I have been noticing a menacing face looking out at me from mottled patterns on my vinyl floor tiles in the bathroom for several months. The human mind naturally tries to make patterns out of chaos, so I tried to dismiss this as just a quirk. Finally, I took some photographs to see if other people can see what I see.

The first photo is straight out of the digital camera. I then tried adjusting the contrast and luminescence curves to bring out the details. I used MS Paint in the 3rd photo to outline what I am seeing. I see the exact same thing on at least 3 of my tiles.

To me, it looks like someone throwing a rock at me smoking a cigar.

I have heard of matricing and pareidolia, which are well-documented instincts in people to see faces and people in all kinds of random formations (like the face photographed on Mars or the cat's eyes on some cars). So this can be understood from a purely natural perspective. I do, however, wonder if malevolent forces can utilize such things to oppress and wear a person down out of spite, just because they can.


Wiki Link on Pareidolia [Link]

My other interests [Link]

Have You Seen My Doppelganger?

My wife had a weird experience on September 31, 2012. The day before I really wrestled within myself whether I was going on a trip to Orlando to attend a user group. I was tired from studying and the prospect of the traffic and tolls made me not want to take the trip. On the other hand, it was important exposure for my new career; so I got up early to go. My wife woke up just in time to see me off, and proceeded to fall asleep on the couch. She swears that an hour later (when I was 60 miles away) that she was awakened by the front door opening, and I sat at the foot of the couch, telling her I just could not bring myself to make the trip, and to go back to sleep. An hour later, she got up, and not seeing my brief case and computer, panicked and called my cellphone. She thought that she had seen a ghost (of me), fearing I had died in an accident. Funny thing was while I was on the highway, I did feel a lurch and a moment of dizziness, as if I would run into the ditch. Did she see my doppelganger?

wiki on doppelgangers [Link]

My other interests [Link]

Static Field Detector for Sale

You can own a highly sensitive static field detector for paranormal activity.
After 6 months of continuous use of 3 prototypes I am highly confident in the design.
It was great fun laying out the PCBs and building these units (now dubbed SFD1): they are ready to ship.

User Manual [Link]

Updated Parts List [Link]

If you just want to get the PCB [Link]

The PICAXE Code [Link]

My other interests [Link]

Static field Detector gets a Professional PCB

I have been building a lot of microprocessor-based projects lately, and the most tedious part is all of the point-to-point wiring required. Cutting, stripping, tinning and soldering consumes hours. I have used on-line PCB fabricators before, but the cost has been high (like $250 for a few boards), so I was looking for another solution. The SparkFun Web site (from which I buy a lot of my parts) posted a service for permitting hobbyist to submit their designs in the un-used margins of commercial panels of production runs for a greatly reduced cost. They even provided a link to Eagle, a free (for personal/no commercial use) schematic capture and PCB layout software. The SparkFun site also has tutorials on using this SW to make your own Gerber files (the essential files to get your boards produced). You must follow their tutorials religiously, and download their SparkFun library, as I found numerous ways to screw up my design and have it rejected by the batch processor. 2 Days of effort finally yielded a design that did not violate CAD rules, and was accepted. The boards came to only $9.19 each.

 

http://batchpcb.com/index.php/Faq#what_are_the_pcb_rules	Will make your boards cheap!
http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/108	Must follow religiously!
http://www.cadsoftusa.com/downloads/	Download Eagle Schematic Capture/Layout
http://www.viewplot.com/info_files/vpl_download.html	Used to check your Gerbers
http://www.batchpcb.com/product_info.php?products_id=81452&check=fbee6c6fe66f57e15f9f3a0b5c50adb6	static field detector PCB for sale

My other interests [Link]

Silly EVP

On December 22, 2011, at 3:23AM, I recorded this EVP of a female voice saying, "silly". This voice is nothing like my wife's voice. I believe it was in response to my static field detector and other efforts to capture evidence on my 3AM visitations. When I began using the static field detector, it went off 3 times on 3 different nights, each during the 3AM hour 9and at no other times); then after this 'silly' EVP, it has not gone off again in several months. I think the spirit is avoiding the detector; but it certainly sounds benevolent. This leads me to believe that any technique will only work in a specific geography once or twice; after that the 'prey' (spirits, etc.) becomes wise to it and try to avoid detection. If more evidence is to be gathered; the element of surprise and a variety of methods is essential.

Utube video of EVP [Link]

Personal Log [Link]

My other interests [Link]

IR RADAR Gun

I had been intrigued with an IR analog distance sensor I saw in the Pololu catalog, so I thought I'd try it out as sort of an IR RADAR gun to permit me to walk around in the dark without running into things. It could also allow me to sit stationary and detect anything approaching my position. The PICAXE BASIC code simply produces a tone of increasing frequency as an object approaches. It works best if pointed slightly downward to an imaginary spot about 7 feet in front of you on the floor (the detection range is 5 feet). I can walk down a dark hallway swinging it from left to right and avoid the walls. This same sensor would work well as a stationary motion detector, like a pyro sensor.

Parts list [Link]

BASIC Code [Link]

Assembly Notes [Link]

My other interests [Link]

Who is Knocking? 4 Theories

3:00AM...Hour of the AntiChrist? A demonic attack? Ghost? Is the Spirit of Jesus knocking? Is my Guardian Angel telling me to "Watch and Pray? Please follow the link below to a detailed discussion of these theories.

4 Theories [Link]

My other interests [Link]

Milligauss Meter and EMF Readings at Home

Remember when your Mom would yell at you for sitting too close to the TV set? Our old-style picture tube turned out to be the greatest source of EMF (electromagnetic frequencies) in our home. Sources of EMF and ELF (extremely low frequency) radiation are primarily the product of our technology: alternating current, wiring, electric lights, transformers and motors. There is a lot of controversy over just how much exposure can be detrimental to your health. High levels can cause nervousness and paranoia. Many paranormal researchers believe that high EMF can fuel activity and help spirits to manifest. The difference between this and my static-field detector is the difference between DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current); static fields are mono-poleular (positive or negative) and EMF fields are alternating; with the predominant element being at 60Hz. For my personal investigation, I wanted to measure the EMF fields in my home; (and build my own equipment); so after some research I came across a simple circuit by a Reverend Scarborough. If you have a good-quality DVM (digital volt meter), you can made this for a dollar's worth of components. The DCM must be high-impedance (I tried a cheap Harbor Freight $4.99 meter, which failed miserably!)

Scarborough's design [Link]

My EMF Readings [Link]

My other interests [Link]

Static Field Detector Early Warning System

I had built a simple static field detector before, that would turn on an LED when a comb or a piece of cellophane was brought near its antenna; but I was able to enhance the sensitivity of the circuit using a PICAXE microprocessor. The basic circuit centers around a FET (field-effect transistor) with a long wire on the gate as the static electrical probe. The FET's drain to source current changes in response to minute changes in the gate voltage, and since it is high impedance, it won't drain away static fields. The FET's drain is connected to the ADC (analog to digital converter) of the microprocessor where it is represented by a number between 0 and 255 (8-bits). Through observation in debug mode I set a high sensitivity threshold at 60 and a low sensitivity level at 100. When the static energy exceeds these levels, a brief chirp sounds from the piezo speaker (not loud enough to disturb my wife) and the LED turns on. This little system can detect a charged comb (just run it through you hair) from a meter away. I tried it last night, and it only went off once; at 3:04AM! I am quite pleased with this result. Whatever is bugging me in the 300AM hour is detectable and generates a static field. For a few dollars in parts I might build a bunch of them and distribute them around the house.

The circuit diagram [Link]

The BASIC code [Link]

The parts list [Link]

My other interests [Link]

JMD Paranormal Investigation: Something is Knocking!

I am first and foremost a Christian, so why would I be doing a 'paranormal investigation'?

I have had strange experiences over my whole life; many of which seem to be concentrated in the 3:00AM 'witching hour'. The number 3 also recurs frequently: 3 knocks, 3 gongs, 3 shakes of my knee, 3 shakes of my right toe, etc. I want to know what is waking me up, what is trying to get my attention at night. I will not look to the occult for answers; but I will use science. As far as my faith goes; my God is big enough to not be threatened by a little investigation.

Jesus, after His resurrection, joked with His Disciples who thought they were seeing a ghost, "Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." Luke 24:36-39 NKJV

Something is going on; and I am not willing to shut my mind for dogma's sake. I want to know.

I caught my very first EVP, and proof that this is not 'all in my head' as some have suggested. On 12/03/2011, at exactly 3:00AM, 3 knocks were recorded (I was asleep); at 3:01 (time stamp 40) an EVP says, "Come with Me". At 3:13 three more knocks, this time waking me up. A few moments later two knocks, and then 2 more. I caught it on a Sony ICD-PX312 Digital recorder, and analyzed it with Audacity software.

Link to YouTube video of EVP [Link]

Link to my other interests [Link]