Problem: Article: The basic principle of recording EVP is that you record yourself asking questions much as you would when using a Ouija board, and then listen back for audio cues that the spirits were answering out loud. It can be an intense experience to listen back over these sessions.  The H1 Zoom mic is a professional-quality handheld recorder that musicians and other people want to use to record spontaneous audio that sounds clear and clean. Cellphone recorders are also good for this kind of recording. You want to make sure you can turn up the recording sensitivity to a very high level. EVP works best when it records things that are sub-aural for us to hear in the moment, catching things we might miss when we're present. A recorder that has an ultra-sensitive recording setting would be ideal. Finding a place with a lot of psychic residue would be a good candidate for trying to record EVP. Newer buildings and locations like shopping malls or housing developments will be less valuable for this activity, because they just don't have the kind of history that an old church, hospital, or library has. If you live in a house that's more than 50 years old, give it a shot. If you don't it might be worth trying to hold an EVP session elsewhere. You should go through the same sort of process you might go through any time you try to connect to the great beyond: eliminate any distracts, unplug the clocks, make it as quiet as possible to get the highest-quality recording you can get. After you hit record, start talking: "Is there any benevolent spirit here who might be interested in talking?" If you know anything about particular hauntings in the area you're researching, or anything about the history of the area, you might try asking specific questions or more general questions of the spiritual world that you're trying to get in touch with. You might try asking:  "What do you want?" "Why are you here?" "What would you like us to know?" "Who are you?" "Is there anything we can do for you?" While you're in the middle of recording, try to pay attention to any sensations you might be experiencing, emotional or physical. Make note of them in the recording itself for comparison afterward. Pay particular attention to:  Cold and warm spots Tingles or prickles on the back of your neck Feelings of apprehension Any sounds or whispers you hear Leave the location by closing the conversation as you would any time you're communicating, with a brief salutation and thanks. Leave the location immediately and go to either a comfortable location or back to your house. Turn the lights back on and make it comfortable and as un-spooky as possible to listen. Turn up the silent parts as loud as they'll go and listen closely. If you can look at the recording on the computer, pay attention to any spikes you see to know where to look more closely. Isolate those places in the recording and try to decipher what they say.
Summary: Get a good quality audio recorder. Go to the right environment. Start recording and clarify your intentions. Ask a series of questions. Pay close attention to other forms of communication you may be experiencing. Listen closely to the recording afterward.

Problem: Article: In a large skillet, cook 4 strips of bacon that have been cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) pieces on medium-low heat. Allow the bacon to cook until it is crisp, and then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to set aside until later.  You can substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon if you prefer. Don’t drain off the bacon fat when you remove the bacon pieces. You’ll need the grease for the rest of the recipe. Once you’ve removed the bacon from the pan, add 2 finely chopped onions to the skillet. Saute the onions in the bacon fat over medium-high heat until they become tender, which should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes. You can add 1 stalk of diced celery and 1 small diced green pepper to the onions if you want to include more vegetables in the dish. When the onion is tender, mix a 6-ounce (170 g) can of tomato paste, 2 ¼ cups (532 ml) of water, 3 teaspoons (15 g) of salt, 2 teaspoons (10 g) of sugar, and ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) of black pepper into the skillet. Allow the mixture to cook on medium-high until it comes to a boil, which should take approximately 3 minutes. Once the skillet comes to a boil, add 1 cup (185 g) of long grain rice. Stir the rice into the mixture well until it’s fully incorporated, and then allow it to  come to a boil again, which should take approximately 3 to 5 minutes. When you add the rice, you can also stir in up to 8 tablespoons (120 g) of bacon fat. That will help deepen the smoky flavor of the finished rice. After the rice mixture has come to a boil, turn the burner’s heat down to low and cover the skillet. Cook the rice until it is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed, which should take approximately 15 minutes. If you don’t have a lid for your skillet, you can place a baking sheet or a piece of foil across the top to help trap the steam. When the rice is finished cooking, remove the skillet from the burner. Fluff the rice with a fork, and stir in the cooked bacon pieces until they are well incorporated. Serve the rice with your favorite Southern main course.
Summary: Fry the bacon, and set aside. Saute the onions in the bacon grease. Add the tomato paste, water, salt, sugar, and pepper to the pan, and bring to a boil. Mix in the rice, and bring to a boil again. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the liquid is absorbed. Stir in crumbled bacon and serve.

Problem: Article: Most universities will give you the option of either purchasing or renting academic regalia. For most people, renting academic regalia is more cost effective. However, if you are planning on becoming a professor, you might be expected to wear regalia as a faculty member at future events. In that case, purchasing your own regalia might be more efficient. Many universities have a specific provider of academic regalia and will not permit you to purchase regalia elsewhere. Other universities will allow you to buy or rent regalia from any provider you choose, or perhaps borrow regalia from an alumna. Always adhere to your specific school's regalia requirements so that you are allowed to participate fully in commencement exercises. Different types of degrees require varying academic hoods. To make sure that you acquire the correct kind of hood, inform your provider whether you are earning an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or Doctoral degree.  An Associate's degree hood is usually worn flat against the back like a cape or cowl. Note that Associate's hoods are not as commonly worn as graduate degree hoods--you might not need a hood to be a part of your regalia.  A Bachelor's degree hood is 3 feet long and does not end in a sharp point. Note that Bachelor's hoods are not as commonly worn as graduate degree hoods--you might not need a hood to be a part of your regalia.  A Master's degree hood is 3.5 feet long and comes to a point at the bottom.  A Doctoral hood is the longest hood at 4 feet long. It has the sharpest point and also the largest trim of all hoods. If you’re not using the university provider, it’s important to double check that your regalia adheres to school standards. Make sure that your regalia provider has all the relevant institutional information so that you match your fellow graduates. American universities have a standard set of colors that indicate your field of study, rather than just your degree. These fields determine the color of the velvet trim that lines your hood. European universities are not standardized in the same way as American universities. Check with your institution to make sure you are purchasing the correct academic hood. Law students, for example, wear hoods trimmed in purple, while all Ph.D. students wear hoods trimmed in royal blue.
Summary:
Purchase or rent academic regalia. Consult your university policies about regalia. Tell your regalia provider which degree you’re earning. Provide your seller with the name of your institution. Inform your provider of your field.