April DeBord: Red Hot Talent

November 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It was 6:15 on a breezy November evening.  I sat outside the restaurant, eagerly awaiting her arrival.  Suddenly, there she stood, her long red hair cascading down past her shoulders and a smile so effervescent and bright, it was hard to imagine she had just come from a full day of work.

April DeBord is one-of-a-kind.  Adventurous, charismatic, intelligent, passionate and ridiculously creative are just a few ways of describing the artist I was sitting across from over our dinner interview.  To be honest, when I first scheduled our chat, I thought I was only going to be talking with DeBord about her firedancing.  Granted, that would have been plenty enough to keep me intrigued; however, it was just the tip of the iceberg.

Originally born in Akron, Ohio, DeBord is an artist who has dabbled in a variety of mediums.  “I tend to get bored easily,” explains Debord over her linguine alfredo.  “I like to try out a little of everything.”  DeBord is a painter, professional photographer and has even published a book.  She is also an avid traveler, with her great love being road trips.   ”I love to travel all around the U.S. and outside of the country.  And I love to document my travels through photography and my writings.  While I’m in different places, even some as extreme as the South American jungles, I will stop and do a fire dance,” states DeBord.  Her goal, in fact,  is to travel to every continent and fire dance.  And I do believe, DeBord will achieve this.

DeBord combined her love for traveling with photography through a book she published in January of 2011.  “Heads Toward the River!” is a visually stunning and beautifully written volume of DeBord’s adventures through the jungles of Columbia.  This self-proclaimed adrenalin junky spent ten days sleeping in hammocks admist oversized insects and venomous snakes.  DeBord joined an adventure/travel group out of Tampa and quickly made friends with folks she had never met.  The gregarious and cordial artist also met with another interesting group while on her travels.  The Kogi Indian tribe was a significant part of DeBord’s South American excursion.  “I loved the Indians.  We sat around in huts with them and got to learn their culture,” reflects DeBord.  One of the adventurist’s favorite memories of her trip was being able to climb all 1200 steps to “The Lost City,” or Ciudad Perdida.  The location is considered to be quite magical in many respects.  However, DeBord’s journey offered a lot more than just enchanting jungle sites or sacred Indian villages.  “We had to trek through the jungles by mules.  It wasn’t always easy,” explains DeBord.  She also recalls having a couple very close encounters with snakes and enduring a painful knee injury.  “I was thankful for our travel guides.  They were amazing, always there to help us in a difficult or scary situation,” remembers DeBord. One of DeBord’s most daunting moments was while walking through a river.  “We often had to trek through rivers, but none were very deep.  However, there was one river that nearly swept me away.  It was treacherous and we had to hold on to each other to pass it.  There was a spot in the river that took a sudden drop and it was very deep.  I was in shock, as the water was freezing cold.  My guide was there to save me.  He really took hold of me and grabbed me,” recalls DeBord.

Personally, I was rather amazed at this young woman’s Columbian adventure.  It was all very Romancing the Stone-from Indians and snakes to dangerous rivers and mysterious jungle destinations.  And if you don’t think you have what it takes to trek through the jungles, but would love to visit vicariously through DeBord, simply check out her book.  It can be found at http://www.blurb.com/user/store/Apryl00.

Though DeBord’s travels may seem extreme, she also likes to just jump in her car and drive around from city to city, state to state.  Recently, the road tripper drove solo to all the New England states, minus Connecticut.  “All the states were so beautiful, but I really loved Maine,” states DeBord.  The daredevil naturalist even climbed Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine. “I love to hike and climb mountains.”

So, was DeBord born with wanderlust, or did she somehow acquire the love of traveling as she got older?  “I lived in Alaska for a while and it changed me.  It made me really want to explore the world.  I loved it.  Somehow, living there, opened me up; it freed my spirit.  I was born in Ohio, moved to Florida when I was eight, and then years later in July of 2000, I got myself a one-way ticket to Alaska.  I was with a man at the time who was in the Coast Guard.  We had to live there.  I was worried about moving there initially, but I ended up loving it.  It was incredible.  I developed a love for exploration during this time, as well as for photography.  I felt creative,” fondly remembers DeBord.  The beauty of the rugged Alaskan wilderness was breathtaking and inspirational for the emerging artist.  Then, just two years later, DeBord packed up whatever she could fit into her car and took off on a road trip with a couple of her friends.  First, they went to New York, then to Florida, camping and making other fun stops along the way.  In the end, they finished their venture at DeBord’s home state of Ohio.

I had to ask DeBord, if she could go to one dream destination in her travels, where would it be.  “Oh, I have so many places yet that I would love to discover, but if I had to narrow down my list it would be New Zealand or maybe Africa for a safari.  Another place I have to go one day would be Bali,” answered DeBord.

If the artist isn’t on one of her many adventures, she may very well be taking pictures.  DeBord is a professional photographer, after all.  She earned a BFA in Photography at the University of Akron, along with a minor in Professional Photography and Computer Graphics.  Today, DeBord owns Inner Sanctum Photography and specializes in unique portraits, fine art nudes, wildlife/nature and pet photography.  She also does amazing black and whites, in addition to her color shots.  DeBord further mentions that she does hand coloring, upon request, for any of her black and white photos.  The photographer came up with the name, Inner Sanctum, because for her it means a place of calmness and peace inside the mind and soul.  DeBord explains that the words translate roughly into “mind den.”  For more information on DeBord’s photography, or to schedule a sitting, visit her website at www.innersanctumphotography.com.

DeBord also keeps busy with her everyday job, which is working at HSN, here in Tampa Bay.  For all of you home shoppers, HSN is your one and only go-to place.  At DeBord’s “day” job, she works as a freelance post-production artist- just something else the artist can do to spark her creativity and keep herself from getting bored.

To me, DeBord is synonymous with an onion; peel and onion and you will find lots of layers.  This fascinating thirty-something may indeed, wear a lot of hats; however, her most well-known hat is perhaps the one she wears during fire dancing, symbolically speaking.

DeBord began fire dancing in 2004.  “ I took a trip to Key West with a friend of mine and we went to Mallory Square at sunset to watch the street performers.  I saw a couple doing fire dancing and said to my friend, ‘I have to do this!’  After the two were finished dancing, I approached them and asked them about it.  When I returned home, I went online.  I learned a lot about fire dancing just by watching YouTube videos for six months.  Then, I started practicing with my roommate at the time.  When I first started, I used glow sticks so I wouldn’t hurt myself.  I eventually began using fire once I became more comfortable,” explains DeBord.  “The second time I did fire dancing was at my family’s annual Halloween party in Ohio.  Contrary to what people think, I don’t spend all my time fire dancing.  I’m afraid I would get too burnt out!  I like to keep things fresh.  I do love fire dancing though.”

Fire dancing is an ancient performance art.  For those who are not familiar, it is a beautiful and creative way of manipulating fire, and more specifically, objects set on fire through dance.  Objects, such as fans and staffs have wicks, which are soaked in fuel and then ignited.  The art form, obviously, is quite dangerous so it is crucial to take precautions while dancing.  Poi is fire dancing performed with a ball in each hand, suspended by a plaited cord (or chain).  It is then spun in circular and other acrobatic patterns.  Poi is also a traditional art performance of the Maori people who live in New Zealand, a group that DeBord would love to one day meet in person.  The Maori, however, never used fire while dancing; instead, the Americans were the first to light the match.

Poi began many years ago in New Zealand and for the purpose of increasing flexibility and strength in the hands and arms of the Maori people.  It was also excellent for improving coordination.  Poi dance was originally used by the Maori women for keeping their hands flexible for tasks such as weaving.

The wicks used in fire poi come in a variety of materials, most commonly, KEVLAR.  The material is a man-made organic fiber.  If used correctly and is well taken care of, KEVLAR will last and can then be used numerous times.  According to DeBord, it is also the same stuff that firemen’s suits are made out of.

DeBord performs wherever and whenever.  In fact, she has a few YouTube videos of herself performing at an old, abandoned Orlando amusement park called Splendid China.  DeBord felt inspired while inside the park, and even though she didn’t have music, she often would just dance to the sound of the wind.  Splendid China has since been razed, but DeBord still cherishes many of her memories performing there inside the cracked and decaying walls and corridors.  Over time, DeBord has danced at proms, private Halloween events and birthday parties.  She was once asked to lead the very famous Guavaween parade in Ybor City, Florida.  In addition, DeBord performs at her favorite venue, her family’s Ohio Halloween party.  “I’ve been asked to do many events, but unfortunately, there are a lot of fire restrictions that do not allow me to participate.  Fire codes are tough.  When I was asked to do Guavaween, I had to have a Fire Marshall on each side of me at all times.  It was pretty expensive in the end to hire all three of us, so I ended up not walking in the parade.  I really regret that,” states DeBord.

DeBord generally goes by the name RED, especially when she is fire dancing.  It is a nickname that she acquired while visiting New York years ago.  “While I was there, a group of obnoxious New Yorkers kept screaming out to me, ‘Hey Red!’ It was because of my bright red hair.  This was while I was in college, and now years later, I still go by the name.  It’s perfect for my fire dancing.”

When DeBord fire dances, she captivates.  “I use belly dancing with the element of fire.  I also like to experiment with objects such as fans.  I would like to get a fire jump rope to use in my routine.  I would use it to swirl around me, not to jump over.  I think it would look very cool,” explains the fire goddess .

Since fire dancing is considered to be such an intense performance art, I couldn’t help but wonder, has DeBord ever been burned?  Well, as the old adage goes, if you play with fire, you get burned.  “I usually don’t get hurt too badly, but once I got badly burned when a Poi wrapped around my arm and got stuck.  I actually could feel my skin melting off of my arm until I was able to pull it off.  It happened during a performance, but I just kept on going and played it off like nothing was wrong.  Everyone thought it was just part of my act.  Today, I will just get the occasional superficial burn, which tends to heal pretty quickly.  When I first started my fire dancing, I used to frequently singe my hair.  Now I use a scarf or put in dreads!”

DeBord brings her fire dancing along with her on many travels, as stated previously.  Her most beloved fire destination, thus far, being the DeBord Halloween Party.  The annual event just celebrated its 16th successful year and now has over 150 special guests.  It all started back in 1995 in the backyard of  DeBord’s brother’s house.  The party was modest and only a few family members and close friends were invited.  “My brother started it as a family thing.  It started in the backyard and then migrated all over the house and past it.  It just kept getting bigger and better with each year.  It became a street party,” states DeBord. “It then got so big, the police told us we had to stop it as a street party and move it to a bigger location.  What once started out with just a few people, soon had become an event of over a thousand.”  The party takes place typically the first or second weekend in October and there is always plenty to see while there.  An extravagant list of vendors and performers are on hand to entertain the crowds.  “We have jugglers, bellydancers, hearses, paranormal investigation groups, bands, costumed characters and so much more,” DeBord proudly tells me.  DeBord performs her fire dance at sunset.  And although the party is great fun, there is quite a bit involved.  “My brother and I are in charge of it and there are a lot of responsiblities for us.  I do the fire dancing, but also take many of the photos. I have to worry about putting things out, such as decorations, and taking it all down in the end.  We had to move it from the street to the VFW.”  All the hard work that the DeBords put into their party, sure is apparent in the end.  It is, by far, one of the most outstanding and elaborate of its kind.  If in the Akron, Ohio area next October, make sure you stop by.  It’s a great way to celebrate the bewitching season; the party is safe, family-friendly and best of all, free.

There is no doubt that DeBord is a stand-out kind of gal.  She knows what she wants in life and is not afraid to go after it.  She is strong and ambitious; kind and lovable.  DeBord is, indeed, unique and I mean that in the very best of ways.  A creative and free spirit that inspires and encourages everyone she meets.  A most talented artist and a most caring friend.

After our meal, I realized that our interview never really was one in the first place.  It was more like a dinner with a long lost buddy.  Or, maybe it was like some sort of self-reflection. Perhaps DeBord represents a small part which exists deep within each and every one of us- our adventurous side, our risk taking side, our creativity. Talking with this amazing artist was an awakening.  Life is far too short.  We need to live each day to its fullest; try new experiences and to not be afraid to learn something new.  Don’t just add on to your Bucket List- start scratching things off!  Not surprisingly, DeBord is doing just that…and more.

 

For more information on the annual DeBord Halloween party, please visit www.debordhalloweenparty.com.  The next party is scheduled for Oct. 13, 2012 in Akron, Ohio from 1 pm-11:30 pm.

To see DeBord performing some of her fire dancing routines, including those done at Splendid China, please visit her YouTube channel found at www.youtube.com/AprylRED

If interested in learning more about DeBord, please “like” her at www.facebook.com/FANSofRED. 

 

 

 

Filed Under: featured, Photography

Interview with Pat Campo – Singer and Songwriter

November 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

 

Inspired by the Late Steve Jobs and Apple,

the L.A.-Based Performer’s YouTube Video for “JTITM”
Creates its Eye-Catching Images on Three
Strategically Shifting iPhones

OMG! Call your BFF! You’re totally going to LOL, not to mention groove and sing along, when you check out Pat Campo‘s (www.patcampo.com) cool new addition to the “text-speak” lexicon: “JTITM,” short for “Just Text It To Me”—the name of the infectious debut single from the singer-songwriter’s new five- track EP of the same name.

Fully embracing the zeitgeist of the iGeneration that was in part created by Steve Jobs, the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter was inspired by the late Apple co-founder in fashioning his eye catching video for “JTITM.”

The clip features clever images of “modern communications” between friends splashed across the screens of three cleverly arranged, constantly shifting iPhones. Directed by Campo and created using the HD video feature of a simple Canon 550D camera, it has received more than 17,500 views on YouTube.

“The world is a more dynamic and exciting place thanks to the legacy Steve Jobs left on the music, film and tech industries,” says Campo. “Though I conceived and shot the video for ‘JTITM’ long before he passed away, I would be happy if people appreciated it as a tribute to the man and what his work meant to me. While slightly tongue-in-cheek, it’s a true celebration of the current generation and how we communicate.”

While songs like “JTITM (Just Text It To Me)” and “Leggo My Ego” (from the singer’s debut album) show his proficiency with witty turns of phrase, Campo shows a more heartfelt, introspective side of his songwriting—not to mention his edgier alt rock sensibilities–on the EP’s other tracks.

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Filed Under: podcast

Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files- Keeping it Real with Ben Hansen

November 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For over 20 years, I have been investigating the unknown.  With that said, it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to paranormal television.  Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of entertaining and smartly written series out there to watch.  However, I do believe that some are beginning to overlap and meld together a little too much.  Personally, I wanted something fresh and different in this genre.  On July 15, 2010, my paranormal prayers were answered.

Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files is a uniquely developed concept admist the more “typically done” shows on the unexplained.  Fact or Faked isn’t just about a group of ghost hunters who go out and simply film their investigations in the darkened corridors of old, abandoned buildings.  There’s a whole lot more to this series.  In each episode, a team of paranormal experts review various viral videos and photographs which may possess unexplainable and strange phenomenon.  The videos and photos are mostly submitted to the team, although some of the footage is searched out by the show via the Internet.  The team, led by former FBI agent Ben Hansen, looks over the photos and videos in the hope of finding whether they might be faked, or possibly authentic, paranormally speaking.  If the footage is deemed worthy enough for further investigation, the team will then travel to the destination at hand (which may be out of the country, in some cases) to try and replicate the paranormal activity reported.  The group will also attempt to test out various theories through experiments to see if the phenomenon was manipulated in any way.  Once the testing is complete, the members will discuss their findings back at their headquarters in Los Angeles.   When investigating, the team of six will divide into two seperate groups, allowing coverage of more than one case.  For instance, three members of the team may take on a UFO case out in a Nevada desert, while the remaining few will visit a notoriously haunted bed and breakfast in Vermont.  In the end, all members will share what they have learned on their cases with one another in what is called The Situation Room.

On a show such as Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files, good teamwork is crucial for obtaining significant research and evidence.  I recently was given the great honor of catching up wiht the show’s team leader, Ben Hansen.  Hansen enthusiastically discussed his role within the group, and how his esteemed colleagues help make the show so successful.  Jael de Pardo is a journalist, Bill Murphy acts as a lead scientist, Austin Porter is the stunt expert, while Lanisha Cole offers her expertise in photography and Devin Marble gives support as a tech specialist.  The team meshes well, and brings forth good chemistry and harmonious cohesion.  Cole and Marble are the team’s newer members, replacing former photographer, Chi-Lan Lieu, and effects specialist, Larry Caughlan, Jr.  According to Hansen, team members sometimes need to move on and so they must be prepared to let go and bring in new experts as needed.  “We have open calls for new members all the time.  You just never know when someone will need to leave, and so we are always looking for new additions to the team,” explains Hansen.  Cole, the newest member this season, was the perfect fit in the area of photography.  Hansen states, “She always has a camera with her.  It’s great for a lot of behind-the-scene photos we are doing right now.”

Though some team members have come and gone, Hansen has no intention, himself, of leaving anytime soon.  He loves where he’s at in regards to the show, and is looking forward to Season 3 with great anticipation.  For Hansen, this is a dream job.  “I have had a life-long interest in the paranormal,” confides the team leader.  When Hansen was a child, he started to become passionate about the unknown, especially after watching a certain movie.  “I was around eight-years-old and I watched E.T.  After I saw it, I laid awake that night thinking about life on other planets.  My dad bought me a book on extraterrestrials, but I hid it.  I thought it was geeky, and I was embarrassed to show anyone else the book.  I also very much became inspired by UFOs because of my grandfather.  He worked at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  Later on, while I was in college, I got into ghost hunting.  I would go out on ghost investigations and it was then that I got my first EVP.  I guess I probably should have been studying instead,” Hansen says with a chuckle.  Post college, Hansen started working in law enforcement and investigated child sex crimes, among other things.  “I love criminal investigations,” states the former FBI agent.  “I always watched X-Files when I was growing up, so I thought, ‘Why can’t I do both?’”  Hansen further states that he uses many of the same skills on Fact or Faked that he did while working in the FBI.  He considers interviewing witnesses to be one of his strengths while investigating.  “After doing an analysis of a video, I need to talk to the witness or the source.  Replication of the video only gets you so far,” explains Hansen.

I asked the show’s leader what is the one place he would love to investigate that he hasn’t had a chance to as of yet.  “I would go to Roswell.  I am really into UFOs, and it would be amazing to investigate there,” answers Hansen.  “There is a supposed autopsy video of an alien at Roswell.”  Now, that would be quite a piece of footage for the team to review!

So, what does it take for Hansen and his team to analyze their submitted videos and photos back at their California base? “First off, I don’t like the word, ‘debunk;’ instead, I like to use the phrase, ‘verifying paranormal claims.’  As far as what to look for in footage, well, that’s a good question.  The human mind has different levels of intellect.  The mind can only keep track of four variables, including logic and emotion.  To me, if I look at something and it just doesn’t feel right, then I break it apart logically.  Then, there are the signs of c.g. (computer graphics) and there are also the psychological aspects.  If I see a video where the camera is set to a certain spot in a room, to me, it looks like the person filming may be staging something; by getting the viewer to look in a specific area, as if something will be happening there.  Also, majority of hoaxing videos are brought to us and not the other way around.  If we go searching the Internet for footage, it’s different.  If someone seeks us out to show their video, it very well could be faked.”

When it comes to hoaxes, some can be quite involved and elaborate.  One case, in particular, comes to mind for Hansen.  “On our show one of the most amazing hoaxes was that of the Dr. Jonathan Reed alien case out of Washington.  We still get comments from Reed’s group, and he is still striving to revisit his case.  What amazes me is the extent he goes through to talk about it,” states Hansen.  Reed is infamous for his tales of alien encounters.  Many in the field consider him to be a showman of sorts, and even worse, a fraud.  Apparently, as one of Reed’s stories go, he was once walking through a quiet Washington forest with his dog.  Suddenly, the dog became spooked and broke loose from his leash.  Reed tries to chase after his pet, but can’t get to him.  Eventually, he discovers a gruesome scene.  Reed’s beloved pet is being ripped apart from limb to limb by an alien-like creature, only a couple of feet away.  Reed runs up to the creature and smacks it on the head with a large stick, knocking it to the ground causing it to bleed.  Soon after, Reed sees a floating object, much like a spaceship, that measures  3 feet by 2 feet.  In addition, after the dog died, Reed claims that the alien turned its bloodied body into ash.  So, he grabs a video camera and starts filming everything going on around him.  Meanwhile, Reed starts vomiting in the background, and can be heard breathing heavily on camera.  He then takes the alien back to his house, wraps it in a blanket, and puts it in a freezer.  Shortly after, Reed decides to take a nap but is too restless to sleep.  He goes back over to the alien body and starts to film once again.  Most who view the footage adamantly believe it to be nothing more than a hoax, albeit an elaborate one.  Some disagree, however, and claim the video to be legit, noting the convincing blinking of the alien’s eyes in one scene.

Hansen believes that paranormal hoaxers have been around for centuries.  Doctored photographs of spirits and ectoplasmic images were commonly seen during the Victorian Era.  “This was like an early version of Photoshop,” laughs Hansen.

Though there are plenty of fakes out there, Hansen also notes that there are videos and photographs that just cannot be explained, especially some of which are seen on Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files.  “I like the cases that leave me perplexed, including one that will be seen in the spring season.  It’s about a woman in the U.K. who disappeared.  It involves alien abduction.  I can’t really say too much about it, but you do know now that I never could understand the case and I am still intrigued by it,” confides the investigator.

As mentioned earlier in this passage, some footage needs a more detailed investigation, which warrants a visit to the actual site where the activity was experienced or recorded.  Theories need to be tested in order to ensure the evidence filmed is indeed, authentic.  Scientific gadgets and impressive pieces of equipment are used during this part of the research process.  Everything from inflatable spaceships to high-tech thermal cameras are utilized, and many of these devices are worthy of a James Bond movie.  Team members must be prepared for just about anything when investigating a para-claim.  So, how do these guys think of such involved and highly detailed theories and experiments?  “A lot of what you see is through our viewers’ suggestions which are found online.  We try out their ideas, even if the experiments seem over-the-top and ridiculous,” explains Hansen.  “We’ve even called Disney before for information on holograms.”

When the team is not looking for mermaids or is busy searching out life on other planets, they are spending time with people who love them best- their fans.  For Hansen, meeting fans face-to-face is his other great passion.  “I love to break away from filming and meet my fans.  This brings me satisfaction.”  Hansen and his teammates get to visit their Fact or Faked fans at a variety of national paranormal conventions set up throughout the year, and also by organizing ghost hunts with the public.  Hansen, and sometimes other members from the team, will host paranormal investigations and allow their fans to participate.  One of Hansen’s last ghost hunts was at the very haunted Ft. Mifflin in Pennsylvania.  Hansen has worked with the cast of the hit show, Ghost Hunters, and is planning a large investigation set for March with Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango.  Sometimes Hansen leads his public investigations alone, while other times he will join forces with other team members or paranormal celebrities.  “It really depends on the size of the event ultimately,” states Hansen.  “We love bringing the investigations to our fans and allowing them the the chance to learn.”  Participating on an investigation with highly skilled researchers such as Hansen, is a truly great way to gain experience and insight as a paranormal investigator.

Though many aspects of the paranormal are not fully understood, and we often encounter numerous faked or hoaxed pieces of evidence in the field, one thing is for certain-Hansen and his team of experts are the real deal.  Knowledgable, credible and highly professional, the cast of Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files  is one to be watched for many more seasons to come… and that, after all, is a fact.

Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files  can be seen on the SyFy Channel on Wednesday nights, 10/9c.

There are only two weeks left of Season 2, so catch these last great episodes while you can!

 

If you would like to connect with Ben Hansen, look for him on Twitter at BenHansen00.  Or, you can become a fan of Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files by going onto syfy.com/factorfaked/twitter.  If on Facebook, you may look for Ben Hansen or go to www.facebook.com/FactOrFaked   

If you would like to make arrangements to do a ghost investigation with Ben Hansen, please contact Kim Rebman at penkavak@yahoo.com for more details. 

For more information on the show or if you are interested in submitting a video or photograph to the team, please visit www.syfy.com.     

Photos for this story were granted by NBC Universal.  Copyright 2011 NBC Universal, All Rights Reserved.

Filed Under: articleimg, featured, TV

Leave it to Bieber

November 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Justin Bieber has made it a long time without any major scandal or controversy, which is an oddity in the public eye.  I think the worst thing that almost cost him his career was that he cut his signature hairstyle, and that really disappointed the ladies.  Now, Bieber is facing the worst scandal of his career at the age of 17, and should it be true, it could destroy his career.

It’s been alleged that Bieber has fathered a child and the mother is so sure it’s his, she’s demanding a court ordered paternity test to prove what she already knows and will validate her claim for child support.

Now I am personally not a fan of Bieber, but the mother’s story is delusional at best.  If it did happen, it’s a stroke of bad luck and proves that testosterone is the worst thing in the world, making young teenage boys go temporarily insane.

The girl involved states that a security guard saw her getting into a concert, which she attended at the Staples Center last year.  The guard asked her if she wanted to come backstage and meet Bieber after he performed – now what girl would say no to that.  However, why didn’t he take a few of the other thousands of screaming tweens backstage?  Then, her story gets even more strange.  She alleges that when Bieber met her it was love at first sight.  They started making out, then he asked her to come to a place a bit more private, which she obliged.

You’d think it would be his changing room; however, the young pop star took her to the bathroom where she conceived this baby.

Come on, this is a person who rented the very same arena to watch a movie in private with his girlfriend, Selena Gomez.  So, why in the world would Bieber take this other girl to the bathroom?  I personally think the popular singer is the victim of a girl’s fantasy.  I know this young woman has a child, but she probably thought back to the guy she slept with that is actually the father and said, “Hmm, I have an idea!”  Realizing he would never pay, she went after her dream man.  On the other hand, she may not know who the real father is, and it may get very Maury Povich up in here.

If this is Bieber’s child, it is very out of character for the pop star and this could destroy his career.  Why?  Teen idols don’t tend to have it very easy in their adult years because their fan base goes on to the next young heartthrob.  In other words, these girls throw them to the curb like yesterday’s designer looks. Bieber, being 17, is almost at that plateau where he would make it or become another victim to teenage stardom.  Since he’s at that critical age, and if he has a child, he will no longer be as desirable among teenage girls.  Moms will not want to have their girls look at him as a role model.  It could spell tragedy.  Hopefully, he has invested that money into something other than renting arenas.

Only time will tell, but it’s not looking good for old Bieber!

Filed Under: Bands & Singers, featured

Classic Beavis and Butt-head for the New MTV

November 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The pinnacle idols of MTV, these high school imbeciles ruled the early 90’s with hyperactive disorders, stupidity, an obsession with fire, and complete inability to function within society. We can all be thankful that the pair were incapable of breeding, but we as a generation can’t deny that without them, we don’t know how we would have survived.

From 1993 to 1997, Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butt-head ruled the airwaves with sarcastic jokes at music videos and soft-action antics that made us believe and wish that these things actually happened. Their next-door neighbor, for example, had his house graffitied, his lawn fricasseed, and his tool shed sodomized so often he changed his name and likeness and moved far far away. Tom Anderson grew hair and became Hank Hill, regional manager of Strickland Propane on the award-winning animated sitcom King of the Hill. Hank became an iconic character all by his Lone Star lonesome. But now, almost twenty years after the original premiere of Beavis and Butt-head, Mr. Hill will return to his roots because the lazy half-wit misfits next door are back and better animated than ever!

MTV will be airing brand-spanking new (heh-heh, spanking!) episodes of “Beavis and Butt-head” every Thursday night at 10 p.m. The premiere last week heralded the pair in the movie theater, making wise-cracks at “Twilight” much to the chagrin of the nearby girls. Later they learn in school that the rebelliousness and strength of the undead have always been attractive to women, so the boys stalk the town streets for werewolves. They find an HIV-ridden bum, bribe him to bite them, and the audiences are jumping out of their chairs in triumph, “Beavis and Butt-head are really back!”

But now that MTV is no longer about music but fluff and fake personalities, what will the boys make fun of? Oh, what indeed! “Jersey Shore” is expected to be a regular victim (“You’re the best grandma in the world, Grandma JWoww.” “Heh-heh, yeah…please don’t hit me again!”), as well as “16 and Pregnant,” “Real Life,” and, yes, music videos. The simplistic action will also stay true to the early 90s version, as the boys will continue to be inept at literally everything except self-mutilation and vandalism against unsuspecting townsfolk.

The new digital age, where the latest thing is the fad for only five minutes, could use commentators as simple and to-the-point as Beavis and Butt-head. The voice of the early 90s has now become the voice of the Internet, and while impaling their own hands with screws and seeking bites from hobos, many can agree that they match the intelligence of many Internet commenters and reality show stars, but are, like, way cooler.

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