It’s funny when I think back over the past several years and how many people have come and gone in different paranormal groups that I have been involved with. I think more than most areas of interest, you meet some of the most interesting and diverse people in the world. You come in contact with psychics, mediums, talented technical people, great analysts for EVP, photo and video, eccentric glory hunters and the curious novice ever eager to get their feet wet in the paranormal pond. They are some of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of being affiliated with. Even the difficult personalities are amusing and interesting most times, though as any other difficult personality they can get catty and at times just nasty. It’s alright though, no storm looms long with a good group sharing a common interest.

I have noticed a few similarities that stand out to me with many who make up the fabric of the paranormal garment. Interestingly, many seem to have dysfunctional family backgrounds, sadly myself included. Most seem to have a very open-mindedness about them that is inspiring on so many levels, and many are unaware of the strength of their talents and contributions---save the glory hunters with intended agendas. Several have a difficult time trusting others, which could just be people in general, but I encounter it more often in the paranormal circle than in others.

As with any social circle, there are so many knit together that it is never dull. You have your pranksters who at training functions like to wait until all is dark, quiet and everybody is focused on a task such as EVP or perhaps ghost box, and then they will jump out of the darkness to lend a good scare to everybody. You have your skeptics who will argue any positive evidence—some more one-sided and slanted than others. You have your attention whores who sadly fake their experiences, encounters, abilities or don’t have any true interest other than hooking up with someone. You have your honest and genuine psychics and mediums, and then you have your true blue, dedicated paranormal investigator. A true paranormal investigator approaches an investigation with zeal, coupled with caution. This person watches every detail, listens to every sound and every word around them. This person appreciates the effort and contribution of every group member/friend they come in contact with and understands the diverse nature of humanity, as well as the diverse nature of the entities they come in contact with. This person is aware of just about every detail, technical and otherwise, encompassing the bigger picture. It almost makes me think of the Dos Eqis beer commercial where they are talking about the “most interesting man in the world.” I tend to think of the family in the paranormal as the most interesting people in the world.

I have the great pleasure of having made a few really close friends that I will be close with for the rest of my life, and perhaps even beyond this. When you begin to journey down the paranormal path, you’ll find yourself keeping company with the living as well as those who have passed on. Both can be exciting, both can be inspiring, sometimes even perplexing, and both can definitely touch your life. I think had I stayed in a “normal” society scope of things and not ventured into the paranormal, my eyes would be so closed to so many things, and I would have missed out on keeping company and sharing experiences with the most interesting people in the world.