The Hard Work Is Done, Time For Fun!!

The one thing ghost hunters don't do is have fun. Am I saying that going on investigations and hanging out with friends isn't fun? No, that's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is, with all the investigations, the preliminary investigations, the walk throughs, getting to learn your equipment, getting to learn new equipment, putting together your standards and protocols and teaching that to others, keeping up with the paperwork - that includes emails, maps, releases, and then having to watch all the video footage, listen to the EVP, look at the pictures. Whew!!

It takes a lot to be a ghost hunter which is why not everyone can make it their job. Those that can are VERY lucky. They are in a position that not everyone can be in and there aren't very many of us that can do that.

I enjoy the stress that comes with doing this. It keeps me going. I may gripe and nag some but it's all worth it in the end. Ghost hunting is great for most of us. I enjoy the little bit of exercise I get, the fresh air sometimes, the thrill of the hunt. But, one thing we don't do is take a real vacation.

A vacation is something that a ghost hunter does every time they go on an investigation. To them, the travel, the time spent, the thrill is all their vacations and they use the vacation time from their regular jobs to do this as necessary. I try to take a vacation every year. A vacation is one that is hopefully a new place where I don't have to put on my "game face". There's no film crew, no reporter, no media of any kind. There's nothing but a hotel, a historic and haunted place and a pool or preferably a jacuzzi. I can relax if I want. I can look at pictures, video or EVP if I want. I can get in the jacuzzi if I want. No real pressures. I can play with my audio recorders or play Mario Cart on my Nintendo DS (yes, I do have one - don't you??). I can listen to music or meditations.

This year four members of our group are going to Fredericksburg, Virginia and then Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This is huge for me. I don't fly for one thing so it will be a big deal that way and then to visit a spot second on my list after Tombstone (which we did and shot our first documentary there) and New Mexico (haven't done that yet). I've always wanted to go but not flying. I enjoy driving. This is a flight and it's five days. My mind is racing. What equipment can I take that I won't worry about. How much stuff do I need? I hope I don't forget underwear. Nothing worse than going commando I hear.

I'm very excited. I can't wait. I know the people we're going with but we also have our own car in case they want to take off or do something else. I'm very excited.

Gettysburg is some place I've always wanted to see. I'm not interested in the re-enactments or any of the ghost tours but I want to see the battlefields and spend a great deal of time on them with my cameras and recorders. I want to experience the things that go on there that I've heard and read about for many, many years. Weather shouldn't be too bad and short of events going on there, it should be lots of fun. I'm very excited.

I'll let you know how this vacation goes but suffice it to say that we have an investigation to do before we go and so work again comes first but the vacation will be great.

Did I mention I was VERY excited??

The Ritualistic Gathering of Ghost Hunters

Awwww, spring. The blossoms bloom, there are showers that bring flowers, and the time that the Ghost Trackers gear up for our yearly California Ghost Hunters Conference. This year was the sixth year of our annual conference. While we Ghost Trackers try really hard to bring a good program to people attending, this by far, was the best year for our conference. We didn't have anyone that was exceptionally different from one another and the agenda itself was the same as it has been from the beginning, a cocktail reception on Friday followed by an investigation and a day long schedule of events on Saturday followed by an investigation. The difference with this year was that our bonus investigation was the best that could be found....anywhere!!

We work very hard at finding the best, out-of-the-way places we can to book our venues hoping they would give the best investigations for our attendees. This year was extraordinary.

But this brings about the question of where do ghost hunters gather and what do they really get out of it?! I have watched for years as the same ghost hunters or ghost hunting groups put on the same conferences in the same place every year. The list of speakers for these conferences is always the same. Let's think about that for a moment. If you go to a conference in, say, Nevada, you see the same speakers listed as say one in California. My question would be why? Why would you want to go to a conference in one state only to get the same people speaking at another conference in another state? Well, the only possible answer would be to be in on the investigations that are being held. Do you think people really travel all over just to see the same old people? No, of course not. They want to go to the investigations.

I am amused at the number of people who do this. While I would want to go to the conference to go on the investigations if it's some place I have never been (and was interested in the place) but I would ditch the speakers and see the town or surrounding area. Why listen to the same old speakers talk about the same old stuff. Let's face it, there's only so much EVP, ghost photography, how-to's on investigation that one person can take. While it may be interesting to learn anothers' techniques, you will do an investigation the way you want or have been taught but not by going to a workshop. You may incorporate some of that information but you will not be doing one step-by-step nor will you discard your current equipment for new, pricier equipment recommended by a speaker just because it's what he uses. While it would be nice I suppose and quite flattering to the speaker, it's just not something people do as a rule. They would consider it when purchasing new stuff but they just won't run out and purchase it because someone said so.

I am surprised at the number of people making the exodus to the same conference in the same place every year even when the people are different (yet, in some ways, the same) and the investigations are the same. What is it that people see in doing this? There are the typical conferences that use this format in Illinois, at Gettysburg, at Waverly Sanitarium, and a few other choice places but these are the same old places. Why? Just as with the paranormal, there are far too many questions and not enough answers. So, again, why? Why do they make it a habit or ritual to do the same old thing every year. While the price is less than ours, they don't get a meal unless they pay for it, they don't get extracurricular activities or investigations unless they pay for it and it usually includes the same people speaking. Again, why?

Now I would tell anyone looking to go to a conference to be sure that, 1) it's somewhere they want to go and, 2) that they have an idea of what or whom they are going with, whether it's the group putting it on or someone they know who will be there, you need to be sure. Many groups put on conferences with no why or wherefore of what they are doing. Case in point, a group in Sacramento put on their first conference in a town called Volcano. They stated they were going to have 10-15 speakers and that they would have the town available for investigation where the main point would be the only hotel in town which had ten or so rooms. They wanted people from all over the country coming to their conference and gave instructions about the hotel, other hotels, all the speakers, and the local airport. So what happened? I have heard from numerous people that have gone to this so-called conference that it was a big joke. Why? Because the only hotel in town was reserved for the people putting the conference on and the guest speakers. Remember, the hotel is the only one in town and only had about 10 or so rooms. The next nearest hotel was 20 miles away down a small, winding road. There was supposed to be a shuttle and that never materialized. The "available" spots in town to investigate were two other places - the saloon next to the hotel and a coffee shop. The town consisted of 105 residents. Can you figure out why it was a big joke? Yet, I understand by the attendees of this conference that the people putting it on were stating their praises and patting each other on the back because they feel they put on such a great conference. Of course it was a great conference to them, they stayed in the only hotel in town and hung out together. I've been told that these attendees will not be attending another conference they put on. It's this type of conference and these type of people that give such a bad name to those of us who are seriously trying to put on a conference for people to meet and learn. They are a disgrace!!

You should always check on the people putting it on, where you're going and what the agenda is. The conference should be geared specifically for the attendees, not for the possible big headedness of the people putting it on.

A conference should be fun and a great learning experience. You should have fun and make sure it's geared to you as an attendee. You should be aware of how they put it together, what's included, what types of hotels are available to you, are the people putting it on making it worth your while or theirs? Be aware of what's going on.

Most importantly, try and have fun!!!

The Thrill of New Equipment

Ahhh, the smell of fine leather. The thoughts of what you can do with that are endless and exciting. But combine the thought of leather from a box or, in this case, a case and the fact that in that case is a Flir thermography camera.....WOWEEE!!!

I am bragging....yes!!! I just received the camera today and had to pull it out and play with it, all the while holding it breathlessly being careful not to get my fingerprints on it. Now that's excitement.

This brings me to the point that new equipment is always a thrill. I feel like a kid in a candy store with new equipment. You have to test it out, play with it, make sure you know how it works using each new feature making certain you know exactly how to use it. I even read the manuals that come with them. I want to be certain of everything it can do. Why? Because I would eventually have to train our members on each piece so that they can pull it out, use it and then put it back exactly as I had it (yes, I can be a bit perfectionistic that way). Having each member know how to use these tools can make for a great investigation and to have that data to analyze afterwards makes it well worth the effort of training.

Let's talk more about equipment and training and what's required.

There are many types of new equipment and many ways to train. A new thermographic camera is something that requires definite training in its' use and what to look for when using it. Our DVR's also require training mainly because of all the wires necessary to run it. We have wireless cameras but they also require the know-how of how to put them together and get them running. Training is one of those things that must be done on a regular basis to keep everyone up to speed. While many groups have simple pieces of equipment, the need for training is still there. New protocols and standards are being presented on a regular basis and the need for information is so important to everyone. I encourage every group to begin and/or continue their training.

Making certain you have a check list for all your equipment too. Make it specific and contain everything that is needed to put each item back into its' correct box, bin, bag or whatever is used. You don't want to mix-and-match your cables, cords or other pieces. Putting everything back where it belongs makes it easier the next time there's an investigation and makes your group's leader a very happy person. The check list can be as explicit or simplistic as you want, only make certain everyone understands it and knows how to use it.

Make certain you clean your equipment also. A simple soft towel, new (and hopefully unused) diaper or chamois can be used to clean lenses of cameras or displays. Always have a nose bulb (also hopefully unused) to use for blowing air into the battery compartments to remove any "salt" that may crust in the area. Follow the manuals' advice for cleaning any other removable and non-removable parts.

Getting new equipment is great. Using it on an investigation and having it work perfectly is also a great feeling. Keeping your equipment clean, dry and in great working condition will be money well spent.

Training your crew appropriately in the use of your equipment, removal from bags and packing it back up is all part of everyone's job. Make certain you have the right tools from the right bags and every part of your investigation will go smoothly. That makes it the best investigation you could ever have!!

And the orbs keep coming, coming, and coming, coming...

That's right!!! Let's get it started....in here!! But PLEASE, let's not talk about orbs anymore. Unfortunately, those relatively new groups out there still think there are orbs and that they have faces. While many groups know that this is not possible, that it's probably a lens flare, refraction or light reflection of some type, there are still those that think (and want to believe) that there are faces in these orbs.

Why doesn't anyone want to believe that this is the "face-in-the-clouds" situation where we would sit on a nice, grassy hill and watch the clouds go by making faces, animals, things out of the clouds. Similar to ITC (instrumental transcommunication), you can make anything seem like it's something out of nothing. But hey, continue to go at it with all the zest and vinegar you can drum up. A ghost hunter for almost 20 years, skeptic for longer, go ahead - convince me.

I was asked to comment on one of these orbs on a myspace forum recently and I gave my opinion even giving them the standardization of orbs that was created by us and another group a few years back. According to this person, many, many people sent comments similar to mine. Yet, they still are certain that there are orbs with faces, that they have software (that law enforcement uses to profile criminals), plugged their orb with the face into the software and....ta daaaa, there's a face in this orb. The software is intended to place a name with the face and vice versa. It is intended to find faces to make a profile and then link it into a type of NCIC database. Go figure.

While I'm not trying to put this group or this person down, it seems to me that you would figure this out simply by the type of software this is and what it's used for. And still, believes that there are orbs with faces because, according to them, "in the paranormal, anything is possible!!!".

My, my, my. I know that I've been around for a long time and become steadfast in my own beliefs and even probably at one time jumped up and down when I thought I had something like this, but when others had pointed out to me that this wasn't possibly and why (like all those that responded to that forum question), I changed my way of thinking. This group and this person refuses to do that and continues to believe that this is a possibility.

Okay, another year of trying to teach groups as opposed to regular people who don't know.

So, instead of "Let's get it started....", it's going to be "and the orbs keep coming, coming, and coming, coming...."

When Mortality Means One Of Our Own

Everyone asks how I am able to deal with death. I explain that I don't deal with death....anymore. I am a paranormal reseacher, not a doctor. I don't deal with death. However, my background is as a nurse....an emergency room nurse, and I am well aware of the effects of death on families. In 2005, I became well aware of death when my father passed away. Since that time, I have taken myself from, what I call, the brink of despair back to my normal extreme work ethic. Dealing with my father's death was difficult for me. The past two years have been very difficult but they past so quickly that it seems like it was yesterday.

Now I am facing the mortality of one of our own....another ghost hunter. I learned two days ago that my very best friend, the closest thing I have to a sister, has cancer. I learned this when I was talking on the phone with her. She told me she didn't want to tell me like this but did it anyway. When I ended that call I know I was taken aback. My friend....the one who did everything with me.....did my first TV segment with....kept trying to talk me into flying to another country to investigate.....my best friend, has cancer, that same deadly, awful illness that took dad from me. It took me a day to really realize what she said - really said. The flood of emotion was too great. I sat in my regular quiet place and just relived all the surgeries, treatments, nurses, medicines, appointments....and heartache. I don't want that for her. I don't want that for anyone.

While it is not something I need to be too concerned about right now as it is just in the early stages and the prognosis is good, I fear for my friend. She is a great person - patient, generous, funny. I'm lucky to have a friend like her. I will do everything I can (including flying) to make her happy and hopefully realize that it is not as bad as it seems to me.

I look forward to the new investigations, the fun days we have ahead to share together and the changes we can both make for the better!!

Is it really the secret of MY success??

I am constantly asked how I have been able to keep my group together for so long, how I am able to accomplish what we do and how do I keep my sanity?

My answers are always simple. I don't know how I have kept my group together for so long. Honestly, it's not the same people that I began with but they're all great people. How am I able to accomplish what we have? I have a lot of great people that work with me. How do I keep my sanity? I don't.

I have thought many, many times about the success of Ghost Trackers and what we have brought to the paranormal community. I think that our group has done quite well. I think we are constantly learning and open to the ideas of change and who deals with what well. It's not an easy tradeoff. I must admit that I do like control so sometimes I don't play nice with others but I also know when to back off.

I like actor Will Smith's answer to his success:

"While the other guy's sleeping, I'm working. While the other guy's eating, I'm working. While the other guy's making love - I mean, I'm making love too, but I'm working really hard at it!!"

Save for the making love part, this is also my philosophy. I am constantly working at how to make our group better, who does what better where and how. I'm constantly thinking of what our next move is and who would be able to go to this investigation or that. Our group and what it does and what it's going to do is constantly on my mind, refining, defining, working it out and punching in numbers to be sure we have everything right. If you can think paranormal 24/7, 365 days of the year, you would most definitely be like me!!

Now you know the "secret" to my "success"!!!

I can't do this without the people working with me!!

Properties and Buildings and Homes.....Oh My!!!

So many investigations, so little time!!! Investigations are coming out of the woodwork. I am thrilled, excited, and concerned. It takes a lot of time, effort, resources to have an investigation come to fruition. It also takes manpower. There are many times when I'm ready to jump on an investigation whether it's because it seems as though the occupants of the building need help or because they are in desperate ways due to other things with their activity.

Why are we having this influx of activity? What is causing all this distress among ghosts that they feel the need to try to tell us something? Or, is that what they are trying to do? Is this truly a message they are trying to send or is it something else?

These are the questions. Again, more questions with no answers.

Trying to get to these answers is time consuming, resource using and difficult. I would like to have a way where we could get to the heart of the situation, perhaps have a sit down with a ghost and have a nice chat. That way I could ask all the questions I needed to ask and get some answers.

I can only conjure up answers in my mind. The theories we use are the best that we have right now. While there are others working feverishly on new ones, it takes time and effort. We're all working hard and hopefully we can get more and develop better theories that all of us can rely on.

I keep on keeping on!!