New "RLC-Related" Fraud on the radar

[RogerXXII]

You'll all be amused to know that a woman named Mary Alice Bennett is now promoting a "diary" by a Saenz de Castillon, that purports to confirm many of the standard myths with regard to the RLC story and Sauniere's relationship with Emma Calve and sundry fauna from the French esoteric circles of the "fin de siecle".

It's a very bold attempt, albeit poorly executed. But the transparency of the fraud, when pointed out to its author, seems to matter little.

Feast on this golden nugget of an excerpt:

22 May
... after passing through a place called Cuiza and as we approached the village itself became even worse especially as it rose up steeply on the final stretch. At first sight Rennes appeared to be a typically wretched Provencal Hill Village a fact I remarked on to my companion to which she replied rather to my amazement that yes it was sad indeed when one considered that this had once been an important Visigothic city a place of cultural and religious significance named Rhedda (not sure of spelling here). "The people around here are poor today, as you can see most of them scratch a living from the land but in the not too distant future thanks to the secret of Father Sauniere (the SECRET again) their prosperity will be restored" she declared somewhat portentiously I thought. [...]
In answer to our knocking on the presbytery door it was opened slightly and we were asked our business. La Diva explained and the door swung open to reveal a small, slim, dark woman of uncertain years clad in rusty black.
"Oh Madame, Madame, Father Sauniere has been summoned to Rome, yes Madame to Rome the Bishop himself came from Carcassone to give him the summons and he was off two days ago no doubt to meet the Holy Father himself at last his greatness is to be recognised maybe he will come back a Cardinal wouldn't that be one in the eye for all the backbiters, backstabbers and gossips around here who say that he is nothing but a rogue and a graverobber and that I am a witch and that we cast evil spells to make the earth give up its treasures if only they knew the truth but they never will not this bunch of clodhoppers but I know and soon the Holy Father will too and then there will be some changes round here you mark my words." This astounding tirade was poured forth with breathless haste and real malevolence which showed on her dark, narrow, pinched and altogether unpleasant countenance.
[...] I looked around the room and opening a door in the inside wall found myself in what must have been the priet's study. It was as poorly furnished as the parlour, a large desk, a bookcase two or three upright chairs and a wall-clock. On the dingy walls besides the usual religious objects, crucifix, statuette of the Virgin, etc. was a large scale map of Rennes and the surrounding countryside with certain locations ringed in red ink and also three well framed prints quite diverse in subject matter and looking somewhat incongruous in the study of a country priest. One was of what appeared to be the Temptation of St. Anthony clearly in the Dutch style but by an artist I did not recognize, the second a portrait of a Pope identified by a label as Celestine V, Saint of whom I then knew nothing and the third Poussin's masterpiece Les Bergers d'Arcadie, closer inspection revealed that this was not in fact a print but a fine copy of the type done regularly in the Louvre by accomplished copyists and would have commanded a fair price. [...]
Another door led from this room into what was clearly a storeroom full of crates some open revealing laboratory equipment, piles of books some corded into bundles, a hunting rifle and bandolier, fishing rods and what looked like a surveyor's theodolite and distance measuring staffs.

Her blog is here:

http://womenesoterica.blogspot.com/2007/10/mary-alice-bennett-sauniere-and-diva.html

:eyebrow:

[StellaMaris]

You'll all be amused to know that a woman named Mary Alice Bennett is now promoting a "diary" by a Saenz de Castillon, that purports to confirm many of the standard myths with regard to the RLC story and Sauniere's relationship with Emma Calve and sundry fauna from the French esoteric circles of the "fin de siecle".

It's a very bold attempt, albeit poorly executed. But the transparency of the fraud, when pointed out to its author, seems to matter little.


We've been aware of Mary Alice Bennett - who is mostly known for her UFO 'research' - for some time. I think Alphaville knows more background on this.

Anyway, we got bored pretty quickly when these 'diaries' were circulated.

Back in the old days we would have laboriously researched each point and made a list of errors but, having been through so many of these sorts of wild goose chases that led either to dead ends or well-known pranksters, we're only interested in the provenance of this type of material now.

So, when someone says that they can't reveal the origin or even the name of the translator, then we tend to ignore.

Sorry to be so boring...

Do you know if any origins for this material have been cited? Last I saw, the translator was said to reside in Australia... we know who most of the "pranksters" there are, so a name would be useful.

BTW, I have heard the Semiramis story before - it's been around the circuit a few times, but that was so long ago now that I can't remember myself where I heard it.

Also, can you do me a favour and cut your quoted section back to a couple of paragraphs? I'm not trying to censor, I'm just trying to keep the thread manageable... keep the url in, though.

[RogerXXII]

The author of the fake diary has confessed to the hoax, purportedly a trial balloon for "inclusion in a novel".
He signs himself "Colin H."

[StellaMaris]

Yes, I've been watching. There seems to be a lot of tap-dancing... I see the blogs have been deleted, but I wonder what's going to happen to all the copyrighted UFO Digest articles?

BTW, there used to be a "Colin B." who would have fit into the circle in an interesting manner, but that was quite some time ago. I think there are too many layers to work through at the moment... best to let the dust settle.

In the meantime, if you want some inspirational background, try Googling Semiramis, Rosy Cross.

[RogerXXII]

Have you also been following the "Courtade Follies?"

A kind soul has scanned and made available online one of the apparently many volumes of haphazardly bound Courtade archives...

Hissy fits all around, no answers.

[StellaMaris]

I saw the alleged Courtade document in person when the owner came to visit me in London a few years ago... there were several of us present, we could barely contain our amusement.

He kept it in a sealed plastic bag, so that when he opened it the smell of mould dramatically wafted out into the air. It smelled like he had kept it up in his attic for days in advance in order to get the convincingly ancient mould-smell which he then sealed in with a zip lock freezer bag.

We tried to get him to let us take it to Sotheby's or somewhere appropriate to get a quick appraisal, but he wouldn't hear of it. He promised to send us a scan of some of the pages, but never did. Although, he later sent me the infamous Sekhmet as a thank-you, which the British Museum confirmed as a circa 1980s tourist souvenir.

I can't remember now which document I supposedly saw - there are apparently two. I guess I should go to the site and have a look, to see if I recognise it. I could tell them a couple of interesting stories... I think it was accidentally my fault that they discovered that project website... do you think he'll forgive me?

[Semiramis]

Saenz de Castillon Diary update: The translator Colin H. returned to the London area after his long trip to Australia due to a family emergency. He then wrote that he had put the diary out in the lumber shed and that he was done with all things RLC. After that, he said that it had all been a hoax. Despite the hoax-confession letter, there are those who still believe that the diary is of 1900`s origin. There are no plans to recant the former articles about the journal and there is a new blog which contains the text of the Castillon diary. http://saenzdecastillondiary.blogspot.com Read and decide for yourselves....

[StellaMaris]

Well I guess it was just a matter of time before Semiramis showed up...

Okay, as I'm in London, if you give me Colin H's email address I'll contact him and go with him to get the diaries verified by a document specialist at one of the auction houses.

I wouldn't bother to get the paper dated - we already know how that's faked.

Even the 'lumber shed' reference sounds a bit dodgy... no one I know in London would refer to their shed like that (we're not allowed to burn wood in London because of the pollution laws, so there's no point in having a wood shed). If they really wanted to get rid of something, they'd put it in the recycling bin!

[Alphaville]

Semiramis - or why be formal? - Mary Alice: after admitting the Castillon diary is a complete hoax on the Arcadia forum, are you now recanting? Or are you pretending to be someone else to try to keep the story alive? :lol: You've inadvertently revealed the identity of the perpetrator of this entire charade, why don't you chalk it up to a bad experience and move on? No one believed it was authentic even before you admitted it was a fabrication. What's going to change?

[Semiramis]

Well, I accepted the hoax-admission letter from Colin until one more learned than I said that he still believed that the diary was real. Colin says that he`s going to proceed with it as "historical fiction" but he is getting nowhere with that. In fact, I DARE him to try to add to it as fiction, he cannot duplicate Castillon`s style.
It`s up to the reader to decide about the diary.
If someone has a lumber shed, it`s not necessarily for burning, perhaps it`s for building materials.
If he`s denying that the diary exists, then who can check it out?

By the way, I`m a big Anime fan.

[StellaMaris]

No, what I meant was that "lumber shed" isn't a British reference - lumber is forest wood... we would call it a "wood shed", or, building wood is called timber. Calling it a "lumber shed" is akin to Dick van Dyke talking with a Cockney accent.

Anyway, if Colin is now saying that the diaries don't exist, then he probably knows that they won't stand up to the verification process and is trying to obfuscate their origin.

If he says he found it in a yard sale on the Farringdon Road, then you'll know he's DEFINITELY pulling your leg! :wink:

We've done lots of these types of investigations - I could probably work out what was going on within about 30 seconds if he would talk to me... but he will probably avoid me like the plague.

[RogerXXII]

Well I'm a simple man with simple reasoning... Putting together the fact that Filip Coppens has been to Arizona and had contact with the lady posting this nonsense, and the histrionics of hyperbolic indignation to which we were treated when it was suggested he "might" be a suspect... But I'll reserve judgment. In public anyway.

[StellaMaris]

Okay, just for the sake of intellectual argument, let's step back and look at the bigger picture for a minute.

In February 2003 a letter dated December 27th 2002 (corresponding to the Feast of John the Evangelist) was circulated announcing the relaunch of the Priory of Sion, signed by Gino Sandri and G. Chyren.

One of the statements that this letter made was that, "The Commandaries of Saint-Denis, Millau, Geneva and Barcelona are fully operative."

Since that letter was circulated, The Dead Plantard Letters were released stating the intention to draw the treasure-hunters back to RLC with references to keys and engraved stones, the "Sauniere in Spain" archives turned up - surprise, surprise! - in Girona, near Barcelona (with a conveniently demolished "Tour Magdala" nearby for special effect), and now "diaries" have been "found" drawing attention to Millau, where we know that a French writer now owns Cabrieres (we hear that the parties in the dungeons are especially amusing!)...

Are you seeing a pattern here?

:wink:

[RogerXXII]

[...] and now "diaries" have been "found" drawing attention to Millau, where we know that a French writer now owns Cabrieres (we hear that the parties in the dungeons are especially amusing!)...

Are you seeing a pattern here?

:wink:

I do believe that I do see a pattern. Do you believe some influences there might be considered "a blast from the past" for people who follow chivalric orders, both real and factice?

[StellaMaris]

Oh , I definitely think there's some "recycling" going on. The problem is that there are so many bandwagon-jumping middlemen in the way now that you'll just hit dead ends if you follow all the red herrings.

Sometimes the wild goose chases can be fun in themselves, but most of the new breed just aren't as talented as the "oldies but goodies".

[JrBlady]

There will be special late night screenings at 10.30pm on Tuesday 28th in the UK.

[StellaMaris]

Uh... I think this last one is a spam. Shoo!

[RogerXXII]

Interestingly, some of the "oldies but goodies" seem to have disappeared forever, even as their refrains come back in style and make the playlist rotation.

[StellaMaris]

People resort to "covers" because no one can even write an catchy tune these days. Maybe we are experiencing the "Pop Idol" effect in the RLC cottage industry?

I can't remember his exact words, but Henry Lincoln nailed it when Sandri's PoS relaunch letter was "leaked"... he said it was amusing, but not nearly as sophisticated as any of Plantard's pranks.

Maybe I'm just cynical after too many badly executed scams, but I yearn for a good Performance Art piece that we can really get our teeth into!

[RogerXXII]

People resort to "covers" because no one can even write an catchy tune these days. Maybe we are experiencing the "Pop Idol" effect in the RLC cottage industry?

I can't remember his exact words, but Henry Lincoln nailed it when Sandri's PoS relaunch letter was "leaked"... he said it was amusing, but not nearly as sophisticated as any of Plantard's pranks.

Maybe I'm just cynical after too many badly executed scams, but I yearn for a good Performance Art piece that we can really get our teeth into!

Oh I think you're being unfair! There are some really inventively deranged people out there...

For instance, did you know that Saint Madge actually took Tiberius by the hand and led him off the safety of his Capri retreat to go to Gaul and secretly build a monumental funerary complex for Jesus (and in the most impractical and illogical place, to boot, of course)?

Oh yes, it's true, I know because it was published!

Not to mention the pharmacist who can tell you about the two Jesuses. I think we're lucky Mr. Beige never heard of them. :eyebrow:

[StellaMaris]

Nah... you gotta do better than that, R - those are bor-ing.

An example of a long-running classic is Good King Rene's invention of the myth to turn Notre Dame de la Mer into Sainte Maries de la Mer in order to cash in on the relic pilgrim business.

Not only is the myth still solemnly recited today, but it was even made into a pop song.

Rene rocks!

[RogerXXII]

Speaking of Rene, you might have noticed the passing of Maurice Druon. His portrayal of Rene d'Anjou in "Les Rois Maudits" was a gem!

That, in my not-so-modest opinion, is the proper way to write historical fiction.

[StellaMaris]

Interesting ref, Rog, it's a new one on me. I don't read French well enough to be able to follow a novel, but I looked him up and he looks pretty cool. They made a TV mini-series out of his books.

But the best bit, which I also didn't know, is that he wrote the lyrics to the famous French Resistance anthem called Le Chant des Partisans... you can hear it here, sung by Anna Marly:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaXZStHXBbQ

Apparently Anna Marly recorded an entire album of French Resistance and Liberation songs, in case anyone is wondering what to get me for my birthday (which corresponds to the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows).

[RogerXXII]

Interesting ref, Rog, it's a new one on me. I don't read French well enough to be able to follow a novel, but I looked him up and he looks pretty cool. They made a TV mini-series out of his books.

But the best bit, which I also didn't know, is that he wrote the lyrics to the famous French Resistance anthem called Le Chant des Partisans... you can hear it here, sung by Anna Marly:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaXZStHXBbQ

Apparently Anna Marly recorded an entire album of French Resistance and Liberation songs, in case anyone is wondering what to get me for my birthday (which corresponds to the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows).

Well that's too bad. Perhaps the series (7 volumes) was translated?
I think you'd enjoy reading it because it was written in the late 50s, and I can't help thinking that it had a great influence on a rather large group of jokers who figured out that they could emulate him but without the actual "work" of doing any research.

Anna Marly is more or less the "official" singer of the Resistance, but (don't tell anyone, I don't want to get pilloried) I much prefer other versions. Leo Ferre, for instance.

[StellaMaris]

It does indeed sound exactly like the sort of thing I'd enjoy reading. I've never heard of Druon before you mentioned him and nothing comes up in English when I Google him.

Am off to track down Leo Ferre now... you're keeping me busy!

[RogerXXII]

It does indeed sound exactly like the sort of thing I'd enjoy reading. I've never heard of Druon before you mentioned him and nothing comes up in English when I Google him.

Am off to track down Leo Ferre now... you're keeping me busy!

I'm sorry, I certainly didn't mean to send you scurrying off on a mission!
Leo Ferre was a nasty old pirate. But I empathize with the general Thelemite trend in his philosophy, in the Rabelaisian sense.

[StellaMaris]

By a very bizarre coincidence, before I even had a chance to Google, I found a quote by Leo Ferré in a book I own called Elements Du Passe De Sainte-Croix-En-Jarez Chartreuse.

The quote goes:-

"Les temps sont revolus quand ils le sont vraiment!"

As my French is so bad - and since this all your fault! - could you kindly translate it for me?

BTW, have you heard of this place? I have a "thing" for flaming crosses, so I tend to follow them around. I wonder if we should start a new thread?

[RogerXXII]

It means "An era isn't over until it's really over" which doesn't sound so clever in English, does it? But what he's saying is that an era isn't really the past until its prejudices and received notions are a thing of the past.

Of course I know SteCeJ.. And I too, have a keen interest in "flaming crosses", but as I sit here in the US of A, I simply must stress that these are not the type that sit on lawns surrounded by red-necks in white bed-sheets.

[Semiramis]

Just for those who might care to know, the diary is out of the shed. For awhile I thought that it had been destroyed, but I now have a new scan of Castillon`s hometown with his villa in the background.

[RogerXXII]

Get a scan of the diary, fool.

[ProfessorW]

I think you'd enjoy reading it because it was written in the late 50s, and I can't help thinking that it had a great influence on a rather large group of jokers who figured out that they could emulate him but without the actual "work" of doing any research.

I've never seen a translation, even after the French TV series was broadcast in the 1970s. I treasure my copies of the work, but I fear we've moved into a new era - of les auteurs maudits...

[RogerXXII]

Treasure those books, they're getting hard to find.

I think the French series is available on DVD, but I'm not sure. As I recall, it was fairly well done, wasn't it?

[ProfessorW]

Treasure those books, they're getting hard to find.

I think the French series is available on DVD, but I'm not sure. As I recall, it was fairly well done, wasn't it?
The series was terrific; I still distinctly remember the final scene of the curse thirty-five years later. Thanks for the recommendation of the DVDs (of which I was previously unaware). I've just ordered a copy.
I'd always assumed that Druon was a serious historian/researcher, so I took the books/TV series at face-value. They'd be a good starting point for contemporary historical fiction-writers/inventors, but then it would mean they'd have to learn French (and history)!:wink:

[RogerXXII]

hey'd be a good starting point for contemporary historical fiction-writers/inventors, but then it would mean they'd have to learn French (and history)!:wink:

Ah yes... that problematic and pesky "effort factor"! Perish the thought!
:lol:

[ProfessorW]

Ah yes... that problematic and pesky "effort factor"! Perish the thought!
:lol:
Ah, but one should never underestimate talent, inspiration, imagination and an inner eye to see those things ordinary historians miss! And, as for French, there's always Babelfish...:wink:

[RogerXXII]

Ah, but one should never underestimate talent, inspiration, imagination and an inner eye to see those things ordinary historians miss! And, as for French, there's always Babelfish...:wink:

Ah oui! Babelfish, c'est vachement bien pour les traductions au mot a mot et au premier degre...

(Ah yes! Babelfish this is what cow-like good for the translations to the word by word and to the first degree) :lol:

[ProfessorW]

Ah oui! Babelfish, c'est vachement bien pour les traductions au mot a mot et au premier degre...

(Ah yes! Babelfish this is what cow-like good for the translations to the word by word and to the first degree) :lol:
I remember the first translation software which, I guess, became Babelfish.
The expression "out of sight, out of mind" translated into Russian as "blind lunatic"!
Plus ça va, moins ça va et si ça continue il faudra que ça cesse! Or, as Babelfish would say... well, I won't bother.

[RogerXXII]

I remember the first translation software which, I guess, became Babelfish.
The expression "out of sight, out of mind" translated into Russian as "blind lunatic"!
Plus ça va, moins ça va et si ça continue il faudra que ça cesse! Or, as Babelfish would say... well, I won't bother.


Speaking of Babble from Bab-El... and il faudra que ca cesse...

SYMPOSIUM MEMPHIS-MISRAIM
Du fantasme à la réalité
Samedi 30 mai 2009 (10h - 19h)

En les locaux de l'Université U.I.A. 6 impasse des Gendarmes, 78000 Versailles.
(Gare Versailles Rive-Gauche)

Programme
10h00: Accueil des participants par Michel Gaudard de Soulages
Aperçu historique du rite par Richard Raczynski
La Rose-Croix d'Orient et les philalèthes par Jean-Luc Chaumeil
Robert Ambelain par Ariane Douguet-Ambelain
Gérard Kloppel par Patrick Faure

Déjeuner (13h - 14h30)

14h30: Les Mystères antiques par Michel Léger
Chevalerie et spiritualité par Pascal Gambirasio d'Asseux
L'Alchimie par Thierry Wirth
Les voies internes par Patrick de la Rivière
Clôture du symposium par Michel Gaudard de Soulages

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coupon réponse à reproduire ou imprimer et envoyer accompagné de votre réglement (à l'ordre du S.C.M.) avant le 15 mai 2006 à Jean-Luc Chaumeil, 7 rue François Miron 75004 Paris

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E-ma@il, pour recevoir les actes du symposium:..............................@......... .............

Assistera au Symposium (8euros) - Assistera au Syposium et au déjeuner (30 euros)
Pour le restaurant, le nombre de place étant limité, les inscriptions seront enregistrées dans l'ordre d'arrivée des règlements
Contacts: symposiummm@hotmail.fr ou Jean-Luc Chaumeil: 06 12 61 94

If you like that sort of thing, I'm sure the entertainment will as expected... And if you're bored, there will certainly be lots of interesting specimens of humanity to study until the more boring bits are over with... :popcorn:

[ProfessorW]

Speaking of Babble from Bab-El... and il faudra que ca cesse...

SYMPOSIUM MEMPHIS-MISRAIM
Du fantasme à la réalité
Samedi 30 mai 2009 (10h - 19h)

En les locaux de l'Université U.I.A. 6 impasse des Gendarmes, 78000 Versailles.
(Gare Versailles Rive-Gauche)


Looks interesting! Being an ardent devotee of Dan Brown, I shall travel to Versailles, north of Paris.:wink:

[RogerXXII]

Looks interesting! Being an ardent devotee of Dan Brown, I shall travel to Versailles, north of Paris.:wink:

While you're traveling aimlessly on "Dan Beige GPS"... Perhaps you can research the penalties for Late Column Submission and inform young Stella?

BTW, other than typing "beer", in the search slot, how does one find these pesky columns?

[ProfessorW]

At Roger's recommendation, I've been reacquainting myself with "Les rois maudits", which really is very good. Praise be to the "Saint Couple" that we can enjoy even today new historical writings - which in so many ways surpass Druon! I think membership of the Académie Française can only be a matter of time...:wink:

The archive of the excellent articles is found here:
http://www.mania.com/search/article/23.5%20degrees.html

I defer to Stella to discuss late columnar submissions!:)

[StellaMaris]

BTW, other than typing "beer", in the search slot, how does one find these pesky columns?

I didn't know you cared! :) All you had to do was ask nicely:-

http://www.mania.com/235-degrees_archive_136.html

This canted archive goes all the way back to the Feast of John the Evangelist 2007 although it's mixed in with all kinds of bits and pieces, which you might have to wade through in order to access the relevant Newton Coordinates.

I'm feeling very delicate, sensitive, and angst-ridden today so everyone has to be nice to me...

p.s. Beer is art!

[ProfessorW]

... rien de neuf alors...:wink:

[RogerXXII]

Where do I register my complaint re inoperative avatar?

[RogerXXII]

Praise be to the "Saint Couple" that we can enjoy even today new historical writings - which in so many ways surpass Druon! I think membership of the Académie Française can only be a matter of time...:wink:

Merde alors! Une rouquine en habit vert? :puke:

[StellaMaris]

Where do I register my complaint re inoperative avatar?

Good question... I just prodded the forum admin, so hopefully he'll turn us on?

I used to have Moderator status on this forum but my old password doesn't work... I guess I'll have to get everything set back up again.

Jarrod, are you awake? How do I switch everything on again??

[StellaMaris]

Good question... I just prodded the forum admin

Okay, Jarrod sent me an email... if you go to the top of the forum page and click on User CP, there's a function in the menu that allows you to add an avatar. I just tried it, it works fine.

[RogerXXII]

Sabotage! My "edit avatar" screen is a black, empty screen.

Technology sucks! I'm going back to 16-track analog...

[StellaMaris]

Steady on, Roger, I can cope with going analogue but we'll need 24 tracks at minimum!

I'll get Jarrod to look at it... he said they were having problems - I probably only got my avatar so easily due the the superior processing power of my Mac computer! :smirk:

[RogerXXII]

24 tracks is for sissies or disco (which may be the same thing, not sure)...

"Pleasing outward design" does NOT imbue a Mac with superior processing power.. And Jimmy Choo shoes (say that 10 times fast) do not provide ladies with superior leaping abilities.

So long as we're debunking myths... :eyebrow:

[ProfessorW]

While I'm the first to enjoy myths being debunked, there are certain moral lines which should only be crossed at one's peril. After some eight years, I have finally got my daughter to concede the superiority of the Mac over the clunky PC. I can't comment on the leaping capabilities of Jimmy Choos (people tell me that Manolos are better designed), but I like to think of Mac as the New Age against the boring old orthodoxy of the PC. Perhaps because I'm a New Agey kind of guy...:wink:

[RogerXXII]

but I like to think of Mac as the New Age against the boring old orthodoxy of the PC

Well I guess we're back on the topic of the thread after all...

You're exactly right, of course. The "Mac phenomenon" is very much akin to the "New Age" take on everything... form over function, legend over fact, the aesthetically pleasing and "easy" always favoured whether it deserves it or not. Not to mention the financial exploitation of the "faithful"... the parallels are so pervasive, I'm astonished that I hadn't ever thought of it until you mentioned it.

I'm always amused when I hear "Mac-heads" carrying on about the omnipotent Microsoft (or "tiny-flaccid" as the Cupertino wags like to call it), and Bill Gates' conspiracy to sodomize the entire planet, but fail to notice the Himmler-like construct of the arrogant control-freak intransigeance of the mock-turtle-neck fuehrer Jobs. "Our software, our hardware, our decision as to what you really need and what you don't, and bugger what you want". And the premium prices are kinda funny too.

A devotion to Apple Computers is the technological equivalent of being a "fashion victim".

A stolen name, a stolen logo, multiple lawsuits and broken settlements... I'd rather sit and have a cuppa with Bill Gates, thank you very much. With Jobs, I feel I'd need a full-body condom.

[ProfessorW]

You're resorting to rational argument again and that's just not fair! I'm off to eBay to sell my fashion accessories. I have seen the light and it shines out of Bill Gates' fundament. His Steveness was just another false prophet - maybe I should try to find another object of my worship. Any thoughts? Maybe something more divine, more feminine? :wink: I clearly haven't been using my ears to hear...

[RogerXXII]

methinks the shrill and overly repetitive nature of some messages make "ears to hear" almost superfluous...

But I do like the notion of "divine femininity", as opposed to "the divine feminine"... Now if only we could convince Charlotte Rampling to pose as a "fertility goddess"...:eyebrow:

[ProfessorW]

I'm with you in spirit, but the last time I saw Miss Rampling on screen she was suffering from Alzheimers :ohwell: , so I'm having to wind back to Night Porter years... :wink:

[StellaMaris]

Welp, I hate to burst all your bubbles, but I've worn Converse Allstars ever since I was a tomboy brat and I'm not stopping now... sod this Choo and Manolo nonsense, they're extremely impractical for scrambling around in caves looking for buried treasure.

And every treasured Mac laptop I've ever owned is named Diogenes (or, Diode, for short) because, together, we wander the world looking for an Honest Man...

And I've only met Charlotte Rampling once, but she was very gracious and dignified.

So, I don't know WHERE you boys get all these funny ideas from...

:popcorn:

[ProfessorW]

I just knew that an authority figure would come along and tell us boys off while we were slapping our notebooks on the table and comparing the size of our RAMs!:ohwell:

How can one compete when this authority figure shatters our fantasies by having actually met the (albeit superannuated) fantasy figure in question. We sadly only had her screen presence to provide us with "oxygène". It really jars.

... and, as for giving one's Mac a name, I ask you...:wink:

[RogerXXII]

And I've only met Charlotte Rampling once, but she was very gracious and dignified.

All the better! It's a "guy thing", you wouldn't understand...

Once had a very well put-together "Steel Magnolia" take me for a walk down the old canal, behind the music club in Savannah... The invitation was phrased rather deliciously as a drawled out "why don't we go for a walk, an' maybe you could muss me up some?"

But instead of indulging in scabrous reminiscences, let's look at the affectionate naming of a tool, an electronic implement, as if it were a "pet"...

Doesn't that reveal a subconscious admission that this laptop thingy is more of a cuddly toy than a serious and necessary tool? Not to mention the irony of the chosen "pet name", considering it was built by one of the most dishonest men in that business? This requires serious couch-time for proper analysis...

When I travel, I use a "netbook"... It's tiny, practically disposable, gets about 5 hours of use on battery, and does everything I want it to do quite well. It's also practically indestructible. I suppose if it had to have a "pet name", it would be "blue thingy", as in "toss me that blue thingy, there, would you?" (And despite its managing to have a very pleasing look to its design, it's still roughly one sixth the price of a macbook... how ever can they do that? :lol: )

Now, on the topic of the better brands of plimsoles... I suppose Converse are just as good as any other brand, they're probably all manufactured side-by-side in the same Chinese slave-labour/organ-harvesting camps... I just prefer the slip-on Pumas... When you've got to get out of town, speed is of the essence!

[ProfessorW]

Originally Posted by RogerXXII

(And despite its managing to have a very pleasing look to its design, it's still roughly one sixth the price of a macbook... how ever can they do that? )
To play Devil's Advocate - as an erstwhile worshipper of his Steveness - because human gullibility is always underestimated. Gentlemen may prefer blondes and perhaps nutters (of all genders) for the dyed red-heads?! But I'm starting to disappear up my own exhaust-pipe when I think of Gates as the Saviour and Jobs as the Magdalene... In Roger's idiom. Gates is the "Machine" and Jobs the escape - albeit at a 30 per cent. premium.

The frightening thing is that Mac-owners (whether they give them pet-names or not) know that they have better, more pleasing pets. And frighteningly that brings me to the conclusion that the Mag-heads may be right in their "knowing" that they are following the true path!:puke:

Maybe Erasmus got it right, being dumb gets an unfair press... I'm slowly understanding that Syd's escape was probably the only one...:ohwell:

[StellaMaris]

Doesn't that reveal a subconscious admission that this laptop thingy is more of a cuddly toy than a serious and necessary tool? Not to mention the irony of the chosen "pet name", considering it was built by one of the most dishonest men in that business? This requires serious couch-time for proper analysis...

Actually, Diogenes became "anthropomorphised" because, as a writer, he is an essential element of my creative process. On one level, yes, he is a tool, but on another, deeper, level we have a very intimate relationship.

As you have noted elsewhere, the publishing industry has shifted enormously since the inception of the internet and, in my genre particularly, since the success of The Da Vinci Code.

Distilling complex concepts and information into easily absorbed soundbites for the mainstream market can actually be an extremely challenging process... for me, it can take DAYS, if not weeks, of distillation to write a thousand words that appear to be "effortless". I guess, on one level, it's like a homeopathic process - you end up with the essence of the original substance that then triggers a kind of subliminal comprehension in the observer.

I originally started out trying to simplify my writing by pretending to explain convoluted layers in my mind to a designated "friend", who knew absolutely nothing about the subject matter.

From there it became a logical step to transfer this process directly to my computer, whose processing powers might be considered to be a step below the human brain in the evolutionary chain (although some may disagree with this sentiment!).

Someday, when the software is more refined, I hope to be able to talk to Diogenes directly and skip out the keyboard element completely (you don't even want to hear my keyboard rants!).

On the other hand, I got some of my more creative chapter titles from the Dylan glitches in the original Newton MessagePad software, so I guess I shouldn't complain...

Anyway, scoff if you must, but different writers have different techniques - Dan Brown hangs upside down from a bar when he thinks.

So, whatever floats your boat... if a "Thingy" works for you, then who am I to judge? :)

[RogerXXII]

As I sit here and read this... I'm overwhelmed by a wave of bemused awe of your powers of rationalization.

Dan Brown hanging upside down from a bar, like a bat, doesn't surprise me at all... but the "while he thinks" bit threw me for a loop!

[StellaMaris]

As I sit here and read this... I'm overwhelmed by a wave of bemused awe of your powers of rationalization.

Hey, I'm a fiction writer... did you actually expect me to give you a normal reason for naming my computer Diogenes? :popcorn:

Dan Brown hanging upside down from a bar, like a bat, doesn't surprise me at all... but the "while he thinks" bit threw me for a loop!

I thought that would amuse you... he says, "Hanging upside down seems to help me solve plot challenges by shifting my entire perspective."

http://www.electronichealing.co.uk/articles/dan_brown_gravity_boots.htm

[RogerXXII]

Hey, I'm a fiction writer... did you actually expect me to give you a normal reason for naming my computer Diogenes?

I was hoping you'd admit that it was in undying devotion to St Denis, I suppose....:ohwell:

[StellaMaris]

I was hoping you'd admit that it was in undying devotion to St Denis, I suppose....:ohwell:

Well, okay, I solemnly promise you that the next time I go to Paris, I will make a pilgrimage to the Basilica Saint Denis, whereupon I will earnestly perform devotions until I see the LIGHT.

And, my next computer will be christened Dionysus in honour of this enlightening experience...

How's that?

[RogerXXII]

I'll take it in the spirit in which it was given... as a "blonde promise".:D

[StellaMaris]

I ALWAYS keep my promises... which is why I'm careful not to promise anything that I don't mean.

The only glitch in the above vow is the probability of me getting to Paris anytime soon is almost certainly nil.

But, next time I go there, I WILL go to Saint Denis...

[RogerXXII]

I've sent you a mail. Seems what you're looking for went the way of the wind well before 1300.

Look for the OBH stairs.

[JarrodSarafin]

Here's another way to read Stella's latest articles, Roger.

http://www.mania.com/235-degrees_category_136.html

The slideshow shows 23.5 Degree articles from latest to oldest up to the point of her 13 latest articles.

[JarrodSarafin]

Actually...use this one, Roger.

http://www.mania.com/235-degrees_archive_136.html

It shows everything that was set under "23.5 Degrees" at Mania. :)

[RogerXXII]

Thanks... I might read them all, if I get a shot of the correct liquid courage.

[StellaMaris]

You just need to drink enough beer, Rog!

But Jarrod was right the first time... after you've read all 70something articles in the archive, it's easiest to keep up with new additions via the slideshow on the 23.5 page:-

http://www.mania.com/235-degrees_category_136.html

It's sometimes hard to find 23.5 on the Front Page unless you know what you're looking for so, if you bookmark the above url, you'll be able to go straight to my pearls of wisdom every Saturday morning.

[StellaMaris]

I've sent you a mail. Seems what you're looking for went the way of the wind well before 1300.

Look for the OBH stairs.

All the references I can find to "OBH stairs" refer to a quasi-mystical transition from "time to eternity"...?

Okay, so are you saying that Saint Denis is part of a network of "portals" and that I need to embark on a quest to find the correct "magic wand" to open them?? :bounce:

edited p.s. I've figured out where the OBH stairs are now... but I still like MY version better!

[StellaMaris]

Actually...use this one, Roger.

http://www.mania.com/235-degrees_archive_136.html

It shows everything that was set under "23.5 Degrees" at Mania. :)

Actually, the techies have broken the archive again, Jarrod - when you go to page 2 via this link, you get linked to the Television Archive... I can only access the first 25 articles in the 23.5 archives now.

Can you whack someone for me ?!

[JarrodSarafin]

Whacking will commence!

[RogerXXII]

Whacking will commence!


Put differently: "The beatings shall continue until morale improves"
:popcorn:

[RogerXXII]

edited p.s. I've figured out where the OBH stairs are now... but I still like MY version better!

I knew you would... and I knew you would.

Happy Hunting!

[StellaMaris]

Whacking will commence!

Don't be too hard on the poor boys, though... being a techie isn't an easy life.

But, while you're here, Jarrod, can you use your Almighty Administrator powers to sort out Roger's avatar?

His avatar appears on his profile on the main site, but when he tries to add it to his profile here on the forum, all he gets is the Black Page of Doom.

Can you use some kind of superior override to scrunch it over here somehow?

[StellaMaris]

Happy Hunting!

I feel curiously drawn to Normandy for some reasons. I have a thing for apple trees.

I think I might do some repair work on the Michael Line in Europe, starting with Mont Saint Michel. Maybe sniff around some other churches while I'm down there...

Can you suggest any suitable churches to sniff around? You know how much I like church-sniffing!

I think I might even start a new thread if I can think of a suitable name.

[RogerXXII]

I feel curiously drawn to Normandy for some reasons. I have a thing for apple trees.

I think I might do some repair work on the Michael Line in Europe, starting with Mont Saint Michel. Maybe sniff around some other churches while I'm down there...

Can you suggest any suitable churches to sniff around? You know how much I like church-sniffing!

I think I might even start a new thread if I can think of a suitable name.

Ah le bon Calvados! Under that influence, one might be inspired to take all that talk of threads and think of tapestries! :)

[JarrodSarafin]

Hmmm, like you and everyone, an avatar should show be available to upload both on the main site profile and our forum profile.

Perhaps, Roger is special. :)

Just for giggle's sake, let's try the steps again. Roger, when you're logged in at the forums...Go to the User CP option on top left of this screen. It's User CP (in white letters) right above the Post Reply button.

When you're in the User CP panel, click on "Edit Avatar". When the screen refreshes, click on the "Custom Avatar" option and paste the url of photo.

The maximum size of your custom image is 100 by 100 pixels or 48.8 KB (whichever is smaller).

[RogerXXII]

Seems that when I log in on this page, I have to log in again... And then, there is no URL for the avatar, I uploaded it, to get it on the profile in the "other" section. Same as the photos in my photo section of the profile.

[RogerXXII]

Also, the "edit avatar" link takes me to a blank page.

I guess I am "special"... I'm filing a discriminatory practices action!

[StellaMaris]

Everyone in 23.5 Degrees is "special". We are in a parallel universe to the rest of the site, which is why normal computer code isn't adequate. We require quantum computer code.

Which login are you using? Use the one right up at the very top right-hand corner of the page. Or, log in on the main site and then come here.

But I'll keep bugging Jarrod until you get your avatar!

[StellaMaris]

Ah le bon Calvados! Under that influence, one might be inspired to take all that talk of threads and think of tapestries! :)

*Sigh* I LOVE tapestries! :wink:

I really need to think of a name for a new thread...

[JarrodSarafin]

RED ALERT!!!

RED ALERT!!!

Bugging Jarrod= A stun phaser in the guts until he can figure out a way to resolve the technical issue. Or a transporter beam to a forgotten icy planet where you will not be seen by anyone but a giant flower-looking monster.

"You have been warned!"

[StellaMaris]

Yes, the Red Rose of Doom will pursue you relentlessly until ROGER GETS HIS BLOODY AVATAR!

And, if that doesn't work, we'll set the Blue Rose on you and then you'll be REALLY sorry!

[RogerXXII]

Not the Blue Rose... Interdit! Geneva Convention, and all that, you know...