Intuitive Forecasts Spooky Shakers on Coast to Coast AM

A Japan-type great earthquake may rock the West Coast.
--Cal Orey

Last night I was a guest on Coast to Coast AM. It was my job as a guest making a cameo appearance for a news segment to answer popular host George Noory's questions about the Japanese seismologist who was tagged a "nobody" due to his Japan earthquake predictions. Ironically, he was right. Both the 1995 Kobe quake and 9.0 great quake that rocked Japan on March 11 happened. To me, that man is a somebody.
There was so much I wanted to say. After all, I did pen the book The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes: Jim Berkland, Maverick Geologist. But in two New York minutes my words were short and sweet, sort of. After I explained why the Katsuhiko Isibashis in the world are dismissed for their seismic warnings, I surprised myself.
I dished out my own forecast (because that's what I do every day and night as a phone psychic for two international networks). It was a bit early (I pen an annual Earth Changes Forecasts article for Oracle 20/20 Magazine every January) but it was the right time. My right brain (the creative thoughts without logical thinking) was on a roll, so to speak, so I called it as I saw it. And yes, logic does follow. Caveat: I hope I'm wrong on this one, though. One more thing. Today, a strong quake hit Japan.  The earthquake near the East Coast of Honshu was upgraded to a 6.1. That spooked me.  Is it foreshadow of what's to come?

Tea & Sympathy for Jim Cypher, My Literary Agent

By Cal Orey,

The Writing Gourmet

Last night via an eye-opening e-mail I discovered my literary agent Jim Cypher has passed onto the other side. When I first read the note the news didn't register. I thought he was sharing the information about his father. In other words, it was an earthshaking shock. Gosh, about a month ago, upon his request, I confirmed him on my Facebook wall. And today, as I sip chamomile tea--it's calming--I'm still trying to accept the fact that Jim is gone.

Several years ago, he scooped me up (it's a challenge to find a good agent) and accepted me as one of his clients. Together we worked liked dedicated working dogs. He did find me a publisher for the book The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes: Jim Berkland, How His Quake Warnings Can Save Lives (Sentient, 2006). In the Acknowledgments, I wrote: "I praised Jim Cypher, my dedicated literay agent, who kept the faith. He sent out my book proposal to numerous publishers and posted the project on http://www.publishersmarkeplace.com/ , where we did find an interested publisher. Not only did Cypher persever in the beginning of the this project, but he also went beyond the call of duty from start to finish of this book. In The Writer Magazine, I once tagged him as being my "fairy godfather."

The revolutionary book, thanks to Cypher, did change the course of my life in many ways. Not only did I fine-tune my intuitive skills but I ended up being a regular guest on countless radio programs to dish out my own quake and weather predictions. What's more, I created a website for earthquake sensitives, landed a monthly Earth Changes column in a national magazine, and am a working intuitive for an international phone psychic network.

While I do pen health-related cookbooks (this wasn't his cup of tea), I still follow my passion of helping others get and stay connected to Mother Nature. And for all of these endeavors, I have Jim Cypher to thank. I remember he told me more than once that his plan was to work till the end. Yes, he loved his career as an agent and he was loved by hardworking authors, like me, around the nation.

So, as a devout Catholic, I truly believe he is in heaven--a serene place that is full of good people, pleasure and without earthling worries and woes. A toast to Jim Cypher. Goodbye my dear friend.

Let's Have a Chocolate Fest!

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

Yesterday, I was a radio guest on the Donna Seebo Program. This charming host read a poem I used in my new book The Healing Powers of Chocolate. The poem is moving and she read it with conviction. It was a good moment and it touched me...

The author of the chocolate poem is geologist Jim Berkland. Thus, I called him this morning and shared the news. After all, I am his biographer for the book The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes. And, he has been a dear friend and mentor to me (a surrogate father type of figure in my life) who I've known for more than 20 years. Our bond is dogs (this was a great link between my late dad and me), cats, quake predictions, earth changes--and more--including chocolate.

I recall during a past book tour, we were en route back to Lake Tahoe from Reno's Barnes and Noble bookstore, and we both wanted to stop at The Chocolate Factory. They closed their doors one minute before we got there and did not open them to us--two devout chocolate lovers. It was their loss--we would have spent a more than less. So, I want to share his timeless chocolate-related poem with you.

Chocolate Sampler

Dark chocolate I like a lot;

Milk chocolate's too tame.

It's not like when I was a tot

And ate sweets with no shame.

Then chocolate chips could pass my lips

As fondly as a kiss;

Hot cups of cocoa in sweet sips

Produced a state of bliss.

A scuffle for a truffle would

Endanger a loss of a friend.

I ncer could eschew a chew

Or carmelic blend.

They say The Olmecs harvested the bean

And treasured it to no end.

Columbus brought it to the Queen

To start a royal trend.

The nectar would be taxed so high

The peasants could not pay

Nobility would shut their tea

For cocoa every day.

Now Single-Origin's the prize

For devotees I've heard;

The Swiss and Swedes would say likewise

Since they have gotten word.

There's Baker, Hershey, Lindt and all

Competing with the best;

I savor competition's call...

Let's have a chocolate fest!

In The Healing Powers of Chocolate, accepted by The Good Cook Book Club (I include more than 50 recipes from well-known chocolatiers, chefs, cookbook authors, and Hershey's.) Today, I made homemade fudge and used Ghirardelli chocolate chips (60% cocoa content). Instead of walnuts I chose almonds, almond extract, and European style butter, and fresh half and half organic milk. It is a spin-off of the French Silk Fudge created by the National Confectioners Association. Yes, I am happy with the different taste with fresh changes. It's made my day complete.

Today, after a to die for swim (the pool was empty) and a rejuvenating private hot tub (again), I sold a chocolate book to a chocolate lover. And, I found the complete Healing Powers series in the gift shop at the resort hotel. (It sold out before Valentine's Day.) All in all, it is a good day for a dedicated chocolatarian at heart.