S.T.A.R.S. Member - Ryan

1. When and how did you become interested in the paranormal.

I had my first "paranormal" experience at the tender age of 3...saw figure in white behind me as I watched the Muppets (even then I had good taste), so that planted the seed, but I didn't REALLY get going until I picked up my first "real" ghost book at the age of 8 and realized there was so much more to it all then what they show you on TV. That was probably the first time I realized that adults see ghosts too.


2.What was your first experience.

Well, like I said, that figure in white was probably the first thing I would call paranormal, but I didn't really understand what it was at the time. The first thing that happened to me when I was actually old enough to understand was going on, was when I used to get shaken in my bed when I moved into an old house on the lake at the age of 12. it felt like someone was shaking the bed, and it happened several time when I was wide awake and reading...sitting up.

3.What was your favorite location.

Hard to say...I travel alot so there are several great "haunted" locations I have done without actually investigating them per se...I'd have to go with the entire Charelston, South Carolina area...seems like you can't go 20 feet without coming across something interesting.

4.What is the oddest thing that has happened.

Besides the figure in white? My great-grand father's 1970's issue credit cards showed up on a table in a locked building about 2 years ago even though he's been dead for several years...I won't call it "paranormal", but it was ...odd.

5.Where would you like to investigate.

Wow...Myrtles (sure, most of the stories are untrue, but hey, it's a nice place!), the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and the Tower of London.

6.What was your first investigation.

First investigation that was firmly structured was at ODI. First investigation that was a bit more casual was the Agora.

7.What is your favorite tool.

My digital audio recorder gives me the most results, but I love my wireless USB plug-n-play night vision camera for the sheer cool-factor of it.

8.Piece of advice.

If they can't see, hear, or hold the evidence, then it's not evidence. Personal experiences and "feelings" are great...for you. Don't expect anyone to believe what they can't experience for themselves though.


9.Takes on orbs, bigfoot, nessie, human cumbustion, aliens,
and cry baby bridges.

Orbs aren't ghost. Most of them are dust, bugs, reflections, etc...a few are balls of energy. You know what a ghost looks like? It looks like a ghost. Not a ball.

Bigfoot is probably real...it's probably just some rare animal we haven't killed yet. That happens.

Nessie was probably real as well, though again, I doub't it's a "monster"...probably just a misidentified animal again, though i have some doubts as to if it's still alive at this point.

Human Combustion...I can take it or leave it. Things happen that we can't explain, but I can't deny that we don't seem to come across it too often anymore.

Aliens...simply playing percentages, they almost have to be real...someplace and in some form, though that isn't to say little green men are probing our backsides. I said they'r real...I didn't say they're interested in our nether regions.

Cry Baby Bridges...well of course, and on a dark stormy night, when you return that hitch hiker's jacket to her mother's house, you'll find out that the hitch hiker has been dead for 15 years...last night! Nah. Not a bit believer in simple urban legends. There might be one or two real ones out of the lot of thousands.


10.What 5 dead people would you like to have diner with.

I wouldn't...eating dinner with dead people would get me in some legal trouble.

11.What is your favorite horror movie.

Probably the original "Haunting". Not a fan of the slasher flicks. I like my scares to be suspenseful.

12.What kind of music.

I'm a metalhead by nature, so Killswitch Engage, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Sevendust....that kinda thing. That being said I love the ol' crooners...the Sinatra's, the Cole's, the Darrin's, and most of the 80's stuff as well.

13.What are your hobbies.

I write and read constantly...mainly political and current event topics. I also play bass and golf. If you can call it a hobby, I'm also a Moderator for the TAPS Main Forum and for the TAPS Chatroom.

14.Birth date and sign.

October 29th...Scorpio...of course (you know, if you believe that stuff!)