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My Experience As a Paranormal Investigator
Saturday night, my friend Dayna and I spent some time with the guys and gals of Oh-Mi Paranormal, tromping through what was once the site of the Battle of Frenchtown, where 397 United States forces were killed by a British – Indian coalition.
We battled rain, passing trains, and occasional road noise, but otherwise encountered nothing I would classify as paranormal. While I didn't find any ghosts, I did gain a great deal of insight and appreciation for what paranormal investigators do and their reasons behind it.
The story was familiar, each member I asked recited a similar story: some time in their past, each had a paranormal experience that they were helpless to explain. The ordeal was enough to drive them to seek out what it was they encountered, to understand the nature of the phenomenon that they experienced. For founder Ryan Sparks, this personal quest is secondary to his main goal: helping others who are confused or frightened by what they perceive to be paranormal experiences in their own lives.
Ryan explained to me that about 80% of their cases are solved and are not paranormal. Ryan cited prescription drug induced hallucinations, gas leaks, old furnaces, and even clients using LSD and other mind altering drugs. Ryan doesn't get disappointed when the result of his investigations reveal a worldly explanation for the problems facing his clients, he's just happy to help.
As for the actual investigation, I found it to be a bit dull when compared to the Ghost Hunters or some of the other TV paranormal investigators. I guess I should’ve expected that when a 12 hour night is compressed to a 30-minute TV-recap, the parts where they wait for the spirits to manifest are cut out. We did some EVP work, and took a nice walk through the field to try and talk to some of the soldiers that may be lingering there, but our efforts were for naught. Of course, that didn't mean I didn't have a fun time and good experience.
I found that the paranormal investigators were very down to earth people, with rich full lives and close friendships. Each of the people I talked to that night credit paranormal investigations as creating the best friendships of their lives.
Like any community, the investigators seemed to like to talk about other (friendly) rival groups, the latest discoveries or encounters, and their place within the overall culture of the paranormal. Debate topics ranged from whether they would seek an alliance with a TV show ghost hunting team, to whether or not ghosts can see 'ghosts' of us (in a cross-dimensional time travel sort of way).
I learned a lot about paranormal investigations, but more importantly, perhaps, what drives a paranormal investigator. I learned that the mechanics behind the members of a ghost hunting community are similar as those around a book club or baking group: to seek companionship and conversation with like minded people in an effort to enhance their understanding of their particular field of interest, their community, and society at large.
I'd like to thank Ryan and the rest of his team at OH-MI Paranormal for extending me the courtesy of an invitation to join them on their latest investigation. Please check out their website and facebook page.
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