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    Spooky Happenings in the Crescent City…


    2009 - 11.04

    Posted in bed and breakfasts, gay, ghost hunting, ghosts, hauntings, new orleans, video | Comments Off

    Among the many cities I’m dying (well, not literally) to visit is New Orleans. Just like the Witch City of Salem, it’s a town where death seems to be a part of life. Ghosts, witches, vampires, and other nocturnal peoples seem quite at home there and the presence of hoodoo is undeniable. Every shop, bar, and hotel carries with it some fascinating, if not haunting, tale.

    One such place is 5 Continents Bed & Breakfast, which I did look into and noted in the “Haunted LGBT Accommodations” section in the back of my book. While I left out some of the history and hauntings at the inn, I just might finally revisit it for the sequel. It’s a beautifully-restored old home, and apparently still occupied by its original owners.

    Passport Magazine visited this haunted hotspot for the Halloween season (possibly after seeing it listed on my website… I’m not trying to assume, but reporter Paul West did attempt to contact me about a story earlier this summer, but due to email issues I missed him… sorry again, Paul!) and interviewed the innkeeper as well as a paranormal team as they looked for paranormal evidence at the business.
    Check out the video from Passport.TV:

    Travel is Fatal to Melancholia…


    2009 - 06.12

    Posted in canada, ghost hunting, ghosts, ottawa, paranormal, personal, thoughts, tours, travel | 3 Comments »

    After successfully eluding the blogosphere for neigh two weeks now, I think it’s about time I spilled about my trip up north. While some photos of my trip are on my Flickr page, I haven’t divulged any other details. If I continue to put it off, people might actually think I had a terrible time. And that would be far from the truth.

    Honestly, I’ve learned that greyhound might be an inexpensive form of transportation, but you truly do get what you pay for. my trip to Ottawa lasted nearly 18 hours, most of which was spent crammed uncomfortably in a seat with zero legroom. With layovers and stops, sleep was not a possibility. I did nap briefly, but that was all. If anyone is considering a long trip, I highly suggest shelling out the extra money for Amtrak. It might take just as long, but the difference is night and day.

    In some ways, Canada feels like a different world. Take the good parts of the United States, add a splash of Europe, and there you have it. Upon arriving in Ottawa, it was time to check in at Home Sweetland Home Bed & Breakfast. It’s housed in a beautiful 1895 home in a quiet neighborhood near the University of Ottawa. Brian and Sid were wonderful hosts, and open about their ghostly inhabitants. After a much-needed shower, we chatted for a while before dinner time. I had forgotten to eat that day, so I needed some kind of fuel to make it through the rest of the day.

    I was lucky to have a terrific sidekick/tour guide (and then some), Marc, along with me for the journey. There is no possible way for me to condense the entire week into a few words. The weather was perfect (aside from that one evening rushing back in the rain, soaked to the skin), as was the scenery and company. As far as ghosts are concerned, not much happened at the inn. I did hear a loud bang on what seemed to be the outside wall of the room late one night, but I can’t be sure what it was. A paranormal group did investigate prior to my visit and recorded a bit of evidence, though I diidn’t have the same good fortune. Then again, when you travel light (and don’t exactly want to spend your first time in a city surrounded by death), it’s not so easy to document everything.

    The two of us also attended the Haunted Walk of Ottawa, a daily event operated by a wonderful little company. I had some great conversations with both employees and participants, managing to snap a few photographs of some of the buildings as we went. The city holds a plethora of strange, eerie, and interesting historical tales. Earlier in the week, Marc and I stopped by Bytown Museum and the staff relayed some information about its ghosts. Hopefully, on my return trip, I’ll be setting my sights on an investigation there. They were kind enough to give me the contact information for going about that… and, considering I didn’t get much investigating in this time, it would make up for it. But I did get a few souvenirs: a copy of Ghosts of Ottawa and a mug from the tour gift shop.

    There was simply too much to see in one week: Sparks Street, Parliament Hill, Gatineau, dozens of museums, the Rideau Canal, Rideau Falls, the Ottawa River, and so much more. Trying to see everything at once would’ve been too overwhelming. Part of me feels I’ve missed out on a great deal of things, but that side is comforted by knowing I’ll return again. I was tempted to see if the walking tour was hiring, but decided against pressing my luck. but yes; if I found employment in Ottawa or nearby, I would be extremely tempted to live there. A safe, clean, friendly, bilingual city. And some of the best memories of the recent past happened during my week there. great conversations and revelations, nice restaurants, being flirted with by a female mallard duck (long story… you had to be there), walking across Alexandra Bridge (beautiful view and not the slightest fear of heights that day… wonder why), a late lunch at the wonderful Le Twist in Gatineau (if you go to Ottawa, you MUST go there… great staff, good food, and gay-friendly/-operated), sleepless nights not brought on by insomnia or stress, beautiful things to look at…

    As you can imagine, the return trip was unwelcomed.

    There are only so many ways to say “I’m glad I went”. But I can’t say it enough. The past few years have had rough times and stressful moments, yet this marked a major turning point deep inside me. Sadly, it has also marked a period of apathy toward blogging. Perhaps all these years of babbling about silly, stupid things or humorous morose moments in the world drained me of my death obsessions. or maybe, when things in your life suddenly are positive, you’re not so eager to think about the afterlife and death. I’m sure it’s just needing a break from the literary meanderings of my mind. It’s not easy to poke fun at the world when you don’t feel like thinking about everything else. Things truly are looking up in my life. While part of me wants to get back to the humorous news stories and quirky paranormal bits, I feel sapped of the energy. Priorities have tilted. I miss life and the living. Being chained down to a computer, researching and relaying morbid things isn’t as high on my list. I feel the need to branch out more, expanding my horizons.

    And so, therein lies my current quandary. I know I need to take the time to get back to blogging about the standard posts for which this blog has become known. Still… I’m a bit too happy to do it! Living life is far more enjoyable than writing about it. Experiencing people, places, cultures, history, and everything inbetween gives greater pleasure than glaring at the glow from a laptop. And once that ball begins rolling, it’s hard to turn the path around. Somewhere, I’ll achieve balance again. Perhaps once the afterglow I’ve been basking in wears off. For now, life takes some precedence over death. Ghouls must go to the back of the line; I need more living to recharge myself, and to figure out not only where exactly I’m going but how on earth I’m going to get there…

    Grinding Out the Troublemakers…


    2009 - 03.27

    Posted in books, ghost hunting, ghosts, laws, mills, news, ohio, paranormal, trespassing | Comments Off

    Many places are rumored to have a ghost or two. But does such a statement warrant a lawsuit?

    That’s the question tossed around in court down in Miami County, Ohio these days. It revolves around the Staley Mill, built in 1818 by Elias Staley and his clan. The Troy grist mill was featured in the book Weird Ohio and has become an attraction for would-be ghost hunters and bored teenagers. One descendant, Melissa Duer, is determined to stop all this.

    Duer filed a lawsuit against people responsible for both the book and a website, Forgotten Ohio. She told local reporters that both her and her husband have been physically threatened when telling people to leave. Melissa has hired off-duty law enforcement and a $35,000 watch dog. A judge ruled earlier this month that Weird Ohio did not paint the grist mill or the family in an unfavorable light. Trespassers were not the responsibility of the author, nor was any emotional distress” brought on by the work. A contributing author and the website owner, Andrew Henderson, may be held responsible for some of the expenses Duer is seeking due to the website.

    So, writing down what other people have been saying for decades is, apparently, a very bad thing. It’s not so easy to sue someone for saying a place is haunted verbally among friends (probably because it’s not easy to track them down). Writing down a rumor that is merely a rumor isn’t against the law, in my opinion. Stating it as emphatic fact, however, with intent to libel, is. Freedom of speech covers most literary work, with the added disclaimer almost every book has. So, why go after a storyteller and not the trespassers? Because it’s easier to blame one than punish the many guilty parties.

    As a writer and teller of paranormal stories, there is always inherent risk that someone will break the law to see a place for him or herself. All we can do is be responsible, let people know that they need to get permission to enter a property (which might be common sense, but isn’t so common), and hope for the best.

    In my opinion, Duer would be better off turning the mill into a ghost tour location and charging people for visiting it. Aside from suing people, what could be more American than earning a fast buck?

    Ghost Property Going Bust?


    2009 - 03.19

    Posted in bed and breakfasts, business, charities, florida, foreclosure, ghost hunting, ghosts, hauntings, paranormal, television, youtube | Comments Off

    Foreclosures still plague the United States as our economy maintains its frightening slump. Everyone is susceptible. In Florida, one allegedly-haunted bed & breakfast is the newest victim. But if a group of ghost hunters has their way, the house won’t face any wrecking ball.

    The Seven Sisters Inn on Ocala’s Fort King Street was built in 1888 and remains one of the few magnificent Victorians still standing in the area. The owners, Bonnie and Ken, ran the guest house for 20 years before facing a financial crisis. A failed sale led to the banks demand for total payment, which could not be met. in October 2008, foreclosure proceedings began.

    But they’re not going down without a fight. Southeastern Paranormal Investigations (SEPI) has helped create a website, Save the Seven Sisters Inn, where visitors can sign a petition and make donations to help the cause. The National Register of Historic Places lists both houses for their historical value. Charity events are being planned in hopes of doing anything possible to avoid disaster. A buyer is desperately wanted by the owners for the two-house B&B, which is priced at $1.3 million.

    An episode of Ghost Hunters was recently filmed at the structure and hopes are high for it attracting paranormal investigators in an effort to save the building. Events are still happening at the inn, including the Seven Sisters Haunt in April, so it’s not dead just yet. Allegedly, the haunted activity is tied to the land, not necessarily the houses. In the 18th century, a hospital was built on the grounds and treated many injured soldiers who apparently refused to leave.

    For an overview, here is part of the Ghost Hunters episode, aired this past fall:

    Click here for Part Two of “Ghosts of the Sunshine State”.

    Walking England’s Most Haunted City…


    2009 - 03.14

    Posted in celebrities, ghost hunting, ghosts, london, tours, travel, writing | Comments Off

    While I normally hate congested urban places, some part of me loves London. The ultimate irony is looking back over my journal writing in 1998-99 during my trip to the city, you might not think it:


    January 6, 1990 – Day 12
    “Well, this magical mystery tour is almost over. Two more days. I’m glad they’re in London or I’d have to kill someone. [The teacher/tour guide] Fred’s been quite bitchy lately. Glad he’s gone to Africa. Depending on energy, I might go out or just call Simon [my friend from Soho]…”

    I didn’t get to see any haunted places. I was trapped with a bunch of fellow students who acted more like stereotypical, obnoxious American tourists than even I could have expected. I only spent time with my friend Simon once during the entire trip. I was utterly broke by the final days. I ordered prawns at a pub near the hotel and refused to eat them because they were “staring at me”. And the leader of the group turned out to be a stingy ‘dirty old man’ we all grew to hate. But the city itself, with all its flaws, was a breath of fresh air. It just felt like home. And all these years later, that female voice from the Tube still echoes inside my head: “Next stop, Marylebone… Marylebone…“

    I highly recommend a visit there to anyone in the United States, or any other country for that matter. It’s a whole different world. And there are more ghostly legends than you could imagine. But don’t make my mistake: spend some time looking for spooks. Dozens of books about London’s ghosts, from the Underground to pubs, are everywhere. London embraces its haunted heritage, and no one should miss out on that creepy aspect.

    If you do find yourself in London, I recommend a ghost tour or two. While taxi drivers and business owners have plenty to say, it’s good to have a broad range of tales encompassed in the span of a few hours. And one group, London Paranormal, offers a wide range of walking tours and paranormal events throughout the year. Its founder is a name you might recognize from one season of Most Haunted: Ian Shillito. Or perhaps you’ve read on here about The Scary Marys and remember him from it. And if you happen to be in the city during the month of October, there’s always the organization’s London Ghost Festival.

    Is it gay-friendly? You better believe it. Ian’s a fellow “out” investigator, so there’s no need to worry about being yourself. And London has a few gay ghosts to boot, along with other places throughout the UK, some of which I’ve chronicled in the upcoming book Queer Paranormal. You can bet that my next trip across the pond will include several stops in England. Ghosts and legalized gay marriage: who could ask for more?

    Detector School Dropouts…


    2009 - 03.13

    Posted in emf, equipment, gauss, ghost hunting, ghosts, paranormal, rants, science, thoughts | Comments Off

    You’re at a haunted location. You want to check to see if there might be a ghost around. So, what do you do? You whip out your trusty EMF meter. Why? Um… well… because everyone else does. As the old argument goes, “and if everyone jumped off a cliff, would you?“

    EMF (a.k.a electromagnetic frequency, electromagnetic fluctuation) has become the must-have gadget for any “serious” investigator of paranormal phenomena. Most ghost hunters will tell you that these devices react to ghosts and spirits, which “give off higher readings” of electrical and magnetic energies. It’s failproof and reliable. Right? Well, not really. But before you prepare the fire to burn me at the stake for “heretical nonsensical talk”, take a moment to listen.

    Our world is a noisy cacophony of electricity, magnetism, and waves (radiation, radio, round, microwaves, etc.), most of which we cannot see, hear, or sense. Some is man-made, some natural. If we could hear all the energy constantly around us, it might sound like rush hour traffic in New York City. And this is the world in which we try to fiddle with a Gauss meter (or EMF meter). Many people using these devices don’t know what they’re detecting. Cheap models cannot filter out natural energy from interference caused by our own technology. But to ask most investigators, they “work”.

    In reality, they don’t. I’m sorry, but they don’t. I don’t even own one because I’ve experimented with them and found them about as useful in the pursuit of ghosts as a rubber ducky. Yes, they do indeed note fluctuations in energy on occasion, but in the chaos invisible to our senses, what’s really happening? It is that power line or cell phone? Am I sitting on a meteorite? Or did the CIA just fly a covert plane overhead giving off powerful radio signals telling me to invest in the Bank of America? I just don’t know.

    The sad fact is there is no definitive correlation found between unexplained phenomena and EMF readings. Some say ghosts cause spikes. Others say powerful bursts of energy make us hallucinate. But each is just a guess. A thought. I’ve witnessed unexplainable sights, sounds, and smells while Gauss meters remained silent and inactive. I’ve seen them go wild while nothing out of the ordinary occurs. And you’re trying to tell me that EMF and paranormal phenomena are connected? No, thank you; I’m not interested in that prime Florida swampland.

    If I’m trying to pick up a toothpick, a magnet won’t work no matter how hard I try. It doesn’t mean the toothpick isn’t there; it just means that the magnet isn’t a valid method of detecting it. And that’s largely how I view Gauss meters in the field. You’ll pick up on something alright, but not a ghost. So, you say, what does work, you mean, cranky, pessimist? Well, I don’t exactly know. That requires more experimentation. But we need to look beyond one possibility to make any headway. What about a Geiger counter, or a photometer?

    And yes, there’s a reason I suggest these gadgets. Research in telepathy, which might be related to “psychic experiences” and hauntings, has found that whatever mechanism is being used to convey information is not governed by electromagnetic principles. Psychometry works in shielded environs and Faraday cages. Whatever we’re looking for lies outside the known particles, waves, etc. Perhaps it’s like a photon, allowing it to be visible yet behave like a wave. Whatever the answer, it exists outside the box.

    For an interesting piece of reading material, I suggest Steve Mizrach’s The Superspectrum Hypothesis.

    Seek and Ye Shall Find…


    2009 - 02.18

    Posted in beaver creek, camping, events, ghost hunting, ohio, parks | Comments Off

    Even though it’s two months away, I thought I might et everyone in the Ohio area know about an event coming up this spring. Details are still being ironed out, but the basic gist of it is in place. And yes, I will be there… unfortunately, not participating but instead helping with the behind-the-scenes goings-on.

    Attention all history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts!
    Join the folks at Cuyahoga Valley Paranormal for an evening of fun and mystery on Saturday, April 18. Participants will follow historical clues in teams of 2-4 individuals around Beaver Creek State Park to eerie places on the trail of strange and forgotten legends. At each location, color-coded clues will lead you to the next destination. Put on your thinking caps and a sturdy pair of hiking boots, and prepare yourself for a journey into the past. Ages 12 and up. $5 fee includes a donation to the park.

    • Registration begins at 7:00pm at the Pioneer Village Pavilion. Hunt begins at 8:00pm. Transportation not provided.

    • Participation limited to the first 20 registered teams.

    • Door prizes, pizza and hot beverages provided at the Pioneer Village pavilion followed by a midnight bonfire at the `Pretty Boy’ Floyd site.

    For more information and updates, visit the website.

    Cold as Ice, Warm as Cat Farts…


    2009 - 02.15

    Posted in books, ghost hunting, steve cooper, weekend, writing | Comments Off

    I had every intention of spending Valentine’s curled up in bed while watching another movie marathon. But it wasn’t in the cards. Instead, I was invited to an impromptu ghost hunt at a closed theater again. While no ghosts showed, there was plenty of laughter to be had. I, crowbar in hand, trying to put a hole in a wall which might lead to a secret tunnel… and, with my bowler hat on, looking more like a sadistic Vaudeville murdering act. (I do need to get a copy of that picture taken of me pretending it was a cane.) Then, of course, making Jeri nearly pass out with laughter at my imitation of a local “action news” weatherman with his strange, crack-like jerky movements almost pantomiming the day’s forecast.

    Strange, but true.

    We all nearly froze to death in the auditorium. I crawled into bed late and didn’t defrost for a good hour. I managed to collect a few nifty odds and ends from the building. Nothing of any consequence, but then again my flashlight died as soon as I arrived. That’s what I get for bringing my cheap plastic one instead of the club-a-man-to-death Mag-Lite.

    Today, I spent almost the entire day reading a new book I’ve wanted for a long time. It is Steve Cooper’s first novel, With You in Spirit. After reading Deadline last year, I knew I’d like it. And I was far from disappointed. It’s difficult to sum up the books wonderfulness into a few words. Not to mention the comedic cast of characters. A wealthy family of Cape Codders owing their fortune to parking meters. A creepy chauffeur. A ghost with a penchant for Gloria Gaynor. And, best of all, a blind, portly psychic with a flatulent seeing-eye cat. I highly recommend it to anyone.

    Otherwise, I’m gearing up for another long writing week. We shall see how far I manage to get over the next five days. I’m trying not to put the cart before the horse. But I am optimistic. April is turning into a busy month for me, so I must get the writing done in a few weeks and any tweaks hammered out through March. Luckily, I am using a day-planner again, so I can keep everything in check.

    It’s the final push now, so no holds are barred, no waiting for information to add to the book. What I have I have, and that’s what I’ll use.

    What the Surgeon General Forgot to Tell You…


    2009 - 02.05

    Posted in chip coffey, danger, demons, ghost hunting, ghosts, opinions, paranormal, thoughts, websites | Comments Off

    Teenagers becoming possessed after paranormal investigations. People becoming obsessed to an unhealthy degree with EVPs. Evil spirits coming through Ouija boards. These are just a few of the topics tackled by the Southern California Paranormal Research Society (SOCALPRS) on their website, Dangers of the Paranormal.

    The aim is to show the downside to ghost hunting. The situations are a tad bit extreme, wouldn’t you say? Now, most of us who have been on and conducted investigations don’t lie awake at night overcome with paranoia that something horrible will happen. More often than not, nothing happens. In the words of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman, “What, me worry?“

    In my 13+ years in the field, I’ve never been so much as slapped. Perhaps they’re afraid I’d slap back. Maybe I’m just lucky or put up a good defense without realizing it. My head hasn’t spun around and spit out pea soup. I’ve never been mauled by a demon dog. No vampire bunnies bit me. No hand has ever tried to strangle me through a television set. And the one time I used a Ouija board as a child, my sister moved the planchette to spell out a woman’s name of who I would marry.

    Oh, dear sister. How wrong you were…

    Does it mean there aren’t any concerns to be had? Hardly. Abandoned buildings and remote locations pose physical risks to health and safety. I’ve known people who have been temporarily possessed, had cameras smacked out of their hand, and been hit by unseen forces. Some of it might have been a bit of a stretch for me to wrap my brain around (especially the seemingly sane people who’ve told me their car was attacked by cults or Bigfoot, without any evidence to substantiate the claim), but I keep an open mind. If my best friend starts speaking in tongues in front of me, who am I to judge?

    At the same time, the horrific accounts you hear about on this and other sites are few and far between. If it really were so hazardous to your health, none of us would dare do it. More often than not, this is the most boring field to enter. You sit. You wait. Nothing happens. You doze off listening to 12 hours of blank audio tape. You spend $50 bucks to stay overnight at a “haunted” business and don’t even get a stupid t-shirt. The only time hairs raise on the back of your neck is when that creepy guy with the lazy eye won’t stop staring at you and breathing in your face with pizza-tainted breath.

    So, I may chuckle a little at the site. But I’ve known better than to stay in certain locations when I feel very uncomfortable. Maybe common sense has kept me in the clear for all these years. Yet it is good to err on the side of caution. Good judgment is sound advice. It’s better to know the extreme (and occasionally absurd) than walk into the field blind as a bat. It is my nature to find humor in everything. So when I come across a site listing dangers including “insomnia” (hey, I have that naturally), “unexplained financial difficulties” (you spent five grand on a thermal camera instead of paying a bill?), “arrest” (I told you not to trespass), and “mental problems” (I know people who qualified long before becoming investigators) among many others as hazards of the field, I can’t resist a little ‘tee-hee’.

    But on a serious note, there is good information to be found out there. The site has interviews with investigatiors, demonologists, and everything in-between. Here are some very good words of advice and answers from Chip Coffey’s interview. It best sums up my own thoughts on the field and I couldn’t have said it better myself (and yes, believe it or not, I have the ability to be serious on an investigation… sometimes):

    A Flame to Light Your Way…


    2009 - 01.26

    Posted in england, gay, ghost hunting, humor, paranormal, psychics, video, youtube | Comments Off

    A good many people take their ghosthunting seriously. And others… well, they can’t avoid finding the humor behind it all.

    Some of you who have watched Most Haunted may remember sensitive Ian Shillito from his appearances in Series 8. Now, the openly gay paranormal investigator has formed London Paranormal. The organization holds tours, gives lectures, and launched the ‘London Ghost Festival’ last year.

    But that’s not all. He is also the co-creator of a troop called the Scary Mary’s. And yes, they are what you think they are: gay men in search of spooks. Combining a paranormal show’s overuse of night vision with a healthy dose of laughter, it’s not your typical investigating. It’s all about the fun, the bits which normally end up on a cutting room floor. And with names such as “Wampy”, “Stella Bagwash”, “Waynetta Shillito”, “Pooh Bear”, and “Steele Magnolia” you can tell it’s all about the fun.

    Without further ado, I bring you an investigation of the pink sort at Harwich Redoubt Fort:

    Part I

    Part II

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