John C. Fowler – Page 23 – Midnight Watchmen

I’m Alive

Diablo Cow King

It’s funny how when you look back on your life and think “how did I get here?”, or maybe more importantly what led me to this point. The highs, the lows… all part of what defines us. I’m thankful for what I have whether its slim pickings or when I feel like a rich man. Some personal issues lately have led me to retrace my life choices. I thought is there one defining moment that led me to become a paranormal investigator and how has that choice changed/challenged me?

As far back as I can remember Ghostbusters of course caught my attention, but its not that simple. Shows like In search of…., Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World, Unsolved Mysteries captivated me, hell any mystery always has. Even though some of the shows were outdated even as I discovered them in the 80’s, they had a impact to opening my mind to what ifs. I remember one of the first books I read by choice was a ghost story one my dad had. I also remember digging through his book collection for other books on what i’d later refer to as paranormal, found a few that I still have today (Shh, don’t tell… lol).

As a kid I dreamed of becoming a “Ghostbuster” lol to the point that flash forward to my Uncle’s Chet’s funeral that my cousin made the comment something to the effect that I followed my dream. I had to laugh because i’m not quite busting ghosts, but I could be called a parapsychologist in the vein of Dr. Venkman…

I’ve been trying to hard my whole life to not forget where I come from, where I’ve been or who has influenced me. Part of me is still that shy kid who grew up in Hatfield, Pa. The other part is the one that has talked at Delaware Valley College doing lectures on the paranormal. I keep saying to myself i’d never have thought this possible when I started and that is true. I can be very quiet which is funny because at times I won’t shut up… those who know me well have seen that first hand (both good and bad).

I guess the point of my rambling is that one never knows what is next in life. You only fail at life by not trying. I’ve been through per verbally heaven and hell in the last 6 months, but only thing constant has been my drive to follow my dream. It started as all I wanted to be is a Ghostbuster, then morphed into actually becoming a Ghost Hunter exploring local haunts and legends, eventually starting this website to document what we found, then stepping up to a Paranormal Investigator and starting www.paranormaldictionary.com. Now… well that’s fun part…. because I don’t know whats next…. And while G.I. Joe taught me “knowing is half the battle”, the excitement of seeing what happens next and who i’ll meet that’ll change & challenge me is the other half….

Peace,
Cedric
[email protected]

Paranormal Q&A with Joe Kline (Chapter 2)

Who are you?

I’m Joe Kline, one of the founding members of the Paranormal Encounter Documentation and Research Organization, or P.E.D.R.O. for short.

Do you believe in Reincarnation? Who do you think you were in your past life (or lives)?

I personally believe it to be a possibility, but I don’t think I’m sold on the idea.

What are your thoughts on Para Unity?

We personally work with other groups all the time. It’s a good way to keep up on the latest theories and gadgets. Do we always agree on everything, of course not, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things that we can learn from each other.

Have you ever investigated a Church? What are your thoughts on this?

Not an active church, no, but an abandoned ones and ones that have been repurposed. If the owner of the site is open to it, I say go for it.

When having a joint investigation with another team(s), how do you select the team(s) or members of other teams that you invite?

Usually it’s just whoever is available at the time. We’re always open to new people and new ways of looking at things.

What do you tell someone looking to join a team, what should they look for or ask?

We usually tell them to research and go on an open investigation so they know what it’s really like.

Any advice to a group just starting out?

Be open minded and respectful. Enjoy what you’re doing and don’t investigate anywhere without getting proper permission first.

Do you think it’s important to share findings with others in the paranormal community?

Yes, absolutely. They may give you insights into possible explanations, also it brings more investigators to a site. The bragging rights are pretty nice as well.

You run across a team that you feel gives a bad name to the field. How do you handle the situation? Do you confront them about it?

Usually we keep our distance. It’s not our place to police the paranormal and groups like these usually don’t stick around for the long haul at any rate.

Do you feel it is important to do a background investigation on the location (land/building) that you’re going to investigate?

Definitely, how else can you substantiate your evidence. A disembodied voice saying “I’m George Washington!” means nothing unless you can prove that there’s some connection to the place you’re investigating. Historical relevance of data decreases the chances of something being dismissed as coincidental.

Paranormal Q&A with Joe Kline (Chapter 1)

Who are you?

I’m Joe Kline, one of the founding members of the Paranormal Encounter Documentation and Research Organization, or P.E.D.R.O. for short.

Explain your Methodology?

We try our best to remain scientific while not taking ourselves too seriously. We investigate because it’s something we enjoy doing and we do our best not to forget that.

Favorite Haunts?

The Villisca Axe Murder House in Villiasca, Iowa; The Belvoir Winery in Liberty, Missouri; The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri; Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky; and the entire town of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, especially The Elms Resort & Spa

Personal Experiences?

The strangest one for me was being straddled by something invisible in an old brothel we were investigating, although in all fairness I kinda asked for it since I had thrown down some money as a trigger object.

Why did you get into the Paranormal?

I had an intense paranormal experience at a young age. Myself and three others witnessed a full torso entity in broad daylight, it frightened the others, but I was intrigued and began getting every bit of info about the paranormal I could get my hands on to understand what it was that I saw.

What’s next?

We’re definitely going to be doing investigations for a while. We’re working on our second book and setting up more public investigations for the future.

Do you think that paranormal shows (radio/TV/Internet) give groups a bad reputation?

Yes and No. While the popularity of these shows has made it easier for people to understand what we do, it also sets up some high expectations. The shows don’t tend to show the fact that a lot of the time nothing happens. In all fairness, I think the fiction stuff, like Paranormal Activity, is probably the worst offender in this department.

Who is the person in the paranormal field you look up to the most or want to be like?

For most of us in the group it’s probably Tory Taylor, head of the American Ghost Society.

Have you made a page on www.paranormaldictionary.com?

No, not yet.

Name some Random Facts about you?

At 25, I’m probably one of the youngest people that does this professionally, and I’ve been doing it for over ten years. I love doing this kind of work, especially the public investigations where we get to share the experience with other people.

Are you a skeptic or a believer?

I’m kind of both, as odd as that sounds. I believe, but at the same time I try to be analytical about things. I want to know that any evidence I present is authentic and I have ruled out every other possibility beforehand.

Paranormal…. Wrestling?

Wrestling's - "4 Horsemen" — Wrestling’s – “4 Horsemen”

Paranormal's - "Fort Worth Paranormal" — Paranormal’s – “Fort Worth Paranormal”

I’m sure the title of this has royally either has you interested or turned off but bear with me as the world of “professional wrestling” and the paranormal are not that far off… Again i’m sure some of you reading this are going “WTF!!! Are you crazy?”, while I admit that it may not be far off it will make sense in a few just stick with me.

Paranormal and Wrestling probably seem totally different to most people, but in reality and with a closer investigation will tell you otherwise…. Both Wrestling and Paranormal have a huge fan base and followers! That is the simple and easy to see part now lets dig deeper, shall we? There is always another rock layer to be found to any thought process….

In wrestling you have huge promotions that used to be regionally based, for example the North East region was PA up to NY areas and South West was like southern California areas. Paranormal groups to have regions too… We have groups that are “bigger” like T.A.P.S. is mostly New England area, SJGR is Philly/NY/NJ areas and beyond, etc. Now Nothing is stopping any group wrestling or paranormal form doing their thing in other areas they are just more based out of these areas and have a stronger presence in their home “turf”. Paranormal is starting to become the same way groups are getting bigger with lots of local ones and a few regional ones.

Stables in wrestling were powerful groups that joined together to cause havoc or save the day… We have that in the paranormal as well with larger groups like TAPS Family or Ghost Adventures Crew, which “unites” smaller paranormal groups with the more well known team.

Wrestling has the legends that came before the current superstars, paranormal has the same thing. Wrestling list is long.. Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Freddie Blassie, Andre The Giant, etc. Paranormal has John Zaffis, Harry Houdini, Hans Holzer, etc. They’ve influenced what came next as the new generation will do the same endless cycle.

Now the for me the most important similarity… Whats seen/perceived by people and whats actually happening on TV/SHOW/INVESTIGATION! Wrestling plans out the event/show like like the paranormal does for its investigation/hunt. What’s seen on TV is not everything that happened which is true for both. There is behind the scenes things in the wrestling and paranormal that do not make the “air” so to speak. Setting up how the match “works” for wrestling and the true review for paranormal investigations/hunts.

In the end their are allot of similarities between wrestling and the paranormal, maybe that’s why SYFY has both wrestling and paranormal shows… or maybe its just a decision to make the most money.. .who knows its a business…. And we all know business’ make some unique choices to stay on top… hey so do paranormal groups…. well that thought might be for another blog… another day….

Peace,
Cedric
[email protected]