Yesterday was my two year Bunkerversary (posting today because yesterday I had an exhausting full day). Wasn’t sure of the precise day I wandered in, but checked over the posts from two years ago and it wasn’t difficult to determine the exact date. The post itself triggered a strong deja vu sensation and, once I found it, I became fascinated to review what was going on back then. March of 2013 was an exciting time to start reading about Scientology. I’m a ‘never-in,’ and I was jumping into a big and complex ‘rabbit hole.’

–Lawrence Wright’s “Going Clear” and Jenna Miscavige Hill’s “Beyond Belief” had been published a mere two months prior and lots of Bunker comments referred to the new level of awareness that those two books were bringing to the general public.
–Claire Headly had just started taking us “Up The Bridge.” I was coming in on the second ‘episode’ and, over the coming weeks, would get lots of information about moving through the processes of Scientology — and the mounting cumulative cost was listed at the end of each of Claire’s posts.
–In March Madness style, the Bunker was in the midst of a “cast your vote” competition to see who readers felt was the supreme arch enemy of Scientology. I didn’t recognize most of the names that were in the game, but now I’m familiar with all of them. Looking back after two years, one can see that a major contender was missing; Alex Gibney wouldn’t emerge until over a year later. We all know him now, but he wasn’t even in the game.
–There were 450 comments posted on March 12, 2013.
–Within a week, I was moving through a discussion of Dianetics, and very grateful that I was saved from having to slog through all of Hubbard’s outrageous fantasies about the impact on the fetus of abortion attempts, rough sex and mom’s constipation monologue. Also read about a new stage comedy being performed in Chicago called ‘The Tomkat Project’ which would go on to perform in other cities with the help of supporters, some of them from the Bunker. (Much later I would catch Roz Cohn’s one woman show on Youtube, “DiffiCult to Leave” and, more recently, read about the success of “Disconnection” and envy the people who were able to attend.)

It was exciting then, but *much* more so now. We couldn’t have known what would develop as 2014 ended. Tony and others, of course, knew what was coming. I can’t wait for the 29th. A good friend is adding HBO just so that Mr. Illinoisian and I (we’ve only got antenna TV) can see the premier broadcast. The viewing will also be opened up to members of a group that our friend belongs to that incudes atheists, humanists, and skeptics, that meet locally, as a group, for regular discussions. It should be an interesting evening.

I came here just after some hard hitting books had been published. Two years later I’m awaiting the broadcast of a film that will change things profoundly, and waiting for Tony’s book, a story that has needed telling about a particularly sordid and secretive side of the cult. And another huge change in just the past few months: so many exes are posting comments for the first time and telling their stories. I’m so grateful to them for the opportunity to hear the details of their experiences and to move toward a fuller understanding of why they entered, what they lived through, and why they left. I would like to apologize for anything I might have said in any comment I’ve made over the past two years that might have offended or patronized any ex-Scientologist who is here to find community, re-connection with old contacts, and healing. As a never-in, there very likely have been times when I’ve spoken without fully understanding the issues under discussion at the time.

Mr. Illinoisian is now fully ‘into’ the happenings on the Bunker. If your partner thinks you’re wacky for reading this stuff, *persevere* and you might find that the fascination overtakes him/her — especially once “Going Clear” is broadcast.

What will the next twelve months bring? The last two years seem to indicate that anything is possible.

Thank you, Tony. Thank you, guest posters/writers (especially Jon Atack — just love your style and scholarship). Thank you,’commenting community’ — you are unique in all the world of the internet.

Here’s my first day on the Bunker: “Scientology Starts As Staring Contests”
http://tonyortega.org/2013/03/12/scientology-starts-out-as-staring-contests/

Roz Cohn’s “DiffiCult to Leave” is still a favorite of mine (and plays very well to people who have little knowledge of the cult)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPohnvI3Rqo

And Tony’s book
http://tonyortega.org/the-unbreakable-miss-lovely/

http://gizmodo.com/5912580/this-crazy-optical-illusion-makes-beautiful-faces-look-grotesque

It was the incessant winking that first got my attention. Nobody who posts here has EVER done that but her. Then the writing style, the sly “aren’t I clever” and “look at me” posts, the dogging of Tony yesterday (which smelled of grudge), the fact that everything she says or writes rings false if you think about it at all, especially the vague responses to questions about her time in Scientology or Saint Hill … it just goes on.

I’ve suspected that Brandi never really left us and has been trying different identities out all this time. You may be right. I smell socks whoever it is.

I am 99.99% certain it’s the catfish. If it’s not the catfish I am still 100% certain it is neither British nor ex-Scientologist.

Soo glad.. have a great weekend!

I still had some notifications coming in. I haven’t been commenting much but reading. Back after a week away on new iMac and much to learn new tricks. Also active now on FB and navigating that.
I missed you too and everyone and see lots of new names. Busy this weekend being with friends and downtown a bit for lulz. Also some minor health issues are clearing up. <3

Glad to see your computer is up and running.. We really missed you!

Got your back Sugar. He’s a coward.

coward.. why not attack on an active thread? Confront all you want, dude.. You don’t have the RANK to shatter my fairy ass..

ARC, baby..