Investigate/Educate!

Being a paranormal investigator is very akin to being a social worker or a teacher of sorts. So, it's not surprising that a lot of investigators have day jobs that include such work.  Most people believe that investigating the paranormal is a lot of gadgetry, scary dark corners and talking to the dead.  But in all honesty, investigating takes people skills, coaching skills and extremely advanced communication skills.  You have to be able to adapt to less than desirable conditions and deal with clients that are scared, sad, manic, troubled, confused, angry, nervous, needy, apprehensive and most of all looking to you for answers.  And sometimes, there are no answers to be given, only reassurance of the most basic principles of the paranormal....YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR HOME.  You have the power and you get to decide who and what resides there.  

I cannot tell you how many investigations I have been on where the homeowners are startled by this fact.  And honestly, this is probably why our group stays so busy. But it is our job to educate people about what they are experiencing and how to cope with it.  It is easily one of the best parts of the job. 

Okay.. enough of that. Now for some fun news... Miss Paranoise herself has just RSVP'd to the Haunted America West Coast Paranormal Conference in San Diego!! This will be my first ParaConference and I am so excited, because this is a really good one that has been going on for 15 years and this is the first time they have had it on the west coast! Looking forward to blogging about my experiences there! If you are interested in joining me, you can click here for more info. 

But, that's not all!  Looks like I might also be taking another trip down to So Cal in November for a Nightwatchers event on the haunted Queen Mary!! API is the Northern California rep for Nightwatchers, a public paranormal group that does public investigations in famous haunts.  I am REALLY looking forward to this one and should you want to check it out too... here's the link! http://www.nightwatchersevents.com

Now, go out and enjoy this unusually cool and amazing August day... 

xoxoJeannielee

time after time

Oh little blog o' mine. How I have neglected you.  It's not that I haven't been writing though. I feel like that is all I have been doing these last few months! From publishing the latest issue of API's newsletter and designing new brochures, to taking on new projects like the TAPS Family Newsletter, and even writing new songs for my band, Ahoy!.  I have definitely been running my engines full throttle lately.  My health has not been all that great either, so blog...here is my apology. "I promise to write something in you at least once a month for the rest of the year, no exceptions!" In fact, I am going to set myself a reminder to do so on the 13th of every month. Ah, lucky 13.

As far as insights into the paranormal, I'll be honest with you...I don't really have any right now! Except to say that I am looking forward to getting out from behind my computer screen and back into the field to investigate.  Oh to sit in a dark room with a flash light, a voice recorder and a camera rolling. To feel a chill run up my back, to hear footsteps in the next room, to see a flash of light.  To get that rush of adrenaline, when you're scared to move, but you do it anyway.  Ah, there's nothing like it.  in.the.world. 

While our group mainly investigates private residences, where that sort of excitement doesn't always happen, sometimes we get the opportunity to investigate a public building or property.  Investigating private homes is mainly for clients who need help.  We are not there to have our own experiences, but to gather evidence and assist the clients.  Public buildings or known haunts, on the other hand, can be used for research or trying out new equipment and truly trying to connect with the other side.  I have been craving an investigation like this lately and hopefully, we will have one on the books very soon. :) 

In the meantime, I will quench my thirst for experience by reading of others tales.  In fact, if you are interested in checking out this quarter's issue of the API newsletter, it is all about the rich tradition of storytelling.

 Click here to check it out. 

Okay, break over. Back to brochure creating... 

xoxoJeannielee