THE INVISIBLES (1903) – Written by Edgar Earl Christopher, this novel nicely anticipates cinematic serials and integrates science fiction and slight occult touches into its storyline.
Jean Valdemere, an extraordinary Frenchman, saves the life of Castleman, an Englishman, in India. After rescuing the Brit from an attacking tiger Valdemere uses his half-scientific and half-supernatural powers of precognition to tell Castleman his future.
When the pair meet again 10 years later in Chattanooga, TN, the Englishman tells Valdemere how uncannily accurate his predictions were. The Frenchman informs Castleman that he, too, can acquire such abilities if he joins Jean’s secret organization, called the Invisible Hand.
The organization can also help the British youth get revenge on Czarist Russia for the torture of his Russian mother years earlier. It turns out that the Invisible Hand is a secret society determined to overthrow the Czars and install a new Russian government.
The Invisible Hand numbers over 2,000 members with a leadership council of 100. The organization boasts some of the greatest scientific minds in the world and possesses stockpiles of futuristic weaponry. Continue reading
Among the most popular posts here at Balladeer’s Blog are this series of items regarding comical – sometimes hilarious – failed predictions from psychics. In the spirit of shameless pandering, here’s another! 
DOCTOR N (This was the actual alias of a supposed physician and/or psychiatrist who did not want their identity known when they gave predictions.)
NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) 1. MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE STORMERS ### 2. SULLIVAN COLLEGE GENERALS ### 3. IOWA LAKES COLLEGE LAKERS ### 4. NIAGARA COUNTY COLLEGE THUNDERWOLVES ### 5. SCOTTSDALE COLLEGE FIGHTING ARTICHOKES ### 
6. SCHOOLCRAFT COLLEGE OCELOTS ### 7. KIRKWOOD COLLEGE GOLDEN EAGLES ### 8. PARKLAND COLLEGE COBRAS ### 9. JOHNSON COUNTY COLLEGE CAVALIERS ### 10. NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI COLLEGE PIRATES ### 
Vestige is one of the most exciting and original graphic novel serials to come along in years. It is currently InDemand on Indiegogo so you can still reserve your own copies. 
An all-star collection of independent comics creators are bringing Vestige to life. ROHAN KUMAR PALL is running the Indiegogo campaign, DONAL DELAY handles the interior art, KYLE RITTER is the colorist and GAT HANZO handles the story. 
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT 
NUMBER THREE TAKES A FALL – The MARTIN METHODIST COLLEGE REDHAWKS paid a visit to the number 3 team in the nation – the DALTON STATE ROADRUNNERS. The RedHawks were on top 32-26 come Halftime, then held on by their fingertips for a thrilling 71-70 Upset triumph. Tomonique Marion led Martin Methodist College with 21 points. 
OTHER UPSETS IN THE RANKINGS – The MENLO COLLEGE OAKS welcomed the 21st ranked WILLIAM JESSUP UNIVERSITY WARRIORS on Saturday and took them down 91-83 ### And the THOMAS MORE COLLEGE SAINTS toppled the visiting number 13 UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS by a final score of 85-71. 
CENTURY CLUB – Teams scoring 100 points or more in Regulation: The (8) LSU-ALEXANDRIA GENERALS crushed the OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY SAINTS 103-73 ### Meanwhile the ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM won 105-67 at the OTTAWA UNIVERSITY (AZ) SPIRIT ### And the PARK UNIVERSITY PIRATES clobbered the HARRIS-STOWE STATE HORNETS 105-77. 
AARON BURR
CASABLANCA (1942) – Happy Valentine’s Day! A few readers of Balladeer’s Blog have asked me for my opinion on this classic movie so I figured Valentine’s Day was the perfect opportunity. 
Getting back to Casablanca, it’s possibly the greatest “bittersweet ending” romantic flick ever made. I find that it appeals to almost everyone. If you’re young and naïve it can make you ache at the thought of persevering despite your broken heart. If you’re older and cynical it makes you nostalgic for a time when you actually thought a broken heart was the worst thing that could happen to you. 
Since today is Valentine’s Day AND we have Presidents Day coming up here’s a brief shoutout to the often neglected love story about President William McKinley and his wife Ida Saxton McKinley. 
