My Thoughts For The New Year

So, it's now 2011. Another new year and another year to see what thoughts I can share with others of like-mindedness. I like to share my thoughts. People seem to be interested in what I have to say. I don't know why. I have come across a few "groupies" this last year and had a few people still recognize me from my "TV days". I am greatly amused because I am nobody. I did a few things with a few people that were considered celebrities and people think I'm something. I wish I could follow through with that and really do something great but that's not going to happen. But who knows!!

Looking at last year has been very disappointing. The amount of people out there that want to be ghost hunters is incredible. The amount of people that want to learn how to be a ghost hunter is also incredible. Unfortunately, it's not the incredible that is of a good way. People just want to go out and do it. They don't want to learn the simple basics of ghost hunting. I find this very sad. It only behooves people to learn so that when the next round of ghost hunters go to the very same spot, they are not chastised or driven off because of some silly action the previous group has done. I hear far too often of ghost hunters that are accused of stealing, destroying property or ruining an invitation so others can't follow behind. It's very distressing. Learning is cheap. It usually doesn't cost anything other time, considering the amount of people doing what I'm doing right now which is blogging or putting information on their websites.

People continue to contact me to form a coalition. My question again to everyone is why. People cannot see eye-to-eye. There are always bad feelings, hard feelings, nasty comments, backstabbing....the list goes on and on. Check your egos at the door - PLEASE!! People do not understand what I, as an oldster (not old, just older than the young'uns that are trying to walk in my footsteps right now), have tried to do and the timing was not right. Form a coalition? Did that. Build an investigation database? Did that. Join groups together on an investigation? Did that. All these things failed because of the list of problems I talked about.

Now that my whine session is concluded, here are my thoughts for 2011:

1. I hope that psychics and mediums can do a great job. Not a good job but a great job. It would make more of us believers and be able to work better with us instead of us still being skeptical.
2. I hope the skeptics would take a day and have an open mind. It would make my work so much easier when I actually get around to proving something to them.
3. I hope the paranormal community could find a way to work with each other instead of without each other. Again, check your egos at the door.
4. Since the paranormal community can't work together, let's find a nice way to avoid each other and not post nasty comments about each other or a group online. They always do find a way to bite you in the behind and it's just not nice.
5. Remember that not everything you do should be geared toward getting that next big TV/movie/documentary deal. You should be in this for research and fun and vice versa.
6. I hope that those that go to "haunted" sites do not ruin, destroy, delapidate, wreck, etc., any site and make it virtually impossible for those of us who would like to visit.
7. I hope that ghost hunters remember there is nothing that is "yours". Property belongs to everybody unless you own it. Put down your territorial walls and let others in. Share. There should be no exclusivity unless you own the property. Share.
8. Lastly, and most importantly, be excellent to each other!!! Stop all the in-fighting, nastiness, anger, hatred and backstabbing. If you choose to be a nasty, angry person, keep it to yourself. Let all those others be happy and have a good time. Don't ruin things for everyone else.

Well, there it is. My hopes and thoughts for a better 2011. Will it work? Will anyone listen? Probably not. It's not the way things are nor how they work. People have different emotions and personalities and getting them to all be happy and work in a way that we would like just isn't the way life goes. I can only hope that maybe some time we can all see that wonderful light and smile!!

Things are looking up!!

Ghost Hunters vs. Ghost Adventures

I have been writing a lot of Twitters lately and have totally been immersed in business since our conference is coming up in May and putting out many fires but I figured it's time to address some things that have been sent to me regarding my thoughts on "Ghost Hunters" vs. "Ghost Adventures".

While I don't know the guys from "GH", I am well aware and familiar with the guys from "GA".

Here are the differences as I seem them:

1. GH guys are older, a bit more abrupt and seemingly distant. GA guys are younger, energetic, fun loving.
2. GH guys are East coast and have that mentality. GA guys are West coast and have that mentality. If you don't know the differences, it's difficult to explain.
3. With the GH guys, quite honestly, I've not heard good things about them from other camps, as well as from event coordinators and attendees where they've shown up for guest appearances. GA guys are VERY available for pictures, fun and are great at events.

Now, you may have had a different experience with either of these two groups and that's great. I don't mind being wrong. But, I can see why some people do feel the way they do if these things are not going as well as they had hoped. I know the producers for GH are a bit more pushy as having had a discussion with them once regarding an investigation they wanted to do and wanted my material on the places involved. I refused to give it. The GH guys should do the leg work just as I had done to come up with their own information and not have to rely on mine. The GH guys also only spend a matter of time at their investigations (roughly four hours).

The GA guys' producers are nice guys willing to assist in any way they can but want the GA guys to gather their own material. The GA guys' produce their own material, have creative say in the way that it's done and know what they want. The GA guys spend roughly a week in a place minus the actual "lockdown" they do checking, researching, exploring the towns surrounding the area and the area itself. I know this from experience as we spent a week together when filming the castle episode.

I don't want to give an opinion of either group but I do have to say that from experience only, I would work with the Ghost Adventures guys any day. They are such fun, have such a genuine interest, attempt to keep up with the knowledge out there and just work very hard at giving everyone such a good experience both on and off camera. It doesn't hurt that they are nice on the eyes too!!

Doing What I Do Best ~ Ragging On Others

Yes, yes, yes. It is what I do best. But I believe it's a necessity to say something when things don't seem right. Unfortunately, not enough people say anything because it's not "PC" or they don't want to hurt someone's feelings or.....I don't know what. I think it's better to say something than to let someone believe things are okay and make themselves look silly.

I must admit that I am brutally honest and will tell you what I think. I'm not saying bad things to hurt anyone but again, I don't want them to look silly. So, you must be thinking who made me the "honesty police"? Nobody. I'm just honest and tell it like it is. People don't like it but there are a lot of people like me and we just rub people the wrong way. Sorry about that.

So, again, we talk about paranormal conferences. It's that time of the year. For those of you that know about me, I tend to sit back and watch. Watch what others are doing. See how they are doing it. Not because I follow others but because, at least on the West Coast, our group has set the precedent for paranormal conferences. When conferences were first beginning to be held back in 2002, we started out with a cocktail reception. Now, everybody does it. We started out with having a bonus attraction. Now, everybody does it. So, now I must begin my ragging on a new conference that is trying hard to form and that is ..... a virtual conference.

I was sent an email because I lectured at a conference last year and therefore, I was suddenly on this list. Interestingly, the person sending this email to me was someone I always wanted to meet. I had seen him on TV numerous times and he was just someone I wanted to meet. I felt like a kid in a candy store when I did finally meet him at that conference I spoke at and he turned out to be someone who was similar to a movie star with their nose in the air as they walk past you totally ignoring you. I was kinda devastated. You build up certain people in your mind and that bubble pops when they turn out to be stuck up. I hate that.

That is not a moving force in my writing this blog about ragging on conferences but it didn't help much. His email to me was basically that he wanted to put on a virtual conference and did I want to be an exhibitor. Getting something like that from someone says, hey, send me money. Yeah. Right. I bet you have a bridge to sell me too.

So, he says why are conferences "failing"? Is it the economy? Yes, according to him. Hmmmm, no, no, no. That is not why conferences are failing. Conferences are failing because they are being held in the same old spots with the same old people that say the same old things. There is nothing new and refreshing. They are herding people into places and expecting them to have an experience when you have too many people who keep running into each other. The information is the same old ragged stuff.

The same thing is happening with TV, namely, "Ghost Hunters", "Ghost Adventures" and all the other paranormal TV shows that are out there. They are going to the same places over and over again. Case in point. Ghost Hunters is going to start in a couple of weeks or so (I don't know because I don't watch it but saw it in a commercial on TV) and they are going back to Alcatraz. Alcatraz. I think the right wording is "OMG". Hasn't that been done to death? No pun intended.

I introduced the world (yes, I don't have a problem saying that anymore) to the Preston Castle. I found it and had it as our attraction at our conference. The castle is in a position that it is surrounded by many, many other paranormal groups and yet, I came along from another part of the state and found it. New. Exciting. Fun. Different.

Then I brought Ghost Adventures there. That worked well. Now, Ghost Hunters has just gone there. Wow. The same old thing.

So why can't others find stuff? Why can't they find something new, exciting, fun and different? I don't know. What I do know is virtual conference is silly and I'm not afraid to say so. They will put this thing together, get to rub elbows with the guest speakers, get paid money to have people watch and you, the consumer, the ghost hunter, the paranormal investigator will get nothing out of this. You get to sit in the comfort of your home and watch on your 15" or 17" monitors waiting patiently if you have dial-up or while the pictures load. You don't get to walk in the place they are investigating. You don't get to talk to that special guest speaker and get snubbed as I did or actually get to talk to them if they are friendly. You don't get to socialize with other ghost hunters OR exchange ideas, techniques, tips or pictures.

The economy has slowed down some people, but ghost hunters and paranormal investigators are a hardy bunch. We have endurance, stamina and the knowledge that if we want to learn we have to go out there and learn. We don't wait for anything to happen. We make it happen. A conference is something that you have to experience at least once. You will never forget it nor will it stop you from doing it again. There are so many vibrant people all with exceptional ideas, stories, and lives. I would hope that these people who want to put this virtual conference on will reconsider because we do this for those that want to learn and experience. A virtual conference is not something that can be experienced although you can learn online.....anywhere, anytime and anything.

It's not something I like doing ~ ragging on anyone but it's tough to be brutally honest and tell it like it is. Someone needs to do it because of things like a "virtual" conference.

We need to get back together and begin to learn and experience again.

Socialization Conferences - The Next Trend?

I was honored to be asked to be a speaker at a conference in Florida recently. I was elated being able to visit another new state and to meet some people speaking there I've always wanted to meet. I still do get excited at meeting people who I believe have helped the paranormal community in a positive way. I still have "heroes".

I was in the air for almost 8 hours. The minute I touched ground and got off the plane, I found out it was to be go, go, go. No jet lag allowed. No resting. No checking into a hotel. Just run errands and then have dinner while meeting people. Great. I was hot and sweaty, didn't have much makeup on and old clothes. Who dresses up to fly? Certainly not me. I tried to take it in stride but it was hard to smile after passing the time zones and being crunched in a full plane, having a lot of luggage to tote (I'm big on having everything when I travel) and listening to babies and children wail and cry. Ugh!!

Finally, I was able to sleep after three additional hours following my plane trip. Interestingly, I guess it was still expected to drink some more.

I got to sleep in the next day but time was wasting. I was told not to rent a car and drive myself (which I do love doing) I would be taken care of and needed to be driven. Following a long wait for the car to be ready to take me as well as others, I had to meet a woman who I would be with for the rest of the weekend. She was my conference confidante. She was the woman with the answers. I liked her....a lot. She was like me, to the point and all sass, but in a nice, southern way.

All weekend seemed to be about socialization. Everything was about having a drink and talking to people. I have no problem with doing any of that but it was every day. No getting past it. I found that this trip was not going to give me any "me" time. "Me" time is something I LOVE when going on trips. I get to pamper myself in my room on my time. I bring all the necessities or purchase them after arrival. I got no "me" time this time around. Disappointing but that's how it goes sometimes.

I was expected to be clean, sharp, made up and dressed at all times. While that didn't happen, I tried to give my presentation in a room which was hot, had no way to see any sights, had no speakers for my (or anyone else's presentation) and had to be social through it all. I didn't mind. The people that went to the conference were wonderful. They were gracious, most were interested, asked questions and were great to talk with. I don't try to change people's minds if they already have a mind set but just offer new suggestions. You can't change everyone.

I arrived at this conference early hoping to see some sights in this state. I left early because I couldn't. I loved every minute that I was at this conference and met some people that I've always wanted to meet and made my own opinions regarding them. I wouldn't trade all that for the world.

Let's Talk About Conferences

So, this blog is not for the faint of heart. I am going to lay it on the line, give you the straight poop and set the record straight.....all while trying to be a nice guy and not name those people involved. While you may figure it out, I'll still try to be a nice guy.

I'm currently attending a conference in Southern California. It's aboard a historical landmark. It's aboard a historical landmark that I haven't believed is haunted for years....but that apart, it's a great place to visit.

Remember, my opinion.

This conference has had red flags waving from the beginning. Two of the most important speakers bowed out just before the conference and they were the speakers one would really want to see when going to a conference that deals with their line of work. I know, this is really stretching it without actually saying it, but sorry.....names are withheld to protect the innocent (well, there's really no one considered innocent here and that has nothing to do with it but, whatever).

So one speaker just bowed out for reasons. That's okay I guess. Things happen. The other for a family commitment?? Doesn't that sound a lot like he already knew there was something going on in his family entity? It didn't say emergency which means right now stat!! Funny that.

So, this conference has been so disorganized from the beginning and yet, there is such "analocity" about who gets to attend and who doesn't that they even copied an important card's number from each person when checking in. The person putting it on says he spoke to his attorney who said you need to know exactly who you're letting in so copy this number down. Hmmmm, incredible invasion of privacy but double question that attorney regarding his idea of what is and isn't identity theft, but anyway.....

You pay an outrageous amount of money to hear speakers that say the same thing at every conference save for one or two plus you can't hear the speakers because the conference provider is carrying on his own conversations in the back of the room. Wow!! No room for consideration here.

You get to go on investigations in a circus-like atmosphere with 25 people in each group and are supposed to try to capture pictures or EVP or anything with any other equipment you have while film makers are interviewing people, carrying rather large lights and sticking cameras in your face especially if you are the two girls trying desperately to be on camera. All while trying to capture these EVP's or hear noises, voices, bangs or thuds. Actually it was the conference provider who was a whole "floor" up shouting questions to the supposed ghost that haunts the area we were in all the while having the large light and camera pointed up to that floor from below.

While I'm all for documenting any possible paranormal activity, this bordered on insanity. The rest of us were desperately trying to be quiet and capture anything other than these other things going on with the ring master and his court. Incidentally, it was he who stated in no uncertain terms that we should "shut up" and allow us all, in each group, an opportunity to try to capture any EVP's or pictures. Is that considered an oxymoron?

I am well aware of the insanity that takes place at conferences having held them for almost 10 years now. I know how difficult it can be to gain control and keep control of a large group which is why I have opted for smaller groups now. But to add fuel to the fire by shouting from above was just bad form.

One last tidbit, this conference started on a Thursday night with their "meet-and-greet". Very difficult for people trying to get to these things because of work (which, incidentally, people need to be very aware of lest they lose theirs to another at a lesser pay).

I think, again, my opinion, that conference providers need to be more aware of what avenues are best for the people attending, i.e., cost, venue, local hotels and eateries, etc. They should also be mindful of speakers who say the same thing all the time and those that really have something to offer the paranormal community. People that put these things on to promote themselves or their own agendas make it very difficult for people that want to learn, want to network or just become more advanced and get into a haunted place they couldn't normally get into, is really kind of selfish. We, as conference providers, need to be more aware of those people who sign up for these things. They are the ones who make these things happen. Forget all our own agendas!! Help out Joe Doe so that he can learn more and be a better investigator/hunter and the paranormal community will have a step up from the craziness that goes on out there all the time from those that don't know what they're doing because they haven't been taught.

I can't say too much about this conference other than it was nice to meet up with people I haven't seen in a long time and to pick up some interesting books that will keep me busy reading for awhile. It's a shame but that's the way these things go sometimes!! Make certain you check out EVERYTHING about the conference you're attending before you plunk down those hard earned dollars. Remember, your consumer dollars help fuel this economy and your vote, er, uh, dollars count!!

In the meantime, I won't be attending another conference (my last one besides what we have put on was about 5 years ago) for a L-O-N-G time. I believe I've lost my taste for them for awhile again.

Happy ghost hunting!!

Am I Sure I'm Happy About A New Year??

I have been pondering the question about whether or not I'm happy about a new year. Our normal way of doing things is, that since September and October get to be very busy with guest appearances, maybe a TV segment or radio segment, etc., that we take November and December off to recuperate and recharge our batteries. I normally take that time to purchase new equipment, check the equipment and maintain it and other such things. Last year, however, was different. For the first time, we were not running from one appearance to another. We had time to breathe. BUT, we have continued to be busy at a consistent rate during November, December, January and now February. This has been tough. Usually I need and take time to recharge myself and I haven't been able to do that.

This is frustrating to me. I like checking and rechecking the equipment. I like making sure all our cables, adapters, surge protectors, clips, and any additional accessories needed to continue working at our breakneck speed is there and working well. I don't have time to do that. It's frustrating.

Equipment can be the core of any group. Our group is no exception. We need to have the cameras running on the DVR. That allows us to move freely throughout a building without the worry of missing something important. We have to check things regularly and maintain the equipment. It can get expensive.

So, another year gone, another year to work. In the real world, people are losing their jobs because of the recession no one would admit we were in. I listen to people talk about Bush and his administration and what a lousy job he did and how we wouldn't be here in the first place if it wasn't for his mistakes. Okay. Now we have a new guy in who is making promises right off the bat and everyone is expecting a miracle. I'll wait and see and not hold my breath. He's got a BIG task ahead of him.

There is a lot of unrest because of the economy. People are doing things they wouldn't normally do. People are very unhappy. This causes them to look in other places for money. Some are not good places. But that gives us the best posture for what we do. We, as ghost hunters and paranormal investigators, are in a good position because we stick together. We all want to have those experiences and we don't mind sticking together to get into a building and perform that investigation. This gives us the benefit because these buildings are in need of repair, money and people to come visit them. They are more willing to open the doors for us.

If we play our cards right by being knowledgeable, being respectful, having good backing from our resumes we can get into these places and perform those investigations. We must pull together in this time of need and be knowledgeable and prove to people out there that we can be respectful.

It's important to remember that there are people out there (including ghost hunters) who are not in this job for the history, the importance of the buildings and the necessity to help them. They are in this for the thrill of an experience and that's it. They don't want to help. They don't want anything more than themselves but it seems that they can talk a good talk. It's not until they are in the position of being in the public eye that they can't walk the walk. This makes us all look bad.

Since it seems that we will never have any standards other than what we ourselves put together or put together with a small few other groups, we must try and try some more to make sure that these groups that are out there for themselves at least make some effort to learn. Unfortunately this type of attitude will continue because people who act like this think they know it all anyway, but we can try. We tried before they came along and we'll try after they're gone.