Darklore Volume II

I'm shamelessly promoting Darklore Volume II, seeing as how I'm in it. If you're not familar with Darklore, it's a journal of collected articles on the paranormal and esoteric, published and edited by Greg Taylor, who runs the excellent The Daily Grail site. Taylor is also a contributor.

The first volume was fantastic, the second promises to be as well. I just got mine today, and am devouring it; articles by Nick Redfern, Paul Devereux, Mac Tonnies, Jon Downes, Theo Paijmansm Michael Prescott, The Emperor, Philip Coppens, Blair MacKenzie Blake, Michael E. Tymn, Stephen E. Braude Ph.D -- I'm very happy, but astounded, I'm in such fantastic company!

It's a great issue, and no, I'm not just saying that. You can order Darklore Volume II via amazon.com, or the order page at The Daily Grail site.

Sunday Orb

Look for my new Trickster's Realm column up sometime tomorrow on Binnall of America. This week I comment further about Chris Holly's two articles, which The Heave Stuff blog has also commented on. Holly sparked something in some of us!

I comment on a thread between Mothman and Springheel Jack,inspired by Paul Dale Roberts' article: A Look at Springheel Jack and the Interdimensional, on Mothman Flutterings.

Completely redid my promo page: Regan Lee Oregon.

Looking forward to my three week break in two weeks, where I can really get down to working -- and completing -- some writing projects. At least one will be an e-book, available on Lulu.com, a collection of BVM articles I've written previously appearing on-line. Others TBA.

Remember to get an issue of Darklore II if you can! My article is on Mothman, and there are several very excellent pieces in there, including by Nick Redfern, Greg Taylor, and much more. Visit The Daily Grail site or Amazon.com for ordering information.

As always, a lot going on around the internet in the esoteric realm. So many good people with blogs and sites doing their thing; sure, some of it is dippy or what have you but those that focus on just that aspect aren't seeing the good stuff. So have fun, relax, and just be true to yourself. As long as you're telling the truth, you're good. And to those skeptoids and debunkers who insist we're all loons, well, we can't stop them, so let 'em! Me, I kind of like giving it to them now and then -- see my Snarly Skepticism blog -- but really, what can you do? If you're so inclined, let 'em have it, if not, continue to share your experiences and ideas.

It really is all good, much of it anyway, and for those within UFOlogy who should know better, those who blow a lot of hot air and insult others, come up with rules and pontifications of behavior, well, nothing's going to stop them either I guess. Just don't let them intimidate you.

For all those who bravely tell their stories, or put in countless, most often unpaid hours, researching all this Fortean, UFO, high strangeness stuff, thank you!

Nikola Tesla and the Electric Universe

This is a great little video on Tesla.

I've rediscovered Tesla recently, and the above link is one more Tesla related synchronicity I've experienced since I've been delving into Tesla. I have Jim to thank for this; he's been hard at work on a novel that incorporates Tesla. In doing research for the book, he's bought Return of the Dove, by Margaret Storm (a vintage copy, in green ink!) and The Wall of Light: Nikola Tesla & the Venusian Space, by Arthur Hugh Matthews.

George Knapp on Binnall of America

If you haven't listened to Tim Binnall's interview with George Knapp, be sure to do so! It's a great interview; Knapp, as always, is just so direct and level headed and clear, as well as knowledgeable, about UFOs.

Personally, I agree with what he says about disclosure and exo-politics, -- and I also like the way he phrased his opinions. No need to be rude or sneer while disagreeing; like Knapp, I say, if you're sincere go for it, whatever your path.

I also enjoyed hearing Knapp's words about the Skinwalker ranch, and his hints that the UFO phenomena shares a lot more than some want to admit with so many other paranormal, Fortean phenomena.

You can listen to the interview on Binnall of America.

Thanksgiving Prayer

I liked this and want to share. It's from the Dear Abby column in today's paper. For my own spiritual place, I'd exchange "heavenly Father" for something less personified, and less gender specific. But the meaning is clear, and a good one.

Everyone, have a safe and good holiday!

Oh, Heavenly Father,

We thank thee for food and

remember the hungry.

We thank thee for health and

remember the sick.

We thank thee for freedom and

remember the enslaved.

May these remembrances stir

us to service,

That thy gifts to us may be

used for others. Amen.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

X-Zone Cancelled

No new X-Zone tonight; Rob McConnell, the host, has a bad cold, so it's rescheduled for next week. Here's sending fast recovery vibes to Rob!

X-Zone Podcast Appearance

This Wednesday night, November 26, I'll be on Rob McConnell's X-Zone podcast. You can find out more here.

Pointless Blog Thing

Coming from circus folk, including vaudeville, carny and theater folk, I thought this quiz appropriate, lol:

You Are a Haunted House

You are a deeply complicated and sometimes deeply disturbed person. You can't help but be attracted to the dark side of life - even when it's pretty gruesome. In relationships, you are honest and real. So real that it's definitely a little scary. You don't fake it or play along just to get along. And people either respect this... or deeply resent it Your life is thoughtful, deep, and even philosophical at times. You see the world as it is. You don't sugar coat anything. Facing and fighting your fears is important to you. You believe that too much of life is whitewashed. You're not too morbid... you just believe that you can't enjoy life without exorcising a few demons first! At your best, you are brave, intense, and fearless. Not only do you face the abyss head on - you challenge your friends to do the same. At your worst, you are depressed and morose. If you're not careful, your thoughts take over your mind... and they aren't pretty!

What Carnival Ride Are You?

More Stephenville UFOs

The sightings continue in Stephenville, Texas. Angelina Joiner, the reporter fired from the local paper for reporting on the UFOs in the beginning, writes about the latest. From Frank Warren's blog here.

UFO Author Frank Strangeness Passes

Frank Strangeness, UFO author of classic vintage UFOlogy, has passed. Strangeness is probably most known for his book Stranger at the Pentagon, about Valiant Thor, the Venusian. You can read more from Greg Bishop over at his blog UFO Mystic.

I remember reading Stranger at the Pentagon in my teens; not knowing quite what to make of it, but enjoying it immensely.

New Trickster's Realm: Psychic Factor and UFO Experience

My new Trickster's Realm column is now up at Binnall of America: The Pyschic Factor and The UFO Experience.

On True UFO Sightings: The Psychic Connection

I mention in the post below that my article on the psychic connection has generated many responses. Here's a blog entry on True UFO Sightings from Marilyn about this: The Psychic Connection.

Sunday Orb

Binnall of America
Richelle Hawks, in her Medusa's Ladder column for Binnall of America, has an article on ghostly images in photographs: Pretty Puzzling Pareidolia: The False Head Photograph.

Speaking of Binnall of America, my new Trickster's Realm column will be up sometime tomorrow.

And Lesley's Gray Matters column; Deblunkians, (I love that title!) compares the right wing with the uber-skeptic.

Tina Sena's article for her Esoterica column, Myth and Malarkey discusses Santa, mermaids, and her grandmother's wisdom.

Richard Thomas, in his column Room 101, writes about disclosure, and how it will never come (I'm with him) in UFO Disclosure with a Capital "D"



Skazski's Blog
"Skazski" being my mom, who is eighty years (almost eighty-one) and just started blogging with her blog "why? . . . thoughts of an angry old woman." Nothing paranormal (at least not yet, you never know) but hey, she's my mom, so I'm promoting her here. I think it's great she gets on and rants about what's on her mind. She also campaigned for Obama; not in the greatest health, but she felt she had to do something, so she volunteered down at the Barack Obama campaign headquarters in her town. Anyway, stop by and leave a comment if you can; she loves that.

The Psychic Side to the UFO Phenomena
My article on UFO Digest: A Little Experiment: Pendulums, Telepathy and Aliens has generated several responses from others who have had similar experiences. People who, often, don't discuss these experiences with others, -- even while they may talk about their UFO or even alien encounter -- they leave out the "weird" part, for all the usual reasons. I appreciate everyone who's e-mailed me and I welcome these stories, and thankful others are willing to share their psychic and other high strangeness experiences with me.

It's interesting what elicits response, what doesn't. Sometimes I'll write something and am surprised and a little disappointed there isn't any response because I thought it was interesting, naturally :), or I wouldn't have written it. Other times, I think I'm way out there and yet I get responses affirming these things. Other articles that have generated a lot of response are the ones I've written about Bigfoot and "beeping" sounds, Beeping Creatures) and overall high strangeness along psychic lines concerning Bigfoot, and, UFOs.

Like it or not, that should tell us that there's something there that's been there all along (if you go back into UFO history) and we should continue to explore this in our UFO research.




Wedge Shaped UFO
I posted this image here because we saw one like this years ago in Eugene, Oregon. It was still light out but evening; the thing seemed like it was about three miles away, and huge and bright. We were driving, in the hills, and saw the object at a slight angle, down in the valley over the city. We slowed down and looked at it for a few moments. It was moving and turning very slowly. . . very odd. (We were on our way to the same house (just half a mile or so away) that, years later, we saw the UFO I discuss in the above mentioned article.)

The Lady
I'm reading Heavenly Lights, The Apparitions of Fatima and the UFO Phenomenon, by Joaquim Fernandes and Fina d'Armada. I posted something interesting about the interpretation of BVM apparitions on UFO-Mary.

More Magical Ladies
Danille Lee writes about her encounters with her guide in a beautiful piece: The Wisdom of Amaryss.

Bigfoot Threads on the JREF
The insanity continues on the James Randi Forum; several new threads about Bigfoot over there. I'm not going to list them or provide links; at last count there were something like thirty-seven or so, now there's more. But if you're interested just Google jref and take a look. For more on this you can visit my blog Frame 352: The Stranger Side of Sasquatch.



Woo TV: True Blood
I've gone all woo over on Snarly Skepticism. I've decided to "take back the woo!" I comment about True Blood, one of the many woo shows I've been enjoying this year. Tonight is the second to last episode of the season!

UFO Magazine Blog
Lots of meaty stuff over at The Green Room, UFO Magazine's blog. Including the "ditch digger" issue. Contributors are Bill and Nancy Birnes, Sean Castell, Gary A. David, Mike Good, Lesley, Micah A. Hanks, myself, Alfred Lehmberg, Siani, Jeremy Vaeni, and Farah Yurdozu.

Have a safe and healthy week!

Alien Faces: Maybe They Are The Way They Are Because They Are

image: Alien Face painting by Ted Seth Jacobs.

A recent comment on UFO Updates by John Valez inspired this post. There's a discussion going on about alien faces, and why they appear as they do. Mac Tonnies has written an article about this: "Alien" Faces. (By the way, you can join UFO Updates for a small monthly fee; they have various payment options. It's worth it if you're a researcher or deeply interested/involved in UFO research.)

Valez commented (I'm paraphrasing) that, all these theories about why the faces look like they do, etc. are interesting but how about this idea: people are reporting exactly what they're seeing, because it's what they're seeing.

I found this particularly timely because I've been thinking about this idea -- once again -- recently. I just said to my husband the other day something along the lines of "You know, we just have to relax and admit it. We've been tagged." I was being flippant, but I meant it, and he knew exactly what I meant. He just said "Yep." (I was referring to abductions and UFO experiences.)

After years of going around and around, of exploring all kinds of theories and conspiracies, comparing and contrasting experiences and witness accounts, and so on, I come back to an extremely simplistic, somewhat naive, yet nonetheless very likely answer: it happened because it happened. Yes, there are aliens, and that's what I've seen/heard/felt. Yes, there are aliens, and that's why I've had missing time within a UFO encounter. Yes, there are aliens from outer space, simply because, there are really aliens from outer space.

As Valez said, he finds it incredible we dance around this idea. I do too.

Now, after saying all that, after all my of my life long experiences with this, I'm still not convinced 100% what I've been experiencing, (and experiencing along with others, spouse, family members, close friend) is that simple.

Could it be that avoiding the simplest, and most obvious, explanation is some sort of defense mechanism on our part?

Which is more mad: coming up with sometimes extraordinary theories to explain these encounters, or acknowledging -- accepting -- that they happen just as witnesses say they do?

What is it about these contacts, these encounters with entities and craft, that compels us to deny the experiences as they are?

I don't know why. Maybe because it is so fantastic, which causes us to ask: why is it so fantastic? It isn't anything new; human history, cultures all over the world, have entire mythic constructs that influence morals, behavior, art, religion, based on this idea. And yet we can't just come out with it. We dress it up as an institutionalized belief system (Christianity, etc.) or dismiss it outright as delusions and ignorance (the uber-skeptic) and everything in between, like entertainment, except for the literalness of the phenomena.

When you think about it, it's really very bizarre that we do this.

Even after all that ranting, I still can't quite go there all the way. For example, I just have a hard time taking, literally, the alien abduction scenario as put forth by the Dr. David Jacobs of UFO research.

However, that is my problem. I recognize that, whether or not Jacbos or any other researcher is correct or not, they are at least doing something.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to explore these experiences, including my own, and go where it takes me.

Promoting Mary

I'm shamelessly self-promoting my blog UFO-Mary. Visit it, leave comments, get the widget.

A Little Experiment: Pendulums, Telepathy and Aliens

I have an article up at UFO Digest on my personal experience with UFOs and aliens: A Little Experiment: Pendulums, Telepathy and Aliens

Three different times I’ve had the eerie experience of knowing that “they” were in the room with us. Who “they” are, I’m not sure, but a few things I just know to be true are: “they” are related to UFOs, “they” are not human, and yet have a connection to us, and “they” are very much aware of us; far more than we are of them

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You might be wondering what Popyeye and Jeep have to do with anything; well, read it and you'll find out!

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Thank You . . .

As always, so many blogs, not enough time, (I think I'll have to do categories) but Thank You! to:

The Daily Grail
The Anomalist
The Debris Field
Beyond the Dial
AltNews
Reality Sandwich
Cliff Pickover's Reality Carnival
Alien Casebook
Alien Worlds

for all the daily listings of UFO, paranormal, high strangeness, Fortean goodness in every way. Remember, these bloggers do this for free, not asking for anything -- some may ask for donations, which is understandable (and I've donated) but no fee is required to check their sites, as often as you like, and get the latest links on UFO and other paranormal news. So, thank you!

There are others, no doubt, that give us daily listings, if so, and I missed you, send me an email and I'll check out your site.

Information vs. Experience, Proof vs. Evidence

Musings on these things . . .

Information, as in research, data from investigations, records, documents is not the same as experience.

Experience is not the same as information, but, it is information. My experience is information, in a sense, even data, but it's not "Information." Some might sneer and say it's anecdotal . . . they are ignorant of the use of the word anecdotal, mistaking it for worthless, substituting it for a variation of "old wives tale," . . . also mistaken for being worthless. . .

Evidence is endless, extends upwards, outwards. . . we have tons of it, bunches of it, piles and heaps and baskets full of it . . .

We have evidence, we have experience. . .

We have information, even . . .

And still there are so many that balk and cry for proof . . . PROOF!!!!! . . . forgetting, too, that proof is no magick entity that will end it all, for there will still be those who'll argue over that. . . asking is it proof enough? how to you know it's proof? Prove the proof to me that it's proof...

when it comes to the fantastic, the hard to accept, even if it's your experience, no proof will suffice, if you have to deny, even when it's right in front of you, or above you, . . .

New Looks, New Links . . .

I have a new look at Mothman Flutterings, which was a mistake but we'll see.

I also did some clean-up on Snarly Skepticism, along with a couple of new items, including a review, kind of, of True Blood.

I respond to Frank Warren's piece about UFO Hunters -- really, one point he made -- on UFO Proletariat. (UFO Hunters: Ditch Diggers?) And Frank responds, in a comment. You can also read this on UFO Magazine's site/blog, The Green Room.

Cathcing the Bug of Synchronicity by Paul Levy

I love this article: Catching the Bug of Synchronicity, by Paul Levy on Reality Sandwich. A beautiful piece that says it all about synchronicity, and why it's important.