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Future Of Happiness Will Be Brain Stimulants

Happiness…..I popped the pink pill into my mouth and waited for the expected feelings of ecstasy.  No, the pill wasn’t the drug XTC, but rather a legal and safe “hacking” alternative. Then I put on my trans-cranial stimulation device, known as “The Thync,” and waited to see what happened. Wow! After five minutes, it felt like my brain was flooding me with endorphins. Finally, I placed the scalp stimulator known as the Tingler on my head. When I did this, an orgasmic wave of intense pleasure rippled through my entire body.

 
After a few minutes of this euphoria, I took off the devices and went about my day. Having just been catapulted into sweet ecstasy, my day became both incredibly productive and happy.
 

This is not a future scenario.

This is how I like to start my mornings. Nowadays, there are new and improved ways to feel good-even ecstatic-that most people don’t know anything about.  In an age when depression is rampant and dangerous drug use is epidemic, amazing new ways to feel peaceful, euphoric, and just plain happy are popping up all over the place. However, people miss out on these amazing methods because they simply don’t know about them. From safe drugs to “happy apps,” to high tech brain stimulation devices, a whole new world of ways to feel good is blossoming.
 
We live in an age where everything is shifting and accelerating.  Yet, most people still pursue an ancient path for finding happiness.  Their formula for being happy is to try to control all the external events and people in their lives to be exactly the way they want.  This is a tiresome activity at best, and there are always some events and people that we can’t control.  However, there is a new model for finding more joy and peace of mind: find it within your self.  Of course, this is a not a new idea.  Everyone from the Buddha to Jesus has said that heaven can be found within, but now there are cutting edge and more efficient ways to tap into this magical inner kingdom. 
 Buddha
As invited to talk to Google employees about “The Future of Happiness.”  I described new ways to control their minds and emotions that were more effective than trying to be happy by controlling all the events in their life.  The reaction was intense.  Everyone wanted to know what some of these innovative ways to “hack happiness” were, and how they could get them.  That led me to write a book on the subject.
 

In my research I learned that different things work for different people. 

For example, there are a lot of supplements known as “cognitive enhancers” that can dramatically increase your focus, energy, and mood. Yet, you have to try out many of them in order to find the one or two that really rock your world.   I also learned that people define happiness in unique ways.  Some people want a gadget that increases their pleasure, while other folks want a tool that improves their relationships or makes them feel totally peaceful.
Gary Numan “Complex” from The Pleasure Principle
 
As with all technologies, “inner” tech keeps getting better.  In fact, some of them are so good that it’s possible to get addicted to them. Ultimately, one has to discern whether a given gadget is truly a friend that helps them find the joy within–or is just another WMD-Widget of Mass Distraction.  Since there are many tools that do different things, there’s no simple answer as to whether  something is beneficial to you. 
 
For example, people become addicted and dependent on coffee.  Yet, on the other hand, caffeine can prevent many types of cancer, and helps people feel good and be productive. So, is coffee a “good” thing?  It’s up to you to decide…
 
In my own case, I decide if a specific technology is truly my friend by asking myself two questions.  First I ask myself,  “Does this tool lead me to being dependent on it?”   It’s always better when technology acts like “training wheels” on a bike-meaning that the tool exists so that you can eventually do without it.  If instead a gadget fosters a sense of dependence, then that’s a warning sign it may ultimately not be worth it.
 
The second question is, “Does this technology help teach me how to better connect with a sense of peace, love, or joy within?”  Even the Dalai Lama has reportedly said that if there were a pill that duplicated Buddha’s awakening, he would take it immediately and prescribe it for all living beings. If a tool helps me learn how to get to a more peaceful, loving place more efficiently, I think that’s a good thing.
 
WargamesIt’s hard to say exactly what the future holds, though Steve Jobs was seemingly pretty good at predicting it. In 1972 I had the unusual opportunity to be in a computer class with Steve Jobs.  Of course, at the time he was just a nerdy teen and I was four years his junior.  He and I would vie to play Tic-tac-toe on a 500 pound “computer” that our High School had recently purchased.  Steve was obsessed with this machine.  One day I asked Steve why he was so fixated on this refrigerator sized computer.  He turned to me and said in an intense manner, “Don’t you see?  This machine is going to change everything! It’s going to change the world!” 
 

It turns out Steve Jobs was right. 

Well, nowadays it may not seem like the latest brain supplement, neuro-stimulator, or mood enhancing app is going to change the world, but technology has a way of discreetly slipping into our lives. This “technology of joy” will only accelerate until the entire way we pursue happiness is transformed in the next few years.  I’ve seen that when people try out enough of these new gadgets, apps, and supplements, they inevitably find something that feels good–and is even good for them.  When that happens, their lives are never the same.  For the Silo, Jonathan Robinson.
 

Click me! Music for Scientists and their friends!

National Black Arts Festival 2024


NBAF is manifesting more this year: more impact, more engaging programming, more opportunities for artists, more exposure, and more funding. We are coming for it all in the new year! In celebration of what will be an amazing year, it is my honor to give you a peek into what we have in store as we prepare to do things even bigger and better in 2024.  

Our programming theme for this year is “Artistry Unbound,” an exploration of the resounding power of African American art to propel us toward the realization of our collective freedom. This theme celebrates the profound contributions of African American artists in their relentless pursuit of social justice, equality, and financial equity. It celebrates the trailblazers who have paved the way for a new generation of artists, continuing the legacy of social commentary and artistic innovation. This theme calls us to be “black on purpose” and create programs that directly speak to the injustices that we still face as a people and find artistic and creative ways to address these issues.

We are excited to bring this theme to life through carefully curated programming that will kick off with the NBAF Black History Month event, “Blacklisted! Banned Book Fair”, which speaks directly to the injustices highlighted through recent campaigns designed to censor and diminish Black voices.

Blacklisted! Banned Book Fair takes place on February 24th and 25th, and aligns with NBAF’s mission to:

  • Expose audiences to important and diverse works by African American authors,
  • Educate the public on how the banning of African American literature has been part of a larger pattern of censoring voices that advocate for social justice, civil rights, and the dismantling of racial prejudices,
  • Engage young and old readers alike with the wealth of African American books available to them, and
  • Entertain audiences with informative panel discussions, staged readings, an indie book market, and more!
             For more info, please visit our Black History Month page on nbaf.org

There are so many exciting things on the horizon for NBAF this year and we look forward to bringing you quality multi-disciplinary programming focused on uplifting and highlighting Black art and artists in new ways throughout 2024.  As we continue our transition back to larger immersive events and chart a path back to the renowned NBAF Festival, our team is committed to innovatively presenting the best in Black art and we look forward to continuing to make an impact in the community with your partnership. We look forward to seeing you soon online or at an upcoming event! For the Silo, Stephanie R. Owens.

Reflecting on the remarkable journey of 2023, we’re excited to share the significant impact your support has made on our mission and community. We encourage you to delve into the highlights and accomplishments of the past year in our 2023 Impact Report, available here.

Click on the image above to view a visual journey of the transformative moments and positive change that helped us achieve in 2023.

NBAF PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Check out these upcoming events from NBAF!

Blacklisted! Banned Books Fair
Saturday & Sunday, February 24th & 25th
Atlanta, GA
Calling all authors, literature lovers, and vendors to join us in celebrating the written word!
NBAF’s 2024 Black History Month program, Blacklisted! Banned Book Fair celebrates the African American authors creating work that challenges the status quo and speaks truth to power.

The programming features:

• Moderated panel discussions with Black Authors, Activists & Intellectuals
• Indie Black Book Market featuring African American booksellers and authors
• Youth Book Fair with interactive children’s activities
• Community Book Drive to benefit youth-centered non-profits
• Interactive exhibitions about banned African-American literature and authors
• Social Photo booths, food vendors & more!

Mark your calendars and get ready for a weekend filled with storytelling, creativity, and activism. This interactive experience is in partnership with the Morehouse College Movement Memory and Justice Project, South Fulton Arts, 44th & 3rd Bookseller and the Black Writers Weekend.

If you’re an author, bookseller, or have literature/education or activism related products, apply to be a vendor on the NBAF website. Spaces are limited, so secure your space today!
Authors Vendor AppPublishers Vendor AppMerch Vendor App

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, March 27

Taking place at the Atlanta History Center and in partnership with Neiman Marcus, FA+F attendees enjoy food + drinks, an impeccably curated fashion show, fashion icons and artists award presentations, and are introduced to the winning student designer of the annual Fashion Forward Student Design Competition.

Fine Art + Fashion raises funds to support NBAF’s operations and programs for artists of all ages and disciplines, particularly our youth arts education programs for underserved students of African descent.

LEARN MORE AND PURCHASE YOUR SEAT!
2024 NBAF Fashion Forward
A Competition for Student Fashion Designers
NBAF Fashion Forward honorees are selected by a distinguished panel of judges and receive a cash prize of $1,500. The 2024 NBAF Fashion Forward honorees will be presented at NBAF’s Fine Art + Fashion Benefit on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Atlanta, GA. To get started, check out nbaf.org/fashion-forward to download the Fashion Forward Fact Sheet to learn more about the application requirements. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Fashion Forward Coordinator, Page Yang, at pyang@nbaf.org. Please mention thesilo.ca when contacting.
The deadline to apply is Friday, January 26, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST. APPLY HERE!
2024 Artist Project Fund Applications
Eligible Metro Atlanta Artists Apply Today  
The 2024 Artist Project Fund (APF) is a $2,000 usd grant and 6-month artistic development program for Metro Atlanta artists seeking funds to complete an ongoing project. APF supports 20 professional artists in the completion of an ongoing artistic project, fosters a sense of community and creative collaboration, and provides immersive artistic and career development experiences to help them grow as artists and creative entrepreneurs.
The deadline to apply is Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.
APPLY HERE!

SHOP THE NBAF STORE

New Merch! Your purchase supports NBAF’s year round programming.

Select from special limited edition art prints, t-shirts, tote bags, note books, and more!Black Art Matters TeeNBAF Commemorative PinsRadcliffe Bailey NBAF 10th Anniversary PostersBlack Art Matters stainless steel tumblerNBAF tote bagNBAF Logo Unisex Hoodie
With Shop Pay you can get it now and pay later! Pay in 4 interest-free installments for orders over $50.00.  

Don’t miss out on NBAF news and events.
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Five Years After an EMP Strike: Expert Explores What Society Might Look Like

Black Mountain, NC, June , 2023 —William R. Forstchen, Ph.D., prays that he is remembered 30 years from now as a crank. Widely considered one of the foremost experts on electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks, Dr. Forstchen wants more than anything to be wrong when he says an attack is imminent.

Dr. Forstchen is also a New York Times bestselling author who has written extensively about EMP weapons. His upcoming book, Five Years After, traces the plight of protagonist John Matherson as he struggles to protect the fragile civilization helped rebuild following an EMP strike.

A means of delivery- Newscom/Alamy Stock Photo/M2T8T5 North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-15 is displayed during a military parade in Pyongyang, 8 February 2018.

Most people have lived through minor power outages lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days. But what would happen if the power went out and didn’t come back on? Historian William R. Forstchen, Ph.D., warns that if something were to cripple the U.S. power grid — an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) for instance — it would trigger a cascade of deadly events, and long-term survival would depend on being in the right place at the right time with the right food supply.

“It is catastrophic. It is not ‘tinfoil hat,’” said Forstchen in a recent interview. “With an EMP, when it hits, it blows the grid out. You’re going to lose your water immediately. Within several days, that’s going to be bad. Second: food supply. … Medication. … and then of course, disease sets in.”

Widely considered one of the foremost experts on EMP attacks, Forstchen is also the New York Times bestselling author of the One Second After series, a fictional exploration rooted in the cold, solid facts of how an EMP strike above U.S. soil would impact society.

How would an EMP attack effect Canada?

The Canadian Press/J.P. Moczulski An aerial view of the Bruce Power nuclear generating station in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. An EMP event affecting this facility could have catastrophic consequences.

The latest book in the series, Five Years After, follows protagonist John Matherson as he contends with new threats to the fragile civilization that he helped rebuild.

In Five Years After, the Republic of New America has all but collapsed into regional powers, and the world at large is struggling to remain stable as regional conflicts ravage the post-EMP landscape. After several years attempting to lead a quiet life, John receives word that the President is terminal with cancer, and John is asked to take over the reins of government.

Pulled back into the fray, John struggles to hold the tottering Republic together. Facing threats on multiple fronts, he races against time to stop another EMP attack on the former United States and China, putting years of progress at risk. With so much of his work under threat, John must find the strength within to start over, so that he can save the country and the people that he holds dear from even greater calamity.

Forstchen’s depiction of a post-EMP society throughout his One Second After series is rooted in years of extensive research, and he has long been advocating for greater awareness and preparation against an EMP strike, which he considers a very real threat. His goal is not to alarm, but to prompt proactive measures to protect the North American public.

“We’ve got to live our lives; we’ve got to enjoy ourselves … don’t make this the obsession,” Forstchen said of the topic of EMPs. “But it should be out there. You should be thinking about this and doing some basic planning.”

Featured image- NASA “Mini-EMP attacks do happen when conditions on the Sun create discharges powerful enough to reach the Earth’s surface. Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory’s view of the 23 July 2012 coronal mass ejection. The event was the fastest-ever coronal mass ejection, leaving the sun at between 1,800-2,200 miles-per-second.

About the Author

William R. Forstchen is a New York Times bestselling author and a Professor of History at Montreat College, in Montreat, North Carolina. He holds a doctoral degree from Purdue University with a specialization in military history and technology. He is the author of more than 50 books, including the One Second After series that details the realistic effects of an EMP strike.

He is a noted expert historian and public speaker and has been interviewed on FOX News, C-SPAN and many others on topics ranging from history to technology and cultural issues, to space technology development, to security threats.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Five-Years-After-Matherson-Novel/dp/1250854563/

Five Years After

Publisher: Tor/Forge

Release Date: August 22, 2023

ISBN-10: ‎ 1250854563

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1250854568

Available for pre-order from Amazon.com

Creativity Espoused By Mainstream Media Is Sadly About Machine Creativity

Science!

[You may know him from the movies “What The Bleep Do We Know”  and “Down The Rabbit Hole” – Two great introductory documentaries on Quantum Physics you really owe it to yourself to see.  Let the Silo introduce you to a welcomed, new contributor-  Dr. Amit Goswami – Author, Speaker and Scientist. Ed.]

“I am very excited about one of my recent books- Quantum Creativity.  The main message of this book is this: If you are interested in creativity and in thinking quantum, you have the basics of what it takes to be creative, in fact, to be extraordinary in your creativity.

Quantum physics is the physics of possibilities. Quantum physics says reality is both possibility and actuality.

The objects of the universe are possibilities, quantum possibilities; they become objects of actuality in our experience when we observe because we have chosen actuality from the possibilities proffered.  This two-level complementary reality is an important aspect of our consciousness. The unmanifest, (psychologists call it the unconscious, spiritual traditions call it the transcendent) is the realm where consciousness processes possibilities (unconscious processing) but without awareness, without subject-object separation.

The manifest (psychologists call it the conscious, spiritual traditions call it the immanent) is the domain of actualities that consciousness processes with awareness, with subject-object split.

Quantum thinking consists of this two-level processing—both unconscious and conscious.  Quantum thinking understood in this way liberates you, anyone, from any assumed ordinariness.  With its help, anyone can be creative.

A stylish dude? We love the sun hat Dr G. :)

Creativity was difficult for people of the olden days because they had to pursue it blindly, they did not know how human creativity works; they assumed it is all mystery, all arts.  And today, lots of people shortchange their creativity because of their faulty mechanistic worldview.

The truth is, we cannot discuss the relevant issues of human creativity without a lot of make-belief within our current mechanistic worldview based on the metaphysics of scientific materialism—everything is matter moving in space-time and material interaction.

The science of creativity that the protagonists of a mechanistic worldview talk about, and which today you read about in the media, is about machine creativity.  To a large extent it is sophistry, about how determined machines can somehow appear to be creative.

It is self-evident that human creativity requires consciousness as a causal entity with free will, freedom to choose.

It is self-evident that human creativity requires the capacity to process meaning, that human creativity involves affects (agony and ecstasy), and that human creativity begins with intuition.

sophistry

Dealing with human creativity requires a worldview in which consciousness is causally potent, in which not only our physical experiences but also our experiences of thinking, feeling and intuition are validated. Quantum physics, properly interpreted, gives us that worldview. Engaging the two level complementary reality of quantum physics gives human creativity all its wonderful and mysterious attributes that material machines moving in a one-level space-time reality cannot possibly simulate.” For the Silo, Dr. Amit Goswami.

Life Lessons Everyone Can Learn From Olympic Athletes

All eyes were on Rio for two weeks when the world’s greatest athletes competed in the 2016 Summer Games. Next years Summer Olympics look to be no different. While it’s great to enjoy the games, there are actually some very important lessons that everyone can learn from watching Olympic athletes.

Steve Siebold
Steve Siebold

Steve Siebold, a former professional athlete, psychological performance coach and author of 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of The World Class, says there are 10 important lessons we can all learn about success from Olympic athletes:

  1. They never stop learning: Olympic athletes are at the top of their games because they spend so much time practicing, watching replays of their performance and strategizing with their coaches. If you want to be the best at something, you must commit yourself to being a student for life.

2. They overcome obstacles: When most people run into an obstacle, they seek escape.  Olympic athletes have a plan to push forward when this happens and learn all they can from the challenge.  They know facing adversity is part of being successful.

You can beat adversity! The no1 ranked player lost to skill and mental toughness.
Click me! You can beat adversity! The 2016 #1 ranked player lost to skill and mental toughness.

  1. They think big: Ask most people what they’re thinking at any given time, and you might be surprised to learn how many think about just getting by.  That’s called selling yourself short.  If you ask every athlete in Rio if they think they are going to win the gold, they would all tell you ‘yes.’ They fully believe in themselves and their abilities, and nothing you could say will talk them out of it. They think big and therefore get big results.
  1. They know consciousness is contagious. Olympic athletes live together and spend so much time together because consciousness is contagious. Your level of success in any area of your life is most likely the same as the people you spend the most time with.  If you want to be better at something, get around people who push you to greatness.
  1. They are consistently great.  The reason Olympians are so consistent is because their actions are congruent with their thought processes.  They have a very clear mental picture of what they want, why they want it and how to move closer to their target objective.  Do you?
  1. They compartmentalize their emotions.  In other words, Olympic athletes have the ability to put aside anything else going on at that very moment, and focus only on the task in front of them: winning the gold.
  1. They know very good is bad.  For the average person, to be classified as very good is something to be proud of.  For the great ones like Olympians, it’s an insult. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Why just be happy with the bronze or silver when you can go for the gold?
  1. They are held accountable: Olympic athletes are held accountable on so many levels.  One of the biggest problems is that most people have no means of accountability or a support system in place when it comes to what they’re trying to accomplish. Whether it’s losing weight, making more money or anything else, being held accountable changes everything.
  1. They know it’s their desire that counts. Olympic athletes know winning isn’t everything.  It’s wanting to win that counts.  Olympians have a “whatever it takes” attitude.  They’ve made the decision to pay any price and bear any burden in the name of victory.
  1. They are comeback artists: While most people are demoralized by setbacks and defeat, Olympians know that large scale success is based on a series of comebacks. Emotionally speaking, they don’t understand the concept of giving up. On the physical plane, they have perseverance. On the mental plane, they have toughness.  On the spiritual plane, we call it artistry. For the Silo, Jack Allen.

Supplemental- Top Ten All Time Sporting Upsets

Roar And Embrace Your Inner Cougar

Xandra "Sunny" Moon, author of “The Power of the Titz…a woman’s journey back to her self”
Xandra “Sunny” Moon, author of “The Power of the Titz…a woman’s journey back to her self”

It’s not hard for women in midlife to feel like they belong to the Island of Broken Toys, says Xandra “Sunny” Moon, a self-described liberated, 18-wheeler-driving, 40-plus babe.

“There are thousands of beautiful mothers, wives and ex-wives out there who feel like they’ve lost their sexuality – I know because they tell me as I travel the country and get to know them,” says Moon, author of “The Power of the Titz…a woman’s journey back to her self”(www.sunnymoonspowerworld.com). “My mission is to let them know they can get it back!”

ThePoweroftheTitzXandraMoonCoverWeb

Like the many of the women she meets in her travels, Moon suffered physical and emotional abuse as a young woman. After raising four children and enduring an unhappy marriage for several years, she fell into a deep depression, she says. But several steps took her out of despair, and by the time she climbed out, she was happy, confident and back in touch with Sunny, she says.

Moon lists the ways in which women 40 and older can rediscover their “inner babe:”

• Embrace your sexuality!: It’s not just a “Mrs. Robinson” stereotype – older women do make for better, more participatory sexual partners. Older women have more self-possession; they’re not as callow and tend to have more character both in personality, intrigue and in sexual performance. Women 40 and older are also more forthright, which can be a major turn-on, especially for younger men in need of direction.

Younger women are still deciding what sex means to them, whereas older women are more likely to appreciate it for its own sake.

• Education and employment: Perhaps the most important vehicle for Moon’s self-empowerment is her continuing education. Gaining her GED and furthering her education at a university allowed her to support herself with a good job. Past generations of women were overwhelmingly reliant upon their husbands for financial support.

Having your own income allows women the power to choose their relationships, and not remain stuck in one.

• Remember your old social life?: A big part of relocating your inner diva is remembering the good times you had as a teen and 20-something – back when you had your first appletini, your first date at a fancy restaurant and, yes, your first day-long hangover.

In many ways, these things are like new again. Under-appreciated mothers and wives tend to live primarily for others, but now it’s time to reclaim those fun nights out with the girls and catch some time for yourself.

• Cosmetic surgery: This is still a touchy subject for many ladies. Moon’s first rule is to have cosmetic surgery only for yourself – not for someone else, and to ensure you are in good enough health to withstand the rigors involved with surgery. Other important considerations include realistic expectations, potentially catty responses from girlfriends, short- and long-term consequences, such as time off work and maintenance, and whether or not you really want larger breasts or a botoxed brow.

• Dating outside your comfort zone: Maybe now is the time to consider other types of partners — perhaps those of a different ethnicity or maybe even a different gender. Now is the time to be adventurous and explore new avenues.

• Health/Diet/Exercise: Of course, feeling and looking attractive is important to you – so be healthy! Nothing is better at giving ladies that can-do attitude than a nice workout. Being selective about what you eat is as important as being selective about who you date; you want a lover and diet that will treat you right.

“We have but one life,” says Lee Abzu, Moon’s second husband, soul mate and coauthor to her books.

“If you’re single and in your 40s, 50s, 60s or older, you can either wait around for the kids or grandkids to come by and visit, or you can get out there and regain the vitality and lust for life you used to have.”

 

About Xandra “Sunny” Moon

Xandra “Sunny” Moon is a survivor who came into her own after age 40. As a younger woman, she endured rape, unlawful imprisonment, mental and emotional abuse, and divorce. She has worked 14 years as a truck driver, during which she has spoken with thousands of woman near or at midlife.

After raising her four children, she continued her education at Idaho State University and eventually married her second husband and soul mate, Lee Abzu. She now counsels women who are seeking rebirth. For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley. 

 

 

 

 

Mediocrity Prevents A Peoples Revolution Against Publishing Giants

The world is full of writers but has this led to the rise of mediocrity? image: philosophyslam.org
The world is full of writers but has this led to the rise of mediocrity? image: philosophyslam.org

When I was growing up, I imagined being a novelist meant I would write for a living.  This is not always the case.  There is a darker side to the writing and publishing profession, even more disturbing than the constant criticism, rejection and pirating of e-books.  We’re not all dedicating our lives to the manipulation of words for entertainment value.  Most habitual readers I know don’t realize that gone are the days when writers were intellectuals and academics spending their whole lives with their nose in a book.  In 2013 every other person I meet online claims to be a writer, many of them bestselling authors at that.

A writer in this decade is an everyman.  You probably know one yourself because anybody can claim the tag now.  They could be writing e-books, blogs or letters to the editor of a newspaper to supplement their income, but the fact remains that if you are trying to make a living from writing, your time will mostly be spent promoting and networking, and networking means you’ll come across the type of people who will inspire you to write a murder mystery just so you can make them the victim.

Life just might be creative literature...or at least a series of punctuation marks CP
Life just might be creative literature…or at least a series of punctuation marks

 

What’s brought about this change in the profession?  I’m not one of those intellectuals or academics, so I can’t say.  I am a person who has had a series of dead-end jobs but naively dedicated the last twelve years of her life to the craft of creative writing, making numerous sacrifices to find fulfillment.  To me it’s a vocation rather than a career or hobby because no matter what I do I can’t stop writing.  I mentally plot the story of job interviews during the event to cope with the pressure.  When my husband had a stroke, I imagined the blood clot that caused it as a series of ellipses in our lives, whereas the birth of my son was an exclamation mark.  People I don’t like have faces like twisty question marks and any bad luck I have is merely a comma.  I ceased to become part of my own reality a long time ago.  It verges on mental illness.  This is not particular to a writer in the 21st Century and could be said of anyone so obsessive about the craft at any time.

Now there are so many would-be writers, there is no people’s revolution against the publishing giants, despite what many independent authors, including myself, have thought and said in the past couple of years.  There are hundreds like me to whom writing is like breathing but thousands of bandwagon jumpers who rush out book after book then market them in questionable ways.  I even had one man send me private messages on Twitter every day for almost a year in an attempt to get reviews for each book his wife has written – a total of twenty three in the last two years.

"Tractor beam" - Dr. Evil
“Tractor beam” – Dr. Evil

 

I self published through choice, without knocking on agents’ doors because I knew my novel was too contemporary to wait and within a few years would be dated.  Self publishing is what the majority of wannabes do but it tars us all with that opportunist brush.  The Internet is awash with distinctly average literature written on a whim by someone who never had ambitions to be a writer and was bored one day so self published on one of the many websites that allow you to do so without a book deal.  I suspect many of them aren’t even readers.

Stories of people who have written twenty or more titles over the course of a few months and sold hundreds of thousands of copies both impress me and rile me in equal measure because despite having spent years working at it, as an independent writer without a publishing deal and only Amazon et al behind me, we are all on the same level. For the Silo, Lacey Dearie.

Book Snobbery, Fairy Tales And Reality

“The way to read a fairy tale is to throw yourself in.” ― W.H. Auden

“In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected.” (Frauds on the Fairies, 1853)” ― Charles Dickens, Works of Charles Dickens

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” ― Albert Einstein

i dream of genie with blue djinn and darrens living room

I was “that child”, the one who wanted fairy tales and magic to be real. As far back as I can remember I dreamed about having supernatural powers (always good of course…well, almost always) having carpets that flew, potions that could transform anyone or anything, the ability to speak to animals. I never understood why Darren and Samantha worked so hard at concealment. Or why Jeannie didn’t dump the Major and go back to live with the Djinn….I mean, LOOK at the decor!!!! Who wouldn’t rather have scarves and pillows and elaborate brass lamps instead of that godawful avocado and mustard vibe?

Music for a fairy tale. Click me.
Music for  fairy tales. Click me.

Books fueled this. Small witches, talking mice, flying nannies, rings and boxes and mysterious rooms and islands all combined in a grand and glorious stew. Why couldn’t I have a wizard for a teacher? (maybe I would have learned math) Why couldn’t bullies simply be turned into flowerpots? Alas, eventually the adulting creeps in. And people stop being indulgent about your whimsy. And your imagination….

You stop inviting your friends over to play make believe. Or, at least, they stop accepting. And you are encouraged to put away childish things. To accumulate the right kind of books….improving books. High tone books. Books with Purpose. The wishing frogs and tall towers and magic mirrors are packed away… Book Snobbery. Where Fantasy books in the annoying “Y.A.” category are barely tolerated. Stuff and Nonsense.(keeping it G rated here. I expect points…) Children should be encouraged to read whatever they reading-on-the-buswant and adults should enjoy the same free pass. You should be proud of displaying your book on the bus whether you are reading Kafka or Twilight. There are life lessons to be found in fantasy. Fairy tales teach you that sometimes bad things do happen. (The original version of some of the most beloved and well known can be a bit brutal.

For example, the Ugly Stepsisters in Cinderella actually cut their toes off to fit into the slipper. Kiddiewinkle Disney this ain’t.. ) But good and kind usually triumph. Sometimes help can come from unexpected areas. And there is always a way out of the woods. I do live in the real world. Drive. Work. Pay taxes. Cook, clean, shop. Watch the political situation (although “real” and politics lately….never mind) When I sit at a stop light I do not think a gnome is changing the colors. I rarely look for dragons. But I still yearn for them. Magic is everywhere and everything. It may not have glittery wings, it may not be vanquished with a sword, there might not be a house dropped on it or a incantation spoken…..but it is here.

Writers poets, artists, storytellers; all know this on some level. Even if we disguise it.The human imagination is ancient. The roots of stories are found far back in oral traditions and the tales were only modified later to make them illustrations of good versus evil. We do research, we discuss, we delve and write learned papers. We collect quotes and materials, and most importantly buy the books buy the books buy the books…. Books are the real magic. The tangible, in your hands, in your face, take you wherever you want to go – Magic. Read it. Whatever the cover, whatever the rating.

If you like it, read it. Do not let any house of cards pompous proclamation tell you it’s wrong. Secretly we are looking for the elves. We want there to be fairies in the garden. We never see a shooting star without wishing. And if you are very, very lucky. You will never lose that. For the Silo, Jaye Tomas. 

 

 

Poll Showed 56% Of Our Neighbors In America Believes In Devil

Against a backdrop of horrific crimes and devastating natural disasters, 56 percent of Americans surveyed believe in the devil, 53 percent believe in hell and 43 percent believe in hell as “a place of suffering and punishment where people go after they die,” according to a poll of 1,218 Americans conducted over Memorial Day weekend back in 2013.

Hey Devil- no cheating! image: dumc.my
Image: dumc.my

The survey also found that Americans don’t hold God responsible for these tragedies with 86 percent believing natural disasters such as the Oklahoma tornado and Hurricane Sandy are a function of nature. Sixty-one percent believe recent terror and crime episodes, such as the London terrorist attack, the Cleveland kidnapping/imprisonments and the Sandy Hook massacre are caused by “the evil in people’s hearts” rather than “divine retribution.”

Equal numbers of respondents (38 percent) believe that people who commit violent criminal acts go to hell, as well as those who don’t ask God’s forgiveness for their sins before they die. More than 61 percent believe they’re going to heaven, while less than 2 percent believe they will go to hell.

Ominously subtitled- "What is to come" Ryden cuts right to the chase with a Premonition preface that begins: "All my life I've seen the spiritual realm. I see Angels, and Saints, and other supernatural Beings. I see the souls of dead people." CP
Ominously subtitled- “What is to come” Ryden cuts right to the chase with a Premonition preface that begins: “All my life I’ve seen the spiritual realm. I see Angels, and Saints, and other supernatural Beings. I see the souls of dead people.”

Commissioned by the True Life in God Foundation (TLIG), www.tlig.com,  established by international humanitarian Vassula Ryden (author of the bestseller Heaven is Real But So Is Hell; released in March 2013), the poll was conducted online from May 23-27, 2013 among 1,218 Americans age 18 and older with a margin of error of +/-2.9%. Respondents were equally split (50 percent) between male and female.

The new survey shows that while a majority of Americans still believe in hell (54 percent), the number is declining. A 2008 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life / US Religious Landscape Survey showed that 59 percent of Americans believed in hell, and an earlier Pew study reported that 71percent believed in hell as of 2001.

Other key findings include:

• 62 percent believe in heaven and think they are going there.

• 44 percent believe in hell as “a place of suffering and punishment where some people go after they die;”

• The 56 percent overall belief in the existence of the devil and 53% belief in hell was consistent across all the four survey age groups;

• With regard to what causes evil in the world, i.e., the Boston Marathon bombings, Sandy Hook school shooting and 9/11, older respondents (45-60) say people are evil while younger  respondents (18-29) say people are sick;

• 41 percent identify the devil as “Satan the fallen angel who rebelled against God and now tempts humans to do the same;”

• 47 percent believe heaven is “God’s dwelling place” while 44 percent believe heaven is “a spiritual dimension where good people go when they die.”

The True Life in God Foundation conducted the survey to help Americans explore the existence and causes of evil in the world. The foundation commissioned Survey Monkey, one of the leading polling companies in America, to survey a cross-section of Americans from every age group, region, ethnicity, religion and household income.

The survey follows the release of Heaven Is Real But So Is Hell  , which hit No. 1 on Barnes &  Noble online, as well as No. 1 in Christian Orthodoxy on Amazon.[ following its March 16, 2013 release CP] The book details Vassula Ryden’s spiritual journey in which she received visions of heaven, hell, demons and angels, and the battle between good and evil in the world.

Vassula cautions skeptics who scoff at the existence of the devil: “The devil’s most powerful tool is convincing us that he – and hell – do not exist. He works subtly and silently, feeding our doubts and inadequacies, sowing dissension and creating chaos and confusion in our lives. Evil is real, and we have to know how to respond to it.”

Crossroads(1986) Guitar duel between the Devil’s guitarist (Steve Vai) and Juilliard trained “Lightning Boy” (Ralph Macchio)

Vassula believes prayer, forgiveness, reconciliation and service to others are the main tools to overcome the forces of evil.

About True Life In God Foundation

Founded by International author and humanitarian Vassula Ryden, is an international non-profit organization that funds 25 Beth Myriam homes serving the poor in six countries.  A Greek Orthodox Christian, Ryden has more than 1 million followers on social media, and has spoken to millions of people in 80 countries, including more than 500,000 in the Philippines alone. An internationally-acclaimed advocate for peace and unity, Ryden was twice awarded Bangladesh’s 2003 Gold Medal Peace Prize for her work in religious tolerance and aid to the poor. She has been endorsed by many government and religious leaders, and has met with leaders at the United Nations, the World Council of Churches and the Vatican, including Pope Francis and his two predecessors.  Ryden advocates “unity in diversity” between Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians, and reconciliation between all world religions. For more information visit: www.tlig.com. GG

Supplemental- What Canadians are believing- http://www.canadianmennonite.org/articles/heaven-trumps-hell-canadian-poll

 

Bravo TV Star Asa Soltan Rahmati Launches Sacred Rituals For Women Book

Asa Soltan Rahmati has had many lives. From fleeing Iran as a child and living as a refugee in Germany and then the U.S. to becoming a celebrated reality television star on Bravo TV’s Shahs of Sunset; from launching a successful designer line of women’s kaftans to becoming a brand new parent with beau Jermaine Jackson Jr. – she is a master of reinvention and personal-betterment. In her newest life – as a published author – she sets out to empower other women to truly love themselves and take control of their own destinies.

Her book GOLDEN: Empowering Rituals to Conjure Your Inner Priestess is hitting bookstore shelves now. In it she shares seven sacred rituals that she developed throughout her life as she went from refugee (twice) to “artsy” to the Persian Pop Priestess that fans of Shahs of Sunset have grown to admire. I’d love to send you a copy of the new book for consideration of coverage in an upcoming story.

Asa’s life has been a filled with great challenges and deep loss, but through it – and through her outsider status – she learned to face life fearlessly and with her own style. From her self-love ritual to her chapter on confidence (“Radiate Beauty from the Inside Out”), Asa provides readers with the ultimate “green juice, master cleanse and z pack” for life. It all starts with her Priestess Detox, the total mind, body, soul cleanse to get the reader in touch with her own Inner Priestess. Asa’s ability to translate her rituals have helped hundreds of thousands of her fans become more empowered. GOLDEN is her gift to them and to anybody who is ready to take control, learn to love themselves, and face the future with confidence and strength.

When I was in college at UCLA, I worked part-time at an African art store in Santa Monica. One day Maya Angelou came into the store. I have always been a huge fan of hers and I was completely starstruck. She walked straight toward me, took my hand in hers, looked me directly in the eyes, and said, “stay golden, my child.”

– Asa Soltan, from GOLDEN

GOLDEN by Asa Soltan

Empowering Rituals to Conjure
Your Inner Priestess

Available Now

Asa Soltan Rahmati – Persian Pop Priestess, Spiritual Gangsta, and beloved star of Bravo TV’s hit reality show, Shahs of Sunset – shares seven sacred rituals that she has developed throughout her life in GOLDEN: Empowering Rituals to Conjure Your Inner Priestess (North Star Way; May 9, 2017; $25.99 USD).

Asa was eight years old when her family fled their war-torn country of Iran to seek refuge in Germany. To say she experienced culture shock after arriving is an understatement. She had never seen anyone that looked and acted so different from her, and she didn’t speak a word of German or English. She felt completely cast off from her land, her culture, and her people.

Feeling a need to connect to her culture and herself, she created rituals that she practiced every day. At first they were a simple way to create a sacred space for herself so she could go within and remember who she really was. But when she became a refugee for the second time moving from Germany to Los Angeles, those rituals — on beauty, love, career, family, and friendships–kept her deeply connected to her Inner Priestess, the authentic version of herself that existed without ego, baggage, or attachments to material things.

Asa’s own personal journey to find peace and self-acceptance helped her marry her artistic side with her business acumen and led her to launch a highly successful kaftan business, create a line of jewelry for Home Shopping Network and, of course, the television show. GOLDEN will help readers find their own power with inspirational quotes, stories and photos from her childhood to illustrate the impact her rituals can have. Whether you choose to focus on one ritual separately or all of them at once, GOLDEN can guide you to a state of glamorous, gorgeous mindfulness and a chance to live the life of your dreams.

Since the first season of Shahs aired, Asa has gained a loyal legion of fans who refer to her as the Spiritual Gangsta. Many of them write her to seek answers to their most personal questions. They often ask how to feel confident and feel good about their bodies in a world that’s hyper critical of women’s looks, how to gain the courage to follow their dreams, and how to stay true to their culture and traditions yet remain a modern woman. Asa’s ability to translate her rituals have helped hundreds of thousands of her fans become more empowered. GOLDEN is her gift to them.

Golden by Asa Soltan

About Asa Soltan Rahmati
Asa Soltan Rahmati, also known as the Persian Pop Priestess and Spiritual Gangsta, is the star of Bravo’s hit realty show, Shahs of Sunset. Asa lived on three continents and spoke four languages by the time she moved to the United States at fifteen. The Islamic revolution and decade-long war were the backdrop of her early childhood, and paved the way for her own personal revolution to build confidence, spirituality, and remain at peace among life’s daily trials and tribulations. Known for her glamour and down-to-earth spirituality, Asa is also an internationally recognized multimedia artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. In 2014 Asa launched her highly anticipated luxury kaftan line, Asa Kaftans, which celebrities and her international fan-base adore. Asa is committed to using her unique blend of high-art, pop-culture, glamour, and spirituality to make the world a more beautiful and positive place. For the Silo, Jason Southerland.

About North Star Way
North Star Way is an imprint dedicated to publishing “information to make your life better.”  With a non-fiction editorial focus in the areas of motivation, inspiration and books that advise and inform, North Star Way aims to connect readers with thought leaders through a variety of new media formats including books and e-books, on-line courses and subscriptions, speaking engagements, mobile applications, original video and audio books, sponsorships and business partnerships, podcasts. North Star Way authors include John O’Leary, Maya Penn, Amanda Steinberg, JJ Virgin, and Keke Palmer.


International Etiquette Expert, Sharon Schweitzer Shares Father’s Day Ideas

Without him, you would not have known how to change a flat tire, nor the difference between a socket wrench and a ratchet wrench. His insights on sports led you to your favorite team. He’s always been there with a helping hand and now with the approach of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19th, take the time to give back to him.  What’s the best way to do that? Here’s the “etiquette skinny!”

"The best Evil Son" ;)

Author Sharon Schweitzer
Author Sharon Schweitzer

Sharon Schweitzer, an international etiquette expert, author and founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, says stay ahead of the curve, mail those cards and plan now. Spoil the amazing man that has guided you through your life.

Sharon’s tips:

  • Plan a Memory: Father’s Day is a time to set aside everything else and devote the day to your dear dad. If you are not a golfer but your dad is, take some time to share his favorite pastime. Go on a hike, a brewery tour, concert, camping trip or lunch at his favorite restaurant. Celebrate everything your dad has taught you, and also create something new and memorable with him on this very special day.
  • Share the Day: Sometimes we need to share Father’s Day with Dad and also brothers, uncles, godfathers, grandfathers, stepfathers and others.  Host a celebration for your loved ones for maximum time with your favorite people. Mother’s Day is famous for brunch. On Father’s day host a BBQ, cookout or inclusive celebration.
  • Remember Father Figures: For some, Father’s Day is difficult as fathers have passed or may have been absent. Consider using this time as an opportunity to show appreciation for the male mentors in your life. A father figure is more than biological, and can be a role model, leader or inspirational man who helped shape your world.
  • Share Your Time & Express Gratitude: A national survey of the average North American’s major life regrets highlighted that one of the biggest regrets is not spending more time with parents. Use this day to express how much your father has meant to you over the years. Communicate your gratitude, care and love during this time with him.

    Dr Evil and Scotty Evil.
    Dr Evil and Scotty Evil.
  • Gift-Giving: Gifts for dads can range greatly depending on your father’s interests. Consider the three P’s to guide your gift giving: Practical, Personalized, and Perfect.
  • Practical Gifts: Is he practical? Go for the gift that won’t get tossed in a closet or re-gifted. Talk to your dad about his needs or communicate with family members. Contribute toward a group gift he will truly love, for example: Business and casual clothing, restaurant gift certificates to his favorite place and hobby accessories (paints and art supplies, how-to books).
  • Personalized Gifts: Go the extra mile to highlight his name, family crest or favorite team.  For example: An engraved Watch, personalized beer growler, glassware or flask and sports team wine stoppers.
  • Perfect Gifts: Find the gift that quintessentially represents your dad or his future goals. Where does he want to go? What’s on his list? A perfect gift for your father: New sports equipment like a golf club, fishing rod, or tennis racket; a fly-fishing or deep-sea trip he wants; or concert tickets to his favorite band.

As part of your Father’s Day, please consider these tips from Sharon. For the Silo, Bruce Serbin.

 

 

 

New ‘Duct Tape DIY Book’ is Taking Crafting and Fashion World by Storm

From the author of the #1 best-sellers, Tape It & Make It, Tape It & Make More and Tape It & Wear It comes the fourth book in this revolutionary “duct tape craft series:” Duct Tape Bags: 40 Projects for Totes, Clutches, Messenger Bags, and Bowlers (Clarkson Potter, July 2016). With the upcoming release of her new book, Richela Fabian Morgan is continuing to take the crafting and fashion world by storm, turning the humble roll of duct tape into the trendiest craft item since glitter glue.

Rachela Fabian Morgan AuthorEveryone from trendy teens to famous fashionistas can begin exploring the infinite uses this easy-to-follow guide provides to making handbags so fashionable, you won’t actually believe they’re made of duct-tape. Part art-piece, part usable accessory, Fabian Morgan shows how each of these gorgeous handbags can be recreated one manageable section at a time.

“About eight years ago, my kids and I were in our local hardware store when we spotted duct tape with patterns and colors,” says Fabian Morgan. “Since then, duct tape has been an obsession of mine. My daughter and her friends were my excuse to break out my vast collection of tape and try out different ideas for craft projects. Out of all the projects, the bags were the biggest hit! I started making bags for myself. So, it was only natural that I turned my attention to writing a book on duct tape bags. I wrote other books on duct tape crafts with a total of 242 projects spread out over three books, everything from housewares to costumes. Duct tape bags were on my radar. I had to write this book!”

Duct Tape Bags provides DIYers with 40 fun projects using duct tape, including:

  • Clutches and wristlets
  • Hobo and Shoulder Bags
  • Satchels
  • Messenger and Flap Bags
  • Tote Bags
  • And tons of other one-of-a-kind bags!

One of Rachel's Duct Tape Bags.
One of Rachel’s Duct Tape Bags.


Read more about Richela Fabian Morgan by using the links at the bottom of this article and:

  • Reveal what inspired her to begin crafting with duct tape.
  • See finished samples of the many bags included in her book.
  • Do print or video demos and step by step how-tos not only on her bags but any of the 240+ projects found in her duct tape books.
  • Provide the perfect summer duct tape projects for girls, boys and teens.
  • Look ahead to back to school: duct tape wallets, folders, book bags, pencil cases,  lunch boxes and more!
  • Find tips to incorporate recycled items in your duct tape projects.
  • And so much more!

With detailed step-by-step instructions and primers on duct tape “fabric,” different types of closures from magnet snaps to jeans buttons, and bag accessories like bows and luggage tags, Fabian Morgan catapults this trend from the streets into the stratosphere. A mix of pop art and urban style photos of each project and a cool vibe throughout will make you want to immediately roll up your sleeves and rolling out the duct tape for a bag of your own! For the Silo, Erin MacDonald-Birnbaum

Duct Tape DIY Designs2

About Richela Fabian Morgan: Richela Fabian Morgan began her duct tape odyssey 8 years ago with a simple bi-fold wallet, before writing the best-selling crafting books Tape It & Make It, Tape It & Make More, and Tape It & Wear It. She is an indie crafter specializing in paper, adhesives, and found materials, and has taught craft projects at elementary schools, public libraries, and charitable organizations around the U.S. Her next duct tape crafting book, Duct Tape Bags, will be published by Clarkson Potter in July 2016.

Connect with Richela on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CraftyRichela
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CraftyRichela
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/craftyrichela
Instagram: @richelafm

Duct Tape Bags will be released July 12, 2016 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com and all major booksellers. Contact marketingdirector@thesilo.ca for more details.

 

International UFO Symposium Landing in Brantford, Ontario June 24-26

Osie

As a young child living in rural Newfoundland on the outskirts of Grand Falls, Osie woke up screaming every night from her terrible UFO nightmares.

She believes she was abducted as a child – and is still being abducted today – by aliens, who have been doing medical procedures to her for her entire life.

At this summer’s Alien Cosmic Expo, June 24-26, in Brantford, Ontario, at Best Western Brant Park Inn-  Osie will discuss how her life dramatically changed only a few years ago when she discovered she not only had psychic powers but how becoming a medium paved the way for her understanding what was happening to her during her nightmare.

Osie revealed her story for the first time as one of the Experiencers interviewed in Brantford author Bob Mitchell’s book, “What if? Close Encounters of the Unusual Kind.”

Interestingly, Josie never had any interest in UFOs or aliens until her nightmares returned in 2015 and she began having very vivid out of body experiences that led to horrific encounters with other worldly beings.

Initially, she never saw the beings although she could hear them telepathically and knew they were around her.

“I saw shadows, outlines and they’re above me,” she explained. “I know they were doing stuff to me because I was screaming.

“There was so much pain. I didn’t hear any sounds. All I know is that I didn’t want to be there. I felt as if I was passing out and coming to again.”

Osie will also be on hand at ACE for Friday’s Experiencer Day where ticket holders can wander and ask questions of several invited guests.

Experiencer Day

How many of you have ever seen a UFO or encountered an alien being and never had the courage to tell anybody about the incredible experience?

What if you’ve been abducted? Who do you talk to? Can you trust even your family or closest friend with your darkest secret?

You’re not alone.

Take a read of this excerpt from “Forbidden Knowledge-Revelations of a multi-dimensional time traveler” co-written by Experiencer Jason Quitt and Brantford author Bob Mitchell.

Jason often had a difficult time keeping these topics bottled inside of him. One night his father noticed he was distressed about something.

“Unable to hold it in anymore I burst out in tears and emotion,” Jason said.

Jason told him what had been happening to him and how he was able to have out of body experiences.

“I also told him about the beings,” Jason said. “He was stunned. He tried to calm me down. But he really didn’t say too much to me.”

But his father begged him to see a psychiatrist.

“I flatly refused and was actually quite hurt and insulted by this suggestion,” Jason said. “But looking back I see how from his perspective why he wanted this for me.”

A few days later Jason was back at his father’s house and was using his computer when he noticed his father had bookmarked many pages dealing with schizophrenia.

“I knew then that I couldn’t share these experiences again with people who didn’t have a solid background in this subject,” Jason said.

“It really made me think of how Experiencers are treated in this society. I can only imagine an Experiencer sharing their story with their parents and the next thing they know they’re on heavy medication and told something is wrong with them or that the devil is influencing them.

Indeed, you’re not alone.

People throughout the world are struggling with this dilemma every moment of their lives.

But on Friday, June 24 at the opening day of the Alien Cosmic Expo in Brantford, Ontario you’ll be able to unburden yourself to people, who know exactly what you have and are continuing to go through.

Several Experiencers, including a few who will be telling their story on stage throughout the weekend will be participating in “Experiencer Day.”

It’s your chance to share your stories with them and ask the questions you have been seeking answers for in safe and comfortable surroundings without fear of being ridiculed or judged.

“When I read that passage from “Forbidden Knowledge” it really struck a nerve with me,” said Jo-Anne Eadie, organizer of the Alien Cosmic Expo. “I actually became very emotional. I understood what Experiencers must be going through.

“It’s why a feel so strongly that we need to able to talk about these events in a safe environment such as Experience Day.”

Confirmed Experiencers so far include Joanna L Ross, Sherry Wilde, Grant Cameron, Janet Lessin and Dr. Sasha Lessin, Barry Strohm, Osie, and Elizabeth April.

The cost for Friday’s “Experiencer Day” is $99 and includes a special Friday night dinner featuring Travis Walton, one of the most recognized abductees in the world. You’ll also watch a screening of his documentary “Travis: The True Story of Travis Walton” – a documentary by Onwinges Productions.

Walton is also expected to make an appearance during the day at the Experiencer event.

The cost for just attending Friday night’s dinner and show is $45.00 + tax 

Barry Strohm

Barry Strohm has learned the history of humanity from a unique source – the spirit of an alien named Mou.

On Friday, June 25, Strohm will be among the Experiencers on hand for Experiencer Day as the Alien Cosmic Expo opens its weekend run in Brantford, Ontario.

As an author and channeler, Strohm had been communicating and receiving information from Mou and he will reveal what he has learned during his lecture on Sunday, June 26. His incredible experience is told in his book “Aliens Among Us,” which those attending ACE will also be able to purchase. In his book, Strohm takes readers on a journey that explores humanity’s past and present connection to other worldly species. Strohm, owner of Golden Lane Antique Gallery in New Oxford, Pa (one of the most haunted places in the U.S.) has discovered that aliens are able to communicate through psychic channeling and explain many of Earth’s mysteries, including what really happened at Roswell, Rendlesham Forest, Biblical alien references and how extraterrestrials have and continue to influence mankind. His wife Connie has also been abducted and the alien spirit connected to Barry has explained why and what happened during her encounter.

Strohm has also met a Reptilian. He is also known for making predictions about future events, Perhaps he will make some while at ACE.

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

This acclaimed 3 day event will be jam-packed with international researchers, authors and lecturers including Stanton Friedman, Richard Dolan, the Honorable Paul Hellyer, Grant Cameron and many more. To view the full line-up and to make note of all events please visit our friends at Alien Cosmic Expo.

 

 

Former Obese Addict Alcoholic Ran Boston Marathon Four Times

David Clark 2Twenty-seven thousand athletes ran the last Boston Marathon.  However, one man ran it four times … four times in one day. David Clark is a former 320-pound alcoholic who was also addicted to painkillers.  He’s been sober for nearly a decade and credits extreme endurance sports for his path to recovery in his bestselling autobiography, Out There: A Story of Ultra Recovery.

Clark runs with purpose and his 24 hour, 17 minute Quad Boston (104.8 miles) was no exception. He began his quad marathon in downtown Boston where he ran for people struggling to overcome addiction.  Then he ran to the finish line for people who have conquered addiction.  Then he ran back to the start line for the families of addicts and finally he ran his official race in memory of a Boston girl who died last year of a drug overdose.

While Clark’s life story is about his addiction, his lessons learned easily transfer to others, providing inspiration to never give up despite life’s challenges. “Healthy mind and body is where I found peace,” says Clark.  “My hope is that people are able to see, through my story, that there are no boundaries to what we can achieve.”

David Clark is a running coach, sponsored runner, inspirational speaker, and gym owner. Prior to running his Quad Boston, he has competed in some of the most difficult endurance races on the planet. David is considered an elite athlete and is well respected in the national running community.

For more information, visit: http://thesupermanproject.org or email: marketingdirector@thesilo.ca

Out There:  A Story of Ultra Recovery By David Clark

Publisher:  CreateSpace Available at Amazon.com

ISBN-10: 1499721196 ISBN-13: 978-1499721195

Book Excerpt

Reviews

Marshall Ulrich, extreme endurance athlete, speaker, and author of Running on Empty: “[The book] …is as jarring and intense as it is motivating and uplifting.”

Ross Harrington: “…raw and riveting—a real-life “Rocky” story about a guy who just refused to give up. David Clark pulls no punches in telling us what he’s been through, and it will be a long, long time before I get this book out of my head.”

Marlin Keesler “The Reluctant Runner”: “To say David Clark’s story is inspiring would be an understatement. His personal narrative is so captivating, gripping, and energizing it compels one to revisit abandoned aspirations and to get out and achieve them…”

Dean Karnazes, endurance athlete and NY Times bestselling author: “David Clark has overcome adversities most of us can’t even begin to fathom. Morbidly obese, hopelessly addicted to drugs and alcohol, he not only turned his life around but went on to complete the world’s toughest footrace, the 135-mile Badwater ultramarathon. Inspiring and engaging, [the book] is a dramatic story about dealing with profound difficulties and having the strength and courage to persist, endure and prevail no matter how badly the odds are stacked against you.”

Justin McCune: “If nothing else David tells his story with an air of honesty not often seen! His story will take you to rock bottom of alcohol addiction, and lift you back up to the essence of living for the moment!”

Charlie Engle, athlete and author:  “David has an undeniable energy as both a runner and a sober man. He sets a stellar example for anyone who wants to take charge of their own life and make a difference in others’ lives. He is all out, all the time. I love this book.”

Click to view on I-tunes
Click to view on I-tunes

Religious Leaders making Money from Impossible Promises: Chasing 120 Book

Fletch Lives

We see them on TV; dressed in impeccably-cut suits, with a picture-perfect smile and a never-ending supply of smooth rhetoric. Dr. Tyler Belknap is the epitome of a charismatic, fast-talking preacher who has convinced his cult-like following that, with the help of his Bible-based program, they will enrich their lives with maximum health and longevity.

Belknap is the lead protagonist in Monte Wolverton’s newly-released debut book, Chasing 120: A Story of Food, Faith, Fraud and the Pursuit of Longevity – a story of intrigue and truths and a remarkable tale of what can happen to people’s dreams when they put their faith in a high-profile religious leader rather than God.

From his vast Oregon-based Wellness 120 empire, Tyler Belknap charms and targets Christian consumers, influencing them to dig deep into their pockets – enticing them with Biblical-sounding promises of a healthier life following his recommended regimen.  While some believe their health is improved, others suffer serious side effects after taking his specially formulated supplements and GMO’s that are developed in a secret underground research facility in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. But this does not deter Dr. Belknap who keeps this information from the public by bribing city officials and politicians – and who will stop at nothing to keep whistleblowers at bay.

But as much as the fast-talking doctor would like his followers to stay in a state of confusion, he’s not able to keep the negative effects of GMO’s from hitting the news and the public eye. People hear that results from studies done on lab animals cite serious findings, such as, organ damage, immune system disorders, infertility – and yes, aging! Ironically, the polar opposite of Belknap’s claims of longevity!

Since the truth eventually finds its way to the surface, readers learn that a Belknap employee and his wife find themselves at the center of a huge crisis when it’s discovered their son developed brain damage from one of the substance-laced foods. As their fragile house of cards begins to topple, they are forced to admit that the leader they have long admired is, in fact, a crook!

About the Author

An example of Monte's syndicated political cartoons.
An example of Monte’s syndicated political cartoons.

Monte Wolverton celebrates life through his creative talents as a designer, artist, cartoonist and writer.  Formerly the managing editor and design director for Plain Truth magazine, his editorial cartoons are internationally syndicated. Wolverton is an ordained minister and holds a MA from Goddard College in Vermont.  He resides in Vancouver, Washington.  

Monte Wolverton

 

About Plain Truth Ministries

Plain Truth Ministries invites audiences to discover authentic Christianity without the legalistic religion through online and print media, including magazines, books and radio, at www.ptm.org.

Available at online outlets and author’s website:
Chasing 120 – A Story of Food, Faith, Fraud and the Pursuit of Longevity
By Monte Wolverton
Publisher:  Plain Truth Ministries
ISBN-13:  978-1-889973-15-9

 

Wayne Jacobsen, author and President of Lifestream Media: “Monte Wolverton’s first novel is a heady brew of faith and finances as people’s spiritual hungers are exploited by an unscrupulous man bent on making money under the guise of making disciples. Chasing 120 will take you on a ride through the perils of greed, misplaced faith, and awakening to the truth no matter how painful. “

Dan Wooding, author, broadcaster, journalist, and founder of the ASSIST News Service: “…Having known Monte for almost 20 years, I know he has the necessary credentials and experience to write this fascinating story, filled with Christ-centered, real life lessons. [He] addresses some contemporary concerns and problems, as they might meet in a “perfect storm” with dysfunctional Christianity. This story moves and keeps the reader interested…You won’t regret reading it, and I am certain you will recommend it to friends. This story is guaranteed to both entertain you and to make you think.”

Christi Silbaugh – Freelance writer: “Chasing 120 brings to the forefront issues that surround us today, with so many people following rogue religions and corrupt politicians, instead of educating themselves, asking questions, and standing up when something isn’t right. This book is a delightful read that from the beginning to the end will have your mind wondering how much it actually parallels what is going on in today’s world with the hunger for youth and longevity at its peak. Are you chasing 120?” 
 

 

Canuck Book Review – Linden MacIntyre’s Why Men Lie

Why Men Lie is the third book in a series that takes place in Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton by Canadian author and journalist Lynden MacIntyre. As a follow up to Giller Prize Winning The Bishop’s Man, this installment of the story follows Effie MacAskill Gillis—a member of the cast in the last two novels in the series.

Effie is an intelligent and accomplished woman. She is a well-respected professor an unnamed university in Toronto. Leads an active social life and has a strong relationship with her adult daughter. However, as reader of the previous two novels will know, Effie has had a rocky past filled with repressed memories that haunt her throughout the book in a series of cloudy flashbacks. As with MacIntyre’s previous two novels, the present is wound fluidly with the past. Effie’s character enhances your understanding of her life and feelings through narrated flashbacks and musings.

Veteran CBC journalist-cum-author Linden MacIntyre

Perhaps what is most remarkable about this novel is that it is written in the female perspective. MacIntyre has been known for many years, both as a journalist and novelist, to have an impeccable ability to tell a story. Throughout reading this novel, the reader will forget that it is, in face, a male author and feel connected with Effie.

If one picks up this novel to see exactly why men lie, they may be disappointed. However, instead of giving the reader an answer, it leads them in the search for truth in Effie’s life and even their own. Sarah Purdy is an avid reader and reviewer of books for The Silo.