People Making Life Difficult

I've been helping my partner, Michael, organize a piano performance group through Meetup.com. While doing that I've looked around the site some to see what types of things people are up to in Tucson and vicinity.

Of course, I had to check out the Paranormal Meetups category. I'd honestly expected to find people who were either generally interested in the subject or just wanted a chance to discuss theories, issues and stories. I knew that in it's history my group started out as a Meetup where interested people came together to form the foundation of what would become a real investigative unit.

What I was surprised to find were several groups who were actively "investigating" sites! I read their descriptions and basically what happens is they let anyone join. If you have some equipment, regardless of what it is, you just toss it in the car and meet them at a site. They then troop in and "investigate" using everything under the sun while the psychic crowd walks around giving their impressions and such.Wow! Now, according to these folks they're also doing private residences! I'm assuming it must be going to each others homes to hunt for ghosts because I can't imagine a homeowner who is not part of it all allowing them into their home. People are kind of picky about that stuff! Of course, it could also be that they aren't telling the homeowner they're just a loose bunch of people who met on the Internet and drove over. I'd hope that's not the case.

But, this type of thing does make life difficult for those of us who are serious about investigations and have serious groups with rules, membership and team selection criteria, training programs, confidentiality clauses and agreements, and standardized equipment and protocols. It only takes one bad experience with an amateur "ghost hunt" to make it nearly impossible for professionals to get into an active site and investigate it properly.

I looked at one site and they had caught some supposed EVP's. They did manage to throw out a couple but one they still had as unexplained. However, the problem arose when I noted a couple of their members posting about "whispering" at the site. Whispering is a big no-no if you're a pro. Nothing is whispered ever for any reason. If you do happen to inadvertently say something under your breath (like "Damn it!" if you crack your shin), then you immediately announce to the recorder that it was you and what you said. That simple. Then no one on review is thinking they've got something when they don't.

However, developing protocols, sticking to them and making sure everyone is on the same page takes a lot of time and effort. When you're dealing with people who are just showing up because they saw it on the Internet it's hard to be strict I suppose. After all, they're there to have fun first and look for scientific evidence second (or maybe not at all).

It also gives us all a bad name because the public begins to associate all paranormal investigations with these "ghost hunts". They don't realize the time, dedication, training, and hard work professionals put into the field.

I've often wondered why these folks aren't more interested in joining established and professional groups, there are quite a few in the area. But, perhaps it has to do with the level of time, dedication and training. After all, a professional investigation doesn't happen on the spur of the moment by meeting at a restaurant and showing up at a site with a camera and a psychic! And it doesn't end when you go home for the night - as I turn now to another 3 hours of audio review and then a final report for the client.

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My Apartment is Haunted!!

This afternoon I decided to lie down for a nap after a cool shower. Seeing as we're already approaching triple digits in Arizona it seemed an excellent plan!

I read for a few minutes and then dozed off. A bit later I awoke to realize that I could see someone's feet against my closet wall. We have a large closet that spans one wall. The doors slide back and forth and were partially opened at one end. All I could see was the bottom of two legs and feet in tennis shoes propped against the wall as though someone were reclining with their feet up.

I was startled since I could hear Michael still playing the piano and couldn't think why he'd be lying around in the closet anyway! So, I called out "Who's in there!?" And whoever it was pulled their feet back behind the door! So I got up and went over to look in the closet but no one was there. I rushed out to get Michael from the room next door that he uses as the studio but he'd gone outside.

I couldn't figure out who might be in the closet! So shut the door and went outside too.

I guess I now have a ghost in my house. Or do I?

No, what I have is a classic case of a False Awakening and/or Waking Dream. This was also accompanied by a short moment or two of sleep paralysis when I was actually awake and aware but couldn't move yet. It's a terrifying experience and though I knew what was happening it still left me feeling stressed and nervous for some time. I even felt very sluggish for about twenty minutes afterward when I'd gotten up, dressed and gone outside on the patio.

I haven't experienced anything like that in many years. In fact, I don't recall one quite as precise as that one. There were no real clues that I was dreaming, everything was perfectly in place for my bedroom, even down to the unfolded laundry in the basket in the corner!

Certainly, I can see how such an event leads people to believe their house or apartment might be haunted. The entire experience has no element of a dream and the after effects are heightened stress levels and fear.

Celia Green (1968) suggested a distinction should be made between two types of false awakening:

Type 1

Type 1 may be thought of as the ‘common-or-garden’ sort, in which the dreamer seems to wake up, but not necessarily in realistic surroundings, that is, not in their own bedroom. A pre-lucid dream may ensue. More commonly, dreamers will believe they have awakened and then ‘fall back asleep’ in the dream.

Type 2

The Type 2 false awakening seems to be considerably less common. Green (1968) characterized it as follows: ‘[…]the subject appears to wake up in a realistic manner, but to an atmosphere of suspense[…]His surroundings may at first appear normal, and he may gradually become aware of something uncanny in the atmosphere, and perhaps of unwonted sounds and movements. Or he may “awake” immediately to a “stressed” and “stormy” atmosphere. In either case, the end result would appear to be characterized by feelings of suspense, excitement or apprehension.’ (Green, 1968, p.121)

So there you have it. I experienced a Type 2 False Awakening and had my own "paranormal" brush with the "ghost" in my closet.

For more information on False Awakening and Sleep Paralysis, please see:

• Sleep Paralysis Information Service
• Stanford University Information on Sleep Paralysis
• Hypnagogia Information
  

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IR Floodlights

If you use "Night vision" on your cameras you may have noticed that hand-helds don't have much of a range. You might get a good shot at 5 to 10 feet but much over that you're going to lose clarity and light.

SPI's Tech Manager and Co-Founder, Paul Bradford has created an ingenious floodlight to use with IR cameras. You can get amazing clarity and range when using these devices. He makes each one to order.

We use them on every investigation with SPI and our camera work is beautiful because of them. He's also sold them to teams around the U.S. who are also impressed with these great devices. They're light and can run from battery or plug in to the wall or power source.

We used two last night in Tombstone and filled a huge room with IR so our cameras could pick up any activity. One is enough to handle a residential room easily. He's also developing a style that can work with a camcorder hot shoe or tripod adapter so they can be easily carried around while filming on the go!

Most importantly, right now, Paul is selling these at a discount to help his daughter pay for a trip to New York. She won a classical singing competition earlier this year and was invited to special event in NYC. For that reason, Paul is selling these great devices for $65 each and the small profit he makes goes toward his daughter's trip to perform in NYC!

If you'd like more information, please visit his MySpace page and drop him a note or email him. Each light is made to order.

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Plans Change...

Well, I was thinking I'd be schlogging through audio and video review this afternoon when I get a call from my pal and Search Team Leader, Sandy. Seems we're off to Tombstone for some hunting. A group down there ended up with more than they could cover solo so called us for emergency help.

Cool! I've been wanting to get to Tombstone so this should be fun!

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Saturday Giggle

I've got a full day of audio and video review ahead so thought I'd start off early with a little giggle. Watch closely as the scary "ghostie" ascends the stairs to haunt the poor family.



Well, at least it's an easier debunk than most. Happy Saturday, y'all!

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4 BD/2 BTH/1 GST?

I've always said that if I ever buy an older home I want it certified as haunted. After all, I'm not paying good money for a historic property and not getting a haunting in the deal!

Of course, it seems that I'm not the only person out there with this rather unusual requirement in a home. I recently came across the Haunted Real Estate blog, penned by Mary Pope-Handy. Her blog details properties that are up for sale that are supposedly haunted. She also talks in general about property owners and realtor's' stories of dealing with the paranormal during the sales process.

One of the stories on the blog recounts the experience of a Realtor and her buyers who encountered a ghostly male voice in a vacant home. Unfortunately, for this Realtor the buyers weren't as adventurous as many of us and decided to pass on the "haunted" house. Too bad, I'd been digging in my car for a digital recorder to do EVP's and my EMF meters and cameras!

Certainly, haunted houses seem to be selling point among certain folks and as a formerly licensed Realtor, I can assure you those who are adventurous have tapped into a great niche market!

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The Dreaded K2 Meter

The K2 Meter represents an interesting development in Electromagnetic Frequency (EMF) recording and reporting capabilities. This meter, unlike the traditional analog or digital display meters utilizes a set of lights in varying colors from green to yellow to red. The more lights seen the stronger the field.

Many groups are using this meter currently, indeed my group even uses it. I first became aware of the meter on an older Ghost Hunters episode when they investigated the Sharon Tate murder scene. The meter seemed to allow a way to communicate with an intelligent entity and they had great success.

Unfortunately, as most things in Paranormal studies, the K2 meter is controversial. There are some who claim the meter is inaccurate and refuse to use it. Others seem to rely on it solely as their EMF detector.

Certainly, the use of the meter is still rather experimental (but then ALL "ghost hunting" equipment falls within that category in reality). However, I think that it might provide some nice experimental data on investigations when utilized alongside traditional meters, particularly tri-field meters and natural field meters.

I had an opportunity recently to watch a K2 meter respond during an EVP session. During this session knock followed questions with some regularity. At the same time I could see the K2 meter give a response as well. Because of it's position only one other person in the room could see the lights on the meter.

Later, when the meter was moved from it's original position and placed near an investigator I noted that when the walkie-talkie was used to communicate with the command center the K2 would flash with each transmission. This certainly suggests that the meter is sensitive to RF transmissions. However, it did not flash on incoming transmissions - only when the mic was keyed from our location.

So, one should be aware of the potential and limitations of this device. As with any piece of equipment used during an investigation, positive readings should be correlated with other equipment.

I wouldn't throw the K2 out but I would use it as an adjunct to other meters and equipment. I would also suggest its use an adjunct to EVP sessions. K2 results alone would certainly be questionable, but K2 responses added to actual EVP or other phenomena could shore up the evidence.

UPDATE 2009: I thought it was important to update this post in light of it still being one of the top articles on the site.

I have had the opportunity to use the K2 meter in a number of settings since this article was written in 2008. My honest opinion is that this is a fairly worthless toy. It is highly unreliable often giving false readings for any number of reasons including radio interference. (Note how many times on TV shows the "responses" come when set next to a walkie-talkie.) Likewise, there is no way to quantify the results because of the lack a numeric readout.

In short, this is a worthless piece of junk for actual research. If you're looking for something that will show a blinking light randomly enough that you can claim to have "made contact" with a spirit then you'll love this item. If your motivation is actual qualitative and quantitative research then you should probably not waste your money.

Related articles

• Must-have gadgets for any aspiring ghost hunter
• The Value of Screening Clients
• The Need to Succeed
• Yes, but does it blink?

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EMF and Ghosts

High EMF levels can cause skin irritation, nausea, paranoia, feelings of being watched and even hallucinations."

How many times have we heard that? How many times have we said that to clients or interested people?

I know I've repeated it many times. But, is it true? After all, if you think about it, where did you learn that was the gospel truth of ghost hunting? Probably the TV and Ghost Hunters or someone in your group, or an internet ghost site. Certainly, I never really questioned it since I assumed the folks saying it had some data or study to back it up.

I know what you're thinking: "This guy is about to commit heresy and say it's wrong." You're only partially right. What I'm about to say is that right now I can't turn up any definitive studies showing such results.

I was asked by one of my group's founders to give him some solid research in the area. He needed a report that supported the usual paranormal lines used in debunking. But, I ran into a problem quickly. I couldn't find that research.

The closest I came was a World Health Organization study on EMF "hypersensitivity". The report looked at a number of people who claimed to have the usual problems because of EMF levels. So, they took these people into a lab and tested them. They exposed them to high levels of EMF but the people showed no symptoms at all. They had said they could tell when levels were high because they always had some reaction, but when tested in controlled circumstances they got nothing.

So, WHO concluded that because of the large number of reported problems there might be some connection but that there was no scientific proof that high EMF caused the stated problems and certainly other factors could explain them. By the way, hallucinations were not a reported symptom.

What does this mean? Well, it means that right now I'd have a hard time stating the EMF line without a major disclaimer.

I'm still looking into it and hoping to find the elusive paper on the subject that shows the EMF line is correct. But for right now... it's just a ghost.

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Thought Forms

I ran across a post on another blog on "Shadow Beings" and the article referenced thought forms.

One of the more creative theories is that shadow beings are manifest thought forms, meaning that they are collections of negative psychic energy from areas where traumatic events have taken place and evil people frequent. The negative psychic energy begins to manifest and takes on form and motive, thriving on fear and negative emotions for sustenance.

This is certainly one explanation that I've often considered highly likely in many instances. Now, I'll even give you some experimental data on the topic that the author of the quoted article didn't mention.

In the early 1970's a group of paranormal researchers in Toronto conducted an experiment whereby the hoped to see if a "fictitious" ghost could become real. In other words - could something they created and gave energy to manifest as a "ghost". This was, in essence, an experiment to create a "thought form" - that is an independent energy with characteristics of a "ghost" or personality yet something that never existed in reality before.

So, this group of researches spent an amazing amount of time creating back story for their ghost "Philip". They gave him a history that was appropriately tragic, sketched his likeness to give him a form, and spent a great deal of time concentrating on his history. They even put in some deliberately contradictory details.

Then the group began to try to make "Philip" materialize. For months the experiment dragged on with nothing happening. Then, suddenly, during a session they began to get raps. Over time the "entity" answered questions and showed likes and dislikes and other personality traits. It answered to "Philip" and interestingly the answers it gave seemed to correspond with the consensus of the group. For example if the entire group felt an answer would be "yes" the knock was quick and forceful. However, if someone wasn't sure what the response should be the knock would be weak and hesitant.

Another experiment was carried out at called the "Lilith Project" that attempted to also "create" a ghost. This project also had favorable results.

So, this experiment certainly lends credence to the idea of "thought forms" which are "beings" that have never existed but are brought into existence by the psychic energy of others. Once "born" they seem to become independent of their creator.

Although not mentioned in the referenced article on the "Philip Phenomenon" in another work I learned that at the end of the project the researchers informed "Philip" that he was not real and told him how he came into existence. At that time the phenomenon ceased. This would also lend credence to the spiritual practice of "energy transformation" whereby negative energies are simply seen for what they are and using the same process by which they were created, transformed into positive energies or dissipated.

All very interesting, but certainly the data gathered in Toronto in the 70's gives a bit more weight to "thought forms" than for some of the other explanations of "Shadow Beings" like interdimensional travelers or demons.

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In the Field...

This weekend I was able to get into the field with SPISouth and check out a site just outside Tucson. We had some interesting personal experiences so hopefully the evidence review this week will give us some good data.

I had a great time working with everyone and the whole investigation went like clockwork. Paul Bradford, our Tech Manager had the entire place wired in under an hour. We also had to use generators to power the Pod and equipment because the site had no utilities.

I shot control photographs before the investigation began and then went in with the first team for an EVP session. We'll see what audio and video review shows.

The second team also got some interesting events so the review should be interesting there as well.

All in all, it was a great experience and once again made me very proud to be part of S.P.I.

Sonoran Paranormal Investigations, Inc.
South Team

Left to Right: David Delgado, Brian Cowley, Dan O'Connor, Deb (client rep.), Sandy Senecal, Paul Bradford (in doorway), Kendra Nelson, Nick Vernon, Buck Bannister, Eric Herndon, Stacy Logan

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Being Productive with SPI

I've been working on the report backlog for SPI for about a week and a half now. So far I've managed to complete two of the backlogged final reports. I've got a couple more to do till we're actually current on reports and reveals. It's not been too hard so far but I think the changes we're making with the new Research and History team will make it a lot easier on the back end. Paul also wants to make some changes in how evidence is reviewed which should streamline that process and allow me to begin writing the final within a week of the investigation and have the reveal within two weeks.

In other news, we're headed to an investigation here in Tucson this weekend. It's an older house out in the boonies. Should be an interesting one because we'll have to be self sufficient - no electricity, water, facilities, etc.

I was pleased to find that there is now a TAPS family group in South Carolina, SPARS or Southern Paranormal and Anomalies Research Society. I've posted a couple things on their boards and they seem like a very nice group. They have members and teams throughout the southeast.

I'm looking forward to this weekend and being out in the field with everyone.

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A Lesson in Fakery

The ubiquitous "mist ghost". We've all seen the photos. Someone is out shooting pictures of the local cemetery and suddenly on their camera they see a ghost!

Even some less than reputable groups have resorted to "mist ghosts" to keep the paying public and the sensational media happy. I ran across a group that not only had mist ghosts but orbs that looked strangely like laser pointers shined in a mirror.

So, what's a "mist ghost" really. Well, for the innocent it normally is breath on a cold night. Someone snaps a picture as they breathe and the flash picks up the condensation and, poof!, mist ghost!

For the less than honest that's an easy way to fake a ghost. But, what if you don't have a cold night? No problem and this works best for faking one indoors too - cigarettes. Take a look at my "haunted" backyard below.

In this photo you can make out the ghosts standing near my unpacked bins! One is near the bin and the other near the bushes. What, having trouble? OK, look below...

OK, see them now? Yep, to some folks those would be ghosts. But what are they really? They're really cigarette smoke. What I did was set my digital camera up on a lantern on my patio table. I set it for a 10 second delay with flash. Then I hit the button and waited for it to countdown. Just before the shutter clicked I blew cigarette smoke directly in front of the lens. I made sure I didn't make the amateur's mistake of getting far enough out that the smoke curls could be seen.

So, that's how they make a neat little "mist ghost" and something along those lines are responsible for a lot if not most of the fakes you come across on the net.

But, wait... oh, my... did I really catch a ghost? Look at that "ghost" by the bush. My, heavens, I think I can see a face materializing. Why yes... just look...
Yes! Look closely you can make out the shape of his face... see the eyes and nose covered by a veil? Hmmm... maybe this isn't cigarette smoke...

No, it's cigarette smoke. What happens is that our minds are programmed to search for patterns and recognizable shapes in abstract arrangements. So, in this case our eye immediately tries to make sense of the form we're seeing. Light and shadow along with the tree behind the smoke fools our eyes into seeing something that isn't there.

So, there you have it... how to make a smoke ghost and how we see what isn't there at all. Now, Google will pick these picks up shortly in their image search and let's all see how long it takes them to end up on a "ghost" site as evidence of the paranormal. It'll be our secret.

Oh, and if you're wondering... yes, I do sometimes smoke but only a little and only Dunhills or Djarums. Cheers!

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SPI TV

I came across this really cool video that Paul did for SPI.

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First Annual Paranormal in the Park

We're back from Phoenix and Paranormal in the Park hosted by Sonoran Paranormal Investigations, Inc. Despite a hot and sunny day the event was beautiful and ample shade under the picnic ramadas made socializing enjoyable and comfortable.

I had a great time meeting many of the people I only knew online. It was also an honor to receive my "official" invitation and welcome to the group by David and Paul. They asked me to work on a new team which will deal primarily with client interviews, background information and historical research related to hauntings under investigation. That's not to say I won't be "in the field" too, but my primary responsibilities will be in those areas as well as preparing the final reports after investigations.

We had a great time and got Paul to do a "tour" of the SPI Pod on video (see below). Kendra, one of the forum regulars was also welcomed to the group as new trainee.

Quite a fun day with lots of hijinks because Paul had set up the remote cams around the event to snap pictures! I'm sure he'll have some interesting results thanks to Nick and Eric.

We also had a chance to visit with members from other groups like East Valley Paranormal Society (EVPS) and The Arizona Paranormal Society (TAZPS).

Another event will be held next year, so if you're in the Arizona area, please make plans to attend.

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Off to Paranormal in the Park

Well, we're off in the morning to Paranormal in the Park, hosted by Sonoran Paranormal Investigations (SPI). The event is being held at Papago Park in Phoenix and is an all day picnic, meet and greet, and fun day for members of SPI and the members of the forums.

According to Danielle there are about 70 people expected for the event. It will be great fun to meet some of the people in person that I see regularly on the forum boards at SPI.

I'll have pictures and more information soon!

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A Strange Floating Sensation

In my last post I mentioned the fact that telling someone about a personal experience could influence them to have a similar experience.

Thanks to the forums at SPI I came across this article on all time greatest April Fool's Pranks. This one in particular spoke to my point that people will "experience" things that aren't real if they're told they should or that someone else did.

In 1976 the British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on BBC Radio 2 that at 9:47 AM a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event was going to occur that listeners could experience in their very own homes. The planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, temporarily causing a gravitational alignment that would counteract and lessen the Earth's own gravity. Moore told his listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment that this planetary alignment occurred, they would experience a strange floating sensation. When 9:47 AM arrived, BBC2 began to receive hundreds of phone calls from listeners claiming to have felt the sensation. One woman even reported that she and her eleven friends had risen from their chairs and floated around the room.

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Protections, Charms and other Superstitions

Recently, I wrote about demonology and it's relationship to paranormal investigation, rather the way that Christian ideas of good and evil seem to be accepted as the norm in most paranormal groups who otherwise are objective in their approaches.

The other side of that coin is the New Age concepts that also creep into things. Recently, I picked up my copy of TAPS Paramagazine to find articles not only on Demonology which even referenced the long shunned Warrens but also a "how to" article in New Agey protection practices.

This article was closer to my own belief system which is a weird conglomeration of ancient gnostic Christian ideas, shamanic practices, and enlightenment philosophy. However, should those personal beliefs be brought into the investigative process?

My thesis would be that if we go into an investigation with our religious and spiritual beliefs at the fore we set forth a mindset that any occurrence will fall within those parameters. Furthermore, we begin the process by looking for validation of those ideas either consciously or subconsciously.

For example, we might be presented with classic poltergeist activity. I might consider this "negative thought forms" while someone else may consider it a minor "demon". In truth, it might be neither. We are simply trying to fit the event into our own spiritual experience.

Also, for those who believe in amulets and charms as "protection" against negative forces when they are investigating it would seem they are expecting activity. Therefore, with that mindset would we be more likely to experience activity or at least a perception of activity. In other words, is doing protection rituals before an investigation tantamount to "psyching out" ourselves and creating a feeling of expectation and/or dread that corresponds with subjective impressions?

Perhaps it would be interesting to try a study whereby people who have strong convictions about spiritual rituals are subjected to the same environment as those who are not and their corresponding personal experiences compared.

Of course, that also touches on another subject: sharing personal experiences during an investigation and then asking for someone else to go into the same area to get their impressions. But, that's another article.

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