VERBAL VORTEX     *    states of constant flux...      

Seeing as how the 'official' website www.upsidebackwards.info is currently down for maintenance and a necessary server change, I thought this would be a good opportunity to drop in and make a couple updates here at the brand new 'VV'.

First off, in the past few days I've been spending a little more time at my LiveJournal account, and began what I think might be an interesting experiment entitled: 'Bibliomancy!'. Ya might check it out when you get a chance as I'll be engaged in this experiment for the next month and there's just a ton of cool stuff over there.

Also, found a new community entitled 'Verb Noire' that's interested in helping budding sci-fi/fantasy writers get published and find an audience, so that seemed worthy of mentioning as well. Kinda touched up the -Black Hole's Ledge- blog, and have spent entirely too much time at Myspace in the past week considering 9/10 people over there appear to be dead from the neck up. Screwing around a bit with CONSPIRAPORN! too, but that place is getting harder and harder to load (update) with each passing day. Going to have to figure out a new format soon, as well as a VERSION 2.0 to be released sometime this year.

What else worth mention? Working on a couple new articles and interviews, and going to do a new podcast for this coming week. I'd keep up with the podcasts more regularly, weekly or even daily, if I knew more people were listening. As things stand now 2 or 3 new episodes a month should be adequate.

Reading a bunch of new books I got at a used shop/discount retailer over the weekend including 'The Quest for the Shaman', 'The Cave of the Ancients', 'Haunted History of Louisiana' and 'The Oxford Encyclopedia of World Mythology'. Oh yeah, a few 'Star Trek' books too since for $1 dollar a piece I couldn't pass them up. Need more shelf space. I know, I'm a nerd.

Ever since my discussion with the CROSSROADS PARANORMAL RESEARCH GROUP a few months back, not to mention the BOOK OF THOTH, I've been seriously considering the steps one might take in order to start their own group dedicated to investigating "supernatural" phenomena. A place where it could be taken seriously, but also with tongue firmly in cheek.

Having stirred up a little further discussion with another paranormal agency from my area in recent weeks (who have all the "ghost hunting" gizmos and gadgets that go along with such on-the-scene investigations!) has only further peaked my interest in helping to found a new Internet based, International community dedicated to the storied HISTORY of parapsychology, as well as the millennium's old traditions which coincide within this illustrious area of study. Religion, mythology, and folklore would also play heavily into this new platform for the curious, and SCIENCE MINDED individuals, seeking another neutral safe-haven to compare notes and promote their research and perspective.

I've written a variety of articles on similar subjects in recent years, including the latest SANCTUM SANCTORUM PSYCHOMANTEUM! , which briefly discusses the controversial history of scrying and attempted communication with the dead. I know it's a hobby for most, but one of the things I find lacking from many of the "Paranormal Research Societies" on the Net today (of which there are literally hundreds of them) is that for the most part there is no real discussion on the long-term voyage of parapsychology -the key events and figures- but it is more focused on the "up close and personal" investigation aspect: going to supposedly haunted houses, cemeteries, insane asylums, EVP's, Tarot Reading, Astrology, etc, etc... but there is very little coverage of the ongoing legacy of psychicism and paranormal studies in general.

Needless to say I'll be giving this idea some thought in the coming weeks, so any feedback/ideas/suggestions would be both welcome & appreciated.

So, I know that pride is one of the seven deadly sins, but I still don't think it's wrong to be proud of the interviews I've conducted over the past 3 years. From demonologists Carol and Dinah Mack, to best selling author Philip Gardiner; Bram Stoker award winner Jonathan Maberry, to astrophysicist Dr. Eric Chaisson; from rock and roll icon Henry Rollins, to legendary comedian Roseanne Barr; mesmerizing cyber artist Larry Carlson, to the influential comic book creator Erik Larsen; acclaimed director Adam Rifkin, to radio host Jack Blood; Emmy winning actor Michael Moriarty, to the CEO of the Edgar Cayce A.R.E. Center............... You'll find it all here! Nearly 50 original interviews waiting for your perusal and consideration. With any luck, many new & informative discussions are on the way in the months to come!

Greetings earthlings! As if I don't already have enough on my plate with blogs and websites coming out the ears, I decided to start a new place just to serve as a collection of items which personally inspire me; in particular from the realms of literature, music, and art. This will also act as a forum by which to post up some of my latest short stories, original articles, and music projects (not to mention crazy videos).

VERBAL VORTEX was initially meant to serve as a gateway by which various authors could post material and promote their latest projects, but unfortunately that idea fell through and the format needed to be "reinvented". With such respected bloggers and authors as Mac Tonnies from 'Posthuman Blues', the acclaimed Dr. Clifford Pickover, Bram Stoker award winning author Jonathan Maberry, alternative radio host Jack Blood, best selling author Philip Gardiner, and various others, it would have been a very fun and interesting website to work on; but like I said, things rarely unfold the way you intend.

So, the website has finally morphed into the VERBAL VORTEX you see before you now and I will try to make the best of it. Don't worry, this won't become a mere self-absorbed stroking of my own ego but I hope to include some fascinating stuff that, with any luck, will help inspire and motivate YOU as well.

Thanks for visiting and more to come!
Let us proceed with commencements...
~mad
www.upsidebackwards.info