Several days ago, a short article appeared in Spain’s version of The Local (an English language online news source). According to this report (link is below), European meteorologists are predicting the coldest summer in 200 years! In fact, the experts claim this year in Spain and other western European countries may rival that of 1816′s ‘year without a summer’. This is either hyperbole to sell papers, or if indeed the meteorologists used this comparison, then Europe should expect major crop failures.

The summer of 1816 saw record low temperatures across the northern hemisphere, including the United States. The northeastern US suffered the most, seeing frosts off and on throughout the ‘summer’ as late as August. Crop prices rose to the modern equivalent of more than $12 per bushel (roughly double today’s price for a bushel of corn)–and back then, corn served primarily as a source for food, not for fuel. Transportation in 1816 crawled compared to today’s zooming pace, so importing grains from the south (where temperatures were a bit higher) added considerably to the cost. It was a summer that winnowed out the poor and downtrodden.

Will this year be another ‘year without a summer’? It certainly is starting off with below average temps, but we’re not seeing late spring frosts here in Illinois. In 1816, the determined cause for that horrible summer was two-pronged: a quiet sun and a massive volcanic explosion in what is now called Sumbawa, Indonesia (Mount Tambora, then part of the Dutch East Indies). This was (at the time), the largest volcanic eruption since 180 A.D.–about 1600 years before!

Are meteorologists in Europe really expecting a summer with such dire straits? A quick look at Accuweather shows a prediction of ‘Mild and Dry’ for Spain (no frosts mentioned).  Thomas Ruppert, a German meteorologist who predicts mild and rainy added this caveat: “…weather predictions for the whole summer very difficult and not science-based.”

Spain braces for ‘coldest summer in 200 years’ – The Local.

Tags: Europe, Spain, Weather

The lower level basement three days after the flood: no carpet or baseboards, but a dehumidifier and three fans (two unseen).

After a long absence, PID Radio is finally back on the ‘air’. The April flooding of our basement level completely disrupted life in the Gilbert House bunker. Anyone who’s experienced a major house repair or redesign can appreciate the joys of moving an entire floor to other places in the house. All furniture, personal items, bedding, books, office items, etc. have been cramping our closets and cluttering our living room and bedroom for way too long, but I’m so happy to say it’s almost over! Carpet and vinyl have been installed, the washer/dryer back in place, the damaged bathroom vanity replaced, and the furniture returned to previous positions. Despite a few hiccups with the plumbing, Derek prevailed (thanks to the Lord’s help!), and the lower level bath even has a functioning water supply!

We spent yesterday putting on a few finishing touches (like putting up a shower curtain), but we also switched the ‘bunker’ to our second bedroom on the main floor. Derek never complained, even though he had to disassemble and then reassemble two L-desks and reconnect all the computer lines. Thank you, Lord, for a loving and patient husband, who never complains about a thing! Once the new ‘bunker’ was online, Derek and I donned our headphones and recorded our first PID Radio in weeks. What a joy! Even though we’ve been at this since March, 2005, the simple joy of sharing an hour’s chat with my hubby never gets old. We might not always make perfect sense, and our inside jokes might not always make you laugh, but we truly love what we do.

Over these past eight years, we’ve been privileged to hear from many of you who listen, and one comment occurs again and again. You tell us that it’s our rapport and true love for each other than makes our podcast different. Well, dear friends, I can honestly tell you that our relationship today is stronger, deeper, and far more amazing than it’s ever been. Wow!

With PID Radio and VFTB back on schedule, we are now seeking the Lord’s guidance for the future of our ministry. Please, keep us in prayer as we seek His will. We love each and every one of you, and it is your continued fellowship that invigorates us and spurs us on!

My writing plans for this year have shifted slightly with the addition of two more ‘assignments’ on my plate. I spend most of my day either writing or researching, and I can’t imagine anything better. Because my schedule is much tighter than before, I will not be sending out any weekly newsletters. Instead, I will use the newsletter to send out monthly reports. Thanks to all who’ve signed up–I will send out a quick note about the new schedule asap.

‘Impostor’ is a chilling tale of alien infiltration and government control. Yes, I know the word is really spelled ‘imposter’, but the film’s title is spelled with an ‘or ending, which I assume is intentional on writer Philip K. Dick’s part. Gary Sinise stars as Dr. Spencer Olham, a patriotic pacifist who heads up a secretive science division within the defense department. The year is 2079, and Earth has been at war with aliens from Alpha Centauri since 2024, when Centauri ships attacked, killing millions and destroying major landmarks (like Washington, D.C.). Cities rebuilt and added protective force field domes that (theoretically) prevent the Centauri from reaching the major, protected cities. Of course, the less ‘significant’ cities burn. Continue Reading »

Tags: aliens, global governance

Wesley Crusher and friend pretend to play ‘the game’ as they search for a cure for their shipmates.

I‘m including this article under the category ‘Hollywood and the Coming Apocalypse’, but it might more accurately be included under ‘the Coming ZOMBIE Apocalypse’. Why? It’s all about ‘The Game’.

Years ago, probably far more than most under the age of twenty would recall, the producers of Star Trek-Next Generation gave us a preview of our own future. The beautifully written teleplay by Brannon Braga, titled ‘The Game’, features an addictive headpiece, straight-to-the-brain kind of video game designed by a race called the Ktarians. Commader Riker has returned from a vacation on Risa, where he’s met the lovely Etana Jol, a Ktarian female. Riker extols the joys of ‘the game’ and makes copies for distribution throughout the ship.

‘Real world view’ while playing ‘the game’.

However, what appears to be harmless fun soon turns to terror as more and more people turn to brain-dead zombies, including Dr. Beverly Crusher. The object of the game is rather simple (just drop an image into a hole–sort of like playing Angry Birds or Cut the Rope) but the reward for getting it right is a shot of stimulation right to the brain’s pleasure center. Need I say that the game is a major hit? Dr. Crusher is not only useless as a physician, she switches off Data and plays ‘doctor’ with the android’s circuitry, effectively making him useless. The real ‘mission’ behind these games, you see, is that the Ktarians intend to board the Enterprise, and they’d prefer no one try to stop them, including Data (whose silicon pathways render the game null and void). With all the humans subject to the slightest suggestion, the Ktarians have a clear field.

Wes Crusher and his friend Robin Lefler (shown top left) figure it out early on (of course, Wesley always knows best, right?), and they wear ‘dummy’ headgear while trying to sort it all out. I’ll not spoil it further, but suffice it to say the Enterprise appears to be in a pickle–and highly suggestive, or as I said earlier, ‘zombies’.

Google Glass gives the user constant access to the internet.

Why am I telling you all this? Because Google has just introduced their new ‘Google Glass’ headset design that permits the wearer to interact constantly with the internet. Boy, you could really play Angry Birds with a vengeance now! No need to open up a laptop, no need even for your cell phone–you’re always connected; you’re always ‘engaged’. Note the design of the ‘game’ from Star Trek sends the image directly into the user’s eyes while allowing him/her to continue to see the real world (assuming the wearer even notices the real world once hooked). Google Glass reports to one eye, but allows the wearer to view the analog world while indulging in the digital one. Let’s just say, you might not want to wear it while driving or operating heavy machinery.

In today’s world, nearly everyone interacts on a computer at least once a day. Now, our younger generation needn’t worry about being ‘offline’. Texting, gaming, and Facebook posting will be constant–especially if you use the ‘glove’ that’s being touted as a means for ‘typing’ while wearing the ‘Glass’.

Like it or not, ‘enhanced reality’ is here. Cue the Zombie music.

Tags: enhanced reality, Zombie Apocalypse