• About the Author
  • Archives
  • Categories
  • Return to Queer Paranormal
  • Archive for the ‘halloween’ Category

    Crawling Out from Under…


    2009 - 11.02

    October is finally over. And somehow, I managed to survive. Sure, I slept away the entire first day of November, but my body was trying to tell me something, aside from all these aches, pains, and utter exhaustion that still floods over me. I feel as though I’ve been thrown in a washing machine with a few dozen boulders. And my throat feels like I tried swallowing a grapefruit.

    Boy, you’re probably thinking, sounds like he sure had a fun Halloween! If only that were so. If fun involves being too exhausted to focus energy on anything for more than 5 minutes, trying to nap and failing miserably, battling the cold weather of Ohio, watching as half the people you know face automobile problems, and ending it with phone calls to police and hospitals, panicked that a family member has been in a serious accident (or possibly dead)… then, and only then, would I say yes, it was fun.
    That does make it sound like I had the worst month ever, though. And I can’t say that. I’ve met and spoke with wonderful people, traveled extensively, made new friends and contacts, and found a few times to smile and laugh genuinely. Still, there have been difficult moments. And some people have been left by the wayside as my time has been horrifyingly limited. I’m still only in the beginning phases of catching up, so hopefully I can, at least in part, make up for the many blunders and changes that’ve happened in these short few weeks. Only time will tell.

    I do need to get back to business here on this blog too. I’ve had one guest blogging offer already, which pleases me to no end. Any time I can have a few people take over for a brief time and post some interesting, amusing, or humorous tidbits in keeping with the intended purpose of this blog, it’s greatly appreciated. As one man, trying to write these posts along with other articles all over and future book projects, it can be difficult finding the time to remember that my own life is often kept on the wayside. I love to write on here, don’t get me wrong, but after a few years of posting far more regularly, I do need a break. There are people out there I want to have some actual time with and trips I need to make or plan. And to top it all off, I have a severely difficult project on the horizon: writing a sequel to my book. It won’t be easy, that’s for sure… but I want to do it and refuse not to do it.

    So, as the weather gets colder and more dreary here in Ohio, we’ll see what happens with my cabin fever as we head into winter. One year of so much traveling and interesting adventures will certainly make matters worse. And when the first snow flies in the coming month or so, I’ll probably have more time for blogging… but long for the world outside that is frozen in place until the spring thaw.

    (Un)Dead Man Walking…


    2009 - 10.01

    Welcome to October… or, as I prefer to think of it, that time of year when suddenly everyone thinks about ghosts, ghouls, and hauntings only to forget about them after Halloween. Those of us dealing with the dead generally feel it’s “just another day at the office” and sometimes scoff at the sudden interest. Although there is one exception to it being like the rest of the year: everyone wants you to be everywhere at once for the whole 31 days.

    Honestly, I haven’t had what you might call a laid-back October in a few years now. I miss the days when Halloween was something to look forward to instead of the last night and a mile marker for that next chance to take a deep breath, kick off your shoes, and relax. But this is what I’ve chosen, because I love the paranormal. So I won’t complain… though I might try my best to find mild ways of enjoying myself between gigs.
    And this month is going to be action-packed for me. I’m gone to Cleveland this weekend to conduct an investigation at a haunted place, followed by an appearance on The Kode ‘N Nyte Show on NRR Radio on Sunday to talk ghosts, have fun, and give away a copy of Queer Hauntings. Then I have a few days of down time, hopefully having coffee with a friend, before taking my great adventure east to Salem, the Witch City!

    Thankfully traveling via Amtrak again (I love rail travel… so relaxing), I’ll be arriving in Boston on October 8th where I’ll meet with Jeffrey Justice, who has been tirelessly helping me plan events in Salem for my week-long stay. I don’t have a full schedule yet to give you all, but you can be sure I’ll be poking around town, popping up in some of the expected (and more unexpected) places. If you happen to be in the area, check with your local bookstores and see if I’ll be popping by… I know Cornerstone Books is on my list for the 15th!

    Although it is mainly intended to be a “business” trip, that doesn’t mean I’m not planning on enjoying myself. If money permits, I’ll be having a nice celebratory beverage at some night spot with Jeffrey and I’ll be taking plenty of photographs throughout my stay. I”m even planning an excursion to a haunted New England site as research for the sequel to Queer Hauntings (yes, I’m already working on that slowly). Perhaps I’ll take a few interesting photos and have a little contest here… letting my dear readers try to guess where I was.
    After I arrive back in Ohio on October 17th, it’s off to Dayton for another busy week with friends, followed by a ghost tour. Perhaps I’ll stop to breathe around the 24th before the month crescendos into Samhain, or All Hallows Eve. All the while my laptop will be with me. During all my excursions, I should be letting everyone know what is happening and updating things accordingly. There is no guarantee I’ll have time to post daily, but at least I’ll do my best to share my experiences with you all.

    Closing in on Queer Phantoms…


    2008 - 10.27

    We’re in the final stretch now. Only four more days until Halloween (or Samhain, if you prefer). It’s a week of ghosts and goblins for many of us. Of course, spooky things are a year-round focus. But this is the time when the average person pays closer attention. And that includes the media.

    Today, Edge New York is running an article. Yours truly had the pleasure of being interviewed about Queer Paranormal and discussing a bit about the concept of it and my current focus. Reporter and comedian Scott Stiffler also chatted with a few haunted places to get their own take on the queer side of the supernatural. Perhaps a few more New Yorkers might stop by Urge Lounge this holiday season… for spirits of a different variety.

    The article, ‘Are There Gay Ghosts?‘, is available online now and will be available on all of Edge’s partner sites across the country.

    And remember… if you go out to party this week at any bars or clubs, or even celebrate All Hallows Eve at the home of friends or family, keep an eye out for anything unusual. Not all the spirits around you may be costumed guests or bottled vapors. You might be in a haunted building without realizing it…