lankrypt0

First things first, I promise you that this is not a "scare with a loud noise" thing. So I do recommend turning up the volume to make sure you can hear this.

My mother has on tape, which I have now made digital, a recording of what we believe to be an actual ghost. Some back-story, I think, is in order before I share the file.

My mother first encountered this ghost when she was 11 or 12 years old (she can't really remember when). She was sleeping in her bed when she awoke to a figure standing just at the foot of her bed. The ghost asked "Are you afraid?" and she said "Yes." to which it disappeared. Throughout the year, she saw the ghost a number of times, once following it to a closet in her parent’s bedroom where it disappeared. That closet had in it a "cold spot" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Spot) which I have personally felt. It's not like this was a small change in temperature, this was really a cold spot, a very noticeable difference.

As my mother got older, the visitations continued, but some other weird things started happening around the house. Items moving, falling, etc. The worst occurrence happening around her prom night. The dress which she had ironed and laid out disappeared one evening. The house was searched, but it was not found. It was not until a few months later did they discover the dress stuffed behind their china cabinet stained black.

Fast forward a few years, my mom is married, has a child (me) and was living in an apartment with my father. She was using a tape recorder when she would be around the apartment and not immediately near me in hopes of catching my first words.

The recording (http://rapidshare.com/files/40894031/ghost.mp3.html) starts with her saying "Jason at 8 months" and then me screeching. All is normal until the 2.30 mark, then again at 2.32 where you can hear something saying "Bitch". Then at 2.48 you can, very faintly (you may need to turn up the volume to hear) the same voice say "Thank you, bitch". Right after that, my mom returns to the tape recorder and it is shut off.

Keep in mind my mother was in the apartment and would know if someone had broken in.

She had contacted a psychic and it they believe that the ghost traveled to the new apartment in a doll that was given to me by my grandmother (my mother’s mother). The doll was disposed of, and nothing like this occurred again.

Martian

I'm going to open up my word box and pull out a word for you. That word is pareidolia. I could make you go look it up, but I'm in a charitable mood, so I will explain that pareidolia is the psychological phenomenon that causes us to find significance in random events. This was at one time an important survival technique, but has since become a mere curiosity. Why do I bring this up? I was listening very intently to your recording and heard nothing of note past 2:32, until I reached the end. At that point I realized that I'd missed the second event, as I hadn't been watching the time counter. Subsequently, I double checked the time and kept an eye on the counter, and was then able to pick out what might've been words. I could even hear the stressors which would indicate the phrase you suggested. It's interesting, since I was listening at the same volume and intensity both times, with the same equipment and sound clip. The only thing that changed was my awareness; once I knew what I was supposed to be hearing, I could pick it out of the noise.

The strange thing is, we can contrast this on your very own recording. The voice at 2:32 (as that's almost certainly what it is) distinctly says 'bitch.' There's very little room for doubt or question. Thus, I would suggest that further investigation would need to be in the direction of how it ended up on your tape. Was your mother recording this with a microphone, seperate from the actual deck? Were there any televisions or radios on in the area? What sort of equipment was it? Was there anybody else in the apartment (your father, for example)?

The reason why ghosts are still considered to be paranormal and not actual scientific phenomena is that there still, after decades of trying, is no hard proof. Occasionally something like this turns up, but often a bit of digging reveals it to be completely mundane in origin. I don't mean to shit on your parade, but I feel the need to point it out. Nevertheless, I'm at a loss to explain who was calling your or your mother a bitch.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

lankrypt0

Unfortunately you are right the "thank you, bitch" is a bit hard to hear through this tape to mp3 transfer, but it is definitely more audible in the original tape version. But I suppose either way, that is up for debate. On to the easily audible first two "Bitches", my mom was home alone at the time with no one home at the apartment. From what she recalls there was with no television or radio on. From what my mom says, it was a typical casette recorder for the time (1979) One of those rectangular boxes, no handheld mic.

I agree that it's a bit weird, and who knows it may be nothing. Unfortunately we will never know for sure, but I don't believe this is something my mom would lie about or stage, it's just not in her nature to do so.

Sticky

I hear music in the background throughout the whole recording like a TV or Radio in a nother room or far from the recorder.

The "Bitch" sounds like a man's voice.
Your mother said to you "Where's Dada?" a couple of times.
I have kids, you say those types of things about a person that is in the room not someone who is at work or elsewhere out of the house. The reason is that you don't expect a verbal answer from an 8 month old ("he's at work Mommy") you expect a turning of the head and smile or pointing to Dada.

You sure your dad was not in the room or in another room but viewable to you?

Sorry about this next question:
Is it possible that when your mother left the room your dad says "bitch" quietly - directed at your mother but not for her to hear?

__________________
Sticky The Stickman

lankrypt0

Don't be sorry at all He was at work from what she tells me. Also, that is not my fathers voice at all.