Folk: Novel: Tom Mix Died For Your Sins

There is always more to learn

Some days it just hits me that there is so much still to learn that I want to learn about.  That is how today was.

I had a consultation at a Body & Brain Holistic Yoga center near my house.

I once attended what was supposedly a yoga class, but it was more of an exercise class.  Well, and last summer I did some yoga at home using DVD instructors or books - that was also more like exercise.  Never felt I was doing it right either.  For some reason as I searched the internet at 4 in the morning last weekend this particular yoga center stuck out for me and not really just because it is fairly near my house.  I can't really explain why and maybe that is the esoteric part of this post.  Anyhow, I scheduled an appointment.

I had about an hour private consultation and I am amazed at how much I learned in that short time and how great I felt when I left.

Jo took time to really find out about me and what my problems were and how I was feeling.  That alone was great!

Some just little things, like most women love massages and I really kind of hate them.  I just don't like strangers touching me.  I had assumed that that was because I was some sort of cold bitch! :-)  However, Jo explained to me that it is because I am too sensitive and the energy of others really affects me.  Duh!  Once she said it, it made perfect sense!  It is totally true.  I can normally sense someone's mood or stress, even if they aren't touching me and it does affect me.

Also, I learned some really simple practices for my neck and back pain that helped so much that I can't tell you the last time I felt so relaxed and pain free!

I loved it so much that I am hoping to be able to make it to a class at least twice a week!  Will keep updating on my progress and anything interesting I learn from it.

Paranormal Elements in Jane Eyre

I received a Kindle for Christmas and have been enjoying it very much. I downloaded several books in the public domain; including one of my favorite novels, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. I've read Jane Eyre at a number of times in my life, and still find the novel a wonderful read. But for the first while reading the book I noticed several passages referencing paranormal elements. Fairies, the "green" people, black dog, Jane's feelings of a preternatural nature. So I wondered if there was anything written about this and Googled "paranormal elements in Jane Eyre" and this is the first thing that came up on the Burnt Toast Film blog; a post from 2009: (I don't think the blog is active.): Paranormal Elements in Jane Eyre and the Realm of the Feminine.