The Final Expedition -- 10/31/2011

"Wounded Angel" by Hugo Simberg

Hello, my name is James Spector. I've been called a skeptic, a cynic, and yes even at times an ass, but I prefer “realist.” I've been interested in the paranormal since I was a boy, after I accompanied my Aunt Abigail on a trip to the renowned Cathedral of Tampere in Finland. The cathedral was, and still is, known for its controversial frescoes painted by Hugo Simberg. Although heaped in symbolism, the frescoes caused a stir in his day that continues to the present. Simberg has been accused of being everything from a Satanist to a rebellious conspirator using his paintings to subtly impart the truth to the ignorant masses.

As a child, his work intrigued me, but as I grew older I recognized it for what it was: symbolic representation of his Christian faith, and nothing more. Since then, stripping the disillusioned fantasies from our decidedly mundane world has become something of a hobby of mine. And in my travels I have collected a wide sampling of presumed preternatural phenomena which I have successfully debunked to my satisfaction and plan to publish after careful editing. At the encouragement of a longtime friend, I have agreed to chronicle my last expedition for possible inclusion in my book. And so, tomorrow I will begin my final case, near my childhood home in Garland, Texas, just north of Dallas. Hopefully I can reunite with Aunt Abigail. She always did know a little about a lot.