Category Archives: Famous People

Pet Sematary House for Sale

11 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Famous Locations, Famous People, Horror Movies, Pet Sematary, Real Estate, stephen king, Uncategorized

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Pet Sematary House for Sale

Although Stephen King has not lived in the house located at 664 River Road, Orrington, Maine, since 1979, the house plays a large role in the horror genre. King rented the house while he was a writer-in-residence at the University of Maine—Orono. The house sits along a busy highway, a negative for selling; however, it inspired one of King’s most popular novels Pet Sematary.

The 4 bedroom/3 bathroom house sits on 3 acres. Built in 1904 it features hardwood floors, custom built-in shelving, two fireplaces, and a spacious sunroom. It’s listed at $255,000.

King’s daughter, Naomi, had a cat named Smucky who was killed by a truck. The family buried the cat in the pet cemetery that borders the rear of the property. Inspiration struck and King began writing his book. The novel debuted in 1983 and became a best-seller. It was adapted to a film in 1989. The production budget was $11.5 million. Combined movie ticket and DVD sales total more than $83 million. It spawned a sequel.

Although the film was shot in Maine, a different house was used. King often states this is the book that scares him the most. Luckily, he does not remember the house as sinister or evil. Actually, he barely remembers the house…only the busy highway.

Log on to Zillow.com to view pictures. Hopefully, one of you purchases the property. It would make a fantastic bed and breakfast.

 

Zombie Icon George Romero Has Died

17 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in Famous People, Horror Movies, In the News, R.I.P., Uncategorized, Zombies

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Zombie Icon George Romero Has Died

George Romero turned zombies into box office magic in 1968 with his Night of the Living Dead. Mr. Romero succumbed to complications from lung cancer on Sunday, July 16, 2017. He was 77 years old. He loved attending horror conventions, and his fans adored him. He will be missed.

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Check out some of the in-depth tributes from these publications:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-me-george-romero-20170716-story,amp.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/16/movies/george-romero-dead.html?_r=0

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/07/16/537589005/george-romero-night-of-the-living-dead-director-dies-at-77

“Leaves No Doubt” Amelia Earhart Survived Crash

06 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Amelia Earhart, Curiosities, Famous People, History Channel, In the News, Uncategorized

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“Leaves No Doubt” Amelia Earhart Survived Crash

On July 9th at 9 PM EST the History Channel debuts the 2-hour special Amelia Earhart: The Lost Evidence. The show is premised on a long-lost black and white photograph showing a Caucasian male facing the camera while a Caucasian female sits on a dock with her back toward the camera. The photograph was recently discovered by amateur historian and retired US Treasury official Les Kinney. Experts claim the photograph “leaves no doubt” that Earhart survived her around-the-world flight in 1937.

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Amelia Mary Earhart (July 24, 1897-unknown) became the first female to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean. An accomplished pilot, Earhart sought to fly around the world in 1937. Fred Noonan, her navigator, joined her on the fateful adventure as they left from Miami, Florida on June 1, 1937. With 7,000 miles of the 29,000 miles left, Earhart and Noonan disappeared in the Pacific Ocean near the Marshall Islands on July 2.

Eighty years later, the History Channel special claims that Earhart and Noonan survived by evidenced through the clear black and white photograph. Experts compared the images of the man and female with Noonan and Earhart. They point toward a blurry object in the background stating that it is the 38 foot remains of Earhart’s plane. They make a convincing argument. Unfortunately, the photographer was executed by the Japanese who called him a spy. None of the other people involved or associated with the governments in Japan, America, or the Marshall Islands are alive. Further, the Japanese destroyed all records; therefore, the image cannot be corroborated. However, the image does not seem to be doctored.

Earhart’s disappearance has captured the imaginations of people. Human bones were discovered on a remote island in 1940. Initially, the bones were identified as male; however, they were never confirmed as male. The 13 bones subsequently disappeared. Last month TIGHAR, the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, announced plans to use bone sniffing dogs to search the island of Nikumaroro for the remaining bones. The group has searched the island and waters surrounding it numerous times.

The photograph adds to Earhart’s mysterious disappearance. It may support the theory that she and Noonan died as castaways or political prisoners instead in the air. Regardless, many people continue to search. Hopefully Earhart and Noonan’s remains will be found one day and properly buried so their families and admirers may know what became of the intrepid adventurers.

Don’t Feed the Buell

15 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by in Famous People, In the News, Paranormal, paranormal state, Reality TV, Uncategorized

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Don’t Feed the Buell

According to the Urban Dictionary, the saying “Don’t feed the bears” is a cautionary statement made to E.R. doctors who may over-prescribe narcotics. “Hey, doc, don’t feed the bears” means don’t prescribe the meds or even handout the meds because the bears get hungry and will return for more.

An earlier metaphor using the same words directed people to not feed the bears (in this case people without money to pay for food) because they will remain lazy and not seek employment.

Although the meanings have evolved, the message is clear: Do Not Feed. Alternately, feed at own risk. Over the past week, my social media feed has quite a few references to Ryan Buell. After reading the posts, all I could think was: Please people. If you’re really a fan, stop feeding him. Do. Not. Feed. The. Buell.

Ryan D. Buell erupted on the paranormal scene while a college student. He founded the Paranormal Research Society (PRS) at Pennsylvania State University, a.k.a. PennState). The group garnered media attention and his popular paranormal TV show Paranormal State debuted in 2007. The show lasted 6 seasons, ending in 2011. Ryan enjoyed great status as a young Catholic man seeking answers from the paranormal world. He made connections with psychic Chip Coffey and paranormal investigator and demonologist Lorraine Warren. By all appearances he was setting up himself for a lucrative career in the paranormal field post graduation. However, his life took a turn. He didn’t graduate. Instead, he lost sight of himself and the road he was to follow.

The popular show ended in 2011. He quickly began to profit by selling DVDs of the show, books, and the like. Sadly, a lot of the items were paid for but not being shipped. This began to concern his fans. Shortly after, Buell announced he was battling pancreatic cancer.

In an effort to jumpstart his career, he announced a paranormal roadshow titled “Conversations with the Dead” in 2014. He booked other paranormal celebrities to join, he created a schedule with venue locations, he sold tickets, and then he cancelled. Unfortunately, he failed to reimburse most of his fans who had already pre-purchased tickets and paraphernalia. It ultimately cost him his friendship with Chip Coffey.

Last September 18, Buell was arrested and extradited back to Pennsylvania. He was facing 2 felony charges related to his refusal or inability to return a rental car. Eventually, bail was lowered and he bonded out. His hearing was last November. Today, Buell is out of jail.

There’s a great deal of speculation about Ryan’s erratic behavior. His own mother publicly implored his fans to stop enabling him. She drew attention by stating he wasn’t battling cancer but something else. Fans quickly surmised it was alcohol or drug abuse. Ryan seemed to lay low and remained silent…until this week.

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Ryan is back on Facebook. He is hocking signed copies of his book. For $45, he will send you a signed book. He’s even posted a video showing him mailing a package out. Undoubtedly to restore faith to all those people whom he stiffed in 2014. Although troubling, this isn’t the most serious issue. He is now live streaming Q&A (Question and Answer) sessions via Facebook. I watched a few.

He needs to stop. Merely looking at him, one can surmise there is something wrong. The 34-year-old 6’2” man has lost a lot of weight. A lot. He appears drowsy. I’m not a drug counselor; however, he was slurring his words. He looked out of it. Actually, he lacked focus. And it’s sad.

I wish that he would take time off, repair his personal life, fix his mental health, heal his body, and get it together. His fans are rooting for him to pull through this. But his fans are concerned. Very concerned. One can scroll through the comments which overwhelmingly beg and urge him to seek professional help. He won’t get the help until he is forced to. He must forage for food on his own. Don’t feed the Buell. If he is to recover, he must do it himself.

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Frida Kahlo’s The Deceased Dimas Rosas at 3 Years Old

02 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by in Artists, Artwork, Catholic Church, Famous People, Memento Mori, Museums, Painting, Photography, Uncategorized

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Frida Kahlo’s The Deceased Dimas Rosas at 3 Years Old

Death bed portraitures were a Mexican tradition. These works of art predisposed postmortem photography. The “Angelitos” were dead children who were free of sin. Paintings of these deceased children, usually between the ages of 1-5, were posed to appear alive. The memorial portrait survived the child; it was the only visual memory remaining. Celebrated Mexican artist Frida Kahlo also painted “Angelitos,” death portraits of children.

Painting death portraits seems fitting for Frida, as she suffered physically and mentally throughout her life. At the age of 6, Frida contracted polio, a horrible disease causing her to walk with a limb. Further, at the age of 19, Frida suffered permanent damage to her torso from a bus collision. This accident precluded her from having children. In addition to these physical maladies, Frida endured an open marriage to famed artist, Diego Rivera; political upheaval; and periodic confinement in her home “Casa Azul.” Frida was well aware of death—possibly her own impending death at the age of 47.

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Memento mori were paintings or photographs depicting dead people as if they were alive. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “memento mori” as literally meaning “remember you must die.” Although these “Angelitos,” or Little Angels, paintings celebrated the life of a child by capturing his or her death, the tradition is not related “Day of the Dead.” It is merely another reminder of how life and death are celebrated in Mexico.

The Mexican tradition goes back to the 16th century. It blends the Mexican tradition with Catholicism. Wealthy families would hire an artist to paint the dead children sleeping. It was popular; however, it was costly. Once photography became more widespread and cheaper, it replaced portraiture paintings.

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In 1937, 3 year old child Dimas Rosas became ill. His mother, Delfina, was the housekeeper for Diego and occasionally modeled for him. Diego was the child’s godfather. When Dimas’ condition worsened, Diego tried to persuade the mother and father to take him to a doctor. Instead, they took him to a village witch doctor. Unfortunately, he died. Frida posed the boy in clothing to honor St. Joseph. He is surrounded by flowers, especially marigolds which are a popular “Day of the Dead” bloom. A picture of Jesus Christ as “Lord of the Column” lays on the lace white pillow. He holds a gladiola while resting on a palm leaf mat. All of the things mean something—they represent religious and cultural iconography. A lot of thought went into this painting.

Frida completed the 18 ¾ x 12” oil painting on Masonite, a favorite medium of hers. For some unknown reason, the painting was not given to the family. Instead, it was named “Dressed Up for Paradise” and exhibited in the Julien Levy Gallery in 1938. Next it went to the Art Museum of Philadelphia as “Boy King.” Then owner Somerset Maugham found out about the subject matter and gave it back to Frida. The painting was then given to Frida’s main benefactor, Eduardo Morillo Safa. He, in turn, gave it to Dolores Olmedo where it sits in the Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City. Currently, it is on loan to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. It is unknown when the name changed; however, it is based on the inscription Frida left on the painting. While Victorian mourning photography is plentiful online and in private collections, these postmortem paintings are difficult to locate. If given the chance, head to The Dali. It is worth visiting and seeing this incredible piece of art.

RIP Bill Paxton

28 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by in Famous People, Movies, Uncategorized

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R.I.P. Bill Paxton

William “Bill” Paxton died Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the age of 61. Young. Too young to die from “complications from surgery.” Bill had an extensive career in Hollywood. Often he played soldiers and characters who did not survive. Although he generally appeared in action/adventure films, Bill did appear in a few paranormal-themed films.

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The most successful of these films was Aliens (1986). Premiering on July 18, 1986, Alien was a blockbuster sequel with a production budget of $18.5 million dollars. It grossed $77 million dollars in the United States and $45.9 million worldwide. That may not seem like a lot of ticket revenue; however, it made $43 million dollars in video rentals. That’s impressive! Bill played “Private Hudson” in the James Cameron production. Rated R, it has a running time of 2 hours and 17 minutes. This science fiction film finds space marines being dispatched to a moon colony in search of survivors and alien creature.

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Bill lives on as “Chet Donnelly” in John Hughes’ coming-of-age, 80s sci-fi comedy teen flick Weird Science. Writing about the film and placing it at #8 in “Pretty in Pink at 30: The Best and Worst Films of John Hughes,” Variety states: “But it’s Bill Paxton who steals the show as the world’s worst older brother.” Catch his performance!

Others to watch include the 80s TV series The Hitchhiker, “Made for Each Other”; Mortuary (1983); and Frailty (2002).

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Although Bill’s acting legacy will endure, the haunting photograph of him as an 8-year-old boy standing outside the Hotel Texas watching President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, that captivates visitors to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas.

 

“Scary Dependents”

17 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by in Commercials, Famous People, Hauntings, In the News, Social Media, Uncategorized

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“Scary Dependents”

Kathy Bates is back! This time she’s starring in a new Turbo Tax commercial titled “Scary Dependents.” It is pure genius!

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Kathy Bates cemented her acting career in a Stephen King adaptation. In Misery (1990), Ms. Bates played Annie Wilkes, who was prolific writer Paul Sheldon’s most committed fan. Sheldon, played by James Caan, sustained injuries in a car crash. Annie rescued him and remained his devoted caregiver, beginning the story of captivity and abuse. Her performance earned her an Oscar for Best Actress in Leading Role and a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama. She deserved both. Her name became synonymous for evil. Pure evil.

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The Turbo Tax commercial, part of the “Relax There’s Turbo Tax” ad campaign reverses Ms. Bates’ role. After relocating, she now sits in a darkened house with creepy kids scaling the walls, sitting on the settee, and haunting her. Calmly, she sits by the fireplace and messages her professional tax expert. She inquires whether she can claim the kids as dependents. She cannot. However, she can claim her moving expenses. Ms. Bates deadpans that she will deduct for both moves.

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The commercial is fantastic. It takes advantage of the immense popularity in the paranormal. Watch the commercial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxYuHVDnL8o

 

Stick with Santa Clarita Diet

11 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by in Famous People, In the News, Paranormal, TV Reviews, Uncategorized, Zombies

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Stick with Santa Clarita Diet

Netflix has not officially announced whether it has renewed their new zom/com Santa Clarita Diet; however, the season 1 finale sure looked like a show about to be renewed. The episode 10 cliffhanger is funny, leaving the viewers screaming for more!

Santa Clarita Diet took an episode or two to get into the 30-minute situation comedy rhythm. Every episode scaffolds onto the prior, especially with the quick-comebacks and humor. Viewers knew going in that Drew Barrymore could nail comedy; Timothy Olyphant earns his stripes. Episodes 9 and 10 (of the 10-episode season) allow for his character, Joel, to insert subtle humor.

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Stick with the season. Get through the first 2 episodes, and you will be rewarded. It is “off the rails” good.

No, Lady Gaga Did Not Perform a Satanic Ritual during Halftime

08 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by in Conspiracy Theories, Demonic Possession, Famous People, Hoaxes, In the News, Sports Related, Uncategorized

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No, Lady Gaga Did Not Perform a Satanic Ritual during Halftime

Super Bowl LI is in the books. The Atlanta Falcons ran out of steam wasting a 25-point lead losing to the New England Patriots. Shortly before kickoff, conspiracy theorist nutcase Alex Jones of InfoWars posted a video claiming that Lady Gaga’s halftime show was going to be a satanic ritual. Offering no evidence, Jones’ claims were meant to create a boycott. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. In fact, more people tuned in to catch the show than actually watch the game.

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Conspiracy theories are not new. In America, they can be traced back to the alleged 1835 plot to kill Andrew Jackson. Yet, there seems to be more of them in recent years. The Internet isn’t to blame; however, it doesn’t help. Anyone can post ridiculous ideas online; there’s no shortage of people out there believing it. Back to Jones. Jones is a white nationalist who frequently broadcasts easily refutable conspiracy theories. Seems his followers don’t Google. His latest video claimed that because she is Satan’s spawn and a member of the “New World Order,” Lady Gaga was going to profess her alliance to Satan via the halftime performance. There are many, many holes in his “theory.” The halftime show is actually on a delay; therefore, any ritual would have been shut down ASAP. Further, no animal sacrifices or devil rituals were reported Sunday to the Houston P.D. Jones merely wanted people to boycott the performance because Lady Gaga was a vocal Hillary Clinton supporter. His plan backfired. Spectacularly.

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Lady Gaga was Sunday’s winner. Her performance was electrifying. It has gone down as the second best show after Prince’s 2007 performance. Over 117.5 million people tuned in and watched Lady Gaga’s 13-minute show. Although viewership was up 2% from last year but down 3% from 2015’s Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, and Missy Elliott show, it was higher than the 111.9 million who watched Sunday’s game. Additionally, Lady Gaga ruled Twitter: 2.2 million people tweeted during the show with over 5.1 million #LadyGaga tweets. According to Billboard.com, there were 125,000 song downloads on Sunday alone. Maybe Jones’ crazy rant caused more people to watch. Hey, whho wouldn’t want to see a live satanic ritual?

“Ghost of Spud” Returns Temporarily in 2017 Super Bowl Ad

06 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by in Advertising, Animals, Commercials, Famous People, In the News, Paranormal, Pets, TV Reviews, Uncategorized

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“Ghost of Spud” Returns Temporarily in 2017 Super Bowl Ad

A 30-second Super Bowl commercial is a bargain at $5.5 million, once advertising companies factor in the expected 110 million people tuning in, the social media marketing tie-ins, and the Monday morning water cooler talk. Plus, most people tune in just for the commercials. Rankings and ratings started well before kickoff. Super Bowl LI had some incredible commercials: poignant, powerful, and quirky. There was a commercial for every viewer—even the paranormal enthusiast. Anheuser-Busch brought back 80s “original party animal,” Spud MacKenzie from the grave.

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Bud Light’s famous “spokesdog” debuted in 1987 in a Super Bowl XXI commercial. He was an overnight success. Although “Spud” was portrayed as a male, the female bull terrier named “Honey Tree Evil Eye” captured the hearts of beer drinkers across the world. The advertising campaign ran for three (3) Super Bowls: XXI (1987); XXII (1988); and XXIII (1989). During that time, Spud was credited with increasing sales 20%. After thirty years (30), more than 70% of people over the age of 21 still recognize him. During the 80s, advocacy groups were concerned that the huggable dog was alluring children to drink—or at least to wear the Bud Light merchandise. The commercials ended nearly as fast as they started. Tragically, the original “Spud” died in 1993.

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The 2017 commercial was a throwback acknowledging the 30th anniversary of Spud’s debut. Bud Light shifted the focus from party-party-party “Spud,” now played by “Gigi,” to wise sage Spud proclaiming, “You’re here for the friendships!” He has returned from the grave to encourage a young professional to join his friends by participating in Trivia Night and attending get-togethers where Bud Light is served. Spud’s mission: reminding his young friend that spending time with friends is more fun than staying home alone. Yes, it had Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol feel about it.

In addition to broadcasting during the game, the commercial has had over 7.6 million views on YouTube.com. Anheuser-Busch claims the commercial is temporary and will disappear just like real ghosts do. Watch it before is vanishes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYeXldMEpV8.