March, 2008
March 3, 2008 Today's
Agonizing Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Peter the Great heard of the affair and achieved the sort of U-turn that only a psychopathic six-foot-five-inch czar could get away with. He announed that, even though he hadn't clapped eyes on Eudoxia for 18 years and had himself long since remarried, she had never legally ceased to be his wife, and her boyfriend was therefore guilty of adultery. To hammer the point home, the next day at precisely 3 p.m. a wooden stake was driven into Glebov's rectum. He lingered on in agony until the evening of the following day. Eudoxia escaped relatively lightly: she was ordered to be whipped by monks in front of the other nuns, then shipped off to an even more remote convent. Culled
from: Royal
Babylon ********************************************************************** You're probably wondering where I've been, yet again? I was called off to the Old Country (ie. Catatonia) for a couple of weeks to assist with some DeSpair family affairs. I had thought I would have a reliable internet connection there, but the wiring isn't modern at the old Castle and I was left connectionless. I apologize for leaving you in the morbid lurch. ******* While in Catatonia, I finished reading the above quoted book "Royal Babylon" by Karl Shaw. At last my streak of sub-par morbid books has been broken! Shaw's book is an entertaining examination of Europe's notorious royal families in all their inbred, insane, sex-crazed, disease-ridden glory! How morbid is this book? Well, let's put it this way: when I read a book, I use book darts to mark spots where potential morbid facts can be found. This book almost single-handedly used up an entire container of book darts! Those royals are thoroughly entertaining, in their sickening, power-mad way. Highly recommended! Royal
Babylon ******* Morbid Trinket Du Jour! I recently discovered that Thanatos.Net has a Flickr page - and on this page they have the most delightful toy in the history of civilization. Or very nearly so. Wouldn't you agree? http://www.flickr.com/photos/thanatosdotnet/2278723250/ The entire Flickr page is well worth a browse, filled as it is with vintage medical and mortuary photographs. I drool with envy at this collection... |
March 4, 2008 Today's
Neat Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Culled
from: Wikipedia ********************************************************************** Recently, I stumbled across the most marvelous website, and have wasted several hours perusing it since. It's not actually morbid, but I figured that the more nostalgic souls among us might find it as fascinating as I do. You see, greywater (I couldn't locate the webmaster's actual name on the site) has a splendid hobby: he purchases old cameras that still have film in them (or used rolls of film that have been removed from the cameras) and develops them, then he posts the results on his site. What emerges is a sort of time capsule reflecting everyday lives that were documented decades ago, then left to linger in a camera until finally liberated and displayed. The photographs are fascinating; the captions alternatingly poignant or hysterical. I can't help but stop and wonder about the people displayed, and whether they are still alive, and what the pictures represent. Perhaps you'd like to join in the fun? And, who knows, maybe if we keep passing the link on eventually someone will recognize a face in one of these shots? ******* Morbid Lyric Du Jour! Peacemaster1278 sends a morbid lyric suggestion: "The band Mudvayne has made a song about the known serial killer Ed Gein. The song is called 'Nothing To Gein'." Mudvayne - Nothing To Gein Cold
and silent, soiled face I will wash it all away, Life
submissiveness, Sheltered
life innocence, Deliver
the remains from her womb of earth, If
I soak my hands in others blood am I sick, Blame
mother for the sickness, Nothing
is left for me to gain they're coming to take me far Life
of a simple man taught that everyone else is dirty and love is
|
March 5, 2008 Today's
Tremendous Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Culled
from: The
Pessimist's Guide To History ********************************************************************** I've been slowly but surely adding more morbid sightseeing photographs to the new Flickr group, and so have others. Won't you stop by and have a look? http://www.flickr.com/groups/morbidsightseeing/ ******* Einstein Shrugged sends a link to an online RPG called "Super Columbine Massacre": "The graphics are pretty pisspoor but hey, it's the thought that counts, right?" From the site: "Super Columbine Massacre RPG!" is a FREE Role Playing Game (RPG) for your PC devoid of malware, spyware or other junk. "DESCRIPTION: This game delves into the morning of April 20th, 1999 and asks players to relive that day through the eyes of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, those responsible for the deadliest school shooting in American history. "MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, or XP, 233mhz processor, 128mb RAM, 50mb disk space, soundcard. WINDOWS USERS ONLY. "A WORD TO THE WISE: Save your game whenever possible and explore! This game is intended to deepen the understanding of the shooting and its possible causes. What the player takes out of it is ultimately dependant upon what the player puts into it." ******* Ghastly! You're probably aware that Phil Spector's murder trial ended up in a mistrial, and he will probably end up being retried later this year. But have you seen the evidence photos of his victim... er, rather, the victim... Lana Clarkson? Now you can say yes: http://www.jamd.com/image/g/74588333?epmid=1 Thanks to rjgord for the link. |
March 8, 2008 Today's
Awful Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Culled
from: News.Com.Au
via the Los Angeles Times ********************************************************************** The next time you're feeling down on yourself and thinking what a wretched mess your life has become, click on this link and you'll realize that things could always be worse... http://www.reuters.com/news/video/videoStory?videoId=64240 Thanks
to Faith for the link. ******* Morbid Lyric Du Jour! Peacemaster1278 sends a morbid lyric suggestion: "Sufjan Stevens has made a song about serial killer John Wayne Gacy." John Wayne Gacy, Jr. His
father was a drinker Twenty-seven
people Are you one of them? He
dressed up like a clown for them And
in my best behavior |
March 9, 2008 Today's
Humorous Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Culled
from: Death:
A History Of Man's Obsessions and Fears ********************************************************************** Perhaps you've already heard that Perry Bible Fellowship, one of the best comics available on the net, is going into semi-retirement? Luckily, Nicholas Gurewitch isn't scrapping the comic entirely, just slowing down his output. Star Opal sent me some suggestions for past entries to feature in tribute to a wonderful collection. ******* Cold Off The Slab! Here's a newly-released book written by a friend of the Asylum Eclectica that sounds like a must-read for those of you interested in the morbid history of California! California
Justice: Shootouts, Lynching and Assassinations in the Golden State Here's the description: When it comes to Hollywood movie shootouts, lynchings, and assassinations the storyline almost always follows the same arc: --the
bad guys abuse the good guys,
|
March 12, 2008 Today's
Stubborn Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Culled
from: Neatorama ********************************************************************** Here
are some absolutely gorgeous photographs from the Opacity website of
an interesting old castle called Château de Mesen. Thanks to Cathy for the link. ******* Morbid Link Du Jour! Meg-O sent me a link to an incredible website called "Project Facade" which uncovers the stories of men who were severely disfigured during World War I. The case studies are compelling and some of the photographs of the groundbreaking reconstructive surgeries are cringe-inducing. In other words, what are you waiting for??? |
March 17, 2008 Today's
Freaked Out Yet Truly Morbid Fact! The time line the man provided is fuzzy in the report, but he told police he stayed in his apartment for the next three days, drinking and contemplating what to do with the dead prostitute's body. At one point, he climbed out the window of his apartment and began digging a hole. Perhaps due to some epiphany or newfound respect for the woman, the man decided he was "doing the wrong thing," so he clambered back inside and filled his bathtub with cold water. He placed the woman's body in the tub to prevent her from decomposing. The
despondent man walked back to the 7-Eleven, where he called his boss
from a pay phone. The next morning, the man and his boss called the
police and the medical examiner retrieved the waterlogged body. A What
could possibly possess a sane person to keep a body in his home for
days? According to Witt, "It sounds like... he was afraid and didn't
know what to do and didn't have anyone to call. There may have been
some Culled
from: The
Stranger ********************************************************************** As Bruce said, Worst Date Ever!! I'm just about caught up with my horrible February/March workload that has taken me away from you so much. I do apologize for being such a wayward Comtesse. My photography obsession of late hasn't helped much either... which brings me to... The Camera DeMentia! As I have discussed recently, my primary 2008 obsession is with photography, mainly classic cameras such as old Brownies and other box cameras and the Holga. I've been taking tons of pictures, with varied results, and honing my skills so that I can start photographing some morbid sightseeing spots in the near future. For a very long time I've been planning on putting up a photo gallery called "The Camera DeMentia" but it occurred to me that it might be more entertaining and satisfying to have a photo blog instead of just a gallery. So, I went ahead and started a blog version of The Camera DeMentia on blogger and I'll be updating it frequently with both new and old images over the next few weeks. The images aren't necessarily all morbid - in fact, most of what I've shot lately isn't - but hopefully those of you interested in photography will find something of interest. And please don't hesitate to send any words of criticism or support regarding the images. http://cameradementia.blogspot.com/ ******* Morbid Sightseeing! Okay, you know you're in the scary part of the south when you find a Coon Dog Cemetery. And they don't mean just the breed of dog known as a "coon dog" - they mean dogs that actually chase raccoons so they can be killed. Yes, it's a very frightening world out there. I don't know if I'd ever have the courage to venture into such a southern gothic realm as the Key Underwood Coon Dog Cemetery, but if you ever do - please tell me all about it! http://www.coondogcemetery.com/index.html Thanks to Libby for the suggestion. |
March 19, 2008 Today's
Pressing Yet Truly Morbid Fact! "The criminal is sent back to the prison whence he came, and there laid in some dark room, upon the bare ground on his back, all naked, except his privy parts, his arms and legs drawn with cords fastened to several parts of the room; and then there is laid on his body, iron, stone, or lead, so much as he can bear; the next day he shall have three morsels of barley bread, without drink; and the third day shall have to drink some of the kennel water with bread. And this method is in strictness to be observed until he is dead." This torture often succeeded in persuading the victim to plead and stand trial. [Gee, you think? - DeSpair] In 1726, for instance, a murderer named Burnworth endured a mass of some 450 pounds for nearly two hours before he begged to be released; he pleaded, was found guilty, and hanged. Culled
from: The
History Of Torture ********************************************************************** Morbid Lyric Du Jour! Nina has a morbid lyric to share: "Suicidal Tendencies: They were somewhat popular (more so with skate rats and punkers). Here is one of their lovelier songs." I Saw Your Mommy Yesterday,
as I went out of the house Twisted
body chopped off feet I
saw your mommy and your mommy's dead I
saw your mommy and your mommy's dead ******* Morbid Link Du Jour! Otis Archives - a Flickr profile that consists of "favorite" photos uploaded by the staff of the Otis Historical Archives of the National Museum of Health and Medicine, in Washington DC - has uploaded a few good morbid images recently. I was particularly moved by the Civil War image entitled, "Shell Wound of the face, with great destruction of the soft parts." http://www.flickr.com/photos/22719239@N04/2342453933/ The
entire archive can be browsed here: |
March 23, 2008 Today's
Stuck Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Culled
from: The Associated Press ********************************************************************** Where does one even begin with a story like this? This is even stranger than the woman who was fused to the couch. I mean, at least the couch is a comfy place to sit and you can always watch TV in the living room. What on earth did this woman do during her waking hours? Mindboggling... ******* Morbid Candy Du Jour! We knew it was only a matter of time... "Totally gross! You know what we're talking about. You've skinned your elbow while crashing your bicycle getting extreme over a gnarly jump in your neighborhood. You cry to your mommy and she gently places a bandage over the bloody spot. Two days later, you peel back the bandage to re-assess the damage. That same spot is now oozy in the middle and crusty at the edges! SO NASTY! You know you want to lick that puss spot.... don't deny it.... and now you can.... with Candy Scabs!" http://www.candywarehouse.com/candyscabs.html Thanks
to Christina for the link. ******* Morbid Video Du Jour! Steve O' sent me a link to an interesting video that shows a recreation of the waterboarding "interrogation" technique that is so near and dear to the Bush administration's heart. Funny, but it sure looks like torture to me... http://www.blah3.com/article.php?story=20061031210550124 |
March 24, 2008 Today's
Remorseless Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Culled
from: Last
Suppers: Famous Final Meals From Death Row ********************************************************************** Wretched Recommendations! Roy has a fiction recommendation for us: The
House "[The Pig] is one of the sickest stories I have ever read. You will not be disappointed..." Here's the synopsis of "The Pig" (which is included in The House) from the Necro Publications website: "You know, the traditional tale of a man with big city dreams and how one wrong deal can put you in the woods filming porn with junkie whores, sexual freaks, psycho mobsters and, oh yeah...a pig." Sounds, er, intriguing. More
Fiction recommendations can be found at The Library Eclectica's Frightening
Fiction aisle. ******* Morbid Link Du Jour! em sends a link for the strong of stomach: "I
found a link I think you might be interested in. Well, if you like gross
medical stuff described by the people who know this stuff best: nurses.
Basically, the thread is "What freaks you out?" You can tell
where it will go from there. It's fairly old; the newest post is from
'05, I think. But it went on for a few years. Some of the posts are
funny, some a little sad, and all are pretty disgusting. Some are EXTREMELY
disgusting. I just read one that I'm having a hard time putting out
of my head." |
March 25, 2008 Today's
Sunk Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Notes were found on the body of Captain Lieutenant Dimitry Kolesnikov, one of the survivors of the initial event. These show that a total of 23 sailors (out of 118 aboard) survived in compartment #9, the aft-most compartment on the boat, for hours after the blasts. There has been much debate over how long the sailors might have survived. Some, particularly on the Russian side, say that they would have died very quickly; water is known to leak into a stationary Oscar-II craft through the propeller shafts and at 100m depth it would have been impossible to plug these. Others point out that the many potassium superoxide chemical cartridges, used to absorb carbon dioxide and chemically release oxygen to enable survival, were found used when the craft was recovered, suggesting that they had survived for several days. Ironically, these cartridges appear to have been the cause of death; a sailor appears to have accidentally brought a cartridge in contact with the sea water, causing a chemical reaction and a flash fire. The official investigation into the disaster showed that some men appeared to have survived the fire by plunging under the water (the fire marks on the walls indicate the water was at waist level in the lower area at this time). However the fire rapidly used up the remaining oxygen in the air, causing death by asphyxiation. Kursk was eventually raised by a Dutch team using the barge Giant 4, and all 118 dead were recovered and laid to rest in Russia. However 3 of the bodies were too badly mutilated by the first blast and subsequent fires to be positively identified. The heat generated by the first blast detonated the warheads on 4 torpedoes causing a series of subsequent blasts that were massive enough to be detected on geological seismic sensors in the area. These secondary explosions were the cause of the fatal damage to the vessel. Culled
from: Wikipedia ********************************************************************** Here are some photographs of the Kursk after it was raised: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=111350 And here is the official "lifting of the Kursk" website: http://kursk.strana.ru/english/ ******* Morbid Mirth Du Jour! Apparently, I need to beware of cannibals because I'm a juicy morsel: I could feed 12 of them! Yes, it's definitely time to go on a diet. So, how many cannibals can you feed? http://www.oneplusyou.com/q/v/cannibal_lunch Thanks to TwistedPrincess69 for the link. ******* Morbid Must Have! Now,
here's a book I must add to my wish list immediately! Thanks to Shifter
for sending the link my way. Infernal
Device: Machinery of Torture and Execution Here's the Amazon description: "Erik Ruhling assembles an unmatched array of torture tools invented exclusively for the infliction of pain and the ending of life, each carefully researched with an accompanying full-color, highly detailed rendering. This beautifully presented book features classics like the Iron Maiden and the Guillotine, as well as more rarified connoisseur's fare such as the Scavenger's Daughter and the Ear Chopper. And if the Tongue Tearer is not to your taste, there's always the Breast Ripper or the Drunkard's Cloak." And while we're on the topic, here are more selections from the Execution & Torture Aisle of The Library Eclectica. |
March 26, 2008 Today's
Unwed Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Culled
from: Witchcraze ********************************************************************** I added some new photos to the Morbid Sightseeing Flickr Group, including photos of one of the Zodiac Killer murder sites in San Francisco, the Golden Gate bridge, and Bumpass Hell. Others have also added some great pics as well. Please have a browse and consider adding some of your own shots to the mix! http://www.flickr.com/groups/morbidsightseeing/ ******* Morbid Candy Du Jour! Oh, I'm so annoyed with myself that I didn't come across this in my inbox prior to Valentine's Day - but I figure you can still appreciate them at any time of the year. The wonderful Despair, Inc. has come out with an excellent collection of anti-Valentine's heart candies: the Dejected, Dysfunctional, and Dumped collections of Bittersweets. Many of them had me laughing out loud - perhaps you might enjoy them as well? http://despair.com/bittersweets.html Thanks to Alastair for the link. ******* Morbid Trinket Du Jour! The portrait coffin pendants offered by Devil & Mouse are quite nice. I'll take a Lizzie Borden necklace, please! http://devilandmouse.com/piratesdemons.html The
Dead Teddy pendant is nice as well: http://devilandmouse.com/cute.html Thanks to Cathy for the link. |
March 31, 2008 Today's
Undigested Yet Truly Morbid Fact! Culled
from: Neatorama ********************************************************************** Ugh...
I feel ill just reading the description of that meal! Pop Music??? So, every now and again something very uncharacteristic and strange happens to me and I find myself obsessed with a piece of pop music. Recently, it has happened with a Swedish singer called Robyn, who by all logic should represent that vacant world of manufactured pop dross that I find appalling. However, there is something strangely appealing about Robyn that I can't seem to shake. I am especially obsessed with two rather melancholy songs that I thought I'd share. She's not well-known (yet) in America so I figured these might be new to you, and maybe you might find this strange androgynous creature as appealing as I do. The
first song I wanted to share is a collaboration with Swedish producer
Christian Falk and The Ark singer Ola Salo called "Dream On".
The lyrics to this song are perfectly double-edged. Is it a positive,
uplifting song about outsiders finding the peace and solace that they've
always dreamed about, or is it a song about outsiders searching for
a peace and solace that will only come in dreams and never in real life?
The video creeps me out too - especially the second verse where the
actress (that's not Robyn) stops singing and looks like she's going
to throw up. Creepy stuff... to me, anyway. The
second song, "With Every Heartbeat," is an awesome melancholy
song about breaking up. Okay, so there are tons of those, but this is
a particularly GOOD one. Hope you enjoyed them... and if not, well, then my girlfriend wants to give you a high five. ******* Wretched Recommendations! Red Chaotic Kitten has a video recommendation: "I recently watched Decoding the Past: In Search Of The Real Frankenstein on the History Channel. It is a fascinating study of Galvanism and the effect of electricty on the dead. It describes the many experiments done on corpses with electric probes in order to reanimate the body. In 1600's it was believed that such practices could bring some one back from the grave. I especially enjoyed the section where it reenacts experiments on one particular corpse of a convict sentenced to death. Electric probes were placed in certain areas that made the lungs collapse and expand as if the dead man was breathing. When the probes were placed on the forehead his face contorted as if the deceased was in pain, writhing in agony from the grueling procedure that were being preformed. If you want a great look into history on what is presumed to be the basis for Mary Shelley's timeless classic Frankenstein you should definitely check it out. I am not sure when it's next show time is but I know you can purchase it. It is worth a watch and a great edition to any collection." http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=76844 ******* Morbid Mirth Du Jour! Apparently, our late beloved Master Of The Macabre, Edward Gorey, was a bit of a Star Trek fan but a 1977-era newspaper clipping stated that he had yet to see "The Trouble With Tribbles". An imaginative (and artistic) fan images what might have been... http://shaenon.livejournal.com/48834.html#cutid1 Thanks to Rhiannon for the link. |