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!!