What happened to making NEW Halloween specials?!

I'm assuming if you're reading this "haunted blog" or came from my Haunted Travels web site you too love the Halloween season. I look forward every year to an increase in books, movies and TV shows on the paranormal, especially ghosts and hauntings. However, it seems that each year the specials are the same ones from the late 90's, taken from the vault and dusted off. Here's hoping that this year maybe there will be some new shows.

There's big buzz around the movie "Paranormal Activity" that's coming out in very limited release. If anyone's seen it, care to share an opinion? No spoilers please!

Ghost Lab

Wow, how disappointing was the new ghost hunting show, Ghost Lab?! They threw around lots of scientific sounding theories, phrases and techniques, but when it came down to it they didn't show us anything different from other shows. What they did and and their results actually seemed lacking rather than more thorough than other ghost hunters on the air.

Their throwing around the phrase Parallel Universes and Era Cues not only got very irritating, but their understanding of each and how they relate to each other and to ghost hunting seemed very superficial. (For a fascinating read about parallel universes and how it relates to hauntings read the book Psience by Marie D. Jones.) One episode of this show was enough for me.

for another lengthier (and well written) review go to http://gnostalgia.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/my-first-at-ghost-lab/

EVPs

Anyone else out there getting tired of International Ghost Hunters' obsession with EVPs? It seems like their technique of choice lately. Whereas Jason and Grant's investigations used it at times, this team seems to always have their trusty mini recorders on and asking questions. The strangest aspect to this is that many of their investigations are in countries where the deceased they're trying to communicate with wouldn't know English!!! I find also that their EVPs are even more vague than usual and yet they think they're clearly saying what they want to hear in them.

Personally, I have always been very skeptical of EVPs. There are so many air waves carrying radio, TV, cell phone, and computer communications it would surprise me if a tape recorder left running didn't pick something up. The day an EVP has a voice speaking clearly in sentences relaying information very unique to the situation/question I'll be impressed.

Has anyone gotten an EVP that is clear, is more than a word or two and is specific to the situation? What do others think about this technique as a tool for investigating the paranormal?

I like the TV show Ghost Hunters but I wish they'd.....

In general I enjoy the show Ghost Hunters on SciFi Channel. I appreciate many aspects of the TAPS group. Their approach of scepticism while hoping to get something that can serve as evidence of a haunting is an attitude I share. While I definitely believe in ghosts and hauntings, I do think that many sounds and occurrences assumed to be ghosts have another explanation. Another aspect of their investigations that I REALLY appreciate is the lack of talk about demons and possession!

However, I do have a short list of things that I'd like to see done differently:

1. Could they have SOME low level light during the investigations? Since the ghosts are seen/heard during the daytime by their hosts pitch black is obviously just for "good TV." It's very frustrating to hear an investigator say "I just saw something down there" and point down the hallway in front of them and we can only see the 3 feet their flashlight illuminates.

2. Could the videographers actually swing their cameras around the ROOM now and then, especially when the investigators say they saw something "over there" instead of always being on the investigators' FACES?!

3. With the budget they must have by now, could they get more cameras? Which also leads to....

4. How can anyone analyze videotape for visual anomalies that may be subtle when they are watching 4 tapes at once on a split screen. They should have more human viewers or take more days to really analyze their findings.

5. And last, but not least, one night is not enough to declare a site haunted or not. I would like to see the group spend two nights in each location to really create a better chance of experiencing something and catching some evidence.

Although the show (for me) has these shortcomings, I do enjoy it and think it is far and above the best of the ghost investigation shows on TV.

Any thoughts?

Ouija Boards

When I was young ouija boards were a part of many sleepover parties. Now there are warnings throughout paranormal articles, books and TV shows about the dangers of using one. The predominant opinion seems to be that they can "open a door" for evil spirits to come through. I guess it's best to take the "better safe than sorry" approach. Although my experiences never resulted in any horrific or lasting results, it seems that others have had very negative experiences.

Are ouija boards' movements performed by spirits at all? Could most or all of the answers from beyond be from our own subconscious? If previously unknown facts are offered, couldn't ESP be a factor and the board a vehicle for the psychic ability of an individual?

If anyone has any ouija board experiences to share or thoughts about its validity and how it works, please comment!

Ghost Hunting Groups

It seems like there are more regional paranormal investigative groups than ever, and more springing up all the time. Are any of you starting your own ghost hunting groups? Looking for like-minded people to start one?

Information on what tools you use and how you get clients would be interesting. Also, feel free to let the rest of us know about any of your unusual experiences.

Welcome

Hi, welcome to my Haunted Blog. I hope you've enjoyed my web site with places to visit, and reviews of books and movies. This is a place to post thoughts and share responses.

Some of my general opinions on the paranormal: I believe in ghosts and also in ESP. I do not believe that "orbs" in photos are ghosts or spirits and I also do not believe in demonology. The book Psience is the most fascinating book I've read lately about the paranormal and I am so excited that people are starting to think that quantum physics may hold some answers that explain what we now call paranormal events.

You can email me your stories and experiences and I will "paste" them in here as posts so others can read them. Again, welcome and feel free to share your thoughts!