My Psychic's Challenge

[mayday]

On another thread I spoke of a psychic I have been going to see who I believe has some type of abilities beyond guessing, as she has told me things cold/warm/hot reading would not be able to tell.

Naturally, most here doubt my story so I am trying to think of a way I can prove what I'm talking about. So far, all I can think to do is record one of my sessions with her and play it back on here to see how accurate she is. This would mean answering some questions from some of the posters here.

If you can think of a question you would like answered, that would prove to you this psychic is not just pulling a Sylvia Browne deal, please post it here and I will ask her when I go see her in a couple of weeks.

[JoeTheJuggler]

I have printed a word on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope which is now in my filing cabinet in a file labeled Sylvia Browne. It's a sealed number 10 envelope. It's a red hanging file folder, frontmost in the top drawer of two drawers.

If she can tell you what the word is, I will be impressed. I predict she will have a reason why she can't or won't do this.

[Hellbound]

I'd be impressed if she could give the first name, approximate date of birth (to the year is fine with me), status (alive/dead), and one interesting fact about 3 out of my 4 grandparents.

[LazyPint]

If you don't record the reading then you will just be experiencing selective memory, or whatever it's called.

[Phil]

Have her email me and only me the winning numbers of the upcoming Mega Millions lottery drawing.

[JoeTheJuggler]

Here's a better one, but might be no good by two weeks' time: tell us what happened to Stacy Peterson. Specifically, is she alive or dead? If dead, was she murdered? By whom and exactly how? (None of this "chest or head" or "she was hit" stuff--an actual cause of death.) Where is the body? (Again, specifically--not "near water in a shallow grave".)

She claims to have helped solve missing persons cases (for free) many times, yet no one seems to have a verifiable account of her actually doing so. At http://www.stopsylviabrowne.com, Robert's been asking for such an account for over a year, and no one has been able to find a case where she actually solved a case (or even helped).

For myself, the standard should be the same as giving out a reward--she should provide information that leads to an arrest and conviction. It's not enough that she guesses one or two lucky points but gets the main story wrong. It's also not enough that she agrees with known facts.

FWIW, I'd go with the odds--that she was murdered by Drew. Just getting that much right isn't enough to convince me of psychic abilities.

[ObscureReferenceMan]

mayday,

Thanks for putting this out there. You're well on your way to being a True Skeptic™! :)

Anyway... Whatever you do, I'd second the suggestion for recording the session. A good way to do this would be to bring a friend, and have him/her video the reading, trying to keep both you and the psychic in frame at all times.

[Loss Leader]

If you can think of a question you would like answered, that would prove to you this psychic is not just pulling a Sylvia Browne deal, please post it here and I will ask her when I go see her in a couple of weeks.


Mayday, I doubt your psychic will agree to answer any of these very direct questions, making any one of a million excuses about draining power, non-believers, crossed psychic-connections, etc.

However, here is mine:

Just to the left of my computer at work, I have a black book. There is no other black book to the left of my computer or, for that matter, in my office at all. I have opened to pages 258 and 259. Across the top of 258 and continuing on 259 is a thick title in all capital letters. Tell me what that title says. I will leave the book open to that page for two weeks and will concentrate hard on the title for one minute a day every weekday for two weeks beginning today.

[Garrette]

I would love to participate, but I want it to be fair. What kinds of questions can she answer, under what circumstances, and to what degree of accuracy?

To put it another way: What type of question will you not rationalize away when she gets it wrong?

[Mr. Stick]

I have printed a word on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope which is now in my filing cabinet in a file labeled Sylvia Browne. It's a sealed number 10 envelope. It's a red hanging file folder, frontmost in the top drawer of two drawers.

If she can tell you what the word is, I will be impressed. I predict she will have a reason why she can't or won't do this.

.....She claims to have helped solve missing persons cases (for free) many times, yet no one seems to have a verifiable account of her actually doing so. At http://www.stopsylviabrowne.com, Robert's been asking for such an account for over a year, and no one has been able to find a case where she actually solved a case (or even helped)......

Am I missing something?
It doesn't look to me as if Mayday's psychic is Sylvia Browne.

[CurtC]

Ask her whether you are going to have some news regarding money in the next year or two, or whether there will be a change in your love life.

[JonWhite]

Am I missing something?
It doesn't look to me as if Mayday's psychic is Sylvia Browne.

This is Mayday's "psychic":

Mary Bogart (http://www.marybogart.com/)

[Azrael 5]

Where's Maddy?
Was she taken by him?
<<<<

But reading her website predictions section I saw this:
Both Atlantis and Lemuria will be completely visible by 2012.

She's nuts,no more investigation needed.

[Azrael 5]

Ask her whether you are going to have some news regarding money in the next year or two, or whether there will be a change in your love life.

Don't forget the trip overseas.

[sthomson]

Y'all can read more about mayfly's experiences with Mary Bogart on this other thread over here. (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=99971&page=3) On page 4, we start examining Mary's national predictions over the last 2 years. Great fun is had by all.

[Hokulele]

Have her email me, and only me, Phil's bank account number.

[DJM]

Where's Maddy?
Was she taken by him?
<<<<

I'm not sure what's more paranormal, psychics or people who have no face. ;)

[supercorgi]

mayday,

Thanks for putting this out there. You're well on your way to being a True Skeptic™! :)


You must not know Mayday very well. I was surprised to see her back here. This is a woman who believes:


In Bigfoot
In EVP
That she has photographed ghosts
That she can predict lottery numbers by using a pendulum
That everyone on earth chooses their bodies, strengths, weaknesses, destinies, and deaths before they are born.
In prophetic dreams
In talking to the dead
In palm reading


And yes, Mayday does believe the psychics exist -- Proof that psychic occurrences intuition EXISTS!!!! (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=37098)

[Pixel42]

I am trying to think of a way I can prove what I'm talking about. So far, all I can think to do is record one of my sessions with her and play it back on here to see how accurate she is
It's hard to see what this would prove.

The only meaningful test is a blind test. Get her to do say five readings of five people, all of whom are out of her sight (behind a screen perhaps). She should write down whatever comes to her about them. Then make five copies of each reading, give all five people copies of all five readings, and ask them to pick out the one they think is theirs. If all that's going on is cold reading/subjective validation then the results will be no better than chance, i.e. only one of the five will pick out their reading correctly. If she is really giving accurate readings then all five should have no trouble identifying which is theirs.

[Azrael 5]

The psychic woman changes her story more than Jane Tanner! :D

[CFLarsen]

You must not know Mayday very well. I was surprised to see her back here. This is a woman who believes:


In Bigfoot
In EVP
That she has photographed ghosts
That she can predict lottery numbers by using a pendulum
That everyone on earth chooses their bodies, strengths, weaknesses, destinies, and deaths before they are born.
In prophetic dreams
In talking to the dead
In palm reading


And yes, Mayday does believe the psychics exist -- Proof that psychic occurrences intuition EXISTS!!!! (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=37098)

And that's just the beginning:

Portrait of a Woo-Woo (http://skepticreport.com/newage/jolene.htm)

[supercorgi]

And that's just the beginning:

Portrait of a Woo-Woo (http://skepticreport.com/newage/jolene.htm)

Oh I had forgotten about all the medical woo-woo she believes in! Didn't know about some of the other stuff but there's certainly a lot of howlers in there. :rolleyes:

[CurtC]

You must not know Mayday very well. I was surprised to see her back here. This is a woman who believes:
Is this the same person who used to go by the name "BigFig"?

[CFLarsen]

Oh I had forgotten about all the medical woo-woo she believes in! Didn't know about some of the other stuff but there's certainly a lot of howlers in there. :rolleyes:

Especially the part with the birth.

Is this the same person who used to go by the name "BigFig"?

Yes.

[schlitt]

Mayday.
-How much research have you done on cold reading?
-How many full books have you read on the subject?
-How long have you spent pondering techniques that could be used?
-How much research have you done into lifestyle similarities between cultures, regions, age groups and genders?

Cold reading is much more than you and most people think. The biggest weapon in a cold reader’s arsenal is the willingness of the participant who unwittingly divulges information, and the misremembering of the reading.

You say you cannot explain what your fraud says, but I would guess the failing is with your lack of knowledge of cold reading and its subtleties.

[Azrael 5]

Was Mayday once a member of Mia Dolan forum? Her name is annoyingly familiar.

[Sefarst]

A simple recording won't be enough, no matter how long the tape is or how clearly we can see and hear you. If you've been going to this psychic for a while, we can't know how much about yourself you have all ready told her or given her hints to. Also, does she give readings to any of your friends/family/acquaintences? Very often, friends and family recommend psychics to each other and one friend or family member can be amazed to find out how accurately the psychic is able to give them details about themselves. What they don't realize is that the psychic learned or inferred the information from past readings with the person who recommended the psychic.

As was said earlier, we would need a double blind test with strangers.

[mayday]

Mayday.
-How much research have you done on cold reading?
-How many full books have you read on the subject?
-How long have you spent pondering techniques that could be used?
-How much research have you done into lifestyle similarities between cultures, regions, age groups and genders?

Cold reading is much more than you and most people think. The biggest weapon in a cold reader’s arsenal is the willingness of the participant who unwittingly divulges information, and the misremembering of the reading.

You say you cannot explain what your fraud says, but I would guess the failing is with your lack of knowledge of cold reading and its subtleties.

Do you think I rode in here on a head of cabbage???

I said I did not divulge any such information to her, and I didn't have my vehicle keys dangling off my finger when I went in for my reading.

[Garrette]

Do you think I rode in here on a head of cabbage???

I said I did not divulge any such information to her, and I didn't have my vehicle keys dangling off my finger when I went in for my reading.The same was true of James Mass when Harry Kellar gave his reading -- a far more impressive reading than the one you have described. Care to have Ms. Bogart duplicate it?

[Hellbound]

Do you think I rode in here on a head of cabbage???

No, I don't.

I think you gave up after three hours when the cabbage wouldn't respond to your spurs.

Yee-haw!

Waits for the mod smack-down...sorry, I couldn't resist that one

[schlitt]

Do you think I rode in here on a head of cabbage???

I said I did not divulge any such information to her, and I didn't have my vehicle keys dangling off my finger when I went in for my reading.


You did not answer any of my questions.

I have spoken with someone who was convinced their psychic was not a fraud, and who stated whole heartedly that she was not providing feedback.
When i listened to the recording, it was clear she was completely mistaken and she had been giving very clear verbal feedback the entire time.

Do you know any other psychics you believe to be genuine that you have never spoken to?
If so, you should try the following as an experiment;

Have the psychic face away from you.
say NOTHING during the reading, not even yes or no, and make no sounds. Stay conciously aware of being silent.

Then see how specific and accurate the information is.

[Garrette]

You did not answer any of my questions.

I have spoken with someone who was convinced their psychic was not a fraud, and who stated whole heartedly that she was not providing feedback.
When i listened to the recording, it was clear she was completely mistaken and she had been giving very clear verbal feedback the entire time.

Do you know any other psychics you believe to be genuine that you have never spoken to?
If so, you should try the following as an experiment;

Have the psychic face away from you.
say NOTHING during the reading, not even yes or no, and make no sounds. Stay conciously aware of being silent.

Then see how specific and accurate the information is.And use a psychic chosen randomly while visiting another town, arriving in a rental car parked two blocks away, arriving without an appointment, having removed all jewelry, and wearing bland business casual clothes suitable to any one of dozens of professions.

[wahrheit]

Mayfig, what about actually posting your predictions (lottery numbers et cetera) and also that psychic's reading, instead of opening thread after thread talking about planning to do in the future if when why what eventually will be posting stuff??

Aside from that, I'll go with Phil's suggestion. Have your psychic e-mail me the upcoming lottery numbers, and I'll officially declare her psychic, while drinking a beer on the deck of my new yacht.

[ObscureReferenceMan]

A simple recording won't be enough, no matter how long the tape is or how clearly we can see and hear you. If you've been going to this psychic for a while, we can't know how much about yourself you have all ready told her or given her hints to. Also, does she give readings to any of your friends/family/acquaintences? Very often, friends and family recommend psychics to each other and one friend or family member can be amazed to find out how accurately the psychic is able to give them details about themselves. What they don't realize is that the psychic learned or inferred the information from past readings with the person who recommended the psychic.

As was said earlier, we would need a double blind test with strangers.

Very true. Maybe the thing to do is go with a friend, and have the psychic read him, while you record. What do you think, mayday?

[GeeMack]

On another thread I spoke of a psychic I have been going to see who I believe has some type of abilities beyond guessing, as she has told me things cold/warm/hot reading would not be able to tell.


In order for your opinion to carry any weight, from a scientific standpoint, you would have to be well versed in "cold/warm/hot reading". Otherwise your opinion is unsubstantiated, without any merit or legitimacy in the world of reality, science, and facts. So please describe exactly and in detail your level of expertise in the performing art of cold reading.

Naturally, most here doubt my story so I am trying to think of a way I can prove what I'm talking about. So far, all I can think to do is record one of my sessions with her and play it back on here to see how accurate she is. This would mean answering some questions from some of the posters here.

If you can think of a question you would like answered, that would prove to you this psychic is not just pulling a Sylvia Browne deal, please post it here and I will ask her when I go see her in a couple of weeks.


Okay...

I have printed a word on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope which is now in my filing cabinet in a file labeled Sylvia Browne. It's a sealed number 10 envelope. It's a red hanging file folder, frontmost in the top drawer of two drawers.

If she can tell you what the word is, I will be impressed. I predict she will have a reason why she can't or won't do this.


Oh, Joe, you fun-wrecker, you. All that filing cabinet, folder, envelope stuff just makes this sort of thing ever so difficult. And you're probably the only person who knows the secret word, too, aren't you? I mean, how possible is that going to be to divine? We wouldn't want to strain the poor psychic's psyche, now would we? How about we make it even easier...

Okay, mayday, I have a sign attached to the outside of my front door. Words are printed on this sign in letters over two inches tall. They are fairly common words, written in English. The words are known not just to me, but have been seen by several of my friends and neighbors, so there are many minds available to probe here, not just one. The sign isn't hidden behind or inside of anything. There are multiple words to choose from. I think your soothsayer could make an impressive showing if she can tell us just one of the words on the sign. Easy stuff, mayday. How cool is that?

And if a telepathic task isn't in order, and predicting the future is more up your clairvoyant cohort's alley, maybe another test would be appropriate. This is not a particularly common sort of sign on my door, and because of its unusualness it does tend to generate comments from the occasional observer. Perhaps your metaphysical mentor can fill us in on the first name of any of the next five people to notice and comment on my sign after your next meeting with her.

I predict your psychic will be unable to even remotely provide a single successful response to any of the tests posed in this thread. I also predict there will be at least a little humor in her excuses for not being able to pass any of these tests. I further predict that you, mayday, will continue to believe in her hocus-pocus even after a dismal failure to accomplish any of these suggested tasks. (I know, tough challenge for me. I'm sticking my neck out going for the hat-trick here, folks. But I'm not greedy. Everyone in this thread gets dinner on me when I win the million!) :)

[Azrael 5]

Mayday.
Ever trod on digitalspy forum?

GeeMack is the name on the sign "welcome home" its a little cloudy but thats what Im getting.

[JoeTheJuggler]

Okay, mayday, I have a sign attached to the outside of my front door. Words are printed on this sign in letters over two inches tall. They are fairly common words, written in English. The words are known not just to me, but have been seen by several of my friends and neighbors, so there are many minds available to probe here, not just one. The sign isn't hidden behind or inside of anything. There are multiple words to choose from. I think your soothsayer could make an impressive showing if she can tell us just one of the words on the sign. Easy stuff, mayday. How cool is that?

This reminds me of a something a friend of mine did a long time ago--in the late '70s, I think. He wanted to see if there was anything to this psychic stuff, so he went to see one for a reading. Before going, though, he went into his bedroom, took off all his clothes except for his sneakers, faced East, stood on one foot and flapped his arms like wings. (Or something very much like that.) He figured, if there's anything to it, surely doing something so weird would leave a psychic imprint on him--or at least it'd be on his mind. If she had any real abilities, she would surely remark on that, or at least comment that something really odd is up with him.

She didn't.

[mayday]

No, I don't.

I think you gave up after three hours when the cabbage wouldn't respond to your spurs.

Yee-haw!

Waits for the mod smack-down...sorry, I couldn't resist that one

Why would you get smacked down for that???

What has this board turned into? Because I sure remember how wild it used to get in the old days.
Please don't say it has turned into what allnurses.com is like. There is no diversity, no colorful debate, no free speech. You've got these moderators scouring the posts for anything they don't like or agree with and zappo! That is the most subdued, institutionalized, distilled message board on the internet.

[CFLarsen]

Why would you get smacked down for that???

What has this board turned into? Because I sure remember how wild it used to get in the old days.
Please don't say it has turned into what allnurses.com is like. There is no diversity, no colorful debate, no free speech. You've got these moderators scouring the posts for anything they don't like or agree with and zappo! That is the most subdued, institutionalized, distilled message board on the internet.

Cut the crap.

[mayday]

In order for your opinion to carry any weight, from a scientific standpoint, you would have to be well versed in "cold/warm/hot reading". Otherwise your opinion is unsubstantiated, without any merit or legitimacy in the world of reality, science, and facts. So please describe exactly and in detail your level of expertise in the performing art of cold reading.




Okay...




Oh, Joe, you fun-wrecker, you. All that filing cabinet, folder, envelope stuff just makes this sort of thing ever so difficult. And you're probably the only person who knows the secret word, too, aren't you? I mean, how possible is that going to be to divine? We wouldn't want to strain the poor psychic's psyche, now would we? How about we make it even easier...

Okay, mayday, I have a sign attached to the outside of my front door. Words are printed on this sign in letters over two inches tall. They are fairly common words, written in English. The words are known not just to me, but have been seen by several of my friends and neighbors, so there are many minds available to probe here, not just one. The sign isn't hidden behind or inside of anything. There are multiple words to choose from. I think your soothsayer could make an impressive showing if she can tell us just one of the words on the sign. Easy stuff, mayday. How cool is that?

And if a telepathic task isn't in order, and predicting the future is more up your clairvoyant cohort's alley, maybe another test would be appropriate. This is not a particularly common sort of sign on my door, and because of its unusualness it does tend to generate comments from the occasional observer. Perhaps your metaphysical mentor can fill us in on the first name of any of the next five people to notice and comment on my sign after your next meeting with her.

I predict your psychic will be unable to even remotely provide a single successful response to any of the tests posed in this thread. I also predict there will be at least a little humor in her excuses for not being able to pass any of these tests. I further predict that you, mayday, will continue to believe in her hocus-pocus even after a dismal failure to accomplish any of these suggested tasks. (I know, tough challenge for me. I'm sticking my neck out going for the hat-trick here, folks. But I'm not greedy. Everyone in this thread gets dinner on me when I win the million!) :)


I predict that even in the face of undeniable evidence you would say it was filled in as a result of a faulty memory.

[bruto]

Why not make it really simple. Take any 5 members here who post under handles that are obviously not their real names (e.g. bruto, huntsman,mayday*).

See how many of us your psychic can tell you anything at all accurate about. If she guessed my name, I'd certainly be impressed.

* e.t.a. obviously if she guesses your name, it doesn't count. I'm just using that as an example of a handle that doesn't imply the underlying name.

[GeeMack]

I predict that even in the face of undeniable evidence you would say it was filled in as a result of a faulty memory.


Huh? Sounds like you're babbling nonsense, mayday. You opened this thread specifically soliciting suggestions for challenges you might pose to your psychic in order to help you determine whether she's legit or a fraud...

Naturally, most here doubt my story so I am trying to think of a way I can prove what I'm talking about. So far, all I can think to do is record one of my sessions with her and play it back on here to see how accurate she is. This would mean answering some questions from some of the posters here.

If you can think of a question you would like answered, that would prove to you this psychic is not just pulling a Sylvia Browne deal, please post it here and I will ask her when I go see her in a couple of weeks.


I posed a couple questions in direct response to your solicitation. And rather than thank me for my time and effort trying to help you straighten out a problem you have with someone who claims to be a psychic medium, you respond with gibberish. Do you not understand what's going on here, or are you actually the ingrate you appear to be?

How about we try again? Here's another question for you to pose to your seemingly bogus psychic. On her web site she says...

There will be an extreme draught, similar to the "Grape of Wrath", in the Central U.S. the summer of 2008. This will increase the likelihood of earthquakes in this area that start in 2008 and continue thru 2009. Massive death of livestock and extreme financial hardship for farmers in this area.


You ask her to explain the geology and/or climatology involved in a draught [sic] increasing the likelihood of earthquakes. Let us know what she has to say about that, will you? :)

[schlitt]

I predict that even in the face of undeniable evidence you would say it was filled in as a result of a faulty memory.

You predict wrong. Repeatable, verifiable evidence is the very thing that skeptics value. It is up to you to provide such evidence.

[solas]

Why not make it really simple. Take any 5 members here who post under handles that are obviously not their real names (e.g. bruto, huntsman,mayday*).

See how many of us your psychic can tell you anything at all accurate about. If she guessed my name, I'd certainly be impressed.

* e.t.a. obviously if she guesses your name, it doesn't count. I'm just using that as an example of a handle that doesn't imply the underlying name.
can we all have a go? :D


(mark)

[solas]

and to mayday, it would be good enough for me if your psychic has already picked up on this conversation and relays that to you when you see her next.

[petra10]

Why not make it really simple. Take any 5 members here who post under handles that are obviously not their real names (e.g. bruto, huntsman,mayday*).

See how many of us your psychic can tell you anything at all accurate about. If she guessed my name, I'd certainly be impressed.

* e.t.a. obviously if she guesses your name, it doesn't count. I'm just using that as an example of a handle that doesn't imply the underlying name.

That seems like a great idea to me.Surely if she is as good as mayday thinks, this would be very easy for her.

[Metullus]

Was Mayday once a member of Mia Dolan forum? Her name is annoyingly familiar.She used to post a lot here a couple of years ago...

[Sefarst]

You ask her to explain the geology and/or climatology involved in a draught [sic] increasing the likelihood of earthquakes. Let us know what she has to say about that, will you?

Other gems from the prediction section of Bogart's website:

The man elected president after George W. Bush will die in office of a heart attack.


So Bogart knows the specifics regarding the cardiac health of the man who will take office after George Bush, but can't give us his name? She seems to think it will be Giuliani in a later prediction...


The summer of 2007 will suffer some of the worst rain and flooding ever seen in the U.S. Specifically in the Midwest and Central states.


Fascinating, considering that the Southeast and Midwest US are suffering some of the worst droughts in their history right now. According to USA Today, June 7, 2007: "DENVER — Drought, a fixture in much of the West for nearly a decade, now covers more than one-third of the continental USA. And it's spreading." (I would give the link for this story, but I still don't have 15 posts and this site won't let me).


The ancient records of Atlantis and Lemuria will be unearthed within the next 3 years. They will be located at almost the same time at the base of the pyramid temple in Mexico and the foot of the Spynx in Egypt. The one under the foot of the Spynx has already been discovered, but the “powers that be” are afraid to open this room for fear that history will have to be completely rewritten.

And this prediction is barely comprehensible. "The ancient records of Atlantis and Lemuria will be unearthed at the same time over the next 3 years. Oh wait, uh...one of them has actually all ready been unearthed, so scratch what I just said."

Hurricane season in the U.S. will start out slow in 2007. There will be 1 very large (category 4 or 5) hurricanes that will hit South Florida at the end of the season, around October and November. There will be almost total devastation just south of Miami.

DEAD WRONG. No hurricane hit Florida this year and there was not "total devastation just south of Miami." The closest any hurricane came was Hurricane Noel which missed Florida completely and never got stronger than a category 1. There were actually 2 "very large" hurricanes this year (Hurricanes Felix and Dean) neither of which ever came close to Florida, but were both category 5's.

[maatorc]

......Just to the left of my computer at work, I have a black book. There is no other black book to the left of my computer or, for that matter, in my office at all. I have opened to pages 258 and 259. Across the top of 258 and continuing on 259 is a thick title in all capital letters. Tell me what that title says. I will leave the book open to that page for two weeks and will concentrate hard on the title for one minute a day every weekday for two weeks beginning today.

This is more a remote viewing procedure than a 'psychic' sensing.
Also, people claiming psychic sensitivity usually need a procedural connection, such as, for example, being in your presence, which is lacking here.
The chances of success here would probably approach zero, even should the claimant actually possess such an ability.

[Sefarst]

Also, people claiming psychic sensitivity usually need a procedural connection, such as, for example, being in your presence, which is lacking here.

Mary Bogart's website proudly asserts: "A "reading" is where Mary tells you about your past, present and future. Since Mary is also a medium, she can also contact loved ones who have died (or crossed over). Most readings are performed without the help of any divination tools such as tarot cards. Mary is a very strong clairvoyant and does not need any aids to help focus her abilities."

She also offers phone interviews. Seeing as how phones and the internet both use fiber optic cables to transmit information, I don't see why she couldn't do an internet reading over a website such as this.

[Pyrts]

We can already check out her accuracy:
http://www.marybogart.com/predictions.htm

================================================== =====
> There will be an extreme draught, similar to the “Grape of Wrath”, in the Central U.S.
> the summer of 2008. This will increase the likelihood of earthquakes in this area that
> start in 2008 and continue thru 2009. Massive death of livestock and extreme financial
> hardship for farmers in this area.
Status: unknown

> The following areas are in the process of being permanently destroyed: United States
> – New Orleans, Louisiana; Long Island, New York; Florida from Lakeland thru the Keys;
> all coastal areas of Texas; the entire Southern half of California and the states along
> the Mississippi River. Central/South America – majority of islands in Central America;
> all coastal areas of Chile and Argentina. Africa – majority of Mozambique and
> Madagascar, coastal areas of Namibia & Somalia; Morocco. Western Europe – all
> coastal areas of Greenland; majority of coastal areas around England, France, Spain,
> Portugal and Norway. Middle East – severe flooding of both the Red and Persian Seas;
> Yemen and Oman will be completely destroyed by water; Entire Southern half of India
> will be destroyed by both water and earthquakes; the entire “Holy Land” of Jerusalem;
> Asia – Northern China & Mongolia will be destroyed by flooding and earthquakes; all of
> Korea and most of North Vietnam; all of North Japan; South Pacific - Northwest
> portion of Australia; majority of the Hawaiian Islands.

Status: Unknown, but not happening yet, as far as we can see.

> The Yosemite National Park will experience an eruption of the volcano in 2009.
Status.. unknown

> Both Atlantis and Lemuria will be completely visible by 2012.
Status: debunked. No such places.

> The Gulf War will rage until 2019. After that, the people will demand a change in their
> leadership, which will cause the fall of the U.S. Presidency. We will move to a Greek
> Senate-type of leadership with no one man having the ultimate seat of power.

Status: unknown

> The man elected president after George W. Bush will die in office of a heart attack.
Status: unknown

> The summer of 2007 will suffer some of the worst rain and flooding ever seen in the
> U.S. Specifically in the Midwest and Central states.
Status: debunked. It was warmer and drier:

> The fall and winter of 2007-2008 will start early and be one of the coldest in recent
> history, specifically along the East Coast.
Status: debunked. It's not very cold there.

> The Western United States will experience an unusually mild winter. There will be
> deaths due to snow and ice like never seen before in recorded history.
Status: unknown

> A drought will take place in northern Africa and will cause massive death beginning in
> 2007 and lasting until 2010. This can be drastically reduced if the world takes notice
> of what is happening in Africa.
Status: how did she miss the drought that's already happening? Debunked.

> There will be a noticeable increase in earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan over the next
> 5 years. This is the beginning of the end for that country.
Status: unknown

> The ancient records of Atlantis and Lemuria will be unearthed within the next 3 years.
> They will be located at almost the same time at the base of the pyramid temple in
> Mexico and the foot of the Spynx in Egypt.
Status: debunked.

> The one under the foot of the Spynx has already been discovered, but the “powers
> that be” are afraid to open this room for fear that history will have to be completely
> rewritten.
Status: debunked. And how do these people MISS the big tablet that's between the Sphynx's paws, lying on its chest?

> There will be one more terrorist attack on the United States. This will happen just prior
> to the 2008 presidential elections in November. This 2nd attack will be the deciding
> factor in Rudy Giuliani being elected as the next president of the United States.
Status: unknown

> Another Roswell-type incident will happen by 2010 wherein an alien craft will crash
> land on the east coast of the United States. The government will no longer be able to
> deny the existence of other life forms after this occurrence.
Status: unknown

> There will be increased rain and water damage to the African country of Mozambique
> in 2007 thru 2008. The death toll will be quite high. This is the beginning of the mass
> migration into South Africa, which the current government is unprepared.
Status: debunked. They're having a drought
http://www.fews.net/centers/?f=mz

> There will be increased rain and water damage to the west coast of southern Africa,
> specifically north of Cape Town thru Namibia. This will start during the summer of 2007
> and last until the following summer of 2008. This damage will be severe and the
> topography of Africa will be permanently changed as a result.
Status: debunked. They're having a drought.

> Hurricane season in the U.S. will start out slow in 2007.
Status: true.

> There will be 1 very large (category 4 or 5) hurricanes that will hit South Florida at the
> end of the season, around October and November. There will be almost total
> devastation just south of Miami.
Status: Since this is December, we can safely say "debunked."
-------------------------------------

We have:
1 true
8 debunked
9 unknown

It looks like Guiliani's numbers are slipping.

[sinclairmcevoy]

:DDo you think I rode in here on a head of cabbage???

I said I did not divulge any such information to her, and I didn't have my vehicle keys dangling off my finger when I went in for my reading.

Yes I think you did ride in here on a head of cabbage. Or fell off a turnip truck. Just what are you trying to prove? Is the psychic you see on TV or radio, or well known other than to a select few suckers? Prove how good she is by getting her to take the Randi Challenge. Bet she don't need a millyun bux.

[mayday]

Why not make it really simple. Take any 5 members here who post under handles that are obviously not their real names (e.g. bruto, huntsman,mayday*).

See how many of us your psychic can tell you anything at all accurate about. If she guessed my name, I'd certainly be impressed.

* e.t.a. obviously if she guesses your name, it doesn't count. I'm just using that as an example of a handle that doesn't imply the underlying name.

TIME OUT....

Bruno, is that your excavator? My husband is actively looking to buy one. Called about one this morning, as a matter of fact.

Are you in the machinery business?

[mayday]

This is more a remote viewing procedure than a 'psychic' sensing.
Also, people claiming psychic sensitivity usually need a procedural connection, such as, for example, being in your presence, which is lacking here.
The chances of success here would probably approach zero, even should the claimant actually possess such an ability.


I don't know, I asked a question for my friend about her deceased mother's estate. My friend's mother died suddenly and having lived as somewhat of a transient (though not destitute and homeless) my friend wondered if there was more to claim in her estate that she did not know about.

The psychic said no. Furthermore, the psychic told me my friend's brother is crazy and he is not only someone who would fight my friend for the inheritance he would KILL her for it.

My friend was not surprised when I told her this and told me she believed it wholeheartedly. Her brother had been leaving threatening messages in the middle of the night on her answering machine--yet the psychic had not been told about this.

[mayday]

Why not make it really simple. Take any 5 members here who post under handles that are obviously not their real names (e.g. bruto, huntsman,mayday*).

See how many of us your psychic can tell you anything at all accurate about. If she guessed my name, I'd certainly be impressed.

* e.t.a. obviously if she guesses your name, it doesn't count. I'm just using that as an example of a handle that doesn't imply the underlying name.

At first I thought your name started with a B but now I think it starts with a J.

Joseph?

Also, you are not married and you are in your 40's.

[Pixel42]

At first I thought your name started with a B but now I think it starts with a J.

Joseph?

Also, you are not married and you are in your 40's.
If you want another volunteer, you can do me.

[mayday]

If you want another volunteer, you can do me.

Ok. I'm leaving for the evening so I'll get to it tomorrow.

[Reno]

Okay, mayday, I have a sign attached to the outside of my front door. Words are printed on this sign in letters over two inches tall. They are fairly common words, written in English. The words are known not just to me, but have been seen by several of my friends and neighbors, so there are many minds available to probe here, not just one. The sign isn't hidden behind or inside of anything. There are multiple words to choose from. I think your soothsayer could make an impressive showing if she can tell us just one of the words on the sign. Easy stuff, mayday. How cool is that?

Does it say 'F*** off Mormons and Jehova's Witnesses'?

[wahrheit]

If you want another volunteer, you can do me.

"you can do me"? *looks up dictionary*

I shall shut up, English nix is my first language, but dictionary says you are a naughty boy.

[bruto]

At first I thought your name started with a B but now I think it starts with a J.

Joseph?

Also, you are not married and you are in your 40's.

Is that the psychic's guess or yours?

[Agular]

Ok. I'm leaving for the evening so I'll get to it tomorrow.

Reminds me of ferj.

[Cuddles]

I predict that even in the face of undeniable evidence you would say it was filled in as a result of a faulty memory.

Forget the undeniable evidence, you haven't even provided any deniable evidence yet.

[mayday]

Is that the psychic's guess or yours?

What is this, 20 questions?

It's mine. My guess.

Now, tell us what it is.

Also, do you have any excavators for sale?

Wait. Let me use my pendulum...it says you do.

[Locknar]

I predict that even in the face of undeniable evidence you would say it was filled in as a result of a faulty memory.
Since you are making predictions...I'll volunteer. Perhaps George will be able to use the information you provide; knock yourself out. What accuracy rate are you shooting for? How many predictions do you plan to make wrt me?

[ben m]

What is this, 20 questions?

It's mine. My guess.

Now, tell us what it is.

Also, do you have any excavators for sale?

Wait. Let me use my pendulum...it says you do.

So, when trying to "psychically" discover information about a Forum member whose avatar is an excavator and whose handle is Bruto, your Amazing Pendulum guessed:

1) Maybe he has something to do with excavators.
2) Maybe his name begins with a B. B as in Bruto.
3) Maybe his name begins with a J, the single most common letter for US mens' names.

I think your Pendulum is being manipulated by Cosmic Forces ... but the forces are trying to trick you into sounding like an amateur cold-reader.

[mayday]

So, when trying to "psychically" discover information about a Forum member whose avatar is an excavator and whose handle is Bruto, your Amazing Pendulum guessed:

1) Maybe he has something to do with excavators.
2) Maybe his name begins with a B. B as in Bruto.
3) Maybe his name begins with a J, the single most common letter for US mens' names.

I think your Pendulum is being manipulated by Cosmic Forces ... but the forces are trying to trick you into sounding like an amateur cold-reader.

Okay, smart alec. He said he would be impressed if I could guess his name so I gave it a whirl.

What's the problem with that?

What kind of vehicle was I driving and what was I doing in it?

[Garrette]

Okay, smart alec. He said he would be impressed if I could guess his name so I gave it a whirl.

What's the problem with that?

What kind of vehicle was I driving and what was I doing in it?Have you read A Magician Among the Spirits yet?

[mayday]

Have you read A Magician Among the Spirits yet?


Since you have tell me what kind of vehicle I was driving and what I was doing in it.

[Garrette]

Since you have tell me what kind of vehicle I was driving and what I was doing in it.Ignoring for the moment the fact that your sentence makes no sense, I'll have a go:

1. You give an example of what you claim is unexplainable psychic reading. You challenge others to duplicate what the psychic did.

2. I post an example of more miraculous means accomplished via mundane methods. I admit I do not have the skill to give you the information you want especially since the circumstances are not only not identical, they are not remotely similar.

3. I tell you where to find out how the magician did his amazing reading.

4. You refuse to look up the method the magician used.

5. You play the "you first" game--ignoring the dissimilarities in circumstance and my admission I do not have the skill to do what you ask--as if it has any bearing on the discussion.

It doesn't. It simply demonstrates again and again and again that you are not engaging in any type of reasoned or logical discussion.

But if you don't want to read that book, how about just posting those winning lottery numbers?

Or talking about Mary Bogart's ridiculous predictions?

[GeeMack]

Okay, smart alec. He said he would be impressed if I could guess his name so I gave it a whirl.


No, bruto said he would be impressed if your esteemed psychic could give information about five JREF members and could even get his name...

Why not make it really simple. Take any 5 members here who post under handles that are obviously not their real names (e.g. bruto, huntsman,mayday*).

See how many of us your psychic can tell you anything at all accurate about. If she guessed my name, I'd certainly be impressed.


So...

What's the problem with that?


The problem is with your reading comprehension and/or basic communication skills.

What kind of vehicle was I driving and what was I doing in it?


Huh? More gibberish, I see. Looks like Garrette doesn't even need a pendulum. He's got your number, mayday...

It simply demonstrates again and again and again that you are not engaging in any type of reasoned or logical discussion.


Now how about that question you were going to ask Mary Bogart? What sort of geology and/or climatology supports her notion that a drought might increase the likelihood of earthquakes? We can expect an answer from you soon on this, can't we, mayday? :p

[Azrael 5]

I'll settle for the ghost photos she promised! ;)

[Garrette]

I'll settle for the ghost photos she promised! ;)Silly. Ghosts can't hold cameras.

[wahrheit]

I'll settle for the ghost photos she promised! ;)

The ones she promised back in 2005 or the ones from her recent sock puppet thread? ;)

[bruto]

What is this, 20 questions?

It's mine. My guess.

Now, tell us what it is.

Also, do you have any excavators for sale?

Wait. Let me use my pendulum...it says you do.

Nope to all, except for a middle initial, which is well within the bounds of chance. My initials are MJC; the J is not for Joseph; I am married, will be 60 ten days from today, and my excavator is not for sale.

[Pixel42]

Nope to all, except for a middle initial, which is well within the bounds of chance. My initials are MJC; the J is not for Joseph; I am married, will be 60 ten days from today, and my excavator is not for sale.
Is it my turn now?

[petra10]

I am getting as confused as Mayday, I thought it was the psychic that was gonna do the prediction. :confused:

Ghost pictures? oohhh how exciting!

[Locknar]

Mayday - You ignored my comment, so here it is again:
Since you are making predictions...I'll volunteer. Perhaps George will be able to use the information you provide; knock yourself out. What accuracy rate are you shooting for? How many predictions do you plan to make wrt me?
So how about it? You, your psychic, whom ever you want....predict away. If you get anything right, I'm sure George would greatly appreciate it.

Oh, being asked to do something that has real implications to tough?

[mayday]

Mayday - You ignored my comment, so here it is again:

So how about it? You, your psychic, whom ever you want....predict away. If you get anything right, I'm sure George would greatly appreciate it.

Oh, being asked to do something that has real implications to tough?

Who's George?

[Locknar]

Who's George?
I'm sure you can figure that one out easy enough.

Does that mean you'll do it? If so have at it....I eagerly await the predictions.

[mayday]

Nope to all, except for a middle initial, which is well within the bounds of chance. My initials are MJC; the J is not for Joseph; I am married, will be 60 ten days from today, and my excavator is not for sale.

You're right.

I suck at the pendulum. But I'll get better (if I live long enough, I just feel like I'm coming to the end of the road).

[DrewD]

Try me, Try me. I'll bet you can't guess my name.

[mayday]

Try me, Try me. I'll bet you can't guess my name.

That's cute.

Not.

[sthomson]

This is ridiculous. I thought Mayday was going to test her psychic, not play games with a pendulum (which has already proved to not work in other threads).

[bokonon]

What kind of vehicle was I driving and what was I doing in it?
It was a truck, and you were going to see someone posing a psychic.

[mayday]

It was a truck, and you were going to see someone posing a psychic.

You read my other thread.

[chillzero]

This is ridiculous. I thought Mayday was going to test her psychic, not play games with a pendulum (which has already proved to not work in other threads).

You read my other thread.

No Mayday - this thread is the one that's supposed to be about what questions we would want a psychic to answer. Why aren't you responding to that, and taking the questions - writing them down - and asking your psychic for the answers?

[yairhol]

I doubt you will ever guess my name....try it...I dare you...

Regards,
Yair

[bokonon]

You read my other thread.WTF? I didn't read any other thread. I was doing "layman's warm reading." I was initially going to say "car," but your concerns about an excavator made me revise it to "truck." "Going to see a purported psychic" is just an obvious guess; I'm surprised it was correct. Maybe it's not, and you're punking me. Whatever.

I'll tell you what. I have a "psychic challenge" that's left over from the Phenomenon show. One of the mentalists on that show, Jim Callahan, claimed that he could do remote-viewing effects by channeling dead people who could go have a look-see for themselves. I circled a word in the October 16, 2007 issue of Time magazine, and challenged him to tell me what it was for $300. I'll repeat the same challenge for you and your psychic. I have no idea what method she uses, but the magazine is resting on my table now with the word in plain sight. If you can tell me what the word is, the $300 is yours, and you can decide how it should be split with your psychic.

The magazine has my name and address printed on the cover (not an address label), so it's unique. I was physically carrying the magazine to the "Phenomenon" tapings in case Callahan wanted to guess, but I assume you're not in the L.A. area. If you or the psychic wants to guess my name instead, that's fine too. We can confirm everything by webcam, if you don't trust me.

[Cuddles]

Okay, smart alec. He said he would be impressed if I could guess his name so I gave it a whirl.

Considering that you got his screenname wrong when it was right in front of you, I really wouldn't get your hopes up about guessing names.
Bruno, is that your excavator?

[Loss Leader]

Wait, now your psychic is NOT going to tell me what the thick title at the top of the pages on my book is?

Was there even an excuse or you just decided you weren't doing that anymore?

Ah, well. I never, ever expected you to actually do it in any case.

[mayday]

WTF? I didn't read any other thread. I was doing "layman's warm reading." I was initially going to say "car," but your concerns about an excavator made me revise it to "truck." "Going to see a purported psychic" is just an obvious guess; I'm surprised it was correct. Maybe it's not, and you're punking me. Whatever.

I'll tell you what. I have a "psychic challenge" that's left over from the Phenomenon show. One of the mentalists on that show, Jim Callahan, claimed that he could do remote-viewing effects by channeling dead people who could go have a look-see for themselves. I circled a word in the October 16, 2007 issue of Time magazine, and challenged him to tell me what it was for $300. I'll repeat the same challenge for you and your psychic. I have no idea what method she uses, but the magazine is resting on my table now with the word in plain sight. If you can tell me what the word is, the $300 is yours, and you can decide how it should be split with your psychic.

The magazine has my name and address printed on the cover (not an address label), so it's unique. I was physically carrying the magazine to the "Phenomenon" tapings in case Callahan wanted to guess, but I assume you're not in the L.A. area. If you or the psychic wants to guess my name instead, that's fine too. We can confirm everything by webcam, if you don't trust me.

Chillzero says we can't talk about other things within this thread anymore.

But I'll say about the truck deal, what kind of truck and what color was it and what was I doing in it, which is what the psychic told me.

$300??? Don't you have anything to add to sweeten the pot a little? I doubt this would make her mouth water.

[Reno]

What about 1 Million then?

[yairhol]

But I'll say about the truck deal, what kind of truck and what color was it and what was I doing in it, which is what the psychic told me.

The conditions now are not the same as they were when you were at your charlata...ah I'm sorry 'psychic' friend. There you were talking and saying things which could have made the 'psychic' know things about you. Maybe you even drove to that 'psychic' with your truck and so he/she could have just looked out the window and see the color of the truck (for example).
Oh and btw, did you know that in Africa shamans really levitate?
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=91751&highlight=shamman+levitation
You 'psychic' friend is nothing compared to this guy.

Regards,
Yair

[StoatBringer]

Ask her why she doesn't apply for Randi's million dollar challenge. If she's not aware of it, explain, and ask her again.

There are three possible outcomes.
1) She will apply, and win because she really is psychic.
2) She will apply, and fail because she is not psychic.
3) She will one of many well-worn excuses not to apply -
There is no prize money (demonstrably false)
The tests are fixed to make people fail (demonstrably false)
She doesn't need a million dollars.
If she takes the money she will lose her powers.
Her powers do not work in the presence of skeptics.
She doesn't need to prove it to anyone, and her customers know she is real.
She doesn't want the fame.

Now, if someone offered you a million bucks for doing what you normally do every day how would you react?

Also, have you considered going to other psychics? Surely if they are both tapped into the same source of information they should give you the same answers?

[mayday]

The conditions now are not the same as they were when you were at your charlata...ah I'm sorry 'psychic' friend. There you were talking and saying things which could have made the 'psychic' know things about you. Maybe you even drove to that 'psychic' with your truck and so he/she could have just looked out the window and see the color of the truck (for example).
Oh and btw, did you know that in Africa shamans really levitate?
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=91751&highlight=shamman+levitation
You 'psychic' friend is nothing compared to this guy.

Regards,
Yair

Ohhh, he's not levitating.

And this psychic brought up the information out of the blue.

[Garrette]

Ohhh, he's not levitating.

And this psychic brought up the information out of the blue.No, she did not. Your story changed on two counts, and the bits you call impressive came after your first visit during some phone calls when she already knew your name and could have easily determined your location and profession.

[mayday]

No, she did not. Your story changed on two counts, and the bits you call impressive came after your first visit during some phone calls when she already knew your name and could have easily determined your location and profession.


No, this is not true. It was the first visit that was most impressive.

[Garrette]

No, this is not true. It was the first visit that was most impressive.The first visit in which you told her your name? And she told you what you did in a car that you had not driven there? The visit that you admit you took no record of and which you admit you do not remember what you were doing right before?

It's not the exam thing over the phone then when she already knew a lot about you and simply said she got a feeling of "Texas."

That's the best you've got. And you're impressed. I'm not.

[mayday]

The first visit in which you told her your name? And she told you what you did in a car that you had not driven there? The visit that you admit you took no record of and which you admit you do not remember what you were doing right before?

It's not the exam thing over the phone then when she already knew a lot about you and simply said she got a feeling of "Texas."

That's the best you've got. And you're impressed. I'm not.

Under the circumstances it was impressive. And I'd say you still know more about me than even she does now.

But let's dance... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH9lG5I9l6o

[chillzero]

Chillzero says we can't talk about other things within this thread anymore.

That's not actually what I said, but regardless, you still ignored my questions:

No Mayday - this thread is the one that's supposed to be about what questions we would want a psychic to answer. Why aren't you responding to that, and taking the questions - writing them down - and asking your psychic for the answers?

Perhaps you could stop going off on tangents, and make use of this thread for the purpose you actually set it up for?

[mayday]

That's not actually what I said, but regardless, you still ignored my questions:



Perhaps you could stop going off on tangents, and make use of this thread for the purpose you actually set it up for?

Well, it will be hard to post any specifics until I actually go see her, which will be later this month.

But I'm getting some good ideas here.

[Garrette]

Under the circumstances it was impressive. Under the circumstances it seemed impressive. Now that you have had a chance to look at it from a distance with the assistance of knowledgeable third parties, you have no justification for continuing to describe it that way.


And I'd say you still know more about me than even she does now.Ah. So she hasn't revealed anything to you that isn't obtainable via mundane means even when not in the same location?

Say it mayday; don't be coy; say it outright: Mary Bogart is not psychic.


But let's dance... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH9lG5I9l6o An excellent movie and classic scene nearly ruined with the overlaid music, but regardless, it is irrelevant.

Have you given up on the purpose of this thread?

[Garrette]

Well, it will be hard to post any specifics until I actually go see her, which will be later this month.

But I'm getting some good ideas here.Excellent. I have a proposal.

Ask your psychic about me, but rather than asking her to find a specific piece of information, just ask her what she can discern. In contrast, we'll ask a skeptical volunteer on this forum to duplicate what your psychic does. The volunteer can try to research me up until the date you post your psychic's findings. (We can figure out a way to synchronize posts so that the later poster doesn't steal info from the former).

How about it, mayday; care to stack your psychic up against a skeptic, they way you have unfairly tried to do retroactively regarding what you did in your vehicle?

[mayday]

Garrette, it IS impressive.

I can't wait to test out some of these ideas on Mary, but I think I need a definitive list of questions. I would like some sincere ones, not confrontational questions, either. I don't want to insult her.

How can I go about explaining what I'm doing in a tactful way to her?

[mayday]

Excellent. I have a proposal.

Ask your psychic about me, but rather than asking her to find a specific piece of information, just ask her what she can discern. In contrast, we'll ask a skeptical volunteer on this forum to duplicate what your psychic does. The volunteer can try to research me up until the date you post your psychic's findings. (We can figure out a way to synchronize posts so that the later poster doesn't steal info from the former).

How about it, mayday; care to stack your psychic up against a skeptic, they way you have unfairly tried to do retroactively regarding what you did in your vehicle?

Sure. But you will have to lose that attitude that I'm being unfair and people are against you.
I'm not being unfair.

[Garrette]

Sure. Excellent. Now we need a skeptical volunteer to be the counterpart to Mary.


But you will have to lose that attitude that I'm being unfair and people are against you.Your ability at pegging my attitude is as accurate as your pendulum.


I'm not being unfair.No. You're being willfully ignorant and unjustifiably dismissive.

[Locknar]

Who's George?
Well...are and/or your psychic going to make some predictions about me or not? DrewD is another (and has also volunteered); George would certianly appreciate all the help you can give him.

[bokonon]

Chillzero says we can't talk about other things within this thread anymore.

But I'll say about the truck deal, what kind of truck and what color was it and what was I doing in it, which is what the psychic told me.

$300??? Don't you have anything to add to sweeten the pot a little? I doubt this would make her mouth water.
A silver-colored Chevrolet, and you were talking on your cell phone.

If you pay your psychic more than $300/word for her readings, she needs to stop making so many demonstrably false predictions and concentrate on keeping you happy. My offer stands, as is: one word, $300. Or, whatever you decide her cut will be. I'm confident she can't do it, but the offer is legitimate. If I'm not mistaken, you were offering to do these challenges for nothing more than the satisfaction of basking in our stunned silence. If rubbing the skeptic's nose in his disbelief isn't enough to make her mouth water, there's a $300 bonus on this one. Take it or leave it. I don't have psychic powers, but my prediction is that the lack of follow-through is going to be coming from your side of the challenge.

[mayday]

A silver-colored Chevrolet, and you were talking on your cell phone.



..

[mayday]

A silver-colored Chevrolet, and you were talking on your cell phone.



No.

[Garrette]

Any skeptic here care to take up the challenge with mayday's psychic?

At the end of this month (exact date to be determined), you post whatever you can find/guess about me and mayday posts what she says her psychic has said about me.

[Azrael 5]

Any skeptic here care to take up the challenge with mayday's psychic?

At the end of this month (exact date to be determined), you post whatever you can find/guess about me and mayday posts what she says her psychic has said about me.

Can I play?! :D

[Garrette]

Can I play?! :DOkay by me, but I think "unfair advantage" comes to mind...

[Azrael 5]

Okay by me, but I think "unfair advantage" comes to mind...

Oh...moving goalposts now are we?! :D

[Locknar]

Any skeptic here care to take up the challenge with mayday's psychic?

At the end of this month (exact date to be determined), you post whatever you can find/guess about me and mayday posts what she says her psychic has said about me.
I've tried...but she's apparently just avoiding it...George will be most unhappy you didn't help him mayday.

[Garrette]

I've tried...but she's apparently just avoiding it...George will be most unhappy you didn't help him mayday.I've been following that, but I'm talking about a specific challenge which she accepted.

I offered to let her compare what her psychic can determine about me with what a skeptic on this forum can either find out or guess about me. Mayday agreed and said she would be seeing her psychic (or calling, I'm not sure which) at the end of the month, exact date not given.

I don't really expect her to follow through, but I could be wrong, and it seems a fairer way than just "Guess this initial/name" since we don't know if the psychic claims to be able to do that.

In any case, it would be interesting just to see what someone can dig up about me. Somebody besides Azrael 5, I mean, and a couple of others on this forum. They already know personal info. And I don't trust Azrael one bit, what with him being the fifth incarnation of the archangel of death and all.

[DrewD]

That's cute.

Not.

Ummm, Okay. What is so cute about that? Don't assume that my handle is my name.

[Hellbound]

DrewD:

I got it narrowed down to 2:

Is it Bubba?

If not, it's got to be Ferdinand.

Right?

:D

[Garrette]

DrewD:

I got it narrowed down to 2:

Is it Bubba?

If not, it's got to be Ferdinand.

Right?

:DYou're cross-channeling; those are two of my five middle names.

[Hellbound]

Garrette Bubba Garrette Ferdinand McGarrette?

:D

[Garrette]

Garrette Bubba Garrette Ferdinand McGarrette?

:DDang it! I keep forgetting to sit here silently without giving feedback.

[Locknar]

I've been following that, but I'm talking about a specific challenge which she accepted.

I offered to let her compare what her psychic can determine about me with what a skeptic on this forum can either find out or guess about me. Mayday agreed and said she would be seeing her psychic (or calling, I'm not sure which) at the end of the month, exact date not given.

I don't really expect her to follow through, but I could be wrong, and it seems a fairer way than just "Guess this initial/name" since we don't know if the psychic claims to be able to do that.

In any case, it would be interesting just to see what someone can dig up about me. Somebody besides Azrael 5, I mean, and a couple of others on this forum. They already know personal info. And I don't trust Azrael one bit, what with him being the fifth incarnation of the archangel of death and all.
Reading though the lastest between you and mayday, it is clear he/she is just playing games and has no intention of following through.

Like others that have come on here, spouting "powers" and other abilities...they make a few casual/lazy attempts, then fall into what they feel is playful banter while avoiding answering any real questions.

Of course, mayday could prove me wrong on this...but Magic 8-Ball says "My sources say no."

[bokonon]

Reading though the lastest between you and mayday, it is clear he/she is just playing games and has no intention of following through.

Like others that have some on here, spouting "powers" and other abilities...they make a few casual/lazy attempts, then fall into what they feel is playful banter while avoiding answering any real questions.

Of course, mayday could prove me wrong on this...but Magic 8-Ball says "My sources say no."
I think you're right, mayday's just a skeptic baiter. PM me if she or her psychic hazard a guess at the "Time" magazine word; I don't see much point in following the blow-by-blow here on all the challenges made and declined with flimsy or non-existent excuses.

[mayday]

Reading though the lastest between you and mayday, it is clear he/she is just playing games and has no intention of following through.

Like others that have come on here, spouting "powers" and other abilities...they make a few casual/lazy attempts, then fall into what they feel is playful banter while avoiding answering any real questions.

Of course, mayday could prove me wrong on this...but Magic 8-Ball says "My sources say no."

I'm going to see the psychic later this month (whichever is the third Saturday) and I will ask her if she can tell me anything about Garrette. I'll post the response here. If it is anything significant it shouldn't matter if it is taped or not, should it?

[yairhol]

I would like to participate.
If your friend is really psychic than she could tell you my parent's names as well as my brother's name and my wife's name.
Not easy but that's all I'm revealing.

Regards,
Yair

[yairhol]

..

[Locknar]

I'm going to see the psychic later this month (whichever is the third Saturday) and I will ask her if she can tell me anything about Garrette. I'll post the response here. If it is anything significant it shouldn't matter if it is taped or not, should it?
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and predict that unforeseen problems will keep you from following through as you claim.

When I asked Magic 8-Ball about my prediction, it answered "Signs point to yes".

[mayday]

I would like to participate.
If your friend is really psychic than she could tell you my parent's names as well as my brother's name and my wife's name.
Not easy but that's all I'm revealing.

Regards,
Yair

The psychic's argument (and it is a fair one) would be that she can't control the kinds of things revealed to her. This is why about the only real way we can do this is to see if she can tell anything significant about a certain person.

In case she can't see anything on Garrette, I'll ask about others on here then post my findings.

[Locknar]

The psychic's argument (and it is a fair one) would be that she can't control the kinds of things revealed to her.
Humm....and when this happens, does she still expect payment...and do you pay?

Be sure to include me in that list of "others"; George will appreciate your help.

[ObscureReferenceMan]

I'm going to see the psychic later this month (whichever is the third Saturday) and I will ask her if she can tell me anything about Garrette. I'll post the response here. If it is anything significant it shouldn't matter if it is taped or not, should it?

As I said before (in this thread or another mayday one), you should tape the reading. Ideally, you should have both you and the psychic in frame as much as possible.

I have been holding back my comments, but since I'm already typing here... mayday, you seem to be very adament about the belief that you've never "leaked info" to the psychic. Did you know that we do that all the time without even realizing it? Something you might find interesting... I saw an article recently about a technique police use to read people's faces to determine when they are lying. The techniques were put together by psychologists who found that there are very subtle, but definite, facial movements that everyone makes when they are lying. It takes a while to learn, but it is "doable". They also found that even when actively trying not to make these movements, people still do.

The same is true about body language, facial expressions, etc. during a "psychic reading". Even though we know we're not giving anything away, we are. This is a technique that mentalists (magicians who give the appearance that they are psychic, but are using tricks, cold/warm reading techniques, etc.) use. See for example Kreskin (http://www.amazingkreskin.com/) or Banacheck (http://www.banachek.org/nonflash/index.htm).

[Garrette]

Reading though the lastest between you and mayday, it is clear he/she is just playing games and has no intention of following through.I suspect you are right, but am willing to be shown wrong.


I'm going to see the psychic later this month (whichever is the third Saturday) and I will ask her if she can tell me anything about Garrette. I'll post the response here. If it is anything significant it shouldn't matter if it is taped or not, should it?You have my permission to tape anything she says about me and to post it here, regardless how embarrassing you think it may be.


So far only Azrael 5 has volunteered to be the skeptic who competes against the psychic. That, however, would be unfair, because I have corresponded with Azrael 5, and he knows my name and address already.

There are a few others on this board who already have the information. We need someone who doesn't know me outside my postings here to try to find information about me.

Anyone?

[Locknar]

I suspect you are right, but am willing to be shown wrong.
Oh...as I am, by all means.


There are a few others on this board who already have the information. We need someone who doesn't know me outside my postings here to try to find information about me.

Anyone?
Humm....well, as long as it does not eliminate me from mayday's list of folks to ask the psychic about (I mean, I really don't want to hurt George's chances...and I'm sure he'll be happy for all the help mayday & the psychic friend can provide) I'm game. What do I need to do?

[mayday]

As I said before (in this thread or another mayday one), you should tape the reading. Ideally, you should have both you and the psychic in frame as much as possible.

I have been holding back my comments, but since I'm already typing here... mayday, you seem to be very adament about the belief that you've never "leaked info" to the psychic. Did you know that we do that all the time without even realizing it? Something you might find interesting... I saw an article recently about a technique police use to read people's faces to determine when they are lying. The techniques were put together by psychologists who found that there are very subtle, but definite, facial movements that everyone makes when they are lying. It takes a while to learn, but it is "doable". They also found that even when actively trying not to make these movements, people still do.

The same is true about body language, facial expressions, etc. during a "psychic reading". Even though we know we're not giving anything away, we are. This is a technique that mentalists (magicians who give the appearance that they are psychic, but are using tricks, cold/warm reading techniques, etc.) use. See for example Kreskin (http://www.amazingkreskin.com/) or Banacheck (http://www.banachek.org/nonflash/index.htm).


I guess my facial expression said I was driving in my blue truck looking at credit card statements and talking on a cell phone...because my mouth sure didn't say it.

I would hate to think the police are using this theory as a serious investigative technique. Good cop/bad cop seems to work good enough to break down criminals.

That Kreskin guy is making a big deal out of picking the next President?

I know who it will be and without all that drama: Mike Huckabee

[Garrette]

Oh...as I am, by all means.


Humm....well, as long as it does not eliminate me from mayday's list of folks to ask the psychic about (I mean, I really don't want to hurt George's chances...and I'm sure he'll be happy for all the help mayday & the psychic friend can provide) I'm game. What do I need to do?Research me anyway you like. Whatever information you find, keep it handy. After mayday has gotten her psychic's reading of me, you two post your findings simultaneously (or in whatever fashion precludes the one who posts second from cheating off the one who posts first). Then we compare to see if the psychic did better than you.

[Locknar]

Research me anyway you like. Whatever information you find, keep it handy. After mayday has gotten her psychic's reading of me, you two post your findings simultaneously (or in whatever fashion precludes the one who posts second from cheating off the one who posts first). Then we compare to see if the psychic did better than you.
Excellent, with Martini's in hand, Brick "The Thin Man" Locknar - Genius Sleuth is on the case!

Just let me know when we (Asta, who will be helping me sniff out leads) need to report our findings.

[Hellbound]

Research me anyway you like. Whatever information you find, keep it handy. After mayday has gotten her psychic's reading of me, you two post your findings simultaneously (or in whatever fashion precludes the one who posts second from cheating off the one who posts first). Then we compare to see if the psychic did better than you.

On this, it might be best if both sent their posts of info as a PM to you (or to a third party on here) who could then bost them both at once. I'd suggest the same be done with mayday's, so there's no accusation that "oh, he just got that from what the psychic said". Once that person has all three versions, they can be posted for comparison.

But that's just my thought :)

[Garrette]

On this, it might be best if both sent their posts of info as a PM to you (or to a third party on here) who could then bost them both at once. I'd suggest the same be done with mayday's, so there's no accusation that "oh, he just got that from what the psychic said". Once that person has all three versions, they can be posted for comparison.

But that's just my thought :)As I am far less capable in such an area than others, I will leave the protocol to folks like you. If it involves pm'ing me, so be it. If not, that's okay, too.


Excellent, with Martini's in hand, Brick "The Thin Man" Locknar - Genius Sleuth is on the case!That's disappointing. I'd always pictured myself as the type needing a Sam Spade to find my skeletons, and some cheap whisky to make the nightmares go away.


Just let me know when we (Asta, who will be helping me sniff out leads) need to report our findings. That's up to mayday and when she gets her psychic to guess.

If she doesn't come through on her end, I'd still be interested to know privately how much dirt you were able to get on me. And how. And what it'll cost to shut you up. And where you park your car at night...

[ObscureReferenceMan]

I guess my facial expression said I was driving in my blue truck looking at credit card statements and talking on a cell phone...because my mouth sure didn't say it.

I would hate to think the police are using this theory as a serious investigative technique. Good cop/bad cop seems to work good enough to break down criminals.

This is why I am often hesitant to provide feedback to fans of the paranormal. I'll deal with the second paragraph first. Where did you get "investigative technique" from what I wrote? This is a technique police use to see if someone is lying. Not "read their minds". And your "good cop/bad cop" comment? Yes, we've all seen enough TV/movies to know this "technique". But I'm pretty sure there are more techniques to police work than what we see in TV & movies.

And regarding the first paragraph... The "lie detection" technique is not a "detect from facial expression &/or body movement where they hid the body" technique. And how did you jump from what I wrote (how to detect a lie) to "my facial expression said I was driving in my blue truck..."? :boggled:

Also, I would have posted a link, but was doubtful you would have read it. Now, I'm fairly certain you wouldn't read it. You seem to demonstrate over and over again that any explanations posed by a skeptic will be immediately dismissed with a quick, "It wasn't that" (i.e. cold reading). Whereas you explanation should be taken as gospel.

Grrr... mayday... We're trying to help you educate yourself. We (well, at least myself, but I think I can speak for most in this thread) are trying to help, not mock or even dismiss your conclusions about psychics. We're NOT simply writing off or explaining away" your experiences. Just trying to get you to see alternatives.

BTW, there is a LOT more than cold/warm/hot reading to why psychic powers (and other paranormal phenomena) can seem so real. I am in the process of putting together something for the "Repository" section on exactly that subject. I would consider mentioning them to you, but I hesitate. I really don't think you would consider any info from a "skeptic" with an open mind. I don't say this maliciously, but based on past experiences reading your threads. Feel free to change my mind though.

[mayday]

As I am far less capable in such an area than others, I will leave the protocol to folks like you. If it involves pm'ing me, so be it. If not, that's okay, too.


That's disappointing. I'd always pictured myself as the type needing a Sam Spade to find my skeletons, and some cheap whisky to make the nightmares go away.


That's up to mayday and when she gets her psychic to guess.

If she doesn't come through on her end, I'd still be interested to know privately how much dirt you were able to get on me. And how. And what it'll cost to shut you up. And where you park your car at night...

Leif.


My pendulum tells me not but you remind me of him.

[mayday]

This is why I am often hesitant to provide feedback to fans of the paranormal. I'll deal with the second paragraph first. Where did you get "investigative technique" from what I wrote? This is a technique police use to see if someone is lying. Not "read their minds". And your "good cop/bad cop" comment? Yes, we've all seen enough TV/movies to know this "technique". But I'm pretty sure there are more techniques to police work than what we see in TV & movies.



I'm a true crime buff. Another technique the use is to drag the suspect down to the office, scatter papers and coffee cups and junk all around, to make it look like they've been feverishly investigating day and night and they have uncovered something breaking.

[Garrette]

Leif.


My pendulum tells me not but you remind me of him.??

[ObscureReferenceMan]

I'm a true crime buff. Another technique the use is to drag the suspect down to the office, scatter papers and coffee cups and junk all around, to make it look like they've been feverishly investigating day and night and they have uncovered something breaking.


I'm done. Check please...

[chillzero]

On this, it might be best if both sent their posts of info as a PM to you (or to a third party on here) who could then bost them both at once. I'd suggest the same be done with mayday's, so there's no accusation that "oh, he just got that from what the psychic said". Once that person has all three versions, they can be posted for comparison.

But that's just my thought :)

I was going to suggest this also, and would volunteer to receive and post the PMs, if that's agreeable.

I would have volunteered to 'read' also, but as I am a mod, I think that there may be concerns about what information I might be privy to above other members.

[Garrette]

I think having chillzero as the third party is a good idea. CZ can clean up the readings to remove anything that would indicate if it's from mayday or from Locknar. I would get the sterilized versions and would rank them, both overall and on each item (outlined by CZ, of course).

After I personally rank them and post the results (still without identifying information), other posters in this thread could vote on which one is more accurate if it's a close run thing.

All assuming, of course, that mayday will follow through. I actually have confidence that Locknar will.

[mayday]

I think having chillzero as the third party is a good idea. CZ can clean up the readings to remove anything that would indicate if it's from mayday or from Locknar. I would get the sterilized versions and would rank them, both overall and on each item (outlined by CZ, of course).

After I personally rank them and post the results (still without identifying information), other posters in this thread could vote on which one is more accurate if it's a close run thing.

All assuming, of course, that mayday will follow through. I actually have confidence that Locknar will.

I'm going on December 22. I really hate to think of spending all that money to go see her but I'll do it.

If it's determined she makes some definite hits, will anyone reimburse me? I'm going mostly for Garrette and a few others on here, after all.

Please don't use the forum to solicit money.

[Locknar]

I think having chillzero as the third party is a good idea. CZ can clean up the readings to remove anything that would indicate if it's from mayday or from Locknar. I would get the sterilized versions and would rank them, both overall and on each item (outlined by CZ, of course).

After I personally rank them and post the results (still without identifying information), other posters in this thread could vote on which one is more accurate if it's a close run thing.

All assuming, of course, that mayday will follow through. I actually have confidence that Locknar will.
Martini in hand, I'm ready anytime.... So my understanding is, the task at hand is to find what ever I can about you and PM it is CZ right? Is there a quantity of predictions you are looking for? Personal vs say business?

I just want to make sure the two attempts are equivalent content/structure wise.

I'll PM my results to CZ on DEC 22.....

[Locknar]

I'm going on December 22. I really hate to think of spending all that money to go see her but I'll do it.

If it's determined she makes some definite hits, will anyone reimburse me? I'm going mostly for Garrette and a few others on here, after all.

NOTE: BOLD added by Locknar


I find that you claim you are going "mostly for Garrette and a few others on here" interesting....as you've previously mentioned in your OP:

On another thread I spoke of a psychic I have been going to see who I believe has some type of abilities beyond guessing, as she has told me things cold/warm/hot reading would not be able to tell.

Naturally, most here doubt my story so I am trying to think of a way I can prove what I'm talking about. So far, all I can think to do is record one of my sessions with her and play it back on here to see how accurate she is. This would mean answering some questions from some of the posters here.

If you can think of a question you would like answered, that would prove to you this psychic is not just pulling a Sylvia Browne deal, please post it here and I will ask her when I go see her in a couple of weeks.

NOTE: BOLD added by Locknar

Based on this...seems you had already planned on meeeting with your psychic BEFORE the "Garrette Challange".

[Garrette]

I'm going on December 22. I really hate to think of spending all that money to go see her but I'll do it.

If it's determined she makes some definite hits, will anyone reimburse me? I'm going mostly for Garrette and a few others on here, after all.Sure, but only an amount agreed upon before you go. How much do you need?


ETA: Hmmm.... Just saw Locknar's gathering of mayday posts showing she was going to the psychic anyway. That's a valid point. However, since the reading may end up being mostly about me and some other JREFers, I think it fair to partially subsidize the cost. (Only partially; mayday made the offer, and the result will be as beneficial to her as to us).

[Garrette]

Martini in hand, I'm ready anytime.... So my understanding is, the task at hand is to find what ever I can about you and PM it is CZ right? Is there a quantity of predictions you are looking for? Personal vs say business?

I just want to make sure the two attempts are equivalent content/structure wise.

I'll PM my results to CZ on DEC 22.....I've no idea on what type to ask for. Any restrictions/guidelines/whatever would have to come from mayday as her psychic's representative. Barring any such guidance, I would say just dig up whatever you can dig up and send it on.

[Locknar]

I've no idea on what type to ask for. Any restrictions/guidelines/whatever would have to come from mayday as her psychic's representative. Barring any such guidance, I would say just dig up whatever you can dig up and send it on.
My my...quite a difficult case; calls for another Martini I'd say. I sure hope Mayday and her psychic do better then I.

I'm afraid I'm going to end up a bit embarassed here....

[mayday]

Sure, but only an amount agreed upon before you go. How much do you need?


ETA: Hmmm.... Just saw Locknar's gathering of mayday posts showing she was going to the psychic anyway. That's a valid point. However, since the reading may end up being mostly about me and some other JREFers, I think it fair to partially subsidize the cost. (Only partially; mayday made the offer, and the result will be as beneficial to her as to us).

Well do you think when I planned to go before I planned on turning it into a "test" to post on the Randi page about other Randi members???

Anyway, my friend called me today and told me to get on the horn because the readings are THIS Saturday.

[chillzero]

Well do you think when I planned to go before I planned on turning it into a "test" to post on the Randi page about other Randi members???


Umm.... yes.

(bolding mine)
On another thread I spoke of a psychic I have been going to see who I believe has some type of abilities beyond guessing, as she has told me things cold/warm/hot reading would not be able to tell.

Naturally, most here doubt my story so I am trying to think of a way I can prove what I'm talking about. So far, all I can think to do is record one of my sessions with her and play it back on here to see how accurate she is. This would mean answering some questions from some of the posters here.

If you can think of a question you would like answered, that would prove to you this psychic is not just pulling a Sylvia Browne deal, please post it here and I will ask her when I go see her in a couple of weeks.

[mayday]

Umm.... yes.

(bolding mine)

I was going to go before I ever reregistered and started posting here again.

This Saturday!

Is there a way to download cassette recordings from those mini recorders onto the internet? I have a digital recorder but the sound quality is awful compared to the old fashioned one.

[Garrette]

My my...quite a difficult case; calls for another Martini I'd say. I sure hope Mayday and her psychic do better then I.

I'm afraid I'm going to end up a bit embarassed here....I'd love to help you out, but I'm afraid you'll have to muddle on without assistance from me.

[Locknar]

I'd love to help you out, but I'm afraid you'll have to muddle on without assistance from me.
Do I get a hint? Are you bigger then a bread box? Animal, vegetable or mineral? Living or dead?

You may have been right...I might just have to ditch the Martini's and hit the Whiskey bottle.

[wahrheit]

Is there a way to download cassette recordings from those mini recorders onto the internet? I have a digital recorder but the sound quality is awful compared to the old fashioned one.
Your recorder probably has a line-out or headphone jack. Connect this with a cable to the line-in jack of your computer's sound card.

Start some sound recording software, it comes free with every operating system.

If there is no line-out on your cassette recorder and you have to use the headphone jack, make sure to set the volume of your cassette recorder low on playback before doing this, then slowly increase the volume until it sounds okay on your computer.

[mayday]

Your recorder probably has a line-out or headphone jack. Connect this with a cable to the line-in jack of your computer's sound card.

Start some sound recording software, it comes free with every operating system.

If there is no line-out on your cassette recorder and you have to use the headphone jack, make sure to set the volume of your cassette recorder low on playback before doing this, then slowly increase the volume until it sounds okay on your computer.

Thank you.

[Locknar]

*bump* - Just wanna keep this on page 1

[Locknar]

So Mayday...still ready to meet with your psychic this Saturday??

[mayday]

So Mayday...still ready to meet with your psychic this Saturday??

Yes, though the plans have changed somewhat.

Call me cheap, but I kind of resent the cost (to hear her speculate about my life) being doubled. $80 for 30 minutes!!! So, I am going to give my friend the recorder and a list with a few questions and let her ask in my place. If you can come up with two or three questions that everyone would be satisfied hearing the answer to please tell me.

Since the gallery reading is only $10 I will definitely sit in on that and I'll record it.

[PBTree]

Let me get this right mayday.

You have an appointment to see this psychic (i hate even typing that word) at the end of the month and you have all of these questions to ask from forum members. You are also contemplating recording the meeting. All of this to prove that she is or isn't a sham.

"""" Why didn't she tell you all of the answers and the fact that she probably won't let you record her sessions, when you were last there. You know, your last session. I thought she was psychic. """"

IS IT JUST ME?

:)

[PBTree]

If I get an answer along the lines of;

"how was she supposed to know I was going to get all of these questions from you people?"

I will scream in the office and terrify all of my colleagues.

;)

[Garrette]

[quote=mayday;3238590]If you can come up with two or three questions that everyone would be satisfied hearing the answer to please tell me.
[quote]1. What is Garrette's mother's maiden name?

2. How many acquaintenances did Garrette lose in the 9/11 attacks and what were their genders?

[Hokulele]

3. Why doesn't Garrette know how to use the quote tags after so many years?

:p

[Locknar]

3. Why doesn't Garrette know how to use the quote tags after so many years?

:p
Maybe Garrette's saving his "/"s for a rainy day?

[devnull]

ofcourse she'll refuse to answer any of these questions. All that remains is to see what the excuse is.

[yairhol]

Since I'm not from around where you guys are, I'd love to hear from Mayday's all powerful friend what the names are of my brother, wife, father, mother, dog, wife's parents.
Do you guys agree?
Regards,
Yair

[Garrette]

3. Why doesn't Garrette know how to use the quote tags after so many years?

:pPsychic interference. I'M STILL StruGglINg not TO USe all caps.

[Garrette]

On further reflection, and at the wise prodding of another member of this forum, I am withdrawing my second question about 9/11. mayday, please do not use that question.

[mayday]

On further reflection, and at the wise prodding of another member of this forum, I am withdrawing my second question about 9/11. mayday, please do not use that question.

Do you just want me to ask her your mother's maiden name?

I'm sure it would be helpful if you could give your first and last name (unless you share your mother's maiden name).

[Garrette]

Do you just want me to ask her your mother's maiden name?I am open to other suggestions if you feel this does not fall within the bounds of Bogart's abilities.


I'm sure it would be helpful if you could give your first and last name (unless you share your mother's maiden name).I'm sure it would be helpful, too. Is it necessary? Your psychic said it is not when she spoke with you.

[yairhol]

Since I'm not from around where you guys are, I'd love to hear from Mayday's all powerful friend what the names are of my brother, wife, father, mother, dog, wife's parents.
Do you guys agree?
Regards,
Yair

I'm sure I'm not invisible otherwise I could win the MDC.
So I repeat what I have said before...

Regards,
Yair

[Garrette]

I'm sure I'm not invisible otherwise I could win the MDC.
So I repeat what I have said before...

Regards,
YairWho said that?

This is creepy...

[mayday]

I am open to other suggestions if you feel this does not fall within the bounds of Bogart's abilities.


I'm sure it would be helpful, too. Is it necessary? Your psychic said it is not when she spoke with you.


According to her a first name is all she needs, but I'll bet your birthday would be helpful too.

How about if she could tell me what your line of work is?

[JoeTheJuggler]

If a psychic can't control what she's able to read or what messages or vibes or whatever she receives, how come none of them ever sends a customer away without taking their money because she's drawing a blank?

Seems to me, the only time they can't get anything is when they're being tested.

Similarly, Sylvia only makes her "less than perfect" (or 87% accuracy) admission when confronted with evidence of her many failures. During readings, she always pretends to have certain knowledge. She always says, "I know" and never "I don't know" or "I'm not getting anything" or "I'm only 87% sure that what I'm telling you is right."

[Garrette]

According to her a first name is all she needs, So why ask for my last name at all. My first name is Patrick.

Locknar, are you paying attention?


but I'll bet your birthday would be helpful too.No doubt, but it isn't necessary, is it?


How about if she could tell me what your line of work is?How specific must she be before we call it a hit? I have two professional lines of work, and at least two serious hobbies. I have spoken about all of them on this forum more than once, one of the professional ones quite a lot.

So I'll accept the "line of work" proposal under these conditions:

1. The military doesn't count, as I have talked about it far too much.

2. The hobbies don't count.

3. It must be my current, full time job, and that job must be discernable from Bogart's comments by a majority of readers of this thread who are all unaware of my actual job.

[Garrette]

If a psychic can't control what she's able to read or what messages or vibes or whatever she receives, how come none of them ever sends a customer away without taking their money because she's drawing a blank?Excellent question.


Seems to me, the only time they can't get anything is when they're being tested.Yep.

[mayday]

So why ask for my last name at all. My first name is Patrick.

Locknar, are you paying attention?


No doubt, but it isn't necessary, is it?


How specific must she be before we call it a hit? I have two professional lines of work, and at least two serious hobbies. I have spoken about all of them on this forum more than once, one of the professional ones quite a lot.

So I'll accept the "line of work" proposal under these conditions:

1. The military doesn't count, as I have talked about it far too much.

2. The hobbies don't count.

3. It must be my current, full time job, and that job must be discernable from Bogart's comments by a majority of readers of this thread who are all unaware of my actual job.

I don't see how a birthday is going to be helpful to her, though I don't claim to be psychic either.

I will give my friend a note to read and have her say: THere is this guy on the James Randi web forum whose name is Patrick. Naturally, he is skeptical of psychics, so he said he will be impressed if you can tell what his last name is and what his primary profession is. Thank you.


I'll have her take the tape player in and record it. I'll also record the gallery reading.

[alfaniner]

I'm predicting at least one, maybe all of the following will occur

1. The "psychic" will not allow you to record the session
2. After finding out about all these questions, the session will not go ahead as planned
3. Something will "come up" and the session won't even take place on Saturday.
4. The tape player "won't work"

eta after seeing the preceding post with the specific question
5. "Psychic" will say "It doesn't work like that."

[Garrette]

I don't see how a birthday is going to be helpful to her, though I don't claim to be psychic either.

I will give my friend a note to read and have her say: THere is this guy on the James Randi web forum whose name is Patrick. Naturally, he is skeptical of psychics, so he said he will be impressed if you can tell what his last name is and what his primary profession is. Thank you.


I'll have her take the tape player in and record it. I'll also record the gallery reading.I'll not be all that impressed with last name. It has been posted on this forum a couple of times. Whether or not a search wil find it, I don't know, but I know it has been mentioned in the time you have been here. That's why I suggested my mother's maiden name, as it has not been revealed here.

Perhaps something in lieu of my last name will work. Bear with me on this. My son plays Dungeons & Dragons. He created his character in that game based on a character I created when I used to play D&D. Actually, he pretty much lifted the character and the character's name whole cloth. He takes great pride in this character as it is rather unique, and he always tells me stories of the adventures he has in his weekly sessions.

This is not a trivial matter. Both of us feel an emotional tie to each other through this character, and he is in a sense very real to us; were he to be killed in one of the games we would take it quite hard.

So you could ask what that character's name is, and/or what is the object associated with that character.

You proposed line of work, so I think that's fair.

I propose this D&D character which should be fair because of it's emotional importance and because it bridges a generation within my family.

[yairhol]

Mayday, ask your psychic what are my brother's, wife's and parent's first names?
My first name is Yair and I was born 5.5.75.

Regards,
Yair

[Garrette]

Mayday, ask your psychic what are my brother's, wife's and parent's first names?
My first name is Yair and I was born 5.5.75.

Regards,
YairThis would impress me, but I think we tread too close to demanding a demonstration of abilities not claimed.

[mayday]

I'll not be all that impressed with last name. It has been posted on this forum a couple of times. Whether or not a search wil find it, I don't know, but I know it has been mentioned in the time you have been here. That's why I suggested my mother's maiden name, as it has not been revealed here.

Perhaps something in lieu of my last name will work. Bear with me on this. My son plays Dungeons & Dragons. He created his character in that game based on a character I created when I used to play D&D. Actually, he pretty much lifted the character and the character's name whole cloth. He takes great pride in this character as it is rather unique, and he always tells me stories of the adventures he has in his weekly sessions.

This is not a trivial matter. Both of us feel an emotional tie to each other through this character, and he is in a sense very real to us; were he to be killed in one of the games we would take it quite hard.

So you could ask what that character's name is, and/or what is the object associated with that character.

You proposed line of work, so I think that's fair.

I propose this D&D character which should be fair because of it's emotional importance and because it bridges a generation within my family.


Sorry, I meant your mother's maiden name.

I was actually going to suggest giving the psychic your first and last name.

I never understoof the D&D deal--how can you get attached to someone who isn't real? I've heard of people committing suicide over an imaginary D&D character.

[Azrael 5]

Garette you don't really want the psychic to tell every one about your cross dressing surely? For that reason I am making it public knowledge.
Fairs fair. :D

[Garrette]

Garette you don't really want the psychic to tell every one about your cross dressing surely? For that reason I am making it public knowledge.
Fairs fair. :DAs long as you don't tell them about our evening together with the dwarf, the horse, and Sylvia Browne.

[Garrette]

Sorry, I meant your mother's maiden name.Fine by me.


I was actually going to suggest giving the psychic your first and last name.You did suggest it, then you said it isn't necessary.


I never understoof the D&D deal--how can you get attached to someone who isn't real?I suppose it is similar in this case how you might get attached to any family memento. For my son, he's attached because it's something he got from his old man. For me, I'm attached because it brings my son so much pleasure.


I've heard of people committing suicide over an imaginary D&D character.I could be wrong, but I think that's all or largely urban legend.

[Southwind17]

I'm predicting at least one, maybe all of the following will occur

1. The "psychic" will not allow you to record the session
2. After finding out about all these questions, the session will not go ahead as planned
3. Something will "come up" and the session won't even take place on Saturday.
4. The tape player "won't work"

eta after seeing the preceding post with the specific question
5. "Psychic" will say "It doesn't work like that."

Couldn't agree more. After all this hype I have a hunch it's gonna be a first-round knock out, and we'll all be left wondering whether it was really worth getting excited about; maybe even rigged! ONLY IN AMERICA!!!

[Garrette]

Couldn't agree more. After all this hype I have a hunch it's gonna be a first-round knock out, and we'll all be left wondering whether it was really worth getting excited about; maybe even rigged! ONLY IN AMERICA!!!Of course it's rigged.

It amuses the aliens.

[alfaniner]

I should clarify that I'm currently putting responsibility for any incidents I predicted on the "psychic", or circumstances. I am pleased about mayday's willingness to go ahead with this.

[schlitt]

Mayday,

Can i request that you post here a definitive list of what you intend to ask, before the visit?

[PBTree]

Let me get this right mayday.

You have an appointment to see this psychic (i hate even typing that word) at the end of the month and you have all of these questions to ask from forum members. You are also contemplating recording the meeting. All of this to prove that she is or isn't a sham.

"""" Why didn't she tell you all of the answers and the fact that she probably won't let you record her sessions, when you were last there. You know, your last session. I thought she was psychic. """"

IS IT JUST ME?

:)

I see you have just ignored my question but hey, thats ok. I will just ask again.

Why didn't your so-called psychic know you were going to do this and give you all of our answers when you "attended the session" last time.

Why didn't she just tell you to come on-line and tell everyone Garrette's name etc?

Surely her pschic powers would have known that all this was going to happen when she laid her hands on you.

It doesn't take too much intelligence to work out that if she can foretell your future, then she is going to know about all of this. You going back with a bag full of questions about peoples names and events, is nuts. Just go back and say,

"Can you give me the answers to all the questions I am going to be asked in the next thread that I start on the JREF?"
Come on-line with those answers and we will all start asking questions. If you get more than half right, I am coming over to your team.

Best guess from me, is that she will get an attack of the vapours and need a good lie down.

[mayday]

I see you have just ignored my question but hey, thats ok. I will just ask again.

Why didn't your so-called psychic know you were going to do this and give you all of our answers when you "attended the session" last time.

Why didn't she just tell you to come on-line and tell everyone Garrette's name etc?

Surely her pschic powers would have known that all this was going to happen when she laid her hands on you.

It doesn't take too much intelligence to work out that if she can foretell your future, then she is going to know about all of this. You going back with a bag full of questions about peoples names and events, is nuts. Just go back and say,

"Can you give me the answers to all the questions I am going to be asked in the next thread that I start on the JREF?"
Come on-line with those answers and we will all start asking questions. If you get more than half right, I am coming over to your team.

Best guess from me, is that she will get an attack of the vapours and need a good lie down.

The last time I talked to her was a year ago.

Have you no concept of time? At the rates she is charging now there isn't much time to ask a whole lot of anything. As far as why she didn't see I would be coming here, why would she??? Why would this subject even have been brought up? You don't seem to have a grasp of what it means to be psychic.

For the record, I don't necessarily believe she can see into the future, but she seems to be really good at knowing the motives of others and things that have happened already.

[mayday]

Mayday,

Can i request that you post here a definitive list of what you intend to ask, before the visit?


Ask Garrett.

Garrette, please give me a short list of questions I am to have my friend ask the psychic tomorrow.

[Southwind17]

Well, Saturday's almost upon us. Edge of the seat stuff eh! It is still on, isn't it?!

[Southwind17]

Ask Garrett.

Garrette, please give me a short list of questions I am to have my friend ask the psychic tomorrow.

If Garrette doesn't get back in time just ask her what my father's full name was. He could well be chatting to her right now!

[Locknar]

Well, Saturday's almost upon us. Edge of the seat stuff eh! It is still on, isn't it?!
I hope so...I've done my part.

[Pixel42]

Ask Garrett.

Garrette, please give me a short list of questions I am to have my friend ask the psychic tomorrow.
I thought we agreed you/your friend would just tell the psychic that you know someone who might be interested in coming for a paid reading, but who wanted to be sure she was genuine first, so could she tell you something (anything) about that person. Then give the name, write down everything the psychic says, and PM it to whichever mod said they'd help out. Garette is then presented with a list of statements, some of which are what the psychic said, some are what another poster here has come up with, and some are randomly made up. He then rates each one for accuracy, and we can see if what the psychic said is any more accurate than the other statements.

[Garrette]

Pixel42 is mostly correct in that has been the thrust of the agreement. It is also the test that I think would be most fair in that it does not presuppose any abilities of the psychic. We did, however, kind of slide into agreeing that a couple of specific questions would be appropriate, too, though failure to answer them cannot legitimately be said to be a disproof of the psychic.

So here are the questions, mayday, that I would like you to ask here, in addition to a generic reading of me:

1. What is my mother's maiden name?
2. What is my primary line of work (specifically)?
3. What is the name of the Dungeons and Dragons character that I created and my son has continued? What is the object associated with that character?

---

A reminder on our protocol, loosey-goosey as it is:

1. mayday will present the psychic's answers, preferably recorded and either transcribed or uploaded (or both)

2. Locknar is attempting to find out information about me via mundane means

3. Someone else, maybe, will create an unresearched, non-psychic reading, perhaps using Ersby's Psychic Dice (http://www.skepticreport.com/lighterside/psychicdice.htm).

IMPORTANT: Do NOT post the readings or guesses or research on this thread or any other thread.

Forward your readings/information to Chillzero.

Chillzero will make sure the information has no giveaways on the identity of the person who created it, and will then forward it to me for my accuracy rating.

I will rate each for accuracy and post on this thread.

[alfaniner]

Well, Saturday's almost upon us. Edge of the seat stuff eh! It is still on, isn't it?!

I, for one, am waiting with worms on my tongue.














(baited breath)
:D

[mayday]

I'm still trying to get in touch with my friend. She called me earlier this week and told me to "get on the horn with Mary." If she doesn't go, is anyone interested in just hearing a recording of the gallery reading Mary does tomorrow? It's going to be an expensive trip to get up there as it is, I can't shell out $80 more dollars extra right now with Christmas coming up and all. If my friend doesn't go, I will STILL do a reading, it will just have to be after Christmas.

[PBTree]

The last time I talked to her was a year ago.

Have you no concept of time? At the rates she is charging now there isn't much time to ask a whole lot of anything. As far as why she didn't see I would be coming here, why would she??? Why would this subject even have been brought up? You don't seem to have a grasp of what it means to be psychic.

For the record, I don't necessarily believe she can see into the future, but she seems to be really good at knowing the motives of others and things that have happened already.

Well I have just fallen off my chair. So this psychic isn't real good with future stuff and she charges a lot. Get a grip!

And to top it all off, she is really good with things that have happened already. ARRRrggh.
So is the New York Times for cripes sake and investigative police. I'm not too bad either, once I've read the paper or watched a bit of TV.

Save yourself some money and watch the news on TV, it will be just as informative.

[Southwind17]

I'm still trying to get in touch with my friend. She called me earlier this week and told me to "get on the horn with Mary." If she doesn't go, is anyone interested in just hearing a recording of the gallery reading Mary does tomorrow? It's going to be an expensive trip to get up there as it is, I can't shell out $80 more dollars extra right now with Christmas coming up and all. If my friend doesn't go, I will STILL do a reading, it will just have to be after Christmas.

Are you sure she didn't tell you to get "Get the Horn with Mary"? Those nunnery spoof porn movies usually do it for me too, and they sure beat shelling out $80 to go see a psychic for pure entertainment value!

[Alice Shortcake]

I, for one, am waiting with worms on my tongue.














(baited breath)
:D

I've never heard that one before, but I shall use it at the earliest possible opportunity.

[alfaniner]

I've never heard that one before, but I shall use it at the earliest possible opportunity.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must credit Robin Williams -- I believe it is a line from an early Mork & Mindy episode. :boxedin:

[Island Skeptic]

....oh boy, this should be good.

Let me know if someone gets the winning lottery numbers and then I will pay attention.

(at $80/session: I am most definitely in the wrong business... *shaking head*)

[alfaniner]

...tick...tick...tick

[mayday]

My friend backed out of going, and I just couldn't muster up the motivation to go because of the drive. I PROMISE I will get this before too long, I just couldn't do it today, you will have to be patient. I'll ask the questions Garrette posted when I talk to her next time.

Apologies,
mayday

[Locknar]

My friend backed out of going, and I just couldn't muster up the motivation to go because of the drive. I PROMISE I will get this before too long, I just couldn't do it today, you will have to be patient. I'll ask the questions Garrette posted when I talk to her next time.

Apologies,
mayday
I for one am completely shocked by this turn of events.

[PBTree]

I for one am completely shocked by this turn of events.

You too!

I never saw it coming at all.

But then again, if I had wouldn't that make me a psy......., dare I say it. :)

I would love to be a fly on the wall and watch mayday talking to this fraud/liar/cheat. I can just see her giving away the farm with these questions, without really meaning to. Or being put completely off the track by the fraud/liar/cheat's explanations of why she is having problems with the "mists" today.

sigh.

[yairhol]

My friend backed out of going, and I just couldn't muster up the motivation to go because of the drive
Can't you find another psychic closer to your house?

Regards,
Yair

[mayday]

Can't you find another psychic closer to your house?

Regards,
Yair

There is this woman with a neon sign in the window of her house. My friend was hysterical after she caught her boyfriend cheating and I went with her to see this woman. The psychic told her she could bring the boyfriend back to her but it would take complete cooperation on the part of my friend and she was to tell NO ONE about this or it would not work...the psychic was going to have to burn 9 candles ar $32 a piece and she would be waiting for my friend to come back with the money.

When we left that place my friend, who really buys into psychics, even said she knew what was up with that. We ended up going back to see Mary.

I truly believe Mary is different, which is why I will only see her. But it is so hard to cough up that money when I need it for so many other things right now.

You folks will have to exercise some patience and wait a little bit. I will get around to it.

[yairhol]

Did your friend end up together with her boyfriend or did they split up?
I mean if he cheated on her why would she want to get back with him? It's obvious he has little or no respect for her. I'm guessing here but your friend is probably not a masochist is she? At first it'll be VERY difficult being apart from that guy but in the long run it'll be worth it for sure.
finally this thread is starting to get interesting.

Regards,
Yair

[Southwind17]

There is this woman with a neon sign in the window of her house. My friend was hysterical after she caught her boyfriend cheating and I went with her to see this woman. The psychic told her she could bring the boyfriend back to her but it would take complete cooperation on the part of my friend and she was to tell NO ONE about this or it would not work...the psychic was going to have to burn 9 candles ar $32 a piece and she would be waiting for my friend to come back with the money.

When we left that place my friend, who really buys into psychics, even said she knew what was up with that. We ended up going back to see Mary.

It wasn't anything to do with the psychic being the boyfriend's mother, was it?! If only your friend had had the foresight(!) to go see the psychic before the cheating started, the drama could have been completed averted. Like Warren Buffet says: timing is everything!

[alfaniner]

I'm predicting at least one, maybe all of the following will occur

1. The "psychic" will not allow you to record the session
2. After finding out about all these questions, the session will not go ahead as planned
3. Something will "come up" and the session won't even take place on Saturday.
4. The tape player "won't work"

eta after seeing the preceding post with the specific question
5. "Psychic" will say "It doesn't work like that."


My friend backed out of going, and I just couldn't muster up the motivation to go because of the drive. I PROMISE I will get this before too long, I just couldn't do it today, you will have to be patient. I'll ask the questions Garrette posted when I talk to her next time.

Apologies,
mayday

Number 3 it is then.

[mayday]

Did your friend end up together with her boyfriend or did they split up?
I mean if he cheated on her why would she want to get back with him? It's obvious he has little or no respect for her. I'm guessing here but your friend is probably not a masochist is she? At first it'll be VERY difficult being apart from that guy but in the long run it'll be worth it for sure.
finally this thread is starting to get interesting.

Regards,
Yair

This was about a year and a half ago and no, they didn't get back together. She is the kind who just HAS to have a man. She was going berserk on the singles line looking for a man after he broke up with her. She found a couple of slobs who just wanted a one night stand and wouldn't return her calls after that. She is rather overweight and this one guy she started talking to, she thought she really liked but I guess they never really discussed weight because she said their first meeting was going to be lunch and a walk on this nature trail at one of the state parks. She said he acted nervous during lunch and when she went to kiss him he turned his face really quick so she got him on the cheek instead of the mouth. Then, he suggested they take their own vehicles to the nature trail because he was going to have to get to work early. She said he didn't really talk to her while they were walking and at one point he started walking really fast and she couldn't keep up with him. She would yell out but he acted like he didn't hear her and finally he was out of sight. By the time she got back to the parking lot he was GONE and she never heard from him again.

Then there was Harvey. He was supposed to be this minister. She said they started talking about normal things and then he started talking about being lonely and a little while later he got real quiet and she just started hearing these funny noises and she would plead, "Harvey, please listen to me, what are you doing?...Harvey?" but she couldn't get him to answer again. This time, she was the one who wouldn't take his calls after that.

Right now, she has a man, he is a genuinely nice person but he is in his 40's and is a perpetual good-time Charley and you know at this point he won't change from that. Likes to drink and party. I hope they can stick this one out, though.

Anyway, I need to see Mary, not Miss Merlo with the neon sign in the window.

[devnull]

This was about a year and a half ago and no, they didn't get back together. She is the kind who just HAS to have a man. She was going berserk on the singles line looking for a man after he broke up with her. She found a couple of slobs who just wanted a one night stand and wouldn't return her calls after that. She is rather overweight and this one guy she started talking to, she thought she really liked but I guess they never really discussed weight because she said their first meeting was going to be lunch and a walk on this nature trail at one of the state parks. She said he acted nervous during lunch and when she went to kiss him he turned his face really quick so she got him on the cheek instead of the mouth. Then, he suggested they take their own vehicles to the nature trail because he was going to have to get to work early. She said he didn't really talk to her while they were walking and at one point he started walking really fast and she couldn't keep up with him. She would yell out but he acted like he didn't hear her and finally he was out of sight. By the time she got back to the parking lot he was GONE and she never heard from him again.


I know I really shouldnt laugh at your friend the poor thing, I feel for her, but if you look at that story objectively its just insanely funny. The guy is seriously *all class*.

[Pixel42]

at $80/session: I am most definitely in the wrong business... *shaking head*
Yikes!

Giving a bunch of JREF forum sceptics the satisfaction of proving that this particular psychic is a fraud like all the others is not worth $80 of anybody's money. Do not give this scumbag another cent of your hard-earned dosh, mayday.

[Locknar]

I truly believe Mary is different, which is why I will only see her. But it is so hard to cough up that money when I need it for so many other things right now.

You folks will have to exercise some patience and wait a little bit. I will get around to it.
Can you put a time frame on "I will get around to it"?

[mayday]

Can you put a time frame on "I will get around to it"?

After Christmas, surely the next time she does in-person readings. I will not forget about this. I promise. I really want to do this.

[Locknar]

After Christmas, surely the next time she does in-person readings. I will not forget about this. I promise. I really want to do this.
How often does she do in-person readings? I mean...if it is every month that is one thing....but if it is only once a year, say in DEC...waiting 12 months seems a bit extreme wrt the challenge.

Obviously, Garrette & CZ (as the observer) would have the final say, in my opinion, as to how long the challenge goes on.

[Azrael 5]

Just ring her up and ask her to apply for the MDC.Where's the harm?

Surely she's heard of us.Plus she's a "genuine psychic".

Am I missing something?

[Garrette]

Obviously, Garrette & CZ (as the observer) would have the final say, in my opinion, as to how long the challenge goes on.I'm okay with it until about a week after the new year N.C., N.J., N.I., WSCU (non-Chinese, non-Jewish, non-Islamic, Western Standard Calendar Usage). Then I want to know what you (Locknar) came up with on me and how much I have to pay you to keep it secret.


Just ring her up and ask her to apply for the MDC.Where's the harm?

Surely she's heard of us.Plus she's a "genuine psychic".

Am I missing something?Yes. mayday doesn't need to "ring her up." She only needs to think about ringing her up.

Actually, she only needs to be going to ring her up sometime in the future; Bogart will perceive the future intention in the present and go ahead and apply yesterday.

[schlitt]

Mayday, are you open to the possibility that she is just another cold reader?

Is this exercise to satisfy your curiosity, or to try and prove a point?

[Azrael 5]

Ghost photos? :D

[Island Skeptic]

Mayday: Being that i do not know your personal circumstances, i feel it was irresponsible of me to have participated in egging you on & would like to apologize.

It is easy for us to egg you on, as we have nothing to lose ....but you do. If this were not a financial constraint for you or if she were willing to give you a free "session", then it would be a different story and i would be interested in the pure entertainment value of watching this woman most likely fail to meet the challenge.

How about this: Why don't you just send her a nice card with Randi's Million Dollar Challenge info on it, and let her take on any financial burdens required to prove herself?

Save your money. We are not worth it.

[mayday]

Mayday, are you open to the possibility that she is just another cold reader?

Is this exercise to satisfy your curiosity, or to try and prove a point?

YES I'M OPEN TO THE IDEA SHE IS A COLD READER!!!

Thanks, Jaana.

Azrael, that was such a cute comment.

I still want to do this, and I will. Garrette, she does monthly in-person readings. I prefer talking to her over the phone, actually.

[Ashles]

Can you put a time frame on "I will get around to it"?

Absolutely - it is hard and fast on Mayday's To Do List.

Along with posting lottery predictions...
Getting her friend who can predict children's sexes to apply for the MDC...
Walking the Appalachian Trail...

[Azrael 5]

Absolutely - it is hard and fast on Mayday's To Do List.

Along with posting lottery predictions...
Getting her friend who can predict children's sexes to apply for the MDC...
Walking the Appalachian Trail...
..posting ghost pictures...

Do tell me when that joke gets old.;)

[Locknar]

So mayday...any idea when in Jan you will meet with your astrologer?

[Czarcasm]

Is it true she'll be making an appearance at the Duke Nukem Forever release party?

[chillzero]

*bump*
Mayday, any progress on this?

[Ashles]

In case we have any new posters or perhaps innocent children who aren't aware of the history surrounding Mayday, here is a public service announcement regarding her upcoming visit to a psychic which will be recorded and described in detail:

It. Will. Never. Happen.

I hope that has cleared up any uncertainty.


In case there is still some grey area surrounding this issue here is an addendum:

It. Will. Never. Happen.


Finally, it seems that some posters have kindly spent some time preparing questions and coming up with logical and interesting ways for Mayday to test her psychic friend during her upcoming visit.

I have a special message for them.

It. Will Never. Happen.


Thank you. This service is provided at no charge.

[Garrette]

While I tend to agree with Ashles, I will provide an update for everyone's benefit.

Via pm, I asked mayday if she intended to carry through. She insisted she does and has set the weekend of January 26/27 as the date to visit the psychic. She will then have a few days to transcribe her tape or do whatever is needed before submitting it to chillzero.

Locknar, who is acting as the skeptic-control, has already submitted his information (on me) to chillzero. When cz has both 'readings' she will sanitize them and present them to me for analysis. However, her personal schedule means it will be at least a week or so into February before she is able to do this.

If mayday does not visit the psychic on the last weekend in January, or does not submit the findings to chillzero, I will personally have exhausted my patience with the project and will consider it over.

[Locknar]

While I tend to agree with Ashles, I will provide an update for everyone's benefit.

Via pm, I asked mayday if she intended to carry through. She insisted she does and has set the weekend of January 26/27 as the date to visit the psychic. She will then have a few days to transcribe her tape or do whatever is needed before submitting it to chillzero.

Locknar, who is acting as the skeptic-control, has already submitted his information (on me) to chillzero. When cz has both 'readings' she will sanitize them and present them to me for analysis. However, her personal schedule means it will be at least a week or so into February before she is able to do this.

If mayday does not visit the psychic on the last weekend in January, or does not submit the findings to chillzero, I will personally have exhausted my patience with the project and will consider it over.Congrats on being offered the Ravens coaching job...gonna accept?

Errr....perhaps I've said to much?

[Garrette]

Congrats on being offered the Ravens coaching job...gonna accept?

Errr....perhaps I've said to much?I'll make you offensive coordinator if you keep this thing mum...

[Locknar]

Mum's the word!

[chillzero]

While I tend to agree with Ashles, I will provide an update for everyone's benefit.

Via pm, I asked mayday if she intended to carry through. She insisted she does and has set the weekend of January 26/27 as the date to visit the psychic. She will then have a few days to transcribe her tape or do whatever is needed before submitting it to chillzero.

Locknar, who is acting as the skeptic-control, has already submitted his information (on me) to chillzero. When cz has both 'readings' she will sanitize them and present them to me for analysis. However, her personal schedule means it will be at least a week or so into February before she is able to do this.

If mayday does not visit the psychic on the last weekend in January, or does not submit the findings to chillzero, I will personally have exhausted my patience with the project and will consider it over.

Thanks for that Garrette.

Mayday - is the visit going ahead?

[mayday]

Yes, it is, chillz.

If I may sidetrack just a sec....

Alice Shortcake, I was listening to this as I came across your avatar and it was uncanny at how the music and your avatar go together!

Look at your avatar while you listen to this music! Really!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f88jL13laZA&feature=related

[chillzero]

To prevent derails, you can use the Private Message function.

O/T:
Glad to hear there are no obstructions so far to going ahead with this separate experiment.

[Locknar]

So this weekend is it eh??

[mayday]

I'm trying to get in touch with my friend about this weekend. On top of that I'm dealing with a lot of drama.

Sorry to be off topic but when I explain this it might make a little more sense about what I'm going through and how it might affect my reading this weekend. We close on a house this Friday and a property line dispute has come up (not a matter of a few feet, but about half an acre) and since the people we are buying the house from are going to live on the next property we're trying to take care of things so there won't be any hostility (don't want any feuding neighbors, there are people who kill over line disputes) I was hoping they would just back out of the deal because the more I think of it the more I'd rather not be in the hole almost 200k (because we hate debt and there will be no rest until it's paid even though it will probably be several years)and I was almost relieved about this because I really don't want to go work a regular job.

Live in a dump and be debt free. This is a better life than the stress of having to go to a job.

On top of that we stupidly put in the contract they had two weeks after closing to get out of the house and they plan on taking the full two weeks. This really gets on my nerves, because it is like they are staying in MY house on MY dime since the mortgage payment clock starts ticking at closing.

Anyway...The old man just got off the phone, they are now offering to give us MORE than the half acre they shorted us so it looks like there won't be any backing out of this deal. My husband says the realtor was freaking out on the phone (I guess because she might lose her commission).

Now, I'm sitting here wondering....why did I do this?

Perhaps Mary can give me some insight, I don't know.

[schlitt]

Be careful how you interpret things in your reading mayday.

Your psychic is going to say things such as "You are going through a stressful time at the moment" or "I see some changes happening", and you are going to immediately think that she is being insightful about your housing situation.
When in reality she is just repeating cliches and information that everyone can relate to.

You are getting this cold reading session recorded right?

[Locknar]

Holy unforeseen plot complications Batman! Does Mayday resolve the property dispute? Does she get in contact with her friend??

Stay turned for answers to these, and other questions...same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!!

[sinclairmcevoy]

Mayday, perhaps the fact that you gave them the two weeks extra had something to do with the amount of land they gave back. One good turn deserves another. You are right about them being in your house on your mortgage clock, but you put it in the contract. Gotta live with it.
Looking forward to hearing about your session.

[Locknar]

Perhaps Mary can give me some insight, I don't know.Speaking of Mary...did you get in contact with your friend, this all set up for this weekend (as promised)?

[Locknar]

How did your visit go today Mayday? Or is it all set for tomorrow?

[mayday]

How did your visit go today Mayday? Or is it all set for tomorrow?


I first want to know...if Mary tells Garrette anything that impresses him even a little, will he do a phone reading with her?

[Locknar]

I first want to know...if Mary tells Garrette anything that impresses him even a little, will he do a phone reading with her?Placing conditions on your visit? Interesting...you never mentioned this before.

That would really be up to Garrette I'd say.

ETA: So I take it you didn't go, and are not going this weekend?

[alfaniner]

I'd guess that "This weekend is a no-go."

[Locknar]

So how did your visit with Mary, the psychic, go?