Enigma Street is back!

Well, I’m back and eager to get back bringing you the best and most interesting stories on the strange and unusual. It will cover a range of topics. So whether you’re a hardened James Randi-loving sceptic, an orthodox Fortean or just enjoy a little bit of bizarre you should find something to interest you on Enigma Street.

So while I was laid up what did I miss? Here in the UK the biggest Fortean story was probably the UFO flap with multiple witnesses in different locations.

Meanwhile, in Russia a team from the Centre for Fortean Zoology are tracking the almasty (which I just realised I have been spelling wrong). Keep up to date at the expeditions blog.

Speaking of our Russian friends: I also missed the anniversary of one of my all time favourite Fortean events.  30th June was the 100th anniversary of the Tunguska explosion.

Oh, and some strange faceless people turned up in London. Sadly, not Autons promoting the series finale of Dr Who (Dr Who fever has gripped the nation).  They seem to be selling cars (Lotus to be precise).

Here they attend Kim Cattrall’s event at Harrods.

It’s good to be back!

Another Batch of UFO Files from The National Archives and Word from the Vatican on ETs

Check out the recently declassified UFO files from Britain’s National Archives.

No actual proof of course, that would be far too much fun. But an interesting read.  With commentary from both Dr David Clarke and Nick Pope.

Meanwhile, over at the Holy City, the Pope’s official astronomer, the Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, has concluded that the existence of alien life is not inconsistent with the Catholic faith.

The Catholic Church and its relationship with extraterrestrials have featured extensively in fiction.

A Case of Conscience by James Blish and The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell both explore what happens when Jesuit scientists encounter extraterrestrial civilizations.

If you’re squeamish you might want to give The Sparrow a miss. What happens to the main protagonist is pretty grim.

Undertaking a secret mission for Area 51 is no excuse for reckless driving

A man in San Rafael, California has been charged with reckless driving, driving while intoxicated and causing injuries and hit-and-run.

But, Antonio Patrinostro, 43, had an interesting excuse. He was on a secret mission for Area 51 the military base said to be the centre of extraterrestrial activity and a repository for all sorts of UFO goodies.  The vehicle was capable of flying and he was trying to build up enough speed to take off.  And the cocktail of drugs including Valium and cocaine? Well, they were part of an experiment that might one day cure AIDS.

If convicted (and frankly I don’t think anyone is buying the Area 51 story) he faces up to 3 years in prison.

(Via Boing Boing)

Robbie Williams: “This big ball of gold light turned up. On my life.”

According to The Daily Mail:

Robbie Williams has seen UFOs THREE times. I’ve never even seen one! (I saw ball lightning once but that’s for another post…)

Apparently, he saw his first as a child. And his second while in Beverley Hills. According to the Mail hopes that one day he can become a “qualified Ufologist” (which isn’t actually a proper job). Maybe he can take a leaf out of Myleene Klass and Brian May’s books and train in astronomy. Astronomy and pop go together apparently.

UFOs aren’t the only paranormal subject Robbie finds intriguing. Ghosts are, according to the former Take That star, “from another world”.

If Robbie’s talent agency is trawling the web for his tags Anomalista would love to interview him for Enigma Street. For that matter I’d love to hear from Myleene or Brian too!