OOA Mixer – My 5/29 experience

[Sean (@TheGilded)Moderator]

The following is my experience for this event:

I’m informed of the date and zip code ahead of time. I’m told that a waiver will be distributed and that I’m to sign it in order to be able to show up. On Friday it arrives. I print, sign, and scan it back. No word or interaction happens until Sunday just after noon, where I am told the address, and to be there at 1:30, no earlier than 1:15.

I arrive at approx 1:20. There is a sign on the door telling us to wait outside until 1:30. Everyone starts to congregate. I meet many people I’ve not had the chance to meet before. 1:30 comes around and the door is opened by a woman I do not recognize. We form a line and she welcomes us in, giving us name tags that we are to have pinned to ourselves. The name tags have small markings on them. Numbers, dashes, small things that one would not think twice about. The room has enough tables and seats for all of us facing towards a small stage. In the back of the room there is coffee, donuts, and an assortment of fruits. There are posters on the wall, two are propaganda-like “The OOA knows better than your family, your friends”, that sort of thing. The other is the OOA poster we’ve seen before. We can read clearly now that the OOA stands for “The Oracular Order of Anoch”. The two posters are dated, one from 1948 and another from some time in the 1950s. There is a month and date for each, as well as an issue number and volume, but with no access to notes or phone, I’ve forgotten both. 1948 is one of the first issues, though.

There are a number of people running this event that I do not recognize. The first is a woman who seems genuinely excited to be there. She is the one handing us our name tags. Standing next to her is Addison, the only one out of them that has a name tag as well. She clearly does not want to be there. She avoids eye contact and alternates between grimacing and looking meek. There is an elderly man walking about the room. He is dancing, smiling, and clearly loving being here. Another man, one wearing a nicer jacket and a scarf, is standing to the side. He carries himself with an air of distinction, and does not directly speak with us in the beginning. There is a woman with short cropped hair. She takes our pictures, is rather intrusive about it, and makes no attempt to hide her disdain. She is curt, annoyed, and rude. Finally, there is a large man in the back wearing a suit. He does not speak. He reminds me of a bouncer.

We are allowed a short amount of time to mingle. During this time, I see the organizers individually talking to people. The man who was previously dancing looks at my name tag and asks to speak with me privately. He tells me
a joke. During the joke he emphasizes the girl’s age, 16, and the car model. I’m afraid I do not remember the car model. I ask the man’s name. He tells me he cannot tell me. I return to my seat afterwards.

The man wearing a scarf approaches me. He asks to speak with me privately. Rather than just stepping aside but remaining in the room with the others, as the dancing man had done with me, he leads me through a set of double doors into a hallway, then up a set of stairs into what looks like an attic, with two fold out chairs facing each other. He tells me to take a seat, and leaves. I do so, and a female voice calls out from a connected room in this attic that there is a hood on one of the seats. I am to put the hood on. I do so. The female voice identifies herself as Gatekeeper 4. She speaks much in the same way that she did in the video, laughing randomly throughout. She tells me she’s been watching me. She tells me that she is about to put a helmet on me, and that I need only speak one word to stop it. She puts the helmet on. It feels like a baseball catcher’s helmet. She tells me that I am to offer her, and the OOA something. That it is to be important and valuable. She gives me to the count of ten to think and offer it up. As she counts down, two separate voices, one next to each of my ears, whispers something about making it important. Worth it. To not mess this up. She reaches zero. I tell her I give her my time, my devotion, and my unwavering loyalty. She informs me that I am to count down from 10, remove the helmet and hood, and to return to the scarf wearing man to tell him that I “am safe”. I do so. I return to my seat. The angry woman with the camera leans over to me and uses a sharpie to place a large X over my nametag.

The scarf wearing man calls his attention. He identifies himself as the leader. He rings a bell and gives a short speech about the OOA not catering to the weak and not here to provide us with the answers we need to find on our own. He calls up @mike. Mike gives an amazing speech. A woman that I had not noticed before approaches the stage after the Leader calls to her. She plays a hauntingly beautiful Cello song, while the rest of the OOA members retire temporarily to the back. When she finishes, the leader returns to the stage. The leader continues on, saying that before anything else happens, he must first deal with a traitor. He calls to the back, where the set of people I described earlier are walking a man wearing a hood out from through the double doors behind us to the stage in front. The hood is removed, it is Michael Rizzo. The leader reads out excerpts where Rizzo called the OOA a series of curse words. He tells us that Rizzo will be given a second chance if it is our will to give him one. He tells us to cheer for either forgiving him or turning away from him completely, with the loudest option winning. I yell for my vote, as many others do. He is forgiven, and he finds himself a seat.

He informs us that one of their initiates must also be dealt with. She is to be disrobed and will stand before us for her sins. The other OOA members emerge from the back, now wearing robes. They are escorting Addison. She kneels before the Leader. He begins saying something, but there is a yelling from the back. A man bursts through, livid. He calls to Addison or “Addy”. He tells her that she is leaving with him. She calls out to him “Daddy?” The OOA members surround Addison, and the man that seems like a bouncer starts to approach Addison’s father. Her father, Thomas Barrow, pulls out his phone, recording the face of the Leader, and all of us, speaking to the future viewers that this organization is corrupt and that we are horrible for following it. He gets into a fight with the bouncer. The bouncer throws him against the wall that the dry wall cracks. He then forces Thomas out the back. The leader escorts Addison out the front, telling us that the location has been compromised and that we are to sit, and we will be contacted later to finish this meeting.

We sit. All of the OOA members have left, except the bouncer who stoically resumes his post in the back of the room. We wait, looking around, seeing if we missed any clues. After what feels like approx 15 minutes, we are informed that we must leave. We do so. I get into my car and return to San Diego

[JoeKayeParticipant]

I was told the joke too Sean. The car models I remember hearing were ’57 Plymouth and ’57 Pontiac. Could 57p or the year 1957 have significance?

[Sean (@TheGilded)Moderator]

Possibly. The posters reference dates in the late 40’s and 50’s. That matches with the year of the car.

[ReidVParticipant]

I’ll add my bit. Cello girl was sitting in the corner alone when the event started, so I went and sat next to her. She avoided introductions and convo, saying she was “was just entertainment.” Mary (overly cheerful lady) caught on to this and sat next to me. She said she was glad I was having a good time, but advised me not to get comfortable as not everyone in the room was here to stay…

Also I avoided getting an X on my name tag. Hooray?

[debziesParticipant]

What a fascinating day.

I went to the mixer as well. Everything Sean described seems familiar, except I seemed to not really have a one on one experience like most of the people I attended the event with– nothing really happened to me in particular. I feel like I was a fly on the wall throughout most of the day. Even familiar faces from the OOA looked at me like it was their first time seeing me, when in actuality, I’ve seen them at least 2 times previously.

All in all, I appreciate the community, and was enthralled to spend time with quality people that ventured out of their way to make this event. To hear about everyone’s experience was very interesting. It was like an IRL forum experience. I felt like I was trying to maneuver through the darkness towards the light, vicariously, through others. It was also very eye opening to hear about what my fellow OOA brothers and sisters really felt about the institution behind the Oracles’ backs. I hope all my brothers and sisters will follow the lightness that Anoch provides, and not stray. I am afraid for some of them! But then again. I was only 20 minutes away from the event. What a fun day!

*hands @thegilded a coffee old fashioned*
* KUNT @111error *

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  debzies.
• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  debzies.

[TheBuzParticipant]

Poster info for those interested.

Poster near Cello gal area: VOL II No. 1 March 13th, 1948
Written and Edited by Hollister Crane

Poster that had full Oracular Order of Anoch on it: VOL II No. 5 December 5th, 1955
Edited by Hollister Crane

And then the book we found had: VOL IV No. 5 February 1931
Edited by Dion Fortune

[AmieParticipant]

Here’s something on Dion Fortune

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dion_Fortune

[MelissaModerator]

@thebuz: thank you so much for your diligence! The book that was left behind, does Spiritualism in the Light of Occult Science ring a bell?

[111_errorParticipant]

Have been waiting for a call for three hours, have genuinely no idea what is happening. 8 hours sleep in three days, yet here I am. Too tired to Gif.
– I don’t know what I can talk about regarding today, maybe I will know more tomorrow.

[Susie JParticipant]

**HUG** You are a lovely delight. ^__^

[111_errorParticipant]

Meeting you was absolutely wonderful, Susie! (And your husband, once he was correctly identified 😉 )
And on that note, the community that has built up around this is a genuinely amazing thing, and whatever may or may not happen throughout this experience, my life is better for having made friends with some of you freaks.

[MichelleParticipant]

Bwahahahaha! What a surprise to meet you yesterday @111error! I wish we could have chatted more… next time;)

[111_errorParticipant]

Likewise!! Hopefully I’ll be back before too long …

[RustyParticipant]

It was an honor to meet you in person, Sir! Hope your journey home was smooth and uneventful!

[111_errorParticipant]

The honor was all mine. You’re one of the nicest and most interesting frea… Errr, people, I have ever met. Currently traveling home, 300ish miles to go.

[_Michael GrayParticipant]

What a fun and crazy day that was wasn’t it?! Good to see old friends and make new ones today. Message of the day was about community and good to see @rizzzoooooo back in the camp.

Here’s my not so quick run down of what I saw and who I talked to there:
We start the day with a location address for 1:30pm, doors open and we are ushered in and given name tags. The lady (Mary) who was giving us name tags was very up beat and happy to present us in. My nag tag had a number 3 marked in the lower corner, relevance unknown. Second to greet was Addison. She wasn’t too talkative and was definitely not trying to hold conversation. She gave me a yellow rose and I proceeded in. I meet the photographer lady (name unknown) and paused for her as she was taking photos of everyone coming in the door. After the photo, I see in the room various OOA posters hung up on the wall, books on the tables, coffee, and donuts!! I also notice quite a few in this room that are people clearly associated withe OOA. We got the cello player, which in interaction with her, she said she was only entertainment and continued staring into nothing. There was the security guard in the back of the room sitting, which was also the same security guard I saw when I came out of the 4/30 event. Good to see him again as well. I asked him at the end of the event if I could have a poster, he said probably not. Maybe next time..
The photographer lady I tried to speak to a couple of times, but she avoided my handshakes and kept moving. There was ?Eddie? (I asked him his name after the joke), the smooth joke telling gentleman haha. He pulled me aside and told me this joke about Pastor Fuzz and him banging a girl on Lover’s Lane, eventually getting caught by the fuzz. He ended the joke and asked me if I got it…did anyone get this off beat joke?? hahaha
I admit I was kinda scared to talk to the other OOA members, especially Addison. I finally said fuck it and went to go ask her if she was indeed the same Addison that has been answering the phone calls for the OOA? I was told from her that she couldn’t tell me that. I apologized and said thank you if it was because I’ve talked to her quite a few times on the phone, would’ve been nice to put a face with a name. All of sudden at this, she pulls me to the side and asks me a question. She asks me to think abut and look at those people around me, to see their reactions and their emotions of when I tell people about what happens here today. To ask myself that when they make me feel like maybe I’m the crazy one, to ask maybe if they aren’t the crazy ones. At that I ask her if that is what happened to her and then she took out her sharpie and crossed out my name. HAHA I literally cried out “Ah fuck, what did I do?!” At that, ?Eddy? came up and pulled me to the side and asked me to leave her alone. I also attempted to talk to the scarf wearing older gentleman, he did happen to notice my x on my name tag and asked me if Addison did happen to ask me a question. I mentioned she did and he instructed me to go and tell 3 members of our community secrets nobody has ever heard before, and that he would have an answer for me next time I returned. HAHA thanks @kasch @monkeymuffin333 and Ben! I did that and then he was gone haha. When he came back, he started the proceedings on stage for us.
After that is was nice speeches from both the OOA and our Scribe about community, which was very relevant, considering the amount of people that came out today. We had the cello girl get up and play some darker weirder music, she rocked it by the way. We had @Rizzoooooo brought in front of us hooded and then stripped of his ego and shell. The group majority voted for him to be given a second chance and he was allowed to sit down with us and continue on with the proceedings.
The height of the event reached a big turning point in where Addison and the rest of the OOA came out in these orange robes and told us that Addison would now aerobe in front of us for her sins that she has committed. At that, yelling behind us and coming from a different room is ?Addison’s dad? He comes bursting out yelling at us and the OOA, telling us he’s taking his daughter back home. Ol’ boy gets tackled and put thru a wall by the security guard, and thrown outside into the back. We are apologized to by the OOA older gentleman, and that a relocation will be coming soon, that they will be in touch.
At that we were are left there wondering what the hell just happened and what went down. We looked around the room and tried to gather any info that we could to learn more from the OOA. A lady with the OOA that I had seen previously had come back in and handed @kasch a phone. He took off and we all wondered where and why…
@thegilded was very quiet after all of this and didn’t speak the rest of the night. Some people I heard actually saw the mysterious and lovely @gatekeeper4, were asked to put on some kinda helmet. A whole lot happened and although more questions still pose than questions answered, we did receive many answers today and one that was built upon our community. Glory Be!

[creepsocietyParticipant]

Ooh! Can you share more info about the phone @kasch ?

[Andrew KaschParticipant]

I had so much fun! Definitely my favorite out of the all the events so far.

There was a strange vibe in the room as members were being told different things and reacting differently…some not even speaking for the event. I too was told the Pastor Fuzz joke. And then five minutes later, the same guy pulled me aside again and proceeded to tell me the exact same joke… I said “Pastor Fuzz,” beating him to the punchline and we both had a good laugh about it.

As for myself, after I got the phone call, I went upstairs and was instructed to sit in a chair and put a bag over my head. A woman (could have been Gatekeeper 4, but she didn’t talk like her… It sounded more like the woman from the mirror event) strapped a helmet to my head and began ranting to me. I felt someone position my head in various ways and a rope get tied around my chest. My heart was beating a million miles a minute, so I can’t recall everything that was said… other than that I was now experiencing “the machine” which turned the woman into what she is today… And soon, it would turn me into that person as well. Then everything was taken off me, and I was instructed to leave the bag on my head, count to 10 and go downstairs and tell everyone to leave. It was very intense.

[AnnaParticipant]

@kasch Whoa! Sounds like you had the most intense experience I’ve heard so far. I was wondering what happened back there!

[Chris424Participant]

I was unable to find anything on the Oracular Order of Anoch. I found some stuff about Enoch though.

[Chris424Participant]

I also looked up hollister crane but nothing came out of it.

[Mustafa SaidParticipant]

All in all, sounds like you guys had one hell of a night.

I wonder what Thomas Barrow will do now, with him recording what happened.

[MichelleParticipant]

I was spoken to by the lady who was taking the pictures. She spoke to me rather angrily. Telling me how we sit with our smiles, laughing & enjoying ourselves and our doughnuts and coffee but we don’t know everything. The conversation went so fast. She went on about if I was strong enough to watch someone being tortured for 2 hours because that was what was going to happen. She asked if I would do nothing or step in. Then, she crossed my name out.

So, when they first brought out Mike with the hood over his head, I was thinking “oh fuck! What’s about to happen.” Then again the same thoughts with Addison. I was also close the “scuffle” between the bouncer and Addison’s dad. I still can’t believe the hole in the wall. That was some serious manhandling.

The best part of all this was being able to gather with other members. I really enjoyed getting to meet some of you and hope part of this _path is the building of some beautiful friendships. You all are an awesome group of people. Thank you for making me feel so welcomed! I look forward to our future gatherings:)

[JoeKayeParticipant]

Upon arriving, I met and chatted with several of my fellow Apostles outside the event hall. I overheard someone say they had their cellphone still on them and they were gonna take it in with them. They were right behind me as we single file entered the room. I received a warm welcome from a lovely woman named Mary and a yellow rose from a younger woman named Addison. From behind me I can hear Mary ask the person behind me if they had their phone on them, and they responded no. It threw me off guard to hear a bald faced lie right behind me. That’s when the photographer yelled at me to pay attention. She took my picture and I walked further into the room.

I met some other Apostles while grabbing a cup of coffee. There were many ceramic mugs to choose from and a few styrofoam cups, I opted for the styrofoam. I notice a tall black man in a suit sitting near the back snack table, as well as a very cheery old man in a cream suit dancing. I choose a table very near the front. Sipping on my coffee I notice a young girl in black sitting silently across the room closer to the stage. The dancing man came over to me, read my name tag, and pulled me aside to tell me a joke. The same joke Sean was told so I won’t recount the whole thing, but what stuck out to me what he mention two car models(57 Pontiac, and 57 Plymouth. By now the memory is ever so slightly foggy so it could be one or both of these). I enjoyed the man’s company, we laughed, I returned to me seat. I then see Sean come through the back door, his cheery demeanor from earlier now erased. This I could not take my eyes off of. That’s when Addison notices me. She beckoned me to come speak with her. I obliged. She then got in real close and very quietly told me (paraphrase) “Trust your gut. Whatever your intincts are, they’re correct.” She then drew a symbol on my name tag. Most others received a proper X on their tags and mine was definitely not an X but an x-like symbol. I say “thank you” and go to a different table to sit closer to a friend (Ben). Everything else that occurred has already been accounted for in detail by others, but that was my personal experience before the ceremony began.

It was so wonderful to meet you all and I look forward to seeing you all again. Glory be!

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  JoeKaye.
• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  JoeKaye.

[AnnaParticipant]

I was pulled aside by the man who was dancing too and he took me into the room in the back. He didn’t tell me any jokes though. He got really close to me and asked me if I “knew what this really was.” I said I didn’t. He asked me if I trusted him, and I said sure. Then he told me that he wanted me to lie–that everything that I said at the event had to be a lie. I asked him what to do if there were people who knew me at the event who would know I was lying. He said to just keep lying anyway and said “this is your purpose here today.”

I was kind of terrible at it (Exhibit A: my go-to lie of choice: “I’m a GREAT liar…wink wink…”).

The man came back to the table I was sitting at later to check on me and asked how things were going. I jokingly said “horribly.” He laughed, then pulled me aside again and asked me why things were going “horribly”–and I told him I didn’t know if I was supposed to lie to him too or tell him the truth (there were a lot of confused “no–yes?–no”s from me here… :p). He said that was up to me to decide whether or not to lie to him. Then he gave me a lot of compliments and said I was doing a great job.

And everything else is basically the ceremony/fight as the others experienced it.

[AnnaParticipant]

Oh, and after reading a bit about the jokes he was telling people at the event, this is maybe kind of interesting: It’s probably just him building his character, but his compliments to me were pretty flirtatious and he said at one point, “If I were a younger man, I would fall in love. But I’m older and that would be inappropriate.” Just stood out to me after @TheGuilded said his joke involved a 16-year-old…just a thought.

[RustyParticipant]

Wow, @halfgreekgoddess, it sounds like you got some very different instructions than other people there, for sure!

[Susie JParticipant]

As I awaken, refreshed and invigorated, I resurrect my ancient Toshiba Satellite to compose my account of yesterday’s events so as not to fight my phone’s absurdist autocorrect tendencies and my natural fat finger syndrome.

Brothers and Sisters, let me tell you, yesterday was like a holiday for me, better than Valentine’s Day but not quite up to Halloween. I love getting together in the corporal aspect with my fellow Aspirants. I have met the most wonderful, convivial, witty people through the graces of the OOA. The fact that our get-togethers are usually crowned with an event is just the cherry on top. A lot of us communicate every day and I want to apologize to them now for unknowingly inviting my personal brand of randomness and dumb humor into their lives on a personal basis. =) But you all make me laugh and I like you so you’re stuck with me. But on to the recounting:

I had prepared party favors and a package to present to the members of the OOA when I arrived but received the e-mail that no bags or phones were going to be allowed into the event. I had planned on just carrying in the gift (a drawing, a necklace, a little clay Ban Hammer I made for GK4, one of my pamphlets and a letter), but I got so excited on seeing my people converging I left all of it in the car with my husband who dropped me off and promptly buggered off to await the news of my demise or my summons. The good news is, this event finally persuaded him to sign on as a particpating Aspirant rather than living vicariously through me. This puts me in the awkward position of now being married to one of my Brothers. I’ll let the social and moral ramifications of that alone.

Joyous greetings were made with old friends and new friends as faces were matched to forum handles and hugs and smiles abounded outside the location where a white paper instructed us to wait outside until 1:30. Eventually, the door opened and we formed a line to gain entry. I happened to be last so when I crossed the threshold I was able to take in the meeting hall abuzz with my peers, the reception area where Mary the OOA representative was twittering like a song bird, handing out name badges (I was #13 WOOT!), Addison forlornly handing out roses, the photographer (I’ll call her Grumpy Cat) curtly gesturing for us to pause for our pictures, cream-colored suit guy dancing happily and scarf guy nodding approvingly. I decided to walk the perimeter of the room first, noting the cellist who was markedly expressing being uncomfortable, the snacks (I was so excited I never even ate anything and I assure you, if you ever wanted to capture me, just stick a doughnut under a box with a stick), the posters (I was glad to see that my guess “Oracular Order of Anoch” was right), the webcams (footage or security?) and the artifacts on the tables (bowl of candy corn, ugh, no thank you). Everyone was mingling and observing each other. Like a church potluck, we were all smiles and whispered gossip and speculations. From the other side of the accordian curtains separating the meeting hall from the bar came the din and half-heard conversations of the veterans. About a third of my brain was focused on that to screen if they were saying anything pertinent to what was happening on our side. I had just sat down when I was approached by the bescarved leader. He asked me if I was an honest person and I answered in the affirmative. In fact, I am known to be a lethal combination of too honest and lacking a filter sometimes. He isntructed me to circulate the room, find three people, tell them each a secret about myself and gauge the effect on both me and them. I would like to formally and publicly apologize to Brothers and Sister I confessed to. What I told you was 100% true and dark as fuck. I’m actually a pretty happy person generally (prone to major depressive episodes sometimes, but who isn’t?). I would also like to thank you all for your understanding, empathy and compassion. I’m proud to be counted among you in this experience. I returned to the leader when I had finished and he asked me to recount my activity and findings. We both noted that it is interesting how these uniquely human moments chime among us universally and that people who perhaps don’t know each other well or at all can connect instantly when we open up and show our vulnerabilities. He asked me to seek him out after the ceremony and I returned to my seat.

Not long thereafter, Grumpy Cat nodded me over. She growled at me (paraphrasing) “You look so sweet and innocent (editor’s note: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!), like a perfect little snowflake that if a dog were to piss on you, you’d fall apart. Do you think you’re strong enough to be here? I’ve been here ten years and they’ve got ME taking fucking pictures.” At this she drew an X on my name tag and wished me luck before turning away.

At this point I returned to my seat and continued observing the room. @gilded‘s demeanor by this time had completely changed and when I approached him he gently rebuffed me and said nothing. Others were carrying out tasks similar to mine or were engaged in conversations with other Aspirants or OOA members. Soon the leader announced the beginning of the ceremony, gave a short address as to why we were gathered together and introduced our Scribe to address the congregation. @mike gave a fine speech concerning the gift of community (markedly stepping down off of the stage to put himself on the same lavel as the audience. <3 You got style, Scribe 1 ^___^). At this point, I would be remiss if I did not mention that during the Scribe’s address, the cream-colored suit guy sat down next to one of us and it became immediately apparent that he was holding this person as they wept. While I won’t go too deeply into it, it occurs to me that this might have been noticed by members of the congregation and there may be questions about it. I will say that it was not part of the ceremony, it was not planned and the person in question is totally fine. It was one of those personal human moments where, in my opinion, cream-colored suit guy wasn’t being a member of the OOA, he was being a good human being. I’m sorry if that is some cryptic bullshit for the rest of you, but that’s all you’re going to get from me.

The leader then rang The Bell and the cellist performed briefly before events turned to the nitty gritty matters of the organization. The traitor was presented before us, hooded and flanked by orange and white robed members. Mike Rizzo’s crime(s) were presented to us as was his face and it was put to the group to decide whether to accept him back into the fold or banish him. Despite a few nays the vast majority of us welcomed him back to the group unhesitatingly. He quickly sat down and remained pale and withdrawn the rest of the time I saw him. I daresay, he look almost ill, but he did seem to have a slight cough and I imagine his personal experience before we saw him must have been harrowing.

The second order of business was the leader’s announement that an initiate was going to be disrobed and that she was going to be inspected before us (I had a brief moment of unease that it would be one of us and I was wearing way too elaborate an outfit and I was going commando so. . . .). At this point Addison was escorted out and made to kneel before the leader. With a shout and a banging of the door, her father burst in running toward her. When she heard his voice, I saw her turn and yell “Daddy?!” and at that moment I saw the youth and fear on her face. The resignment and broken attitude in her body was gone for those fleeting, adrenaline-soaked seconds. Her father began shouting at us as we sat frozen in amazement, he told us that we were supporting kidnappers, that we were aiding and abetting criminals. He took out his burner flip-phone and aimed it at US (I waved awkwardly. I mean, it was a flip-phone, I doubt the footage would hold up in court) telling us that we were now exposed on the internet. At this point the security intervened and yes, the tussle knocked a significant hole in the wall (which, my husband just pointed out, might have been the actual reason for the hasty departure of the OOA. “Oh shit, there goes the deposit. Elders, ROLL OUT!”).

After her father was forcefully ejected from the hall, Addison was dragged out the front by the flanking members and the leader hastily apologized for the interruption and promised that the next location would not be compromised. He instructed us to remain seated, called out for the Elders to leave and took off quickly out the front door. I noticed he left the bell, so I immediately went up to the stage to grab what I felt was an important ceremonial relic of the OOA and brought it to @mike who was as mystified as everyone else. The security agent remained stationed in the back of the room. As we emerged from our shock we began dissecting what we had just witnessed and scoured the room for clues. It felt like a murder mystery dinner in a way. I asked the bouncer if there was a restroom and he shook his head. I wasn’t buying it because there was a bar. At this point the accordion partition had been opened by a venue member so I wandered next door where the kindly bar goers directed me to the bathrooms. Across from the ladies room was a door opening on a small wooden stairwell, I stuck my head in (I’m a former ghosthunter so I’m super nosey), looked up and saw Addison who quickly ducked away as I said, “Hi!” I continued into the restroom and when I exited the door was shut. Back in the hall, people were taking notes on anything and everything. Chatter was rampant and we gathered at the crack in the wall in wonder. After a bit, a girl emerged from the back and handed @kasch a flip-phone. I trailed after him a bit as it became apparent that he was receiving instructions. After a few moments of wandering I asked him what he was looking for, he told me he was told to go upstairs, so I showed him the staircase, bid him return safely and went back out to the hall. Examinations and questions continued until he returned somewhat ruffled and he told us that we would have to exit immediately. Once again I found myself last in line, so I turned to the security guard and thanked him very sincerely and went outside.

We all agreed to meet at a bowling alley about ten minutes away to unwind, unpack, gossip, etc. When my husband arrived, I grabbed my gifts and re-entered the venue through the bar where they helped me open the accordion curtain, I kind of averted my eyes and stuck my package out rambling about how I wanted to give it to them but I forgot it in the car. I also returned a sharpie that had been commandeered for note taking. I did maybe see a woman that I didn’t see before with long, dark hair and a beautiful smile. I didn’t mean to.

Afterwards, we convened at the bowling alley were drinks were had, Mike Rizzo brought tacos (and continued to look unhappy/unwell) and fellowship continued. And that is pretty much my piece of the puzzle. I just want to say that I really appreciate this community. I really loved meeting some of you for the first time. What we have here is a great gathering of smart, funny, talented, warm, awesome folks. No matter where the _path leads us, all of you are the real blessing of this experience.

[AmieParticipant]

That was an awesome recap! Thank you for taking the time, it’s helpful for those of us that weren’t there!

[Susie JParticipant]

Thank you! 😊

[Mustafa SaidParticipant]

I also have-and currently use- a Toshiba Satellite, Suzie. I can understand how that feels. 😀

[RustyParticipant]

@monkeymuffin333 You have provided a useful account, for sure. I was distracted for portions of the meeting, for sure, and you helped fill in some blanks. I appreciate that!

[MelissaModerator]

Good afternoon everybody! Alright, my turn about my experience but fair warning: lots of overlap with everybody else’s experience.

I arrived at the event approximately 1:20pm and spotted a lot of familiar faces, some new. Then about 1:30pm a woman in a flowy colorful dress (I think her name is Mary) opened the door and one-by-one gave us our name tags which had numbers on the lower right hand corner. Mine was #17, unsure if that really means anything. Someone pointed out the interesting observation that all females had their names written with a silver marker whereas the men had gold marker. I’d like to think the ladies had platinum.

A young lady in an orange romper and a name tag “Addison” was next to Mary and I assumed this is Attendant I that has been e-mailing us with event details. However, I didn’t want to assume AND she didn’t look terribly comfortable being there. In fact at times she looked sad. I really wanted to reach out to her and just see if she was okay but I held back and regret doing so.

After Addison gave me a yellow rose I had my photo taken by a woman who looked very annoyed. As much as I wanted to see how she was involved with the OOA/her position…I honestly didn’t want to annoy her any further by getting in her way.

Next, I greeted a few people I knew, shook my toosh to the music with @debzkim for a brief second and grabbed some coffee and water. While talking to a few people I did take notice of an older gentleman who was really, really energetic. We had a few moments of eye contact and he approached me. He then asked if he could tell me a dirty joke and because I’m not a prude, I told him to lay it on me. So he proceeded to tell me a variation of the Pastor Fuzz joke (see @thegilded link above): Pastor Fuzz got horny, Pastor Fuzz got in his car*, Pastor Fuzz found a cute lady, Pastor Fuzz and lady banged at Lover’s Lane, they got caught by the patrolman who was driving a specific car*, and Pastor Fuzz goes to jail. The energetic man then told me if I thought that was funny. I was kinda taken back by the lack of punch line and how close the energetic man was to my body (pretty much pressed up against my right side) but by no means was I offended. So, I nervously said something along the lines of “eh”. Then he asked if I was offended because I’m a woman and I proceeded to say something like “well I’m in law enforcement so the law has to be applied regardless of title” and I think I said “as long as it was consensual I’m not offended”. I think he complimented on my looks and asked if people say that to me often. I don’t get complimented and for reals, that’s okay by me. To which the energetic man said “this world needs more love” and I agree, it does. So ya, I feel like I screwed up the conversation a bit but leave it to me to basically dork things up. I asked for his name but he said he wasn’t allowed to tell me. Oh well.

So I went back to my table again and chatted it up with a few folks. As much as I wanted to sit with people I knew like Deb and Mike, I figured it would be best to get to know people I haven’t met like @vincentvega and @halfbloodfangirl. Then the energetic man came back over where I was sitting and asked the table if I was the prettiest person in the room. At this point I was like “oooh no”. He then asked @vincentvega if I was pretty and I’m not sure how she felt but it was awkward in a funny and seemingly well intended way.

Eventually an older looking man with glasses introduced himself and told us to sit down. He opened his speech with greetings but didn’t really give us a firm answers on what exactly will happen/the purpose of the OOA, etc. but he stressed again that no answers will be handed out/our path is not catered to, and that we must find our answers. @mike was then prompted to give his speech and he pretty much brought down the house (nicely done man!). Afterward the man with the glasses introduced a woman who played a very abstract but haunting piece with her cello. Again, I should have talked her because I did spot her just hanging out by herself near the stage almost the entire time. Next there was some business to take care of and that was bringing in The Traitor. I should have not been surprised who the Traitor was but as soon as he was unhooded I gasped, loudly. It was Michael Rizzo and it was up to us to either bring him back to the OOA -or- banish him for good. Majority ruled for having him come back!

Alright, so after that the man with the glasses informed all of us that a person must be disrobed and inspected by all of us, it was Addison (the assumed Attendant I). Energetic man, Mary, Addison, and annoyed woman were all dressed in orange and white robes. (I think this actually happened when Michael Rizzo was led in) At this point I think my mind was racing in a bad way at the idea that Addison, who seemed so incredibly uncomfortable, was about to be disrobed in front of all of us.

And then BAM this guy comes in from the back and starts screaming/ranting. Turns out this guy was Addison’s DAD. Holy shit. Addison’s dad did flag his phone at us with the idea that he was recording us all but his phone was a very outdated flip that I’m not sure he actually captured anything. The bouncer/security guy that was hanging out in the back quickly got on him and threw Addison’s dad right into the wall and BROKE THE DRY WALL. At this point it was an internal fight between a portion of my brain that was like “say or do something stupid” and “keep quiet”. The keep quiet part won. Addison’s dad was kicked out of the room and the older guy with glasses basically told us that our location was compromised but in the future it won’t happen again. Elders left and all of us were left in the room with the idea to hold tight. Almost immediately people started to comb the room and take mental notes/wave to the multitudes of video cams that were in the room. Some were speculating if it this meeting was over or not. At some point @kasch came in and basically said to get out. And so, we did.

All-in-all I thought it was very generous for the people of the OOA to have some of us come and get more answers. I’m humbled to be invited and my only regret is that I didn’t talk to more people that I didn’t know. I think I left the room with even more questions though, perhaps they will be answered in due time. We shall see…

*Yes, the cars in this joke were 1957 Plymouth and 1957 Pontiac. Kinda odd to specifying a specific cars in a joke like that.

Oh and I did notice many people who got their name tag penned with a black X. My tag was not X’d out, that action seemed to be triggered by talking to particular OOA staff, my best guess though.

[AnnaParticipant]

@mkarrett Haha I kept wondering if I screwed up the conversations too. Like, “is this the right kind of answer? Do I ‘get it’?” And dirty joke guy seemed to have interestingly awkward exchanges with the ladies. :p

[Anonymous]

Everyone leaving accounts of yesterday – I really love reading these. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! I hope at some point to have one of my own to share.

[ReidVParticipant]

Meeting you all was a joy, I hope so do so again, Tension or no.
ExV.

[Susie JParticipant]

**HUGZZZZ**

[DaelaParticipant]

A+, 100, would meet you again

[Mustafa SaidParticipant]

I’ll also join the crowd of those thanking the attendees for recording their experiences. It helps an absolute ton for those who couldn’t be present.

[Neil KingParticipant]

Hey everyone. Yesterday was awesome. Here is my recap on my website – as I was instructed to write about my story by a man on the phone so I did and shared with the readers and followers of We Are Indie Horror – http://www.weareindiehorror.com/events/plot-thickens-tension-experience/

[MikeParticipant]

Great read! Also, did you notice something? They were handing out ROSES and we had chatted about this image? Could be a coincidence, but “Nothing is random”

[Neil KingParticipant]

@mike I do not know if the rose has any other connection but yeah I remember that image and it has come up multiple times recently so I am not sure.

[RustyParticipant]

If I recall correctly, wasn’t that image revealed from a clue left on the photo of me in the first consultation? If there is a connection, I am not clear what it would be.

[Neil KingParticipant]

yes @rusty that clue was on your picture.

[Iris HalliwellParticipant]

So I’d like to ask the attendants of this event a few questions. I am not sure if this is the section in which one would do that, but if it’s not, my apologies, please sentries feel free to move it to whatever section it belongs in.
1. Did anyone do any research on the location (if this is even allowed)? Does anyone know who the building is owned by, if it’s being rented, the age of the building, the last time it was brought up to code? Is it the same address or near the same address as the last event?
2. @atticus360, did you ask for Cello girl’s name and she refused to give it to you, or did she just say something when you walked up to avoid that question altogether? Was she wearing a nametag? Did anyone else attempt to talk to her? Where did she go after she finished playing on stage?
3. Besides @atticus360 and @mkarrett, did anyone else attending the event not get their names X-ed out?
4. Out of curiousity, how many of you were told to tell lies (like @halfgreekgoddess) and how many were told to tell truths/secrets (like @monkeymuffin333)? Might be an interesting comparison.
5. This is going to sound completely random, but did anyone catch the name of the girl in the Pastor joke? Many remember the cars, and you’ve said she’s 16. But when the man told the joke, did he mention the girl’s name?
Just some inquiries. Let me know if you can. It was fun reading about the event in such detail from so many different perspectives. You all sound like such lovely folks! Thank you for your time.

[ReidVParticipant]

1. Its the VFW building in Sun Valley if you’d like to look.
2. I tried but she didnt tell me, and no nametag. As she is their “guest artist” I doubt she’ll be of continuing relevance. I liked her though!

[MelissaModerator]

1. Did anyone do any research on the location (if this is even allowed)?
*No

Does anyone know who the building is owned by, if it’s being rented, the age of the building, the last time it was brought up to code?
*It’s the VFW in Sun Valley.

Is it the same address or near the same address as the last event?
*Not that I’m aware of.

2. @atticus360, did you ask for Cello girl’s name and she refused to give it to you, or did she just say something when you walked up to avoid that question altogether? Was she wearing a nametag? Did anyone else attempt to talk to her? Where did she go after she finished playing on stage?
*N/A for me!

3. Besides @atticus360 and @mkarrett, did anyone else attending the event not get their names X-ed out?
*Dunno.

4. Out of curiousity, how many of you were told to tell lies (like @halfgreekgoddess) and how many were told to tell truths/secrets (like @monkeymuffin333)? Might be an interesting comparison.
I was not told to tell lies/truths.

5. This is going to sound completely random, but did anyone catch the name of the girl in the Pastor joke? Many remember the cars, and you’ve said she’s 16. But when the man told the joke, did he mention the girl’s name?
*I didn’t catch a name, I don’t think it was given. I do remember energetic guy saying the girl was on the side of the road, wearing tie dye and having no underwear or bra.

Just some inquiries. Let me know if you can. It was fun reading about the event in such detail from so many different perspectives. You all sound like such lovely folks! Thank you for your time.

[AnnaParticipant]

@irishhalliwell20 Not sure if it’s significant, but I did not get my name tag crossed out either.

[MikeParticipant]

Playing catch up. First, a huge thank you for the kind words about my speech. I was nervous as hell and my heart was racing due to what happened right before it.

Right before we started the ceremony. I was taken to the attic that @thegilded described. I got the hood and the helmet. I’m pretty sure it was @gatekeeper4 that started talking to me. She said something along the lines of me not knowing who she is, but she knows who I am and that she is the key to everything we do and don’t do. She also asks me for an offering and does the countdown as well. Unfortunately, I gave them something that was a gift to me and I feel horrible about it. After speaking with @reaton about his experience (don’t want to share until he does), I believe that they might have thought I had more information than I actually did. I’m basing this on a couple private messages @gatekeeper4 had sent me about something that “surely you know about”, but I didn’t and don’t know what she’s talking about. I’m wondering if I was supposed to get more information and that information was supposed to be the offering. I don’t know, just me overthinking and connecting the dots.

Anyway, that ends, I go back downstairs, sit down and they begin. A couple minutes later, I’m asked to give my speech and my nerves and heartbeat still haven’t recovered from what just happened. I’m sure you could hear it in my voice and see my hands shaking haha

[AnnaParticipant]

@mike You did great! You looked confident up there to me!

[RustyParticipant]

@mike You were great and, I believe, very in tune with what many of us in the room were feeling. Congratulations on a job well done.

[Neil KingParticipant]

I got exed out and I talked to the Cellist and did not get a name. She told me she could not tell me anything.

[DaelaParticipant]

Here are the details specific to my experience.

They did not have a name tag for me. When they eventually created a tag, they did not have a way of fastening it, so I carried it around in my hand. @111error did the same.

I entered the event and started examining the books and objects that had been placed around the room. I spoke briefly to a few people – I told Addison it was nice to finally meet her, greeted VincentVega – but was soon pulled aside by Mary, Gatekeeper 19. She pulled me against a wall, leaned in, and urgently asked me something like, “Do you believe in us, do you believe in what we’re doing?” I said, “I don’t know,” because I wasn’t really sure what they were doing. She said, “If I asked you to prove your devotion to us, would you do it?” I said, “Maybe…” because I dislike blind promises. She said, “I want you to not say anything to anyone. Not a word, not a syllable. If someone speaks to you, say nothing. I will be watching you. Can you do that?” I nodded, she left, and then I sort of avoided everyone because it was so awkward trying to convey through gestures that I wasn’t allowed to speak.

Just a few minutes later, the angry photographer pulled me aside and said, “Are you Lauren?” I nodded. She nodded toward Addison and said something like, “You see that? That’s where we’re all headed. That’s where we’re going.” The implication seemed to be that Addison was deeply unhappy and soon we all would be. I gestured helplessly to my mouth, and she immediately said, “Were you told not to speak?” I nodded. She put an X on my nametag and walked away.

The upside of not being allowed to speak was that I spent a lot of time with the artifacts scattered around the room.

There were books placed on the tables. They all looked rather old and in bad condition. Titles: Blondes and Brunets, Compend of Diseases of the Skin, Abundant Living, Beyond Time, Mental Efficiency, 20,000 Words.

In addition there was a Viewmaster with pictures of Hollywood, incense, a candy dish containing candy corn (and another candy that I can’t remember), a vintage oil lamp, a Russian zither (I believe it was this model), and some double-lensed item that may have been a vintage stereoscope (perhaps someone else can confirm). There was no photograph in it, if that’s what it was.

There was also a portable cassette tape player with four cassettes. One was Lyric Language, songs in English and Spanish; one was Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss; one was Health Journeys, a meditative sleep tape; and one was Old McDonald’s Favorite Songs.

I listened to a small bit of each tape but didn’t hear anything unusual.

The posters. One said something like “The OOA Knows Better Than Your Family, Your Friends, and Even Yourself” with a generic sky background.

Vol I or II (I thought I remembered I, but Buz said II, and he’s probably right) Issue 1 – March 13 1948 – written and edited by Hollister Crane – this poster showed the OOA symbol with the number “5” beneath it, with lines radiating from the “5” to the symbol.

Vol I or II Issue 5 – December 5, 1955 – edited by Hollister Crane – this poster contained the “lantern” image we’ve seen in FB videos before, along with the name “Oraculus Order of Anoch”.

Finally, toward the end I noticed that the main speaker had left something on the stage. When I retrieved it, it seemed to be a tract of some kind, by Dion Fortune. However, it was extremely awkward when everyone gathered around and asked what I had found, and I couldn’t speak, so I handed it over to someone and backed away uncomfortably. Maybe someone else studied it more thoroughly.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  Daela.
• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  Daela.

[Susie JParticipant]

The doubled lensed object was a pair of opera glasses.

[Sean (@TheGilded)Moderator]

I’d argue that the thing we should be focusing on the most as we recap our experiences is the objects. As they’ve said before repeatedly, nothing is random. These objects, especially the one that the leader left behind, are too specific to not mean something.

Thank you for sharing. Does anyone else have any more details on these objects?

[MelissaModerator]

The other candy if I’m not mistaken are called Dots.

[Iris HalliwellParticipant]

@daela Did you or anyone else open any of the books? There could have perhaps been random notes scribbled in the margins or handwritten inside the front cover/first few pages? Or maybe there could have been a piece of paper or two tucked inside one of them for someone to find? Also, were those all the titles of the books or just a select few? Maybe their titles are intended to mean something all together. Or maybe they were all published the same year? I’d be shocked if there wasn’t a reason those specific books were chosen.

[AnnaParticipant]

I was sitting at the table with the Blondes and Brunets book. I didn’t notice any written notes inside, but when I flipped it open the first lines of the intro were something about recognizing indicators/markers of patterns of behavior and personalities and getting else everyone else to notice them too. Could be a thematic tie-in since a couple friends mentioned to me some of yesterday’s mingling/commands felt a bit like a psychological experiment (although that could be said about all of The Tension Experience!). There was also a subheading in the book somewhere that said “all angels are blonde.” I remember that being a funny passage to see…

[RustyParticipant]

I also thumbed through several of the book quickly near the end of the day, but did not notice anything special… or written… inside them.

[Anonymous]

In case it’s of any help, I tried looking for the books that @daela referenced in her post above: Blondes and Brunets, Compend of Diseases of the Skin, Abundant Living, Beyond Time, Mental Efficiency, 20,000 Words. Here are possible matches:

Blondes and Brunettes: I couldn’t find a straight up match, these are the closest.
“A Blond, A Brunette, & A One-Eyed Ginger,” by Andrew Wicks
“Blondes, Brunettes, and Bullets,” by Nils T. Granlund
Playboy’s Blondes, Brunettes, and Redheads – actually Playboy has several books/magazines with this title
“The Blonde, the Brunette, and the Vengeful Redhead” by Hewett & Robert

Compend. of Diseases of the Skin:
“A Practical Compendium of Diseases of the Skin,” by Jonathan Green (or this one)
“Dome Compendium of Common Skin Diseases,” by Dome Chemicals

Abundant Living:
“Abundant Living: Inspirational and Devotional Readings,” by E. Stanley Jones (or this one)
“Abundant Living: Pursuing the Fruit-Filled Life,” by Katie Orr
“Abundant Living: Jesus Came That We Might Have Life More Abundantly,” by Roy S. Isbell
“Abundant Living: How to Live the Life You Deserve,” by Chris Rolfe

Beyond Time:
“Beyond Time: A Multi-Genre Collection of Timeless Love Stories,” by Kathryn Le Veque
“Beyond Time (Highland Secrets Series book 2)” by Elizabeth Marshall
“Beyond Time: A Dark Order of the Dragon Novel,” by Sandra Bischoff
“Beyond Time,” by John D. Housewright

Mental Efficiency:
“Mental Efficiency,” by Arnold Bennett
“Mental Efficiency & Other Hints to Men & Women,” by Arnold Bennett (maybe this is the same book as above?)
“Mental Efficiency Series: Ten Complete Self-Help Books,” by Yorimoto Tashi et al

20,000 Words:
“20,000 Words,” by Louis A. Leslie (also this one) (and this one) (and also this one)

[DaelaParticipant]

Thank you for putting these together!

The “Blondes & Brunets” book appears to be the one mentioned in this index.

I looked up the author to see what I could find out about her, and found this blurb – here’s an excerpt:

Katherine M. H. Blackford (1875-1958) owed her fame to being a “character expert”, that is, someone who could look at someone (or their photograph), and tell you whether they’d make a great employee or not. Before becoming an expert in her pseudo-science, however, she laid out some guidelines for employers that include many key points still important in modern human resources:

– Number all positions and list the qualifications for each
– Keep accurate records of performance as a means of dealing with the man himself, as a check on efficiency of the employment department, and as a means of determining the trend of the whole organization
– Investigate, consider, and bring up for adjustment all cases of inefficiency, discontent, inharmony, and misunderstanding
– Systematically to make know the ideals of the organization
– Familiarize each worker with the qualities considered to be ideal for his job – then inspire him to strive for their attainment
– Form classes among executives for inspiration, suggestion, and instruction as a scientific method of understanding men
– Beginning at the top, to endeavor to instill into every individual the “spirit of the hive,” the desire to co-operate, to “play the game”

As for Compend of Diseases of the Skin, I believe it was the book mentioned on this page as being published in 1925.

I think Abundant Living might have been that first one! I seem to remember it looking something like this.

I’m really not seeing the Beyond Time cover anywhere. I don’t think it’s any of those links? But I’m not sure.

I think it was the Arnold Bennett book, just an earlier edition.

20,000 words – I can’t remember if it was the first, second, or third edition, but it was definitely one that looked pretty much like this.

[MikeParticipant]

This is awesome @daela! One thing jumped out at me “– Number all positions and list the qualifications for each”

Each of us had a number on our nametags. I don’t know if it was anything more than just numbering them, but it’s definitely interesting that one of the book mentions this.

[TheBuzParticipant]

I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what the order of the names are in. It could be when they received the waiver? I sent mine in on Friday or Sat I think, and I’m number 24 on the list (out of 26).

[Susie JParticipant]

I submitted my waiver Saturday at 5:47 pm. My number was 13.

[TheBuzParticipant]

I submitted mine at 3:30pm.

Sooo it’s not that.

[Susie JParticipant]

Alphabetical by last name?

[ReidVParticipant]

Nope, im 15 and would be before you.
Also your bell has been jingling in ny pocket all day, I sound like a cat haha

[Susie JParticipant]

Aren’t we all like kittens gamboling down the _path to enlightenment? >^.^<

[AnnaParticipant]

Kind of late on this one, but the stuff you found on Blondes and Brunets is super interesting…the numbering thing, investigating disharmony, categorizing/sizing up everyone, and this line: “Beginning at the top, to endeavor to instill into every individual the “spirit of the hive,” the desire to co-operate, to “play the game.” Thanks for sharing, @daela!

[111_errorParticipant]

Like everyone else, I’ve been encouraged to review the event, and this is my second version of that review..

You see, when I first wrote it, it was so full of piss, bile and anger that I believe it may even qualify as an actual black magick spell. I sat on it, not wanting to say goodbye to Tension in that way, and hoping something could turn around. I’m glad I did.

Without getting into unnecessary details, Tension knew how far I was coming, and I left wondering if they even knew I’d turned up. As far as I was concerned, I adored the friends I’d made, but Tension could go to hell.

I don’t want to dissect all the things that went wrong for me, but here’s some; No address emailed to me, no name badge, and I confirmed with my own eyes that my name wasn’t even printed on the attendee list. Sure, “|||” had been scribbled on the side in a different pen, but that’s not my name, I had no assigned number, and my experience was no different than if I really had been forgotten about – which I’m still not entirely convinced isn’t what actually happened.

After the event, I had to leave the bar when everyone was sharing the stories of what had happened to them, as the scariest thing that happened to me that day was eating one of Rizzo’s tacos. Some friends joined me outside, and we talked about anything else.

Since then, I have been contacted *many* times by a number of different O.O.A. entities. Honestly, I almost didn’t answer the phone the first time, and when I did I wasn’t exactly exuding warmth. The person on the other end understood why I was angry, and I quickly received an email from this person, apologizing for the errors, assuring me it was a mistake and explaining what had happened. As they put it though, “Excuses, excuses”, and I immediately replied saying I was only here for the night, because I was planning to start driving around midnight, and they should put their money where their mouth is, and meet me.

That response started a flurry of activity, eventually culminating at 8:20pm with another phone call and assurance I would receive a call back a little later, with details on meeting someone at 11am today (Monday). I told the person that this meeting involves significantly rescheduling my life, changing plans of all the things I was supposed to do today and tomorrow, and I made it clear this is a BIG thing for me to arrange – and if it turns out like the event did, they would never hear from me again.

I stayed awake until 2am waiting for the call. It never came, but several more emails rolled in after midnight. I thought the meeting was still on.

In the morning, an email and phone call confirmed that the 11am appointment was cancelled – so as not to waste my time! Considering the gesture I’d made to stay, I didn’t understand this at all; Fucking with people’s lives and businesses was beyond the lines I thought Tension might cross.

Instead of meeting anyone, something happened for four minutes and fourteen seconds late this afternoon. It was meaningful, I appreciated it – but I could also have done it from home, or even while driving.

Having said that, the efforts made to apologize and keep reaching out, to try to give me some kind of experience or connection, is deeply appreciated. They could have just cut me loose and assumed I will be so full of vinegar that they wouldn’t be able to salvage anything.

I don’t fault Tension for accidents and genuine mistakes, but I’m not sure canceling the appointment today counts as either. That said, I’m still here. I have unfinished business.

The people I’ve met through Tension, have had enough praise showered on them, so I won’t drop any more, but they know. <3

[creepsocietyParticipant]

❤️

[creepsocietyParticipant]

so proud of you…for eating the taco.

😂😛

[RustyParticipant]

Hello, all. I have had a long, long day of business related meetings, etc. So, I am just now having the chance to catch up with this thread. I am exhausted, but feel I should join you all in sharing sooner, not later. Please know, I am grateful to all of you who have shared what happened for them in the room… it has revealed to me that the room was a much busier hive of activity than I had originally realized. To be honest, I was very distracted during much of the events by many things weighing heavily on my mind.

I feel the need to agree with the sentiments already stated by several – I appreciate this community.

Within moments of my entrance into the room on Sunday, The Leader took me by the shoulder and lead me through the back doors and upstairs to the room which has been described and mentioned in previous accounts. I appreciate @mike respecting my encounter by not wanting to give specific details that may parallel his encounter. Very kind, but not absolutely necessary. He is correct, it seems our encounters had a similar theme.

I believe when I had the hood over my head, that the woman speaking to me was Gatekeeper 4. Her sass is admirable and unmistakable. And, she is intimidating. As the helmet and hood messed with my senses, she messed with my brain and emotions. She made it clear that she felt I had something to “give” them and she made it quite clear that I had “better make it good.” She counted down from 10 and informed me that I had better deliver something worthy at the end of the countdown… and, I failed. She gave me another chance… I am afraid I over thought what I was being asked. Was it an object? Was it information? In my mind, I truly believe it was information… and I let it be known that the previous day I had been tricked into a meeting that may reflect poorly on myself. I also revealed an instruction that I was given at that meeting

At that point, Gatekeeper 4 gave me a moment of graceful courtesy by letting me know that I had done okay. But, I must admit, I had mixed feelings about revealing what I did.

As some of you may know, I was not originally invited to this event. The OOA had extended an invitation to the Sunday mixer after something unfortunate happened to me on Saturday. Some of you may know, judging by Facebook postings, that a few people were going to receive some form of “lesson” on Saturday at a separate OOA meeting. Comments were made on Facebook vaguely hinting that perhaps my pain threshold may be tested in some way. To be honest, I was intimidated and nervous.

It should be known that I NEVER MADE IT to that OOA meeting. Through a ruse, someone managed to commandeer me and a few other people into a different meeting that had been arranged for us. At this meeting I was given information about the alleged history of someone who is in the OOA. I met two people who are in great pain, and felt a huge emotional loss in their lives. They did not try to recruit me to any organization, or try to persuade me to act against the OOA. However, their tactics were, how shall I say, quite… questionable. A request was made of me to be on the lookout for a young woman who may have lost her way in life.

Several people present on Sunday noticed how upset I was at the end of meeting when a man – named Tom – violently burst into our mixer. The reason for my upset – Tom was the man I had met the day before imploring me to help find his lost daughter.

When that interruption happened, I was stunned and heartbroken. Could I have prevented this? I am not sure. I had no idea how to react. As far as speaking with Addison, I did so once during the mixer. Our exchange was… brief and awkward.

I may have somehow failed in this situation. I may have failed Addison, I may have failed Tom, I may have failed the OOA. I may have failed my community. For those of you who sensed how upset I was by the events that unfolded, I hope this sheds some light on it.

[MelissaModerator]

@reaton, thanks for being so forward with this! I didn’t want to reveal how upset you looked/my brief “hey are you ok?” after the meeting because I pretty much could see it on your face that something was going on. Don’t be too hard on yourself, I feel like there is never the correct answer for anything.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  Melissa.

[RustyParticipant]

Thank you @mkarrett for the kindness – both now and in that moment, it is appreciated.

[Neil KingParticipant]

I looked through some of the items. I listened to 2 out of the 3 tapes. The tapes were exactly what they seemed to be.The 3 tapes were A sleep meditation guide, hop on pop by Dr. Suess, and a language learning tape. I figured they were all saved at a certain point for some reason but after listening to ocean sounds for about 2 minutes and learning to say may I go to the beach in Spanish I put down the tapes. But now thinking about it – nothing is random. I wonder if it it’s a clue to start looking towards the ocean or expect something in that sense.

Somebody was taking notes of the names found in the books. Cannot remember who but we were discussing them.

I peered through the opera glasses and saw everyones face really up close haha. I also looked through the view master and it was all city shots of Los Angeles and a few touristy looking shots of Hollywood Blvd.

Nothing is random but my brain is buzzing. Together lets figure this all out. The event on Sunday was incredibly important in the progression of the story line and we must treat it as such. What happens next is up to them and they have proven that every corner packs another surprise. Seriously guys. I cannot wait.

Thanks Russell for sharing as I feel this was important information and I apologize that you had to experience that pain for Addison. Wherever she may be now… well time can only tell.

[debziesParticipant]

@nking I was listening to those tapes as well. Maybe Hop on Pop was one of her favorite childhood books? The ocean reminded me of the beach… That reminded me of a budding actress fantasizing about Hollywood/LA. Not sure about the Spanish one. Also, was it only 3 tapes? I thought there were 4. And also, does anyone know who took the documents that were on the chair, that was on the stage?

[MikeParticipant]

I wrote down all the tapes, books, and other random things on something that @maryellison911 had. Mary, can you chime in with what I wrote down?

[RustyParticipant]

@nking I also saw the View Master with shots of Hollywood. Something Tom expressed to me on Saturday was that, at one point, Addison did want to become an actress, I wonder if that is the connection?

[MelissaModerator]

So, I don’t think it’s impossible but let’s think about Addison. She’s young, probably at most in her early twenties? If that assumption is correct then that would make her born early to mid 1990s, right? I looked at the ViewFinder briefly and thought those photos were a little more dated than Addison’s potential birth year. Again though, I’m assuming being right about Addison being quite young. Want to hear your thoughts on this one, please.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  Melissa.

[RustyParticipant]

Wow, Melissa, now that you say that… I think I remember reacting to period clothing in on of the photos. Good point. I agree… my guess is she would be in early twenties. No clue what the age of the pictures may indicate.

[Susie JParticipant]

it is possible to make your own viewmaster stereoscopic disk. Worth it? Idk, but possible.

[Neil KingParticipant]

I wonder if the little girl on the star was suppose to be Addison?

[Sean (@TheGilded)Moderator]

It’s a tenuous link, but looking into Dion Fortune revealed the following information:

In 1919, she joined a group of occultists going by the name “Alpha et Omega”, which was an offshoot of a group called the “Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn”. She was a part of this group for some time, before eventually being cast out in the early 1920’s. She tried unsuccessfully to lead a new group of occultists after that.

3 links I see, all unsubstantiated but worth bringing up I suppose: The first is the (admittedly weak) link to Omega through the name Alpha et Omega. The second is the format of the Golden Dawn, The Oracular Order of Anoch and The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn seem structurally similar. The third is the references to the New Dawn that we’ve received before.

There’s a roughly 20-30 year difference between when Mrs. Fortune fell out of favor with Alpha et Omega and the time that it seems the OOA started becoming active, but perhaps there are links there?

[Addison BornParticipant]

I had a very similar experience to everyone else, I think, but I’m putting it all down here with some other thoughts just in case it sparks anything. Also have a few things I didn’t see mentioned here!

I got to the venue around 1:20, and it was great finally meeting all of you in person! Good to know you are all real people

We entered the VFW, and it looked pretty much exactly how I expected it to be set up, it reminded me of community get-togethers in church basements in the small town I grew up in. Coffee and snacks in the back, folding tables and banquet chairs scattered around, dated posters hanging on the walls. But security cameras everywhere. One in the back, one on the stage, and one mounted near the ceiling on the side opposite the entrance.

I received my name tag (my name written in silver) and got a yellow rose from Addison. After going to the back corner and grabbing a coffee, and chatting with some brothers and sisters, I noticed everyone had a different number in the corner of their name tag, I had a 1 on mine. I don’t remember what everyone else had, though.

I noticed others getting pulled aside by our hosts, but I was generally ignored – I tried to speak to the leader of the event at one point, asked him what the program he was holding was, and he just walked right past and started talking to someone behind me.

I saw Addison standing alone by the accordion-curtain-wall, so I went over and made a joke about never meeting another Addison, and getting confused after receiving an email from her. She was mostly unresponsive.. but after a brief pause in our one-sided conversation, she looked me in the eyes, and gave me some advice that I’m not 100% sure I can share publicly due to worries of my own safety as well as hers, especially after everything that happened. She then put an X on my name tag.

I stood, thinking about that conversation for a bit, and decided I needed to talk to someone else within the organization, just to see a different perspective. I stepped in front of the older man with the shawl that had previously given me the cold shoulder, and thanked him for inviting me. He looked at my name tag, and asked, “Did someone already speak with you?” to which I told him that I was there to meet people, and learn more about the organization, and my previous conversation was a quick one. He told me that I “looked honest, and honesty is very appreciated” and that he had a task for me – to share a secret with three of my brothers and sisters, wait for them to react, and report their reactions back to him.

However, before I could think of a secret that would get a reaction worthy of reporting back to him with, the ceremony began.

The invocations were given by the older man with the shawl, who at one point in his speech, turned away from us and started talking to the wall at the back of the stage. @mike killed it with a moving speech. The bell rang. The cello player played. Then they had a traitor that needed to be dealt with. A hooded man was brought to the front of the room. After a moment of introduction, they removed his hood – Rizzo. After reciting his previously final thoughts on the OOA, we were given a chance to vote on his fate. Either accept him back into the fold or excommunicate him. We voted to take him back.

Then, it was announced that there was an initiate that needed to be dealt with, and they were to be brought up before us and disrobed for our inspection. Then our OOA hosts, now wearing orange and white robes, came in through a backdoor, dragging in Addison. She was brought front and center, made to kneel while facing away from us, but before anything could be done, there was a shout coming from the back door, a man screaming “Addy!” He eventually burst through the back doors, a flip phone recording video in hand, shouting for the OOA hosts to let her go home, for her to leave the organization, and that the entire internet would be watching. Addison was dragged, kicking and screaming, out the front door of the venue while her Father was protesting, very visibly distraught the whole time, and was eventually forcibly pushed into the wall where the OOA posters were hung. He was forced out the back doors while the leader of the ceremony shouted “this location has been compromised, please stay and converse amongst yourselves, we will be in contact with an alternate location to finish this,” or something to that effect.

We all got up and started checking out the environment, as others had talked about. At one point a note was found, the roster for the event. I forget who found it and where it came from, maybe @thebuz? Almost everyone had a silver or gold line next to their names, eventually realized they were split male/female – men had gold, women had silver.. except for me, male, and silver. Occam’s razor says it’s possibly because the Addison in their organization is female and they were confused, or possibly because I have long hair. Or there’s some deeper meaning that hasn’t been thought of yet.

Eventually @kasch went into the back doors, and then shortly thereafter burst out shouting “EVERYONE NEEDS TO LEAVE RIGHT NOW.”

We walked out and milled about for a bit, then @mike noticed someone had written on the paper hung on the door asking us to wait until 1:30. In small handwriting in the lower left hand corner, someone wrote “You have been observed.”

Later on, after hanging out at the bowling alley for a while, I got a call from a blocked number.

“Did you enjoy today’s activities?” (or something to that effect)

And me, after a couple beers, could only think to say “You know, it was pretty interesting and gave me a lot to think about, but the donuts looked delicious!” and they hung up.

So OOA – if you’re reading this, and I know you are. Thank you for the invite. Based on my experience on Sunday, it definitely lead to some questions and necessitated introspection, but I am as loyal to the OOA as ever.

[TheBuzParticipant]

Yeah I’m the one who found it whilst searching for the disappeared @kasch. I still have the list if anyone wants a peek at it.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  TheBuz.

[Sean (@TheGilded)Moderator]

I do. Please share

[debziesParticipant]

Yes @thebuz could you kindly share?

[TheBuzParticipant]

Both of you find me on facebook and send me a message. Will send through there.

[MikeParticipant]

Also, I was wondering if you guys could help me with names of people we met this weekend. Including people from the Saturday event. I want to update the Reddit list of names, but didn’t catch many. This is a list of names I think are needed.

Saturday
– name in the emails that went out inviting them
– driver’s name (Arson?)
– phone call in the car
– people in the hotel room/on the patio

Sunday
– the scarf man
– the joke man
– the photographer
– the very happy lady who greeted us (Mary? Attendant #?)
– the people upstairs (definitely at least one man and one woman (possibly 2, also think one was Gk4)
– the security guard
– Addison and Thomas Barrow

Also, I spoke to our Sentries about trying to change the time limit on editing so we can have all the info in the forums instead of having to come here, then go there, then come here, etc

[DaelaParticipant]

Mary identified herself as Attendant #19, I think.

[Iris HalliwellParticipant]

Are these Hollywood locations on the view master still in existence today? I know you said they’re vintage-y photos, but if they’re not part of the backstory maybe they are the site of future events? Or maybe if you go to those sites, there are hidden clues to be found?
Also, there has to be some kind of meaning behind the numbers and Xs on the nametags. The OOA doesn’t do anything randomly or for no reason. Perhaps those numbers were to place attendees into categories of some kind, maybe mark them for certain people to talk to? And as far as the Xs go, is there anyone who could’ve been keeping track of who was and was not crossed out? An attendant or scarf man? Or could the cameras have captured that?
I stand by my previous statement that the people asked to tell secrets and the people asked to tell lies have reasons behind those requests as well. There’s a division there, and I don’t know what the purpose is, but I doubt this is the last time you’ll hear about it.

[_Michael GrayParticipant]

Here’s some analysis from what I went thru and what I’ve read from others sharing somewhat the same experience.

The numbers on the name tags don’t correlate with when waivers were sent in. I didn’t turn mine in until Saturday noonish and had my name tag marked with a “3.”
Seems I wasn’t the only one to go tell 3 secrets by the man in the scarf, but I should mention that it was only he noticed my name tag was marked with an “X”.
Seems most people got their nametags “X’d” out after having interactions with the OOA members. I was “X’d” out by Addison.
@gatekeeper4 can you mail me one of the OOA posters? I was gonna take one, but without having permission, I didn’t want to get in trouble with you all.

So there’s some notes, I have no idea how the nametags correlate but if we have all the markings from everyone that was there, it might spell something out for us.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  _Michael Gray.

[Andrew KaschParticipant]

Was Addison the only one X-ing out the name tags? And did she only do that after speaking with each person?

[MichelleParticipant]

@kasch My tag was x-ed by the photographer after she spoke to me. If someone has said this, I apologize. I think the x-ing was a way from them to track who had been spoken to.

My tag was #9. I received my invite through FB messenger from Alister Gordon on Friday night. I returned my waiver within the hour. The email with the waiver is timestamped 7:42pm and my return email with the waiver attached is timestamped 8:27pm. Everything happened so quickly that night, I thought it was a lot later than that.

[debziesParticipant]

@kingkill33 I had poster photos sent to me by an attendee. I don’t want to post anything that I’m not allowed to, since I wasn’t the one who took the photo (and since I can’t do it at work).

@kasch the lady with the camera was also giving out X’s from what I saw.

[Michael RizzoParticipant]

I am also EXTREMELY late on this one, but I have just gotten an account on the forums again since the last fiasco because I would like to share what happened to me on Saturday, something a little different. I approached the back door of the VFW at 2:00 on the dot. As instructed, and knocked on the door three times and then turned around. The door opened and a man tossed a black hood over my shoulder and instructed me to put it on. I put it on, and he grabbed me by the neck and marched me up a flight of stairs, then around the corner and was placed a chair. I sat there for a few minutes with with no contact, eventually someone started breathing very close to my face. They were very loud, very long deep breaths. Then a chair was slammed down right in front of me. I heard light steps toward me before I knew it, she was speaking to me from right next to my face. Gatekeeper 4 was speaking to me. To tell you the truth is was very surreal, did not think I would ever actually talk to her but sure enough, it was her. She sounded exactly like the FB video from a while back, every other word she said was echoed by two other people behind me. She spoke to me about my actions and how they were willing to forgive and forget, but she would need something. She wanted me to give her something that would make life much harder to live without. She told me she would put a helmet on my head. I wasn’t sure about it as I had heard about this helmet, but she continued to put it on and told me the safe word was “four”. It was a large, heavy helmet with a front strap (or something like it) that wrapped around the front of my face and pushed on my face… Very uncomfortable. I had the hood on this whole time, so I couldn’t see anything. She counted to ten, and when she finished I told her what I would give: My mind. Not good enough, I had a second chance and gave her my free will. I was instructed that after she takes the helmet off, I count to ten and take the hood off, then walk down stairs and tell the man I am safe. She took the helmet off and as I was counting, a man grabbed me and said “don’t fucking move until someone gets you”. So I sat, someone eventually came and told me to open my left Palm, they placed a something that felt like one of those jelly balls (http://www.onestopsensoryshop.com.au/jelly-spike-ball.html#.V097j8hHaJI) and was told to not close my hand or drop it. He stood me up and took me downstairs, I did not drop the ball and he took it from me. I was given to a new person and was being walked down a narrow hallway until we stopped. During my entire experience, I heard voices talk and laugh the entire time. Now they were even louder. Louder and louder and louder until boom, nothing but whispers. SHOW THE TRAITOR, and as my hood was ripped off, I saw all of my fellow apostles. They were given the task of voting me back in or for me to be banished, luckily I was brought in.

[CharlieDParticipant]

Welcome back to the fold.

[_Michael GrayParticipant]

AHHH.. feels so good to be back and actually have the time to add to the forums. One thing that has been on my mind and I feel hasn’t been clarified, I have a question to why @thegilded was suddenly quiet at the event? He was talkative before he went into the event but during it, something changed for him? Was it the helmet? Was it something else? Can you explain yourself @thegilded ??

[Sean (@TheGilded)Moderator]

I wasn’t feeling talkative, that’s all

[Andrew KaschParticipant]

I’ve written a full account of everything I’ve experienced in the last week:
http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/168815/tension-experience-continues/

[AmieParticipant]

Since I wasn’t there, I’m hoping someone can tell me…Was Aleister at this event?

[Addison BornParticipant]

I heard that he was supposed to have been there, but I don’t think anyone met him, or if they did, he did not make his name known.

I honestly believe he wasn’t in the room with us, exactly, but rather at the bar next door. At one point after the scuffle when we were milling about the room, a chubbier, older man, thin curly hair, strutted into the room from behind the accordion curtain and consulted with the security guard for a moment before turning around and sitting back down at the bar, the accordion curtain closing behind him.

He definitely seemed suspicious – he was sweating through his heather grey t-shirt in an otherwise cool space, as though he was nervous about something.

[Susie JParticipant]

I talked to a gentleman from the bar side when searching out the bathrooms. He was very kind and seemed a bit curious, but then again I was shaped like a cupcake. When I re-entered the bar to deliver my gift he solicitously assisted me in opening the accordion partition.

[MelissaModerator]

So I can help with that. I asked him directly by message. He said “you did not, I am kept away from everyone”.

kinda sad now that I think about it.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by  Melissa. Reason: using Aleister's words in verbatim

[AmieParticipant]

Hmm, I wonder if he had a choice in that or not.

[Author]

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