Just been trying to keep busy with productive and creative (and fun) ventures. Posted the interview with one of my favorite authors, Greg Cox, up at the forum since I last blogged here.
... played on the "local's only" show from a popular radio station in town, so that was kinda cool. Gonna try to get more airtime with them as I finish up on new material.Likewise, JUST POSTED the new 'Circling the Square' feature here at 'Verbal Vortex', so I'm excited about the possibilities of what that might evolve in to, and again I'd like to THANK all the great guests today for all their thought provoking exchange!
We're also looking forward to a much needed vacation in the next couple of weeks, to some historic CAVE STRUCTURES from my state of Indiana, so maybe there will be some awesome pictures that go along with that trip...
Guess that's about all for now, more updates to come.
Website is back online and didn't lose any posts/info. Hosting company tells me there's a corruption somewhere in the system. They are looking into the errors... So... We'll just have to wait and see...
More website problems, though it's only been back online for 2 weeks. Basically these problems have been nonstop since www.nwowatcher.com first launched way back in '04. Though I tried to persevere, cyber-fate has consistantly been mocking me from the beginning of my web voyages. Supsicious viruses sent to me, hacking, threats, attempted infiltrations, aggressive spam campaigns, increased fees meant to rip me off or shut me down... It's been blatant and unyeilding.
If I didn't know any better I'd say that the website has been sabotaged and purposefully attacked dozens of times in the past 5 years, and within minutes of the problems which arose today at the website, a helicopter (not an unmarked black helicopter, mind you) was circling my apartment for 20 minutes. Of course it would be paranoid of me to somehow connect the two events, but in this line of research you can't help it sometimes.
I'm trying to sort things out with the new hosting company, but can't help to get the impression that something ("GOD" itself?) doesn't want me to be doing what I'm doing. Needless to say some reconsiderations are in order. Even though I might be abbrassive and angry from time to time (surely some people think I'm a total asshole) I'm trying to do the right thing and get valuable information out to the public... yet all I seem to get is grief and troubles, interspersed by very brief moments of accomplishment or contentment. I don't regret it, but wonder if it's even worth it anymore.
Since it seems that 'Verbal Vortex' is going to be serving as a real blog of sorts, with a few of the recent events going on in my life as well as personal thoughts and feelings (opposed to my other "blogs" which are geared more towards general INFORMATION and random strangeness)... it's necessary to update this place at least once or twice a week, so here I am! ;)
Especially nice when you've got some good news to report, which is an increasing rarity in this day and age. As admitted before, I've been an on again off again 'Star Trek' fan since I was a little kid, and recently started digesting some of the books that had been on my 'to-read-list' for quite a few years now. Besides, they were bargain items and I simply couldn't pass them up!
Thankfully I didn't pass them up because over the past 4 months I've devoured Imzadi II, the sequel to the classic, bestselling work of Trek fiction by the illustrious Peter David (first read when I was 13 years old, and again a couple years later)... and had the profound pleasure of reading The Eugenics Wars Parts I and II, To Reign In Hell, The Q Continuum and The Black Shore by one of my new favorite authors, Greg Cox.
Though I'm more of a 'Next Generation' kinda guy, and wasn't necessarily a fan of the classic characterKhan Noonien Singh (a genetic superman (played by the late Ricardo Montalban) who is cryogenically frozen in the late 20th Century after instigating 'The Eugenics Wars'), I've always had interest in finding out more regarding the 'Eugenics Wars' within Trek mythology, and how this tied into the ultimate formation of The Federation and Prime Directive.
The dangerous and powerful Khan eventually awakens from suspended animation in the 23rd Century to inevitably do battle with Kirk and the original crew of the Enterprise. 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan' remains one of the most popular films of the franchise, and a variety of entertainment polls have ranked Khan among the 'Top 50 Science Fiction Villains of all Time'.
Needless to say, Greg Cox penned a wonderful trilogy of books which brings forth an important new dimension and insight into this classicl Trek icon, and finally establishes necessary details involving the disastrous 'Eugenics Wars' of the 20th Century. I couldn't put these books down and am extremely psyched(!) to relay that Greg Cox has agreed to an interview in late April, which, fingers crossed, will be made available shortly before the release of the new 'Star Trek' film.
And of course, there is plenty more to talk to Greg about besides 'Star Trek', as he has a very cool and impressive resume of bestselling works under his belt. I'm extremely thankful for opportunities such as these and looking forward to hearing any advice he might offer for emerging writers and struggling authors.
Are you a fan?!? Got questions you'd want to ask him about Trek or his work in general? Please send them my way and I'll keep you updated!
I've got nothing to prove to anybody but myself, and we're all our own worst critics, right? Here are 10 goals I'd really like to accomplish in '09 to feel a little more at ease with my own sense of fulfillment and modest accomplishments...
1) Really work towards getting a book finished. I've been writing a half dozen books for the past 10 years, with literally 1000 pages completed between them, but have never been able to pull a single one into adequate cohesion. 2009 really needs to be the year where I focus on ONE of them intensely and strive for publication (even if self published).
2) Hit the streets with info, info, info! I've got a bit of an upbringing with locally distributing my own zines, printing off flyers, stickers, etc. I need to, hard-core, get back in to this habit, and try to get a new zine out to the public this year, even if just a single issue or two.
3) Embrace weirdness, but strive to be kinder and make sense of all this chaos. Help in general understanding and don't be too obtuse or allegorical when trying to present a message of truth.
4) Keep working on the music. Get back in to a groove with it; even consider holding a concert or event sometime this year with local musicians & artists.
5) Count my blessings, and try not to be depressed or overly worried by the fact that "things could always get worse". Stop and smell the flowers, appreciate the little things.
6) Get a much larger amount of (legitimate) traffic to the websites and reach out to more people with a truly alternative & independently motivated message.
7) Conduct a new and insightful interview that really makes me stop and say F'CKING WOW! I can't believe they agreed to an interview!
8) Patience. In teaching a well as learning.
9) Be honest, be genuine, be yourself. Also be open minded and welcome to drastic changes if necessary.
10) Stop making so many online lists about your personal affairs. Just do it!
It's one of those fucking days. You know the type, where you realize, for the 1000th time, that nobody really gives a shit. First off I've been dealing with a server transition for the past 2 weeks now, but can't help but to feel that I'm getting the run around from my hosting company. I've submitted two tickets, 2 live chats, and now they want me to call headquarters before they can finalize what should be a fairly routine clone/transfer of the website. To add insult to injury I tried to upload EPISODE #9 of the Upsidebackwards podcast today, but the file size exceeded limitations, so I gotta go back and edit everything down. On top of all that, a night full of BAD DREAMS... The type where your entire city is bombed to the ground, leaving smoldering piles of rubble and bodies in its wake.
It's just one of those days where I feel rather... chemically imbalanced and my stupid fucking neighbors are blaring their shitty music and I feel like going down there with a fucking machete and chopping all their heads off... Oh well, I'm going to go for a walk and try to get some fresh air, put things in perspective. Maybe watch a little 'Monty Python' later for some much needed laughs.
Seeing as how the 'official' website www.upsidebackwards.infois 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 atmy 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 atMyspacein the past week considering 9/10 people over there appear to be dead from the neck up. Screwing around a bit withCONSPIRAPORN!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 theCROSSROADS PARANORMAL RESEARCH GROUPa few months back, not to mention theBOOK 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 latestSANCTUM 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
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