Werewolf of London

Late night tomfoolery with a werewolf mask, a fleece-lined robe, and a pretty cool song…

 

Paranormal Investigation & Human Subjects Experiments: Overlap (1)

If any of you know me, you know that for a long time I considered myself a paranormal investigator. I would wander around dark buildings with a flashlight and various bits of equipment to contact those souls on the other side. I actually had cases where I went into a person’s home, gathered personal information about them, and experimented with techniques to contact the spirits of their passed on family members still haunting them.

If only I knew then what I know about the law and ethics now.

Which is why I’m writing this. I’ve recently been through a rigorous amount of informed consent and human subjects experiments training for my degree (and upcoming practicum with human subjects) and that has me thinking about paranormal investigation and asking the question: Is paranormal investigation considered experimentation? Are there humans involved? Is paranormal investigation ethical, or even legal?

When questions about waivers and consent come about, you will inevitably hear the words ‘documents’ and ‘we have a lawyer’ dropped by seemingly concerned team leaders. While that may mitigate some concern, I don’t think it begins to address the question whether or not paranormal investigation is considered experimentation, and if it is, then it is subject to so much more than just a legal document that gets signed by a scared homeowner.

Because this is a very dense topic ,and there is a lot of support and citation involved in presenting my argument, I’m going to consider this a continuing series. In this article, I’m going to first address the definitions of human subjects experiments and the common field practices of paranormal investigations in order to support my idea: Paranormal investigation is experimentation with LIVING human subjects and is therefore subject to all the legal stipulations and ethical guidelines that human subjects experimentations are.

To support this, I will first look at some common practices of paranormal investigators. This isn’t a scientific, nor a complete, look at the ‘field’, but rather based on first-hand accounts as well as second-hand stories, observations from paranormal television shows, and other stories. I have been in the process of developing a survey for quite some time in order to empirically gather this type of data, so I would like to stress until such data is gathered and examined that this article series is merely an idea. It is not a hypothesis that has 100 percent empirical support. Yet, I would also argue that it would be rather hard to logically argue against it (I’m a little full of myself ). Second, I will briefly present some of the definitions of human subjects, experimentation and research as outlined by federal documents such as The Belmont Report (as well as provide links and information how to see such documents for yourself).

Many paranormal investigations begin with a homeowner contacting a paranormal team in need of help. Information presented by a team’s website, for example, may claim that they are able to search for information to help explain the ‘haunting’ in the home. Many teams may offer cleansing services or referrals to those that perform them. The team usually delegates one or two members to do a pre-interview with the client either on the spot on the phone or at the client’s home. At this time, name, contact information and more is gathered. In some cases, teams may ask the client for any pertinent medical information, such as medications, to rule in or out a physiological ’cause’ of the paranormal disturbance.

Once the team ‘approves’ the case, an investigation is conducted. The team arrives, and as with the case of many teams, presents the homeowner with a legal form that they are to sign. This usually states something to the effect of ‘if we break something, you can’t sue us’. It protects the team members performing the investigation. Some forms may include a statement where the homeowner gives the team legal cause to be on the property.

Next the investigation begins. Members go throughout the property and collect data. Many EVP sessions may be conducted based on information given by the homeowner as to the history of the property or the ‘ghost’ said to be present. Video is taken. The inside of the home and many items belonging to the homeowner are documents on photograph or video. All of this data is collected and taken out of the home to be reviewed by team members. Many teams divide up the work. Some members take audio/video home to analyze over the course of a few days. Once the ‘evidence’ is compiled, it is sometimes presented to the homeowner. Follow up interviews and investigations may be conducted. Referrals may be done. Comprehensive reports may be written and stored on someone’s computer, a disk drive, or in a file. The case ‘ends.’

Now, if my idea (above in bold) is accepted as true, then nearly every step of the above investigation is in human rights violation. If my premise is not true, even then some of the ethics of said technique are questionable. To help determine this, I will briefly outline some of these legal documents and considerations I mentioned earlier.

The Belmont Report, adopted by the US Government in 1979, outlines ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects for research. In the document (which may be viewed by clicking the name above), the following defintions are provided:

Practice: “refers to interventions that are designed solely to enhance the well-being of an individual patient or client and that have a reasonable expectation of success” (this is further outlined in the document as scientifically ‘proven’ success).

Research: “an activity designed to test a hypothesis, permit conclusions to be draw, and thereby to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge….usually described in a formal protocol…”

In the above scenario, paranormal investigators may act out their cases as if the work they are doing is practice, when in fact there has been no scientficically ‘proven’ success for their protocols. That would leave the work they are doing defined as research (and does it pain me to even say this). Therefore, if they are performing research, they are bound to the principles outlined in The Belmont Report (and other documents).

But then the question arises, would this be considered research on the living client or the ghost? Of course some of the data being collected in an investigation is going to be determine the existence of a ‘ghost’, however, the majority of verifiable data collected by the team involves personal information about the living client who contacted the team with a problem. Ultimately, the team is intervening in order to help the living client. This would be a living human subject, from which you are collecting personal and identifiable data from.

Title 45, Code 46 defines human subjects as: “a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains 1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual or 2) identifiable private information.”

What does this mean? It means that Paranormal investigation is then definable as research involving human subjects and therefore subject to the same laws and guidelines as other human subjects research.

In my next article on this series, I will go further into detail about the basic principles outlined in The Belmont Report and 45 CRF 46. These documents explain the duties of the investigator, the protections that are the right of the client/subject, and the need for external review boards to review every single investigation that is conducted.

Raise Money for Fort Mifflin! HOW DARE I!

This past weekend marked the fourth fund raiser I was involved with for the historic Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, I am proud of the work I have done for the fort, along with all the amazing people who have donated items, time, and money to this beautiful place. My four year old son has a fantastic time here, whether he is playing with Albert the fort’s resident cat, or “searching for clues” as he so affectionately says while he jots nonsense on to a piece of paper.

Pardon me for wanting to keep the doors open for him as he continues to grow.

Here is one of the reason’s I am writing this, a tweet by an SFR listener

“ nopaosak John Dockum

But maybe it will be like Ft. Mifflin and we can get psychics and skeptics here to ignore their convictions and save it for no reason.      “

I never understood why people feel the need to constantly talk down on people for doing something charity related, isn’t it my choice what charity I decide to work for? Here is where I think the problem started

Because I co-host Strange Frequencies Radio, and we are a “skeptical” show, that means I am not allowed to do anything that would upset our skeptical listeners, and one of those things would be hosting a public paranormal investigation. The arguments would be, I don’t investigate anymore, I don’t believe in any of it anymore, I don’t subscribe to the investigating techniques of anyone else..

All very valid points. much like if I were to do a rally for PETA and then was photographed wearing a fur coat, yeah I get it, I get how people think its a contradiction. To be quite honest, I don’t care.

I don’t care what the skeptical community has to say about the fact that I raised money for the fort having a public investigation. I don’t care how the believers feel, I don’t care how the scientific community feels. I don’t do things to please others, I never have, and I certainly won’t start now.

Another huge complaint I am sure is that I worked with people that SFR otherwise would have drilled for their practices, such as the TAPS home team and Nathan Schoonover. I guess I have to explain that I like people despite their beliefs, I like people because they are nice to me, or good to me. not because they practice poor investigation techniques or because they were on a bad TV show. Rob from TAPS home team is a good friend of mine, he always will be no matter what group he investigates with in his spare time, and Nathan, well he had a better sense of humor about his show than even I did.

I think the moral of the story is, I really don’t care what people think, We raised a ton of money for the fort, Had a great time around great people. People were happy and most importantly the employees of the Fort were happy. I did my job, and sometimes when you do a job, you don’t always do what your convictions tell you to do.

I’m not ashamed to like people because I don’t care about their affiliations, why the heck do so many other people care.

If this makes me “uncool” so be it, I’m 33, I am pretty sure I stopped caring about cool when I was 12.

A Ghost Town Equipped with Ectoplasmic Mist

Centralia:

Located in the beautiful mountains of Pennsylvania, was once a mining town thriving and populated by over 1000 people. In 1962 a fire tore through the mines and it still burns under the town to this day. I have heard many say that the fire burning under this town is from an underground landfill or trash fire. This misconception is based on speculation that the mines caught fire from a standard practice of fire fighters burning trash at a nearby landfill, and the fire being extinguished improperly. They still do not know how the mine fire started.

“

This was a world where no human could live, hotter than the planet Mercury, its atmosphere as poisonous as Saturn’s. At the heart of the fire, temperatures easily exceeded 1,000 degrees [Fahrenheit]. Lethal clouds of carbon monoxide and other gases swirled through the rock chambers.[3] – David DeKok (1986)

”

I believe there are now only 2 remaining homes in the town of Centrailia to this day, at least that is all I could see when I was there, even though the post office revoked the zip code in 2002.

Before I arrived in Centralia I imagined a scene as if I was walking in the depths of Hell, I imagined the cinematography of the movie Silent Hill, the town from that movie was supposedly based on this town

When I arrived, It was much different. It was eerily beautiful. I pulled up and immediately I saw mist rising from the ground, surrounded by rubble, of what looked like streets that had been crushed up and pushed out of the way, there was grass growing, and cemeteries perched behind the rising mist, beautiful mountainous scenery.

First Glance upon pulling up in Centralia

I got out of the car and began exploring, walking down the streets made out of rubble, I was losing sunlight, and I wanted to see it all before the sun went down.

(I’m not going to lie, I envisioned a zombie invasion as soon as the sun set)

I went down and explored the streets that were once lined by homes, now completely abandoned. Lone stop signs sit perched at corners of empty streets, and power lines no longer connected by wires lining other portions of the street. It was a strange feeling, knowing I was standing in a ghost town, that was once so alive. and not only is it a ghost town, but it is on fire.

Why are we stopping again?

A once highly populated street of Centralia

The mist itself isn’t all that impressive, but the town becomes more and more impressive as you allow your mind to wander about what things used to be like here. and then you visit the cemeteries, two of them, right there by the fires, I can only imagine what will happen if the fires move in that direction and begin to engulf the cemeteries. for now they are beautifully intact, and I think perfect for the entire ambiance of the town.

Beautiful view

Centralia Sunset

As the sun set in the town, I knew I didn’t have enough time to explore and I would have to come back , and I definitely will go back again, I am planning a zombie shoot there very soon, but for now I wanted to share with you how awesome this place is. I think this is an amazing day trip, It may be a tad smelly and not seem like everyone’s cup of tea (or noxious gas) but it is a ghost town on fire, and you can’t get much better than that.

Notice the grave stone off in the distance

Not to mention someone drew a penis on the street. that in itself is a good reason to visit.

The Penis, and my friend Jeff

I Guess They Really Meant No Trespassing!

For those of you that know me, or have heard me on Strange Frequencies you know that I am not a trouble maker (well maybe a little). But this weekend I found myself face to face with trouble, and  it was for something I have preached about time and time again!!!!

When I was young I may have done stupid things while searching for something to do, I admit I have gotten kicked out of cemeteries late at night by the cops, they usually just told us to find something more productive to do. However, when I decided to get “real” about this field I always said I would never EVER trespass, or go any place I was not actually invited, by the owner to attend.

I blame Jeff Belanger.

Ok no, I don’t blame Jeff Belanger, I mean, I could blame him but I haven’t read his book and I am sure he says don’t go somewhere if there are posted signs. I have been really enjoying myself visiting crazy places here in PA, the idea was to enlighten all of you and allow you to see what I have been up to. This time I went to Frick’s Lock PA.

The story behind Frick’s Lock is nothing all that spooky, Its not even all that interesting really, It was a town that thrived at one point, and then good ol’ government came in and built a Nuclear Power Plant right next to the town, deemed it unlivable, and bought all the houses and land and kicked the poor three eyed folk off the property. I am not sure why they never tore the houses down yet but they still sit, perched next to two billowing Nuclear stacks of goodness, all boarded up looking so lonely and begging for pictures to be taken….

Only one problem, this modern day ghost town is under 24 hour video surveillance, is now owned by Exelon and they are NO JOKE about arresting you the second you walk on to the property.

Myself and my very adorable friend Charlene, (who might I add just simply exudes innocence) decided to go past the sign that said DO NOT TRESPASS!

We were in there for a total of 7 min, came out and were greeted by a very kind (but very serious) police officer who did not think my niceties were anything less than annoying. After I begged for forgiveness and admitted to my stupidity, the officer simply said “Yup, it was stupid, and your being arrested.”

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T ARREST ME! ORANGE IS NOT MY COLOR!

I will spare you the annoying details of the long conversation, phone calls and favors I had to call in from family that happens to be law enforcement, or the part where Charlene almost passed out, and I swear to you she said NOT ONE WORD the whole time (except I believe “I hate you Robyn“.

We made it out by the skin of our teeth, and I learned a valuable lesson, a very valuable lesson that I actually say all the time and clearly don’t follow. If you are thinking about visiting a strange and interesting place, please research the number of arrests that happen from trespassing, (300 per year here at Frick’s Lock) and if you see a sign, DON’T DO IT! Trespassing is in fact a misdemeanor, which means you will have a criminal record, and I don’t have to tell you that most jobs require background checks these days and you could be completely screwing yourself over.

Here they are, The pictures of Frick’s Lock, the modern day ghost town… so you don’t have to go in there and screw your life up….

 

House after the 2nd No Trespassing sign!

 

 

Large Estate in Frick's Lock

 

 

At the entrance, Before I crossed the line!

 

In summary: the place was wicked awesome, not worth almost getting arrested. Don’t blame Jeff Belanger for your legend tripping mistakes, I am sure there are plenty of other things you could blame him for. And most importantly don’t go where you are not supposed to go.

Love you, mean it.

21 bottles of Djinn on the wall

No one quite knew why, but 22 year old Siti Baqis just wouldn’t sit still.  It seems that every time her parents looked away she would disappear, only to be found later in a graveyard, a cement mixer, or a variety of other strange places.  Supernatural forces were blamed.  After plunking down a bunch of cash to over 100 shaman and getting no positive results, two other local shamans heard of the family’s plight and decided to offer their services for free.

The shamans showed up and began to pray and chant, both inside and outside the residence.  At this point, and apparently in direct response to this mystical practice, a figure was seen darting away from the location.  Luckily, it was captured.  Turns out it was a djinn!

Djinn are shapeshifting supernatural creatures from Arab and Islamic folklore said to be made up of smokeless flame or “the fire of a scorching wind.”  Whatever the hell that means.  Before their work was done, the shamans had captured 9 djinn in all.  In bottles and jars, no less!

 

Fact: posting pics of Djinn on Twitter gets you more followers

 

 

Wheew.  Problem solved, right?

Wrong.

No sooner had our heroic shamans left when ol’ Siti was back up to her old tricks, disappearing and such; this time to a cave 15 kilometers from her home.  She sent her mother a text to let her know where she was at.  I’m not kidding.  On her way home she was mysteriously whisked into a tree.  Again, like a good girl, she sent her mom a text.  Wouldn’t want her to think she was out drinking with boys.

So back came our humble shamans to do battle once again.  Apparently the first time around they missed a few malevolent entities, because they’ve captured 12 more djinn now.  That’s 21 djinn in all.

Blackjack!

 

Wanna play spin the bottle?

 

Surely, the final word on this story has not been written.  We’ll keep our eyes peeled for further developments.  But wouldn’t it be terrific if we could get text alerts to notify us of the breaking news?

Real Monsters: A Book Review

My name is Jason Korbus.  I am 30 years old, have been interested in the paranormal as long as I can remember, and even host an internet radio show in my spare time.  But I’ve never been afraid of monsters until I read Brad Steiger’s new book.

Aptly titled, “Real Monsters, Gruesome Critters, and Beasts From the Darkside,” starts with a very simple premise.  Based on a 2001 study conducted by researchers at Cal State, we have a pretty good idea of the movies and monsters that have scared people over time.  But if regular people are scared of The Exorcist, Dracula, and Godzilla, what are paranormal researchers scared of?  The answer runs the gamut from Bigfoot and Mothman to Werewolves and the Dover Demon, with a seemingly endless variety of horrifying creatures in between.  And it is that scare factor which makes Steiger’s newest book both a thrill-a-minute page turner, and among the most terrifying things I have ever read.

If you dare, read true witness accounts of Big Cats, a phenomena of a Fortean variety which finds the large felines stalking prey in Iowa, and other locations across the globe where they simply do not belong.  Black Dogs as well, who some say foretell disaster, make an eerie appearance.  Perhaps nothing may be more paralyzing than staring into the glowing eyes of one of these beasts, particularly when one has found their way into your very own backyard.

Steiger also moves into the lore of the Bogeyman, though, not one to write about childish fantasies, horrifies you by uncovering the origin of the term.  Then, before you know it, sweeps you into a whirlwind of first-person ghastly encounters with these bizarre entities that leave you breathless and nearly afraid to blink your eyes for fear of what you may miss.  Is that noise outside your bedroom door just the house settling as you’ve always believed?  Or is something much more sinister stalking you from beyond our realm?

What makes Steiger such a treasured author and this book a personal bookshelf necessity is its sheer volume of resources.  The astounding amount of information included about all the creatures, particularly zombies, vampires, and even UFO abductors, could easily cause someone to buy multiple books on each topic just to find it all.  But “Real Monsters, Gruesome Critters, and Beasts From the Darkside,” provides it for you in a veritable “one stop shop” of all things morbid and grotesque that lurk in the dark corners of our mind, and in the shadows just around the corner.

Yes, my name is Jason Korbus.  I am 30 years old, have been interested in the paranormal as long as I can remember, and even host an internet radio show in my spare time.  And though Brad Steiger may have made me scared of monsters, you and I both know they aren’t real, right?  ….Right?

 

A Mothman Virgin: My Trip to Point Pleasant

*This review does not reflect the official views of SFR, like they have any official views anyway.*

Woo is a very powerful vortex.

It calls to you in the night like a train whistle. It pulls you through the countryside, through rusty dilapidated train yards and stations that have little to differentiate themselves from the Army’s of Salvation that are set up to sway the guilt of those with resources. The trains themselves are just orderly ways to sort the classes of people trying to arrive.

Yet there is a romantic sense of riding the rails. In flight, the world passes underneath, there‘s no sense of movement. On the train, you pass through the world. You are the one in motion, the one who is moving towards something more desired. A lover, family, friends. A combination of the two. Moving towards the best choice you’ve ever made, or the biggest mistake of your life. Or your moving to something you can’t define. Which was my case.

I was giving every rape counselor and homicide investigator whiplash by traveling across the Midwest to meet with two men I had never met with before. Sure, with technology we had exchanged communication, but we’d also hid behind it. Or at least we had the opportunity to. Now the calendar was dealing the turn, and the river was swiftly approaching, but it was too late to go out. It’s all or nothing, and it doesn’t even matter if it’s the best we can do. Because if we knew anything about each other before we met in person, it was that we were all imperfect.

Imperfections must serve as magnets then, because here I was, riding the rails in a tin can on my way to Toledo, Ohio. I was going to meet with Jason Korbus and Bobby Nelson, hosts of my favorite online radio show, Strange Frequencies Radio. We had been in communication with each other for about six to nine months, give or take. Before this trip, I considered these people friends. I disclosed things about myself to them, and them to me. We’d ask for advice, we’d help each other. We’d pester each other and downright stalk. Ah yes, all the things friends do.

After nearly 24 hours of waiting, traveling, waiting and traveling again, I arrive at the home of Jason Korbus. The cab pulls up in the dark and a tall, lumbering creature approaches. Dressed in a jacket and black ball cap, I wonder whether or not the cabbie was having second thoughts about leaving me alone in the clutches of this stranger. As was I. Once I made my way through the door, I turn to say hello to Jason and I’m struck with my ever-present social shyness. I look everywhere but at him. He takes a picture of my sweaty, travel-weary face, laughs, and shows me to the guest room.

My shyness was apparent, and the moment I crawl into the amazingly comfortable bed, my phone begins to buzz with an incoming text message. Mind you, it’s sender was mere feet away from me, so close he could hear the sounds my phone was making. But this is a comfort zone. A safe place to retreat when either of us are too tired to try to overcome my ineptitude.

An hour later, I’m awake, showered, and dressed. I hear Bobby’s distinct and familiar voice as I suppress the urge to jump out of the nearest window and run back to Minnesota and descend the stairs.

“Fuck,” is the word out of his mouth. I smile awkwardly and we make our hasty exit.

A lot happened in that car ride. Or maybe nothing at all happened. I guess it depends on the definitions. As we crossed the state of Ohio, West Virginia bound, I began to learn Bobby and Jason. I can’t explain what that even means, but it does involve pushing your boundaries, setting aside expectations, buying the ticket and taking the ride. There’s no use holding back your hand, or bluffing. It all gets laid out on the table, resistance is futile. And it’s one of the most brutally beautiful games I’ve ever played.

Once we arrived in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, the most underwhelming contradiction flooded my eyes. The Mothman Festival takes place over about 6 city blocks in the main street area of a small West Virginia town, the sight of the Silver Bridge collapse, and the setting of a mediocre movie. I went knowing it wasn’t going to be the best street festival, or paranormal event, that I could have chosen, but I was expecting a bit more. Expectations are useless.

After a brief walk to the theater where the speakers would be presenting, we meet up with Robyn McKinney, Nancy Ratliff and a very lovely woman I had never heard of and whose name I can’t remember. A trip to The Mothman Museum. 3 dollars for a storefront of movie props. There were some rather interesting things in the museum, including handwritten accounts of sightings, poster board presentations, and a collection of media reports of the Mothman sightings and subsequent Silver Bridge collapse. My favorite part of the museum was the video taken shortly after the bridge collapse. The grainy footage was honest and grotesque, a peek into the direct deadly aftermath of a tragic event. I’m sick, I’m depraved and twisted, and I loved it. I also loved the suit John Keel wore when the Mothman Sculpture was dedicated. A man writes a book on something that never existed, wore a suit when a sculpture was made about it, and that suit sits in a museum. It’s glorious and pointless, and I paid 3 dollars to see it.

It was hot and early in the day. We found a bar and swiftly made it home. The only way I was going to get through such a dichotomous trip was to sit in a dark room and nurse the teat of alcoholism, at least for a little while.

Drinks were ordered, conversations were started. Meeting new people is always a nerve racking experience, regardless of how socially awkward or not you are. You’re putting yourself out there, desperately searching for a common ground, and trying like hell to keep your mask from getting ripped off. It’s exhausting, but we hold on. Everyone wishes like hell we could drop it, but nobody is willing to go first.

So I follow Jason outside like a lost puppy, meandering around the vendor area of The Mothman Festival. I buy a shirt, because I’m a tourist and that’s what tourists do. I take in the sights, the old buildings that groan with age, and the people walking around, clutching onto belief or skepticism like a child clutches onto a teddy bear. Fuck if we’re going to let anyone take it away. I dare Korbus to join the Miss Mothman pagent, I find the sight where the bridge collapsed, I take pictures and walk around. All surprisingly dull.

We meet up with Bobby and head towards the vendor area. A stupid man holds a snapping turtle in the air, much to the amusement of children. Someone else has the job of playing the banjo to this miniature circus. Bobby spots Linda Scarberry, one of the witnesses of the Mothman. She reported seeing the creature a year before the collapse of the Silver Bridge.

What happened next I cannot put into words. There is video evidence, and hopefully this will see the light of day very soon. If not, too bad for you. It was one of the highlights of the trip, for me.

More walking around, finding fair food, and waiting for lemon trees to grow. Deep fried Oreo’s are the best thing I’ve ever put into my mouth, and make life worth living. They are worth ruining your health for. We continued to walk around, looking at stuff, talking to people, and waiting for Rosemary Ellen Guiley’s talk. We go back to the bar because that’s all there is. We go to the theater and sit in the hot humid darkness. We talk, we joke, we laugh and have a good time, Point Pleasant be damned.

Towards the end of our trip we start the search for our friend, Tonya Keyser, and her group. We play Twitter tag, we walk around in the oppressive sun and heat, and we give up more than once. We collapse on the grass in a dirty, sweaty pile of travel weary strangers who have quickly become friends. I hand out about three dozen flyers for SFR, feeling like a cheesy sales person:

“Strange Frequencies, the best 3 hours of paranormal talk ONLINE.” Flyer. Repeat.

“Is this woman you?”

“No, that’s Robyn. I’m just a friend.”

After finally finding my wifey, Tonya, we spend some more time sitting and socializing. It’s another shy experience, but the heat has taken the sweat from my body and the mask off my face. I was about to melt into a puddle of exhaustion and make the guys carry me back to the car, but there was a bit more left of the day. The clan went to the theater to catch Rosemary Ellen Guiley talk about shadow people. And woo. Don’t forget the woo. The fact that people believe this stuff still astounds me. The theater itself was a hot box filled with way too many people, and my shy socially awkward self had to get away. I wandered, I took pictures, and rested on more than one bench.

Bobby, Jason and I said goodbye to our dear (and for me new) friends, I hopped in the driver’s seat and we made our way back to Toledo. It was an evening of some friendly conversation, illuminating insights, and me finally feeling at ease with myself in the presence of these strange freqs. I consider the trip a personal success, and while I don’t see myself going back to Mothman again, I would make the trip to hang out with these guys at some other event in the future. Because while they may be fucking crazy, so am I. We stumbled into each other for a reason, I guess this was it.

Everyone who came to that festival was looking for something, but I let myself take in the festival for what it was, a desperate attempt to hold onto something that makes some people of Point Pleasant feel special. I know what that’s like, that drive to stick out just a little, to claim your special. I think you’ve noticed by now that my review was almost not about the Mothman Festival at all, and that’s because I personally didn’t think it was much to write about. Perhaps if I had been there for both days, or attended the film and more of the speakers, I would have a different perspective. If I was a believer, I would have had an amazing time for the sake of the festival. Truth is, I went for the friendship. I am bat shit crazy enough to travel for nearly 24 hours just to hang out with these people for the day. I guess the going got weird, and that’s when I turned pro.

Killer Shrimp! Holy High Water Batman!

Killer Shrimp???

There may be more to worry about in the ocean than Jaws or exploding BP rigs. Recently discovered in the UK was the newest monster of the deep: Dikerogammarus villous freshwater shrimp.

Okay, so perhaps these shrimp won’t kill humans, but the title of this article was just weird enough to post here at Hey Freq.‘s (and I’ve been absent lately). The Epoch Times reported today that this species has been found off the UK coast and is causing major concerns amongst researchers.

“The non-native species is known to be invasive and could potentially cause major problems for the UK’s water ecosystems,” the article states.

Apparently, this shrimp eats a number of other invertebrates in the ocean. It also attacks and kills without eating it’s prey, a behavior that can cause extinction in species. The direct effects of the killer shrimp are still under study, but invasive species have been studied in other areas of the world and have yielded negative results.

So, could other creatures, like cryptids, essentially be invasive species? Could these dogs that are currently being labeled as the Chupacabras just an invasive species that could have a negative impact on an ecosystem? Is Rachel just reaching to make a funny headline worthy of a post at Hey Freq’s? What are your thoughts?

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/42528/

A Feast for the Maggots – Sickening

A Madisonville man is being charged with involuntary manslaughter after police found 65 year old Darrell White’s wife covered in maggots.  46 year old Jorene White suffered from arthritis and had been bed ridden for quite a bit of time.  When authorities showed up to the house after White called 911 police were shocked to see the corpse covered in maggots and flies. 

Initially it was thought that White had been dead and rotting for a week.  Julie Wilson with Hamilton County Prosecuter’s Office said “When the coroner’s office investigated it, their examination of the body, they said no she had probably been dead that day.”    

Later on the coroner said that Mrs. White had died a day earlier from sepsis. 

It seems maggots made home inside Mrs. White’s rotting bed sores.

References:

http://www.kypost.com/dpps/news/tri-state_news/wife-eaten-alive-by-maggots;-husband-charged_5078367