Get Ready for the Apocalypse. Not Again.

by earthriderjudyberman In Humor 30 Comments

By Judy Berman

Will your end-of-days party be catered?  Or, do you have a safe-cave you plan to retreat to?

There’s no reason to go all Neanderthal on us. You can celebrate the end of the world on Dec. 21st in style in the quaint little village of Bugarach. It’s the only site designated as one that will survive the Apocalypse.

The mountain community of Bugarach, France.
The mountain community of Bugarach, France.

Savvy residents of that French mountain community are offering a quiet retreat for $1,200 a night. You can toast the fiery end of the world with a bottle of “End of the-World” wine.

Should that prediction not pan out. That same bottle of wine will be available, relabeled as “Survival Wine,” at a more reasonable price the following day, according to the Daily Mail Online.

Of course, there’s that pesky rumor that mars this idyllic site. Some believe that the mountain “is the site of a concealed alien base, or even that it contains an underground access to another world,” the Daily Mail Online reports.

The very thought that this Mayan prophecy will come true has caused some folks in Russia to panic. They’re clearing the grocery shelves of matches, kerosene, sugar and candles. They are among those that believe this year’s winter solstice marks the end of a 144,000-day cycle.

This prophecy is based on the ancient Mayan calendar, “when a 5,125-year cycle known as the Long Count in the Mayan calendar supposedly comes to a close,” said a Dec. 1st story in The New York Times.

Some believers are taking this seriously and that worries Leonid Ogul, a doctor and a member of the Russian Parliament’s environmental committee. He’s concerned that all this talk about still another end-of-the world scenario will have a negative affect on some folks’ mental and physical health.

NASA scientist David Morrison has been kept busy by people contacting him for word about the end times.

“One touching letter was simply, ‘My best friend is my little dog. Please tell me when I should put her to sleep so she won’t suffer in the apocalypse.’ ” Morrison said in an interview with KGO-TV in Mountain View, Calif. “I’m disturbed by letters from kids who are afraid. I think that is the worst part of this hoax. And it is a hoax.”

“Morrison is a scientist, not a historian, but he’s done some research, and says the same ancient Mayans who created that calendar also prophesized some events to happen 300 to 500 years from now, meaning even they didn’t think the world was coming to an end,” the report said.

Despite his reassurances, the rumors persist. One prediction is no sooner put to bed than another rises to replace it.

So, what should YOU do if it’s true? If you’re a camera buff, this is the perfect opportunity to catch that once-in-a-lifetime environmental shot in a unique setting. In a video posted below, photographer Dan Havlik offers some tips for picture-taking for the upcoming Apocalypse.

Before I head for the hills, I’ll pass on one of Havlik’s tips. He recommended going to a high place, like a mountain, for the best vantage point. If you’re in a tight spot, confronted by an alien or dragon, your camera equipment can always double as weapons. So, Havlik advises that you be prepared.

And, if you miss this shot, there’ll always be another Apocalypse somewhere down the line. We never seem to run out of them, or of people willing to take advantage of the gullible and innocent.

P.T. Barnum, a 19th-century showman and master of hucksterism, said it best, “Every crowd has a silver lining.”

Just make sure you’re not the one getting fleeced.

—

Video: Photographer Dan Havlik shares photo tips for the upcoming Apocalypse http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/12/07/hilarious-video-offers-tips-on-how-to-photograph-the-coming-mayan-apocalyps

—

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Judy Berman and earthrider, 2011-15. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to (Judy Berman) and (earthrider, earth-rider.com, or earthriderdotcom) with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

—

NASA Scientist David Morrison has a big job. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/bizarre&id=8900498

Photo: The mountain community of Bugarach. Taken by ArnoLagrange on Jan. 20, 2008 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Bugarach_vue_g%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale.jpg/640px-Bugarach_vue_g%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale.jpg

  2. I’ve read a little on this calendar. Some scholars have presented that it is not a prediction of a doomsday but merely that it is where the calendar stops on the stone. Believe me as long as the blood sucking megacorps and megabanks can squeeze every penny from working class people – they will not allow the world to end. Bank on it ! (could not resist including last 3 words).

    1. The NASA scientist also says that the Mayans predicted events 300 to 500 years beyond their calendar. So, I will bank on that. I’m just baffled on how many occasions we’ve heard that this is the end times. It is wearing and it’s traumatizing for some folks who are taken in by it. Merry Christmas, Carl.

  3. I forgot about the apocalypse! I can’t decide if I want to hunker down or run out with my camera now. My only plan so far is to not do any more Christmas shopping until the 22nd!

  4. Pingback: Russian residents buy up tinned goods and matches ahead of apocalypse | Prepper Podcast Radio Network
  5. Pingback: What happens when a blogger becomes a writer « Being Arindam..

    1. You mean? We’re in a vortex? An ethereal time warp? Maybe we’re already living in France … in a gentle valley. Ronnie, this means John Lennon was right when he said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans …” 🙂

    1. You’ll be in a perfect position to handle this, Darla, as you’re in nursing school. The blood pressure will be off the charts or they’ll flatline. That means you’ve got a steady job and it’s all good. Just repeat after me … ohm … ohm … 🙂

    1. Just look at that view, JasmineKyle. Who wouldn’t want to hunker down there for an end-of-the-world party? Maybe not at $1,200 a night. But I hear you on the need to chill.
      I worked at a newspaper when the Y2K scare hit. We returned from vacationing in Costa Rica shortly before Christmas. Everyone was encouraged NOT to take a vacation at year’s end because of the insanity around this event.
      Thank you for following my blog.

      1. Your very welcome for the follow and OMG your so brave. I can’t believe you went on vacation. Planes were supposed to FALL FROM THE SKY!! LOL YOUR RIGHT $1,200 a night is out of my price range!

        earthrider to JasmineKyle: Brave? Or, insane? You be the judge. We did have a wild ride, especially when the pilot landing our plane (seated 6, as I recall) had his door open and was talking on his cell phone before the wheels touched down.

  9. Excellent post, Judy. We have a friend who several weeks ago planned to spend like crazy, treating himself, his family, friends and even strangers to fancy meals and treats and gifts…and do it in the days preceding The End. Now he’s given up all those plans. His wife told him if the world didn’t end, when all those bills came due, he would wish it had ended.
    We all just do the best we can.

    1. Yeah, when reality sets in … time to rethink being a “wild and crazy” guy (like Steve Martin). Glad his wife got thru to him.
      Marilyn, I agree, we have enough worries without adding to them by buying into these crazy fads or scare talks.

    1. Danielle … first line up someone to sell these pics to. Then you’ve got to be REAL QUICK and be the first to get them transmitted. Who will see them? Your target audience could be Twitter, IPhone, Facebook, your favorite blog. Endless possibilities. A once- or twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 🙂

  11. Thank you, Judy. Now I can go back and tell my son- who has talked of nothing else for days – about those prophesied events.

    People do love this stuff, don’t they?

    1. Kate, the day after I posted this, USA Weekend had a story, “What, Me Worry?” It counted the ways “the world is supposed to come to an end in 2012.” It shot down theories on a killer asteroid, a comet, the sun entering a frenzy, whether the earth’s magnetic poles would flip, black holes, and … “There’s the one about the alien planet with a funny name (Nibiru) that will sideswipe the earth.”
      This is such a fun time to be a Doomsday conspiracy theorist.

  13. People have started buying my book. So I wish and hope it does not happen. 🙂 Jokes apart, thanks for sharing these info, it makes thing easier for me to convince few of those people whom I know believe that this predication may come true.

    1. I’m with you Arindam. Let that book have a good run. The ancients had a lot of wisdom, but the end of the Mayan calendar – from what I’ve read – only signifies a change to something new. Not the end of the world. 🙂

  14. Let’s face it: the Mayans weren’t very good marketing people. I mean, I was gonna get all my friends 2013 Mayan calendars for Christmas, but then I figured why bother?– it’s all over on the 21st, Christmas ain’t a-comin’ this year… : P

    Fun post, Judy, thanks. And I don’t care what the Mayans say, I’m lookin’ forward to more of ’em in 2013!! : )

    1. If the Mayans had really been forward thinking, they could have emphasized 2013 … as the year to look forward to NEW and IMPROVED happenings.
      Hang in there, Mark. Unless they were right, in 2013 I’ve got lots more up my sleeve. 😆

    1. I’m sure there were. If nothing else, I hope they had a peaceful, relaxing stay. After I posted this, I read about another place that was supposed to be a refuge from the end times. How they acquired this pass is mystifying. I’m just happy we have more time and hope that leads to improved relations thru out the world.

Comments are closed.