Whereas science would have contradicted such findings, debunked them even, it is now at the forefront of proving what people could only talk about once upon a time and be treated with suspicion and as outcasts.
Believing in the paranormal or the unexplained was always thought of as an 'other worldly' concept, that only other cultures, those more primitive or backward would even consider existed. As said, they would form the subjects of joking and ridicule by those who profess to be in the know and on top of everything. If there's no proof, it doesn't exist. Even after documented evidence, people still wouldn't, don't believe. Preferring to find other reasons for what may have taken place or of what they've experienced. Listening to their 'excuses' for not giving in and admitting they may have had a paranormal experience just makes them sound more ludicrous, non sensical and sometimes even grasping at straws. Peoples' superstitions breed suspicion by those who have no faith from the outset and closed minds. Feeling they are the voice of reason and sanity and that in today's so-called modern world, there is no room for such beliefs. Which is nothing more than a step back to the Medieval times and beyond. The world has moved on since then, or at least civilization has, and really there isn't that room for such doubts anymore.
The supernatural, paranormal has always been of interest to us, not cos we've actually had an experience ourselves, meaning my siblings. But our father did and that's why it's something that is close to us, but it's not the entire reason for believing. You may recall my Supernatural book for the TV show Dudes and Demons: An Unofficial and Unauthorized Guide to Supernatural (well the less said about that the better, wasn't happy with the way it turned out for many reasons) but if you've read it then you'll remember where I wrote about my father who had an experience. Which I didn't mention in much detail.
With so many myths, legends, urban legends, explored in Supernatural itself, especially the early seasons, it was bound to catch on. Building on our curiosity and the need to find out more. Separate the fact from the fiction and the myths and the legends from reality.
SO when Ghost Adventures (GA) came along, it was bound to catch on. (On Travel Channel in the Us and Really TV in the UK). I blame my sis for getting me hooked. For one thing it's done eps which have been mentioned in Supernatural, at least I've referred to the places in my book. Like Myrtles Plantation, which was alluded to in Supernatural episode 2.11 Playthings, along with the hotel being haunted by the ghost of a dead child. (The Hotel being similar to the one out of Stephen King's The Shining). This episode also featured creepy dolls for those who have an intense aversion to them, hey Zak. Don't watch this episode.
Dean: "Wow! This is a lotta dolls. Er, they're nice, they're not super-creepy at all..." Loving the sarcasm!
But I always said the nanny did it! Anyway, also rating a mention in my book, Dudes and Demons, was Carolands and Magnolia Plantation. Also covered in GA.
Also when I did research on the hauntings, it came up with the name 'Woodruffe' and not 'Winter' as mentioned in GA. Hmm...? [Goes back to books and Internet!] yes I was right it was Clark Woodruffe, he was the one who had the mistress, Chloe. Winter was the one whose daughter, Katie, died.
I think it's good to actually get confirmation of ghosts, spirits; something you've read about or heard of, given credibility. Hearing it from others and seeing it, reaffirms the fact that you're not crazy or still living in the days where anything remotely strange would automatically mean 'death by drowning' and be labelled an outcast, a lunatic or witch. Not that any justification is required for whatever people choose to believe in. We all have the intelligence (or at least most of us do) to make up our minds and decide for ourselves what w e believe in or what we don't. No one needs to make fun of it, or put others down.
Supernatural was ten years ago, GA was ten years ago too, or I should say, the documentary Nick and Zak and Aaron filmed was ten years ago; my father passing away will also be ten years this October, so even if some of us only just discovered the show like us, I guess there could be a little bit of fate involved in that too, or make of it what you will.
Funny though when watching some eps of GA how I always get a feeling of deja vu for some reason. I don't know, can't put my finger on why, but then I hear what some of their EVPs they capture are saying, the ones they can't quite decipher and it just comes to me, Everyone's said that and I don't know if it's cos I've got a good ear or something. Anyway, The Excalibur Nightclub/Bachelor Grove Cemetery ep when Zak got that EVP where they couldn't make out the first word, I am so sure the voice said, "Zak's coming." Well it didn't say, hack, ha. No, seriously it was that cos others have agreed, unless I was hearing things and no I didn't have Zakky on the brain either! Ha. Which in some ways could explain why they didn't catch anything in the nightclub itself. All the spirits were warned off. Even more likely since that's where Zak grew up and lived for a long time, going to high school in Chicago too. You may not agree with me, but I don't believe in coincidences, not anymore at any rate.
Maybe it's my day job (yeah as opposed to my night job, which is writing, ha) but I always seem to make such inferences or allusions. Just like the Remington Arms Factory when they inspected the factory during the day, but when they returned for their lockdown, that step on the stair was 'curiously' missing now, eg broken or whatever. I didn't view that as a coincidence since no one else was in the building. Anyway to me if you can't discuss, debate or tear to shreds what you've been watching, then there's not really any point in watching. For me, it's not about watching and then a case of 'out of sight or out of mind', or in through one ear or out the other. I have to question, draw inferences, that's just me. Otherwise I don't see any point in watching. That goes for anything I watch.
Did I tell you the funny dream I had about Zak (no I don't dream about him at all) maybe his voice. I think he has the most perfect, mesmerizing voice! It's so appropriate for his 'calling.' Very powerful and commanding, but at the same time, extremely reassuring too. Probably wrong use of words, but never mind. That's why I keep saying he should bring out an audio book of his NY Times best selling book Dark World: Into the Shadows with the Lead Investigator of The Ghost Adventures Crew by Zak Bagans and Kelly Crigger (2011) Or at least any audio book.
Anyway dream, yes that there were all these dolls around, miniatures in a swampy area like a jungle and he was surrounded by them, suddenly they weren't dolls but miniature people who somehow changed into multicolours! Oh and hey this was way before I found out about Zak's foray to Island of the Dolls (Islas de las Munecas) in Mexico!
I don't know, would you call things like that uncanny. Hand on heart that's exactly how it happened.
Strange, unexplained things do happen to people. The day my father passed away, it was like I almost felt that moment. Not almost, but actually did, even though I was miles away in Kansas. I felt a sudden pain in my heart (and no it wasn't indigestion!!) and that was unusual. Then got the feeling something was wrong. SO I called home, but there was no answer and I couldn't get a hold of any of my family. That was strange, cos it was a time when my mother would have been at home. I still get told by some that I didn't feel that or it never happened. But he died of cardiac arrest, so to me, that's something that did happen and is personal to me since it was most definitely at the same time. Which is coming up to ten years now.
Or the time I fell down the stairs at home, yes 6 steps, couldn't believe it. We've all fallen down the longer staircase, but not this one. It seriously felt like someone pushed me from behind, or my imagination on overtime, then our house isn't haunted, cos my mother has a sixth sense about these things, so maybe it was just one of those clumsy moments, not that I'm clumsy. Oh and no I wasn't wearing heels either!
"Trying to explain the unexplained can be a very hard thing to do. But when you can explain it that's when it becomes deep."
Perhaps this is a quote, rather it was one of Zak's tweets, which aptly also sums up the Goldfield Hotel and the Old Washoe Club, where there was paranormal proof of those spirits and strange goings on, even before the guys got there. It was ample justification for them for proving their theories and that the paranormal should and could be taken seriously. Even if sceptics will still shake their heads. Never say never right. I love the way that Zak always asks the pertinent question of " has that made you believe in ghosts now, or the existence of ghosts?" It's just giving so much credibility and confirmation to what they've been doing for years. Though someone one day may come out and say, 'no!' Re Union Station ep. Be they part of the stone tape theory, residual or intelligent spirits caught on film and EVPs, such findings can no longer be ignored or brushed to one side.
Yet even before their TV show, the best proof Zak, Nick and Aaron got was from their 2004 documentary they filmed at the Old Washoe Club ballroom and more specifically The Goldfield Hotel. They had nothing to lose and lots to gain. Nothing to prove to anyone that is, no money involved, no contracts. (Not that it ever was or still is about the money or fame!) It was just off the bat 'simple' investigation to show what they believe in. That when you look hard enough, long enough and in the right places, you will always be rewarded. Even if no one still believed at that time even after their clear capture of an apparition, there was still the credibility of their other investigations after that to build up on this one.
Someone asked if it looks like their show is staged, especially when you get Zak, Nick or Aaron being affected by what they're experiencing in their lockdowns. How can it be staged? Why would they stage it, it's ten years of credibility, and reputation that's been built up and to fake a show is to lose all of that. They are not the type of guys who would even contemplate messing up something that is so dear to them, especially dear to Nick's and Zak's heart. From his experiences in that Michigan apartment of his, which meted out his destiny and ours too, to a degree, in watching him fulfill and follow that destiny, to everything that came after was like everything was leading to all this phenomenal, definitive evidence!
A fave quote of mine: "I sent my Soul through the Invisible,
Some letter of that After-life to spell:
And by and by my Soul return'd to me,
And answer'd 'I Myself am Heav'n and Hell'." Omar Khayyam
Diner: "Waiter there's something manifesting in my soup."
Waiter; "Well let me spirit it away." Groan, or rather moans! (My joke, circa: school years!)
All joking aside, the show has gone from strength to strength and after ten seasons, it's still gripping. A huge thank you for making it what is is. Zak Bagans, Nick Groff, Aaron Goodwin, Billy Tolley, Jay Wasley and everyone else! This piece is dedicated to all those involved!
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