tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85717102270907966252024-03-18T07:46:12.971-04:00Report from the Florida ZoneMeta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.comBlogger584125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-44935903178878876552016-01-30T10:53:00.000-05:002016-01-30T21:00:48.940-05:00Invisible Terrestrial Entities
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfrwn5BmR0eKFMYn4Oyu8H_xHwY1LuHMfggp2lAULM6OKCMk6okp45P3_t0RT9LdguCDquUIacBCTDak5zk2tyrGA4ZnSu5zQBpWG3Z62nR4O7nMumxojVm7aC85O2Ayg_Bn7PA45k2Q/s1600/ITE-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfrwn5BmR0eKFMYn4Oyu8H_xHwY1LuHMfggp2lAULM6OKCMk6okp45P3_t0RT9LdguCDquUIacBCTDak5zk2tyrGA4ZnSu5zQBpWG3Z62nR4O7nMumxojVm7aC85O2Ayg_Bn7PA45k2Q/s540/ITE-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
So there's this physicist from Italy, one <b>Ruggero Santilli</b>, who recently made a rather jaw-dropping announcement: he and his company <a href="http://www.thunder-energies.com/">Thunder Energies</a> (based in Tarpon Springs, Florida) have perfected a special telescope that allows "Dark Matter" to be viewed and photographed.
<p>
Now, this in itself, if true, is a pretty big deal. And Santilli, though viewed by many as a bit fringey, is a "real" scientist with a considerable cv and pedigree; he's been published in reputable scientific journals, won legit awards, etc. So when I heard about this awhile back, my interest was piqued and I've been keenly watching their progress.
<p>
But then something happened that Santilli hadn't predicted: his telescope started picking up strange invisible <I>things</I> right here on Earth. Things that did not appear on the conventional telescope placed side by side with the Santilli telescope. They seem to behave intelligently yet also mechanically, says Santilli, and for lack of a better term, he calls them "Invisible Terrestrial Entities".
<p>
Cue Lovecraftian music.
<p>
The photograph above, taken by Dr. Santilli from room 775 of the Vinoy Renaissance Hotel in St. Petersburg, purports to show one of these entities as viewed in time-lapse moving in the sky above Tampa Bay. The photo below, taken on January 16 in a scan of the western night sky from Tarpon Springs, shows a different-looking but equally puzzling phenomena. The object vanished from view soon after sighted. (You can read the whole story in a PDF press release <a href="http://www.thunder-energies.com/docs/TEC-report-ITE-II-01-15-16.pdf">here</a>.)
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXad3eM7fvGMJ_G0xqieS-mbBh8ZwWzkCLRs_d5r_mJUUu0wbJU3qPGw3uqFYbdiXMrhNRH6zZSNGALWfhcYRoUy734RiRcpXzTRQAKfNXaT-k4b7QxjEhXKej-J5nQL4nZaZnW3SwkDw/s1600/ITE3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXad3eM7fvGMJ_G0xqieS-mbBh8ZwWzkCLRs_d5r_mJUUu0wbJU3qPGw3uqFYbdiXMrhNRH6zZSNGALWfhcYRoUy734RiRcpXzTRQAKfNXaT-k4b7QxjEhXKej-J5nQL4nZaZnW3SwkDw/s540/ITE3.png" /></a></div>
<p>
And still more images have been produced by Santilli and Thunder Energies, although they're of a more squidgy nature and not terribly edifying. They look like they could be anything, anywhere, really. But they <I>are</I> interesting, and I <I>am</I> interested.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGz28F89orrE_gf-NVlEHx6-zpVxtJpOuZgF7PCuYMdiCxkPKvaRuBA_YUAxMecJJf2PXrCCO8_GdUeVhuQJF91q6SUAZ1cTuVt-Oa63BzlgBcv9FeU-ChAfZcTZIvzFypr4pVQ6desA8/s1600/ite5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGz28F89orrE_gf-NVlEHx6-zpVxtJpOuZgF7PCuYMdiCxkPKvaRuBA_YUAxMecJJf2PXrCCO8_GdUeVhuQJF91q6SUAZ1cTuVt-Oa63BzlgBcv9FeU-ChAfZcTZIvzFypr4pVQ6desA8/s540/ite5.png" /></a></div>
<p>
How does this thing work? Apparently by way of a postulated anti-matter-world version of light. Let the professor explain:
<p>
<font color=turquoise><blockquote>
"Since matter and antimatter annihilate at contact into light, as a condition for its existence at the classical macroscopic level, antimatter must have all characteristics opposite to those of matter. For instance, matter-light has a positive index of refraction while, as a condition for its existence, antimatter-light must have a negative index of refraction.
<p>
Consequently, the focusing of images of matter-light require convex lenses as occurring in the Galileo telescopes, while the focusing of images of antimatter-light requires concave lenses, as occurring in Santilli telescopes.
<p>
The above features imply that none of the refractive Galileo-type telescopes existing on Earth or in space can detect antimatter-light because they are all based on convex lenses.
<p>
Similarly, we will never see images of antimatter-light with our naked eyes because our cornea is convex, and as such, it disperses images of antimatter-light all over our retina. The sole possibility to detect images of antimatter-light is via images on a digital or film camera."
</blockquote></font>
<p>
I dunno.
<p>
I am planning to make a drive up to Tarpon Springs sometime soon and drop into Thunder headquarters and see this gizmo for myself. I'll send you a copy of the report.
Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-2799370861413919092015-11-20T17:34:00.001-05:002015-11-20T17:50:24.431-05:00Feral Humans?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX87pCWcuZpNW3U6tCmWprHHancuOX_D0Kp9hJEgoplRV3WeLHWWAtzif2R4-NA9DdpLHBv0FuZIMnbJbIurXBJhqUws2YT7tsQAxysrq3anDtL0z5Z67HbB9-HS-W3kEoJd9aWEJtnY8/s1600/jshartbellpage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX87pCWcuZpNW3U6tCmWprHHancuOX_D0Kp9hJEgoplRV3WeLHWWAtzif2R4-NA9DdpLHBv0FuZIMnbJbIurXBJhqUws2YT7tsQAxysrq3anDtL0z5Z67HbB9-HS-W3kEoJd9aWEJtnY8/s440/jshartbellpage.png" /></a></div>
<p>
Seventeen years ago, I had a small webpage devoted to the topic of "feral humans", a term I coined to describe the idea that perhaps, just perhaps, there could be human beings living in the wild in an animal-like state. Perhaps some of them were driven to this by madness, perhaps some were even literal descendents of cavemen who have carried on separately from the rest of the human race. (And when I say I "coined the term", I don't mean I <i>originated</i> it. I'm well aware the combination of those two words has been uttered prior to my specific use of it.)
<p>
It wasn't a concept I was particularly passionate about or emotionally invested in. Like many of my ideas, I just tossed it together into a webpage as random food-for-thought, and promptly forgot about it. So when Art Bell called me out of the blue and asked me to appear on his show in 1997, I was stunned. I accepted the mission, of course, what else was I gonna do? The show ended up becoming something of a legend among Art Bell devotees because it was so completely off-the-wall, and the legend only grew with time as the show was never archived. (To this day I still get a few requests each month from people asking if I have a copy.)
<p>
And that was that. Or should have been. But seventeen years later, lo and behold, I get an email from Art's producer, Heather Wade (who is wonderful, by the way - she's a dazzlingly energetic hard worker and problem solver. If I had five people like her working for me, this war would soon be over. And she has <i>such</i> a great charismatic voice she really needs to be hosting a radio show herself!)
<p>
I told Heather that I had absolutely nothing new to say about the topic of "feral humans" and didn't see much value in rehashing it. She persisted, and we finally agreed that we'd do something that used feral humans as a jumping-off point to talk about a much broader range of related topics, especially the idea of modern so-called "zombies" like the naked Florida face-eating psycho, and werewolves - which would tie in to promote my upcoming new book, <I>Undomesticated</I> and the Hollywood film that is currently, fingers crossed, being planned for it.
<p>
So when I saw on the official Art Bell website that the show was listed as "Jeffrey Scott Holland - Feral Humans", I had a slight sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that this wasn't going to go as planned. Sure enough, Art chose to disregard a large part of the outline we'd worked out in advance (hey, it's his show, he can do what he wants, but I did make it clear from day one I didn't just want to come on the show and do the same show about feral humans all over again.)
<p>
Art has a strict policy of "no cellphones" for guests. I have no landline, and so I had to download Skype and go out and purchase a new headset. When we got on the air live, I realized I could not hear myself - AT ALL - in the mix. All I heard was a booming GIANT ART BELL in my ears. I was told this is "normal" and to just speak naturally. Nevertheless, when you can't hearself in your own headphones, it's a mess because you can't tell whether you are speaking too loud or too quiet, and my own voice tends to modulate greatly from highs to lows to shouts to whispers and vocal-fry (kinda like the way Anton LaVey plays organ.)
<p>
It only devolved from there. My Wi-Fi chose to conk out halfway through the show, and I quickly reset it and got Skype running again. During the break, off the air, a cranky Art snapped angrily at me, "WHAT HAPPENED?" I was increasingly feeling like Valerie Solanas being set up and ambushed on that right-wing talk show in the film <I>I Shot Andy Warhol</I>, and was now thinking I should've just not bothered calling back. By the time Art testily asked me, with the show now nearly over, "Well, Jeffrey, is there anything ELSE you want to talk about?", I just said nope. He had no interest in talking about my new book and movie, which is what I was there to promote, so I just sat back and let the dog and pony show play out. I was up way past my bedtime and felt my time had been wasted.
<p>
Already, I'm receiving congratulations from people saying what a hilarious chaotic mess I made of Art's show. That was not my intent. Had it been, I would not have sat so politely listening to Art trying to spin my thing into some other thing. I would have done what Alex Jones did to Piers Morgan and just ignore all questions and start rapid-fire ranting about what I wanted to talk about until forcibly stopped. (Next time! See ya in another seventeen years, Art.)
Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-62295044843258769502015-11-05T15:13:00.001-05:002015-11-05T15:25:19.092-05:00Films from the Florida Zone
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDwoEjTnEn1hUjbTiNDS2LfLZ_rGfoTv9MEf5YvIDyyZgC3pvawhj2YpeUXdrkQA-WCnRwT25veMj8NvA1lK9K6Rsy9ASH2pNjkR6dTZQ_tVWY9HKxtLIrJ0t_Op8yYagDtw7_O6YCRI/s1600/undomesticated4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDwoEjTnEn1hUjbTiNDS2LfLZ_rGfoTv9MEf5YvIDyyZgC3pvawhj2YpeUXdrkQA-WCnRwT25veMj8NvA1lK9K6Rsy9ASH2pNjkR6dTZQ_tVWY9HKxtLIrJ0t_Op8yYagDtw7_O6YCRI/s640/undomesticated4.jpg" /></a></div>
You might wonder what's kept me so busy lately that I haven't had time to update this blog as much. Well, looks like we're going Hollywood, and I don't mean Hollywood, Florida.
<p>
Out of the blue, it looks like two films of my novels are going to see the light of day sooner or later. The film rights to <a href="http://jshbookclub.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-long-con.html"><i>Undomesticated</i></a>, my werewolf novel set in Florida, have been sold to an undisclosed agent even before the novel is published. Now, mind you, the gears of filmmaking grind painfully slow - sometimes moving in geological time - so I'm not holding my breath just yet. Taylor Hackford, for example, bought the film rights to Charles Bukowski's <i>Post Office</i> in 1972 and the film still has yet to be made. (Mr. Hackford is now a month or so away from his 71st birthday.)
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzy8h8Epi_MISoMQUvmi5yPyFth5d6y5XsA9ef1Jp3y0jfj6dzidImp-Ztafh7s2IdbQZ1d87OMr94JRZ4mheIYX-zubQXUJFDKCC5sBrZGekoxZwc9SOJiYJcEnQBRLU87OV0UB7dxQ/s1600/bartenderchip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzy8h8Epi_MISoMQUvmi5yPyFth5d6y5XsA9ef1Jp3y0jfj6dzidImp-Ztafh7s2IdbQZ1d87OMr94JRZ4mheIYX-zubQXUJFDKCC5sBrZGekoxZwc9SOJiYJcEnQBRLU87OV0UB7dxQ/s540/bartenderchip2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
But <i>The Bartender</i>, I'm thrilled to announce, is a <a href="http://www.newswire.com/press-release/jeffrey-scott-hollands-the-bartender-film-now-in-development">fully-greenlit project</a>. No director has been announced yet, but I'll keep things updated here and on its <a href="https://twitter.com/schachtons/">official Twitter account</a>. "The Bartender" novel is set in Florida in the 1970s, and will probably be mostly filmed on location here. If you have any interest in applying for a position, <a href="mailto:jshpaint@gmail.com">e-mail me!</a> Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-89678098653510925852015-06-18T08:41:00.001-04:002015-06-18T08:54:29.241-04:00Florida Man
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6en-5tKd_rACWMu6T7FC0VsPC51aWrvBr6Pzai4tbmsoc5NrwC42MAgLcB0L5mwtz7aSaNeIo1lsA_WemNSXz5-_JKLtc9y1uDZAKLg5A0ZbN31kSgQ9pAfdhgJ0KjWjw9pmmAyfRTs/s1600/florida-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6en-5tKd_rACWMu6T7FC0VsPC51aWrvBr6Pzai4tbmsoc5NrwC42MAgLcB0L5mwtz7aSaNeIo1lsA_WemNSXz5-_JKLtc9y1uDZAKLg5A0ZbN31kSgQ9pAfdhgJ0KjWjw9pmmAyfRTs/s540/florida-man.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Meet "Florida Man", the world's worst superhero!
<p>
You see him everywhere, every day, in the news, his latest exploits, foibles and follies, with headlines such as "Florida man run over by van after dog pushes accelerator" or "Police arrest Florida man for drunken joy ride on motorized scooter at Wal-Mart." And, like Kenny on <i>South Park</i>, Florida Man often dies but inexplicably comes back for more mishaps.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJec4g9SqjtYrW9Vbg8oAcrC8b0jAn2aMbqasGfOat1Ek-uYvhBVEhJJfooiwh1tEPkMVFFPcWldN5dw3JmarJyLHHKJJ-j0k8j8F0uML8DAsda1LPWR1HWN2F5I6GaMr-rRn4mG1X2CE/s1600/flaman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJec4g9SqjtYrW9Vbg8oAcrC8b0jAn2aMbqasGfOat1Ek-uYvhBVEhJJfooiwh1tEPkMVFFPcWldN5dw3JmarJyLHHKJJ-j0k8j8F0uML8DAsda1LPWR1HWN2F5I6GaMr-rRn4mG1X2CE/s540/flaman.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Florida Man has become an Internet meme that centers around news stories and articles about unusual or strange crime or events occurring in Florida, in which the headline usually refers to the subject as "Florida Man". The Sunshine State has an especial notoriety for generating bizarre news stories, and our hero Florida Man personifies the legend. It's all part of the <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2015/01/interzones-fractionation.html">cognitive dissonance</a> that Interzone so adeptly manufactures for itself, being a magnet for marginal people doing sketchy things in the most fringey way.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJXvohoZhIiGHSVN0Xutl0BZW6SxFHBv2NnBjmG926pAX9t3pyYW1hPE8W_Z0LW5SMhZIVpFkr5eUsSCKLWe_Kf7leMVPNjNt-l2ppB2x2Z6C8L-icQVQvTCIdJ1cnzlH_BBhH4ZalgY/s1600/flaman2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJXvohoZhIiGHSVN0Xutl0BZW6SxFHBv2NnBjmG926pAX9t3pyYW1hPE8W_Z0LW5SMhZIVpFkr5eUsSCKLWe_Kf7leMVPNjNt-l2ppB2x2Z6C8L-icQVQvTCIdJ1cnzlH_BBhH4ZalgY/s540/flaman2.png" /></a></div>
<p>
The diligent fans keeping track of Florida Man's adventures are legion, and you can find them on <a href="https://twitter.com/_FloridaMan">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/FloridaMan/">Reddit</a> and <a href="http://www.bing.com/news/search?q=%22Florida+Man%22&qpvt=%22florida+man%22&FORM=EWRE">damn near any news outlet</a>. (His erstwhile sidekick, "Florida Woman", has also made a name for herself.)
<p>
Is it the <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2014/06/hydrogen-sulfide.html">hydrogen sulfide</a> responsible for Florida Man and his army of zombies? The <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2014/09/red-tide.html">Red Tide</a>? Or just weird drugs like <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2015/04/flakka.html">Flakka</a>? Either way, there's somethin' happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-l7G3HcGk9dyNmuGWRORJKXbLQ_y5hUjzroZLAtNuIItcyhG5azv6upVbNxFrk92mxAuWjB6yZTS4WUvS8PiiioqP2_X40NydAFe7tfAR36NasftWefQV_quz62iXp5ZkdOqXv0LE7A/s1600/flaman3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-l7G3HcGk9dyNmuGWRORJKXbLQ_y5hUjzroZLAtNuIItcyhG5azv6upVbNxFrk92mxAuWjB6yZTS4WUvS8PiiioqP2_X40NydAFe7tfAR36NasftWefQV_quz62iXp5ZkdOqXv0LE7A/s540/flaman3.png" /></a></div>
<p>
Stay vigilant, my friends.
<p>
Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-48451483115798674402015-06-17T22:05:00.000-04:002015-06-17T22:15:50.984-04:00The File Clerks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNJmHGt_uMDzypsohkp5pnVY3KB54VyXykwo2LaO7pXSy0uiZkK9qE4teOyoMcNU7WdBVRLXgzk4lDQfPEKpyjmGsHWnUtBQdhAC206U6t8L0jWMQFzCN-Kz-grZpU8ORlzyqb1xim3c/s1600/fileclerks6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNJmHGt_uMDzypsohkp5pnVY3KB54VyXykwo2LaO7pXSy0uiZkK9qE4teOyoMcNU7WdBVRLXgzk4lDQfPEKpyjmGsHWnUtBQdhAC206U6t8L0jWMQFzCN-Kz-grZpU8ORlzyqb1xim3c/s540/fileclerks6.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Some of you may have noticed that I've been churning out puzzling little pieces of piffle on <a href="https://soundcloud.com/creepsrecords">Soundcloud</a> lately. Though for a few years I've been laying low from my old sideline as a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdPfeRqfOEU">purveyor of sample-delic random avant-garde noise</a>, I'm back in the game. For a while, at least, until I get distracted by something else. As with my recent forays into <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2015/03/digitalart-abstract.html">digital abstract art</a>, I don't take it seriously at all and neither should you.
<p>
The new project is called <b>Jeffrey Scott Holland & the File Clerks</b>, or simply File Clerks for short. It's basically me, a bunch of laptops and synthesizers, and sometimes various other people I collaborate with at any given time, like my old <b>Cheeseburger & Fries</b> accomplice, <a href="http://jtdockery.com/main.html">J.T. Dockery</a>.
<p>
The File Clerks take a wide survey of the digital music field, including but not limited to: jazz, noise, ambient, chill, chillout, dub, industrial, techno, trance, house, acid, drone, glitch, dubstep, dark wave, vaporwave, brostep, brutalwave, hip-hop, trip-hop, goa, and many other sub-sub-subgenres uncategorizable and as yet unnamed by the increasingly aspergian kids of today. Mind you, it's important to note that this is <i>impressionism</i> at its utmost; just because I make dubstep records doesn't mean I like dubstep or that I even truly understand the genre. But there they are.
<p>
Jump in <a href="https://soundcloud.com/creepsrecords">here</a> and swim around awhile. A couple of my personal favorites: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/creepsrecords/jeffrey-scott-holland-the-file-clerks-to-the-cloud">"To The Cloud"</a> and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/creepsrecords/jeffrey-scott-holland-the-file-clerks-molecules-by-night">"Molecules By Night"</a>. Oh yeah, and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/creepsrecords/jeffrey-scott-holland-the-file-clerks-insouciant">"Insouciant"</a>. Headphones recommended.Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-50040146905754964292015-06-16T09:26:00.000-04:002015-06-16T09:26:01.785-04:00Raccoon Rides Gator<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0iuY0pSb4cOGs2y1LpXDa1bMMxoBBGGN-bvs6hyPwUSFrGjEg-WJTd13qcJD_P2Fgpu3M1J7isrS5ZZITUDwFVrSxcBjI2FY2npEeN8_VFnkZuoyqjNt6sRToKtn0Fr3s_HtK1hIgHA/s1600/raccoon-alligator.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0iuY0pSb4cOGs2y1LpXDa1bMMxoBBGGN-bvs6hyPwUSFrGjEg-WJTd13qcJD_P2Fgpu3M1J7isrS5ZZITUDwFVrSxcBjI2FY2npEeN8_VFnkZuoyqjNt6sRToKtn0Fr3s_HtK1hIgHA/s540/raccoon-alligator.png" /></a></div>
<p>
They say "man bites dog" is news, and I think "raccoon rides gator" is too. This picture has been making the rounds in the media lately, showing a deceptively pleasant scene of animal interaction. But according to <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/raccoon-riding-alligator-photographed-florida-343094">this article</a>, the raccoon was only on the alligator's back for a few seconds before the gator slid into the water and the raccoon hopped off. Richard Jones, who was in Ocala National Forest on vacation, managed to click the picture at precisely the right moment.
<p>
As the article also mentions, alligators and raccoons are natural enemies. Scientists say gator feces usually turns out to contain raccoon, while most baby alligators and unhatched gator eggs fall prey to raccoons.Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-91942121066385882972015-06-16T09:19:00.000-04:002015-06-16T09:32:11.539-04:00Windshield Geckos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZBrBX8HlQ9k2GbOxjF9oQoEm0hh_1gkHyVAkO0I-8fdqLLVOlLqVEjjydZ4JnM4M2dJ7yU94a6NoAvb6_VCymPN0454s809sKrbX4qo0O0PTX2hEKz0-atXu1h7FZXABZXZlf5cTf-4/s1600/0508150355b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZBrBX8HlQ9k2GbOxjF9oQoEm0hh_1gkHyVAkO0I-8fdqLLVOlLqVEjjydZ4JnM4M2dJ7yU94a6NoAvb6_VCymPN0454s809sKrbX4qo0O0PTX2hEKz0-atXu1h7FZXABZXZlf5cTf-4/s540/0508150355b.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
When you come out to your car in the garage in the morning and find <a href="http://www.wildflorida.com/wildlife/lizards/Mediterranean_Gecko.php">Mediterranean Geckos</a> crawling on it, apparently fearless of the rubber white alligator on the dashboard.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQenQiA8WFo9dDXyqbKt2VX5lcN1b2-kfPTKv9C34Ce85REFZQpbKz2tBniSlbl-LJVFJ42DaZF5mcerFB5QLYEMW3bzU36WJNG1yX-fk9JEMK5be6HOudAki9MdyM-9heGEHEJV4OWM/s1600/0508150355a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQenQiA8WFo9dDXyqbKt2VX5lcN1b2-kfPTKv9C34Ce85REFZQpbKz2tBniSlbl-LJVFJ42DaZF5mcerFB5QLYEMW3bzU36WJNG1yX-fk9JEMK5be6HOudAki9MdyM-9heGEHEJV4OWM/s540/0508150355a.jpg" /></a></div>Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-60897828858434266362015-06-16T09:15:00.002-04:002015-06-16T09:15:50.525-04:00St. Petersburg Street Musician<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfp1U0Drm2Jyx_AybmkLQH49AlRYrpPxOesf1Rwsl3jk1Lz1Qw42IjkknUUkEVT0WdISTr-g5t1aPRaQlMooZ-1c7AhrDysc_-Gjp6drztM5we5A9I154O3jUTmQg-KrgAA0rZtlKTtk/s1600/downsized_0613151052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfp1U0Drm2Jyx_AybmkLQH49AlRYrpPxOesf1Rwsl3jk1Lz1Qw42IjkknUUkEVT0WdISTr-g5t1aPRaQlMooZ-1c7AhrDysc_-Gjp6drztM5we5A9I154O3jUTmQg-KrgAA0rZtlKTtk/s540/downsized_0613151052.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Spotted recently in a park in St. Petersburg: this amazing performer who was set up with an accordion and xylophone, both miked and run through an effects rack. Sometimes he would play the xylophone with his right hand while playing accordion with the left, and then sometimes he would use a device to sample himself on the xylophone and set it up in a loop while he played accordion with both hands. Brilliant stuff. I was tempted to stick around and ask him if he wanted to join <a href="http://jshcombo.blogspot.com/">The File Clerks</a>.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtutchstlZH3hWTUIteW686AbPnsWlh9DIPZH_CtZt4hqfXx5hxG-0hr-KpFvXeLgXafRH0nEleeqFn8eXtjiZCACpZQO8RdEorlcVdxCxw9dRlc8XdeTOhJjpjNM8qQJO1V2lxzt1co/s1600/downsized_0613151052a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtutchstlZH3hWTUIteW686AbPnsWlh9DIPZH_CtZt4hqfXx5hxG-0hr-KpFvXeLgXafRH0nEleeqFn8eXtjiZCACpZQO8RdEorlcVdxCxw9dRlc8XdeTOhJjpjNM8qQJO1V2lxzt1co/s540/downsized_0613151052a.jpg" /></a></div>Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-21036423679486643362015-05-28T11:24:00.001-04:002015-05-28T12:26:53.967-04:00Florida Death Metal
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5zgwpx7_kKX4EhL2CJ2sk2Z8cA_A_xvKBJkQnfr7ZQsF4KV1jYZTJgX85fotzrvCQHO-h61TRWs3CcOoafjy5Ny7v6crHV3ytV1F1r-gW8iWshklwWInpP2pYlC_WUWw4ZPhPhIO0Bo/s1600/metal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5zgwpx7_kKX4EhL2CJ2sk2Z8cA_A_xvKBJkQnfr7ZQsF4KV1jYZTJgX85fotzrvCQHO-h61TRWs3CcOoafjy5Ny7v6crHV3ytV1F1r-gW8iWshklwWInpP2pYlC_WUWw4ZPhPhIO0Bo/s540/metal2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
What is it about this peaceful place that inspires so many lugubrious young-uns (and maybe not so young-uns) to form angry little bands that wail, scream, growl, bitch and moan about the darkest, doomiest things they can think of? Is it the <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2014/06/hydrogen-sulfide.html">Hydrogen Sulfide</a>? The insidious unseen influence of the <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-hand-of-death.html">Hand of Death</a> cult? For reasons unguessed at by this author, Florida has more than its share of major metal bands - and particularly so-called "death metal" - just the sort of cheerful music that people like <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2014/06/rod-ferrells-vampire-clan.html">Rod Ferrell's vampire clan</a> loved to listen to.
<p>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morbid_Angel">Morbid Angel</a>, singers of such catchy tunes as "World of Shit", "God of Emptiness", and "Where the Slime Live", are from Tampa. Don't forget to send Tampa a thank-you card.
<p>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheist_(band)">Atheist</a> is a great name for a band, I guess, if you think atheism is cool, and I did too, for about a week when I was thirteen years old. They're from Sarasota. They actually employ some jazz fusion with thrash-death metal, which is no doubt a combination the world has been longing to hear.
<p>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynic_(band)">Cynic</a> is from Miami, and they dabble with jazz fusion as well, and are highly regarded as "progressive" death metal. I actually find <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy8FTmDtOwc">some of it listenable</a>, albeit puzzling.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mr8RgVoySNSgrY83MlHQBTZPBWCCv8wcV6Usv-N-QcsArmuP9CUGyrYl_K3EbD_ySY6QXlk-0R_jJTl2Wve9pwIFju-R6tao6PJgkFkbauOqTPAPvtrlA9Z1X1jC7MgAz4jsNw8JCWQ/s1600/metal3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mr8RgVoySNSgrY83MlHQBTZPBWCCv8wcV6Usv-N-QcsArmuP9CUGyrYl_K3EbD_ySY6QXlk-0R_jJTl2Wve9pwIFju-R6tao6PJgkFkbauOqTPAPvtrlA9Z1X1jC7MgAz4jsNw8JCWQ/s540/metal3.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deicide_(band)">Deicide</a> (whose singer famously admitted to killing small animals for fun and vowed he would kill himself when he reached the age of 33 but then quietly changed his mind) is also from Tampa.
<p>
And then there's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_(metal_band)">Death</a>, who broke up when their lead singer, well, died. But we still have their records, like "Bite the Pain", "Scavenger of Human Sorrow" and "Spirit Crusher", to treasure their legacy. (They were from Orlando, so I can't fault them for being very very depressed.)
<p>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_Eternal">Hate Eternal</a>, fronted by Erik Rutan, formerly of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripping_Corpse">Ripping Corpse</a>, is from St. Petersburg.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGgW40qNvmuZFRQL1z2PGuY377K6quqaJWrLtfgHSIVjTQT7x-dpwlEbSbyVl1NJ_9txM_tI7i6PaKYHu7ZiGY_WbwZDz-rVHK4o21bH2K0iajXva4ebFc_yNHfajKwit4GYd2dSxaLY/s1600/metal1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGgW40qNvmuZFRQL1z2PGuY377K6quqaJWrLtfgHSIVjTQT7x-dpwlEbSbyVl1NJ_9txM_tI7i6PaKYHu7ZiGY_WbwZDz-rVHK4o21bH2K0iajXva4ebFc_yNHfajKwit4GYd2dSxaLY/s540/metal1.png" /></a></div>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnLS5v_xWSvAqxDb1HndFTmDAaPAlD9221e2MxieyJCS0CxURxefA3jiAmnXxjZrsR_b4re2K-iEX2Z_8le8w-8RuzxvI5XZJEIllHSD89rgooTBQbEw-00-eCqFE_BD76GjDcPwRgx0/s1600/metal7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnLS5v_xWSvAqxDb1HndFTmDAaPAlD9221e2MxieyJCS0CxURxefA3jiAmnXxjZrsR_b4re2K-iEX2Z_8le8w-8RuzxvI5XZJEIllHSD89rgooTBQbEw-00-eCqFE_BD76GjDcPwRgx0/s200/metal7.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ass%C3%BCck">Assück</a> is another of St. Pete's fine contributions to popular culture, and with a name like Assück, you know you've got to be in for a pleasant evening, right? Wikipedia describes their act as a "low-calibre battery of brooding, malicious, doom-ridden grind pitched somewhere between early <b>Napalm Death</b> and even earlier <b>Bolt Thrower</b>". <I>Well</I> then, there you go.
<p>
I actually kinda like Tampa's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nocturnus">Nocturnus</a>, though, mainly because they've got a science fiction vibe goin' on, and were an early pioneer of using keyboards in death metal. Still, one feels rather foolish sitting amongst palm trees sipping a blue thing while listening to songs called "Apostle of Evil", "Standing in Blood", and "Subterranean Infiltrator".
<p>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstrosity_(band)">Monstrosity</a>! Who remembers Monstrosity? They're still around, actually, but some say they're just not the same since their founding vocalist, George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, went off to join <b>Cannibal Corpse</b>. Monstrosity was formed in Fort Lauderdale, where I'm sure tourists and beachgoers swooned over their snappy songs like "Immense Malignancy", "Vicious Mental Thirst" and "Final Cremation". Woo!
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO7Q-095uhEpaGzCJ3-CUACO_61_OCkoEVePaRTOVqZdBWO5K4rSM4M94GWfi7ybVSsqvk-OZenRHZqHxBFSwGpsJmK7ex_BYB0SXvPRcr5rBrb5m38qmCJmSoF-K02HUvuuU3Tr47Ug/s1600/metal5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO7Q-095uhEpaGzCJ3-CUACO_61_OCkoEVePaRTOVqZdBWO5K4rSM4M94GWfi7ybVSsqvk-OZenRHZqHxBFSwGpsJmK7ex_BYB0SXvPRcr5rBrb5m38qmCJmSoF-K02HUvuuU3Tr47Ug/s200/metal5.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Fort Lauderdale, I'm afraid, is also responsible for unleashing upon an unsuspecting world the impenetrably named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kult_ov_Azazel">Kult Ov Azazel</a>. You know, those nice boys who croon that hep pop classic "Bloodstained Path to Victory". And also other exciting numbers like "An Eternity With Satan" and "Trampling the Cross". The band members all have names like "Azagkur", "Hag", "Hammer", "Hellspawn", and "Archangel Sin Scythe". I dunno.
<p>
I've never heard of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheron_(band)">Acheron</a> but they're somehow simultaneously from Pittsburgh and Tampa at the same time. Says on Wikipedia that their lead singer, who calls himself Vincent Crowley (clever, no?) "was appointed a priest in the Church of Satan and began spending a lot of his time debating local televangelists, limiting Acheron's output for a time." Sounds like a real fun guy. Don't these dopes realize Anton LaVey thought "satanic" metal was the stupidest thing ever to come out of the 20th century, and that he frequently stated with absolute seriousness that <b>Rudy Vallee</b> was the <I>real</I> sound of Satanism?
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrhrJj7dvY7r2xiSNsy0fGxCz60Ayy0Xvd8BQRC07nuKb-fNjXproocYwe1dDl-d9KiSe4ituO3BMj_MMAFKmF2_3wr8WyT-DAzPV2-mfVPxyVDHTX9GMEB6zdMNRMUgftjHWV7QEenI/s1600/metal4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrhrJj7dvY7r2xiSNsy0fGxCz60Ayy0Xvd8BQRC07nuKb-fNjXproocYwe1dDl-d9KiSe4ituO3BMj_MMAFKmF2_3wr8WyT-DAzPV2-mfVPxyVDHTX9GMEB6zdMNRMUgftjHWV7QEenI/s540/metal4.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Tampa also gifted us with those little charmers called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obituary_(band)">Obituary</a>. You know, those happy-go-lucky guys with hummable albums like "Cause of Death", "World's Demise", and "Slowly We Rot". I bet these guys are real fun at cocktail parties, especially after they start throwing away the olives and eating the glasses.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzaVDr249mW_aWAlTsUYmYINPfMvnhK-RMQuqt9MmtT8pC-XZTnbmNz_2qGvmpZYGfY_lwllhdLFDIqS00sgI_7_NuYNIMt48Ajg1CpwFrB9qjJySdzAmEl1S2emo6hhMnA4RJIeGDis/s1600/metal6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzaVDr249mW_aWAlTsUYmYINPfMvnhK-RMQuqt9MmtT8pC-XZTnbmNz_2qGvmpZYGfY_lwllhdLFDIqS00sgI_7_NuYNIMt48Ajg1CpwFrB9qjJySdzAmEl1S2emo6hhMnA4RJIeGDis/s200/metal6.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savatage">Savatage</a> is from Tarpon Springs, and they were a serious MTV-level force to be reckoned with in the 80s and 90s. I'm not sure what they're up to lately. While not as overtly negative and silly as most of the bands listed here, they're still not quite my cup of tea these days. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKNIHaBCkcw"><i>Hall of the Mountain King</i></a> was a pretty classic album though. (I grew up with all this music same as you probably did, dear reader, so don't flame me for outgrowing it. Why, some nights, when the moon is just right, I even put a little <b>Candlemass</b> on the hi-fi.)
<p>
And lastly, those <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limp_Bizkit">Limp Biskit</a> boys, a band I don't particularly like, come from Jacksonville, a city I don't particularly like. Whew.
<p>
Maybe I should do a post on Florida's contribution to the world of Dixieland Jazz next, just to cleanse the palate, eh?
<p>
Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-29236646914923817902015-05-28T09:47:00.002-04:002015-05-28T09:49:59.653-04:00Joe Haldeman
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4lefFE8m_JgC2-5PJ4n02wKUIwPWyO2rR5cb0lOkabZUisb28zHAlwahBJUx5xs0pL2wB6jqjbpby0QxPJXORr63xSL8JJMmAqEF8e9T3NsLR6dOOIeOUUFO1pRz0MW2C07qVSCpMmQ/s1600/haldeman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4lefFE8m_JgC2-5PJ4n02wKUIwPWyO2rR5cb0lOkabZUisb28zHAlwahBJUx5xs0pL2wB6jqjbpby0QxPJXORr63xSL8JJMmAqEF8e9T3NsLR6dOOIeOUUFO1pRz0MW2C07qVSCpMmQ/s540/haldeman2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
<b>Joe Haldeman</b> is an author, born in Oklahoma but presently residing in Gainesville, Florida. He may not be a household name, but he's very well known to science fiction fans around the world. He's a recipient of the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award, a SFWA Grand Master, and a member of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZO7l62DuVDc4hArXDlCCYeYwlLvzOn-1FWOTsbJeC-tnerU_jHy66Iy4NsFXeK0-3GBYcCj5AbhBD5xh7QfG741zxWrL6ddaThbiDCVbXHpj2kveBeRwiihhrQNDzxGgVSxy47uCdoA/s1600/haldeman3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZO7l62DuVDc4hArXDlCCYeYwlLvzOn-1FWOTsbJeC-tnerU_jHy66Iy4NsFXeK0-3GBYcCj5AbhBD5xh7QfG741zxWrL6ddaThbiDCVbXHpj2kveBeRwiihhrQNDzxGgVSxy47uCdoA/s1600/haldeman3.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
He was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a combat engineer in the Vietnam war. He was wounded in combat, and received the Purple Heart. These experiences inspired his first novel, <i>War Year</I>, in 1972, and also influenced later books such as <i>Old Twentieth</I> and <i>Vietnam and Other Alien Worlds</i>.
<p>
In 1975, he received an MFA degree in Creative Writing. Somewhere along the way, he drifted down to Florida, and why he chose Gainesville as his home, I'm not sure. His brother, the late Jack C. Haldeman II, also lived in Gainesville, and both brothers authored Star Trek novels - Jack wrote <I>Perry's Planet</I> and Joe wrote <I>Planet of Judgment</I> and <I>World Without End</I>.
<p>
His greatest claim to fame, some say, is his 1974 opus <I>The Forever War</I>, but for my money you can't beat his novella <I>The Hemingway Hoax</I>.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeOwoM1NdNAOr7E0CYo9zBymC5scHa3d3sia7uBE0nth7ANxHO7pH4sa-iX9u7UPY_ScauWRC0qgS1ccIEH9AV7iPNa3KTYrIkunvuHzda-u2mhlwpS-872QbJUWD5_llL0jVg7-Jx0o/s1600/haldeman4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeOwoM1NdNAOr7E0CYo9zBymC5scHa3d3sia7uBE0nth7ANxHO7pH4sa-iX9u7UPY_ScauWRC0qgS1ccIEH9AV7iPNa3KTYrIkunvuHzda-u2mhlwpS-872QbJUWD5_llL0jVg7-Jx0o/s540/haldeman4.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
In 1921, <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2013/08/ernest-hemingway.html">Ernest Hemingway</a>'s wife lost a bag containing the manuscript of his first novel on a train. Since that time, people have wondered what the book contained, and whether it could still be floating around out there. Haldeman's story tells of a man named Baird who, along with a Key West grifter named Castle, propose to create a fake manuscript of Hemingway's lost novel and pass it off as a historic discovery.
<p>
Baird later finds, however, that there are cosmic time-traveling entities who monitor life in our universe and in parallel universes, and for complicated reasons, anything that affects the cultural influence of Hemingway is a matter of grave concern to them. If Baird publishes the fake Hemingway novel, it will alter the future in ways that will lead to nuclear war, Baird is told, and will create reverberations that will be catastrophic all through the omniverse as well.
<p>
Hemingway himself time-travels to 1996 to personally confront Baird on a train from Boston to Florida, and warns him to give up on the idea. What happens then? Well, read the book.
Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-51876598005131534832015-05-27T21:03:00.001-04:002015-05-27T21:03:38.161-04:00Bradenton in the Past
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJrU0poelqd5-xe5VlErEtmm3EzlImnGVgxpqXbnw8-KWYw_gS9CxRsqinD-KBahls9Z2McEur8R0tRWBikECu6hkJhEGtGGSDD_O9XYHGiReLAKwB4AlvnZB59tK4qO2T-uDxNIwOGo/s1600/bradenton1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJrU0poelqd5-xe5VlErEtmm3EzlImnGVgxpqXbnw8-KWYw_gS9CxRsqinD-KBahls9Z2McEur8R0tRWBikECu6hkJhEGtGGSDD_O9XYHGiReLAKwB4AlvnZB59tK4qO2T-uDxNIwOGo/s540/bradenton1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdGQ4GnM0DKe8biDjgebwyuEpW6LxuK5q85psYWgjGOY6fQKFztaafmB2SgPTGCsegcVlOAAG8ywofzFzOVufbaFBxN-rZvtoh0JhUN7lj-GrWeWTxZvH8E8hfEAJR4kDdIry4qEiY4Y/s1600/bradenton2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdGQ4GnM0DKe8biDjgebwyuEpW6LxuK5q85psYWgjGOY6fQKFztaafmB2SgPTGCsegcVlOAAG8ywofzFzOVufbaFBxN-rZvtoh0JhUN7lj-GrWeWTxZvH8E8hfEAJR4kDdIry4qEiY4Y/s540/bradenton2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYeNsSg7NxYUGcGL3Gj8aWMdDKmFiB4KHul0U7o0Klf1wgWbhBBDVhBA-7S00RYUhGBNBBEnoGod7rcY0xcX8CX21AGpVlD9kM0T6aWyadGpCPowsUYV25qPY_ZK0D3kbnUPJ2-7P9Kk/s1600/bradenton3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYeNsSg7NxYUGcGL3Gj8aWMdDKmFiB4KHul0U7o0Klf1wgWbhBBDVhBA-7S00RYUhGBNBBEnoGod7rcY0xcX8CX21AGpVlD9kM0T6aWyadGpCPowsUYV25qPY_ZK0D3kbnUPJ2-7P9Kk/s540/bradenton3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_xOOVk9MGVLaY3vHLYgHUZzhwrEwTcDR900vma5MUshrpe5SftLmJ7VgLzfCNcP7q1SvGCP6Q7feF9WdjU3w0LLIeFKEFvDUNlXCNMf86AUbcqqVvlyqlD1yAcF07C1ayG5-PeyosKA/s1600/bradenton4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_xOOVk9MGVLaY3vHLYgHUZzhwrEwTcDR900vma5MUshrpe5SftLmJ7VgLzfCNcP7q1SvGCP6Q7feF9WdjU3w0LLIeFKEFvDUNlXCNMf86AUbcqqVvlyqlD1yAcF07C1ayG5-PeyosKA/s540/bradenton4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7p37X3SQ6r_mIABG2x6cMHnM4AYttybrO-ntt0GE6wB9RB8lBqkqOZdVQVRNrnG2tBfsFx9on0BnHA-NPETsg8shw0TOy8O4l7rUXDqU6yUeq1IRCbPsIChyphenhyphenok5PY6yfJv43lL5Y_T_o/s1600/bradenton5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7p37X3SQ6r_mIABG2x6cMHnM4AYttybrO-ntt0GE6wB9RB8lBqkqOZdVQVRNrnG2tBfsFx9on0BnHA-NPETsg8shw0TOy8O4l7rUXDqU6yUeq1IRCbPsIChyphenhyphenok5PY6yfJv43lL5Y_T_o/s540/bradenton5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvOUkeBqucMJRXKcIMYYKbc6FWNc_7IF95zj5ETY-5WKVW-JuGoZzGcPDfisMeYSM5NdrYQC1YlpeR7vzOFGFs-p3bxX8VhAM-8RJtKc_DXEKd9ENXkNBUUwh2W3h43ghwMacvPvRIws/s1600/bradenton7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvOUkeBqucMJRXKcIMYYKbc6FWNc_7IF95zj5ETY-5WKVW-JuGoZzGcPDfisMeYSM5NdrYQC1YlpeR7vzOFGFs-p3bxX8VhAM-8RJtKc_DXEKd9ENXkNBUUwh2W3h43ghwMacvPvRIws/s540/bradenton7.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Westgate Shopping Center (pictured above) still exists, by the way (see below.) But sadly, the great 50s-style signage is long gone.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBQiHslWJ2eNMuVd6VZMP2xCOCdDlEYKRyh38ESOdXHuNE0GAasWxOU0KPhaEYlmkojmGCV_siKNu5ssTln8e1IW9tQ3a5rx458DRrn7izd122ZDIuHrY2OQdbqlK6rR7X-MGoViE1hA/s1600/westgate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBQiHslWJ2eNMuVd6VZMP2xCOCdDlEYKRyh38ESOdXHuNE0GAasWxOU0KPhaEYlmkojmGCV_siKNu5ssTln8e1IW9tQ3a5rx458DRrn7izd122ZDIuHrY2OQdbqlK6rR7X-MGoViE1hA/s540/westgate.png" /></a></div>Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-38676513122536871672015-05-27T20:38:00.000-04:002015-05-27T20:38:33.817-04:00The Colonel
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGmsrVaO3Q-G3BTLHP1lSh3I5Gq3x_e499G8FYyvdjFEYqxEwey3ctYm8F-coUTwhBbcTrOjpMYZOV7ax0NKYRVP3-7lWhZjdMvhN4NB_f0Xe7GMn6YMl6URjMdxm6OwLPusedv6ZOXM/s1600/miami1968b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGmsrVaO3Q-G3BTLHP1lSh3I5Gq3x_e499G8FYyvdjFEYqxEwey3ctYm8F-coUTwhBbcTrOjpMYZOV7ax0NKYRVP3-7lWhZjdMvhN4NB_f0Xe7GMn6YMl6URjMdxm6OwLPusedv6ZOXM/s540/miami1968b.png" /></a></div>
<p>
My previous attempts to dig up some dirt on my enigmatic obsessions with obscure Florida musicians of the past haven't panned out too well. Take <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2015/04/norbert-at-organ.html">Norbert</a>, for example, or <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2014/02/mitzi-joyce.html">Mitzi Joyce</a>, or <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2015/03/joe-peppy-singing-bartender.html">Joe Peppy the Singing Bartender</a>. But this one, I think I've got a lead.
<p>
The late-70s newspaper ads for the <b>Aztec</b> focus on, of course, the big local star - comedian <b>Don Sebastian</b> (who I should probably get around to blogging about one of the days). But in tiny letters, the ads also mention in passing the Aztec's "Mardi Gras Piano Bar" hosted by someone called simply... <i>The Colonel.</i> The imagination reels.
<p>
As with the other aforementioned lounge acts, search engines haven't provided much edification on the subject. But I did find, lo and behold, a post made to <a href="http://forums.miamibeach411.com">forums.miamibeach411.com</a> by a user named "Canefan", who says:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9XA1DX2ahYrxgSDjxDS-KafwbZfxInnNlAKHKDkPxNFWIOt0HFOvKRs5pFUfD-6MAS5Hf-z-GZU7QQqP0iPgJ9muorIJDG2QwBJBU7BdCRPhyphenhyphenNaCO3IZgK7m57GmXJYohPuHY5CqL7A/s1600/canefan2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9XA1DX2ahYrxgSDjxDS-KafwbZfxInnNlAKHKDkPxNFWIOt0HFOvKRs5pFUfD-6MAS5Hf-z-GZU7QQqP0iPgJ9muorIJDG2QwBJBU7BdCRPhyphenhyphenNaCO3IZgK7m57GmXJYohPuHY5CqL7A/s540/canefan2.png" /></a></div>
<p>
Oooooooh, that's a <i>BINGO!</i> Now all we have to do is find this "Canefan" and let him spill all he knows about the good old days. Clicking on his username brings also his introductory post to the forum:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_9ShpWJ71yqRjBcNmoTOCgTR90PMMdMYBwWumWANm8G6HRAzOBT2hxNmO-GdAWqHuU-TYERpzgpD2v8vRO8ZVFrVpheukfzQRg7kV7KWA5R5pTsggLIEEOJP7JqLecTppdvcZqAH2CM/s1600/canefan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_9ShpWJ71yqRjBcNmoTOCgTR90PMMdMYBwWumWANm8G6HRAzOBT2hxNmO-GdAWqHuU-TYERpzgpD2v8vRO8ZVFrVpheukfzQRg7kV7KWA5R5pTsggLIEEOJP7JqLecTppdvcZqAH2CM/s540/canefan.png" /></a></div>
<p>
Any man calling himself "The Colonel" and running a piano-bar-lounge in a seedy Miami Beach motel in the 60s and 70s qualifies for canonization as far as we're concerned here. Got more info on him? Speak up!Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-65459725644179399472015-05-25T20:11:00.001-04:002015-05-25T20:11:54.661-04:00Tootsie
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAoOITGsWckj5Ncprn8USFb9Qx56-pO9ooKeqgP3C1lVeh5bkQ3ZmHXqIbCynG46J8gjygJh4cARO9LKFGTsd9WaaL2cuUK33W25d6VtEp-wUJEkyrrgampdt3ZX7Ef6srSIlr7IdtaQ/s1600/ag-frontfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAoOITGsWckj5Ncprn8USFb9Qx56-pO9ooKeqgP3C1lVeh5bkQ3ZmHXqIbCynG46J8gjygJh4cARO9LKFGTsd9WaaL2cuUK33W25d6VtEp-wUJEkyrrgampdt3ZX7Ef6srSIlr7IdtaQ/s540/ag-frontfull.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
The giant fiberglass <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muffler_Men">Muffler Men</a> of the 1960s were so popular at their peak, that other companies wanted to get in on the act. Uniroyal Tire Co. enlisted International Fiberglass to manufacture a series of giant bikini women to grace their storefronts, and this is one of the few remaining examples left. "Tootsie", as she is locally known as, can be found in Bradenton, Florida, specifically at 6111 15th St. East. There was another in Ocoee, but as far as I can tell, it's now gone.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIRj0p6MM8AThl6n4xFZ1c4nFum5jkRXmn6cvfdYn2Gf-ywG3eR2hyc5gZZ6nBHXYCO8CJU5_qIUqaWx09eMZ74W3QuGKfbqQez5yigixvrC0znL_VPkNl-zJ3QyrVt4b3scxewvkX7E/s1600/uniroyal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIRj0p6MM8AThl6n4xFZ1c4nFum5jkRXmn6cvfdYn2Gf-ywG3eR2hyc5gZZ6nBHXYCO8CJU5_qIUqaWx09eMZ74W3QuGKfbqQez5yigixvrC0znL_VPkNl-zJ3QyrVt4b3scxewvkX7E/s540/uniroyal.png" /></a></div>
<p>
If you're too lazy to go out there, you can glimpse her on Google Maps (above) and Google Maps Street View (below).
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuquul024C3nUDwSyvlLToJ9lGB8VYA6MtYgg__vWmDHxpIU9iZu0EpT-pcybIov2qGd4tnLoTU4YsKX9qV_AFdlYGMtpsl63TXc1EVaYl4DOrpXp7nt2qw7SB5RHcZ4Y-zv4Yr0olGc8/s1600/uniroyal2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuquul024C3nUDwSyvlLToJ9lGB8VYA6MtYgg__vWmDHxpIU9iZu0EpT-pcybIov2qGd4tnLoTU4YsKX9qV_AFdlYGMtpsl63TXc1EVaYl4DOrpXp7nt2qw7SB5RHcZ4Y-zv4Yr0olGc8/s540/uniroyal2.png" /></a></div>
<p>
Read more about the "Uniroyal Gals" <a href="http://usagiants.com/2013/07/04/the-uniroyal-gal/">here</a>.
Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-16722877781699651782015-05-25T19:52:00.001-04:002015-05-25T19:52:40.774-04:00Fumigation Tents of Florida
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGLyBfIpfAKR4v5kD0BTHBXxNOWop8hRZTUfJRtEPEwk9m0L65kLJnKJUtpneiXUAfqKKV5ho0yEQYolU_jVtb4G7HqnbG2b4OtN8Wq3mNIuZrKbB2K_gYfG8ANt-XaF1LQfbpP1uMNI/s1600/tent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGLyBfIpfAKR4v5kD0BTHBXxNOWop8hRZTUfJRtEPEwk9m0L65kLJnKJUtpneiXUAfqKKV5ho0yEQYolU_jVtb4G7HqnbG2b4OtN8Wq3mNIuZrKbB2K_gYfG8ANt-XaF1LQfbpP1uMNI/s540/tent1.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
I suppose they do this everywhere, but I honestly have never seen these things until I landed in Interzone. In order to fumigate your home, pest control companies as a last resort try to de-bug a hopelessly infested building by covering it in an enormous rubber tent that looks like a circus Big Top.
<p>
When you encounter one for the first time, especially if it's a really huge one, it's quite the mind-blower. For me, it was a chilling experience something akin to the moment the teens discovered the alien clowns' giant spaceship-tent in the middle of the woods in <I>Killer Klowns From Outer Space</I>.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fBE84LUaEVExTxCZBgB1k4OX5GONinWIfLOhlh-ujIbeolEkBgqbFKpd7ZwcNC9YLrd6WWJ-EUxgdgRGFWuZrFnos6DbNtbtb2HZ7FIbFf5J0Pmze74ATUXo_Won1oPmERzgmpemGPw/s1600/tent2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fBE84LUaEVExTxCZBgB1k4OX5GONinWIfLOhlh-ujIbeolEkBgqbFKpd7ZwcNC9YLrd6WWJ-EUxgdgRGFWuZrFnos6DbNtbtb2HZ7FIbFf5J0Pmze74ATUXo_Won1oPmERzgmpemGPw/s540/tent2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO58SO-K3kQz2jXpTvTmOhQYL3aKWifw8L1LD-d46fiYB5ziTLL5pVlXKSteZ0RcR8rrAo8EhniSIEGTPFGNbAOy1NI_i3k43DMO3FGg4hEBhrseUMwSB_5bYhLn9rU1BKO4FNdkqW1Kg/s1600/tent3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO58SO-K3kQz2jXpTvTmOhQYL3aKWifw8L1LD-d46fiYB5ziTLL5pVlXKSteZ0RcR8rrAo8EhniSIEGTPFGNbAOy1NI_i3k43DMO3FGg4hEBhrseUMwSB_5bYhLn9rU1BKO4FNdkqW1Kg/s540/tent3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGwaCtCe6wIcvzxYIA78jm02ukgo4eNmTsqWwk-Kq7pMpBw11yDiIAvYOKP8c-tkZkiDt7DjJBg4_JT27WpqATnEk5AHlHXOMDdy6lzu6819NgP1JeMWdTzW2O7xWwI-JcBZ76DY2l24/s1600/tent4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGwaCtCe6wIcvzxYIA78jm02ukgo4eNmTsqWwk-Kq7pMpBw11yDiIAvYOKP8c-tkZkiDt7DjJBg4_JT27WpqATnEk5AHlHXOMDdy6lzu6819NgP1JeMWdTzW2O7xWwI-JcBZ76DY2l24/s540/tent4.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
I don't really understand the concept. The people have to go live in a hotel or something while the poison gas fills the house for a few days, then somehow the pest control guys just come out and take the tarp off and declare it "all clear" and you just go back home again? Isn't everything inside still covered with poisonous residue? And where does the poison gas <I>go?</I> When they take the giant tarp off, doesn't a giant cloud of the poison come wafting out? And can you really tell me one of these rubber house-sized tarps has never ever leaked? What must the neighbors be thinking when they look out the window and see this shit? And don't some poisoned insects ever manage to crawl out of the house and out into the environment before they die? Wouldn't there be vast underground networks of ant colonies under entire neighborhoods carrying these toxins all over the place?
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI7LRfJ0A7u8qL4INekbdUg1f1QNGmG6AqL4vAGrtV5ZQtqUf2BRDmzHrT23b63R3yK1dWFUAHP36z3cQN_vh7Z6yhEeNH_MqXFhzqing0lagnRd4Xdfew-XbqDzgFFxdalO7K3OWu5Q/s1600/tent6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI7LRfJ0A7u8qL4INekbdUg1f1QNGmG6AqL4vAGrtV5ZQtqUf2BRDmzHrT23b63R3yK1dWFUAHP36z3cQN_vh7Z6yhEeNH_MqXFhzqing0lagnRd4Xdfew-XbqDzgFFxdalO7K3OWu5Q/s540/tent6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpls2NKQ5ddpHjxePYUF_dBP0VgDKURPYEWZN4ZeSDIUQN_BXrPlRF9OOqtixwYxCwR09o6EeXSdRPwslhf00_5V22FAVH8cE0dkVUz2nRdisyWvR9qtzg_u5KuS7fBFyi2rItwSCiZE/s1600/tent7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpls2NKQ5ddpHjxePYUF_dBP0VgDKURPYEWZN4ZeSDIUQN_BXrPlRF9OOqtixwYxCwR09o6EeXSdRPwslhf00_5V22FAVH8cE0dkVUz2nRdisyWvR9qtzg_u5KuS7fBFyi2rItwSCiZE/s540/tent7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Yij9WXlT82CARnU0PdNMOXaHtcNXDzYi8MReVkpsG6JkhwdKvPzQnJcaf6oVrStH_PC0vqvfK-z5pvAWtJXE-C7pxMDwl7-E0c-5IKqAFYlyFRXI-Ln9WNaSzRJNgrAl3G5JS7aDNs/s1600/tent5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Yij9WXlT82CARnU0PdNMOXaHtcNXDzYi8MReVkpsG6JkhwdKvPzQnJcaf6oVrStH_PC0vqvfK-z5pvAWtJXE-C7pxMDwl7-E0c-5IKqAFYlyFRXI-Ln9WNaSzRJNgrAl3G5JS7aDNs/s540/tent5.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
I'm not into the pesticide scene at all, so if I ever had a house that got this infested with termites, roaches, bedbugs, whatever, I'd probably just burn the place down and start over.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUVh3rKxn6v5vSVe2GMSBrhYttWldetaKNHjalsl7rLh7OTX8Z4FwfbKPhyphenhyphenbNMnjEtg-ZwBdf8hid_iKlc1SutXd4_VdkDymQE9DL_DCLg57h2zUWzTwcRmjiSpPic8ZSEowRDcWk5yA/s1600/tent8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUVh3rKxn6v5vSVe2GMSBrhYttWldetaKNHjalsl7rLh7OTX8Z4FwfbKPhyphenhyphenbNMnjEtg-ZwBdf8hid_iKlc1SutXd4_VdkDymQE9DL_DCLg57h2zUWzTwcRmjiSpPic8ZSEowRDcWk5yA/s540/tent8.jpg" /></a></div>Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-78359883892507162172015-05-25T19:17:00.000-04:002015-05-25T19:18:03.298-04:00The Titusville Orb
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzM21Y9FKZs2SKkBjHORawx4Ebik-Teu0z0X7Zi3BBEcGK4LS5wV9YcENFHMfEBjHW-e9-16cfHrb1X_f-tk3W-6Gg4ikiucGNWoq6NiAGKGLeSxbAxagRV7xPG5K-G5HD4NfpPA0eS7Q/s1600/titusvilleorb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzM21Y9FKZs2SKkBjHORawx4Ebik-Teu0z0X7Zi3BBEcGK4LS5wV9YcENFHMfEBjHW-e9-16cfHrb1X_f-tk3W-6Gg4ikiucGNWoq6NiAGKGLeSxbAxagRV7xPG5K-G5HD4NfpPA0eS7Q/s540/titusvilleorb.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Oh, no. If there's one thing I hate more than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orb_(optics)">"paranormal orb"</a> reports, it's.... well..... okay, no, there <I>isn't</I> anything I hate more.
<p>
People desperately see any roundish object in photos and videos as "orbs" and ascribe paranormal circumstances to their existence, despite that you see such things in normal photography and videography daily. Lens flares, insects, <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-naples-thing.html">raindrops</a>, dust, you name it, once it's been rendered blurry and round by light reflection, it's fair game for the freaks.
<p>
What makes this one so cool is that it takes place at the <b>U.S. Space Walk Of Fame Museum</b> in Titusville, Florida, and this has caused some - even people who work there - to speculate it could be the ghost of an astronaut. Weary, weary, yes very weary, sigh.
<p>
You can see the video <a href="https://youtu.be/Z7CIHFwM3Uo">here</a> if you have three minutes of your life to spare frivolously. Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-24467845312311438372015-05-25T19:08:00.000-04:002015-05-25T20:19:06.787-04:00Jacksonville's Giant Soda Can<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntihdjmIoloLNWVazjSMQv-mkBcATh7CzXv41vRw03rDSnrp2jVYRjdKGYckEG3cXF7OaHjfc4_5JHE3zhvXd1le0IL7cG7mNf1Rv4ia5TbdMJtp8vCO8MOckr5jfF6PP9DsekiFXn_s/s1600/giantsodacan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntihdjmIoloLNWVazjSMQv-mkBcATh7CzXv41vRw03rDSnrp2jVYRjdKGYckEG3cXF7OaHjfc4_5JHE3zhvXd1le0IL7cG7mNf1Rv4ia5TbdMJtp8vCO8MOckr5jfF6PP9DsekiFXn_s/s540/giantsodacan.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
This mammoth-sized 7up is actually a water tower, cleverly designed to mimic a soda can. It was originally a Canada Dry Ginger Ale can but got rebranded, as they say. You can find it in Jacksonville, alongside I-95 between University Blvd. and Bowden Road. Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-43088724018063182182015-05-24T10:28:00.001-04:002015-05-24T10:28:07.622-04:00ABC Liquors
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub9rH7v-JUoTv_MshCzXoF6PqwObtQ1B_V5lch2EL571_IqmTGsqXBoNtVqBvAwerjzdunM2hqJjDCR-yybVnr2Si8M030rwfbflYf28j2WXv0wiVvtKDlgpg_y1Fm8KWwPTGHTGWjlw/s1600/abc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub9rH7v-JUoTv_MshCzXoF6PqwObtQ1B_V5lch2EL571_IqmTGsqXBoNtVqBvAwerjzdunM2hqJjDCR-yybVnr2Si8M030rwfbflYf28j2WXv0wiVvtKDlgpg_y1Fm8KWwPTGHTGWjlw/s540/abc.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Of course there's no shortage of liquor stores around these parts, and some of them are truly great - <b>Total Wine</b> comes to mind. But examples of that chain are few and far between, and mom-n-pop stores are sketchy and unpredictable, same as everywhere else.
<p>
Fortunately, Florida has a network of <B>ABC</b> stores that are damn nearly as ubiquitous as Starbucks. In Florida, at least along the coasts, you are never far from an ABC. As with Starbucks, some may find that disquieting and homogenous; me, I find it glorious. ABC's like an old friend who's with you everywhere you go in your Sunshine State safari, your alligator-infested Interzone vision quest, your sojourn amongst the Floridian philistines.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQaxi6v6Om-LiTR-jf8HGLERPtYYtw03yWW5iu4SHrHp-ZordMlvMTXHjqILltWGCQ_PA1-Zz1QavTzJDlJfNd8P5l7c1C7Q_sXBMaN8FTQBuMPZRfhU0AneRK1nE3TubFv7yveIMvKU/s1600/abc2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQaxi6v6Om-LiTR-jf8HGLERPtYYtw03yWW5iu4SHrHp-ZordMlvMTXHjqILltWGCQ_PA1-Zz1QavTzJDlJfNd8P5l7c1C7Q_sXBMaN8FTQBuMPZRfhU0AneRK1nE3TubFv7yveIMvKU/s540/abc2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GlFlfmAwwW0LN7lsViWttSyTyvT0_Oz7GCcUsDdk2ytHKRyDWqzv-ZqGQcvAH_5zhg4cOoGJ2L-UtngkJH_5s4gPanMEJbZTmo-OL7Fa2437y9CNfYtpXhBwBln2FTE84D4nHbQea-c/s1600/abc3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GlFlfmAwwW0LN7lsViWttSyTyvT0_Oz7GCcUsDdk2ytHKRyDWqzv-ZqGQcvAH_5zhg4cOoGJ2L-UtngkJH_5s4gPanMEJbZTmo-OL7Fa2437y9CNfYtpXhBwBln2FTE84D4nHbQea-c/s540/abc3.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_fAMig5eF6BWUWipIfedK5VRWdUHrp5qT_YO8ykFXZAdVrDay1xMVjKomFHJNRfI4SrAKd3Qy-niFGOBOaCcAEK10quvWmV1REdvoZ3D4aGzwWmmPqaW08EWn0yGWOr09QgPFMn8MBg/s1600/abc4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_fAMig5eF6BWUWipIfedK5VRWdUHrp5qT_YO8ykFXZAdVrDay1xMVjKomFHJNRfI4SrAKd3Qy-niFGOBOaCcAEK10quvWmV1REdvoZ3D4aGzwWmmPqaW08EWn0yGWOr09QgPFMn8MBg/s540/abc4.png" /></a></div>
<p>
They're huge, they're well stocked, they're clean (well, there is one in Gainesville that's kinda dumpy) and best of all, they feature deluxe walk-in cigar humidors with a fine selection of sticks. I can't tell you how many times ABC has saved my ass when I've found myself out of cigars some mornings, what with tobacconists in Florida generally opening appallingly late and/or closed on Sundays.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWOtiSWSkO5O-QdlE-fc-aJm8yO0senc7dYrpdGI5Gc5Z3uStMvhm2rTMwhZEjPoI0z8yDn4KRZy-HDdDhrksXSK-fShcHzuRhC9wP5tuNJwPPcVBJ6lJxxdtCG0X1v_gT4KM9Dc__7k/s1600/abc5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWOtiSWSkO5O-QdlE-fc-aJm8yO0senc7dYrpdGI5Gc5Z3uStMvhm2rTMwhZEjPoI0z8yDn4KRZy-HDdDhrksXSK-fShcHzuRhC9wP5tuNJwPPcVBJ6lJxxdtCG0X1v_gT4KM9Dc__7k/s540/abc5.jpg" /></a></div>Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-51408765205167065772015-05-24T09:48:00.001-04:002015-05-24T09:48:32.845-04:00Nature's Food Patch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveFZHP3sbT4hmkeTpS5t-O8TSSM_HeFVMbyFVUjTcDzlkpe7HV3VhiypVvFmLHIUG6UFU6yu4PvtKD_QMf9c_ot7QfvqH8DySj8-45QlX7icbheL7hQoLrmU1yHJ2Sl9nx-pu9I1Cf1c/s1600/foodpatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveFZHP3sbT4hmkeTpS5t-O8TSSM_HeFVMbyFVUjTcDzlkpe7HV3VhiypVvFmLHIUG6UFU6yu4PvtKD_QMf9c_ot7QfvqH8DySj8-45QlX7icbheL7hQoLrmU1yHJ2Sl9nx-pu9I1Cf1c/s540/foodpatch.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Whenever I'm in Clearwater - which is often - I'm compelled to stop into <b>Nature's Food Patch</b>, the absolute <I>best</I> independent organic grocery in Interzone. But not only are they a fantastic place to get good healthy food, they're also a celebrity-watcher's wet dream. I ran into <b>Hulk Hogan</b> and his wife buying bananas (they operate a surf shop on nearby Clearwater Beach) and just missed seeing <b>Kirstie Alley</b> here more than once. I'm told that 60's pop stars <b>Gary Puckett</b> and <b>Melanie</b> have also been spotted here getting their grub.
<p>
(And of course, there have been Jeffrey Scott Holland sightings here as well!)
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDcgl696UuXC7N52PvbwCfkqzja5AlkXh-7SqxDg5RdEQ9bMqyrgUlfnE52J9ERc-W78P0kZaRhr5rFARt1j7AdwQHIiRJ2kTGTyaV0exCtcmrzsxLhsuEJJ1tFBycrphyphenhyphenw-ffVzJAto/s1600/foodpatch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDcgl696UuXC7N52PvbwCfkqzja5AlkXh-7SqxDg5RdEQ9bMqyrgUlfnE52J9ERc-W78P0kZaRhr5rFARt1j7AdwQHIiRJ2kTGTyaV0exCtcmrzsxLhsuEJJ1tFBycrphyphenhyphenw-ffVzJAto/s540/foodpatch2.jpg" /></a></div>Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-66377998991432255682015-05-24T09:32:00.001-04:002015-05-24T09:32:46.542-04:00Skunk Ape Research Headquarters
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflUsNoZT5mlvxzb1sjeXxrzKSLb_ii5GkrRmlnHgZa3A0Ou157HGeJEqOklyROZfieRkT9H4FH74UR_6kyw0zhoQNvkKe-C4duVqiCNocDLIN7O2F_InCYpJ7c96P8cFiclD6AHE8NxA/s1600/skunkapehq2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflUsNoZT5mlvxzb1sjeXxrzKSLb_ii5GkrRmlnHgZa3A0Ou157HGeJEqOklyROZfieRkT9H4FH74UR_6kyw0zhoQNvkKe-C4duVqiCNocDLIN7O2F_InCYpJ7c96P8cFiclD6AHE8NxA/s540/skunkapehq2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Whereas traditional Bigfoot sightings are relatively rare and spread across the entire North American continent, the casefiles of the <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2013/06/skunk-ape-in-sarasota.html">Skunk Ape</a> are numerous and distinctly centered in the state of Florida. Does this lend credence to the idea that maybe, just maybe, the creature is real? Maybe. Does it mean we need a Skunk Ape Research Headquarters to handle the matter? Probably not, but just in case, these good fellows are fighting the good fight.
<p>
The <a href="http://www.skunkape.biz/">Skunk Ape Research Headquarters</a> is based in beautiful downtown Ochopee, and is assiduously monitoring the Skunk Ape situation so you don't have to. The truth is out there, and they're gonna find it. Meanwhile, of course, you can peruse their gift shop.
<p>
The Skunk Ape Research Headquarters also offers Skunk Ape hunt excursions. According to their website:
<p>
<font color=turquoise><blockquote>
Skunk Ape Research Headquarters has a special announcement to make. Dave Shealy is making arrangements to allow for 5 people to go on a Skunk Ape expedition with him sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2014. It’s a once in a life time excursion in which Dave will invite you to his house to try his home cook meal of frog legs, fish, etc. and go out in the field to track Skunk Apes in The Everglades! Dave has recently appeared on the Weather Channels Tornado Alley and a write up in the Smithsonian magazine on behalf the Skunk Ape. Dave is considered the leading expert on Floridas elusive Skunk Ape with over 40 years of in-field experience in the Florida Everglades. This excursion is priced at $500 per person for an exciting 2 day adventure that may include airboats, swamp buggys, swamp walks and possible Skunk Ape sightings. Single day hunts are available by request.
</blockquote></font>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UX6CM78afjriBtvflUk4NILI6GlrKtlzd3I9JucREidDWTSIJkAKykqBnzk_pTexApyz7jL4wrW7VkHrMfl_lV_u6JsbBHIauevqFKAP6_AwNDpBudQ3m1xTX8wAknWvDl19jYkxpls/s1600/skunkapehq4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UX6CM78afjriBtvflUk4NILI6GlrKtlzd3I9JucREidDWTSIJkAKykqBnzk_pTexApyz7jL4wrW7VkHrMfl_lV_u6JsbBHIauevqFKAP6_AwNDpBudQ3m1xTX8wAknWvDl19jYkxpls/s540/skunkapehq4.png" /></a></div>
<p>
Ochopee is just down the road a piece - Tamiami Trail, to be precise - from Naples, so when in town, go on down.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWD1upxHP6B9v9hLIXWjnhNHl_eiRlZFAtzhBQ-6v1XvrywBLC235-QzyJiuat8mIZl41fqRmHiQOyYqzt3gszm174tJZl4A2m78ypiiqRFRfoMCrYAugcrnAhndpPgZ-o2kNqw1Wz-M/s1600/skunk-ape-research-center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWD1upxHP6B9v9hLIXWjnhNHl_eiRlZFAtzhBQ-6v1XvrywBLC235-QzyJiuat8mIZl41fqRmHiQOyYqzt3gszm174tJZl4A2m78ypiiqRFRfoMCrYAugcrnAhndpPgZ-o2kNqw1Wz-M/s540/skunk-ape-research-center.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
(And don't forget Florida's <I>other</I> semi-Bigfoot semi-legend, <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-bardin-booger.html">The Bardin Booger</a>.)
Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-72848870455760678252015-04-29T19:31:00.000-04:002015-04-29T19:41:21.485-04:00Swampy
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU8U-ZCQXxmIe8Q2KEVitYLchxlZjFbcZmttKB_vXMh3q2c8NP3MhrOVMm1zPELnJtdUfMdS8RbVQPkmIQ7WVQ8hAweSWKHcQK3gNiNUk5ZZLKAzybZlmUYpDZJjOkGSAAZxyqUvQ5Yw/s1600/Swampy_gator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU8U-ZCQXxmIe8Q2KEVitYLchxlZjFbcZmttKB_vXMh3q2c8NP3MhrOVMm1zPELnJtdUfMdS8RbVQPkmIQ7WVQ8hAweSWKHcQK3gNiNUk5ZZLKAzybZlmUYpDZJjOkGSAAZxyqUvQ5Yw/s540/Swampy_gator.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
In Christmas, FL, you'll find <b>Swampy</b>, billed as "world's largest gator". Of course, Swampy is a <I>building</I>, not a real alligator, and thus probably disqualified, but hey, who's counting? It holds the gift shop, ticket counter and offices of <a href="http://www.jungleadventures.com/index.html">Jungle Adventures</a>, a nature theme park.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGg3w1yLcOHQIyp5-6q_7LrAffjgvLzaepfICRkpobj06GguHZiCiGrSfzpkxJPVRygMir-AVwjfYtVE2tyt-uT_Loe9v9d3MCPuIXmRvLSQ19nGhazBEXe7ElPps1Nk-sBCW2-9DpoY/s1600/swampy2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGg3w1yLcOHQIyp5-6q_7LrAffjgvLzaepfICRkpobj06GguHZiCiGrSfzpkxJPVRygMir-AVwjfYtVE2tyt-uT_Loe9v9d3MCPuIXmRvLSQ19nGhazBEXe7ElPps1Nk-sBCW2-9DpoY/s540/swampy2.png" /></a></div>
<p>
Swampy isn't even really a building unto himself, technically: he's just the façade of a larger structure, as seen on Google Maps below. But we love him nonetheless, and hope the future holds better things for him than have befallen <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2014/07/annie-dragon.html">Annie the Dragon</a>.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wtMYmMPkGiUnMXqAzi4PYSXgXSJ6T2JpcvSHj9uBXrCtAKpknnejO7seFqbTLSKmDafc0LTKwGgp3GoZADQfadSDShnKJHkFxndV_Eaa7NeJTHozEV3la02gkBNAhe6s_ZVrTYRYmxs/s1600/swampy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wtMYmMPkGiUnMXqAzi4PYSXgXSJ6T2JpcvSHj9uBXrCtAKpknnejO7seFqbTLSKmDafc0LTKwGgp3GoZADQfadSDShnKJHkFxndV_Eaa7NeJTHozEV3la02gkBNAhe6s_ZVrTYRYmxs/s540/swampy3.jpg" /></a></div>
Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-49559132112108847222015-04-29T19:23:00.001-04:002015-04-29T19:23:03.282-04:00Two-Headed Cow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1RjULbSMqQvhpWJa_QVTTPqYQnfoSYqxd0LanmcROjIa6GqslFxC-hWq1YyylLmvShbXrtLAeoBxxYjVHbACNAFyN08WPD9xbGhpXkVjLWUICvz0U_kMitAF2KbwNHhOdEhxmrEohPE/s1600/FL-TWO-HEADED-CALF-jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1RjULbSMqQvhpWJa_QVTTPqYQnfoSYqxd0LanmcROjIa6GqslFxC-hWq1YyylLmvShbXrtLAeoBxxYjVHbACNAFyN08WPD9xbGhpXkVjLWUICvz0U_kMitAF2KbwNHhOdEhxmrEohPE/s540/FL-TWO-HEADED-CALF-jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Though mutations in animals have historically been considered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstrous_birth">a bad omen</a>, Dwight Crews is excited about the birth of a two-headed cow on his farm in Baker County.
<p>
According to <a href="http://www.clickorlando.com/news/holy-cow-2headed-calf-born-in-florida/32634710">Click Orlando</a>, Ripley's Believe It Or Not in St. Augustine has contacted the farmer about it. Here's hoping the calf survives and lives a full life before becoming immortalized in tourist taxidermy.Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-40712388374817878702015-04-27T14:43:00.001-04:002015-04-27T15:11:03.262-04:00Drive-In Christian Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL62eijcxgR2K5OZ39e9qpSNS6RpXn-9aOlNGCQmSubiyAbF7T2nxY_guLpjRZWofdFCFkkg4DK6TKvLroUf75jVYw27APKAroqqDy6ZS3jxkPggdpyT1ahQCByNDFs85MDuKnmtQ00s/s1600/driveinchurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL62eijcxgR2K5OZ39e9qpSNS6RpXn-9aOlNGCQmSubiyAbF7T2nxY_guLpjRZWofdFCFkkg4DK6TKvLroUf75jVYw27APKAroqqDy6ZS3jxkPggdpyT1ahQCByNDFs85MDuKnmtQ00s/s540/driveinchurch.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
There doesn't seem to be nearly as many churches here in Florida as there was back home in Kentucky (in my old stomping grounds of Richmond, it seemed every other building was either a church or a bar) but golly, the ones we do have are special.
<p>
Take, for instance, the <a href="http://www.driveinchurch.net">Drive-In Christian Church</a> in Daytona. Not "drive-thru" like a fast food place, which is how I first interpreted it, but drive-in like a drive-in theater. You park your car in a space among neatly ordered lots, just like at the movies, and tune your radio to 88.5 FM so you can listen to the sermon in the comfort of your own voiture. Plus, they serve free hot coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts. What are you waiting for?
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaGiiaUKrF8Z0h90-a4nxXm4hfX9xCtVTNYhcTsLYT0jG2tI7yoqUYGeX9-siaHaYsvHETdxDuLC2WIjTj94wB7DXoR_vlqlJhvmS2aiwi84SkVxcDxd7td9xXw3xK3ZlkaZIU5Dvkp4/s1600/driveinchurch2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaGiiaUKrF8Z0h90-a4nxXm4hfX9xCtVTNYhcTsLYT0jG2tI7yoqUYGeX9-siaHaYsvHETdxDuLC2WIjTj94wB7DXoR_vlqlJhvmS2aiwi84SkVxcDxd7td9xXw3xK3ZlkaZIU5Dvkp4/s540/driveinchurch2.png" /></a></div>
<p>
Not everyone is familiar with their "Portate Cross" and so the church officials are often asked, <I>"Um... why is the cross crooked on the building??"</I> The answer is, the Portate Cross (or "Carried Cross") represents the cross that Jesus was forced to carry on his back to his own crucifixion (<a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/who-helped-Jesus-carry-the-cross.html">but someone named Simon helped</a>.)
<p>
Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-74104413577950659712015-04-20T11:12:00.003-04:002015-04-20T11:14:19.634-04:00Flamingo
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz74TtiAXz20bjo0MnoTuRyepsAknU5ueIByPtaCBBPGcp3b8hLp1FHYWSsNTAXl9p1uEU-_uogC5V7017dkr8zD-dnaGAQQEzQDHyHEEBpidvbtK1_YFX57q51cZEi9kKtljdNbyrEo/s1600/flamingo2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz74TtiAXz20bjo0MnoTuRyepsAknU5ueIByPtaCBBPGcp3b8hLp1FHYWSsNTAXl9p1uEU-_uogC5V7017dkr8zD-dnaGAQQEzQDHyHEEBpidvbtK1_YFX57q51cZEi9kKtljdNbyrEo/s540/flamingo2.png" /></a></div>
<p>
At the very bottom of Florida, at nearly its most inaccessible point, you'll find the ghost town of Flamingo. Why you would <i>want</i> to find it is, well, up to you.
<p>
Flamingo was founded in 1892 as a settlement and farming operation, but something about the spot seemed cursed from the getgo. The farming failed, and the flamingo which was the town's namesake vanished from the area in 1902. The post office closed in 1909 out of disuse. Says Wikipedia:
<p>
<font color=turquoise><blockquote>
Life in Flamingo could be very unpleasant. Leverett White Brownell, a naturalist, visited Flamingo in 1893. He described the village of 38 "shacks" on stilts as infested with fleas and mosquitos. He claimed to have seen an oil lamp extinguished by a cloud of mosquitoes. He also stated that flea powder was the "staff of life" and that the cabins were thickly sooted from the use of smudge pots.
</blockquote></font>
<p>
The citizens of Flamingo persevered on, hoping that Henry Flagler would use the area for a proposed railway to Key West. He didn't. By 1910, only three homes remained occupied there.
<p>
Still, Flamingo clung to a tenuous existence. A gas station, restaurant and marina tried to serve what few tourists came passing through, and in 1959 an ambitious two-story hotel called The Flamingo Lodge opened. Not only didn't it work out, it was almost all destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Wilma. All that chiefly remains of Flamingo now, aside from crumbling concrete foundations of old buildings, is its snazzy welcome center that welcomes nobody.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJnO2T2OlPm7zlflI5hpkjsz75IpXdRgnkFX1xuWKFOKC5QWlxKZ_qsOFaHvmZ24St7GPGGVw3CQ8iOvMvqLJnV_sAUJ_BBS-k4NKpBjkY8K_qHobm3JarCexBEWFA9B2-GgNLrd7Fco/s1600/flamingo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJnO2T2OlPm7zlflI5hpkjsz75IpXdRgnkFX1xuWKFOKC5QWlxKZ_qsOFaHvmZ24St7GPGGVw3CQ8iOvMvqLJnV_sAUJ_BBS-k4NKpBjkY8K_qHobm3JarCexBEWFA9B2-GgNLrd7Fco/s540/flamingo.jpg" /></a></div>Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-45753265044377690722015-04-19T11:30:00.002-04:002015-04-19T11:30:39.125-04:00Another Climbing Cactus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjGVxf45cjuXoTJukrhx617h4Hkxbsqkk1vtP9N6eUvvVgo1elmNzbhgASb5vFge8qBNILauHVfDWzd-431OAV3_2Id4CrdkFoz7yYFVZv429GJBfZclCcOO_OOiApuPGPCCwtrrwqWo/s1600/cac1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjGVxf45cjuXoTJukrhx617h4Hkxbsqkk1vtP9N6eUvvVgo1elmNzbhgASb5vFge8qBNILauHVfDWzd-431OAV3_2Id4CrdkFoz7yYFVZv429GJBfZclCcOO_OOiApuPGPCCwtrrwqWo/s540/cac1.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
A couple years back we examined <a href="http://floridazone.blogspot.com/2013/09/climbing-cactus.html">this cactus climbing a tree like a vine</a> in Pass-A-Grille, and now here's another one in Naples, way up a tree and yet somehow thriving. Is this really something that happens by chance, or did someone climb up there and actually install them?
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9gXlqLxAh0N207CW_8P6X79_gZQKjUsGT_dNdvgSOYWoqZvWHQkRoESR8N_Yi_vI0s8wODfFEs00GZCWXUGbskPPgS3iuIFDmZIgKqvmbawji_vU7j8lACd4NOu64NyS2QV3l3MuT3w/s1600/cac2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9gXlqLxAh0N207CW_8P6X79_gZQKjUsGT_dNdvgSOYWoqZvWHQkRoESR8N_Yi_vI0s8wODfFEs00GZCWXUGbskPPgS3iuIFDmZIgKqvmbawji_vU7j8lACd4NOu64NyS2QV3l3MuT3w/s540/cac2.jpg" /></a></div>Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571710227090796625.post-13913855569259971262015-04-19T11:24:00.001-04:002015-04-19T11:24:40.328-04:00Agave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideYBTrF_AwDLny_aKsaula1Nqaz4Td9V0mW1x0GQJwgSL2xbN5MiefNQK5ZAnLjUneAbtL4RVeM_hUnRx_c0BRsirMeCWdF6ePPR1eVH2iAj-9wbIzLFt0p26kl2eyJHXqbCc1VGSXWg/s1600/agave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideYBTrF_AwDLny_aKsaula1Nqaz4Td9V0mW1x0GQJwgSL2xbN5MiefNQK5ZAnLjUneAbtL4RVeM_hUnRx_c0BRsirMeCWdF6ePPR1eVH2iAj-9wbIzLFt0p26kl2eyJHXqbCc1VGSXWg/s540/agave.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
One of my newest obsessions in Naples dining: <b>Agave</b> at 2380 Vanderbilt Beach Road, where this fine BBQ pulled pork slider and lobster macaroni and cheese were obtained and enjoyed.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryBG96A-Sfd0KPJ7NDcPLQRFes_rO7DbEJsA4He15W8XqTs0xr0Xy0R0tUvMDCpK-iHehOV60cah4h8IEwoNEirNLeLffeaK0XZogg5qMYJYyddUGukXq63MgGAMNd2KwhJJ9RfqeoXs/s1600/agave2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryBG96A-Sfd0KPJ7NDcPLQRFes_rO7DbEJsA4He15W8XqTs0xr0Xy0R0tUvMDCpK-iHehOV60cah4h8IEwoNEirNLeLffeaK0XZogg5qMYJYyddUGukXq63MgGAMNd2KwhJJ9RfqeoXs/s540/agave2.jpg" /></a></div>Meta-Oceanic Researchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441508093701140948noreply@blogger.com0