As
the coordinator for the Paranormal Track of the Comicpalooza fan convention, I
am responsible for developing interesting programming related to ghosthunting
and similar subjects. For the past few years I have done this in conjunction
with two great Houston-area groups, Dawn Paranormal and the Pasadena Paranormal Research Team, and with the assistance of the America's Haunted Road Trip
series of travel guides. Following is the terrific lineup of events we will be
presenting at the convention this year. All except for one, the Investigation
at Discovery Green, are set to run for up to 90 minutes and will take place in
a dedicated panel room at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
FRIDAY,
JUNE 17
Paranormal
101: Introduction to Ghosthunting (1 p.m.)
Join
author Michael Varhola, editor of the “America’s Haunted Road Trip” series of
travel guides, Christy Briones of Dawn Paranormal, and Kristen Stout of the
Pasadena Paranormal Research Team for an interactive introduction to the
subject of ghosthunting that will examine the basics of this popular phenomena
and answer questions from attendees.
Paranormal
101: Opening Up with Meditation (2:30 p.m.)
Perr
Mittelstaedt and Darcy Tarrillion of the Pasadena Paranormal Research Team will
provide a basic introduction on learning meditation and using it as a tool for
paranormal investigation. "I have been investigating and learning about
the paranormal, meditation, and metaphysics for more than 40 years and have
done many different types of investigations, classes, and events,"
Mittelstaedt says. "I have also given many presentations on UFO research,
philosophical topics, and mind expansion. Learning to be quiet internally will
allow people to have much better paranormal investigations ... you become your
greatest tool, allowing the experience to flow from you to your equipment
instead of the conventional vice/versa. Stay open, learn, understand, and
experience the amazing worlds that surround us all."
Paranormal
101: Ghosthunting Around the United States (4 p.m.)
Rody
Speake, Kay Finlayson, Chris Finlayson, and Darcy Tarrillion of the Pasadena
Paranormal Research Team will discuss well-known haunted locations throughout
the United States, some of which they have personally investigated.
SATURDAY,
JUNE 18
Paranormal
102: Ghosthunting San Antonio, Austin, & Texas Hill Country (1 p.m.)
Join
author Michael O. Varhola for an exploration of some of the most fascinating
haunted sites in San Antonio, Austin, and the Texas Hill Country and get a
first-look preview of some of the things that will be appearing in his upcoming
book on the subject.
Paranormal 102:
Investigative Equipment (2:30 p.m.)
Experts
from the local Pasadena Paranormal Research Team will conduct this hands-on
workshop that introduces attendees to the various sorts of equipment used by
ghosthunters and other paranormal investigators, including cameras, recorders,
EMF meters, digital thermometers, laser grids, and night-vision devices.
Paranormal
102: Ghosthunting Texas and Louisiana (4 p.m.)
Join
experts Christy Briones, Denise Hardin, and Megan Mozelle from the
local Dawn Paranormal investigative group for this seminar on a number of the
most interesting haunted sites they have investigated in Texas and Louisiana —
along with things they have personally experienced at some of them!
Paranormal
102: Protection Techniques (5:30 p.m.)
Join
experts Christy Briones, Denise Hardin, and Megan Mozelle from the
local Dawn Paranormal investigative group for a discussion on how to
psychically and physically protect yourself before, during, and after an investigation.
They will also discuss everyday psychic protection techniques for yourself and
your home.
Paranormal 102:
Investigation at Discovery Green (7 p.m.)
Investigators
from the local Pasadena Paranormal Research Team will guide attendees on a very
special firsthand investigation of Discovery Green, the park located across
from the George R. Brown Convention Center! Everyone will meet in the Paranormal
Track panel room, where they will receive an orientation and be formed up into
groups. They will then proceed across the street to the park for an
investigation that will run until between 9 and 10 p.m. There may be limited
spaces available so, just in case, feel free to show up a little early to get
signed up.
SUNDAY, JUNE 19
Paranormal
103: Reviewing Evidence After an Investigation (1 p.m.)
Rody
Speake, Katrina Cooper, Kay Finlayson, and Chris Finlayson of the Pasadena
Paranormal Research Team explain how to review and then debunk or validate any
possible evidence gathered from an investigation using cameras, audio
recordings, video recordings, and personal feelings/senses. Specific examples
will include any possible evidence gathered during the investigation at
Discovery Green being run on Saturday!
Paranormal
103: Science and the Paranormal (2:30 p.m.)
Christy
Briones, Denise Hardin, and Megan Mozelle of the Dawn Paranormal
investigative examine how certain environmental conditions may affect how
people perceive various sorts of paranormal activity.
Paranormal
103: Open Forum Q&A (4 p.m.)
Anything
goes at this open forum with a panel of professional paranormal investigators
from America's Haunted Road Trip, Dawn Paranormal, and the Pasadena Paranormal
Research Team! Our experts will address questions about anything related to
ghosthunting and other aspects of paranormal investigation.
