I recently finished reading Black Wind for the 3rd time. It is by far one of my favorite books. After finishing it this last time, a couple of questions lingered in my head. I don't really know much about WWII history. So, I figured the best way to find out is just ask on this forum for there seems to be a fountain of information here.

I know that FPW does a lot of research for all of his books. Particularly in Black Wind, citing many books in the Bib in the back. But I was wondering how much of the events pertaining to WWII, specifically the actions of the US Government, was fact or fiction? Did the US really break the Japanese code so long before Pearl Harbor? As the book states, did the US Government know of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and even encourage it? Knowing that an attack on America was the only way to get the country to go to war? I was just wondering if this was just fiction for the story or there was truth to it? It just makes too much sense it's scary!

-Kevin

Hey Paul,

Did you watch last night's 8pm episode of The Simpsons?

During Homer and Marge's first-kiss, as 10-yr-olds,
Homer's kiss-induced hallucination included a hilarious
sequence where he finds himself sitting in a cereal
bowl with Quisp, then he picks up Quisp and eats
him whole! Very hilarious.

This was following closely by Homer riding around in
the huge and "full" Koolaid mascot, then drinking him
empty, thus killing him and making him collapse.

Mike out...

Anyone seen this Asian horror flick? Saw it at Blockbuster, we had a gift certificate, it just made sense. We're too lazy to return videos, so we usually just buy 6-10 dollar DVDs rather than rent. Anyway . . .

So, we watched it tonight, and I'd say the movie was excellent. It didn't fall apart at the end, like most every ghost movie, nor did it . . . just . . . limp . . . off . . . like Sixth Sense. I'd give you all a synopsis, long form review, yadda yadda, but you can find all of that at forty other sites.

So, as I said: good movie. Got me a couple of times, too. Got me good.

On p. 16 of the paperback CONSPIRACIES, you mention the New York Fortean Society. That fine group of advanced thinkers was founded by John Keel in the fall of 1987. We had monthly meetings featuring big-name speakers from the UFO/Fortean/parapsychology fields until about 1991, when John got tired of the hassles. (I was a founding member and glory in membership # 1.5--cute, John, cute.) How did you hear about us, Paul? Did you attend any meetings?

This is mainly a question for FPW and the collectors among us.

We know that Paul has released two previous collections of short stories ("Soft and Others" and "The Barrens and Others") and is in process of releasing another ("Aftershock and Others"). We also know that he has previously compiled related stories together in "The Lanague Chronicles", "Dydeetown World", "The Tery", and "Midnight Mass". So why not compile all of the Repairman Jack stories which are not part of the novels, in chronological order with appropriate introductory notes, into a compilation? I would like to see a Gauntlet Press limited signed edition, followed by a hard cover and paperback editions.

This would seem to be the perfect time to release such a book, in advance of the movie.

Feedback?

I just got back from Van Helsing. I don’t see what all the bad reviews are about. Sure I have issues with the tone, the comic relief, the screeching of the wives, the bad accents, the Bondization of Van Helsing, even the change of first name.

But you know what? I had a good time.

Sometimes you can overthink these things. I mean, it's a monster movie, folks.

I forgot where I found this, but it said it was a real chair(not a doctored image). I had saved it because I thought it looked cool and now I was browsing my computer and noticed it. I thought it was real "Repairman Jack" style.

....Well sorta. Just started playing a new online game called City of Hero's and created a char tonight called Repairman Jack. He is very ordinary looking (brown shirt, blue jeans, and baseball cap), especially compared to some of the chars in this game. I am keeping him very ordinary as far as what he is capable of doing in the game too (guns and tinkered devices).

I hope FPW is ok with this. I feel it is a very good likeness on RJ. With all the Hulk spin-offs I see in the game, I thought it would be fun to actually be a char like RJ and maybe spread his name along with FPW's if asked about it by other people in the game.

Any Colin Wilson scholars on the board?

Caught this one yesterday. I liked it.

It's like two movies stitched together. The first is a long, slow buildup which-- surprisingly, considering my attenuated patience of late--did not have me squirming in my seat. Dakota Fanning is a charmer, and she brings meaning back into the life of her bodyguard, alcoholic, soul-dead Creasey (Denzel Washington).

In the second movie Creasey goes on a vengeful rampage, and he's something to see. (To paraphrase a remark by Christopher Walken in the film: "Creasey's art is death...and he's about to paint his masterpiece.")