Today I'd like to talk about paranormal conventions or Paracons. If you ever have a chance to go to one of these, go. They are the best places for information sharing. I have been to several and I love every one of them. You meet the most amazing people and everyone, from home town celebrity to TV star, are always so friendly. Besides the great networking, newbies and veterans of the field, can learn so many new things. This is the place where I feel the most at home, surrounded by hundreds of like minded people. Knowing that nothing is too strange or out there for any of them, most of them will look at you with a knowing look and an experience all their own to share. It really is an amazing community to be a part of. I would say my best advice for anyone who is interested in the paranormal or investigations is to find as many conventions as possible and go to them all. You will learn invaluable information at them. Also, if they offer an investigation of a place as well, jump on it. You will learn more by investigating with seasoned professionals than you ever will from books, the internet or TV. These are golden opportunities to learn from people who have been there, done that and probably have some really great stories to tell you about it. I'll give you a few tips I've picked up along the way. Tip 1, wear whatever you want. I know that doesn't seem like a tip but I work a normal 8-5 office job and I really get anxiety over what to wear sometimes. I think of myself as a closet goth. I love ravens, owls and moons but they tend to frown upon me wearing those things to the office (believe me I've tried). So I tend to forget sometimes that all the wonderful spooky things that I've pushed to the back of my closet or jewelry box can be dusted off for occasions such as this. I have also showed up in full on Tommy Hilfiger and Sperrys and no one cares. Seriously these people have seen some shit, so if you manage to find an outfit that makes them look twice at you then you've really accomplished something so don't sweat it, wear what feels right. As a side tip, if you really just want to blend in, then a black tee shirt is all you need to do the job. Tip 2, bring money if you can. All of those fabulous speakers have fabulous booths full of things you will wish you had money for. Buy the books, buy the readings, buy the handmade stuff. Most of the speakers are there voluntarily and this is how they pay for their gas and room, so support small business and shop the booths. Plus a lot of those books have a ton of more great advice and information in them. Tip 3, bring a friend or even better bring someone who has never done this before or a skeptic. Watch as their eyes and mind open to the possibilities. I love taking people that have never investigated or just barely know what the paranormal is. They start off kind of bored and with arms crossed but as the day goes on you can actually see their mind open to other possibilities and now you've bonded on a whole new level. If you can't find a friend go anyway, there are a ton of friendly people there and you just may leave with a new friend for next time. Tip 4, pay attention to the schedule. If a convention starts at 10 AM and you have a 4 hour drive, check to see who is speaking at that time. Unless its noted that you must be there on time, you don't have to be there at 10 if the first person you want to hear starts at 12. Trust me by 7 or 8 that evening you will thank me for not having to get up at the ass crack of dawn when you didn't need to. Tip 5, if it requires an overnight stay check out the other haunts of the area. Most times there are several locations that are haunted in that area, go check those out too, or check out the local attractions. I always Google an area before I go there to see what else is around. There's nothing worse than coming back from a trip and someone says you should have checked out the awesome theme park that was there or the oldest mansion in the world that was just up the street. Do your research and check out what else the town has to offer. I love antique shopping, so I find an antique store in every town that I go to and that has become my souvenir shopping. Tip 6, bring food and water. Most of the conventions are held at old historic buildings or outside where air conditioning and electricity are not available. Sometimes there are vendors selling snacks and drinks but I like to come prepared just in case, plus it saves money for those fabulous things at those fabulous booths. Tip 7, bring a notebook and take lots of notes. Trust me, by the time you get home and 6 lectures later, you have forgotten what you heard in the first one. Those are my tips for now. Go, enjoy and make new friends.
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AuthorLead investigator for Archivees
September 2018
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