The Phenomenon by James Fox 
Review by Louise D'Arcy

What do we actually know about the world around us?  We generally go about our day acting out the same narratives and routine as we are accustomed to - work, eat, sleep and repeat, but do most of us stop to wonder anymore?  We are so wrapped up in our own world or those around us (thanks to social media), that we are oblivious to things that might be out there or... perhaps... here?  Feeling almost thankful that I was a child of the 80's before all the technology took over every aspect of our existence, I remember a simpler time, a time where the sense of wonder was always there.  Thanks in part to movies like Star Wars, Cocoon and E.T. the notion of alien beings or a world beyond our own was a fun curiosity that I would from time to time would entertain, but as I grew older this faded as other hobbies like music became more important.   Other than visiting the Kennedy Space Centre in 2003 on an American holiday  I didn't really give space or life from other planets much thought at all.  This all changed a few years ago though when I came across Coast to Coast AM and I took a deep dive down the rabbit hole of the paranormal and everything in between. Having come across this late night American radio podcast I thought I hit the jackpot, here was a show with all the things I was into like the Paranormal, NDE's, Psychic Phenomenon, Divine Intervention etc.  One night by chance I stumbled upon an interview with the Blink 182 lead singer Tom Delonge, in the interview he spoke about secret talks with secret people regarding UFO's and the future plans of a slow disclosure,  Having basically hung off every word he said for over two hours,  I was quite literally hooked!!  

I started listening to other podcasts, seeking out You Tube clips, anything about the subject I could listen to or read up on.  Some things were too far fetched to stomach and others were just anecdotal with no witnesses to back the stories up.  One day in my searching I stumbled across  'I Know What I Saw' a movie on You Tube by James Fox.  This movie had interviews with credible witnesses from both the military in America and around the world.  The film also investigated a mass sighting in Phoenix Arizona in 1997 called the 'Phoenix Lights'. This mass sighting was seen by countless witnesses  and caught the attention of news stations and even government officials, who at first denied legitimacy of the sightings only to go on the record later and admit that they lied.

Years past and I heard rumours online that James Fox was making a new film called 701, he even came to Australia and pleaded on prime time TV to Australian audiences that if anyone had more information about a little known mass sighting that happened in 1966 at Westall School in Melbourne to get in touch.  I couldn't believe it, a mass sighting here, in Australia?!

There was a lot of anticipation from fans and UFO enthusiasts but it seemed there was some hold up on the production of the film so the wait continued.  Fast forward to 2019 and it was full steam ahead on the film with a new title, a trailer and talks of a cinematic release.  Although COVID 19 definitely dampened what would have been a huge roll out to cinemas, 'The Phenomenon' was well worth the wait.

'The Phenomenon' is a history lesson in ufology; a well researched, factual, evidence based documentary that highlights both the well and not so well known UFO cases from around the world.  The film doesn't lend itself to speculation but grounds itself in facts backed up by Government Officials, Airforce and Navy Pilots, Apollo Astronauts and even a President or two.

For me personally, I found that I was struck by the genuine and sincere accounts from experiencers of the mass school sightings in both Zimbabwe and Australia that this film highlighted.  How these events didn't reach world wide attention then and are still virtually unknown by the general public now, I'll never understand!  What is more important then the nature of our reality and what lies beyond it?!

I would implore even the hardest sceptic to watch 'The Phenomenon' and honestly walk away unaffected.  In the words of Chris Mellon (Fmr Deputy Asst. Sec. of Defence for Intelligence) "These things are real, they're here. this is happening now!"  You think 2020 is crazy? Well, I have a feeling, you aint seen nothing yet!!

Single Shaming

I want to talk about single shaming because it’s a thing that happens and I’m single so I should know.  Maybe you’re a well meaning friend, maybe you’re a family member who just wants to understand why it is they are still unattached or a co-worker who thinks the single girl in the office is ‘one of those’, whatever the reason, let me assure you it never feels nice to the person who is the object of your observations, scrutiny or ridicule.

As a 35 year old single woman I’ve heard it all and with every year comes more pressure followed by the comments….."Just find someone already", "stop being so picky", "you’re not giving it enough effort", blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.  It seems as soon as someone has a significant other suddenly it means they have all the wisdom when it comes to relationships, utter rubbish!

Don’t misunderstand me, advice is something to take into consideration, but when it comes to something like love and companionship there is no one size fits all formula.  What worked for you or your friend from down the street won’t necessarily be the key to my success.  The thing is, people can only view someone through the very limited lens of their own experiences.  Without having full knowledge of the other persons own experiences, perceptions, roadblocks,  beliefs or desires then how can they ever truly have the capacity to 'help' them.  Many attached individuals don’t really know how they stumbled upon love themselves anyway, but what I find most offensive is their belief that the same thing can’t possibly happen to you or that you need some sort of roadmap or you’ll run out of time.

Yes it’s true, I’m single, and yes I do want to find someone special to share my life with but please don’t think I am incapable of finding my own way to love in my own time.  I am not naive, I am not too picky, I am not delusional and I am not your project.

So please, enough already!

Life's Struggles

I started writing this blog and realised it was a bit self indulgent so I deleted it again in hope that I could write something that actually got to the core of things.  I guess I was given a wake up call a week or two ago, but it's not the first time, I've had wakeup calls before but I guess I shrugged them off.  I remember when I was a young child, I thought all those bad things in life would happen to someone else and not to me or those closest to me but I was wrong, life throws us curve balls all the time and some people it seems are dealt a tougher hand than others.  I have questioned in the past why this happens but then I remember that even though you can't visibly see everyones pain it doesn't mean it's anything less than another persons.  I'd love to say everything happens for a reason but what good would that do, if you said that to someone who is in the thick of it, they'd give you the whats for and trod off in a huff.  Sometimes I think spirituality can help with the struggle to find understanding, but in saying that I think a lot of people practice it almost as a way to insure some sort of immunity, they believe if they pray hard enough and be good than things will go their way, when things go awry they curse God and cry out "Why me?"The answer could be addressed with another question,"Well, why not you?  Why anyone? If you really think about it, if life was roses all the time, would we actually learn anything at all??

There's no doubt that life can be unpredictable but when the chips are down I think it gives us time to revaluate what is really important and what makes us happy.  Although we think we may have a thousand tomorrows, it's never guaranteed.  I believe effectively what determines a great life is having none of those should've, could've and would'ves hanging around at the end and knowing that you remained true to who you are and what you wanted.

The "Why Me?" Mentality

"Why Me?!"…How many times do you think someone says that behind closed doors? 

I have a friend that relayed to me a really great quote "Never compare your behind the scenes to someone else's showreel".  How right that statement is!  In this day an age we are bombarded with images on screen or  in magazines of perfect people with perfect bodies that have perfect partners and live perfect lives, how are we supposed to feel even remotely adequate?  Yes, there are things out there that counteract these unrealistic ideals but I dare say not enough.  Pressure is everywhere,  just look around at our society, people are killing themselves trying to reach certain ideals, gyms are full, fad diets are all the go and cosmetic procedures to improve ones appearance are seen as normal.  But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's bad to look after yourself, work out or look your best but I wonder how many people are actually doing it for themselves rather than others.

We often read about those lucky few who seem to have it made, but some (not all) of those people we look to become drug addicts and alcoholics because they are unfulfilled, they thought that getting to where they are and being adored would make them feel better, but it didn't, so what else can they fall back on but something that can numb the emptiness.

But it's not just the celebrities, in everyday life, we parade our best selves and assets to each other, hoping nobody sees our flaws, most are successful in this endeavour but there's an unhealthy chain reaction that can occur, because those you impress may go home and look at themselves in the mirror and feel second rate.

Today it's not seen as cool to be vulnerable, partly because it triggers feelings of vulnerability in others, that they may not want, or be ready to feel.  Sometimes instead of support you may get a weird look or a verbal attack on how embarrassed they feel for you, making you feel alienated for simply trying to be authentic and honest.  It takes a lot of courage to lay your cards out,  often it is the brave souls however that are a lot happier in the long run.

I have IBS and I've battled with it and tried to hide it many times in the past, but it took some women who were brave enough to speak up and demystified it that have made me realise I shouldn't feel so ashamed about it.  So I just want to say thank you to those women and I want to say thank you to all the brave souls who lay their cards out, good on you!!  You may not realise how many people you are helping but you really do make a difference!! :-)

Links that may be of interest

IBS blog and youtube testimony
https://youtu.be/CYGbQ_QQF-A
http://ibsrachel.blogspot.com.au

Remember Ryan White? Such a brave boy!!
http://ibsrachel.blogspot.com.au

How brave and beautiful is this girl!
https://youtu.be/NHaWi6MMx0k

The Red Dress Project, so courageous!!
https://www.facebook.com/underthereddress