TV Series: Ghost Hunters

Scanning through some TV Series, a certain reality format program caught my attention. Its entitled "Ghost Hunters" of the Sci-Fi channel. Its about the group called "The Atlantic Paranormal Society", or TAPS for short, run by the 2 'Roto-Rooter plumbers-by-day' guys, Grant and Jason.

I got to watch the series early on their second season, where they transferred from their make shift headquarters at a trailer in Jason's backyard, to a storefronted office in Rhode Island, complete with equipment vans and a mobile headquarters.

Using various scientific equpment such as surface thermometers, EMF meters, thermal cameras, and an array of digital video and audio recording equipment, they go to a reported 'haunting' and try to debunk it using the evidence they gathered and by finding a rational explanation to what goes bump in the night.

They start by interviewing their 'clients' as to what supernatural events has transpired and where they commonly occur. After leaving their recording equipment in these 'hotspots', they go around investigating the area. After at least 8 to 12 hours of investigation, they retrieve all their data and equipment and review them. They move by process of elimination wherein the staff view and listen to the recorded data and, when they find something strange captured in their recordings, they debate if that piece of evidence is noteworthy or something common or rational which was viewed wrong (i.e., dust, reflections, creaking floorboards, water heater starting, etc...).

In between the investigation, they are some human intrest drama going on which gives the series the documentary - reality show feel to it. They also present some valid deductions or information which makes sense when debunking.

But as the series progresses, the formula of the program becomes boring. Maybe due to the fact that most of the times, its not a haunting that occurs. Maybe its the frustration of seing the investigators seems to insinuate or prove a haunting with certain feelings and observations, like when they said that they can feel the temperature change rapidly, or they smell something different, or when they see a moving shadow at out of the corner of their eye...you expect some evidence to back it up. But in the end, they capture nothing.

Well, as Jason once said, "sometimes they play, sometimes they don't".

Happy Holloween?

Like many traditions around the world, it looses its true meaning after a few years or generations. In recent decades, due in part to globalization, traditions are infected with foreign ideas and concepts in order to make it appear hip or cool. We can blame that on the changing taste in every generation, too. Traditions needs to be hip because of their shortening attention span and 'evolved' ideals of modern.

Take for example Halloween. How was it integrated with our traditions? I remember back then when 'trick or treat' can only be heard in American TV series or movies. After an on and off stint in an upscale village in Alabang, some malls followed suit, and now its a major marketing strategy in majority of the malls/park/community center. Having the little ones in costumes and run around shops and communities with that familiar 'trick or treat'.

How fast the people adapted to the new fad of costumes and parties and celebrations without knowing the meaning of it all. It all reminds me of this girl selling Che Guevarra t-shirts saying that he's the vocalist for Rage Against the Machine. How about you, do you know the true reasons for all this new fangled traditions that you emulate?. As a lot of different cultures has their own way of remembering their dead, they mostly fall on the same date, Oct.31, Nov.1 and Nov.2.

First of all, the tradition of wearing costumes and grotesque masks. This was probably derived from the Celtic tradition of Samhain. It is believed that on this day, both good and evil spirits cross over to the mortal realm. While spirits of their ancestors are welcomed and honored, the evil spirits are warded off by dressing up to appear as malevolent spirits as well, making them ignore the household they are passing by.

The jack-o-lantern, a common symbol of holloween, was actually derived from the Celtic tradition of carving out turnips with faces and placed on windows to ward off evil spirits. The pumpkin head only came to be with the American settlers since pumkins were easier to find and carve. This tradition is also rooted in Irish traditions during harvest time.

The 'trick or treat'-ing is similar to the Middle Age practice where the poor would go door to door and offer to pray for the souls of the departed in exchange for food or money during the period of Hallowmas. This practice has it local counterpart during All-Soul's day called the 'magdadasal'. They are also called upon to pray on the 40th day after a departed relative is interred. In its more modern incarnate, children will give a (mostly) idle threat of mischief if no treats were given.

Halloween parties are also rooted in celebrations where farmers prepare their stock for the upcoming winter, usually around the same period as Hollowmas. Traditional party games for this occassion can still be seen in some American Holloween parties today.

Although there is no single religion attributed to the creation of hollow's eve but a mixture of practices from various traditions from the Celtic, Scottish, Irish and the like. It all comes from the need to revere the relatives who has passed on and honoring their memory.

"For I am...Murmur..."

A funny thing...

The avatar I'm using now is the seal of the demon Murmur.

He is the Duke and Earl of hell who teaches philosophy and music. Of all the demons I studied, I took intrest in him because, while the other bunch specializes in temptation and sin, Murmur teaches. And loves music. Hmmm...kinda like...

ME!!!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA*cough cough*....

Anyweizs...the funny thing I'm referring to is, after using the seal of Murmur as my avatar, the list in my Google ads changed. It started showing ads on demonology, the occult..and today I saw ads about the Holy Spirit and other prophetic ministries.

I don't consider myself as a religious person...but I am a spiritual and philosophical guy. So don't be fooled about the ads on ministries and stuff.

Now...must look for that puppy.....

here puppy puppy puppy... :-)