32-Year-Old Florida Man Just Goes When He Eats Worm

A 32-year-old Florida man died after winning a contest in which he ate worms and cockroaches. No other contestants were harmed. The man began vomiting in the bar and was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly thereafter. 

The prize was an Ivory Ball Python.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

WoW

Sorry for the absence, but a friend bought me World of Warcraft so he'd have someone to play with. I finally sat down and watched The Guild (highly recommended) and enjoyed it so much, I mentioned to a friend of mine how much I'd liked it and jokingly said it made me interested to play World of Warcraft.

As it turns out, World of Warcraft is/was running some kind of promotion to recruit new players, so my friend surprised the heck out of me by purchasing the game for me! I know I'm way late to this party, but I'm having one hell of a time!

Anyway, that is where I have been the last week: learning this incredibly complicated game and how to play games like it on my computer. I've never used my left hand for much, much less navigating a character through the treacherous world. Of Warcraft. So it's made me sore in weird places, but I'm still enjoying myself immensely.

We'll be back to more news o' the weird and inexplicable shortly.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Club Nine

I realize that not everyone who sees this plays tabletop RPG - in fact, I would doubt that many do. However, The Weirding is largely dedicated to tabletop RPG, and I've just published a new scenario setting for the Vincent campaign for use with the Chill RPG rules set. Chill is a contemporary horror tabletop roleplaying game featuring many of the situations, creatures, and concepts we cover here on The OddBlog.

Club Nine is an important fixture in the Vincent campaign, and this page covers basically everything players need to know about the location. The entire game, and all of its elements, are fictitious but based on real life myths, lore, and legends, as well as cinematic and literary creations.

Even if you are not a tabletop RPG fan, even if you do not play Chill, you might enjoy reading about these fictional creations.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Check Out ChiLL

I know you're into cryptozoology, ufology, and real-world mysteries of the unexplained, but I have a feeling at least some of you are tabletop RPG gamers, lapsed or current. The Weirding is basically separate from The OddBlog, but shares the domain and is actually just another department of it, so I wanted to take a moment to promote the ChiLL RPG section.

ChiLL is a tabletop roleplaying game, like Dungeons & Dragons, focusing on Creatures of the Unknown - many of which are based on real-world myths, legends, and accounts of the Unexplained. While you are unlikely to learn anything about the real-world counterparts, it is an interesting look at how pop-culture latches onto these things. It's particularly interesting when thought of in historical context.

There was a slight uptick in interest in the Unexplained in the 1990s. While I will always associate the 1990s with a resurgence in the 1960's movements, and it was, there were a handful of 1970's concepts and trends that re-emerged as well - an interest in UFOs being foremost among these. Renewed interest in the Roswell incident was at the forefront of this, but it went much further, and much deeper. Eventually, it died-out and we're still here, a decade or so later.

Still, the concepts and ideas presented in the game are interesting for real-world researchers for these reasons. The Weirding covers mostly game-specific material, but I'm about to publish a larger department on Creatures of the Unknown that will reference stories and posts from The OddBlog quite often. I just redesigned the material already published and I think you'd dig it. So check it out!

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Roy: Border Collie, Duckherder

A Northumberland border collie is training to make the English sheepdog team by herding ducks. Roy's 24-year-old owner, Emma Gray, says the Indian Runner ducks make for good training because they are slow and more predictable than sheep.

Roy has become a hit with visitors to the Morpeth farm, but Ms. Gray is hoping Roy is chosen to represent the UK in the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) World Trials. The competition is held every three years.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Teen 'Eyeballing' Leads to Trouble

This is not that kind of story (though there is no dearth of them these days); this is actually a story about a new "fad" amongst some teenagers. We were all stupid kids when we were, well, kids - I wrote the book on Stupid many a time, or at least a chapter here and there - but I'm not sure this one ever came-up except maybe on a dare (and well after everyone was already too drunk to feel it):

According to some experts, teenagers have taken to pouring vodka in their eyes! It's called "eyeballin," and they are not doing it to get drunk, but after they are already wasted (like I said...). There are now hundreds of YouTube videos of the act, and some say it is increasingly common at parties and large gatherings.

Experts warn that vodka can actually burn away the top layer of the cornea, eventually leading to blindness, though scarring is more likely. This lesser damage comes with its own perils, including infection.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Halloween Updates

Obviously, we're all over the map here - the paranormal, Cyberculture, comic books - but the primary thrust of The Weirding remains the RPG content. And this Halloween, we've got a doozy for you: the long-awaited Chill @ The Weirding has been unleashed!

Technically, I got sick a week before Halloween and ran out of time - in many cases, the pages are not only incomplete, but the design elements are all effed-up. I apologize, but what can I do? I'll continue tweaking, updating, and uploading what I didn't get posted on Halloween. Still, this is the biggest release yet, and (as always) it's just a drop in the bucket; there's much, much, much more to come but you'll just have to make-do with what I managed to get published for now.

Chill is a horror RPG centering on envoys from a highly-secret, Supernatural investigation agency called the Society of the White Way. A classic horror RPG, Chill remains an underground staple amongst the cognoscenti. A third-edition was recently set to be released (from OtherWorld Creations), but unfortunately, has so far fallen-through. Fans of The OddBlog would enjoy it, so be sure to check it out!

The Weirding is an official Chill site.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Thorpe Park Haunting - Publicity Stunt?

The new Saw - The Movie thrill ride opened at Thorpe Park theme park in Surrey this March. The rollercoaster cost about $25 million to build and gets up to 55mph. But the priest wandering around in front of it this week with a Bible in one hand wasn't part of the ride; that was Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe, one of the UK's leading paranormal authorities. The Reverend was called-in after theme park owners said they'd begun receiving complaints from attendees and staff members had reported strange goings-on, as well.

According to Thorpe Park staff, guests and worker complained of a severe drop in temperature when entering the ride building. Lights were said to have gone on and off of their own accord, and even the special effects reportedly started a time or two after being shutdown. Managers investigated and claimed to have learned that some staffmembers held a small seance in the ride's building, using a Ouija board.

Thorpe Park officials said the Ouija board users had been reprimanded and called-in Rev. Fanthorpe to investigate. Rev. Fanthorpe was authorized to carry-out an exorcism, should his investigation prove any infestation.

Luckily, Thorpe Park spokespeople were sure to point-out, Saw - The Ride hasn't been closed and will definitely be open for the Halloween "Fright Nights" special, going on all this month. 

Oh, and Saw VI also happens to open next Friday.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Turkish Game Show Seeks to Save Souls from Eternal Damnation, Draw Laughs

Stop me if you've heard this one: a Christian priest, a Muslim imam, a rabbi, and a Buddhist monk enter a room full of 10 atheists... It's not a joke, it's Penitents Compete, a new game show out of Istanbul in which the men of the cloth try to convert atheists into believers. Winners get to take a pilgrimage to a location based on their newfound faith (the Vatican for Christians, Tibet for Buddhists, etc.).

Of course, some religious leaders/spokespeople have a bit of a problem with this light-hearted chucklefest. While some say it cheapens religion, faith, and belief in God, producers argue otherwise.

We are giving the biggest prize in the world: the gift of belief in God. God is great and it doesn't matter which religion you believe in. The important thing is to believe,

Before the atheist can enter the program, he must be evaluated by a panel of theologians who will attempt to ferret-out the real non-believers from those just looking for a free trip. The show highlights recent socio-political matters in the area, as religion has taken a more prominent role in politics there with detractors of the ruling party insisting it has "a hidden Islamist [sic?] agenda." The ruling party denies this.

Penitents Compete starts lighting-up the charts this September. Meanwhile, future fans are encouraged to play the game at home, stones and glass houses not provided.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Astrological Help for Tabletop RPG

I know many of you come directly to The OddBlog, but The OddBlog is actually a component of the larger site, The Weirding -- which is primarily devoted to tabletop roleplaying games, comic books, pop-culture, and entertainment. This is not yet another shameless plug, I have an honest question I'm hoping some of you can help me with:

I am working on a roleplaying game in which astrological signs play an important part. I specifically want to know, if you had to choose between the three, basic fundaments of a person - Mind, Body, and Soul - how would you rate them, in importance or assertion, by astrological sign, with 1 as the best and 3 as the least.

For example, I am a Libra and (from what I know of astrology), we Librans are more creative than most of the other signs, so I would think it would be:

1. Soul
2. Mind
3. Body

Now, I could be wrong as to creativity being Libra's strength, but it works as an example.

If you have the time to spare, I would love for any and everyone to rate each sign's strengths and weaknesses from 1-3, out of those three characteristics (Mind, Body, and Soul). I really would appreciate it!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Conspiracy Theories

The OddBlog is both a stand-alone blog and a department on The Weirding. So while I made the announcement over to The Rundown (where I cover gaming, comics, and pop-culture stuff), I wanted to mention Dark Conspiracy @ The Weirding here, too.

I know a lot of you come here just for The OddBlog, and anyone who ends up here from The Weirding most likely went there looking for something unrelated, but Dark Conspiracy is one of those subjects that straddles the spectrum. After all, The Weirding is a collection of subjects I'm interested in and most of the people I've met through one of these interests or the other was invariably keen on the... others. Ahem.

ANYwho, I wasn't going to mention Dark Conspiracy @ The Weirding here until I covered the Mystery Copter in Tempe article:

The very first thing I thought about when I read the copter was a Vietnam-era copter flying circles in a residential neighborhood was all those stories about the Bermuda Triangle, alternate dimensions, and time-space continuums! I know, I know - and it's really not like I seriously thought any of these things were at=play, it's just where my mind wanders - and I love it! That's why I love Dark Conspiracy! Even if you are not a gamer, you might get a kick out of it:

Dark Conspiracy is set in a dark near future where the tabloid stories (the good ones - the old ones from the 80s, like "I was a Bigfoot's Love Slave" and shit) are real and the Dark Conspiracy is hiding all manner of ugly aliens, bent on world domination. It is so right up your alley if you enjoy this blog!

Of course, a lot of the content is gaming-related and you won't have any interest in that stuff if you don't play, but Metrodome is an entire domed city for extended (campaign) play, so there's a whole lot of it that can be read, more or less, as a story (without a linear narrative).

Anyway, I've spent a lot of time on it - that's why things got slow this week (I figured I could afford the time off, with the holiday and all) - and I'll be spending a lot more time on it from now on, so I figured I'd give it a plug, just in case.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Gary Gygax Dead at 69

Dungeons & Dragons author and co-creator, Gary Gygax, died in his home today at age 69. Read more about it on The Rundown.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Kids' Stuff

No matter what new topic I tackle, I always turn first to a children's book on the subject.  Not a "See Dick Run" sort of book, mind you; a basic primer aimed at young kids of ages 8-12 or so.

It may seem a waste of time, but I swear by them. After all, they really are primaries for whatever topic is at-hand -- and, though they rarely include any deep talk or complexities, they are a quick way to get an overview of the subject. I find that, even if I am intimately familiar with whatever it is I am studying, a quick read-through of a children's book on the topic reminds me of what I've forgotten.

I wrote this because I am working on the Chill gaming material (as I have mentioned, oh, once or twice, I'm sure), and tabletop RPG material is generally aimed at younger people -- not necessarily "kids" -- teenagers and young adults (YA), at least.  That being the case, while the book in question is extremely well-written, and the information it provides is obviously for a fictitious game and fictional backdrop, it includes a lot of accounts taken from "real" source material.

In reading the book, I recalled many of the tales it recounted and very few of them had been significantly altered to fit in with the game material they were presenting; they were basically just included, as-is. So few were changed that I decided to look into some of the accounts myself and include a few here, if I can find anything worthwhile I think might interest you.

Warehouse o' Hobbies

*This is a Sponsored Post*

It may seem to some that, given the theme of this blog, we have a lot of free time on our hands and we spend it in "our own little fantasy world." But it should be obvious by now that regardless of what others think, we are both passionate and serious about the paranormal, cryptozoology, and other, related subjects. But when we do have some spare time, we enjoy passing it much like anyone else.

HobbyWarehouse.com has pretty much everything you can imagine as far as hobbies go - RC parts and supplies, train sets and errata, even blimps and flying saucers! But don't let that fool you; when I say they have everything hobby-related, I mean it! From children's toys to games and collectibles, right down to the lowliest jigsaw puzzle!

Check them out and I guarantee you won't be sorry!