Sue Darroch and Matthew Didier's Paranormal Blog

Over the years we have contributed to numerous books, but I have to admit that helping out author Dusty Rainbolt with her book Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits was a lot of fun! This book provides some spooky chills, but speaks more to the tremendous bond between felines, and humans. Here is a snippet:

People who have spent a lifetime observing and interacting with cats will say that these amazing animals seem to possess powers - supernatural, psychic, or otherwise - that we can only begin to comprehend. But are they able to return from the grave as well?In Ghost Cats, the strangely heartwarming tales of cats who have refused to let death part them from their human companions are recounted in vivid and captivating detail. From the chilling "Demon Cat of the Nation's Capitol" to the delightful "Phantom Litter Box" to the touching "Poor Puss" of Stonehenge, there's a plethora of phantasms here for everyone. And what if you receive bedtime visitations from your very own dearly departed kitty? Author Dusty friend explains all the signs of a haunting and offers reasons why your freind has come back.A thrilling read for the cat and ghost lovers among us, and a consolation for those who have lost a beloved pet, this collection of stories confirms that these wonderful, whiskered creatures capture our imagination as much as they do our hearts, long after they have purred their last.

I really enjoyed this one, and do recommend it to our readers that are interested in animal hauntings ...

Each Friday we will have a look at the stories and experiences that have been related to us over the years that are amongst our personal favourites. These will include Crypto, Ghosts, Hauntings, UFO's, and other strange events that may be considered Fortean, from in around the Toronto, Canada area .... and since they are from our own personal files will likely not be found elsewhere on the web .... enjoy!

The following report was sent in by one of our witnesses...

"This experience occurred in my local church - I was working late in the church office one evening (about 10:30 pm). The office is on the main floor while the sanctuary is directly above. I was the only occupant in the church at the time. While working on the church computer I heard the distinct sounds of footsteps above me in the church sanctuary. It sounded as if someone was walking down the aisle in the sanctuary right above me! Just about that same instant I also began to experience a feeling of discomfort - that someone / something wanted me out of there ( I was just about ready to go home by this stage , so that didn't help the situation either).

Another similar experience occurred a second time also probably two or three years after the first incident I heard. The second time , another member of my church was with me (this incident occurred in the afternoon) and we both heard what sounded like footsteps overhead , and as before the church sanctuary above was unoccupied . When it occurred , he looked at me as if he had heard the sounds also , but for some reason , neither one of us spoke about it. If it happens again and the opportunity presents itself , I certainly will.

The church is a fairly old church - the sanctuary was built in the late 1800s , so who knows - maybe one of the former Ministers is still with us! Many people have passed through it over the years! It has been the scene of many weddings and funerals also so the possibilities of who might be haunting it ( if it is haunted at all) could be endless. The experience of hearing the footsteps above is one I haven't forgotten (especially after hearing them the second time), and although at this point I'm not actively seeking out an answer as to what or who is causing the phenomenon I will continue to watch and listen for more of it."

Our thanks to the witness for this report.

Do you have a real life ghost story, an encounter with a UFO, or other paranormal experience/s you'd like to share? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Post your own experiences in our comments section or send us an email. Please post only true life experiences ... we love good fiction, but there are other fantastic blogs out there to post fictional accounts to.

One of my fave UFOlogists/UFO witness sent me this video clip this morning, and I must admit I have been toe tapping ever since...

It's a fun song with definite paranormal overtones.

What are your fave paranormal themed songs? I'm always looking to add to my playlist ...

Hello dear paranormal readers, the following blog entry is a review of a company, and website that provides consumers with soccer equipment. I had the opportunity to visit the Soccer Goalz Inc.com, which markets items such as Soccer Goals through their website, and if this is a topic that might interest you directly please do read on...

The equipment provided at Soccer Goalz Inc.com is definitely suitable to young kids as well as adults who love the game. As I surfed through their pages, and items listed which includes Franklin Sports soccer goals, nets and equipment I did note the highly competitive pricing they have listed. The company definitely makes it worthwhile for the parents of soccer loving kids to check out in order to save some money! I should also note that they provide hockey goals as well.

The website is well designed, and very easy for consumers to use. There is an about us page that will give you far more detailed info on the company itself, and they provide shoppers with a safe, and secured online shopping experience.

If you prefer the convenience of online shopping, and are either into soccer or have kids that are into this fun sport please do check out the Soccer Goalz Inc.com, and do some comparison shopping.

Thank you to our sponsor.

It is rare that I have the opportunity to read some entertaining fiction particularly in regards to paranormal subjects. However, with Halloween (my fave holiday - surprise) fast approaching I thought I would treat myself, and get into the mood.

Ghosts Werewolves Witches & Vampires by Jo-Anne Christensen is a fun romp of fictional short stories that are based around actual reports. Very cool because these stories entertain me as a good campfire tale will, yet have enough ring of the believable to insure they do not force me to suspend disbelief altogether.

I'm about halfway through these stories, and so far have enjoyed them all. Definitely worth picking up or checking out from your local library.

Cheers!

Most of our readers, and paranormal enthusiasts in general already know that home renovations, or home improvement projects can on occasion stir up a lot more than just dust. In fact throughout folklore, and within our own reports these types of projects often seem to provoke a haunting even when the house seemed to be ghost free prior to the start of the renovations.

I have heard it all when it comes to do-it-yourself home improvement projects via people that have kindly sent in their reports to us. The worst being a couple who attempted to insulate attic space that had no clue as to what they were doing! It certainly wasn't a ghost or haunting that proved to be the horror story in their case, but the gross debris removal on top of an unexpected encounter with the family of raccoons that they had no idea prior to their project were now living in their attic!

Our organisation's motto is "Scientia Et Potentia" which is Latin for knowledge is power, and it really does hold true for everything in life including home improvement projects. If you are planning on a do-it-yourself project do yourself a favour, and check out DoitYourself.com, which is a terrific online community, and resource! They also have a "DoItYourself" DVD that would have definitely helped out the poor couple mentioned above, and their attic woes....

Just click on the links above to check them out, and if you are about to tackle a home improvement project best wishes!

Our thanks to our sponsor!

"This photograph was taken in 1963 by Reverend K. F. Lord at Newby Church in North Yorkshire, England. It has been a controversial photo because it is just too good. The shrouded face and the way it is looking directly into the camera makes it look like it was posed – a clever double exposure. Yet supposedly the photo has been scrutinized by photo experts who say the image is not the result of a double exposure.

The Reverend Lord has said of the photo that nothing was visible to the naked eye when he took the snapshot of his altar. Yet when the film was developed, standing there was this strange cowled figure.

The Newby Church was built in 1870 and, as far as anyone knows, did not have a history of ghosts, hauntings or other peculiar phenomena. Those why have carefully analysed the proportions of the objects in the photo calculated that the specter is about nine feet tall!"

Source: About.com

Happy Wordless Wednesday, and thank you for stopping by!

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

Why does this type of stupidity not surprise me anymore????

Read on:

GALENA TOWNSHIP -- A plan to hunt ghosts near Posey Chapel ended in the arrest of three Michigan residents late Wednesday night.

Shortly after 10 p.m., La Porte County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a report of three women arguing while walking down CR-1000N in Galena Township. Police found six people walking on the road. One male reportedly ran into the nearby woods.

Police chased Mark Poff, 47, of Three Oaks, Mich., into the woods and apprehended him. Poff was reportedly verbally abusive to officers and threatened them.

Poff and the others told police they were headed to Posey Chapel to look for ghosts.

Poff was arrested for resisting law enforcement, public intoxication and furnishing alcohol to a minor. James Peterson, 20, and Chelsea Rogmussen, 20, both of Michigan, were arrested for underage drinking. Police let the other three people go.

Full Article Here

And "we" wonder why very few take the study of ghosts & hauntings seriously ..

Each Friday we will have a look at the stories and experiences that have been related to us over the years that are amongst our personal favourites. These will include Crypto, Ghosts, UFO's and other strange events that may be considered Fortean from in around the Toronto, Canada area .... and since they are from our own personal files will likely not be found elsewhere on the web .... enjoy!

Private Home - Newmarket

The following was submitted by one of our readers...

"I thought I'd write and tell you about my experience.

I live in Newmarket in a 92 year old house. We purchased this house from a women I'll call Gertrude. Her parents had owned the house since 1939. When her Mother passed away she inherited it. She lived here from 1967-1997. I called her several times to find out some of the history of her family so I could pass it along to my children.

After a time, I found myself reading the local newspaper and noticed Gertrude had passed away. She was 90. After her death I noticed several times over about an 8 month period that when I was upstairs folding laundry (I have several small children) something would pass by the bedroom door.

I would just catch it out of the corner of my eye. But it was definitely a large shape. I always felt it was Gertrude checking up on her place. I had invited her to see the renovations when she was still alive, but her health kept her from visiting. Possibly she was visiting now?

Every now and then I feel her presence. Earlier this year I was sitting on the front porch late at night. I felt someone looking at me from the bushes. The bushes back on to a town flood plain so it's basically and open field past the trees. So I took a photo at 10 pm. When I developed the film there is a single globe over the corner of the old garage. I can't explain what it is? And this summer I took a photo of my youngest who is 4 . She was sitting in the most perfect August light late in the afternoon. Holding a tulip from the garden. When I developed these there is a fog over her as she sits on the porch. I took two almost identical photos in the same spot the first has no fog, and the second has this smokey fog over her? Your guess is as good as mine as what this fog is."

Our thanks to the witness for sharing her experiences with us.

Do you have a real life ghost story, an encounter with a UFO, or other paranormal experience/s you'd like to share? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Post your own experiences in our comments section or send us an email. Please post only true life experiences ... we love good fiction, but there are other fantastic blogs out there to post fictional accounts to.

In an odd bit of synchronicity as I was surfing about the net trying to take my mind off this nasty head cold that I am trying to shake I came across this news item re: Chris de Burgh being a faith healer.

Now this was news to me! And I'm going to try to find some more info on it. In the mean time I would love to hear your thoughts on faith healers in general. Would you seek one out? Do you think there might be something to it? Or are all faith healers deluded or charlatans in your opinion?

Leave us a comment ...

Image Credit: Wiki Entry

Today I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you gentle readers to the Super Media Store. This is an online company that is based out of California, and supplies everything from cheap Canon toners to blank CD DVD media products.

The Super Media Store has been in business for over five years now, and offers consumers a safe, and secured online shopping experience. They are a great way for paranormal groups to save money on these types of products! Shipping details, and further info can be found on their website, just click on any of the links provided to you within this entry.

Our thanks to our sponsor!

Today I am not feeling so well, and an old memory of being a kid with a bad head cold popped into my head. I remember being too sick to go to school, and grabbing a copy of Mary Shelley's book from my mother's book shelves. My first introduction to the monster....and I've been hooked ever since....

Happy Wordless Wednesday, and thank you for stopping by!

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

We are starting to think that it might be a good idea to relegate Sunday Smackdown to either once a month or perhaps only in those extreme circumstances when someone/thing really pisses us off! (Usually at least once a month - if not more often).

I mean how often can we bitch about "orbs" being very poor evidence of the paranormal, and that those who actually sell "orb" photos as proof of ghosts are just as dirty as the air in which these photos are taken ...

You dear readers are too smart to be taken in by phoney psychics, and ghost busters who will clear your house, remove a curse etc for money.

You certainly aren't going to buy certified UFO rocks, allegedly cursed dolls, or be taken in by other snake oil salesmen.

And I highly doubt that anyone with even the least bit of intelligence will believe everything they see/hear in the media when it comes to the paranormal. Lets face it the people who claim to be experts/professionals etc are the ones who must be questioned the hardest because it does not take a genius to realise there cannot be an expert in a subject that is unknown.

So with that said, look for Sunday Smackdown to be featured less often, but far more meaty when we do lay the smack....

And for those of you dirt bags (yeah you know who you are) who might be sighing a collective sigh of relief....forget it. As long as there are gun-toting ghost hunters, fake psychics, dumb "evidence" ....I could go on .... there will always be a smack.....

Each Friday we will have a look at the stories and experiences that have been related to us over the years that are amongst our personal favourites. These will include Crypto, Ghosts, Hauntings, UFO's, and other strange events that may be considered Fortean, from in around the Toronto, Canada area .... and since they are from our own personal files will likely not be found elsewhere on the web .... enjoy!

Overland Learning Center - Don Mills, Ontario, Canada

While finalizing plans for a ghost research class to be held at Overland Learning Center, a staff member approached me about ongoing activity at this location.

Overland Learning Center is near Lawrence and Don Mills and was originally a school. It was converted to adult education and esl in 1989. Originally the building housed Kindergarten and up at this time I'm not certain how old the top class was. There was also a daycare on the premises.

Activity seems to be that of a very young child. Near the front office is a blackboard with chalk. Chalky hand-prints have been found on the hallway floor and pamphlets have been left in disarray. Activity typically happens over a weekend or when the building is not in use for a long period of time. Staff members return to find the hallway a mess with fliers the witness describes it as 'fliers covering the entire floor'.

No children are in the building these days. Occasionally a child will accompany an adult to an esl class but the class is held in a different wing of the building and the child would never be unsupervised.

On one occasion, staff was on strike and entered the building to use the washrooms. Chalk marks were found in the front hall when they entered the building.

Legend suggests that a child died in that location when it was still an elementary school. Confirmation of this has not been obtained.

Witnesses report there are no malevolent acts or feeling associated with these events and staff are comfortable working on the premises at all times. No apparitional activity has been reported.

The witness began working at Overland in 1991. He recalls that the site supervisor has documentation of hand-prints on papers; in fact has the original paper! This report will be updated after an on-site visit to the center.

Our thanks to Robin Bellamy and the witnesses for this report.

Do you have a real life ghost story, an encounter with a UFO, or other paranormal experience/s you'd like to share? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Post your own experiences in our comments section or send us an email. Please post only true life experiences ... we love good fiction, but there are other fantastic blogs out there to post fictional accounts to.

Regular readers of this blog will know that each Wednesday for almost a full year now our dear friend, and colleague Chris Laursen has been writing the Weird Wednesday feature. This past week Chris has started back to school, and while he transitions back into academic life he will be taking a break from his column.

Chris has promised to come back in a few weeks with some new material, and until then please do read over the 40 plus Weird Wednesday articles in our blog archives.

Congratulations to Chris, and hope to see you back here soonly!

Sue & Matthew

Here is the text of the email that made the rounds with this bogus pic attached:

"The guy in the photo went to the Sundarbans with his friends and he asked one of his friends to take his picture in that very place. While his friend was taking the picture he screamed and fainted, 2 days later he died in the medical college. Doctors said he died because of heart attack. When the photos were exposed, in the last photo there was a lady standing right beside him though friends claim that he was standing alone. Many people said it is a rumor and the picture is the result of the blessings of latest technology. However, the photo itself is very scary and I'm sure you'll also feel the same way I've felt. Here you go with the photo!!!"

Now pass this linky along to at least 10 people in your address book or you'll die too .. LOL!

Happy Wordless Wednesday, and thank you for stopping by!

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

Image Credit

The investigative report Pure Fraud should be required reading by all paranormal enthusiasts, and especially anyone who is considering paying for a ghost clearing. Here is a snippet:

The house, set back off a private country road in Davie and ensconced in old palms and high-reaching tropical vegetation, has a Sunset Boulevard feel to it. Its dual chimneys seem as if they come from another time and place. The water in the junior Olympic-sized swimming pool is stagnant and green. There's a stillness in the air that suggests abandonment.

Inside, though, lives a once-wealthy blond widow, and she talks of how much she loves living there "almost like a hermit." Teresa Carlo, who describes herself as a spiritual person, loves the privacy of the place, which allows her to sunbathe au naturel and live life precisely as she pleases.

But during the past two years, the bulk of her fortune has been lost, and the 4,200-square-foot home has fallen into foreclosure. Carlo expects to lose the house and the 2.5 acres it sits on, just as she has lost about $850,000 in cash, half a million dollars worth of jewelry, and a new $76,000 special-edition Lexus convertible coupe.

All of it — the "mother lode," as she calls her lost nest egg — went to author and con artist Regina Milbourne, whose book Miami Psychic was released last year by publishing diva Judith Regan when she was at HarperCollins.

Full article here

The article goes on to list other people who were also allegedly swindled by phoney psychics, and con artists. Believe me this is not just a US problem, but several similar scammers operate right here in Canada as well. The reason they can continue on is that people once taken are too ashamed to publicly admit they were swindled because they were afraid of ghosts or believed they were cursed.

I give a lot of credit to the people who came forward in the above report if only because they may just prevent someone else from being conned.

For further reading on what to do if you believe your house needs to be cleared of ghosts, and free real alternatives to potential scam artists click on the link.

Each Friday we will have a look at the stories and experiences that have been related to us over the years that are amongst our personal favourites. These will include Crypto, Ghosts, Hauntings, UFO's, and other strange events that may be considered Fortean, from in around the Toronto, Canada area .... and since they are from our own personal files will likely not be found elsewhere on the web .... enjoy!

This reader submission has been one of my favourites received so far this year - 2007. I will let the witness tell you Annie's story....

"My parents purchased this house in 1974, the home was originally built in 1896. It's a three story stone house originally on 100 acres. Our first question when viewing it was? Did anyone die here! No was the reply. To this day I don't believe anyone did.

I'm an only child, I never used to think anything about walking around the property at night ( others would think I was daft, but I never worried) I'm open to possibilities of many things, and I don't always think there is a logical explanation, if it's not right in front of me.

In 1990 my husband and I were married at my parents home. My father died in 1995, and my mum took ill (at a young age of 62) and was placed in a chronic care facility. It wasn't till I came back to the house in 1998 as a single woman with 2 cats,and the 2 dogs that things started to happen

One day, I was on the lawn tractor, it was a Sunday afternoon in 1998 I had five acres of lawn to cut, so I was getting to it. I was at the front of the house, and I stopped cutting, I didn't get off the tractor, but I stopped ( I don't know why) and I was just admiring the house, it's really a magnificent home.

It was like out of nowhere.. a figure dropped and or appeared and was walking in front of the house.. towards the gazebo and the pine trees..

I sat on my tractor seat, and watched..gob smacked and speechless. It was a woman, middle-aged, in a black dress, long with a hat and her hair appeared to be drawn up at the back, like in a bun or just attached into the hat. dark hair, and very pale complexion. she had on black boots, or a dark shoe I don't remember now if she was holding anything...

Regardless she was just walking along, but it was like she was going somewhere.. and then she was gone. I looked at my watch and it was 2 pm and it was Sunday. Didn't know if that had any bearing, but.. it was a bit unsettling.. I continued to cut the grass, hung out, fed the dogs... and went to bed. I told my friend what happened when I got to work the next day.

Another day I was in the kitchen I never opened the windows .. so there wasn't any air whisking by. I was near the side door ( which was closed in was in the morning around 9 am, and it was like someone walked by me, you know that movement of air? I just chalked it up, to "the lady in black"

I'm a gal who goes for the occasional tarot reading etc. and when I was at one, the seeker told me that her ( the lady in black) name was Annabelle, or Annie, and that she was the lady of the house, and that she wasn't there to harm me, that she was visiting.. She suggested I do " duties like washing the dishes, etc., and she may appear". she also said you may catch a scent of lavender or roses, that will be her? ( I thought that was a bit weird) or she'll come around when you are working in the garden, or kitchen duties. I felt better after that, and from that point on, I called her Annabelle when ever I felt her near by.

Many things did happen though, and that being arm caps on chairs moving, a door opening and a glass taken out and dropped,
a plate rack falling off the wall ( but the plates didn't break) Oddly enough it wasn't until my friend (from work, and mentioned above) and I were doing some stuff at the house, we had been working hard, had dinner and it was very odd but if things happened in the house, when I had friends over, it was always happening with the same two people, the friend from work, and S. The occurrence of anything odd, didn't seem to be viewed by anyone else.

My friend went to get up, and head to the bathroom, when the table that we were sitting in front of just flew and smacked into the brick BBQ! My friend looked at me, and said, "They don't like me here"..

She stayed that night, and we got up in the morning, and she had to head off home back to Toronto. I was still tired, and I thought I'll just lie down in my daughter's bed. This was the bedroom I had growing up, it's above the living-room its the bedroom in the bay window that facing the road. I was drifting off to sleep.. you know you close your eyes, and (for me, colours and hints of light were churning, it was like I was watching something but my eyes were closed. It was a large mass of grey dark grey, and it was rolling like a storm cloud and it turned around, it was the face of the woman that I saw walking across the lawn when I was cutting the grass, and she looked at me, and it was like I shocked her, or surprised her, because the expression on her face was that of shock, horror.. and I immediately screamed myself, because she scared me too!

I sat up and I looked at the clock it was 2 pm and it was Sunday. After that, I made sure I was never home at 2pm on a Sunday..

There were days that I thought my daughter was calling me, and I'd being responding and she's say I didn't call you, the same thing would happen with her she'd come in from outside, really surly and saying What!.. I would look at her, and say what what? I didn't call you?

If the cat could have talked we may have got some info, as he I Believe, was a first hand believer.. Even the dog didn't want to be left there... so I believe it to be true that dogs and cats have a sense about this type of phenomenon.

It wasn't until later on that I did indeed do some looking into the original owners and his wife's name was Annabelle, Annie as she liked to be called. I didn't do that till 2001 or so. I sold the house soon afterwards and the man that purchased it, I never told him about "her."

I wonder some-days if she's still there, I do believe that she was there to look out after me, as I never remember anything really odd growing up there, I really miss that house, and Annabelle, I think about her on Sunday afternoons..

I've been known to drive by that house, and say take care of things Annie."

Our thanks to the witness for this report.

Do you have a real life ghost story, an encounter with a UFO, or other paranormal experience/s you'd like to share? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Post your own experiences in our comments section or send us an email. Please post only true life experiences ... we love good fiction, but there are other fantastic blogs out there to post fictional accounts to.

On the first Weird Wednesday of each month, Chris Laursen reviews exceptional films, television series, visual arts and music that have imaginative paranormal themes. He introduces us this week to an all-girl new wave band who in 1982 did a very catchy tune about hysteria and demonic possession.

Haunting Visions | September 2007
“The Devil Lives In My Husband’s Body” by Pulsallama
by Chris Laursen

In the early 1980s, girl groups rocked New York’s East Village, giving a beat-happy new wave kick that was both artsy and gritty. The bands had names like Shazork, Das Fürlines, Frieda and French Twist – they were glam, they were sassy and, judging by their spectacular costumes, big hair (or wigs) and make-up, they probably inspired many future drag queens. One of these memorable though not well known all-girl bands was called Pulsallama, and they took a clever swing into paranormal satire in 1982 with a little college radio treasure called “The Devil Lives In My Husband’s Body.”

It documents a suburban housewife’s worst nightmare when her husband starts making barking noises. In a post-1950s throwback to seventeeth century New England Puritanism, there can only be one explanation for this behaviour – Beelzebub himself must possess the poor man! What’s a girl to do but call on the witch next door to cure him?

I’m not sure if any members of Pulsallama took courses about the witch hunts in early modern Europe, but their song has several historical truths in it. For one, especially before and during the Reformation, common folk still used cunning men and women who used magic to cure ills and resolve problems, even if the churches preached against such actions. In the song, the suburban housewife does just that, asking the witch next door to lend a helping hand. No doubt there are people who still use magic today in cases that seem to be reminiscent of possession.

The twist at the end of the song in which a medical doctor diagnoses that the husband has Tourette Syndrome also has historical basis. When people were afflicted by mental illness before such things could be diagnosed medically, problems ranging from epilepsy to dementia could be construed as demonic possession. At times, an unpopular neighbour might be accused of cursing the ill person, and a witch trial would be conducted. What could not be explained was determined to be of supernatural origin, and illnesses indicated some form of malicious conjuring was being used to harm the ailing individual.

So keep these facts in mind as you get a rare chance to enjoy this East Village underground classic!

Pulsallama were Jean Caffeine, Kimberly “Princess” Davis, Stace “Timbalina” Elkin, Dany Johnson, Diana Lillig, Ann Eleanor Magnuson, Lori “Bubbles” Montana, Miss April Palmieri, Charlotte Slivka, Min “Bonefinder” Thometz, Ande Whyland and Wendy Wild. “The Devil Lives In My Husband’s Body” was released as a 7” single released on Y Records in 1982. Press play below to listen to the song!

Happy Wordless Wednesday, and thank you for stopping by!

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

Image Credit

Exciting news from Glasgow University, which will begin offering courses on ghosts, and hauntings this Fall. A refreshing step forward in the legitimacy of this topic as a valid, and relevant field of study that is unfortunately rife with charlatans, and wishful thinkers. Read on:

High spirits on campus are more usually associated with student union bars than lecture halls, but one of Scotland's oldest seats of learning is offering classes studying spooks, poltergeists and demonic possession.

Glasgow University will start running a course in psychical research next month, which aims to show that supernatural phenomena do occur.

The paranormal study group is the brainchild of veteran academic Professor Archie Roy, 84, whose pre-eminence in the field of astronomy has seen an asteroid named after him.

Full Article From The Scotsman Here

Awright folks, this may sound "self-serving" to a degree because Sue and I have never hidden our want to be on the radio doing a paranormal show... and LORD knows we have the material... but it isn't.

Nope...

This rant is about Sue and I as "consumers" of media... people that watch TV and, more importantly for this post, listen to the radio...

Quite frankly, in Toronto right now, PARANORMAL RADIO PROGRAMMING SUCKS!

This is not only our opinion... but in straw polls at gatherings, we ask... and many share our view.

Sure, we get the big American national show... and have a "Toronto-Home-Grown" show... but the American national show's format is all over the place... and the "big three", Ghosts, UFOs, and Crypto get really short changed as most guests are either shady new-agers or conspiracy theorists.

Is it TOO difficult to... oh, I don't know... GO TO THE BOOKSTORE and see who's written what... and perhaps understand your subject... after all, you're supposed to be BUILDING a show here... it'd be nice if you KNEW and UNDERSTOOD your topic.

What so odd is listening to these shows, the bulk of their call-in guests are wanting to relay their ghost stories or UFO sightings... and yet, they still almost exclusively book "military experts" (who's military records are questionable), shaky-new-age people who seem more interested in "selling" things that are bordering on fraudulent if not outright frauds, and in those rare occasions they have a show on "the big three", they seem to find the most... um... well, let's just say, with very few exceptions, their guests suck.

They have cemetery-stomping ghost-hunters... tinfoil-hat Ufologists... and whacky naturists-cum-big-game-hunter crypto people.

What's sad is the plethora of good people that are out there... who either WON'T get asked to be on a show or WOULDN'T do a show because of it's past... or the hosts personal issues.

...but here in the big smoke of Toronto... it's "Big American All-Night" show... or Toronto-Show with guests that are personal friends AND YES, even relations of the host.

To be honest, it sucks... and a vast, untapped market awaits for the station manager that visits his or her proctologist to have their head removed from their butts to see this.

Much as I was not a fan of being on shows with a psychic doing readings and whatnot, I knew the crowds loved 'em... but again, did a host bring on a GOOD psychic regularly...? No... they went with a "store-font" one more often than not.

It's ALL so maddening... because I want to be enlightened... I want to be educated... I want to be entertained...

I've HAD IT with little choice and those choices insulting me and their audience.

I don't care if we're ever "on" the show... there's HUNDREDS of good guests... good topics... good radio...

...but as long as you continue to ignore your audience... and they have little choice but to listen to you, music, or endless "Leafs" programming in Toronto... why should you worry, right?

Just keep troughing out the crap... sadly, too many have little choice but to eat it up and pretend to be happy... Better than nothing I 'spose.