Project GHB: What exactly is GHB?

Straight from Project GHB, what you don't know might kill you:

GHB: Gamma hydroxy butyrate or Gamma hydroxybutyric acid, Sodium Oxybate

Made From: gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide - basically it is degreasing solvent or floor stripper mixed with drain cleaner. When GBL or BD or products containing them are ingested, GHB is produced in the body, that is why we refer extensively to GBL and BD products on these pages.

Street Names for GHB: GHB, "G" (most common), Gamma-OH, Liquid E, Fantasy, Georgia Home Boy, Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid X, Liquid Ecstasy (is not ecstasy), Scoop, Water, Everclear, Great Hormones at Bedtime, GBH, Soap, Easy Lay, Salty Water, G-Riffick, Cherry Meth, and Organic Quaalude, Jib.

GHB Precursors (analogs): (They turn into GHB in your body) GBL, BD, Blue Nitro, Revivarant, Renewtrient, GAMMA-BUTYROLACTONE, Revitalize Plus, Serenity, Enliven, GHRE, SomatoPro, NRG3, Thunder Nectar and Weight Belt Cleaner, Invigorate, Firewater, Verv, and more.

Description: A clear liquid. Looks just like water. Can be mistaken for water because it is usually found in a small (30ml) clear plastic bottle, a water bottle, or even Gatorade bottles, which contains several doses. One quick taste, and you'll know it's not water. Not as common, but also found as a white powder. In fact powder use is on the rise!

Effects: Intoxication, increased energy, happiness, talking, desire to socialize, feeling affectionate and playful, mild disinhibition, sensuality, enhanced sexual experience, muscle relaxation, loss of coordination due to loss of muscle tone, possible nausea, difficulty concentrating, loss of gag reflex.

Many people have bad reactions. These can include nausea, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, amnesia, vomiting, loss of muscle control, respiratory problems, loss of consciousness, being conscious but unable to move, and death- Especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs.

Effects of large doses: Disinhibition, sedation, desire to sleep, rambling incoherent speech, giddiness, silliness, difficulty thinking, slurred speech, passing out, and death. Here's one scenario: While You Were Sleeping - Online Presentation of GHB Dangers***WARNING - if your friend passes out, always seek medical attention immediately, no matter what anyone else tells you.

Effects of overdose: Sleep or deep sedation from which you cannot be awakened by any means for about three hours, and in many cases, death. Passing out while on GHB is sometimes called carpeting out, scooping out, or throwing down.

Center for Disease Control: "GBL is an industrial and household solvent of acrylate polymers, and unintentional poisonings have been reported ... It also is marketed as a dietary supplement at health food stores and on the World-Wide Web under several trade names. Although labeled as dietary supplements, GBL-containing products are illegally marketed, unapproved new drugs that have been involved in .... reports of adverse events..."

EMEDICINE: "GHB is readily manufactured from its precursor, gamma-butyrolactone (also known as 2(3h)-furanone dihydro or GBL). GBL is a solvent found in floor cleaning products, nail polish and super glue removers. Saponification of the lactone with sodium hydroxide in the form of lye results in nearly quantitative conversion. This method is not without its drawbacks however; there are several case reports of caustic alkali ingestion from undissolved lye. GBL also undergoes conversion into GBH in vivo (by an unknown mechanism) and, accordingly, is associated with many of the same symptoms." click their link for more.

Natalee Holloway: Case Solved

Nobody has ever covered the disappearance of Natalee Holloway more thoroughly than Scared Monkeys, and it appears as though the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel may indeed provide some closure for Natalee's family.

My instinct has never waivered. Out of respect for Natalee's family and fear of recrimination of those that have no conscience, I don't think I've ever publically stated it.

In general, however, I believe her death to be accidental but due to a lethal mixture of alcohol and GHB. I've never believed that her death occurred at the beach, so I'll leave the location to your own imagination. I will say, though, that I don't find the fact that the Kalpoes drove Joran and Natalee by Joran's house... as a minor detail.

As for other behavior that I find shady and incriminating? Let's just say "family". And let there be no mistake... I'm not talking about Natalee's.

We shall see.

More Trouble For Beth and Greta In Aruba

It's clear. Aruba considers the publicity undue scrutiny, aka bad publicity.

All Beth Holloway wants, however, is to find her daughter's remains, and to understand what happened.

What Greta can't understand is what I can't understand...

How can anyone who hasn't lost a daughter (by any circumstances, much less these)... pass judgment?

Beth And Greta In Aruba Again

According to The Monkeys, Beth Holloway Twitty and Greta Van Susteren arrived in Aruba today.

It's not yet known what they intend to do or where they intend to stay.

Let's just hope that something productive comes from their mission.

Photo courtesy of 24ora.

Today's Thoughts on the Natalee Holloway Investigation

1. I still believe what I've always believed, though my hope for resolution has waned considerably.
2. A lot of folks got their shorts in a wad over the details and inconsistencies in Joran's 'beach story'. Please! There was no walk along the beach that night.
3. Dompig's statements regarding the drug angle are either (1) playing the old, "I can't solvethe case so I'll blame the victim" game, (2) setting up a "final scene" for a television show, (3) conjecture from the accused, or (4) generalizations based on the average teenager, (5) a theory picked up off some blog or forum, or (6) just a lot of mindless crap.
4. ALE: (pick one) A. conspirators, B. incompetent, C. impotent, D. all of the above.
5. And just when you select your answer to #3, they seize Deepak's car for use in a television re-enactment.
6. Like Dompig, I only have hunches, intuition and gut feelings. Like Dompig, I don't claim to know for sure.
7. Unlike Dompig, I'm not privy to the undisclosed details, nor do I or my family have a personal stake in the matter.
8. Up for some interesting reading? Check out Aruba Dirty Police!

Empathy and Joran

From the moment I became aware of Natalee Holloway's disappearance, my empathetic tendencies have worked overtime.

First, I empathisized immensely with Natalee. I had a similar upbringing. And I experienced a memorable and life-altering high school graduation trip by throwing caution to the wind, and taking a giant leap of faith. Fortunately for me, mine was a slow death over time, rather than consequences that were immediately apparent.

Second, I began to empathisize with Joran. My immediate reaction was to feel sorry for him. After all, he had stated that he dropped Natalee off at the hotel. It seemed innocent, enough, and highly understandable.

I'm unable to put myself in Joran's shoes, because I'm a girl... but I grew up with an older brother that I adored. So, I began to imagine that Joran was my brother, and I began to empathize with his family.

And that's when it all fell apart for me.

If Joran (presuming his or my parents' belief in his innocence) was my brother, his ass would have been out on the beach, in the sand dunes, scouring the streets, the casinos, the clubs... desparately looking for Natalee. He would have no time for anything else. He would have been following any lead. He would have centered his life around helping Natalee's parents, not scoffing, not lying, not serving time in KIA over some assinine, irrelevant lie. MY parents would have had MY brother doing the detective work that the local police weren't staffed or equipped to do.

MY brother would have NO LIFE... NO sleep, let alone rest of any kind, until Natalee was found.

MY brother, and MY family would have joined Natalee's family. We would be as one. We would have dedicated ourselves to finding Natalee. And not one of us would have rested until the goal was reached.

Therin lies the incrimination of Paulus, and possibly Anna. Why are they not helping the search? Why have they not employed Joran and their younger son in the search? Why has the entire family NOT joined the search?

Detractors, say what you want about the morality of Americans. Let's say Americans are the least moral among us, how do you explain the family's reaction(?)... then... and now?

Morality is not, in and of itself, a crime. But I believe it speaks volumes about the truth and likely circumstances. After all, there are only TWO reasons not to commit yourself to a search.

1. The search is pointless (She is dead, and all the searching isn't going to matter) .
2. She is dead. Her body is hidden, possibly re-hidden. And it is imperative that it not be found.

So for me, it's so much MORE than what Joran DID AND SAID that wreaks of guilt (name ANY 17 year old that had rather spend 60+ days in jail to protect a girlfriend or to stand by an initial lie), but also, what he DIDN'T DO. That part incriminates not just Joran... but his entire family.

Now You Have a Theory

Suddenly Dompig has a theory about what happened to Natalee Holloway. I guess let's see what he has to say. Theories are about ten cents a dozen at this point.

Drawing More Flies With Honey

This is one my dear (and sorely missed) Mother's favorite sayings:

"You draw more flies with honey than vinegar."

And it's true... even when an investigative reporter proclaims that she is inclined to agree with a punk/slimeball/sociopath/criminal.

Joran Van Der Sloot and Greta's Panel

It's obvious that the members of Greta's panel have time for only MSM accounts and not enough time to read the blogs and forums related to the NH Case. Hearing Joran's statements alone, of course anyone would think he's free of guilt. If, however, you were to read the daily blogs and forums, I think you would have far more questions about Joran's believability.

I read them all, the pro-BHT forums as well as the Joran-is-god forums. And I'll tell you this: Joran's interviews have responded to both. Further, in his interview with Greta, he responded to the banter between factions in the time periods between his ABC (NYC) interview and his interview (Aruba) with her.

Joran has had almost a year to convince himself that he's not guilty of heinous acts. Studies of human behavior will tell you that it can be accomplished in far less time. The lie has become Joran's reality, and it's a reality that he can convincingly recite. The more he practices, the better he gets.

It is up to the ALE to track the inconsistencies. It is up to their discretion to pursue the matter further. THAT is the sad state of the matter to which I don't pin a great amount of hope for resolution.

Greta's Joran Van Der Sloot Interview, Part 2

Pull out your waders, it's getting deep in here.

Joran Van Der Sloot: Interview with Greta

Only the ALE know what Joran has testified before, but here are my thoughts and observations on Joran's interview with Greta last night:

Observation 1: Joran is reading (reviews of his previous interviews in) ALL of the blogs and forums!

1. In contrast to previous interviews, he altered his impression of Natalee, creating (an illusion of) more warm and fuzzy emotions. He knows people are having a hard time with the callous attitude that he displayed a week ago.
2. In contrast to previous interviews, he altered his impression of Natalee's mother. He was careful to fully empathize with her for the first time, to temper his view of her treatment of him, and to focus his contempt on her support of the boycott on Aruba.
3. He provided additional details to respond to the inconsistencies that bloggers and forum members have pointed out to him... in length and micro-detail.

Observation 2: Joran has ALWAYS read ALL of the blogs and forums!

1. It is my belief that he picked up the reference to Natalee's mom as "Hitler's sister" from the forums. I don't believe she said this to him. Having been the teenage daughter of a strict mom, I believe that she might have made this comment to her running buddies, in jest. This has been a "rumor" in the forums for quite a while. According to Joran and his description of the events, could this have even been a topic? Perhaps... if questioning whether it was a good idea to go to his house, Joran told her that his father was 'cool'... she might have contrasted that with "my mom is Hitler's sister!" That said, they either went to his house... or she didn't say it.
2. In last night's interview, he said he had read or heard that another of her friends had confirmed that she said this before. Yes, he read it in a forum!

Observation 3: Joran said that Natalee asked him if he lived in a "big house".

1. While I'm sure that she was convinced of Joran's "aristocracy" (in his defense, I think he presents himself in that manner), I don't believe she asked this question.
2. Perhaps this observation should be filed under "He's always read the blogs", because this is a statement that would paint the picture that the Joran-lovers/Beth-and-therefore-Natalee-haters have painted for about 8 months now.
3. If she actually said this, I believe it was said flippantly when he mentioned that he had his own "apartment" separate from the house. And I don't believe for a minute that they didn't go in.
4. Greta carefully asked enough questions for us to be sure... Deepak and Satish parked and went into his apartment. He walked out after midnight with them, headed for Carlos & Charlies. Why all of a sudden... would he have had concern that when he walked in an hour later with Natalee... that Paulus would have known? Surely Paulus would have been more likely to hear Joran leave, that Joran coming in.
5. Further... if he had worried, how would I get her back to her hotel? He confessed that Deepak and Satish had no problem coming back (essentially anywhere). It was NO BIG DEAL. Greta went over and over it with him. And he dug his hole.

Ovservation 4: The Racist Comment, Natalee asked him if Deepak and Satish were his slaves or servants (because they were driving him around).

1. I can't believe ANYONE, let alone an American would make this statement, let alone Natalee. I believe Joran dropped this other little bomb to, again, taint her character and in his mind, displace responsibility.
2. Or to incriminate the Kalpoes, under the guise of anger and disgust, although Joran admitted that they might not have heard the comment. I believe he "admitted" that because (a) she didn't say it, and (b) the Kalpoes weren't in on that particular lie.
3. Perhaps I should have listed this under "He's always read the blogs", because this is the kind of characterization with which Joran supporters have portrayed Mountain Brookers, Beth and Natalee.
4. Even if you buy into the MB state of mind, Natalee wasn't born into this sort of "aristocracy".
5. Buying into this argument, would you really think the Kalpoes were slaves??? I don' t think so! Of course, she might have asked if they were his chauffers, since he didn't act like he really knew them. And wouldn't a 19 year old rich boy not have his own car?
6. Alabama(n) does not equal racist, in spite of the old stereotype he's leaning on.
7. Have the psychologists view the photographs and videotapes of her demeanor, then tell me that Natalee felt that she was aristocratic and better than anyone/everyone else.
8. It's not the "servent" Kalpoes that Beth most blames. If Beth and Dave were such racists, why would they not have been happy to prosecute the black security guards?
9. Perhaps to counter-balance the accusations of his own racism, as Joran and the Kalpoes assigned blame to the BLACK security guards... perhaps Joran is also displacing blame to a racist Natalee.

By the way, there are PLENTY of opinions on this particular topic, and I don't claim to be the authority! These are just my observations.

I feel badly that I have participated in the discussion forums that Joran has used to establish his defense. However, as he keeps changing his feelings and descriptions of the night in question, relative to all of the questions we have and discrepancies we find, I think he's digging himself a bigger hole with ALE. But then, only time will tell.

Let's see what unfolds in Greta's Interview, Part 2, tonight!

A Rich, Full Life and Other TV Happenings

Glenn Beck is a hunk!

Crime is so practically non-existant that Greta Van Susteren makes Aruba's 'most wanted' list.

Why so many blog entries tonight??? I'm trying to stay awake for Greta's interview with Joran Van Der Sloot, of course. It's pointless, I know. The case is blown. One can now only hope for a secret told in a moment of weakness.

Random Memo: 022306

The Random Memo is back by popular demand (ha!)...

1. I am jokingly referred to, at work, as "the design goddess" and "oh great one". Joke or not, it's actually true! :-)
2. Ever notice that co-workers regard a day that you spent travelling and attending a client meeting... as a vacation? I much prefer, and feel more rested from, a good hard day's work in the office.
3. I think Miss C has been blogging again.
4. Note to self: Check the City of Houston Job Listings! I could use a salary doubling bonus! (Refer to previous post).
5. It's too bad that the IRS doesn't pay interest on refunds.
6. I worked really hard today (and everyday...?) and my boss told me that I could leave early, for my efforts. I got in the car and started home. Heading down the ramp of the parking garage, I glanced at the clock. It was 9 minutes earlier than I was scheduled to leave. Hmmph. I'll bet he laughed himself silly after I walked out the door.
7. Houston traffic sucks. (Alert the media!)
8. If you want to find me tonight at 9pm, you know I'll be parked in front of the tv, watching Joran on ABC. Greta cracked me up last night, reminding her viewers that the conflict in programming is the reason TIVO was invented.
9. For some reason, I don't think Joran and the VDS family are going to be pleased with their decision. But hey... I could be wrong. We'll see.
10. For some reason, I don't think the Kalpoes are going to be pleased with the interview tonight either. IMHO, it seems Joran is setting them up by indicating that they knew where Natalee was and had the vehicular means to return to her. But hey... I could be wrong. We'll see.
11. Already, from the clips I've viewed, Joran contradicts himself. (Alert the media!)
12. Dealing with narcissistic personalities is a bitch... no?
13. Whattaya know... it might be nature, after all! Look for a post soon with further commentary. (Snicker)... You might also look for JAGG's commentary!
14. BEWARE... a restaurant that lists a "new" chicken club sandwich on the menu might just be trying to sell more chickenburgers in disguise.
15. Andrea Yates is in the news again... and I'm reading the book, "Are You There Alone (The Unspeakable Crime of Andrea Yates)" (Suzane O'Malley). I'll have more to say later, but for now, I'll say that I am someone who has taken on the responsibility for someone that didn't have the faculties to be left alone. The emotions that surround this responsibility are incredibly complicated, and hindsight is 20/20. Children weren't involved in my case. So at this point (in my progress in the book), I have to reserve judgment. More later...
16. I just can't wait for my new issue of fusion. That Glenn, he's a hunk! (ha).
17. I have a new perspective on the UAE port contract. (1) After listening to a Houston Port Authority guy, I think this is really no big deal. And (2) I think Bush is leading the Democrats into establishing precedent for special circumstances due to war-time and terrorism. Congress is in an uproar over wire-tapping. Their opposition to the port contract establishes the precedent that there are "unusual circumstances" in this day and age. I could be wrong. And personally, I have mixed emotions. Raised in a a politically active family, I tend to see past the obvious. This time... I'm just not sure what I see!
18. Wow... Mr. P has been with me for over a month! Update coming soon! What in the world is Mr. P?
19. Old friends are a treasure. My old friends know everywhere I've been, and a lot of it hasn't been pretty. I've been through so much that I can no longer afford the luxury to hide any of it. My old friends respect HOW I came through it all, and they understand, at least partly, who I am on the other side, but really...
20. No one REALLY KNOWS me any more.

My Personal Take on Aruba

I've made no secret of my sadness over the Natalee Holloway disappearance and anger over the shoddy investigation. But I don't think it's any state government's business to legislate a boycott.

I have more faith in the individual... that each individual is capable of determining how to distribute their expendable income.

For me, it's a difficult question, as I find Aruba to be rich in beauty and the goodness of the average hard working citizen, and poor in the way its class driven society protects (gives the benefit of the doubt or turns a blind eye toward) its arrogant youth, at the expense of its hard working, law abiding society.

A government that ignores, essentially condones illicit activity.

Can it get any worse?

It's been a stressful day:

1. Visual images broadcast from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama worsen by the day. There are folks who are looting for sustenance. There is a wild contingent who is firing on police officers and other search, rescue and recovery officers.
2. I saw many Kristina refugees in the restaurant at lunch, the grocery store and on the freeway as I travelled home today.
3. My MMSP left work early today, distraught. I know his doggy (Miss C's boyfriend) went to the vet today. He also has four missing family members. I'm so worried... I can't say any more. I feel just horrible, in anticipation of the confirmation of bad news.
4. I heard on the way home that Joran was released from custody and is no longer under suspicion of the murder of Natalee Holloway.
5. Having lost the first game of the first round playoff series last night, the Comets must now win two games in Seattle.

The answer to the question is that it CAN get so much worse. Today was just one of those days for me, that felt like the bad things were "piling on". I'm grateful for all I have. After all, my worst worries concern people far less fortunate, and wishing I could do more to help.

Random Memo 080605

1. woke to the news that it would again be raining south of I-10 and for the first time I accepted it as truth. I can tell you, I live just north of I-10 and we had sunshine all day.
2. got a call from my neighbor and friend. her house sold this week. :-(
3. washed clothes. boy was that fun.
4. caught up with LC and Stephen on Laguna Beach. He evidently stayed overnight, and LC made him breakfast... but before he left, he asked if she would make him breakfast again some time... O, and the preview to the next episode... looks like they might hook up again!
5. caught up with the latest episodes of Being Bobby Brown, Real World and Big Brother.
6. hopped channels and was able to catch the restaurant scene in When Harry Met Sally. ;-)
7. ate breakfast for dinner. and then had to clean the kitchen.
8. got asked out on a date! will update, later.
9. spoiled the dog all day, but tonight, she really tested my patience.
10. chatted with CT about various things, including the case and animal insanity.
11. watched Geraldo who wasn't Geraldo tonight.

Random Memo 080405

1. woke at 430am, pleased that I had 30 more minutes in bed.
2. woke (2nd x) at 655am, due at work in 5 minutes, displeased that i had forgotten to set the alarm.
3. lost my keys. found them in my hand.
4. had a devil of a time getting on the freeway... stalled truck and trailer in the lane i needed to be in.
5. mid-morning, thought about strangling an engineer (figuratively, of course).
6. opted to pull a large clump of hair out instead (MINE, not his!).
7. went to lunch with MMSP.
8. had a greasy burger at a health nut restaurant.
9. received appalling glances.
10. re-named the guy who cut me off on the freeway on the way home. can't repeat the name, but bet he's been called that before.
11. watched ng and swore i never would again.
12. she's STILL calling him "JOE-SEE".
13. chatted with CT, WE and MARU and watched GRETA on the side.
14. decided the world is a place that is rife with corruption, scandal, crime, mystery... and really good friends to mull it all over with.

Random Memo 072905

1. Awoke to learn that the BP Plant exploded again last night.
2. Wore jeans and a smile to work because not only was it a short day and casual Friday, it was also PAYDAY.
3. Went with the boys, to lunch at LaTapatia, hankering the #5, but had the #7 instead.
4. Went to the grocery store for 4 items and checked out at $94.
5. Unloaded and put the groceries away, but left the milk and the meat on the washing machine in the garage. Fortunately, I remembered before it was too late.
6. Decided Miss C is the sweetest girl in the world, and told her so.
7. Caught up with Monkey News and Riehl for the latest on the Natalee Holloway case.
8. Watched Dr. Phil... pros and cons of prenups.
9. Sudden pop-up thunderstorm sent me running to unplug the valuable electronics. Noticed out the clerestory that the gate was open. Stood up on a chair to see if it had blown off or was just open, and the minute I put my hand on the window sill, there was a bolt of lightning that caused me to do a double back flip to the floor.
10. Watched NG and swore to never watch again. Wondered if she knows his name is not "JOE-SEE", and whether she is intentionally condescending. Wondered, too, if you COULD actually pump the water out of a pond using a bicycle pump.
11. Played "hello" and "where did he go" with Miss C and her Owen.
12. Plugged electronics back in and hopped online to chat with CT and MARU.
13. CT introduced me to a great new website.
14. Looked for Queen Beatrix' fancy hats, but had no luck.
15. Listened to Greta, who wasn't Greta tonight.
16. Discussed Aruban ponds, landfills and white trucks.
17. Decided that what I really know to be true in the NH case is, well, nothing.

Everything I know to be true in the Natalee Holloway Case

Random Memo 072705

1. Woke up late and had to throw it into high gear to get out the door in time to be only 30 minutes late to work.
2. Put out lots of fires, mostly minor, but one major.
3. Discovered information leading to a possible resolution of the NH case and discussed the possibilities with CT. Concluded that the information was false.
4. Went to DD for lunch with MMSP and the boys.
5. Left work. 3 miles and 30 minutes away, I discovered that I had left my cell phone on my desk at work. Had to abort my progress and return to pick it up. Parked in front of the building, ascended the elevator to find the office door locked and my keys in the car. Knocked loudly and the cleaning lady responded and let me in. Whshhhhhhhew.
6. Left work (2nd x), thinking about what I had accomplished and the memoranda that would be required to document same.
7. Decided it might be fun to blog a daily memorandum. Then thought I didn't want to do it everyday, but more randomly. Then I thought... I'll call it a random memo. Then I debated whether it should be spelled randummemo... or randommemo. I finally decided It should just be Random Memo, as misspelled words and such... drive me crazy.
8. Greeted at home by an anxious Miss C who was nervously tapping her wrist watch.
9. Loved on and played with her.
10. Pondered the pond and investigated the properties of quicksand and how to get out of it.
11. Checked on STS114 and possible damage during liftoff.
12. Nuked the last pork chop and thought about Dude while I cooked corn log.
13. Watched NG and swore I would never watch again.
14. Checked the Munky Report (contradiction, I know) and RWV for news.
15. Chatted with BHF and other NH friends and discussed the merits of the day's discoveries, and lack thereof.
16. Called it a night, and had to move a slumbering golden from my side of the bed.