Paracon Heat Adventure, People, Ghost Stories and Costumes

The heat curled a book cover or two

The Pensacola Paracon was Saturday, August 9 and Sunday August 10. On Saturday vendors like me (Rob) had to be there at 9 a.m. and the doors opened at 10 a.m.

2 women with an axe to grind?

TOO HOT TO HANDLE - The air conditioning was working... until 10 a.m. and then it died. The outside temperature hit 100F. The INSIDE temperature in the convention was about 105/110F. It was unbearable. I bought about 7 bottles of water and people were miserable. There were many people in costumes, too. I read some of the facebook comments, and some people left after 30 minutes. We had to stay from 10am to 6pm (8 hours) in 100F plus heat. 

Even R2D2 from Star Wars was there! 

The Joker in the background looking at toys

MY TALK -   My talk about a "double murder ghost investigation" was at 4:30 p.m. in another building, which did have A/C, but only 18 people showed as the crowds rapidly thinned out. The talk went well, despite the small group. 

FASCINATING PEOPLE - 
  I got to meet some really great people over the weekend, though. People who came to the table to ask questions, share stories and find out what my books were about. A young gentleman named Will was there with his family and I was amazed how much he was so spiritually developed. I met a wonderful woman named "Silver Wolf" (nickname) who rescued many dogs in her neighborhood.  Justin was sensitive to energies and realized that bad relationships cause negative energy that no one needs. I met David and Maria Chavez who are starting "Phantom Paranormal Research and Investigations" in Pensacola. I met Ray and Heather Carlson of Bellview Paranormal Society;

A guy with a beaded face painted on

2  SPIRIT RESCUE STORIES- 1)  One woman gets a headache whenever in the presence of a ghost or spirit just as I do. She said she felt her grandmother's spirit with her and her husband when they spent 72 hours on a kayak in the NW Pacific before being rescued by a Japanese Coast Guard boat. 
2) Another woman told me that even though her dad passed 4 years ago, she knows his spirit is around. One day her breaker box shorted and the lights in her house went out. She called to her dad to fix it and shortly all the power was restored and the breaker worked again!  She knew it was her dad. 

Deadpool and Darth Vader

Paracon Friends: Meet Spiritlight and Shannon Bell

Dianne and One Eagle Feather

There were many highlights to my weekend event at the Paracon in Pensacola, Florida. Many of them included the people I got to meet.

Here's a look at some amazing people that I befriended, whom I was fortunate enough to be positioned next to at the event.
The first couple is Dianne and Reverend One Eagle Feather of Spiritlight.

Dianne tames a dragon

  They truly lit up the room. They perform Native American weddings, they are psychic healers, mediums, paranormal investigators who also do house clearings, Reiki masters, authors and they make amazing jewelry, too! Dianne did medium readings at their table and was always spot on.
  We had something else in common: Dog rescue!  They are very active in animal rescue!!  Check out their Rescue page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spiritlightanimalrescue

One Eagle Feather hugs a magical beast

For their regular website:  http://diannespiritlight.com/
AND, if you live in Kentucky or thereabouts you can see them at Scarefest in September 12-14 in the Lexington Convention Center.
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MEET SHANNON BELL - Shannon and her husband John sat on the other side of my table, and also lit up the room. I really lucked out with great people around me. Shannon just published her first novel, a Vampire romance. Her website is: http://shannonwritesandblogs.com/

ABOUT HER BOOK: "The Mortal One" - The Mortal One is a paranormal romance. Dylan leaves her life in Florida to go on a vacation of a lifetime so she can find herself. Instead, she finds vampires – even after she has convinced herself they don’t exist. She is flung into the arms of Nico, an immortal who must mark her to save her. The problems

Shannon and husband John

compound because another vampire feels he is entitled to mark her as well. She is caught up in an exhilarating love affair as well as vampire politics. She finds it hard to be the only mortal one.
Kindle – Buy here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Mortal-One-Shannon-Bell-ebook/dp/B00HAC0LZK

Set up at the Paracon and More Spirit Assistance!

his is part three in Rob's trip to the Pensacola, Florida Paracon. After checking

outside the paracon

into the hotel I drove to the Pensacola fair grounds to set up my table for the weekend (Sat./Sun.) event.

Setting up at the Paracon

A MESSAGE FROM SPIRIT -  As I was pulling in the front gate I noticed the first building on the right housed the Paracon, but I heard my mom say "keep going, keep going straight ahead." I wondered why, but didn't question it. In the next building was a dog show! Since I was there promoting my book "Pets and the Afterlife" it was a perfect place to visit... so after I set up my table I walked over to the dog show.

Connie Fleming and one of her agile Shelties

  That's when I met an amazing dog trainer and dog lover named Connie Fleming. She was warm, wonderful, and welcoming and saw my badge and said "I think you're looking for the other convention!" - I told her I was in the right place and told her about my book. We talked about her Sheltie dogs, our 3 kids, and her experiences with pets who have communicated from the other side. She told me that some of her dogs posed with Star Trek actors and she loves sci-fi! She took the 2 business cards I had and said she'd display them. How kind!  

  The next morning I went over early and brought her more business cards and a bunch of promotional post cards, and gave her a free copy of the "Pets" book to say thanks. 

  AMAZING TURNABOUT - One of the gentleman attending the dog event saw the book on Saturday, walked over to the Paracon to find ME, and bought my book. Wow. He said he and his wife lost a couple of dogs and believe they've received messages. He walked in the 100F heat to get a copy and I was really honored!

The dog show - agility set up! 

    

WHAT IS THE PENSACOLA PARACON? A Science, Comic, Sci Fi, Anime, Gaming, paranormal, art, horror and Costuming Convention! Pensacola Interstate Fair Grounds Conference Building, Pensacola, Florida Pensacola Interstate Conference Building 6655 Mobile Hwy Pensacola Florida 850 941-4321

http://www.pensacolaparacon.com

NEXT: MEETING SOME NEW FRIENDS/FELLOW VENDORS
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**NEW** PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- click here 

FOR  ROB GUTRO'S  OTHER BOOKS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON ((Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium for $7.99 paper/$2.99 E-book and Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead  for $8.99 paperback and $2.99 E-book:  http://tinyurl.com/q3bhgde

Pensacola Paracon Trip: "Spirit Assistance" #2: "Escape from Motel Hell"

Yesterday I mentioned that my parents' spirits influenced me to take a brochure of Pensacola as I arrived into the baggage claim area of the airport. I thought nothing of the hotels, and thought the maps may be useful and I thought nothing of it.
  I picked up the rental car, programmed the first Dunkin' Donuts into my GPS and

Lunch and the brochure from mom & dad's spirit

stopped for lunch. Then it was off to the hotel. For the sake of not bashing a place, I will leave the name out. I'll just call it the "A" Hotel.
ARRIVAL AT MOTEL HELL -   I pulled into the "hotel" and it didn't look like the picture on-line. In fact, it resembled a 1960s three floor motel. It was adjacent to a McDonalds and there was litter all over the parking lot border. The restaurant also meant loud traffic all night long, but I always bring ear plugs. Here's where it really declined.
  I walked to the "Lobby," which was a motel lobby room (not connected to the rooms, which were all only accessible from the outside. The door was locked at 1 p.m. I was stumped. I waited 10 minutes and saw someone cleaning a room (and saw no replacement sheets or towels) and a middle-aged, ragged-looking woman approached me and said "Hey! You waiting for check in?" I gulped. I decided I could not stay there. It was dirty, loud, a motel, and obviously not well-run. The kicker was when I asked if I could put my 1 bag in a room and she answered, "Yeah, for 20 bucks early check in fee." That did it!!! I was paying too much anyway, and it was disgusting. I walked out and went into the rental car, where I called AARP Travel (yeah, I'm a member and I'm glad I got their insurance).
  THE SPIRIT ASSISTANCE PART- The AARP Travel agent was awesome. But she asked what hotels I would like to check into. I then heard my mom's spirit say "Get the book we had you pick up!"  I did. I went through the book and the agent patiently called 7 hotels and found 2 with availability. I happily booked into the Hampton Inn on Davis Road. Awesome, clean, quiet, wonderful place. Thanks, mom and dad for the major assist!
 (BTW- AARP travel insurance prevented a cancellation fee).
NEXT: Set up at the Paracon and More Spirit Assistance! 

**NEW** PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- click here 

FOR  ROB GUTRO'S  OTHER BOOKS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON ((Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium for $7.99 paper/$2.99 E-book and Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead  for $8.99 paperback and $2.99 E-book:  http://tinyurl.com/q3bhgde

A Note I Enjoyed Getting after my "Pets and the Afterlife" talk

On Friday, August 1st, I gave a talk about my newest book "Pets and the Afterlife" to teach people how to recognize the signs from their pets who have passed. Here's a review I received:

Donna Terwilliger posted a greeting on Meetup !

“Rob, Thanks for sharing your experiences about pets and the afterlife. Your compassion and sensitivity spoke volumes. We have lost a number of our feline babes and know too well the heartache each passing brings. However, I know they continue to be w/us in spirit. Donna”

 PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE by Rob Gutro: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- click here

Pensacola Paracon Trip: My Mom and Dad's "Spirit Assistance" #1

It's nothing new that my mom and dad's spirits are around me, and they help me out from time to time. This past weekend when I flew to the Pensacola Paracon, I got their help again.

THE FIRST SIGNS - A DISCUSSION! 
  The first word I received from my mom and dad's spirits was on the Super Shuttle ride to the airport at 4:15 a.m. on Friday, August 8. I was so overtired (slept for 4 hours) that I was in a foggy state and heard my mom start talking with me. This is not uncommon when you're in a state between consciousness and unconsciousness. That's when they can get through to you!

Finally arrived! 

WHAT THEY SAID -  She talked about a lot of things. She mentioned my older brother's birthday, and said she made me turn on Pandora radio.com on Thursday when "For the Good Times" by Eddy Arnold played - because she used to love singing that song. My dad finally stepped forward and cut her off, just as he had to do in life to get her to stop talking sometimes! He mentioned they'd be with me in Florida, and brought forth my grandmother "Nana" and said she's never seen anything like the conference. I know now that she came forward because she always bought me comic books when I was a kid!  Nice to "see" them all.
INSPIRATION THAT HELPED -    Spirits can inspire us to do things that will ultimately help us, or teach us lessons we need to know. This time it was the former. After my 2 flights, I reached Pensacola. I took the stairs down to the baggage claim and felt I had to look to the right at the bottom of the stairs. On the wall in a tiny area was a rack holding maps of the airport and a book-like brochure of Pensacola. I was pushed to walk over, and I took the brochure that contained maps.I noticed it had broken down the city into regions, and contained hotel listings that were mapped out, too. But, I didn't need a hotel. Or I thought I didn't! 
     CONTINUED TOMORROW: Pensacola Paracon Trip: My  Mom and Dad's "Spirit Assistance" #2: "Escape from Motel Hell"

Great Paranormal Fictional Mystery: Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher

  I just finished my second novel in the "Dresden Files" series about a paranormal detective in
Chicago, and like the first one, it was great!
   The STORY:   The White Council of Wizards has drafted wizard Harry Dresden as a Warden and assigned him to look into rumors of black magic in Chicago. Malevolent entities that feed on fear are loose in the Windy City at a horror convention called "Splattercon!!!" but it's all in a day's work for a wizard, his faithful dog, and a talking skull named Bob.
  This paranormal detective has to figure out where these blood thirsty entities are killing conference attendees. He also has to figure out how his best friend's daughter fits into the paranormal outbreak... and it leads him into trouble in a Faerie kingdom full of dark entities and evil. This is the 8th book in the series (there are now 15 of them!) and it was such a great read, I finished it in less than 2 weeks. Highly Recommended! 

My Scientific Take on Afterlife Consciousness and Energy

Whether you believe in a "god" or not isn't really relevant to the afterlife. What is important is that you realize that your "soul" transitions.

On a similar note, I recently received the following question:

What I can't resolve is that if a person ceases to exist upon death, there's no more consciousness, etc. then how does Rob and other mediums get their messages?

My response:  Energy is a constant. It changes, doesn't go away. So everyone's consciousness was formed from energies combining and the energies will continue. The soul (memories and personality) of the person then transforms with every reincarnation.  That's my take from a science standpoint.

So, what would those who believe in a god understand to be god?

Answer:  The collective consciousness or energies of every living thing (person, animal, etc.)  are what forms what some people call god. I simply think of it as energy.

So how do mediums get messages from those consciousnesses in the afterlife?

Answer: Being a medium is like being a living lightning rod for the energy of those "souls" - that's how I read what they're thinking/saying.

For Rob Gutro's Books on Amazon.com visit his Author Page: 

 Rob Gutro's Books in Paperback and E-Book

Catch Rob Speaking at the Pensacola Para Con, Florida!

Meet me on Aug 9-10 at Pensacola, FL PARACON!

See the ghostly face from our investigation!

If you live near Pensacola, Florida, or on the Florida Panhandle, Mobile, Alabama, Biloxi, Mississippi, consider coming to this weekend's amazing PARACON! 
 - I'll be there August 9 and 10,, and I'm speaking at 4:30pm about a "Double Murder Investigation" as highlighted in my book "LESSONS LEARNED FROM TALKING TO THE DEAD." 
  Rob will be there with his boos "Ghosts and Spirits," and"Pets and the Afterlife," too.
WHAT IS THE PARACON?  A Science, Comic, Sci Fi, Anime, Gaming, paranormal, art, horror and Costuming Convention!
Pensacola Interstate Fair Grounds Conference Building, Pensacola, FloridaPensacola Interstate Conference Building 6655 Mobile Hwy Pensacola Florida 850 941 4321http://www.pensacolaparacon.com

The Double Murder ghost investigation is in this book! 

Inspiration and Spirits at my Inspired Ghost Tracking Talk on 8/1/14

Dog spirit was present

Thanks to Inspired Ghost Tracking of Maryland  for letting me talk about the Pets and the Afterlife book. As people who attended could tell, it was a very emotional and special book for me. It was difficult to maintain composure when talking about how I've lost 2 canine kids, although they've both come back with many messages.
  There were several times I had to stop and compose myself, and several folks who attended told me they were also brought to tears, but they were happy tears, knowing their pets could communicate with them from beyond. 
   I hope that everyone learned some things, and walked away with understanding, hope, and comfort.

Spirit cat resembled this one 

   SPIRIT ANIMALS AND PEOPLE ABOUND: There was a spirit of a grey, long-haired cat walking around the right side of the room, and I mentioned it during my presentation. Afterward, a married couple came up to me and told me they recently lost a long-haired, gray cat- so their cat wanted to let them know that she's still around them! 

My newest book

   ANOTHER CAT SPIRIT! - Another attendee actually brought her service dog, a Labrador Retriever. I sensed the spirit of a white cat with beige patches on it near the men's room door. The woman's lab kept going over the door and afterward, she told me that her dog was bonded to a cat that matched that description, but she had to give the cat up for adoption. It could be that the cat has passed and made an appearance to let her and her dog know she's still around...
  There was also the spirit of a dog, that looked like a white dog with black spots- like a beagle or pointer, walking around the back left part of the room. There was a grandmother of one of the attendees standing there in spirit as well, and the spirit of a young girl who died in a car accident. The room was crowded with the living and the dead and with humans, cats and dogs! 

Margaret of Inspired Introduces Rob 

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 For more about Inspired Ghost Tracking: Inspired Ghost Tracking is a Maryland based paranormal group that is called on to do public and private paranormal investigations


ABOUT MY BOOK:  
 PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE by Rob Gutro: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- click here