Crypto American/4

I've been posting on this website for a couple of months now, and since I am a horror writer, I figured it was time I actually blogged about something horror related. The subject: fear. Or more specifically, what I am afraid of. I've been asked many times what I scares me or if I'm afraid of anything at all. Well, there are a couple of things and they're probably not what you'd think. All of you amateur students of Freud prepare to have a field day. (read more)

Saturday June 19 I headed out to the San Manuel Amphitheater in beautiful Devore, CA to see metal titans Iron Maiden. Traffic sucked the big one and it took me nearly 2 hours to get there. Then, from the freeway to the venue there was another massive snarl. Once parked, I was confronted with more waiting in the form of a huge chaotic line to get in. I would venture to say that most people missed opening act Dream Theater's entire set. It was frustrating to say the least. All of the waiting around and sitting in traffic wouldn't matter as soon as Maiden took the stage. All of that frustration would get blown away when Bruce Dickinson and the boys scorched through their classics, right? (read more)

Just in case you didn't notice that huge banner at the top of the page, I am pleased to announce that my new book Cryptic Creatures has finally been published. It is a collection of short horror stories about cryptids: creatures that are rumored to exist but not proven by science. It is scary, gory, and darkly humorous. If you would like to purchase this soon-to-be classic or just want some addition info, follow the links below.

Every four years the international community comes together for what is unquestionably the World's biggest sporting event: the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. 32 qualifying countries compete for the crown of best on the planet. The last tournament final game had an estimated 715 million people watching. This thing is huge. Folks call in sick to work to root their team on. Governments declare a holiday so their citizens can watch. There's tons of hype and excitement. The only problem is soccer is so freakin' boring. It's like watching paint drying on growing grass. (read more)

According to BP their latest efforts in stopping the oil leak in the Gulf Of Mexico has been successful, sort of. They've managed to capture some of the escaping oil and gas and collect it on a tanker. Do you think this is what they've been trying to do all along? However, the leak is not plugged. Oil is still gushing out. Waterworld star Kevin Costner has apparently sank millions of dollars into technology to clean up the water, but that won't plug the hole. Also, director James Cameron has been asked to help come up with ideas. I guess because he made Titanic and The Abyss it gives him a certain amount of street cred. I would think they'd be looking at experts in the field oil drilling and spills, but as it turns out there are plenty of other Hollywood stars and celebrities that have come forth with practical solutions. (read more)

It would seem that Sunday June 6 was International Day Of Slayer, a holiday celebrating the heavy metal band Slayer. Observation of this day is to include blasting Slayer at full volume and banging your head in what is termed as a "Slay-out". This day was launched in response to the National Day of Prayer and began 4 years ago on 6/6/06 (get it? 666). The IDoS Board (yes, that really is a thing) has even petitioned the White House for official recognition. I'm going to guess that petition was denied. Slayer's Guitarist Kerry King recently told AOL's Noisecreep "Slayer should have a national holiday - there are enough stupid holidays out there, so why not have one for us?" I couldn't agree more. (read more)

Lists. Everyone does them. TV shows, magazines, websites. Whether it's the worst dressed celebrities or the top ten movies of the year, list are everywhere. I've always felt this was a really lazy way of generating content. Instead of coming up with something original, you can just make a list. Simple and easy. But here's the thing: people love lists. They get pissed off if their favorite whatever is left off the list and they get offended if something they hate gets included. A list will always create controversy and sparks interest. (read more)

Oh shit! I got nuked! Over the weekend I was experimenting with various ad placement companies. For those of you that have been following my saga, I received a lifetime ban from Google Adsense. I've been trying different formats looking for something that will work with my site. Several of these web ad companies have turned me down as a publisher because I either don't have enough traffic or, and this is funny, because there are too many profanities on my pages. That's fucking bullshit and they can all suck my motherfucking dick. Anyway, I finally found a few places that don't care about how many visitors I get or what I write about. (read more)

WTF! I can't believe I'm writing about the death of another member from one of my favorite bands. It is my sad duty to report that Paul Gray, bass player for extreme metal kings Slipknot, has passed away. He was found dead yesterday in a hotel in Des Moines Iowa. Authorities haven't determined the cause of death, but foul play and/or trauma are not involved. (read more)

Wow. It looks like my experiment in internet commerce may have come to an end. In my article Sold Out I explained how I had signed up for the Adsense program in an effort to earn a little money from my website. Unfortunately, I was informed today that Google has suspended my account. Why? They weren't too clear about the reason. I have submitted an appeal, but that could take up to a week to resolve. In the mean time I guess I'll just be super fucking pissed about the whole thing. (read more)

Great news! My plan to conquer the world through internet domination took its first step forward this week. My article The Three Prongs Of Racism was accepted for the May 16, 2010 Carnival of Politics on The BoBo Files blog. I couldn't be more excited as this is my first inclusion in a blog carnival. Today: The BoBo Files. Tomorrow: The whole god damned planet! Please try to disregard my megalomania and check this thing out. There's some really good stuff and BoBo is hysterical. You can visit this carnival by clicking the link below.

It is with great sadness that I have to report singer Ronnie James Dio has died. Loved and revered for his solo work as well as stints fronting Rainbow and Black Sabbath, Dio holds an important place in the formation and development of the heavy metal genre. He was also credited with inventing the "devil' horns" hand gesture that no self-respecting headbanger can live without. He was an incredible singer, a great human being, and a true icon. On May 16, 2010 metal's most powerful voice was silenced forever when he lost his battle with stomach cancer. (read more)

Contrary to popular belief, laws do not prevent crime: they create it. Every time a law is passed it makes criminals out of people who weren’t previously. In California, they keep enacting ever-intrusive laws concerning smoking and cell phone use, turning law-abiding citizens into lawbreakers. Politicians love to pass legislation that makes it seems like they’re doing their job. They go after easy targets and they make things that are already illegal slightly more illegal. None of this shit does anything to make society safer or better, it just serves the demagogue’s bogus political agenda. With all of the silly lawmaking going on it may come as surprise that necrophilia (sex with a dead body) isn’t a crime in many states. Talk about a hot-button issue. (read more)