One of the most important discussions we had on Erie County Paranormal Blog Talk with Deonna Kelli-Sayed was concerning regulation of the paranormal investigation field.

The burgeoning interest in “ghost hunting” has led to the formation of many disreputable groups that take advantage of clients through lack of knowledge and false or misinterpreted evidence. These groups are springing up everywhere creating a need to police them.

While organizations like TAPS - The Atlantic Paranormal Society have gone to lengths to approve of “family members” based on technique and practice, they are not likely to monitor the activities of the members as the organization is not set up to do that.

One of the suggestions we came up with was a union or paranormal investigation guild where qualifications need to be met. In order to remain a member, one would have to uphold certain standards. They would be “bonded” and perhaps insured. dedicated to be a honest, upstanding ghost hunter. This would protect prospective clients from a bunch of teenagers who call themselves ghost hunters, who trash their home and raid their fridge in search of paranormal sandwiches.

It would also protect clients from a group that comes in an finds demonic entities everywhere they hunt. Imagine the terror of being told you have a demon under your child’s bed when it is more likely Grandma coming to visit the grandchild she never had to opportunity to see in life.

Then there is the controversy of charging fees to investigate. The most reputable investigators do this free of charge as a service to the community. Their organizations subsist on fundraising and personal contributions. It’s a labor of love. Once money comes into the equation, there is pressure to prove a haunting, pressure to remove any discovered entities. There are no guarantees with the spirit world. It’s an unknown quantity. We really have no control, nor can we make claims that we, as investigators, can do anything about it. Thus, it’s best to leave cash out of the equation.

I’m not sure how this will evolve. But, I bet there will be movement to create a paranormal guild in the near future which will help standardize the field and research. It may even further our understanding of that which we are seeking.

Food for thought!

Tj

I’m sure you all noticed I was not on top of the blog this mornings. Between an early dental appointment for incisor cleaning and a need for some r&r, I’m finally coming around thanks to some “Invigorate” tea from the Himalayas. I presume it’s made from Yeti hair… though it tastes loads better than one would imagine.

Wayne Dyer graced me with a quote this mornin’ which instigated a full belly laugh.

“Don’t ‘pole vault over mouse turds.’”

In other words, keep it simple.

I am storing up energy to join the Erie County Paranormal Blogtalk crew, Frank Grande and Jerry Thompson for some paranormal laughs with Deonna Kelli-Sayed of Haunted North Carolina. She is a TAPS family member who actually appeared on one of the original episodes of Ghost Hunters. She is currently working on an interesting book about the new fascination with paranormal and its effects.

Join us tonite at 10pm EST - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ghsthunter346

Tj

Ahhhh, today’s comic… There are many methods of encouraging spirits to speak with us. As always, I recommend being NICE. It goes a lot further down the communication line than bludgeoning someone.

Many of you are familiar with goofball show that came out last fall, Extreme Paranormal. These fruitloops took out power tools, hollered and carried on attempting to elicit a paranormal reaction. Of course, this was over the top… hence Extreme. 

I just want to remind all of you that ghosts are people too! You’d be locked away if you came at the living with a chainsaw… We may need to legislate harrassment of an astral being as a reason for lock-up as well. Perhaps a metaphysical order of protection is in order?

Point to ponder!

Tj

BTW: Catch Barry FitzGerald of Ghost Hunters International today at 3pm EST  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/psi-fi-para-radio/2010/02/05/barry-fitzgerald–ghost-hunters-international
AND Join me on Saturday with Erie County Paranormal for a blogtalk with Deonna Kelli-Sayed of Haunted North Carolina - TAPS Family member! 10pm EST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ghsthunter346

This past week we lost a literary giant. JD Salinger, author of The Catcher in the Rye”  decided it was about time to go home, so he did. He was in his 90s, so I guess it was about time.

Salinger was noted for being a recluse, shunning the public who so reverred his work. I thought it would be fitting to draw him out of seclusion for one last time. It is rumored that there is a lot of work of his to be published posthumously. What better way to promote it than on Entities-R-Us as a ghost! Ouija Nite is good for something!

Enjoy the tribute! (Salinger is sure to haunt me over this one!)

Tj

Today’s comic is about the cold spots that ensue when a spirit sucks the energy out of an area leaving it quite frigid. Of course, this is quite energy inefficient! I can prove that…

Yesterday I experienced just that at work. Mind you, I spend a good chunk of my day attempting to debunk the possibility of paranormal - however, I was left with an unexplained cold spot that seemed to be right behind me when I cartooned.

The small gift shop I work in provides me a steady income and an opportunity to just sit and draw comics when there are no customers. It is in the heart of Rhinebeck, NY, an old town with lots of history concerning the Revolutionary War, plus old settlements and Native American activity. The possibility of ghosts lurking is quite real.

Off and on over the past few weeks, I have experienced a cold spot that appears behind the counter where I’m at. Sometimes there is a draft, even though all the doors are shut and the heat is off. It seems to hover around behind me when I work. Yesterday, I was layered up good - clothing-wise. The heat was at 65 (my preferred temp). But, it was FREEZING behind me! I cranked up the space heater and aimed it right at it. It didn’t budge. I cranked it up even more to the point where it overheated and shut down. Eventually, after heater was off, the cold dissipated on its own accord.

I have not explanation for this. I will take my EMF detector and digital voice recorder to work tomorrow to see what I come up with. At the very least, I have a ghost who is quite interested in my comic strip… perhaps he/she wants to be a Guest Draw? If I can get an identification and a confirmation, I WILL Guest Draw the ghost! That would be a first…

Happy Hauntings,

Tj

I do a fair amount of spiritual reading. And this quote popped out today, even though I’ve read it before. Suddenly, at that moment it had meaning.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”    —Lao Tsu

Thus is my journey creating this comic and growing its success.

Perhaps you can apply this to your own goals, dreams…

Tj

I would like to thank Lester for his generous donation to help keep this comic going. Every bit helps move this along. People don’t realize the efforts that go into a web comic. I do it because I love it, because it makes people laugh.

My book is in the editing process right now. I’m looking forward to putting something physical in your hot little hands for an evening read, or whenever you kick back with a good book.

Spreading great paranormal humor is a worthy life purpose!

This is for you folks! Enjoy it!

Tj

Sunday will feature Brandy Green, the case manager for Ghost Hunters International Paranormal TV show. I met Brandy through Erie County Paranormal’s BlogTalk Radio show. She is quite the professional with a good sense of humor - humor enough to let me draw her into an Entities comic!

Don’t miss the new season of GHI!

Enjoy! Eat Cookies! Hunt Ghosts!… at least from your armchair.

Tj

The totem pole came out of my old comic strip, In Spirit. It rested on the land the main character Woodsworth owned and was part of the ongoing haunting. Notice it holds a beer can… The original one did also, along with a cigarette in a holder much like Hunter Thompson would sport. In fact, it was a tribute to that crazy journalist and his artist sidekick Ralph Steadman.

Steadman is one of my favorite illustrators of all time. His work is amazing and amazingly crazy! Oh, if I could draw with that kind of intensity… this comic strip would probably explode.

Check out his work: http://www.ralphsteadman.com/

And, when you get the chance, read The Curse of Lonoby Hunter S. Thompson and illustrated by Ralph Steadman. It’s insane! AND, try Gonzo Porter beer (if they still make it)… it’s a tribute to Thompson to raise money for a sculpture in the desert of his characteristic fist logo, a symbol of the Gonzo Journalism he invented and lived.

We’ll, I’m Gonzo for the day… back to my book. SOON YOU’LL HAVE A COPY IN YOUR HOT LITTLE HANDS!

Tj

I am looking for your thoughts on the characters - which are your favs, funniest cartoons, funniest topics.

This will help me plan for my stint at Queen City Paracon in Cincinnati on April 9th. I would like to know what sort of Entities-R-Us products you would like to buy. If you wanted original drawings, which ones would you like? Who would you like me to draw and sign?

These are all part of my research to figure out what you fans like best. I appreciate all of you and your thoughts!

Thanks!

Tj

P.S. Which of your are going?!