"... some of you folks posting notes here are living in a alternate reality fantasy world of your own creation."

"I probably have better personal forecasting contacts in that country than almost anyone outside the country on the planet."

As opposed to outside the country, but not on the planet?

"[Maybe Shan noticed shadows are acting up, although I have no idea if he even said that.]

It often occurs to me that you might be an avatar of a prankster scientist.