The Occult Section

I’ll admit, I’m totally jealous of these two – they get to look for all the famous ghosts, while most of us are reduced to searching for the “normies.”  I suppose someone’s gotta do it though, and why not Robbie Williams and Meat Loaf? Also, can we just talk about how this article informally refers to Meat Loaf as just “Meat.” AWESOME.

Yeah…this kind of happened….

SUPERNATURAL nut ROBBIE WILLIAMS would do anything to spot ghosts and UFOs.

Now he’s got a new pal to help him do that – MEAT LOAF.

The pair have known each other for years and Meat is planning to take Rob on a hunt for CHARLIE CHAPLIN’s poltergeist.

He said: “Robbie should absolutely come ghost-hunting with me. There are so many places to go – we could head to the old A&M recording studios in LA. They think Charlie Chaplin’s down there.”

Meat, who starts his farewell tour in Newcastle on April 5, believes his body acts as a ghost doorway.

He said: “There are people they say are conduits, who are more open to it, and so this stuff’s been going on since I was a kid.

“I’ve seen my mother after she died and my grandmother. I talked to my mother, and she talked back.

“And I’m not crazy, but people would think, ‘He’s crazy’.”

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Michael Jackson’s “ghost” has been getting a lot of media attention lately. In a desperate attempt to stay relevant post-MJ, the Jackson clan is claiming that his ghost is haunting their California compound, going so far as to tap dance around the house.

CNN: Journalism at its Finest

Latoya Jackson is convinced her late brother Michael is haunting the family compound in Encino, California after a spooky chat with one of her mother’s bodyguards.

The singer-turned-reality TV regular has learned of a series of strange events at the home and she’s now certain that the King of Pop is still making regular visits.

And it’s all thanks to a curious minder, who can’t explain the weird things that he sees and hears.

Jackson explains, “He says it happens so much. Every single night the dog barks and he looks up at this certain window… I said, ‘That’s where Michael’s bedroom was, that’s where he stayed.’

“He barks at a certain time every night and he just keeps barking and looking at it… and then over in the other section of the house, he (minder) says that he hears someone tap dancing.

“Michael did that every Sunday for two hours straight; he would do that to keep his adrenaline going.”

La Toya goes on to say she has consulted with a psychic (not the psychic we have recently spoken about) who has given her some peace related to her brother.

Jackson admits she was so intrigued by the family bodyguard’s tales, she called on a top psychic to try and reach her brother, who died in 2009.

She adds, “I was like, ‘If Michael wants to talk, if he wants to tell me something, I want to know.’

“He (psychic) didn’t know that I was coming, he didn’t know it was me… I wrapped myself up and had on glasses, so he wouldn’t know it was me, and he started telling me things and he knew right away… When they tell you something personal that you and your brother only know… then you’ve gotta say, ‘OK, this is really good!’”

And Latoya admits her chats with the psychic, she calls A.J., have helped her find peace after previously insisting her brother’s death was no medical accident.

She explains, “He (psychic) knew about me wanting to really know what happened, and he said, ‘Michael wants you to just rest and move on with your life…’”

La Toya…we ALL want you to move on with your life…

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I’m all for Bigfoot research (and I blogged about the Falcon Project a few months back), and I can get behind almost anything that will further that research. I’m just not sure PBR and guys with guns running through the woods looking for Sasquatch is the best of ideas…

Oh yeah, I like this idea…

OLYMPIA, Wash., April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — In an effort to highlight the proud histories of both Bigfoot and Olympia Beer in the Northwest, Olympia Beer has partnered with world-renowned Bigfoot experts at The Falcon Project to sponsor what may be one of the most comprehensive searches for Bigfoot ever conducted in North America. A grand prize of $1,000,000 will be paid to any person who finds “irrefutable evidence” of Bigfoot’s existence in compliance with the contest’s official rules. The yearlong contest launches this week.

“We have been operating in the Northwest since 1896, so we know firsthand how important Bigfoot is to the people here,” says Evan and Daren Metropoulos, owners of Pabst Brewing Company and Olympia Beer. “In addition to our desire to spur scientific discovery in partnership with The Falcon Project, we’re also simply encouraging people to get outside and have some fun.”

According to the contest rules, there is no set type or amount of “irrefutable evidence” required to establish proof of Bigfoot. All evidence presented must satisfy the three member judging panel convened by Olympia Beer and The Falcon Project. Evidence must include conclusive DNA evidence and visual proof of a live physical body. Visual proof of footprints, bone fragments, inconclusive skeletal remains or any other non-definitive evidence of Bigfoot will not suffice as “irrefutable evidence.” Any photo or video taken of Bigfoot is not sufficient to qualify as evidence in and of itself, but may be considered as supporting evidence.  The awarding of any prize is subject to the official contest rules.

If Bigfoot’s existence is indeed proven through the contest, the grand prize winner will be paid in 40 yearly installments of $25,000. The annuity is being underwritten by SCA Promotions.

The Falcon Project is an organization that was convened to conduct the most in-depth search for Bigfoot ever conducted in North America. According to The Falcon Project, science tells us that a great North American Ape did exist at some point in the past, so the relevant question now is: “Does it still exist?” The Falcon Project is in the process of building a quiet, remote-controlled airship that will use thermal imaging technology to search Northwestern forests for evidence of Bigfoot. In support of its research, Olympia Beer has provided a $5,000 grant to The Falcon Project.

Similar to countless migratory and endangered species research programs, Olympia Beer and The Falcon project hope to conduct scientific observations of Bigfoot and then use the information collected to protect the species and preserve its way of life. Neither Olympia Beer nor The Falcon Project encourages or condones the attempted capture or containment of Bigfoot or any other form of wildlife. Any contest participant that demonstrates intent to harm Bigfoot or any other species will be disqualified from the contest, publicly shamed and referred to law enforcement officials.

More information about the contest can be found at www.olympiabigfoot.com, including news of participants’ progress, a map of recent Bigfoot sightings, live social media feeds and official contest rules. Participants can join the conversation by using the hashtag #Olympiabigfoot on Twitter and Tumblr, by following Olympia Beer’s Facebook page and by posing search-related questions to bigfootevidence@olympiabeer.com.

I am glad to see that they are at least trying to discourage people from killing or capturing a Bigfoot (even though that would probably be, at this point, the only real evidence that will convince the world). It will be interesting to see where this goes…

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Not sure how I missed this announcement, so I’m glad I’ve been able to watch a bit more TV lately (well, more than the regular none) and was able to catch the commercial and subsequently program my DVR. I’m not a big fan of most of the current paranormal shows, as they basically all feature frustrated actors running around pretending to find evidence of ghosts, Bigfoot, UFOs, or whatever, but I do enjoy the old-school shows, where they simply feature first-hand accounts, reenactments and experts in the field weighing in.  So I am definitely (yet cautiously) optimistic about the new Destination America show, Monsters and Mysteries in America.

Pope Lickmonster? Didn’t he just retire?

Mysterious shadows. Screams in the night. A hair-raising sense that something is watching. Stories of the unknown capture our imagination and curiosity in Destination America’s new series MONSTERS AND MYSTERIES IN AMERICA, premiering Sunday, March 24 at 10 PM E/P. From all across the country emerge tales of close encounters with legendary creatures, from horrific monsters and ancient spirits to alien sightings and unexplained paranormal phenomena. Thirty percent of Americans believe that a beast such as Bigfoot is living in our forests*; in a quaint Montana town, reports of an elusive lake serpent have persisted every year since 1889; last year, UFO sightings were reported in 36 of 50 states in one week alone.** Featuring first-person accounts with everyday people who believe they have come face to face with real-life folktale fiends, MONSTERS AND MYSTERIES IN AMERICA travels our country’s untamed wilderness to tell of its storied past.

Each episode focuses on a different American region and features stories of people who claim to have encountered creatures of local legend. The first two episodes include:

Appalachia premieres Sunday, March 24 at 10 PM E/P

• Sheepsquatch (Breckenridge County, KY) – The border between southwest Virginia and West Virginia is an area shrouded in mystery and folklore, but few mysteries are more unusual and intriguing than that of the Appalachian white beast known to the locals as Sheepsquatch. Dakota Cheeks and his best friend Ricky Joyce become prey to the legendary white beast during a weekend hunting trip.
• UFO/Little Green Men (Kelly and Hopkinsville, KY) – One quiet summer evening in 1955, the Sutton family farm is invaded by unexpected visitors. The family is hardly prepared for what they encounter – a small, green creature with glowing yellow eyes, about 3.5 feet tall with pointed ears and long arms raised high in the air. And he’s not alone. At first, the family is captivated by this transcendental moment… but evil quickly takes over.
• Mothman (Point Pleasant, WV) – An innocent drive down a country road turns into a nightmare for Faye LaPort and her siblings as they come face to face with the legendary Mothman. Sightings of the Mothman began in 1966 and continued for more than a year, electrifying and baffling the entire region of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Although the hype has died down since then, the sightings have not.

Pacific Northwest premieres Sunday, March 31 at 10 PM E/P

• Sasquatch (Sierra Mountains, CA / Olympic Mountains, WA) – Within the region’s dark, tightly packed interior, wildlife is so abundant that it’s become the rumored home of an elusive wild creature known as Sasquatch. Many adventurers are drawn to these mountains in hopes of encountering the famed hairy giant, but some confront the monster purely by chance, like Justin Smeja who encountered a family of Sasquatch during a routine hunting trip.
• Shanghai Tunnels (Portland, OR) – Deep underneath the city of Portland lies a maze of underground tunnels. At one time, they were used for transporting goods between businesses and the Willamette River, but recently the possibility of a far more sinister purpose has come to light. Residents claim these underground chambers remain turbulent from the horrors that took place a hundred years ago and visitors claim to see spirits and phantom wolves.
• Flathead Lake Monster (Flathead Lake, Polson, MT) – Resting on the edge of the Pacific Northwest region, Polson is a quaint lakeside town with a mysterious monster resident. For decades, people from all around the world have flocked to Flathead Lake in the hope of spotting an elusive aquatic creature living below the surface. Sightings occur every year, dating all the way back to 1889. Skeptics have questioned the authenticity of these sightings, but to those who have seen it, this monster is very, very real.

Other episodes will features mysteries in the Ozarks, Badlands, Bayou, and Desert.

MONSTERS AND MYSTERIES IN AMERICA is produced by M2 Pictures for Destination America. For M2 Pictures, Mike Sinclair is executive producer. For Destination America, Fay Yu is executive producer, Sara Kozak is SVP of production, Marc Etkind is SVP of content strategy, and Henry Schleiff is president and general manager.

I’ve got this series all set to record, and will definitely be giving it a chance. Hopefully it’s not over-the-top shlock like pretty much everything else having to do with the paranormal right now. Here’s to hoping…

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Yes, yet another celebrity is claiming to have seen a ghost. But like most paranormal experiences, I really feel like this one has a rational explanation, to anyone with half a brain, or anyone who engages in critical thinking of any kind. I’m not sure why this story insisted on italicizing all of the “I”s in this story, but, there they are.

Yeah, I could have used any photo of her, but I really liked this one for some reason…

True Blood star Kristina Anapau saw a ghost while filming new movie Sighting at a haunted winery in Sonoma, California.

The actress, who plays fairy Maurella in the vampire drama, portrays a writer/director on the hunt for real spooks in the new film – and she found one while relaxing between takes.

She tells Wenn, “The winery that we shot at is said to be haunted for real… We were filming in an old house on the property and I was feeling really tired whenever I was in this house. I couldn’t understand why. While they were doing one of the set-ups (preparing), I went into one of the bedrooms that wasn’t being used to lay down.

I felt like I was floating and I looked around and I did see the golden outline of a female and I started communicating telepathically. It was all super-positive. She was upset that people were in her place and she moved about the room and I said, ‘Why don’t you just stay in here. They’re (members of the film crew) not in here.’”

Anapau was shaken out of her other-worldly chat by her call to return to the set, but before she got back to acting she asked a prop guy to help her confirm the presence of a ghost.

She adds, “We had ghost monitors on set that measure electro-magnetic frequencies and I said to the prop guy, ‘Are they real or are they just props?’ He said they were real and I said, ‘Bring one in here a second,’ and we stood in the doorway and it was at zero and I said, ‘Let’s walk over there…’ to where I saw the outline, and the thing (machine) just spiked to the other side.

“I told him what I thought I‘d seen and his eyes got really wide. He kinda freaked out.”

The encounter with a ghost left Anapau feeling extra special for the rest of the day: “I felt so great and light and happy after that. It was a great experience. I walked out and I knew what everyone was feeling and was able to speak to them accordingly.”

The vast majority of ghost stories I’ve heard over the years involve people experiencing the paranormal right as they fall asleep, are sleeping, or are waking up from sleep. You know, that thing all of us humans do every night where we dream. So hmmm, what could be causing people to see ghosts while they are sleeping? The problem is, people are poor eyewitnesses at best. Throw sleep into the mix, and it just opens up a whole Pandora’s Box of issues. I personally have had some very freaky experiences while falling asleep, but I don’t count them as paranormal. Were they? Who knows? It’s entirely possible. But it’s much more likely that my brain was starting to dream. Sound weird? Check out sleep paralysis.

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