10 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Voice Recorder

We all know that I basically have a voice recorder attached to me. Over the years, I have learned a few things about recording with these handy devices, and I'm always looking for ways to get a better quality recording. I think you guys will benefit from my research as well.

1. When possible, use an external microphone. This will help cut down on any mechanical noise the recorder might make. 

2. Lay the recorder on a steady surface instead of keeping it in your hand (when possible). This will help keep down on static noise caused by your hand. 

3. When speaking, speak clear and precise.

4. When paranormal investigating, be sure to tag any noise you make or that you can identify at the time. You can simply state "that was me bumping into the table"

5. In addition to this, it's a good idea to time stamp if something is strange. This helps when going back to watch video as well. Plus, when you are going over the investigation, other team members might have the answer to the strange happenings. 

6. Get a good audio editor for your computer. This will save you a lot of time and allow you to cut out sections of audio to send on or for evidence presentation. I recommend Audacity and it's free. I actually use this to edit podcasts. 

7. Add a brief introduction each time you start to record. Include the date, time, people present, case information, and any other pertinent information. 

8. When recording interviews and similar, make sure to know the laws in your area. For example, in South Carolina, only one person has to consent to be recorded. I ask anyway though, just so they know what is going on. 

9. Get to know your recorder before using it for the first time. You want to be familiar with it before it counts. Run a few practice sessions with it. 

10. When shopping for a digital voice recorder, be sure that you find one you are comfortable using. If you are not tech savvy, don't worry about all the extra features. After all, you don't want to be fumbling at the last minute. 

This is part of a content series as a courtesy to Uqique because I love their recorder so much. All opinions are my own. 

5 Uses For A POV Camera

This is part of a content series for MeCam. All opinions are my own.

I'm sure you've guessed that one of my favorite gadgets is a POV camera, more specifically, my MeCam. I'm sure that you've also wondered how you would use a POV camera.

1. Paranormal Investigations

As you've guessed, we use POV cameras on our paranormal and cryptid investigations. The uses inside these circumstances vary. We can use them during setup to take initial readings with equipment. We can use them during an EVP session in case there is something odd going on visually. We can also use them on ourselves to catch a different angle. For instance, if something keeps happening just out of our peripheral vision, we can situate a POV camera to point that direction and hopefully catch it. We actually are always coming up with different uses. 

2. Mom/ Dad Shots

Are you dying to get that perfect shot of your little one walking or crawling? Just pin a MeCam on your shot and get your little one to come to you. You'll get that perfect eye level shot. Do your kids say adorable things but never when a camera is pointed their direction? Well, this should solve that problem. Want to get a shot from your kids' angles? Just pin a MeCam to their shirts and then watch the world from their view. 

3. Track Your Dog's Behavior

Wondering how your dog keeps getting muddy or stinky? Well, MeCam can solve that mystery. Pin it to their collar and watch the mystery unfold. It would also be cool to get shots from their angles and post to social media. Most people are intrigued by how the animals see the world. 

4. Legal Reasons

Holding a sensitive interview? Got stopped by the police? Participating in a protest? Serving papers? MeCam can come in handy with so many different legal issues. Cover yourself and get video of the situation. Just make sure that you live in a state that is single party consent for recording. South Carolina is, in case you are wondering. 

5. Nanny Cam

Do you have a new babysitter or Nanny? Do you wonder if everything is going smoothly? Do you have a feeling that something is just not right? Well, pin a MeCam somewhere and then see for yourself. You can do the same thing at your child's daycare or school. 

There are so many different uses for a POV camera that it's one of those things everyone could use in their arsenal. My favorite is MeCam- Quality, Cost Effective, and Cute!

I Must Be Hallucinating & A Special Discount

Did you guys know that I'm a columnist for I Must Be Hallucinating? Well, I am and I enjoy writing about all the weird stuff that catches my attention and draws me in. There are articles about cryptids, zombies, vampires, werewolves, aliens, and more. There are so many interesting articles, and the other authors are so interesting that I'm sure you can get lost in the site for days, just like I do.

My first article featured a "cryptid" that I investigated, along with the journey of getting to the bottom of it. You can find more here:
Things Are Not What They Appear: Do Your Research Before a Wild Duck Hunt
I Must Be hallucinating even has a shop with some pretty cool items that I'm sure will draw you in. Guess what?! You can get a 10% discount, if you enter PARASASS at the checkout!

UFO Sighting

On April 10, 2015, I had my first UFO sighting. By UFO, I mean it literally- an Unidentified Flying Object. I have no idea what I saw. The only thing that I was certain of is that it was strange and somehow, the military got involved. On this particular night, some of the Carolina Cryptid Crew members and I were sitting outside our research area listening for activity, when lights caught our attention. The video documents what happens next.

Luckily, I documented it. The video didn't pick up much of it, but you can hear what is going on and our thoughts throughout the night. These occurrences happened over the course of several hours. It was quite strange. Even stranger- there is some weird light anomaly the whole time on the video while nothing showed up there while I was recording. I recorded on my phone (an LG Optimus L90) and have never had this happen before. Also, I actually had the video light on throughout some of it; while, at other times, the light was off- so that doesn't explain the light.

If you have ever had anything like this happen, please let me know. If you saw something strange that night, I would love to hear about it.

I Caught The Bug: My First Bigfoot Expedition

I have been interested in Bigfoot since I was about 8 years old. A teacher sent me home with a book about mysterious animals to read. The book was about the Kraken, Bigfoot, Nessie, Chupacabra, and many more. From that time on, I would read or watch anything about these mysterious creatures, especially Bigfoot. In all honesty, I never thought I would get the opportunity to look for Bigfoot. I thought they were all in the Pacific Northwest. I didn't think there was any way they were in South Carolina.

On June 1st, 2013, the team decided to have a sort of training exercise to get everyone used to being in the woods and learn how to look for oddities. This was just an exercise in case we needed to look for cryptids or investigate haunted forests. We also decided to take this time to do a live broadcast that was a discussion with the team.

We found a good bit of interesting evidence and even had some experiences that couldn't be explained. After this night, our research took off and gained the attention of the local news stations. Some of these stories were even picked up by international media outlets.

This is my journal entry after that night- I have caught the bug and jump at every opportunity to look for Bigfoot.

Bigfoot Hunt: June 1, 2013 To be honest, I did not expect to have any experiences, especially since I was assigned command central for the night. At the most, I thought we may hear some sounds that we were unsure of and hear from the team if the habitat was likely to be the home of a Bigfoot. However, the evening started out with a bang- literally. Inspector Cryptid, Marty, and a couple of other members went for a preliminary walk in the woods and that left Lisa and I alone at command central. 

At first, we hear a rock hit the building behind the home on the property. A few minutes later, we hear a rock hit the building behind the neighbor's house. A few minutes after that, a rock hits a bag of charcoal behind where we are seated. At this point, we decide that it is not coincidence and decide to go check out the woods. 

We radio the field team and tell them what we experience, grab the camera, and head towards the woods. We get to right before the woods start and stop to listen. Within a couple minutes, we hear a distinct "woop." When we heard the woop, we realized the woods were completely quiet. A bird started singing, but stopped in mid song- I have never heard anything like it. We radio the team to see if they had made the woop. They had not. After we finished talking with the team, we heard a very distinct wood knock from pretty close to where we were. This was not a branch breaking. We decided not to radio the team again- they would never believe us. 

We then headed back to command central so we would not scare anything off. After the team returned, we learned that they had heard woops as well. They had also found some trees that had been pushed over and footprints at the base. We were going to cast them the next day, as it was already about 2am. However, storms came in that night and washed evidence away. 

Family Day with Carolina Cryptid Crew

A few weeks ago, the team and our families headed up to the mountains for a much needed expedition and family day. We decided to make it a family day because we were just going during the day and we were going to just get a feel for the place, as most of the team was pretty unfamiliar with the location. The thing about this location (that I will not disclose at this time) is that there has been a lot of Bigfoot activity in the past. In fact, I have heard that Matt Moneymaker actually had activity here, including hearing "Samurai Chatter." A member of our team even had activity here.

This particular location is a very secluded primitive campground with a small river running through it. It is a popular spot for trout fishing and very close to the Chattooga rafting launch locations. In fact, it is only a few miles away from each of the major rafting companies in the area. This is actually in the area where the film Deliverance was filmed, so you can imagine how wooded and secluded it is.

One of our team members smoked a wild boar and it was so good. The team ate, socialized, laughed, and had a look around. There was some activity, but the spot was pretty populated with fishermen and picnickers that day, with it being such a pretty Saturday, even if it was a big chilly.

One of the kids that came along for family day was throwing rocks into the river and from the other side of the river, a rock would be thrown and hit the water at almost the same spot. Odd, right. While there, we also felt like we were being watched from across the river, found a few breaks high up in the trees, and even saw a few tree structures. One of the team members later reported seeing a tree with the root ball up in the air.

I did record a video while there, which I will upload to my new YouTube channel at some point.

We are going to head back up at some point, and even conduct an over night expedition. We'll be sure to keep you updated with our future adventures at this well known Bigfoot hot spot.

A Geek Meets Fall and History Of The Jack-O-Lantern

I was looking for this post earlier and couldn't find it. I finally found it on my old NighLon blog, so I decided to repost it here. I hope you enjoy! Are you already dreaming of Halloween, although it's only March?

I ♥ FALL

I really do… I mean I really, really do

Look here… this proves it!

This is me and the hubby carving pumpkins.

This was a first for me!

I grew up painting pumpkins, because my mom is a hippie! [I ♥ you mom]

My design will come later… Its a surprise,

but first, a little history of the Jack-O-Lantern!

Even though the Jack O’Lantern was brought to America with the Irish, The  legend actually did not begin with a pumpkin. Here’s the legend: Stingy Jack was quite the miserable, old drunk who enjoyed playing trick on everyone; even the Devil, himself! Once, Jack decided to trick the Devil. He convinced him to climbing an apple tree. Once the Devil climbed up, Stingy Jack placed crosses around the truck of the tree, so that he could not get down. Stingy Jack made the Devil swear to not take his soul when he died. After this exchange was made, Stingy Jack moved the crosses so the devil could descend.

Many years went by, and Stingy Jack finally died. He went to the Pearly Gates, but was disappointed to learn that he could not get in. Saint Peter told him that because he lead such a miserable and worthless life, he was not allowed into Heaven. He traveled to hell but was once again disappointed. Devil kept his promise, and would not let him in.  He would be forced to wander forever in the darkness between Heaven and Hell. Jack became scared.  He asked the Devil how he was supposed to leave when there was not light. The Devil gave Stingy Jack a ember from the fiery pits of hell to light his way. Because turnips were one of Stingy Jack’s favorite food, he hollowed out a turnip and placed the ember within. From that day on, Stingy Jack roamed the Earth lighting his way with his “Jack O’Lantern.”

The Irish would hollow out Turnips, Rutabagas, Gourds, Potatoes, and Beets. The placed a light inside to ward off evil spirits on All Hallow’s Eve. This also kept Stingy Jack Away. These were the original Jack O’Lanterns. When large waves of Irish came to America in the 1800s, the immigrants soon discovered Pumpkins. The immigrants began using Pumpkins because they are bigger and easier to carve out!

Grab your pumpkin carving stencils here

This is your surprise!

A free set of 19 stencils

directions:

1.  For easy clean up, place protective covering on the area you will be working.
2. Cut a lid large enough to reach your hand in so that you can clean out all the pumpkin brains. Angle the knife toward the center so that you have created a ledge for the lid to rest on.
3. Using a scoop clean out all the seeds and stringy pumpkin brain. On the side where you will be carving, scrape the pumpkin until it is about an inch thick.
4. Print the pattern, and tape it to the pumpkin.
5. Using a pin or a poking tool, poke holes along the design lines. Once you make sure the whole design has been transferred, remove the pattern. (hold on to it for reference.)
6. Using a saw, gently, cut out the pattern (the black areas). Work from the center of the design out, and from the smallest to largest holes.
7. If the stencil you decide to use has grey areas: use a chisel, or other carving tool, to “shave” the peel of the pumpkin. Shave off 1/2 inch of the pumpkin’s skin. This will allow the light to shine through.
8. Clean up your design and place a candle inside

9. ENJOY and HAVE FUN

Let me know how it turns out!