14 April 2008

One Tired Ghost Hunter

Yesterday was post-free because I was recovering from an all-night ghost hunt. The location is old with much history... and a ghost who wanted to play rather than show itself. After a long night of wandering through rooms and the outside coupled with the quiet, mind-numbing viewing of monitors and event-logging, I was facing down the 4AM decision of whether to crash in my sleeping bag or to leave with the other 10 group members to an adjacent building where a spirit had been taunting other members throughout the night. Of course, I'm going in. Head lamp on, digital voice recorder at the ready, I marched in with the rest, as if going into battle. We let the spirit know we were there, en-masse, and there to stay. There would be no intimidation unless it was from us and we would take nothing less than total communication and co-operation from it.

After an hour of watching shadows flit and hearing intermittent knockings in response to our questions - knockings that could have been explained by the building settling, I was finished. I was tired, I was hungry, and I wanted action. I stood up and said, "I'm done. I'm tired of you acting the coward, scaring and intimidating us and others who pass through here. I want you to show yourself to me, talk to me, and do it now, because I'm over it and I want to go the hell home with evidence of your cowardly presence." I boldly walked to the back of the darkened room where shadows had been seen and, shaking like a leaf from fatigue and adrenaline, I stood there. Behind me, J.D. replied, "Yeah! I'd listen to her if I were you!"

I couldn't believe it! Here I was, third-ever ghost hunt, provoking a spirit, the unknown, possibly pissing something off that could cause me and mine harm by following me home and scaring the bejeezus out of my family! And then, as I stood there, all tired and hungry 66-inches of me, egging on whatever it was that was probably quietly watching me, I wondered what it will be like for me? What if I become trapped on this plane after death? Misunderstood and scaring the living, unintentionally becoming the scary story parents tell their kids during slumber parties, flashlight to chin, little girls screaming and hiding under their covers? Could I someday become the spirit that a future ghost hunter provokes to "come out of the shadows and face her!" And if I am that spirit someday, will I appear and apologize or will I continue to hide, giggling in the shadows, waiting for the next unwitting person to frighten?

I realized all of this and shakily returned to my seat. Adrenaline gone, hunger and extreme fatigue still there, I sat down, bowed my head, and quietly listened to my fellow ghost hunters continue the session. Thirty minutes later, as the sun's rays turned the dark, starry sky to a bright orange, I trudged back to my sleeping bag and pillow for a quick nap before the long drive home.

I have a lot to think about today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.

13 comments:

RiverPoet said...

It's definitely thought-provoking.

When I was a teenager, I had "paranormal" occurrences happen in my bedroom closet. The people who lived there before us had a severely mentally ill son who had lived in that room. He used to sit high up in the chinaberry tree and throw the berries at his sister and I, laughing maniacally. After moving into that house, I found myself wondering if he had left a nasty imprint on the house or if he had been driven nuts by the presence. There was definitely something wrong in that room.

My grandmother claimed (quite seriously) to have seen the ghosts of her dead children and of her dead husband as well as angels and Jesus Himself! She was extremely religious and well-grounded (though she believed the earth was flat and that Hollywood concocted the moon landing).

I don't know what to think about ghosts. Are they just memories a place has? If so, how does that explain contact between ghosts and humans? I don't know. It's definitely food for thought. Personally, I believe that I'll either go on to live another life on Earth after this one (unless by some fat chance I become enlightened before my death). I also believe that life on Earth is the "hell" of which people speak. To be free of the uncertainties here would be Heaven.

Peace - D

Avitable said...

So you heard knocking in direct response to queries? That's pretty cool.

Why wasn't your group willing to venture in the back where the shadows were? I'd think that would be exactly where you'd want to be.

Anonymous said...

I think this is so cool that you get to do this.

My dad used to work in a cemetery and people would record crazy things there at night.

The house I grew up in was haunted. It was inhabited by soldiers during the war and my sister's bedroom was the "sick room" at the top of the stairs. We moved when I was 12, but I had dreams/nightmares about the house throughout my life...until it burned down a few years ago. Creepy.

Gypsy said...

Lookitchu, taking on the big bad. I'd have run screaming, I think.

Not Afraid To Use It said...

The other week LittleBird, completely out of the blue, mentioned the angel on our roof. Uh-huh. We'll have to talk about that one on the phone. I wasn't too pleased about what she told me bc it really scared her. I mean, I believe her. But fuck with me? Fine. Don't you dare scare my kids.

.:| Melissa.Mizladytaz |:. said...

The paranormal thoroughly fascinates me, but it also scares the bajeezes out of me too!! I watch those shows on TV, and then I freak myself out, because of it! LOL

I have lived in two homes that were "haunted". The first place, it was something bad. The house had a bad aura about it, and bad things always happened there with all "couples", including my ex and I, in that house. I heard, on many a late night, foot steps going back and forth on the front porch. A wooden front porch, and there was never anyone there.

The second was haunted by my ex husband's grandma. Nothing scary at all. And funnily, she only came around during the day, that I ever noticed. Weird, I always thought. Until my ex sis in law told me that she (grandma) was an early riser and early to bedder, and that pretty much explained it. For me, anyway. She'd randomly throw butter knives onto the floor from off of the kitchen counter, and flip the light switch on and off in this one room. Once, only my daughter and I were home, and we heard the back door open, and then shut. No wind that day, and the door wasn't prone to opening and shutting by it's self or anything like that. It closed well, and secure. I was waiting for one of my boys to walk through the house, but nothing. I looked at her, and asked her if she heard the door, too? She said, yes, that she did. So, we both got up and "investigated". Nothing there! *shrugs* We chalked it up to Grandma!

For some reason, watching things about the paranormal, during the day, doesn't really bother me. At night though, I'm a bit freaked, as I sit, glued to the TV! LOL

I'm not sure if this house I'm living in currently is, or not. Sometimes I think it might be, but, I could just be freaking myself out! LOL No matter, I always tell "it" to "Go away, and leave me alone! You're not wanted here!" ... That usually makes me feel better.
But, to out right provoke a spirit to communicate with me. *shudder* Um. No, I think I'll pass! LOL

I'm very interested in hearing your stories about the investigations though!! :0)

Lori said...

I am so jealous.
You lucky, lucky girl.
I know that's how I would like to spend a Saturday night!
(Or any other day of the week)

-A confirmed Ghost Hunters, Ghostly Encounters, Paranormal, Scariest Places on Earth addict.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I could ever ghost hunt. Not that I have a fear of ghosts or anything, but in the dark of the night, I think I would be pretty spooked.
My dad passed away when I was 17, and I had some experiences of feeling his presence in the first couple of years after his death. Nothing that I could really explain properly to anyone else, though.

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

Fab - But? I'm a bigger bitch than he is a mean ghost. So there!

Momma - See, I never had paranormal anythings until my dad died 10 years ago. Probably a good thing, too. I would have been scared shitless.

Avitable - Exactly! That's why I went to the back of the room. Pussies...

MommyCosm - Oooooh, cemeteries are so friggin' cool.

Gypsy - I would have had your back. No probs.

NATUI - OMFG! I'm so coming up to your house with some equipment! We've got to figure that out!

Melissa - Honey, that's why I listen to my recorded EVP sessions during the day! Less of a creep factor.

Lori - You know? Go to the TAPS web site (www.theatlanticparanormalsociety.com) and look for one of their affiliated groups in your home state. If they're looking for new members, you could be in, baby!

Mrs. Mustard - I also had experiences with my father's residual haunting after his passing. Spooky yet comforting at the same time!

we_be_toys said...

Ghost hunting sounds like it could be a lot of fun, all except for the no sleep part!

I've often wondered if having a bunch of people all together in a haunted place isn't counter-productive to ghosts wanting to show themselves. If you think about it, the best sightings are often witnessed by only a few people.

Can't wait to hear what you found!

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

we_be_toys - I think having a large number of people is counterproductive. But it's fun, too!

Lori said...

I am about to demonstrate (for the eight billionth time) my utter geekiness.
I have the TAPS website in my IE Favs. Oh, and the GhostHunters page on SciFi Channel.
I just haven't taken the next step to find a local group.
Now I think I may have to!

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

Lori - Geekiness duly noted and thoroughly welcomed. Take that step, girl, and get to ghost hunting!