PODCAST EPISODE ONE

Here's the flagship program! Episode one! Uncommon Ground Radio managed to defeat the internet, and bring the best of UG to the world! Wahahahaha!

Boo!

Keep an eye out for orbs, streamers, and auras as you peruse these photos taken at the Fort Qu'Appelle Paranormal symposium!

Banner put up in the main hall of the Fort Qu'appelle Legion.

Symposium organizer Jan Drummond of Calling Lakes Paranormal Investigators, Inc. peddles her wares.

Saskatoon's Witch's Brew Metaphysical Books & Gifts had - in my opinion - the grooviest looking table.

"I am the creative power in my universe"

Haunted autopsy cart.

Fair volunteers pose with haunted autopsy cart.

Regular Legion patrons gather to play cards in the room adjacent to the fair.

- Joel Cherry


Photography by:

- Noel Busse

Meditation procrastination

I recently had the chance to talk to some people about their spirituality, and I found it to be, pardon the pun, pretty enlightening.

I've been interested in Eastern religions, Buddhism in particular, for some time now. Although I, like the people in my radio story, wouldn't call myself a Buddhist, I do believe that the philosophy has a lot to offer. I say philosophy, rather than religion, because I feel that is a more apt term for the teachings and traditions of the Buddhist culture.

I had been meaning to go check out the Regina Insight Meditation Community's meetings before this particular assignment came up, but a busy work schedule forced me to keep putting it off. So when we decided that our radio show would be centered on groups outside of the mainstream, I jumped at the rare opportunity to mix work with something I was genuinely interested in.

When I arrived at Chris' house for the meeting, I was a little unsure of what to expect. A sign on the door said "Don't bother knocking, come inside and take your shoe's off", instructions I promptly followed. Once inside, I was greeted with a variety of vaguely eastern pictures and ornaments. I could see, through a closed door in the adjacent room, that the meeting had already started. Not wanting to interrupt, I didn't see any other choice but to stand dumbfounded in the hallway reading the various pamphlets spread out on a table in the hallway.

Thankfully, a friendly woman saw I was standing there and came around to greet me. She welcomed me to take her seat in the back and be a part of the group. For the next forty-five minutes, I listened to meditation-leader Dohna Angelie's soothing voice guide the group through the meditation.

While I'll admit I was initially filled with trepidation at the thought of sitting still for forty-five minutes, the time really did seem to fly by. I won't make any grand proclamations that my life was changed by the experience or that I had an out-of-body experience, but I will say that sitting still and trying to think about nothing for three quarters of an hour is actually a lot more soothing than it sounds.

After the meditation period and a small group discussion, I met with Dahna and she introduced me to Chris Gilboy and Donna Burks, who were both kind enough to grant me the interviews I used in my story. Chris hosts the meetings, and Donna is a regular attendee who occasionally manages the community's small library of spiritual material.

While I'm not sure if I'm going to make meditation a regular practice in my life, I do feel that I learned a lot from Chris, Donna, and the entire community. As they wished me luck on my journey, so do I wish them luck on theirs.


- Noel Busse

Touched by his Noodly Appendage

Pastafarianism has existed for hundreds of years, but it tragically dwelt at the briny edges of public consciousness until 2005, when the courageous, erudite Bobby Henderson sent this letter to the Kansas school board. Henderson supported the teaching of Intelligent Design in biology class, but pointed out that Genesis is but one origin story. It is only fair that if the Christian origin story is given equal time in class, then so should the tale of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (hereafter referred to as FSM).

I have been touched by His noodly appendage and I feel it is my duty as a journalist and as a human being to spread His word, if only through this humble blog post. You see, I had been blinded by the overwhelming “evidence” presented by “scientists” into thinking that the natural history of the earth WASN’T a giant illusion created by the FSM to test our faith. Here we see in breathtaking detail how it really happened as the FSM creates some trees, a mountain, and a midget.

Pirates were the original Pastafarians, and the decline of this majestic race not only resulted in the loss of ancient Pastafarian knowledge – it is the single largest contributing factor to global warming. For your consideration:

The movement has been back in the spotlight for three years now, and why not? Compared to the four full pages of academic endorsements garnered by Him of the Abundant Carbs, Intelligent Design looks positively silly. Brave Pastafarians in Crossville, Tennessee gained city approval to erect a statue of the FSM outside the town courthouse (statues have since been banned from the premises completely, but no matter). Perhaps greatest of all, it has been revealed that the man who is poised to inherit the highest office in the entire world may have been raised Pastafarian.

We don’t know if he still has FSM in his heart, but it's a hope we can believe in.

In any case, ten million people have been touched by His noodly appendage, and there is always room for more aboard the ship. I know that He has noodly love for roller derby, sanctioned extramarital liaisons, cigarette smoking, and whatever else it may have been that brought you to this page. Not Buddhism though, you're too old for imaginary friends.

Yours in FSM,

-Joel Cherry

Smoking causes cancer

For about a year, I’ve been an on-and-off smoker. Much to the chagrin of friends, family and people in general, I smoke then I quit then I stress and then I smoke again.

It’s frustrating – for everyone involved.

I’ve used aids – the patch and the gum. They work for a while, but I’ve always ended up addicted to the aids and when I stop using them I wind up smoking again.

The physical addiction is a major seduction, I can’t deny that. I’m not so naïve as to puff out my chest and say, “Bah, I can quit any time. I just don’t want to.”

That would be a lie.

But, I have quit many times. Quit for much longer than the three days it takes for the nicotine to remove itself from my system.

My love-hate relationship with nicotine has caused me to wonder what keeps me on the smokes. I’ve reached the conclusion that smokers get much more from cigarettes than a simple nicotine fix.

The social aspect is a huge draw, and forcing smokers to take their habit outside has contributed to that. Now, I’m not saying that smoking should be allowed to smoke in buildings. I’m not going to deny the risks of second-hand smoke. I believe all the health risks.

Smoking forces you to idly stand around for a few minutes with other people with whom you share a specific commonality. It’s awkward to bounce from foot to foot staring at some stranger blankly, so people talk.

-Lindsay Thorimbert

Swingin' Regina

In a society where marriage seems to have the same expiry date as the wedding cake, some couples in Regina are choosing a less-than-conventional marriage arrangement.

I spoke to "Dish" and "Rene", who are both happily in love with their significant others, but came to an arrangement early on in their relationships for polyamory fun.

Both Rene and Dish are successful, middle classed parents with a mortgage, pets, and a big secret. It took a while for both of them to trust me enough to interview on the basis of anonymity, and thus they are both being referred to as pseudonyms. But you know, once they decided to chat, they sure opened up! They told me how they wished that they could just let people know, but they were worried about how it would hurt their social and professional lives in their separate existence.

Listen up at the end of October for more on Rene, Dish and the lifestyle!

But for those who are interested in finding out more, consider reading:

Terry Gould, The Lifestyle: A Look at the Erotic Rites of Swingers (Paperback), (Vintage Canada, November 23, 1999) -
THE LIFESTYLE: A Look at the Erotic Rites of Swingers is set against a backdrop of American "playcouple" conventions, swing club parties, and a luxury tour in Mexico. Its wide-ranging analysis includes the nature and evolution of sexuality, monogamy, and erotic love, and is backed by extensive research and numerous interviews with the leaders of the lifestyle movement and its participants.(www.thelifestyle.nu)



-Dani Mario

Pile O' Bones Derby Club

Some of Regina's toughest chicks are rolling with the punches at the Pile O' Bones Derby club, the newest addition to the Canadian roller derby revival.

Formed in January 2008, Pile O' Bones is growing in numbers as a place for the 'uncommon girl' to gather and partake in an 'uncommon sport'.

I checked out one of the local derby practices to talk to some of the girls about their experiences on the track, and about adopting the personas that are most commonly associated with the sport.

The most impressive part of the evening was how close all of the local derby girls seemed to be. On the ground, tying up their skates and cursing like the best of them, the group of women between the ages of 21 and 39 all stressed that getting beat up by one another did not change their friendships. It was great to talk about the history of roller derby in the 70's and 80's with the new generation of players, decked out in their skull print socks and hard core helmets fitted with red devil horns.

The girls showed me all their protective gear, how to fall properly without getting hurt and the basic maneuvers to lap around the flat track to score points.

I'm definitely not hot or cool enough to be a derby girl, but it was an immense pleasure to ask these girls why they take the time out of their busy weeks to come together and escape reality, while keeping in shape and looking hot!


-Kelsey Meehan