Archive for July, 2011
O’DONNELL: It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane — It’s Trebek
Jul 28th
Alex Trebek at the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Award on June 27, 2010.
I’ve read comic books since I was a little kid. Every summer, I flock to the theater to see every superhero movie. There are times I lie in bed at night and think how awesome it would be to have the ability to fly, or shoot spider webs from my wrists, or have a skeleton made out of Adamantium metal.
O'Donnell
One of the best aspects of any superhero is his or her alter ego. Some masquerade as millionaire playboys or hide behind glasses and work as newspaper reporters. A solid alter ego only enhances the mystique of a superhero.
As it turns out there has been a real life superhero gracing the televisions of many of our homes every afternoon. His cunning alter ego as a game show host has fooled the public for years. A situation recently occurred that forced this hero to use his powers and expose his true self to the world. Who is this incredible crime fighter? It’s a bird, it’s a plane — it’s “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek!
Trebek traveled to San Francisco to be a part of the National Geographic World Championship geography finals. While visiting the Bay area, Trebek had no choice but to use his powers and leap into action. The supervillain facing Trebek was a sinister female burglar. Trebek was resting comfortably in his hotel room when the woman made her strike.
According to The Bay Citizen News, the woman did not intentionally target Trebek and was not a stalker. She was just a burglar trying to snatch as much loot from the hotel before disappearing into the night. Trebek put a stop to the woman’s reign of terror when she stumbled into his room.
The burglar attempted to flee the scene but Trebek gave chase. There were no reports that he was running faster than a speeding bullet, however, The Bay Citizen News did report Trebek took a nasty fall. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon but the pursuit was not in vain.
Trebek’s courageous efforts slowed the thieving woman down enough for security to swoop in and apprehend her. Trebek saved the day and despite his injury, still made it to the National Geographic event the following day.
Originally, it was thought Alex Trebek’s only power was to host a daytime game show stronger than Nyquil. It is now clear his super powers run much deeper. Yes, he is missing some key superhero components like a cool costume. Every good superhero movie deserves a sequel. Maybe the next time around Alex Trebek can work on a few things and become a complete superhero. You have to admit the Trebek-mobile has a nice ring to it.
Jordan O’Donnell
O’DONNELL: I’m not dead, I’m sleeping
Jul 27th
Some people spread out their partying over a lifetime. They engage in the occasional frivolity spread across many years. I am not oneof these people. All of my party credits were burned early on in life. It is sometimes odd reflecting back on my wilder times. As a result of my crazy nights, it could go without saying that I awoke the next day in some pretty strange places. Though I am not proud of this, I can say, however, I have never awoke to the surprise of being locked in the refrigerator of the local morgue. Unfortunately for an asthmatic South African man this is what happened to him.
O'Donnell
Benjamin Franklin once said “I wake up every morning at nine and grab for the morning paper. Then I look at the obituary page. If my name is not on it, I get up.” According to the Huffingtonpost.com, an 80-year-old man with a history of asthma did not have the luxury of peaking at the obituary page to make sure he wasn’t dead because he was already locked away in the morgue. The man spent 21 hours in the fridge of a Johannesburg morgue and lived to tell about it. The article cites an interview with morgue owner, Ayanda Maqolo, where he says he received a call from the man’s family reporting a death. Maqolo then sent one of his employees to collect the thought to be dead man. Maqolo also makes sure to point out his employee was not negligent because he did check the man’s pulse and heartbeat but found nothing.
Nearly a day after packing the old man into the fridge employees at the morgue began to hear screams for help. The Huffington Post article mentions the staff of the morgue were shocked and thought they were being haunted by a ghost. Maqolo continued his interview by admitting even he was scared but tried to show strength to comfort his coworkers.
Police were finally were summoned to the morgue to further investigate. Maqolo was relived the officers came equipped with their guns. He says in the interview the presence of firearms comforted him because “in case something wanted to fight with us.” I write a blog that covers the paranormal so in no way could I be considered an expert. I will say if there is something evil trying to punch its way out of a morgue fridge trying to harm you, I highly doubt a few small guns are going to provide much protection.
Once the police opened the locked fridge it was revealed there was no blood thirsty monster trapped inside but a very confused and frightened old man. After spending 21 hours locked inside the fridge, the old man was surprisingly fine and released from a nearby hospital that day. The family was making funeral arrangements when they got the news the man was alive and well. I am sure they are relieved and embarrassed over the whole situation. The old man, on the other hand, cannot be a happy camper. On a lighter note, he now does have an excuse to forget every birthday and holiday for the rest of his life. His family really can’t complain that he didn’t get them any Christmas presents because he has a bulletproof comeback. “I’m sorry little Billy and Mary Sue I didn’t get you any gifts this year. My brain must still be a little shaky from when your parents were overly eager to proclaim me dead and send me off to the morgue.” In my opinion the old man has received a blessing through this curse.
In the wake of this unfortunate mishap the South African Health Department has made a plea to health officials and family relatives that they strive to make an unquestionable confirmation that a person is actually deceased before ushering them to the morgue. Much like remembering to turn the coffee pot off before you leave the house or to not text message while driving, we should all be mindful of the dangerous consequences of admitting a relative to the morgue prematurely.
Jordan O’Donnell
O’DONNELL: A haunted audition for X-Factor
Jul 22nd
Simon Cowell has left American Idol behind and has moved on to torturing television audiences with an entirely new competition show. The X-Factor is set to makes its debut this fall on Fox. The show will give yet another platform to aspiring singers with zero talent but who are positive they are the best since Aretha Franklin and will never take no for an answer.
O'Donnell
Cowell will once again act as a judge for the new show. Sitting on the panel with him will be legendary music producer LA Reid and everyone’s favorite psychotic ex pop singer, Paula Abdul. Ryan Seacrest will not be involved with the show, because he is too busying hosting every other show on TV.
Like American Idol, The X-Factor has taken to some of the country’s largest cities to audition “talent.” When the judges rolled into Dallas this summer, they got a lot more than what they expected. US Weekly magazine is reporting the judges were haunted by ghosts in the lone star state.
The judges were booked to stay at the luxurious Stoneleigh Hotel and Spa in Dallas. What was thought to be comfortable refuge from the craziness surrounding the show turned out to be a haven for paranormal activity.
LA Reid was first to arrive at the Stoneleigh Hotel. According to US Weekly, the music mogul was long gone before Cowell or Abdul could even arrive. The magazine said Reid got an odd feeling from his lodging. The crew believed he was just being a primadonna until they were informed of the hotel’s story.
Paula Abdul didn’t last much longer. The US Weekly story continued by saying Abdul experienced strange happenings around her room after a harsh thunderstorm. She reported that the faucets in the bathroom were turning on and off on their own.
Finally, even Cowell himself experienced paranormal occurrences at the Texas hotel. Oddly enough, he seemed more receptive to the presence of the ghosts than that of the many people who auditioned. US Weekly mentions that the experience has now made Cowell somewhat obsessed with spirits. One interview the magazine conducted said that Cowell liked the haunting so much that it wouldn’t be a surprise if the judge started requesting haunted hotels.
So what exactly happened at the Dallas hotel that night? Were spirits trying to make contact with living humans? Was it merely a coincidence that the humans happened to be world famous judges on an upcoming TV show? Was it all just a publicity stunt to gain attention for Simon Cowell’s new venture? And did Seacrest have anything to do with it?
All of these are valid questions, but I have my own assumption. In my opinion, the ghosts at the Stoneleigh Hotel that night were not your average ghosts. These spirits knew exactly who they were haunting and were trying to audition for The X-Factor.
Though there are various restrictions for who can audition for the show, there is nothing that says you have to be a living human being. If only Cowell and company had paid closer attention, they might have had their breath taken away not by fright but by amazement.
Sadly, none of the ghosts from the hotel were invited to participate in the new show. Now the spirits will have to wait until next season for a shot at fame from beyond the grave.
Jordan O’Donnell
O’DONNELL: The Other Side Set to Expand
Jul 21st
O'Donnell
Over the course of the lifetime of the blog “The Other Side” the world of the paranormal has been the focus. A lot of the concentration has been placed on topics involving things like the undead, UFOs and other frightening monsters. While this has been great fun and there is no lack of material in this department, the time has come for “The Other Side” to expand.
As this blog moves forward, it will begin including a larger variety of stories. No longer will the limits be that of the paranormal. There still will be plenty of aliens and zombies, but now “The Other Side” will also aim to include all bizarre and strange stories that may come across the radar.
Even if there is doubt in the existence of paranormal occurrences, one cannot deny we humans live in a pretty strange world. “The Other Side” will now be highlighting more of these stories in the coming installments. Stories involving the questioning of North Dakota’s statehood, a semi truck crash that spills millions of bees out onto a highway, or Georgia police shutting down a lemonade stand run by a group of little girls will no longer be brushed aside by this blog.
I will strive to maintain the level of journalistic integrity the readers have come to expect from “The Other Side.” In case you missed the blogs about Robert the Haunted Doll or the Lizard People, there really wasn’t much integrity to lose in the first place. Nevertheless, “The Other Side” will still have more integrity than Rupert Murdoch and his now defunct News of the World tabloid. After all, I am not planning on wire tapping the phone of the man who attempts to break the record for most raw hot dogs eaten in a parking lot. In addition, I have never heard any stories of a ghost or bigfoot having phones, so there is not even an option of hacking there.
As we near the end of summer the time seems right for “The Other Side” to take its next step in evolution. By including stories of the strange and bizarre in addition to the familiar paranormal topics, this blog will have more room to deliver exciting content. At times, it will be interesting, but rest assured “The Other Side” will always be on the edge of insanity.
Jordan O’Donnell
DREASLER: Charity Work
Jul 18th
Jenny Dreasler in "Villainy for the Lonely"
This weekend, I had the opportunity to be a part of one of the most amazing experiences in my life so far… I got to be in a movie! The production company, Table 16 Productions just wrapped its last day of filming this past weekend, and I got to be a part of it.
Dreasler
I was lucky enough that my boss, Jessica Martin-Cate, sent an email to Chris Kelley, the producer of the film, “Villainy For The Lonely.” We thought it would be a pretty cool idea if I got to be a small background performer, and then I could write about my experience on the set.
Little did I know that I would be given my first lines in a feature film and would actually get a named character, Charity. I was definitely not expecting that … nor was I expecting to be handcuffed to a chair in my first role either, but that’s neither here nor there. Either way, I was ecstatic that I was even given the chance to possibly be in a movie. I have always thought that would be a cool thing to do, and I couldn’t have asked for a friendlier bunch of people to work with.
I was greeted warmly by the production company and the other actors. I immediately recognized a familiar face from my childhood, Ben Poland, who was working the sound for the movie. So that in itself, made the comfort level a little better. It also helped tremendously that Chris Kelley’s wife, Victoria, was an absolute sweetheart. She made me feel welcome and made sure I wasn’t left to my own devices, which on a set with guns and handcuffs, probably wouldn’t have been a good idea. Victoria made sure I wasn’t uncomfortably hot in the room we were shooting in, which happened to be the second floor of Kristopher’s Hair Salon in Quincy.
The interesting thing about filming my small role, which will be lucky to make even 30 seconds in the movie, was that all my lines were ad-libbed. The first thing Chris asked me before going on camera was “What kind of person are you normally not?” To that, I answered, “the bad girl” and there you had it, I was cast as a villain who was being interrogated by the police, something that would never happen in real life. My character was a pretty demented little girl, throwing off the cops with every little lie she could tell. Charity definitely has some complexes about herself, seeing as how she does a lot of “charity work” around town, and you know what I mean. (Take a look at what I was wearing for the movie, if you’re still stuck.)
Being on the set was definitely nerve racking. When the camera starts rolling, and you have to come up with material on the drop of a dime, without seeming too fake or like you’re trying to act like you’re not acting, can be tough. Luckily, I pulled from my acting days as a child when I was in the drama club in Baldwin, and it all came back. I forgot how much fun acting was, and how much I truly enjoyed it. Needless to say, the scene went off without a hitch, minus me accidentally slipping out of the handcuffs, and having to quickly shove my hand back in.
You can see clips of the movie at www.table16.com. “Villainy For The Lonely” is a bizarre, twisted tale originally set as a love triangle between a madman, a villain and a ghost (Victoria’s character). Production started May 15 and wrapped on July 17. A first draft of the film is due by late fall/early winter. After that, the film will be sent to numerous film festivals. Some of the company’s other work, like the movie “Hampshire,” is actually on Netflix. So I urge you to check that out.
I wish the film the best of luck, as it was a truly amazing experience to have in my life. Who knows, maybe I will get my own IMDb now? Or maybe not …
Jenny Dreasler
GREENWELL: Taum Sauk: The Big Little Mountain
Jul 15th
Mountain view
The Midwest isn’t known for any sort of drastic gradient in elevation. In fact, we’re known for quite the opposite: flat grasslands and acre after endless acre of corn, wheat and soybeans. Personally, I think we get a bad rap sometimes because of the grand landscapes of the Rockies to the west and Appalachia to the east. Maybe our landscapes aren’t as “grand,” but you have to give us credit for producing enough food to feed millions each year. In other words, we keep you alive America. You’re welcome.
Greenwell
With all that said, we still have oases for hikers and climbers, notably in Southern Missouri and Southern Illinois. We only had to travel 3.5 hours into south into Missouri, just outside a small town called Ironton, where we were able to hike Taum Sauk Mountain. Taum Sauk is located in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, and it’s the highest point of elevation in the entire state at 1,772 feet above sea level. It isn’t a glacier capped, 12,000-foot sawtooth that you might find in Colorado or Montana, but it’s a definite rise above sea level. Try hiking it. You’ll see what I mean.
The thing I really liked about Taum Sauk is its accessibility, whether on tires, hooves or feet. We drove to a basic walk-in, first-come first-served campsite near the top of the mountain. When I called the rangers station prior to our arrival, the ranger informed me that a “campsite is usually always available, but it’s not guaranteed.” We got a nice wooded site without a problem, although we were in relatively close quarters with another group of backpackers, which I didn’t mind.
Tandem Trail Marker
From the site, you have access to a variety of trails. We chose to take the Mina Sauk Falls trail, which is a 3-mile loop leading to a 132-foot waterfall that cascades over a series of ledges into Taum Sauk Creek. It’s defiantly a medium to strenuous hike. The trail curves and winds over rocky terrain and swift dips and inclines in elevation. I recommend good hiking shoes or boots, and I encourage you to be cautious. The risk to fall on nasty rock formations and/or sprain or even break an ankle is high if you aren’t paying careful attention to your footing.
The trail was well marked. It’s always a hikers worst nightmare to veer off trail and get lost (I also encourage you to carry and be knowledgeable with a compass and a topographical map). The trails of Taum Sauk Mountain are also part of a much larger trail — 350-400 miles — called the Ozark Trail, which is divided into 13 smaller sections, including several state parks and the popular Current River section. Taum Sauk is a 35-mile section. The trail builders use different markers to let you know whether you are on an exclusive trail in Taum Sauk State Park (a maroon blaze), the larger Ozark Trail (a green and white blaze) or a trail shared by both (both blazes in tandem).
Devil's Tollgate
After lunch we veered off the loop to see a final landmark, Devil’s Tollgate, which was an additional 2-mile in-and-out hike to the southwest. The trail runs between large rock formations that look naturally cleaved in half. This trail was relatively simple after it leveled out. The beginning was a steep decline; so, if you ever decide to come at the Tollgate from the east, take it slow. Declines can be bad on your knees, especially if you’re carrying a pack and moving fast. We decided to eat a snack and rehydrate here.
The temperature started to drop while we were eating. We thought we were getting a break because it had been in the high 80s, but it was actually a storm front moving into the area. We decided to hike swiftly back up the mountain (500 feet in about two miles) to our camp rather than risk being at a lower point of elevation during high amounts of rainfall. This put us between a rock and a hard place because climbing up in a thunderstorm also makes you a more conductive lightning rod. And we did see lighting. I’d guess the bolt struck the ground 100-200 feet east of us. Too close for comfort.
We decided not to camp that night due to the severity of the weather. There’s roughing it, and then there’s being ignorant.
Highest Point Marker
Trying to fend off thunderstorms in tornado alley in a tent during tornado season is ignorant. You have to have common sense when you’re out in the wilderness. Fortunately, we were camping close to our vehicle so we had the option to go. We would have been in really tight spot if we were in backcountry. Taum Sauk was an awesome experience: challenging, conditioning, technical and dangerous, and it’s less than a day’s drive from here. You could easily go on a Friday afternoon after work and camp and backpack for the weekend.
Eric Greenwell
Eastern Collared Lizard
O’DONNELL: Survive a Zombie Apocalypse with the Help of the CDC
Jul 14th
I am a hypochondriac. If I am allowed enough time I can convince myself I have contracted almost any disease known to man. Television shows like “House” and “Grey’s Anatomy ” set my fears in motion. Also friends and family have barred me from visiting the website WebMD. This site is a playground for any hypochondriac to simply type in a listing of symptoms and receive a horrific diagnosis. Though never diagnosed by a living breathing doctor WebMD has proclaimed I probably have lyme disease on three different occasions.
O'Donnell
From time to time, I will check in on the Center of Disease Control’s website for updates on what to do in case there is a massive outbreak of some nature. Recently I discovered the CDC recognizes a disease most wouldn’t see as legitimate. In case there wasn’t enough to worry about in today’s world, a zombie apocalypse can officially be added to the list. The United States Government and the Center for Disease Control give a detailed plan for Americans to follow in case the dead were to rise from the grave.
The first step to prepare for a zombie apocalypse is to put together an emergency kit. The CDC advises that having an emergency kit ready is a good idea for any natural disaster or disease outbreak. The kit should consist of water, non-perishable food, medications, tools (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.), sanitation and hygiene (household bleach, soap, etc.), clothing and bedding, important documents and, of course, first aid supplies. The CDC has a more detailed list on its emergency page: http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/
After the emergency kit is assembled, it’s time to make out a plan to keep your family safe while the zombies are roaming the streets. First, check to see if there any other types of emergencies occurring in your area. To clarify, if your weekend hasn’t been completely spoiled by the zombies, look around to make sure there isn’t anything like a hurricane or a tornado going on as well.
Selecting a safe meeting spot for your family is the next step in putting together an emergency plan. You will want to select one place right outside the home then a place somewhere outside the neighborhood as well. This is in case you are forced to evacuate your home due to your neighborhood being overrun by zombies. Having two places will give the family options. It’s kind of like picking a spot when you go to the theme park for everyone to meet up in case a separation occurs. It’s almost exactly like that except there are no fun rides or goofy costumed creatures. There will just be lots of running, screaming and overall hysteria. It’s just my humble opinion, but if your plan has to be put into action, it might be somewhere around this step that you will have to ditch grandma and get a move on.
Next, you will want to identify all your emergency contacts. This list should include police, fire department and any known members of the NRA or at the least people you know with hefty stockpiles of weaponry. I mention the last two contacts with sincerity, because there is a good chance that if a zombie outbreak does occur that the police and fire department response times will be relatively slow. This means there will be situations where you will have to fend for yourself. To help practice for such an event, take the kids to the batting cages next weekend. Not only will they have fun hitting a few baseballs around, you will get better sleep knowing your kids can at least handle a bat and hit a target with great precision.
You will also need an evacuation route. After you get the family all together at the assigned meeting spot, you will probably want to get as far away from the zombie outbreak occurring in your town. Chose a destination and a way of transportation. Anyone with a car, van or SUV will do, but if you know a neighbor with a helicopter that would be even better. Either way, have multiple routes to escape the zombies. It is essential to keep moving. If you go by many zombie movies, it’s the procrastinators that bite the dust first. There could be a chance that shelters have been setup, so be flexible with your evacuation plan.
Finally, the Center of Disease Control tries to provide comfort by letting everyone know it will be conducting investigations. The CDC will dispatch technical assistance to cities in need. The goals of the investigation will seek to determine the cause of the illness, the source of the infection/virus/toxin, learn how it is transmitted and spread, and how to treat those who have been potentially infected. Though it is nice to know the government will be involved in some capacity, stay mindful of your own plans and try to stick to them when you can.
I have been ridiculed for years over my hypochondria, but now it seems my over researching of diseases might have been to good benefit. If a zombie apocalypse does hit, there will be many under prepared and a large scale panic can be expected. The more ready you and your family are for such a disaster, the better chance you will have of expecting the clutches of the undead. Remember it is not the writer of a paranormal blog advising you on this matter . . . it’s your government.
Jordan O’Donnell
Editor’s note: To read the CDC’s advice on how to prepare for a zombie apocalypse, click here.
O’DONNELL: Welcome to the Voodoo Lounge
Jul 13th
Voodoo dolls are on display at Voodoo Authentica, a shop in the French Quarter of New Orleans, La.
Whenever I am in malls, I enjoy shopping in novelty gift shops. I realize my description of the type of store I enjoy perusing may for some give the idea I frequent places that sell items like inflatable dolls and edible underwear. This is not the case . . . I swear. The novelty gift stores I enjoy specialize in items like fake vomit, rubber dog poo and other assorted nick-nacks that are ultimately a waste of money.
O'Donnell
Among the array of silly items, there is one that is always present that disturbs me. To most, rubber dog poo is disgusting, but it is not potentially deadly unlike the Voodoo doll. This plush little doll, sold equipped with poking needle, is marketed as a fun gag gift for people to take out vengeance on evil bosses, unruly spouses or irritating losers. The voodoo doll can be playfully presented in many ways but the fact is it still is a violent tool of black magic.
This evil little doll is a custom practiced by the spiritual system known as Voodoo. According to Hauntedamericatours.com, Voodoo’s core functions are to explain the forces of the universe, influence those forces and influence human behavior. You can do many things with rubber dog poo like irritate your grandma, but its unlikely you will be able to perform any mystical practices. Those who happily poke needles into the novelty dolls are unknowingly practicing the system of Voodoo.
When it comes to Voodoo, the doll is arguably the most known custom of the practice. The book “The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook” by Denise Alvarado illustrates more beliefs of Voodoo. If you are willing to toy with a Voodoo doll, you may want to try a few of these practices as well in your everyday life.
Neighbors can be frustrating and sometimes downright scary. If you happen to be concerned you may have a witch living next door, then a Voodoo practice can help. To prevent a witch from entering your home and causing your family harm simply lay a broom in front of the doorway. This seems odd to me since I would assume witches would be attracted to brooms. After all, the broom is a witch’s primary mode of transportation. According to Voodoo, the practice works. It’s unclear if a Swifter mop is also effective but I wouldn’t risk it.
Another Voodoo belief is something to keep in mind next time you are out to eat. According to the practice you should never borrow or lend salt because it is bad luck. This may be Voodoo’s way of helping people watch their sodium intake. It’s hard enough to keep track of a cellphone and keys, but it might be smart to start carrying a salt shaker in your pocket or purse.
The next Voodoo belief will trouble any neat freak. Once the sun goes down, forget about taking out the garbage. If you throw out your trash after dark according to Voodoo, you will be throwing away your luck. It’s time to make a choice: do you want your house to not smell like the old lasagna you just tossed in the trash can or do you want good luck? If you plan to incorporate Voodoo into your life, you may find yourself sprinting with bags of trash out to the cans outside at dusk.
Seeing a spider always scares me to death. I have refused to sleep certain places based strictly on the fact I saw an eight legged creature run across the floor. Voodoo has a system worked out when it comes to spiders. If one is seen in the morning, that is a sign of grief. If a spider crosses your path at noon, it’s a sign of joy, while if its seen in the evening, it’s a signal of hope. The only sign of seeing a spider to me means Jordan is on the verge of tears and probably on a counter top shrieking.
Whether you believe in any of the practices of Voodoo or not, it still should be approached with caution. Next time you are in a novelty gift store and see the display of Voodoo dolls, think twice. Do you really want to partake in a custom of a spiritual system that advises you never ask someone to pass the salt? Personally, I think I am going to pass on the dolls and needles and stick with the rubber dog poo.
Jordan O’Donnell
DREASLER: Blues In The District
Jul 12th
Blues guitarist Laurie Morvan wales on her guitar during a solo as the Laurie Morvan Band performs in Washington Park Friday.
I had never heard of the Laurie Morvan Band, and I had never been to Blues in The District before, so I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into. I was positive I would run in to more reluctant people who did not want to be interviewed, and I still have not acquired a threatening persona yet, and nor do I like pushing people to do things they don’t want to do, but if I really am getting annoyed, I just use the line — “Hey, I’m on deadline people, can you help me out…” — when most of the time, I don’t even edit the event until two days later. Tricks of the trade, of which I just gave up … oh well, I do what I can to get what I want.
Dreasler
But with this crowd … I had NO problem finding people to be interviewed. (You will see for yourself when you watch the video below) I thoroughly enjoyed how easy it was to get people to oblige to my interviews. Or maybe it was the constant flow of alcohol that was running through their veins that provoked them to make such a rash decision in letting me videotape and post them on the internet for all to see, forever? (Ok, a bit much…) Either way, I had plenty of people offering to be interviewed. It made my life a lot easier, and a lot more fun! Not to mention, I ran into a lot of people that I knew, or at least people who knew me. I have to say, I honestly love my job, and truly feel honored that people are happy at the progress I’m making with my career. It means a lot to hear your compliments, and I love interacting with the people of Quincy. So, on that side note … Thank you!
Back to the band … Laurie Morvan is by far one of the most charismatic performers I have ever met. Even in just talking to her, she has this cool, sleek feel about her, in that she seems like she really cares about her fans and what they think, yet she doesn’t have this fake, “Oh my gosh it’s soooo great to meet you” (when some artists, I’m sure, could care less about fans). She truly wasn’t like that. I stood there for a while, and just watched her mingle with her fans as she signed autographs in-between breaks. The fact that she did that was amazing. Most artists hide out backstage … which would have been hard to do in Washington Park, but I’m sure a port-a-potty would have sufficed. Yeah, no.
I was impressed with the band, the people, the food and the atmosphere. I felt welcomed by the crowd, and the people who came up to me just to say hello. I really appreciate it. I also appreciated the openness by Laurie, I know she was very busy, so with that, I thank her sincerely, for letting me steal a moment of her time.
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Jenny Dreasler
O’DONNELL: The Farmer & His Unwanted Crop Circle
Jul 11th
Crop circle in a farm in Beardstown, Ill.
I’ve recently accepted a new job. Learning all my new responsibilities will take a lot of time, effort and concentration. It will be a demanding job on a daily basis. I couldn’t imagine trying to perform this job after an unexpected disruption from an alien space craft. It seems like an event such as a UFO landing in the middle of the work place might just throw everything off for a while. Fortunately, I will be working in an office and not out on a farm, so I do not think this is going to be a problem.
O'Donnell
This is not the case for a man in Beardstown, Ill. Local television station KHQA reports this local farmer is dealing with the aftermath of discovering a crop circle while plowing his wheat field. Though the man’s land may have been visited by life forms from another world, he seems more concerned and put out with the intrigued earthly masses trying to sneak a peek at the circle.
KHQA’s report never mentions the farmer by name, but the station did manage to land an interview with the land’s previous owner. Dave Spears spoke of his own experience finding a crop circle after an aerial photo was taken of the property. He also mentioned how the farm has a history of producing some strange items. Conjoined watermelons, cantaloupes and pumpkins also have been grown on the land.
Spears was talkative with KHQA, but the unnamed farmer and current land owner is a bit more short. He points out that the crop circle is “no blessing.” He has been visited by a UFO research team and has offers from countless more groups wanting to come take a look. Others have just dropped in to examine the circle including KHQA reporter Melissa Shriver who went out to the middle of the circle and described the view as “creepy.”
KHQA’s website currently has a poll posted gathering opinions from around the area. The station wants to know if the public thinks the crop circle is real, man-made or caused by some other occurrence. To see more photos, the poll and the station’s original story, pay its website a visit: www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=637520
Whatever the overall opinion concludes will not change the fact that this farmer is unhappy with the attention the crop circle has brought to his land. As cited in the report, the man says if he ever finds another he will plow it under.
A potential connection to alien life forms would give most the excuse to start cashing in on their fifteen minutes of fame. This unnamed farmer is not one of those people. Audiences will probably never see his face on “Survivor” or in the “Big Brother” house. Whether its visits from aliens or the press, the guy wants to get back to work. He is simply a man longing for just another day at the office. Too bad aliens and their UFO got in the way.
Jordan O’Donnell
