Today In Strangeness

Today in Strangeness: September 15th...

Around this date in ancient Greece, the Eleusinian Mysteries , annual initiation ceremonies for the cult of Demeter and Persephone,
were said to kick off.
On September 15, 1784, the first successful balloon ascent in England was demonstrated for a crowd. "Daredevil Aeronaut"
Vincenzo Lunardi took off in a brightly decorated balloon, along with a cat, dog, and pigeon. His friend George Biggin was
left behind however, because the balloon embarked on its 24-mile journey, without being fully inflated.



...also...

Rare White Giraffes Caught on Film:

Conservationists in Kenya have captured footage of two incredibly rare and breathtaking white giraffes.
The unique-looking giraffes owe their odd appearance to a genetic condition known as leucism, where skin cells do not possess
pigmentation. So exceptional are the animals that this marks only the third time that white giraffes have been seen in the wild
and this particular encounter is the first instance of the creatures being caught on film.

The giraffes were spotted earlier in the summer by a villager who noticed the seemingly out-of-place animals at the conservancy
near his home and reported it to wildlife experts tasked with overseeing the site. The conservationist who subsequently located
the mother and baby giraffe noted that the younger animal appeared to still possess some very light spots on its skin. This
observation left him wondering if the the markings fade over time, since the adult giraffe looked to be almost completely white.
Since the animals seem to be residing in the conservancy, one hopes that they remain there under the protection of scientists who
can continue to keep an eye on the creatures and get a better understanding of how their condition develops.


...extra...

Hundreds Gather in Germany Hoping for a Marian Apparition:

A tiny village in Germany was visited by nearly 1,000 religious pilgrims hoping to experience a Marian apparition and some believe
that they did. The throngs of worshipers descended upon the town of Unterflossing, which normally boasts a population of just over
100 people, last weekend.

They were drawn to the village after a man named Salvatore Caputa, who claims to have been in communication with the Virgin Mary for
the last thirty years, promised that she would make an appearance there. According to those in attendance, Caputa dropped to his
knees at the prescribed time of 4:30 PM and the distinct aroma of roses could reportedly be smelt in the air by some witnesses.
The alleged divine communicator then ventured into a small chapel where he purportedly 'spoke' with the Virgin Mary for thirty
minutes. When Caputa reemerged, he carried with him a message asking people to pray for the Virgin Mary because she is "greatly
troubled" and exhorting them to fill their hearts with peace.

While skeptical observers may scoff at the scene and see it as nothing more than theatrics, some of the attendees insist that they
did, indeed, smell roses and believe that it was a miraculous moment. Not everyone, however, was thrilled with the impromptu event
as the mayor of Unterflossing told local media that "my main concern is the traffic management rather than that the Mother of God
will appear in the flesh."

Unfortunately for the mayor, he may not be out of woods just yet as Caputa indicated that the Virgin Mary will return to
Unterflossing again on March 19th of next year. Hopefully by then the beleaguered politician will be able to take some time to
stop and smell the roses.

5.) School or Classroom

It’s a very common situation for people in dreams to find themselves in a school or classroom, often confronted with a test that
they aren’t prepared to take. This is a great example of a “dream pun” — the mind using a word or concept and giving it a different
definition. The “lesson” or “test” we face inside the school or classroom is frequently one we need to learn from our past — which
is one reason these dreams are often reported by people who have long since finished school.

...Weekend Strange...

Exorcist Says 'The End' is Near:

An exorcist in Italy is raising eyebrows due to a number of worrisome statements in which he mused that the world is coming to an end.
A frequent speaker on the nature of evil and the devil, Don Antonio Mattatelli recently responded to inquiries about an earthquake
which rocked his home country as well as the powerful hurricanes which hit the United States.

In an interview with an Italian radio program, the exorcist did not mince words, musing that "all natural disasters, such as hurricanes
and earthquakes, demonstrate that the end of the world is coming." Although such events have taken place in the past, Mattatelli
pointed to the 'power and persistence' of nature disasters in modern times as an indication that the proverbial end is near.

Fortunately, he assured concerned listeners, "it will not be the end of the world, in general, but of this world, yes." As to what
the 'next world' may be, Mattatelli did not say, but did share an unsettling analysis of North Korea's leader which could spell
trouble in the future. "Behind Kim Jong-Un is surely Satan," he declared, "in North Korea all are forbidden religion and there is
only the idolatry of the leader who has replaced God."

But things may not be quite that dire as he indicated that some kind of 'remote exorcism' could be held to unbind the unhinged
dictator from the spell of Satan. Whether Mattatelli will be the man to perform what sounds like a rather elaborate and challenging
endeavor remains to be seen, but if we suddenly see a change in attitude from the North Korean leader, perhaps we'll know why.

Today in Strangeness: September 18th...

It was on this day in 1983 that George Meegan reached the edge of an Alaskan tundra, and completed his 2,426 day trek of the
Western Hemisphere- a journey of over 19,000 miles or 31 million steps!
On September 18, 1895, the first chiropractic adjustment was performed by Daniel David Palmer, who ignited a new, sometimes
controversial field of medicine.



...also...

Trio of Troublesome Squirrels Thwarted in New Orleans:

A week-long nightmare for one neighborhood in New Orleans has seemingly come to an end as authorities "apprehended" a trio of
squirrels that had terrorized residents. The trouble began last weekend when four different people were reportedly attacked by
the rambunctious rodents, with one unfortunate victim becoming the proverbial Paul Revere of vicious squirrels and sounding the
alarm to the community about the worrisome epidemic of attacks.

Today in Strangeness: September 19th...

On this day in 1846, two French children reported a Marian apparition at La Salette-Fallavaux, France. In the incident, the two
children described seeing a beautiful lady, clothed in a white robe studded with pearls, who was weeping bitterly. After giving
a secret to each child, the apparition, who became known as " Our Lady of La Salette" walked a hill and vanished.


...also...

Flat Earth Sign Spotted in New Zealand:

A husband and wife walking near a beach in New Zealand were forced to ponder the shape of our planet thanks to a clever sign from a
Flat Earth enthusiast. Dr. Stephen Voss was somewhat taken aback when he spotted the homemade message exhorting people to "do research"
and "wake up" when it comes to the 'true' nature of Earth's shape. The weird call to action also included a pair of illustrations of
a boat on both a flat and curved ocean as well as a suggestion that readers visit a specific YouTube video detailing the controversial
conspiracy theory. (" I come to the opinion that believers in the "Flat Earth Theory" must have "Flat Heads!")


...extra...

'Mystery Meals' Leave Chicago Suburb Baffled:

A strange mystery has left officials and residents of a Chicago suburb scratching their heads as someone keeps leaving remarkably
well-prepared meals in a local park. The weird offerings were first discovered earlier in the summer when a man walking his dog in
the Arlington Heights portion of Centennial Park discovered that there was a delicious-looking pork chop sitting at the base of a
tree. Initially dismissed as a discarded leftover from a picnic, the pork chop proved to be the proverbial tip of the iceberg when a
rack of ribs were found at the tree the following week.

Since that time, the meals have continued to appear in the park, much to the consternation of people who live in the area. "Every week,
there is something different that's left behind ... hard boiled and scrambled eggs, salmon, steaks and a whole rotisserie chicken,"
frequent park visitor Dino Bolos told the Chicago Tribune.

Although members of the community are baffled by the 'mystery meals,' they suspect that the person leaving them in the park are doing
so in an effort to feed coyotes that have been seen there. That is only one theory, however, as others have suggested that perhaps the
meals are meant for the homeless or even as part of some kind of religious practice. But the fact that they keep appearing at one
specific tree strengthens the case, to some, that the meals are meant for the coyotes, because the recurring nature of the food's
location would serve to 'train' the animals to expect food there.

Although the weird series of meals left in the park suggest an altruistic intention, one resident is not so sure about that conclusion.
"What if it's someone who wants to do the opposite of help the coyote, like poison them," Dean Sarnowski mused to the Tribune. As of yet,
no one has seen the person placing the meals at the tree, leaving many to conclude that the drop offs are occurring under the cloak
of darkness.

Until the meals stop being left at the tree or someone identifies their creator, the odd food finds will remain a delicious mystery
that's keeping many in the Chicago area bewildered by what, exactly, the purpose is behind them.




.

Today in Strangeness: September 20th...

On this date in 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the most famous tennis matches in history. Dubbed "The Battle
of the Sexes," the intergender showdown drew over 30,000 spectators to Houston's Astrodome and was televised in over 35 countries.
Considered a landmark event for women's rights, the victory helped cement King's future title of "mother of modern day sports."


...also...

Texas Couple Can't Seem to Sell Their Haunted House:

A Texas couple's accidental purchase of a notoriously haunted house has proven to be more problematic than just having to deal with
unwanted spirits as now they can't seem to sell it. The Mineral Wells home, which made headlines earlier this year when the abode
first went on the market, was purchased by Phil and Kim Kirchhoff back in 2014. The couple claims that they originally had no idea
that the house was haunted and only found out about its resident ghosts from neighbors after they had bought the building.

According to a number of accounts from people who have experience high strangeness there, the home boasts both the ghost of a woman
who hums and a child that is said to talk to visitors. As one can imagine, these tales upended the couple's plans to renovate the
home as the reports were so unsettling that they never even moved into the house. In fact, Kim Kirchhoff refuses to go to the house
today, while Phil has somewhat embraced its spooky reputation by renting it out to paranormal investigators in search of apparitions,
although he also won't visit the home unless he is opening it up to groups looking to rent the site for the evening.

However, the novelty of being the host for ghost tours eventually wore off and the couple decided to sell the home, albeit with the
caveat that the new owner would have to keep the structure intact. Therein may lie the problem as their aspirations that the haunted
house become a 'paranormal research center' has not exactly drawn the kind of interest that the couple had hoped it would.
Since putting the house up for sale earlier this year, the odd location has received a fair share of media attention, but not a single
offer from anyone who would want to buy the place. Considering the cash-strapped nature of paranormal research, the failure to find
a buyer who would maintain the building as a genuine haunted house is not altogether unsurprising, but perhaps with Halloween right
around the corner, the couple's realtor can manage to scare up some interest.
(LOL...I've been to this place...it's less than an hour away from me....I went there one evening just as the sun was going down, and just parked right in front...I got out and stood looking around... it's not a very pretty sight I admit...anyway, as the sun was getting low the place became creepy, and I'm a coward so I let!....maybe I should offer them about $10 for the dump!)

Today in Strangeness: September 21rst...

Well today is a strange day indeed!...It seems my longtime source of daily strange material has abandoned me this day...I guess I should be used to being
abandoned by now, but Alas...the virtual show must go on.... I do have some tidbits of strange .


Celebrity Lifestyle Guru Selling 'Psychic Vampire Repellent':

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle website has begun selling a rather odd concoction which claims to be a psychic vampire repellent!
The 'protection mist' is described as having the ability to "banish bad vibes" as well as protecting the user from "people who may be
causing them."

Said to contain a "complex blend of gem elixirs" as well as, somehow, sound waves, the purported psychic vampire repellent sells for
$30 on the health and wellness website Goop. They suggest that users apply the mist around their 'aura,' which the website indicates
as being around the head, "to protect from psychic attack and emotional harm."

Sadly, the deterrent has yet to be evaluated or approved by the FDA for banishing those who may harsh one's mellow and it's unlikely
that the agency would be able to study such a thing in the first place, though we'd really like to see them try.


...also...

Crocodile Kills Shaman in Indonesia:

A purported shaman in Indonesia who claimed to have supernatural powers that allowed him to control crocodiles lost his life when
one of the creatures called him on his bluff. The unfortunate man, named Suprianto, dove into a crocodile-infested lake in the
regency of Kutai Kartanegara searching for a teenager who had fallen victim to the animals the previous day. However, he would also
suffer a similar fate despite the 'magical mantras' he chanted while swimming in the water.(...!..maybe the croc was hard of hearing!?!)

Today in Strangeness: September 22nd...

On this day in 1990, Brit Steve Woodmore was declared the world's fastest talker, blabbing 595 words in 56 seconds. The loquacious
American, Fran Capo holds the Guinness World Record as the fastest-talking female.


...also...

Two-Faced Cat Born in China:

A litter of kittens born to a cat in China featured a rather jaw-dropping feline among the bunch: one with two faces. The animal's
incredible condition is believed to have been caused by a rare genetic mutation creating what is known colloquially as a 'Janus cat,'
after the Roman god who also sported two faces.

Fortunately, the family who owned the kitten was able to capture a brief piece of footage of the feline showing that the animal
possessed two sets of eyes as well as a noise and mouth for each of its two faces. Although a handful of Janus cats have been known
to live relatively long and healthy lives, this particular kitten was not so lucky and sadly passed away after only a few days.

6.) Paralysis
Unknown to most people, the body is actually encountering a form of paralysis during dreaming, which prevents it from physically performing the actions occurring in their dreams, therefore dreaming about paralysis frequently represents the overlap between the REM stage and waking stage of sleep. Dreaming about paralysis can also indicate that the dreamer feels he or she lacks control in their waking life
( I've actually had this many times...it can be quite intimidating...Sometimes you'd almost believe that the "Devil" himself was after you!)

..also...

Contact juggling creates cool illusions:

Toss juggling is hard enough as it is, but contact juggling is absolutely amazing. Contact juggling is different because it focuses
on object manipulation and the illusions that can be created through the positioning of the object in regards to the body. It sounds
pretty complex, so watch this video to see how incredible contact juggling really is.

Today in Strangeness: September 25th...

On this day in 1906, the ubiquitous remote control device was said to get its start, when Leonardo Torres Quevedo
demonstrated his invention, the Telekino, which guided a boat from the shore in the port of Bilbao, Spain.
On September 25, 2002, a mysterious meteorite flashed across the skies of Siberia, activating the power grid.


...which lead to...


...I want one of these!...


...also...

Cop Stopped by Rogue Raccoon:

A police officer in Colorado Springs responding to call about a traffic accident saw his trip take a wild turn when a raccoon leaped
onto his squad car as it was driving down the road. The stunned cop actually managed to snap a picture of the crazed-looking creature
pressed against the windshield of his cruiser shortly after the animal 'attacked.'

Fortunately, the officer quickly pulled over to the side of the street and, after taking a few more photos of the presumably-bewildered
beast, helped guide the raccoon off of his patrol car.

The cop's strange adventure was shared by the Colorado Spring police department on their Facebook page, where they described the
officer's reaction as "pawsitively surprised."

Today in Strangeness: September 26th...

The RMS Queen Mary was launched on this date in 1934. After the ocean liner was permanently docked in Long Beach, California reports
of ghosts and paranormal activity emerged. The most haunted section of the ship is said to be be the engine room where a young sailor
was crushed to death.


...

...also...

Foolish Daredevil Filmed Train Surfing in Australia:

A driver cruising along the highway in Australia was stunned to see a foolhardy man hanging onto the back of a speeding train as it
barreled down the tracks going 70 miles per hour. Jaw-dropping footage of the scene, captured by commuter Lace Stone, shows the
wannabe daredevil grasping a windshield wiper to keep himself steady on the fast-moving train. A transit authority official in
Australia says that the man could have been killed or suffered devastating injures if he had fallen during the train surfing stunt.

Today in Strangeness: September 27th...

On this date in 1989, actress Zsa Zsa Gabor created a stir when she stormed out of a courtroom during the closing arguments of the
case which saw her on trial for slapping a police officer. Gabor had already made waves by ridiculing one of prosecutor's witness as
well as bursting into tears during the prosecution's closing argument. Found guilty of the charges, Gabor was sentenced to 72 hours
in jail, 120 hours of community service, and $13,000 in fines and restitution.



...also...

Rapper B.o.B. Seeks Funding to Test the Flat Earth Theory:

One of the most prominent proponents for the controversial Flat Earth conspiracy theory has launched a crowdfunding campaign aimed at
settling the debate. The rapper known as B.o.B. spawned headlines early last year when he took to Twitter to declare that the Earth is
flat. His surprising comments generated a myriad of largely derisive news stories as well as a strong rebuttal from astrophysicist and
celebrity scientist Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

However, it would appear that the ridicule did not deter B.o.B. as he now hopes to answer his critics with some hard scientific evidence.
The man behind the hit song 'Nothin' on You' announced on Monday that he is looking to "send one if not multiple satellites as far into
space as I can." The purpose of the probes would be to see if they can show B.o.B. the curvature of our planet which, as a Flat Earth
enthusiasts, he believes does not exist.

In order to cover the cost of such an ambitious idea, which he estimates to be two-hundred-thousand dollars, the Flat Earth fan is asking
fellow advocates for the conspiracy to help fund the project via a ******** campaign. Although the endeavor was only announced yesterday,
early indications are that B.o.B. is likely to fall far short of his lofty goal as less than $1,000 dollars have been donated after
the first day. That said, while he may not succeed in getting any satellites launched into space, the rapper's campaign is already
generating a considerable amount of mainstream media attention. And, considering that one of the goals of Flat Earth community seems
to be simply raising awareness of the theory, the endeavor might already be considered a victory as it will certainly reach more
people than all of the billboards, graffiti, and other strange signage we've seen this. ......( I'm sure Lebron James will give a couple
$$$ Hundred Thousand for such a "worthy" cause; Sending rockets into space to take pictures of the Earth to prove if it's "curved" or
"flat," what a novel idea!....surprised no-one hasn't thought of that before!...also...it's kind of funny that all the planets seemed "curved,"
but I suspect that beyond the point...or curve!)


...extra...

This Hi-definition TV is so real it fooled this cat:


High definition TVs have gotten so good that the images look real. The picture on the screen makes you feel like you are a part of the
story. They are so realistic that your furry friend may actually mistake the images for reality. Watch this hilarious video showing how
realistic high definition TVs really are.

Today in Strangeness: September 28th...

On this date in 1918, the course of history was nearly averted when British soldier Henry Tandey allegedly spared the life of an
injured Adolf Hitler, while fighting during World War I. Tandey would tell his compatriots that he aimed at the future German dictator,
but did not pull the trigger because he could not shoot a wounded man. While the veracity of the encounter remains debated to this day,
Hitler, himself, claimed the tale was true during a meeting with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in 1938.


(...Notice how his mustache gets shorter!...I read that Adolph cut the sides of his mustache so he could get his gas mask
on during an attack!...guess he liked it!)

...also...

10 Men You Won't Believe Actually Exist :


From the tallest man in the world to a man with amazing muscles, we count down the most amazing and incredible men. The hairiest man
is Yu Zhenhuan who has embraced his hair. Chandra Bahadur Dangi is the shortest man to ever live, he travelled the world after winning
the record. Arlindo de Souz is an example of bodybuilding gone wrong, as he has 29 inch biceps. Tom Staniford is a man who has a body
of 0% fat, but is now a pro cyclist. Leonid Stadnyk is the world's tallest man, but also the world's shyest. Patrick Deuel is the heaviest
man in the world who once weighed 1000 pounds. Garry Turner has the world's starchiest skin. Amoo Hadij is a man from Iran who hasn't
washed in over 60 years. Mohammad Kaleem is an 8-year-old boy from India with the world's largest hands. And finally, Paul Karason has
totally blue skin!

Today in Strangeness: September 29th...

Today is the birthday of J.B. Rhine [1895-1980], widely considered to be the "father of modern parapsychology."
It was nine years ago on this date that the Dow Jones industrial average plummeted a record-setting 777 points after the House
defeated a rescue plan for the financial system.


J. B. Rhine >

...also...

Thylacine Extinction Mystery Solved(So they say.)

A curious question surrounding the extinction of the legendary Tasmanian Tiger in Australia may have finally been answered by scientists.
Researchers have long wondered why the once-flourishing creature seemingly vanished from mainland Australia 3,000 years ago, yet managed to survive on the island of Tasmania up until about a century ago.
The introduction of wild dingoes to the Australian ecosystem as well as hunting of the thylacine by Aborigines were frequently assumed to be the cause of the animal's sudden demise.

However, a new study which looked at a large sampling of Tasmanian Tiger DNA found in fossils from that era appears to tell a different story.
The findings from this recently-published research indicate that the creatures on mainland Australia experienced a rapid population loss that scientists behind the project concluded was caused by climate change, specifically drought brought upon by El Nino.
Thylacines residing on Tasmania, they suspect, were able to survive because the island's climate would have offered the animals better protection from the difficult conditions created by the weather system.

While the study should shed some light on the thylacine's distant past, many Tasmanian Tiger enthusiasts argue that the creature was not actually wiped out on mainland Australia as occasional sightings continue to occur to this day.
That, of course, remains a hotly contested debate which has reignited in recent years as thylacine research groups strive to find proof that the still-living animal is lurking somewhere in the wilds of Australia while skeptics say that simply is not possible.


...extra...

Indian State Bans 'Black Magic':

In response to what is seen as a troubling rise in occult practices, a state in India has passed an expansive law which bans a vast
array of black magic rituals. Earlier this week, the Karnataka state government approved their 'Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman
Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill.' Known colloquially as simply the 'Anti-Superstition Bill,' the new regulations prohibit a
remarkable number of esoteric rituals which range from the strange to the downright dangerous.

Included among the outlawed practices are walking atop hot coals as part of a religious ritual, calling upon ghosts to aid in a person's
affairs, and telling an individual that they are possessed by evil spirits as a way of ensnaring them into servitude to those who use
black magic. Throwing stones at houses and heaving children upon a bed of thorns(Ouch!...), ostensibly to cleanse them of negativity,
are also banned by the bill as is beating a person who is believed to be suffering from demonic possession.
Additionally, attempting to seek hidden treasure or lost items by way of rituals purportedly allowing one to contact the proverbial
'other side' for guidance is no longer permitted in Karnataka under the law.

Ultimately, the bill is largely aimed at putting a stop to rituals where people are physically harmed or could be easily injured as
more benign religious practices such as piercing a child's ears or holding festivals are still allowed.
And, indicating that not all esoteric arts are forbidden by the bill, the use of astrology for divination and guidance remains legal
in Karnataka. Whether the newly-passed law can eradicate the state's 'black magic problem' remains to be seen as belief in the power
of these rituals has proven to be remarkably strong and prohibiting the occult practices could wind up only giving them more power
in the minds on those who may turn to them.( Now this is a perfect example of why I love our country so much!)

7.) Death
Although death is often perceived as negative, it’s often more directly related to dramatic change happening for the dreamer — the end of one thing, in order to make room for something new.

Today in Strangeness: October 2nd......

The pasilalinic-sympathetic compass , also known as the snail telegraph, was a contraption built to show that snails create a
permanent telepathic link when they touch. It was first demonstrated on this date in 1851, though it was later revealed to be a hoax.
On October 2nd, 1956, the Atomichron, the first commercial atomic clock in the U.S., was unveiled in New York City. Its timing was
based on the constant frequency of the oscillations of the cesium atom - 9,192,631,830 MHz
the Atomichron 1956

...and...

Polar Bear Herd Spotted Feasting:

Tourists cruising near Russia's Wrangel Island were stunned to see hundreds of polar bears feasting on the remains of a dead whale.
Spotted by passengers aboard the 'Akademik Shokalskiy' earlier this month, the incredible gathering featured both male and female
polar bears as well as a number of hungry cubs. In total, the nature reserve that the animals call home estimated that there were an
astounding 230 of the creatures at the impromptu polar bear buffet.


...extra...

New Project Aims to Solve Anne Frank Mystery:

A team of experts headed by a former FBI agent hope that their collective skills can help determine who betrayed Anne Frank and her
family during World War II.

The circumstances by which the Frank family and their friends were discovered in hiding by the ***** in 1944 have been subject to
considerable speculation over the course of the last seven decades.

A number of scenarios have been suggested by different historians, including various suspects who could have betrayed the family.
Additionally, the Anne Frank Museum put forward the possibility last year that their discovery was the result of happenstance rather
than betrayal, making the historic mystery all the more murkier.

However, a new effort initiated by recently-retired FBI agent Vince Pankoke is looking to take a fresh look at the case using modern
investigative techniques.

Specifically, he points to the possibility of using artificial intelligence to comb through the reams of data acquired by previous
research projects and archival materials to unearth a key clue or insight that would help solve the mystery.

Pankoke has put together a formidable team of advisors and researchers, including historians, some of his former FBI colleagues, a
Dutch computing company which specializes in 'big data,' and a variety of historic institutions and museums.
Collectively, the team plans to present their findings in August of 2019, which will mark the 75th anniversary of when the Frank
family's secret annex was discovered.
(I read "The Diary of Anne Frank" when I was very young. Hers' is a sad story, and I've always felt sadness at her fate.)

Today in Strangeness: October 3rd...

On this day in 1264, the great comet that was said to predict the death of Pope Urban IV was last seen. Also, on this date a 1%
Federal Income Tax was signed into law (1913), and Elvis Presley made his first public appearance at age 10, singing "Old Shep" in
the Alabama Dairy Talent Show ('45), winning $5 (2nd prize).
Elvis and friends 1945


...also...

Creepy Hex Lands Tokyo Man in Jail:

Tired of always hearing children playing at an elementary school near his home, a Tokyo man resorted to a drastic measure to quiet
the kids: a curse! Authorities say that Takeshi Inaba placed a straw doll, seen in Japanese culture as something akin to a voodoo doll,
on the railing of a pedestrian bridge frequented by the schoolchildren.

Along with the effigy was an ominous message which read "all you brats jump from here and die."
As one can imagine, his supernatural search for silence was frowned upon by authorities, who arrested the man after he admitted
leaving the 'cursed doll' because "those kids running wild in the park are too noisy."

That Inaba was the source of the hex was apparently not too surprising as he had previously pestered the school with over 30 letters
about his concerns and is suspected of writing "kids are too noisy" on a number of benches at a nearby park. How he reconciles
defacing public property in his quest to hush the youngsters is a question that may be best left to his attorney as Inaba now faces
charges of intimidation for his attempted hex.

Today in Strangeness: October 4th...


This day in 1582 was the last day of the Julian calendar, and the start of the Gregorian calendar as decreed by Pope Gregory XIII.
In Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain, October 4 was followed directly by October 15.
Kicking off the space age, the USSR launched Sputnik I, the first man-made satellite into orbit (1957.)



...also...

Israeli Police Put Clown on Notice:

Following a series of creepy clown sightings in Israel, authorities there have issued a stern statement vowing to put a stop to any
further funny business from the harlequins.
In an official release on their Facebook page, the Israeli police force put the Pennywise imposters on notice, promising that any
creepy clowns caught menacing citizens would "encounter strict and uncompromising police enforcement."

According to the posting from police, cops throughout Israel have already taken numerous teens into custody after they were found
dressing up as clowns and scaring unsuspecting individuals. The message goes on to implore parents to keep a close eye on their
children, lest they fall in with the wrong crowd and wind up also becoming a creepy clown.

Perhaps hoping to prevent the rise of harlequin-hunting posses as happened in Australia, authorities are also asking citizens to
report any clown sightings to police rather than resorting to vigilante justice. In a testament to how serious the Israeli government
is taking the clown outbreak, the country's Education Ministry actually issued guidelines for how parents and teachers should handle
the strange situation.

The department advises having conversations about the clowns with children and stresses that these talks "shouldn’t frighten but
rather convey soothing messages." Whether the crackdown on creepy clowns in Israel serves to put a stop to the spate of sightings
remains to be seen, since telling teens not to do something is almost always seems to backfire in a big way.

Today in Strangeness: October 5th...

This day no longer existed in Poland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, as with the implementation of the Gregorian calendar, a number of
days disappeared.
One of the single greatest weather predictions came true on this date in 1869. Lt. SM Saxby had predicted the year before that a
hurricane would drench parts of Canada and New England. His accuracy was only slightly off, missing the center of the storm by 100
miles and the time by 12 hours.

...also...

'Time Traveler' Arrested in Wyoming:

Cops in Casper, Wyoming recently responded to a rather strange call about a man claiming to have come from the future! According to
authorities, Bryant Johnson was causing some kind of disruption at a residence in the city by insisting that he was a time traveler
sent to save humanity.

The young man weaved a remarkable tale in which he had purportedly come from the year 2048 and that his mission was to warn modern
day residents of Casper that aliens would be arriving next year. Hoping to keep the citizens of the city safe from the impending ET
invasion, Johnson reportedly requested to speak to the president of Casper.

Such an administrative position obviously does not exist, but, in fairness to the self-proclaimed time traveler, it very well may in
the year 2048, which could explain his confusion. That said, as one may have surmised by now, police contend that Johnson did not
break the laws of space and time, but actually violated a more mundane ordinance by way of being publicly intoxicated.

In an attempt to explain his drunken state, he actually insisted to the officers that it was the aliens' fault as they filled him
with alcohol so that his body could, ostensibly, survive the rigors of time travel. (LOL)However, he also groused that this journey
was far from flawless as the ETs allegedly sent him back to this year by accident when he was really supposed to be going to 2018.

While one would be wise not to parse Johnson's words too closely, for those keeping score at home, it should be noted that this faux
pas from the aliens would mean their impending invasion will occur in 2019 and not next year. So if you're a resident of Casper who
is concerned about the arrival of our ET overlords, you've apparently got an extra year to make your escape, thanks to the aliens'
time machine miscue.


...extra...

Eerie Funnel Cloud Filmed in Japan:

A breathtaking video from Japan shows a vivid funnel cloud looming in the sky and then slowly dissipating in a rather spooky fashion.
The amazing footage was filmed in the city of Niigata and was posted online by the Japanese media outlet WeatherNews, where it
quickly amassed a massive amount of viewers who were mystified by the scene.

In the video, the incredible funnel cloud can be seen cutting across the sky like an ashen rainbow which stands out in sharp contrast
to the stormy atmosphere from whence it came. The end of the funnel cloud then begins to melt away and it appears to almost retract
back into the dark sky until all that is left is an almost-eerie light dot.

Due to the angle of the video, it's difficult to discern just how big the funnel cloud may have been, but WeatherNews attests to the
authenticity of the footage and that it is not some kind of computer-generated hoax. Unfortunately, that likely will not stop imaginative
UFO enthusiasts from co-opting the video and proposing that it is footage of some kind of alien portal caught on film. Should that
happen, rest assured that the funnel cloud is simply a natural, albeit in this particular case amazing, weather phenomenon and not
ETs testing their abduction beam.

Today In Strangeness: October 6th...

On todays' date in 1927 "The Jazz Singer," the first full-length talking picture, starring Al Jolson, debuted.
And in 1949 Japanese-American broadcaster, Iva Toguri D'Aquino (Tokyo Rose), was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined
$10,000 for treason.

AL Jolson...


...also...

Santa's Grave Found in Turkey?:

Researchers in Turkey believe they may have discovered the untouched tomb of St. Nicholas, the historic figure who inspired the
legend of Santa Claus. The incredible find was made at a church which bears the saint's name in a Turkish town thought to be the
birthplace of the man who went on to inadvertently become the iconic face of Christmas.

While performing a digital survey of the basement of the church, they were stunned to spot what appears to be evidence of an
undisturbed tomb beneath the floor. Turkish officials are now hoping to confirm their suspicions, but note that it is covered by an
elaborate mosaic which will have to be carefully removed before archaeologists can gain access to the site.

That said, they are confident that such a maneuver could be pulled off and are looking to enlist the help of various experts who can
help make it happen. As one can imagine, the community is positively giddy about the potential for confirming that the church is truly
the site of the Santa's final resting place as they believe it would be a boon for tourism.

However, we can't help but question the wisdom of disturbing the grave of Santa Claus, since it seems like a surefire way to wind up
on his naughty list.



...extra...

Irish School Films 'Ghostly Activity':

A chilling video said to have come from a security system at a school in Ireland purportedly shows what appears to be some kind of
poltergeist-like activity in one of the building's hallways.
The unnerving scene was filmed at the Deerpark secondary school in the city of Cork early Sunday morning.

8.) Flying...

Flying in a dream, and how effectively or poorly it’s done, relates to how much control we feel we have in our lives, and whether we
are confident and able to achieve our goals. High flying is one of the most euphoric dreams imaginable, while flying or “skimming”
low to the ground or being caught in obstacles like power lines can be immensely frustrating.