From Tropical Spirits to Frozen Entities...

I successfully managed to neglect my blog the entire trip. It wasn't intentional. Having just two weeks to explore so much new territory was a challenge enough without fitting in some writing. I'm still trying to digest everything. Plus I made some fascinating discoveries, had a few unintentional adventures, and mat some wonderful people along the way. It really was a great experience. While not every single moment was perfect, I don't regret it. Even the less-than-wonderful moments made the trip more real. Not the Oprah Winfrey trip of misinformation and touristy things. The real Australia. And I've left with wonderful memories and a few ideas for writing work that I'll start on in the coming months.

Since I didn't get to write about the trip on here (and did get to take notes in a diary I kept with me) I'll be sharing some things from Australia on here in the next few weeks. I also have to get to work on a library talk on Australia ghosts that will be happening this winter (more details to follow). I do want to thank everyone I met for making the trip not only a positive experience but even possible. The budget was incredibly tight and without my friend Joel (as well as friends of his who graciously made accommodations open to us) this wouldn't have happened. I know with being together almost non-stop he's a true friend for tolerating me as much as he did. lol I fully admit I have my moments...

It will take a few days to get my sleep back to normal, adjust back to a colder climate, and shuffle through the countless notes, pamphlets, and things I brought back. But I will. And now that Christmas is fast approaching, there's so much to do before the year is over. This time, however, I will have a chance to jot down some things here.

You Can't Take It with You...

Less than a week away until I jet over the Unites States and cross the Pacific Ocean before touching down at Sydney International Airport beside Botany Bay. My preparations are nearly complete. Packing very light, however, has caused a lot more thought than I expected though. Maybe I'm trying to compact everything too much. And inadvertently it's getting frustrating while the clock ticks down. To have a check-in or just a carry-on? That is the question.

With regulations there are many things I can't take if I don't check in a bag. Yet I'm not bringing a whole lot with me. I'll never understand how a bottle of body wash or lighter constitutes a threat to the security of an airplane. Maybe we're a little too preoccupied with the idea of suicide bombers taking out crews and less careful of packages being sent in the cargo hold. But that's just my view.

I'll probably check in my one bag, half stuffed with bubble wrap to avoid a mess of shampoo and soap, and bring a change of clothes in a carry-on just in case the lords of luggage make a wrong turn at Albuquerque. This is the final week before I leave, only five more days remain. After this weekend you won't hear from me until I'm in Sydney (internet permitting).

Preparing for Departure...

Now there are only three weeks before I leave. Time is going by too fast! I have so much to get finished in this time and over this week I'll be figuring out exactly what I'll be doing each day of my trip. There is a tentative plan in place of what city I'll be in on which days but with so much to explore I know I won't be able to see everything. Australia is almost the same size as the United States. It would be impossible to cover the whole US in two weeks and the same applies to Oz.

Being the greatest distance I've traveled so far in one trip (approximately 9500 miles each way) there's been a lot more to consider than a typical trip. I opted for trip insurance just to be safe (covering lost luggage, illness, etc) and made sure well in advance to get an ETA. Australia is one country which requires an actual tourist visa on top of a passport but now you can apply online and get one within 24 hours for a minor fee. I should have my currency at the end of this week (I'll probably do a post about that later on) and accommodations are taken care of so the bulk of everything is set.

As I often do, I intend on traveling light. Luggage fees can get out of hand and having too much can be cumbersome when you arrive in a foreign city. Still it's good to leave a little extra room in the bags you take for souvenirs or anything else you may want to bring back with you. I plan on taking one check-in bag and one carry-on, as well as my laptop (which is supposed to count separately). It will be summer so there's no need to take a lot of heavy clothing. I find that carrying basic essentials is better than being bogged down with too much. But it's wise to take one change of clothing in your carry-on, just in case the airline misplaces your baggage.

This will be the first time I've been on an airplane since January 2005 and my disappointing trip to New York City. While I do have a fear of heights I don't have a fear of flying even after being on TWA Flight 800 a few months before it exploded on take-off back in the 1990s. But being crammed into a plane for a whole day isn't the most appealing thing in the world. The destination will be worth all the misery though. And though it is a crazy time I will try my best to get a blog entry in here and there. Let's hope the stress of it all doesn't drive me to start smoking again!!

Thieves in the Night...

Every trip has its glitch. No matter how much planning you do, things don't ever go perfectly according to plan. That has certainly been true of my life thus far. And my big trip has already hit a snag. The inn I was planning to stay at (gay-owned and allegedly haunted) is booked up for the duration of my stay in Sydney. I found an alternative option which will definitely be a unique experience and have no doubt everything will work out fine. I would have had it booked a month ago were it not for someone deciding not to send out a check I was depending on (and earned every penny of) to reserve the room. I'm quite familiar with highway robbery though so it comes as no big surprise.

Thievery of wages is most definitely a criminal act. How fitting that I'll soon be headed to what once was a convict settlement for England. Most people in the United States know that much about the founding of Australia. It was a great experiment, shipping off the unwanted "criminal class" from Britain to a new country created to be a prison for these people. But why did England feel the need to use such drastic measures in 1787 sending ships of undesireables―from murderers and robbers to the poor and prostitutes―to this place? The answer is simple: England had just lost its criminal dumping ground.

Somehow history books don't generally touch on the fact that before the American Revolution the colonies that would eventually become the United States of America were an unofficial Alcatraz used by England to rid itself of unwanted individuals. Across the Atlantic, they would be out of sight and out of mind. Even some of the earliest settlers in New England, those memorable English Protestants known as the Puritans, claimed to set out for "religious freedom" when in reality no country in Europe would tolerate them. Having been banned from so many places they had no option but to set out on a voyage to lands unknown where no one knew how wretched they really were.

Early America was a mix of entrepreneurs and scoundrels. But with independence from the Crown the 13 Colonies no longer would be England's own personal landfill for society's unwanted. Luckily other choices appeared. Forget Boston. They now had Botany Bay. And the First Fleet arrived there in 1788 only 5 short years after the end of the American Revolutionary War.

Now 222 years later, this is the place I'll be exploring. A lot has obviously changed since those days yet there are hints of history still to be found. Australians have come to terms with the past and even embrace their convict heritage finally. What was once dense wilderness inhabited by many different tribes of aborigines and a plethora of dangerous fauna is now the sprawling metropolis of Sydney, centered just north of the bay where those early Europeans ventured forth into the unknown. But there are still unique, strange, and hidden thing to be found in this nation. It may not read like a James Tucker novel (I should hope!) but with any luck I should makes some interesting discoveries of my own.

The Countdown Begins...

Today marks the start of my countdown to Australia. My flight departs in just four short weeks. While it may sound like plenty of time, it will go by all too quickly. And as I finalize the last of my plans for the 3-city trip (Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne) I'll be discussing the queerer (and haunted) side of the continent. There's so much to see that I know I won't get to cover it all, but I shall do my best to see as much as I possibly can.

You may not realize all the connections there are between Australia and the United States. From its earliest colonial days to famous landmarks there are American origins galore. And the country is full of spooky tales (including several mysterious animals) worthy of telling. By mid-December I hope that some of you readers gain a better appreciation for the awe-inspiring country and its haunted history. I'll be meeting with some interesting people as I travel across the eastern portion of the island and I'm excited to explore some of the wonders this rare opportunity has to offer.

A Day for All Ghouls...

Break out the soul cakes. It's time again for that mysterious and spooky holiday again. Halloween is here!

Today is a day when many people will party, ring doorbells in expectation of sweet goodies, and look for a few good scares. The history of the holiday is rooted in many centuries-old traditions, beliefs, and ideas. For some religions it marks the end of one cyclical year and the beginning of the next. And many believe it is the time when the boundary between the world of the living and the hereafter is at its thinnest.

Whatever you do today, take a little time to explore the past of the holiday and enjoy whatever you may do. Perhaps spend some time in the dark with a tale or two of fright and horror. I'll be catching up on blogging this week and gearing up for my great adventure so in case you haven't had your fill of strange history and spookiness be sure to check back in the coming weeks as I delve into the wonderous―and creepier―side of Australia

Digging Up Haunted History...

It was late August of 1895. Author Mark Twain was bankrupt and ill. In an effort to raise money to repay his creditors he began an adventure 'Following the Equator' starting off his trip in Sydney, Australia. It's just a little over four weeks until my own adventure begins to some of the same places. Of course, I'm not leaving from British Colombia nor am I being paid for writing a travel log. But I can certainly understand Twain's financial troubles.

There could be some writing about my trip in the future, though, and I'm already discussing plans for a lecture upon my return. It might provide some new locations for my next book as well. Some people have been asking lately about any work on a sequel. I assure you that it's in the works as we speak. The last book proved to be a challenge to research and discovering relevant places wasn't easy. This time it's even harder.

At this very moment I have 39 haunted locations that I'm researching and digging into for Queer Hauntings II. This is, however, only a theoretical list. Some businesses no longer exist. Many still need a lot more research. And at tis moment, the number of gay-owned businesses with heterosexual hauntings outweighs LGBT ghost stories; something which needs to be remedied before I can proceed in earnest. Then there's another difficulty: stories without names and exact locations. The latter proves most challenging since I want this to be more than just retelling ghost stories. How can someone dig for the true story if they can't even pinpoint an address or last name?

Whenever you look into the past and try to piece together people and places it's not an easy task. But I love mystery, the unknown, adventure, and everything in between. History, especially when it's outside the mainstream, fascinates me. There is so much we've forgotten (or want to forget). Even what we find in textbooks has a certain bias or perspective. Learning the real story of celebrity lives and any country's history can be an eye-opening experience. Undoubtedly my last book raised more than a few eyebrows. The sequel will do the same. And, of course, my trip abroad will certainly shed some interesting light on a variety of topics.

But right now Halloween is fast approaching. After a cemetery stroll this afternoon I'm even more in the mood for it to arrive. That night will mark the official 15-year point since the first time I set off alone at night to look for paranormal activity in a legendary haunted Ohio ghost town. For even longer I've dreamed of seeing Terra Australis Incognita. In just one more month I'll be achieving that dream and exploring the local ghost stories, including (hopefully) what is said to be the most haunted cemetery worldwide. 

Thinking Outside the Pine Box...

Just one more full week before Halloween arrives. I know I've been quiet lately. It's been an interesting month to say the least. I want to thank Jason, Bobby, and Robyn again for having me on Strange Frequencies Radio this past Sunday. As always the time goes too fast! I had a wonderful time and loved listening to the rest of the show (and I'm glad Bobby was feeling better by the time I went on). They have a great mix of comedy, skepticism, and open-minded discussion. As soon as the archive is up, I'll post it for anyone who didn't get a chance to listen.

In other news my research has hit a few snags and dead-ends with finding more stories. That's the frustration with seeking out the true stories behind hauntings. I've been following one ghost story from Nevada to Washington State and haven't gotten any closer to pinpointing the full story (or the exact location of the haunting). The more ghost books I read, the more I realize most writers only retell the legend and leave it at that. Sometimes, they don't even give the exact name and town of the place in question! From my own experience I can understand why. It's difficult digging through history and tracking down people willing to talk. But the extra work makes for a better result.

I've broken down lately and done the unthinkable: watching old episodes of Ghost Adventures. To be honest, I rarely watch any of the paranormal television shows. Too many people use them as a training ground for paranormal investigation and learn everything from watching a few episodes and becoming instant ghost busters. Still, they can be interesting and amusing at times. I find myself cringing half the time (and laughing at some absurdities) but every so often there's something interesting or intriguing. I will give Zak Bagans kudos for delving into something I've been talking about for years now: ultraviolet spectrum work. Some animals seem to react to the paranormal and they also can see further into the UV spectrum than we do, so it was always a curiosity of mine. Of course, UV light can also cause blindness so that did stop me from testing some of my ideas in the manner I had considered.

That's the real key to trying to make some headway in the paranormal realm. you have to think outside the box, digest different findings, formulate ideas, and implement new techniques. Running around snapping digital pictures of dust orbs isn't actual investigation. But testing out new ideas can become an expensive hobby. UV light isn't the only idea which crossed my mind over the past 15 years of looking for ghosts. I think a few of my ideas could provide some interesting results but it will take a lot of work to figure out exactly how to pull it all off.

Otherwise, I'm about to head out of town for the week leading up to Halloween. I'll still be posting when I get a chance but enjoying the season while it lasts as well. And starting next month, I'll be talking more about ghosts in Australia as we lead up to my first trip "down under." I leave in just over five weeks, so time is ticking away. So much to do and so little time to finish it all in. Yet I am looking forward to this rare opportunity to explore the southern hemisphere and see wonderful things.

Passing the Torch and Hunting for Clues...

It's official. I've removed almost all of my old website from the server. It was time to end the emails to update links and wasted space filled up with things I don't keep up with anymore. I am, however, passing along the places, research, and such to Cuyahoga Valley Paranormal so everything won't vanish entirely. I've worked with the founder for several years here and there (can you believe we were rivals back in the day?) so I know it will all be in good hands.

Speaking of CVP, be sure to check out their other site: Haunted Akron. And if you have this coming weekend free, I recommend going to the Cuyahoga Valley for their Scavenger Hunt! We all had a wonderful time last year in April doing the Beaver Creek Scavenger Hunt and I might pop in for this one as well. This year's hunt encompasses the whole valley and is scheduled for October 16 at 8:00 PM. The cost is $5 per person (or $15 per carload). From what I've heard so far it will be a very educational experience... but in a fun way!

I've been hard at work the past few days adding lots of new places to my website (and waiting to get a few books to try to locate a few wayward ghosts around the world) while gathering plenty of things to write about here. So check back later this week for some interesting haunts and strange stories (including a gay bathhouse investigated by a well-known television show).

The Spookiest Season of All...

October is finally getting underway, which means people are getting in the right mindset for Halloween. This has been a very busy time of me for the past several years but this year I'm trying to finally take some time to enjoy it. When you are involved with the paranormal there isn't too much time to appreciate the holiday. It's very similar to working retail before Christmas. Most people burn out and by the time it arrives they just want it over with. Sadly it can feel the same year after year doing countless events at spooky places, book signings, lectures, ghost hunts, etc. This year I've given myself a lighter load so I can actually step back and enjoy my favorite time of year.

But that's not the only reason. September was tumultuous for me, what with planning out some things and trying to step around the many pitfalls and snags which have plagued me. And now that October is here the cycle is continuing. My stress level is through the roof and with several things I feel like I'm trapped in limbo. It could be worse; I could be exploring the layers of Hell described by Dante. I'll settle for this never-ending waiting room I find myself in. It's as though someone pressed "PAUSE" on my life's remote and time races onward. There is so much to do yet everything is hinging on some other event first. It's the suspense while waiting for a row of dominoes to fall.

And so begins a wild, uncertain month for me. Between the candy corn and occasional event, I will try to update as much as possible. Once some more plans are finalized I'll be letting everyone know the latest on what's happening. This week is the library talk at Cuyahoga Falls Library and I have a few radio show interviews possibly scattered throughout the month. I'm also likely helping out with an event planned by a friend and fellow investigator in the area. I'll inform you all about these things as they progress. As for my end-of-the-year adventures, things are on unstable ground at the moment. I may be changing plans around as time draws closer. However, I remain optimistic that the Australia voyage will happen. A lot could happen in the next two months yet a little stubborn determination can go a long way.

A New Look, New Outlook, and Library Talk...

Yes, you did come to the right blog. I know it might be a surprise for some of you. I did feel the need to do some overhauling on the overall look of Spooked! so I put my insomnia to use last night. So, what do you think? Better? Worse? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know. I know there's an unwritten rule that paranormal-themed blogs should be black, spiritual/psychic blogs all light and airy, etc. but I don't feel like being too traditional is very fitting for my writing. Time to shake things up a bit... and reflect my traveling lifestyle coupled with the "armchair tourist" experience I like to give people every so often.

I'm looking forward to getting out for a little local ghost hunting this week, since it's been so long. And at this rate, it might be one of my last few chances to see the Cuyahoga Valley... where it all began for me. I began my blogging and writing as the first and only investigator searching for legends and ghosts in this region. Now... well, anyone with a camera can dub himself or herself a "paranormal investigator" (becoming an overnight expert from watching a few episodes of Ghost Hunters, no doubt) and heads out into the valley like he/she owns it triumphantly showing it off as though it were a new Porsche.

That might sound like I've grown bitter. But in reality, I haven't. It's like watching a playground as the children claim a jungle gym all their own and fight over who is allowed on it. If anything, it's a relief to be out of the war. All the pettiness, backstabbing, badmouthing, and other high school behavior that plays out all the time. The valley used to be my playground and my place of tranquility. Now, new generations of tenderfoot ghost hunters (though they will tell you they've been doing it "for years") run amok in the places no one would know about were it not for my work and research. So, I'm leaving it all to the paranormal Lord of the Flies people. Save for the occasional reminisce and jaunt with old investigating buddies reliving the good times, I'm turning it over to other people to explore ad nauseam.

But beyond that, I don't see myself staying in this region for a long period. Truthfully, part of me does miss San Diego. For all the unplanned disappointments, it was breathtakingly beautiful in spots, had picture-perfect weather, and was so very different from what I've grown accustomed to in the Rust Belt of America. I thrive on new experiences and wither from the mundane. Yes... there was drama out west. But being new, I could safely escape some of it simply by dropping off the radar. There are possibilities with me ending up out west (in some instances, WAY out west... so west that it's east) but I'm seeing how life plays out.

In just a few weeks, I'll be doing a talk at Cuyahoga Falls Library on my book, gay & lesbian psychics, and some interesting hauntings I've unearthed worldwide. My talk will be on Wednesday October 6th at 7:00 PM EST. I'm trying not to bore people too much with parapsychology and history and will try to focus on hauntings (since that's why people do attend these things, after all). Copies of my book will be available for $10.00 (even cheaper than Amazon). Even if you have read the book, there will be new things to hear about that night. Not only will I talk about some interesting names in paranormal history but I'll talk a lot about haunted gay-owned inns and other hauntings, many of which were NOT discussed in the book. Otherwise, it will be a quiet month for me which is a vast difference from recent years. And all this leading up to my grand travels. Time goes by so quickly.

Ever-Changing Phantoms and Life Marching Forward...

This November, there's a very good chance I'll be visiting another location mentioned in my book, Queer Hauntings. I am quite excited to have chances to visit the places I've researched, especially when they aren't so close to the Midwest. I've also added another travel destination to my explorations in the coming months. It feels good to be getting out into the world in broader and broader circles. And as a reader of my blog, I'm sure there's a lot more interest when I'm writing from somewhere other than Ohio.

I've learned that writing about haunted businesses can have its drawbacks. Given our economy and the natural uncertainty of businesses, ownership can change without much notice. Some inns and such can close their doors before anything is published or written, which I encountered during my trip last October to Salem. I heard about a haunted gay-owned bed & breakfast but at the time of my arrival, it was closed until further notice. At the Inn on Washington Square, there had been a death in the family and the innkeepers were out of town and uncertain about the inn's future. I had intended to list it in the back of my book, but was unsure about whether it would still be in existence by the time my book went to press.

Since finishing writing Queer Hauntings and its publication, there have been changes to some places I've spoken about in some of the chapters. A couple of inns no longer are gay-owned and some businesses have fallen on bad times and vanished. Other landmarks have undergone changes which nearly ruled them out as suitable for the intent of my book. Yet there are always a few surprises. I was getting ready to scratch one place from my list when suddenly I was informed of another ghost story attached to it. I'll be exploring this international locale in November and (while struggling with the language barrier) trying my best to uncover the truth behind it. Other information regarding the well-known haunting has come into light as well... revealing a far more sinister plot behind the many deaths at the site. But you'll have to wait to find out more...

With all these new developments and the slow process of gathering new places for a sequel, I've been giving some thought to a revised and expanded edition of the book instead of a second volume. I have also met one of my goals: to find ONE haunted place in Australia to add to the mix. And lucky for me, I'll be able to interview the owners and spend the night there in December. I'm hoping to find more places as I explore new areas of the world, but we will see what all develops. These are exciting times. And being the only person (seriously) seeking out GLBT spooks I'm still hacking away with my machete at the undergrowth. Who knows there the blazed trail will lead next...

You're Not Hallucinating...

In case you hadn't noticed, the blog title image has changed. Why? Well, before any rumors get started, I have liked the past images created by Cullan Hudson and think he does wonderful work. Unfortunately, the image wasn't saved in a format where I could alter it. And why would I want to alter it, you ask? Well... let's just say that I've created a new title image for me trip to Australia. But you will have to wait until late October to see that.

The new image features a house from my book Queer Hauntings and a spot I stood outside of this summer (it's closed for renovations). The tower you see is atop Villa Montezuma, once home to the famed medium Jesse Shepard. I thought it would be fitting, considering there is reason to believe Jesse may have been gay (though there are arguments both for and against it, as with many obscure people from the distant past). San Diego is home to several other haunted places, including a gay-owned inn which I will hopefully be writing about in the coming month. That's right... August is over and autumn approaches!

Lately with so much excitement happening in my life, it's been difficult to focus on the dead. A tidal wave of change has been sweeping over me. Some thoughts and individuals have started getting buried six feet under as life moves in different directions. Other haunting images and people from the dark recesses of my mind have reappeared awakening ideas and feeling long dormant. And still there are new, wonderful people and happenings brightening my present and future. Surrounding yourself with positive, cheerful people helps me feel more positive and cheerful. What has happened has happened. The past cannot be altered, we can only ensure a brighter tomorrow.

Still, it will only be a few more weeks before we notice the chill in the air and feel our slow march toward winter approaching here in the Northern Hemisphere. In two months, children and adults will be dressed in costumes collecting candy and partying with friends. The smell of barbecue and beach breezes will be replaced with wood smoke and decayed leaves. Skeletal trees will remind us of the inevitable death which awaits us all. It's the one time of year most people enjoy a good ghost story or creepy legend.

The countdown is on to All Hallows Eve. And there are plenty of ghostly stories dying to be told. I'll be doing my best to keep up with the blog, writing about some of the hauntings I have yet to write about or have encountered in my travels as well as talk a bit about some Australian ghost stories leading up to my trip. November is still in the planning stages, but if I'm traveling then too I might talk more about other tales from wherever I might be. In the mean time, sleep tight... and pleasant nightmares....

Life (and Death) Travels on...

As has been the case for a while lately, most of my time has been spent working and sleeping. Mustering the energy to write is not a common occurrence lately, but I tell myself each and every day that it will all be worthwhile soon...

To anyone who has been a reader of this blog, there is no question that I have a variety of interests outside the paranormal realm. Sometimes they overlap. My days of ghost hunting on a regular basis have passed, but I still find a thrill in seeing a new haunted locale or exploring the haunted side of a city or town. And I often have been guilty of making plans inside my head, only for things to fall through and the great ideas never to come to fruition. Because of this I tend to stay quiet on things now until I am sure they will become reality.

Well, a new adventure is looming on my horizon. I have had time to work toward it and discuss it with some people involved in the expedition, so I feel confident now in coming out and saying it. In a few months, I will find myself experiencing summer. Going to the beach, playing tourist (yet in my usual not-so-touristy manner), and exploring a couple haunted spots. How is that possible when December is winter, you ask? Well... it all depends on what hemisphere you're in...

Australia has been a dream destination for me for the past 17 years. I'm a proud "aussiphile" and love the history of the "land down under" and its people. Add to this the fact that one of the most fabulous friends anyone could ever ask for (and someone I've had the pleasure to have know for six years) happens to live in the capital city and there's little confusion why I've chosen for my first true selfish chance at travel, I choose to travel halfway around the globe.

Now, by "selfish" I do mean "a trip done solely because I want to go there. No ulterior motives. No visiting a place because someone else wants me to go there. I've had some remarkably wonderful adventures in various places lately and I can't say I regret a single trip I've taken. But this time, I'm doing it all for me. A wise man told me this summer that "I care more about other people than I do about myself" and he was right. I think I'v earned the right to treat myself for a change, instead of neglecting the self and trying to please everyone else. And it's also the roughest trip planning I've had to date. I'm working harder than ever to scrape together the money for it. Past travels have come from easier-earned income. I am really toiling away to chip away bit by bit to make this fantasy come true.

Likely, I will be there for two weeks before Christmas, but if I can extend it longer I will. Timing is everything. And I have a lot of things coming up in the near future which made an earlier trip out of the question. I have interviews to sit through and a presentation at a library in early October (which will be educational and dealing in part with my book Queer Hauntings, but will include a lot of things not from the book; I hope it's as entertaining as I'm intending it to be). I'm hoping to write more here too about some other places I've encountered to add to a sequel (hopefully I can interview a few business owners and gather together enough to write about them on here) but I will see how much time I manage to have. And I still have to figure out all the accommodations for my Aussie adventure (Yes, of course I'll be blogging from Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne!) but I still have some time. I will gladly take suggestions on places to see, haunted spots to peruse, and cost-cutting methods. Since my camera take insanely-large videos, I hope to be able to set up my webcam and laptop and perhaps have a few video posts while I'm there so that you can see and explore Australia along with me.

So, stay tuned for new things on here... and my greatest adventure to-date.

"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." - Mark Twain

Paradise for the Dead...

It felt wonderful last night to take a bit of time and explore the history of my new city of residence, San Diego. From an outsider's perspective there is quite a big absence of historical buildings in most neighborhoods here. Like most cities in the United States, the old haunts of past citizens are often lost to what is new and thriving in the present day. But all history is not lost to San Diegans. Scattered around the town and suburbs are little hints of the past... and possibly a few ghosts.

The sad part about this little southwestern paradise is its haunted legends. Don't get me wrong; some nationally famous ghost stories can be found between the canyons and the coast. Yet as is often the case, it's the same stories told and retold. People travel to Whaley House or Hotel del Coronado to stir up a few spirits. We fall in the trap of believing that history is limited to what we know and that with which we are familiar. Yet every place has hundreds--no, thousands--of years or past events buried below the grass and sand. A neighborhood may have been settled within the past century, yet even 100 years of life can provide fascinating stories.

I am once more digging up the bizarre past and interesting ghost stories forgotten by the mass media. And perhaps a few might make it into a sequel of Queer Hauntings (if I find the time and energy to tackle it). A former cemetery turned into a park, an old suspension bridge with perhaps a specter roaming the planks, haunted businesses and inns are but a few of the stories just beginning to be told here on the West Coast. My efforts at finding these new, undiscovered spots have just begun. At this point, the future of my life on the opposite end of the country is uncertain, as is the amount of time I shall stay. But as long as I'm in this new place, there are ghosts to find, stories to tell, and a wealth of past history to share with the world.

The Art of Toilet Paper Diplomacy...

Anyone who has moved to a new location can tell you that it's far from an easy transition. It has almost been one full month since I boarded Amtrak and was carried away to begin a new life chapter on the Pacific coast. I had to hit the ground running, so to speak, and I'm glad. Otherwise I would have had too much time to absorb the immensity of the situation. Life, work, and the daily monotony has eaten away most of my time. Only the past few days have afforded me the time to allow my emotions to catch up. I might be in a new "paradise" of sorts, yet stress and depression still rear their ugly heads.

I'm 2500 miles away from anything familiar. That in itself wreaks havoc with my mind. I miss friendships and acquaintances and the support system that comes with such relationships. I'm starting from scratch and it's not all that easy. My new living environment comes with its own set of challenges as well. We're a motley group of different ages and diverse lifestyles. It's a temporary Golden Girls house with tensions abound. New rules, new people, new everything. Two days ago there was no toilet paper left and someone was grumbling to me about who should have a turn buying it to make things fair. To diffuse the situation and avoid further squabbles (and discomfort) I walked down the hill to the 7-Eleven and bought some rolls. Honestly, it's just paper... isn't it? There's no need to create another World War over tissue.

I realize my living arrangement is temporary. It's stressful enough not knowing where I'll be in another month or two without letting petty grievances ignite into brushfires. Stubbornness isn't always necessary. We're all stressed enough without adding drama to the equation. In a lot of ways, I miss the simplicity of my life as I once knew it. It was dull at times and far from ideal but I knew what was coming at me. Here there is only one reliable thing: the weather. Almost every single day has been sunny and hot. Such a wonderful atmosphere. Why muck it up with unnecessary gloominess?

Overall, I am happy I came here. I truly enjoy San Diego. It's unlike any other city I've experienced. Canyons carve deep trenches weaving their way to the ocean, separating out neighborhoods. Humankind further dissects the region with a complex system of freeways meandering in various directions. Everywhere you go there are differing varieties of palm trees and tropical plants. Lizards climb fences and walls darting out of view in their pursuit of insects. It's windy and gorgeous. And the ocean... well, it certainly doesn't smell like rotten fish like Lake Erie. Salt spray mixes with marine life in a scent that's pleasant and difficult to sum up in words.

So, this is my temporary home. A little spot of heaven with reality trying to edge its way in to break the spell. My temporary work will be ending soon. I'm desperately seeking out any means of income I can find while trying to figure out where I'll be living at the end of the month. Paradise doesn't come cheap and the price of living is often higher than you would expect. Still, do I think it was a bad decision on my part? Definitely not. For once, I gave a valiant effort to jumping off the proverbial cliff and seeing if I can fly. I've taken chances that most people would be too terrified to dream. I'm gliding through the air in free-fall and enjoying the view. But in the back of my mind there's that nagging voice; "I sure hope the parachute opens when I pull the cord."

Some people are terrified of ghosts and haunted places. Others are afraid of crawling things and flying insects. They never bother to realize that there is one thing more frightening than any creature, living or not. And that's life. Living is the scariest thing on earth. It's uncertain, unpredictable, and ongoing. There is no escape. You can't run and hide. Whether you like it or not, you're on this roller coaster to the end. Don't let life paralyze you with fear. Accept the adventure for what it is and learn all that you can. Take risks. Jump. Fly. The more time you spend learning about the world around you and where you fit into the puzzle the less scary everything will be.