Thursday, July 29, 2010

Lost Stone Could Hold Answer To Mound Mysteries

Archaeologist Tracy Brown has hunted among the ruined detritus of society (you know, at flea markets and garage sales) in search of a mysterious stone slab, upon which one can find mysterious markings that would shake the foundations of his field. Well, that may be overstating things.

More than 40 years ago, a small stone slab, measuring 14" by 13" was found near Nashville, TN. The stone tableau bore the image of what appeared to be ancient moundbuilders and seemed to date to the Mississippian Period (1000-1400 CE). Yet, what struck those scientists who examined it was that it didn't seem to be rendered in the style of those people. It featured none of their iconography nor any of the symbology associated with this culture. It seemed to be struck by the hand of an outsider.

The stone was first discovered at a mound complex in 1968 by a Nashville man, Malcolm Parker. It was only 1 of 6 similar stones found in the area since 1874. When the collector passed on, it seems his widow gave away more than $100,000 worth of artifacts for free. Now, scattered to the four winds, these artifacts (and the information they could tell archaeologists) has been lost.

Brown's hope is that, through vigilence, he and others like him can find the stone and other artifacts and help complete the picture of who and what the enigmatic Mississippian people were. And could it be determined, after examination, that the outsider's hand who carved the image was that of one of the many non-North American peoples who some researchers believed reached these shores long before the likes of Columbus?

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The Watchful Eyes of Lonesome Sego Canyon

One week prior, I was investigating the many archaelogical, geological, and cultural wonders of the Four Corners region. Among the highlights was a mysterious canyon tucked away in a forgotten corner of Utah amid the ruins of an old ghost town. It is a mystery I have long waited to see with my own eyes. North of Moab, UT, through a nearly-forgotten town and down a lonesome backroad, you come to a spot oft-neglected by the hoards of tourists visiting the more famous parks of Arches and Canyonlands. This is Sego Canyon, home to some rather enigmatic and controversial pictographs.

Dating from the Archaic period (8,000-1,000 CE) through to when the Fremont people (contemporaries of the Anasazi) lived, the various images found here include those said to depict an ancient encounter with aliens. Archaeologists, however, are more certain they illustrate spiritual figures. Since those who drew them are no longer among us, it is really anyone's guess as to what these large-eyed, bulbous-headed figures were meant to represent? Were they merely stylized humans or something more otherworldly?

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Odd Goings-On As Texas Cryptid Hunters Investigate

A feral donkey roams the woods, while someone or something beheads the canid population. Read more here.

Monday, July 19, 2010

What Happened To UFO Reporting?


From fascinating enigma that had us looking toward the stars, to paranoid ramblings that have us now clutching our chakra crystals - what happened to UFO culture? In particular, I ask about the state of UFO magazines. Where once we could count on fascinating tales of unidentified craft in various periodicals devoted to the issue, we are now left with a handful of rags that seem to spend more time talking about ESP, the Raelians, ley lines, and esoteric spirituality - even ghosts and monsters! To be honest, if I could turn back the clock a few decades, I would. I miss the good ol' days when investigators did just that. Investigate. Frankly, I blame the aliens - for not showing up. Had they, then folks would have something to focus on instead of allowing their minds to wander and speculate about things that were based on little but dubious testimonies and paranoid supposition. Sure, the fringe element has always been there, but the bulk of publications just dealt with telling the story and presenting the facts as they were known, often with a scientific slant. Idle hands, as they say, are the devil's workshop. So, with the Visitors late to the Barbecue, some people apparently got a little bored. Next thing we knew, they're out at Sedona chanting beneath a pyramid made from copper tubing. Well, I have two words about that: Dry Lightning. It's as if there is a collective frustration that nothing more has been discovered. Fundamentally, we are nowhere nearer to understanding the phenomenon than we were half a century ago. This fact, for many, will simply not suffice. They have a deep seated need to understand, and in supplication to that obsession, they begin to seek answers beyond the scope of the observable.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Guide Helps You Hunt All That Goes Bump In The Night

"Legend Tripping" is to paranormal enthusiasts what "Geocaching" is to hikers. Find out more about this intriguing guide here.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Ruminations on Fact or Faked

Meh. That about sums it up. While I thought their experiments were sloppy and conclusions hasty, I appreciated their thoughtful (if sometimes vapid) approach. In the premiere episode, the team managed to debunk one video while leaving another unanswered (and then some). It's worth giving it another shot, I would say. In the future, I would hope they don't cling to the same tired tactics that drag shows like Destination Truth into the muck: the melodramatic "what's that?" moments; the overly-hyped cliff hangers before cutting to commercials; and the overbearing soundtrack.

Texans, Git Yer Guns! It's Chupie-Huntin' Time!!

Texas Chupacabra

Apparently, it's making quite a splash in the Lone Star State.  Mangey animals must be running amok.  What amazes me, however, is that Hood County has the money to actually waste on DNA tests. It's obvious to anyone with a modicum of intelligence that these intrepid hunters are gunning down mange-afflicted canids.



There's more over at Cryptomundo.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Remains of 18th Century Ship Found At World Trade Center Site


Read More

Ghost Divas Live Interview Twilight Star

The Divas are set to interview Twilight's Rick Mora on tonight's episode. Learn more. Mora is an actor, model, and artist from California who has done print campaigns for Wells Fargo, Levis, and Wilson Leather. He has also been in several History Channel documentaries, The Martin Lawrence Show, and commercials for Kia and Toyota.

As his own star rises, Mora remains keenly aware of how Native Americans continue to be represented in Hollywood. He has criticized the Twilight production staff for not wanting "to pay Hollywood natives". Mora claims, "It was easier for them to get local [Oregon, where the film was shot] extras who didn’t understand the business and pay’em, you know, a flat rate - versus taking the talent that’s worked very hard in Hollywood". Still, Mora is grateful for the work and the exposure it has brought him.

SyFy's Fact of Faked Doesn't Even Pass A Preview Test

With a formulaic approach similar to what has been seen on Destination Truth, Ghost Adventures, etc... SyFy's new program, which aims to prove or disprove purported paranormal events caught on video, doesn't merit further scrutiny based upon what I have seen in the following clip.



All the requisite elements are there:

1) The spooky night time setting
2) The emotionally precarious on-camera personalities that make Scooby Doo look stalwart.
3) All the "Did you just hear that?" / "What was that?!"s.
4) The melodramtic music.
5) And - invariably - the let down. It was just an armadillo moving about in the underbrush.

Ya think? Ya really think?? I mean, come on. You're out there in the dead of night with all sorts of nocturnal creatures moving about and you don't think something might be rustling around in the underbrush?? You need to be worried about rattlesnakes or such given that your traipsing around in the dark desert at some ungodly hour.

Perhaps I'm being unduly harsh, unfair. After all, I have not yet seen an entire episode. I have, however, seen its ilk before and the experience cautions me to watch tomorrow night's debut with a grim countenance. That's right, I dare you to impress me.

My two cents. Keep the change.

Famous Crypto-Site To Shut Down, Asks Help

Is it the end of the world as he knows it? Loren Coleman looks to last-ditch efforts to save Cryptomundo from closure and he wants your help to keep it solvent. Read More.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Film May Have Inspired Real Life 'Superhero'

A 20-year-old man in a small Tennesse town dons a strikingly Kick Ass-esque costume, batons, and throwing stars to step out as "The Viper" and reclaim... What? Mayberry from the forces of darkness? Your guess is as good as mine, but you can read more here. BTW, this is NOT a picture of The Viper. This was just too funny not to feature.

Strange State Finds Out What Makes Divas Tick (and Ticked Off)

On more than one occasion, a firestorm of controversy has erupted around a group of opinionated women (and one guy) who take on all comers in a no-holds-barred critique of the paranormal community. The Ghost Divas have battled paranormal investigation teams; one-time SyFy cast members; and called into question the authenticity of the network's popular program, Ghost Hunters.


While it might be easy to dismiss the Divas as caustic detractors, a growing fan base and rising profile seem to suggest the group is striking a chord among the more disaffected and dissatisfied in the field. With an outright disdain for the trappings of the modern fame-seeking investigation teams (merchandising, video promotion, media appearances...), the Divas have also lambasted (less than scrupulous) psychics, the notion of orbs, and even addressed fashion in the field (they are all for it, by the way).


I hadn't read too many interviews with the Divas, so I decided to pick Ghost Diva Tonya Hacker's brain and find out what makes them tick - and what gets them ticked off.

What got you each into the paranormal?

All the Divas entered the field under different circumstances, but I do believe that we all at one point had something we would call "paranormal/unexplainable" take place. As with most people, something strange happens it kick starts you into some type of research. Then later on curiosity gets the best of you and you pretty much try to see if you can witness unexplainable activity again. No matter what people may say, it is a personal quest for each and every person that explores and researches things that go bump in the night.

How did you ladies meet; and how did the concept of ‘Ghost Divas’ arise?

Tonya and Tammy met while Tonya was investigating Tammy's home in Enid, Oklahoma. They instantly became friends. A few years later. The cable network TLC produced a then-new TV pilot titled "America's Ghost Hunters". This was way before all the TV shows being produced today. During the show, we both were pretty verbal about what we looked like on the show. We were also very verbal about not being "coached" into doing or saying things we felt were dishonest. We were going to be on National TV and did not want to come across as "screaming girls" or anything like that. The camera men and crew literally deemed us "The Ghost Divas" and well, we adopted it.

At the time the show aired, Tammy and I had already started blogging about the nonsense taking place in the field and how people are spending more time marketing themselves than actual research. The Blog title was "The Ghost Divas". It was a place where we could vent and let it all out, no matter who "hated" us. We really didn't care. We then played around with building a radio show, where we went "Live". Mainly because people thought we had "Keyboard courage" with our rants. We proved them wrong.

Janice Oberding, a respected author in the Las Vegas area was a "fan" of the blog. After seeing her writings and her own eloquently written "rant" blogs, we asked her to become a Ghost Diva. Tonya K was a written skeptic. She had a different and practical non-believing outlook concerning subjects of the unexplained and we loved how she was not condescending as a skeptic. She accepted and agreed to help out with the blogs from a skeptical viewpoint.

Later Amanda Wagaman was becoming a great debater on our blog. She was a friend of Tammy's, but now lives in the OKC Metro area. After realizing she offered a "Non ghost hunter" perspective on the subjects we talked about, we asked her to team up with us. We wanted to offer many diverse opinions about the paranormal field and we found a great team of ladies willing to put it all out there and simply, Just say it!

We met our "Ghost Daddy" Bob Hunnicut at some conferences and he was a guest on our show. We loved the way he spoke about paranormal investigations and asked him to be on our show each week.

Do those of you who were also members of various teams still keep up with those, or have you moved on to other projects?

Tammy stays busy in Enid, OK. She also has a team of researchers titled EErieOK. She works on a case by case basis only. Tonya still operates the GHOULI team in Oklahoma. Celebrating over 11 years in the field, she too only accepts cases, depending on the case. Amanda works with both teams in Oklahoma. Janice is very active in Nevada and writes about all of her adventures and haunting history within the state. Bob H. runs the Georgia Ghost Society and is active in the field as well. All of us have other "projects" taking place. We are all writers and we enjoy hitting the airwaves each week.

As your popularity grows, so too has the number of your critics. Does this fuel you (á la Kathy Griffin), or is it an obstacle you see yourselves overcoming?

We love critiques, when they actually know how to critique someone! We don't mind feedback, we just don't care for the insanely fueled haters out there that spread lies and basically make things up to "take us down". Those people are like those crappy Enquiring magazines you see at the check-out stand. They really don't have anything on us, so they just make crap up. We figured they are seeking some sense of feeling power in their lives to do what they do, it's rather sad in reality. We have been "attacked" by so many people, we always overcome it. We overcome it because we speak about the truth. A lot of people do not want to hear the truth so hey instantly start boycotting us, making things up, going on drunken rages, blogging about us, attempting to harass us and so on. People are truly INSANE in this field at times. We do take everything with a grain of salt because we know we are just being honest, we laugh a lot at people. You have to! We sleep well at night and we do not take this field as "Ghost Divas" too serious. It's a big joke 98% of the time. Kathy Griffin is awesome by the way! LOL!

What’s the ultimate aim of the Divas? Education? Entertainment? A bit of both?

The Ghost Divas LIVE show is for smart people. Believers, skeptics and those who may be on the fence when it comes to what is seen on the internet and TV. Smart people in our opinions are people that have a true open mind, sense of humor and do not believe that leprechaun ghosts are forming a society under their beds at night. Smart people as in those that do not believe every knock on the wall is a demon straight from hell. Common sense is very hard to find in the paranormal field. Everyone wants to believe they have the bigger, badder demonic entity hiding in their clients basement. Smart people do not believe that way. We have fun on our show, we try to educate but our listeners already have common sense. No matter how hard we try to explain that "orbs" are not ghosts, there are people that are going to believe. We are pretty much done walking into brick walls. So, we poke a lot of fun.

What are your biggest criticisms of the field as it stands now?

Ghost Hunting TV shows and the "fans" they create. They are like a cult! The church of TAPS is a big one! Those people look up to a science fiction cable TV show and believe everything and everything they say to be the "Word of God". Fans pour out piles of money to assist the "church". They dump out money on things like $400 conferences, to "meet" the masters of the TAPS church. To paying $10 to have the "leaders" pose in a photo with them. t-shirts, promotional items the list goes on and on. Last year, the leaders of the cult purchased a "haunted hotel" where followers can pay more money to be taught by the para-gods! It's crazy! Outside of the horrible TV/Media influence. The cult mentality has leaked into every state in this nation. There are fly-by-night teams popping up anywhere and everywhere. They have never read a book or studied anything outside of what they have watched on TV. They have a ghost hunting goal of being famous and nothing more. They have agents and sell their image online. They have no articles, information or anything about theory or opinions, they are just for sale and feel they are ready for TV. It's really pathetic!

Many follow the protocols laid out in Troy Taylor’s famous how-to, while a great number of newer ghost hunters echo the likes of T.A.P.S. Do the Divas have a different set of guidelines, and is this something you will share with the public in the future?

Common sense is the best tool to investigate claims of the unknown. Read everything and anything related to "ghost hunting/paranormal research". Also, if a team is claiming to be "scientists", they need to take 8th grade science class again and recall the format of how to properly conduct a "scientific" investigation. Protocol, we all use a common sense approach to investigation. Most of the Divas are big fans of the psychological impact of hauntings and, of course, the historical significance of each case. People shouldn't watch TV to learn how to hunt ghosts. What is seen on TV is not real. It's for entertainment only! Besides, you can't really "hunt" ghosts, but most people today think they are. It's rather sad.

Can you share some of what some of those improvements might be?

People need to have a TRUE open mind instead of constantly being in attack mode. If these people can't handle criticisms, they should not be posting videos, photos and pile of other crappy information on the internet for the public to read. The best improvement this field could ever make is to eliminate the "star struck, Paranormal Idol" types so the general public can find some reliable help when they need it. More and more "film crews" arrive at peoples homes and of course, there is always a demon in little Timmy's closet. If these teams are for "Entertainment" it should be mandatory that it is places on their websites. These people are lying to the public, just to add video to their YouTube accounts.

Have you regretted anything you may have said on your show or blog?

Not really. We have a disclaimer before our show! We all stand behind what we say on our show. It's just us, not some "radio personality" hiding behind a computer microphone. In real life we are this way! We are not characters, this is who we are. We rant and rave a lot and have fun. We get email after email from people stating "I may not agree with you ladies all the time, but I have a lot of respect for you all". This is all we could and ever will ask for. We just want people to stop and really think about claims of the supernatural before believing in them.

Friday, July 9, 2010

FROM THE INBOX OF MYSTERIES!!!

Found the following press release in my inbox today. It touts the arrival of a new book by a Mr. Mark Russel Bell, whom I have mentioned in my book. He did some oft-cited "research" into the famed Centrahoma poltergeist, which made national headlines in the early 1990's. This case centered around a young woman in a sleepy southeast Oklahoma town.

To quote my own work, "I know from researching this myself that legitimate reporting seems to have long since been muddled by the polymathic ramblings of Mark Russel Bell, a one-time employee of Paramount Studios.  Bell believes, among other things, that Michael [the name ascribed to the Poltergeist] is an 'angelic force' who has visited Moses, Nostradamus, and Edgar Cayce, and that he himself [Bell] is the reincarnated form of an Egyptian priest, Bel-Marduk."

FYI, I in no way vouch for the security of these links and you should, as with any link, proceed with caution. So, without further ado...

Popularity of Paranormal Investigations Motivates Mark Russell Bell to Share Insights


The metaphysical author and blogger is offering pointers about what is important to remember concerning research into unexplained phenomena.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) July 9, 2010 -- Mark Russell Bell has shared his unusual experiences in a 1997 nonfiction case study and an Internet website. Now he is offering paranormal investigators some important insights.


Bell reflects, "Many decades of popular supernatural horror films and novels have cultivated for some people a mind-set that craves the sensational and the frightful. You might say that fictional depictions of unexplained phenomena require a suspension of disbelief for entertainment purposes while encountering any such events in your own life requires careful analysis for understanding the meaning of what has happened."

At http://metaphysicalarticles.blogspot.com Bell helps readers find noteworthy sources of information relating to metaphysical and spiritual topics.

Bell's 1,100-page book Testament derived from tape-recorded interview transcripts and journals to present a record of his responses to startling events at a time in his life when he had only a superficial knowledge of the variety of chronicled cases usually categorized as 'paranormal.' He comments, "In my youth, I'd read books about poltergeists and ufology without accepting anything as unquestionably valid. It was only after my experiences chronicled in Testament that I began to understand what manifestly was the basis for the phenomena."

Here are some of Bell's observations for investigators of unexplained phenomena.

1. Perceived instances of psychokinesis / telekinesis in relation to a specific individual should not be attributed to the individual alone but to an unseen intelligence manifesting in proximity to the person.

2. It is often the personal response of someone observing the phenomena that associates the experience with a particular word or familiar concepts such as 'poltergeist,' 'demon,' 'angel,' 'spirit,' or 'alien.'

3. Paranormal investigators should consider how their 'supernatural' beliefs about ghosts and unexplained phenomena correlate with their entire metaphysical orientation that has evolved during the full course of their life experience.

4. Regarding anomalous occurrences involving mystics, psychics, mentalists, etc., consider the concept of a Superconsciousness manifesting through or around specific individuals to expand people's spiritual awareness of what is possible. Eastern wisdom traditions offer words signifying 'Oneness' to remind that all living things are interconnected and each is linked with an all-creative Life Force.

5. I recommend you read my own book (available in a free Internet edition) as well as extensively documented cases of people who've experienced different forms of unexplained or 'psychic' phenomena during previous epochs. Some of these people include Dr. John Dee, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Edgar Cayce, and medium Leslie Flint.

6. Concerning legitimate trance channelers, the perspective of entities speaking through a person should be understood as being 'more-knowing' rather than 'all-knowing.' Each individual consciousness unit has a unique perspective based upon one's own life experiences.

7. 'Electronic Voice Phenomena' (EVP) may be obtained anywhere with all varieties of recording devices. Listen closely to unedited radio or TV broadcasts/recordings and you may be surprised.

For more information, visit Bell's website http://testament.org and blog http://metaphysicalarticles.blogspot.com

Treasure Hunter Discovers A Fortune In Roman Coins

Over fifty-thousand ancient Roman coins were unearthed by Dave Crisp, a treasure hunter, near Somerset, England. Valued at over 4.5 million (US), the cache was found within an earthen jar as Crisp was sweeping with a metal detector. He pulled out about 20 coins before he realized the extent of the find and stopped to seek assistance. Archaeologists in Britain are grateful that Mr. Crisp halted further excavation, allowing them to examine the site scientifically. Already the find is being labeled by men like Roger Bland of the British Museum as one of the most important in the country's history. Notable coins found among the more than 700 types were those from the reign of Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius, a Belgium-born Roman officer who seized power in Britiain and Gaul (roughly present day France and Belgium). It is not yet clear as to why so much gold was buried, but in time, Archaeologists hope to unravel the mystery. Already they are speculating that it may have been an offering to appease some deity in hopes of a good harvest. Both Mr. Crisp and the owner of the land upon which the coins were found will share in the proceeds from any sale to the British Museum, in accordance with law. The museum will showcase some of the find from July 22 through roughly mid-August as they begin the conservation process.

Black Panther Spotted North of Dallas

Over the decades, out-of-place large cats (lions, tigers, bears... Oh, my! That's not right) have been spotted across the country. A recent rash in Texas is a prime example. While some think they might be escaped zoo/circus animals or illegal pets, others lean toward the possibility of a breeding population.

Just recently a black panther was spotted roaming environs north of Dallas, Texas.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Downsizing Affects More Americans, Bigfoots Too

Signs that the recession is worsening? Bigfoot chucks a million acres of prime real estate to crash at "Mike's" place.

According to an anonymous source on an obscure radio show, Bigfoot is real and living with his family in the backyard of said caller. . All I can say is if they start talking about blue pee and trans-species love affairs...

Learn more at cryptomundo.com

UPDATE: Bunk and Backpedaling

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Hauntings Afoot At Kansas Museum

“The tapping was a 'look here' and you can clearly hear the 'help me'...it was a white-looking mass...but you could see the facial features. You could see the eyes and nose, the mouth,”

Paranormal investigators recently converged on the Chisholm Trail Museum in Wellington, Kansas. After an initial inspection of the site revealed plenty of odd goings-on, a second team decided to take a look. The investigation produced recorded EVP's (Electronic Voice Phenomenon), whispers, and thumps that seemed to respond to questions asked. Museum docents spoke of having seen fleeting glimpses of an elusive apparition. Others felt soft, phantom touches.

Read More

I know Wellington. This is where my mother's family is concentrated. She grew up there and her brothers (and some of their children) still live in the small town southwest of Wichita.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Strange State Sold At Local Retailers

If you have been interested in picking up a copy of Strange State, but would like to flip through a copy first, check out these local establishments:

Hastings in Norman, OK

Red Dirt Emporium (on the canal in Bricktown) in Oklahoma City, OK

Sunday, July 4, 2010

iPhone Apps For The Ghost Hunter In You

 
iPhones and the like are fast becoming the rage. Their seemingly limitless options are a big reason why. These programs, dubbed "apps" (short for applications) range from the functional to the frivolous. Not to be left out of the mix, several companies have designed apps for all you paranormal enthusiasts out there.

A new iPhone application allows users to locate the nearest haunted hotspots in much the same way other apps help you find restaurants, gas stations, and anonymous hookups.

Another lets you add multiple misty apparitions to images you've shot with or uploaded to your iPhone.

 
Still, a third application lets you play ghost hunter while measuring the "quantum fluctuations" around you to determine if you're smack in the middle of a haunted house.

Friday, July 2, 2010

The Purrrrrfect Disguise: Real Life Catwoman Confounds NYC Police

"A serial stickup artist with a penchant for disguises -- including a cat mask -- has sunk her claws into shoe and beauty stores in Manhattan and Queens, The Post has learned." [New York Post, June 29, 2010]

Read more here: New York Post

Ma'am, put the Twilight down...

Vampire Sighting Leads to Backroad Single-Vehicle Crash
Jul 01, 2010 www.telluride.com

FRUITA – “A woman says a vampire caused her to crash in a canal near Fruita Sunday night,” reports Channel 11 TV News.

“According to Colorado State Patrol,” according to the report, the woman was “heading down a dirt road near 20 and K roads late Sunday night” and “told emergency responders she saw a vampire in front of her. Troopers say she put her SUV into reverse and backed into a canal.”

The woman’s husband picked her up at the scene and took her home. “Inspectors do not suspect drugs or alcohol to have caused the accident,” and said, further, that “they saw no sign of a vampire.”

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Death Enjoys A Holiday - To New Mexico!


Check out Albuquerque's Arte de Muertos Expo on July 10 & 11. This exposition showcases the art and culture of the Dia de los Muertos. Artists from all over the southwest exhibit their wares in homage to this ancient holiday. http://www.artedemuertos.com/ If you miss this one, the expo does take place four times each year, so there is a good chance another one is just around the corner.

Horror Writer's Resource Beckons You To Its Dark Embrace

The Website for all Horror writers everywhere. Do you write horror fiction? Would you like to see your work publicised and reviewed? Would you like to join a horror writers' online community? If so, then you have certainly come to the right place! Horror Writers UK is the ideal website for all writers of creepy fiction. So whether you write short stories, novels or film scripts, this site will provide you with an absolute treasure trove of material relating to all aspects of the horror genre. [from http://www.horrorwriters.net/]