The Art Of Being Bigfoot

(Image credit - unknown)

When it comes to a big animal out in the wild, there doesn't seem to be one that can maintain *elusiveness* like sasquatch. Despite thousands of sightings, etc., we still can't seem to locate them. When I say "we", I mean mainstream science. There are dozens and dozens who seem to have them hang out in their backyards. But for whatever reason, it seems our mystery is here to stay. It's kind of an art form at this point. And you either love it, finding beauty in the mystery, the sightings, the phenomenon or you don't. I mean, who isn't intrigued by things like the PGF, for example. It's Patty, for goodness sake!

That we continue to have the mystery is not a bad thing, in my opinion. It's easy to say yes, yes, we need to solve this once and for all! But there won't be anything easy about it, IF we happen to complete that mission. Let's look at the impact it would have on our belief system. If they are indeed our next closest relatives, where does that put us - and them - on a family tree?

Maybe one day we'll have ALL the answers. In the meantime, we speculate, spar, spit and say all sorts of things. It's all very interesting and at times, entertaining as heck.

I like the art of bigfoot. They are very, very good at it, in my opinion.

Iron Mountain Ridge (IRM) is coming together nicely. I've explored some new areas, which I think readers will like. Eve is doing well, with expansion to Barnes and Noble, Yahoo and several other online retailers. The sale $10.95 for signed copies will continue through the summer! Click on the big button to get yours now!

Now, as promised..........an excerpt from IRM:

"Iron Mountain Ridge

I lurched along the ridgeline, high up. Perilous slopes on either side. I yelled for her to stop but she paid no attention. I knew she was angry and I was determined to make her understand there was no need to be so. And, there was no threat. Of course she saw the threat that was perceived: I had another person with me, David, my husband. I didn’t blame her for feeling this way. It was to be expected and any other reaction would have been unnatural and cause for alarm by me.

“Anna,” David called to me. He was at least fifty yards behind me and not even to the ridge yet. I could hear the confusion and irritation in his voice, but I didn’t answer back. Shut-up, I thought. It will push her further away from us – from me. I’d told him over and over to let me take the lead but he didn’t like it being that way. He would just have to figure it out or we would lose this chance.

I plunged into the tree line just as she let out a warning. Too late and I faced the giant who still haunted my dreams. He stepped out from thick brush and tall trees not forty feet from me. Towering at least eight feet, he was wild and fierce. My breath caught and I skidded to a stop. We faced each other and he began to growl, low and deep. It made my blood turn to ice.

Slowly he moved towards me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he growled so loud and deep that a muffled scream came out instead.  That seemed to embolden him and the growl turned into a low, rumbling that I felt clear through to my spine.  Involuntarily, I stumbled back; falling over the log I’d just avoided trying to get closer.  I landed hard and splayed, my pack flew over my head.  The wind was knocked out of me and I gasped.  He continued forward, swaying side to side, his steps so heavy, I could feel the ground beneath me shudder with each footfall.

He stopped about twenty feet from me and stood silent and still.  I could hear his breath and the remnants of the rumbling from his ferocious growl.  My chest was tight and my back ached and slowly, my breath came back but it rasped and hitched with terror.  He glared at me with open hostility; his eyes dark and menacing, his giant mouth hung agape in a horrific grimace. Again, he had me cowering with shear and complete fright.

“Stop, please.” My voice cracked, and the trembling cascading through my body came right out in my voice.  I began crying.

“I’ll leave…I’m leaving now,” I began pushing myself back, not sure if my legs would hold me.  I saw with horror as he stooped, picked up a large rock and chucked it directly at me.  At the last second, I rolled to the side as it crashed down on the ground beside me.  That was it, no more.  He wasn’t going to give and I had to get the hell out of there and fast.  He would tear me to shreds in two seconds and I knew he was giving me a chance to leave with my life.  Somehow, my breathing still ragged, I sprung to my feet, grabbed my pack and turned towards the trees I’d come from.  Before I could take a step, a loud and resounding “whoop” filled the air.  I recognized the voice immediately.

Eve was near."

 

Oooooh! It gives me chills and I wrote the damn thing. :)

Finally, the winning photo! Thanks, everyone for your feedback!

Understanding Differences

(Image credit Weekly World News, 1991)

As I continue plotting out the storyline for Iron Mountain Ridge, the sequel to Eve, I find myself in the conundrum of raw animalism, human characteristics and a dribbling of *extras.* I started a milieu in Eve and now find I must expound so as to further the visceral feeling I captured in the beginning. What's the big deal with that, you say? It is 'cryptofiction', (as it's coined) after all. Bigfoot's not been proven conclusively.......... [at least not in mainstream science] But how much is enough? Or too much? How do we understand the differences?

And, has bigfoot been proven? I don't mean in any circus side-show kinda way....

What I read on the internet and social media sites is there are many, many people who feel they know they exist and have their own definitive proof. Some who claim this proof engage in dialogue with others who question their "knowledge." It ends up at times, confrontational, or a philosophical discussion that goes round and round but certainly doesn't lack in rhetoric! I won't get into any semblance of an argument over what is real knowledge. No WAY! :)

But why is it that as a writer I want to fall into this "they must be human-like" though I've not had any bona-fide experience to back it up? Is it just in some of our nature to anthropomorphize? Is it because I'm a woman? What makes me not want to stick to a more "wood ape" type of species when describing them, their behavior? I honestly don't know other than what my gut tells me and it says that the countless reports with the endless similarities, the overwhelming majority of the anecdotal evidence indicates they are more human-like than not.

Yes, yes. We're all animals. But a lot of us like to put that word HUMAN above it all and I think that's where the core of the disagreement begins: there are those who can keep the perspective that hey, we are all animals and there are differences that separate us from others; then there are those who obviously have the humans are above the others (animals) attitude and finally...there are those who go down an entirely different path of: we are one with them (nature, the universe, etc.).

Which is true? That, my friend, is up to you and how you perceive reality. That's what it really comes down to, in my humble opinion.

And, I will write my own reality, which is just fiction. With an inkling of intuition and maybe some real activity................. :)

Memorial Day, 2013

Honoring all who serve in our nation's military....thank you for what you do.

A New Look, A Better Perspective

^Don't know who designed this but it's AWESOME!!^

Welcome to the newly redesigned Iron Mountain Ridge! Guy Edwards, owner of Brainjar Media and graphic designer extraordinaire took the helm out of my inept hands and voila! Looks like we are ready to be *real*.... Although, we are here because of something a lot of people say isn't.

You can get your own signed copy of Eve too!

Synopsis:
Out a weekend excursion, Anna decides to explore one more wilderness road before she heads home and soon finds herself stuck high up on a narrow mountain pass. She is forced to stay overnight in her car where a vicious storm washes out the road, leaving her stranded. Desperate and scared, she comes face to face with a newly confirmed species that was once only a legend. Terrified yet drawn to her deepest obsession, she attempts contact and is taken on a journey so incredible, her life will never be the same.

The screenplay adaptation is still in the works and I'm plugging away at Iron Mountain Ridge (IRM for short), the sequel. I sure have some grand ideas but there's more of a challenge because of the various storylines (one being Anna's darn husband just has to be there - LOL). I'm also hoping to get more exposure of Eve to mainstream and indie book reviewers alike by reaching out more. If there is anything I've learned from this whole self-publishing process is you have to be your OWN biggest fan. And, I proudly say I am. :) The other thing I'll be working on is local book signings. I will be focusing mainly on the Sacramento area but if things work out the way I hope, there may be a conference of the sasquatch kind in this area come fall.............. It's only in discussion phases right now and nothing OR everything could happen. It would be nice, there's so much going on!

And, it would once again provide an opportunity for those in the community to meet one another. It doesn't need to be said that written words don't always come across the way they are supposed to, now does it?

Is It Me?? Or Does Something Smell Really Rotten........

April 30th is just around the corner. Thank goodness. But, I hardly think it will be "over" by then as many are proclaiming. Back to that in a minute.

First, I am pleased to announce that Brainjar Media and the ever-so-talented Guy Edwards will be redesigning this site to include an e-store where you can purchase a copy of Eve directly from me, signed personally just for you. He has also agreed to design the interior and exterior cover and art for the sequel to Eve, Iron Mountain Ridge, due out by the end of this year. His cover design of Eve is absolutely mesmerizing to look at, don't you think? Speaking of which, the sequel is coming along nicely and I'm even experimenting with a third person character. :) Don't know if it will stick but it's very intriguing to say the least. Those of you who have read Eve can let your imaginations run wild with that one. I'll give you a sample: "She walked quickly through the underbrush, barely making a sound. Her movements were like watching a raindrop slide down a window. Fluid, un-breaking and with purpose." Hmm? Ah yes, me likes it. I am going to try a full chapter and maybe send to a few fans to see what they think!

Now, on to the never ending saga of "who has the best bigfoot story of the week?"

The end of the month will bring us the "mockumentary" (as it was so labeled) "Shooting Bigfoot" which will air at the Toronto Film Festival. Now, my prediction is that given this will be a la Blair Witch Project-mania, viewers will be left with...wait for it...the possibility there really is a body. [GASP] Maybe a (ahem) two minute tidbit with some flashes of *it* here and there and more hype from you-know-who. I gotta say, I can't wait to see it and I do hope they paid Dallas and Wayne real money. Those guys are just the most earnest men I've ever watched.

Next up is the PGF copies and subsequent ebay listing at $17,500000000 (ooops, too many zeros, ha, ha) for "buy it now", or starting bid at $15,500. No takers yet and none will be had. Those who are representing Ketchum and her...um, project(s), etc, have failed epically. I will leave it at that because there is NO chance any of this will ever be taken seriously as long as that kind of representation continues. Revealed private conversations aside!!

The last is one I choose not to address but it's all over the place so I'm sure you can figure it out. :)

Things just have a way of being smelly in this field. Pun intended. And some will always smell that way to me.

(I'm consistently amused by images produced when typing in simple phrases...LOL)

 

When Group Mentality Goes Wrong (What Would Bigfoot Do?)

First, a brief mention to a much needed change. A group name goes down...a new one goes up. There is some definite Kool-Aid drinking there. Like crazy so. And as a snide aside, uh, did you forget you blocked me? LOL I'll have my day, "friend". I don't take getting thrown under the bus lightly. And you know not who you are dealing with. :) Damn FB drama. Ugh!! Don't even get me started on the recent book give away fiasco. Deception...damn you!

The bloody D.N.A..... The division is stark now, more so than ever before. Wild claims are flying about and the stalwart supporters of the paper are toe to toe with the "dismantlers." [That may not truly be the case and there is one person who is notably silent on the whole thing] I did something I thought I never would though, being of the mindset I am...I listened to and watched the evidence produced by the *Texas* group and I must say, I am intrigued. But, it's truly the opposite ends of the spectrum, like the color black verses the color white. How can it be so completely and utterly opposite? The ape and the human. Will we ever know? I honestly don't think we will until and oh god, this hurts to say - a body is produced. Now before I go further, I will say it is with the utmost desperate hope that IF (when) it happens, it will be from a naturally occurring event. Even the other study...it's 4 months late now. Will we have to wait five YEARS for that too only to see it set on fire by the flames of corruption? No, no you say. Not this study. This one is different.

But it's that very group mentality that accelerated the mess that is today!! What other choice is there, you ask? Well, I don't have the answer to that and if anyone else does, they're not talking.

What would bigfoot do? Nothing. Not a thing. Just keep existing and eluding us. That's what they do and they do it the BEST. But the human won't give up and it keeps producing more and more gadgets to detect which makes the mystery almost tangible to those who are stuck in areas that are not near any potential habitat at all.

On to more fun things, the sequel to Eve, Iron Mountain Ridge, is coming along rather dramatically. I have a CRAZY story line going on and I'm not sure I can pull it off but I'm going to give it my all. If it works, it will be the end all of cliff hangers and I don't think Eve...er, bigfoot would want it any other way.

Bigfoot Shaken AND Stirred - Which Beverage Is For You?

 

Will things ever settle down? ^^Even the big guy is constantly checking for updates!

Personally, I used to love Kool-Aid and drank my fair share of it when I was a kid. Then the sociopath in Guyana had to go and ruin it FOREVER. It's one time innocent delight is now linked with stupidity and blind worship. So when I hear someone drank the bigfoot "Kool-Aid", my heart just plain old sinks!

I struggle with the discord, deception and despicable behavior in the world of sasquatch. I have a friend who continually threatens to "quit bigfooting" but then he's back...never having gotten past a day or two without engaging to some extent. It's truly an addiction of some sort! And addicts must have their fix. Some are - just like with any addiction - functioning and can go about their lives in a normal manner...working, sleeping, LIVING - the casual bigfooter. Others are slightly manic about it...beginning an obsessive pattern of checking for news on the prolific bigfoot websites (this is definitely my category...guilty as charged) but still can hide it when needed - the quietly obsessed bigfooter. Then there are the all out live-breath-eat-sleep bigfoot fanatics. The ones who get avoided by others because they simply cannot see beyond the fantastical world they've created - the tweaker bigfooter.

But now, there are a couple of more prominent categories: blinded bigfooter...whatever your definition of that may be - go ahead! Be creative! And hell-bent-on-hoaxing bigfooter, which doesn't need much explanation at all.

Why is it that we humans can't seem to moderate ourselves? This subject matter is in the most need of it beyond anything else...well, except North Korea. They keep launching veiled threats and promises too and no one in the world seems to be able to figure out exactly what they have or don't have. And it's downright scary. Wait...before I get a "tsk, tsk" - I am NOT equating the threat that country poses to something nominal. I'm simply using it as a comparison in human behavior.

And to those who claim they want everyone to get along, have shared information, to solve this mystery once and for all...well, dang it! Find a beverage we can all drink and feel good about!

Image credit - Terry Thomas.

I took this in the Sierras, May 2011...just a weird stump!

The Truth Of The Matter....

Just got back from the majestic Redwoods...they take my breath away no matter how many times I go. Of course, I did a bit of searching. As much as I could in three days anyway. There is certainly no lack of areas to look in Northern California. The Redwoods are especially nice this time of year...not too cold and not too many people. :)

This latest trip brings me to a couple of points though, that I think just about everyone already knows when out looking for our favorite mystery. First, it seems when you are most prepared that nothing will happen. The times I've had what I thought was sasquatch activity, I've been completely taken off guard and I know that's usually the case. But, there is the possibility to be prepared too. One thing I do is keep my filming media on and *ready* as I drive, walk or hike anywhere there might be possibilities. I've had some luck filming wildlife - got a black bear running off the road ahead of me just last fall, which was really cool.

Second, you don't always have to go off the beaten path. Certainly it may increase the odds, but there are plenty of reports to the contrary. I can't tell you how many crazy roads and trails I've been on but two of the three possible encounters I had happened fairly close to regularly traveled areas. And I think mental preparation can be the most powerful tool of all. Because, if you happen to be prepared and you luck upon an encounter, it won't matter IF the freak-out factor takes over. We've all heard far too many of those scenarios occurring. I can't speak from experience unfortunately, but I had to do a lot of visualization writing Eve and I believe that may be to my advantage if I ever get lucky enough to have a full on visual sighting/encounter. Probably not though...that's why I often joke about fainting or running away.... [Ha, ha]

I mean, let's face it. The truth of the matter is luck has a HUGE part in this whole equation. I know many think otherwise but for the better part of us, it's the reality of it. I mean, they don't wait to hang out or pose for us.

Lastly, I'm still waiting to hear from the studio if there was interest in the synopsis provided for Eve. Regardless, the screenplay is being formulated, which is excitement beyond excitement! And, I've got a couple of interviews and a radio show coming up.... Maybe another drawing for a signed copy in the near future, too.

A pose like this would be most helpful, eh?