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Living in Fear of Busbys

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In the grand pantheon of human fears—arachnophobia, claustrophobia, coulrophobia—there lies a lesser-known but equally unsettling condition that has haunted the fringes of polite society for centuries: Busbyphobia, the irrational and often debilitating fear of the tall, furry military hats known as busbys. Once thought to be a mere eccentricity, Busbyphobia is slowly gaining recognition in psychiatric circles as a legitimate condition, marked by intense discomfort, panic attacks, and, in extreme cases, hallucinations triggered by the sight—or even thought—of the iconic headgear. What Is a Busby? And Why Does It Haunt Us? A busby is a large, cylindrical military hat traditionally made from bear fur, famously worn by British military regiments during ceremonies like the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. To the average tourist, it's a quaint relic of imperial pageantry. But to a Busbyphobe, it's a looming, sinister totem of nightmare fuel. The roots of this fear often tr...

Cryptid Investigations #380 - The Podman

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Deep in the American heartland where shadows stretch unnaturally long beneath the moonlight, a legend has grown—both in stature and in mystery. A legend of a creature of unnatural origin. Locals are reluctant to talk about it for fear of ridicule or even that the mere mention of its name might be enough to summon this creature. It's name is Podman: a giant, humanoid creature bearing an eerie resemblance to a corn cob, with glistening yellow-gold skin patterned in rows, large saucer-shaped eyes that gleam in the dark, long limbs ending in claw-like hands, and a mouth packed with jagged, dagger-like teeth. Mostly spotted at night, the Podman is a cryptid said to have haunted agricultural communities since at least the 1970s. Sightings, whispers, and warnings have passed from one generation to the next, blending folklore, fear, and fascination into one of the more bizarre and unsettling figures in the world of cryptozoology. A Kernel of Truth: Historical Encounters The earliest known ...

Dorkfest: A Celebration of Nerdy Excess

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Dorkfest began in 1992 as an unassuming, almost accidental gathering on a university campus. Its humble origins featured just two devoted Doctor Who fans, a ghetto blaster, and a single worn-out cassette of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. What started as an impromptu celebration of geekdom (and possibly a failed attempt at a proper party) soon evolved into a small but resilient tradition. Despite its minuscule attendance and questionable production values, Dorkfest embraced an atmosphere of unapologetic fandom. Over time, word spread—perhaps ironically, perhaps in genuine admiration—and the festival grew to include more niche fandoms, awkward dancing, and an ever-expanding selection of music played from increasingly outdated technology. Some recurring highlights of Dorkfest over the years have allegedly included: Dramatic re-enactments of classic Doctor Who scenes (often hindered by poor costume planning). Trivia battles that became so intense they led to at least one known frie...

When the Material Writes Itself AKA You can't make this stuff up!

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So after a few months full of drama, I'd like to share an amusing experience I just had while shopping at one of Australia's two major supermarkets that is not Coles. I was walking down the chip isle minding my own business when I stopped to pick up a couple of packets of my favourite go to snacks. Just in front of me was a man (In hindsight I use that term very loosely) who clearly loved his food and was taking up most of the real estate of the isle. As I was left with no choice I politely waited for him to make probably the most important decision of the day. Once he had selected his chip of choice he walked backwards into me and then proceeded to give a performance worthy of a Razzie award. He started going on about how I had pushed my trolley into him and how offended he was. As he ranted, I just looked at him. First with astonishment at the level of manufactured drama one individual could generate. Then with pity about how little he must have happening in his life that he ...