Volunteers' Comments

From: Dana Schrodel
Date: July 17, 2008 10:35:25 AM EDT
To: ramelle@mac.com
Subject: Questions

Hello,
My name is Dana Schrodel and I work for Eastern York School District.  I was one of the people you hypnotized.  I am very interested in hypnosis and would like to do it again in the future.  Below, I have answered the three questions you asked.

Yes, I was hypnotized. I felt like I was not myself and willing to do what I was asked to do.

I felt different than I have ever felt before.  I wanted to do what I was told to do.  

It was a euphoric feeling.  I felt like I was in a dream state and that what ever I did was okay and the "right thing to do."  Overall, it is hard to explain the feelings I had.  I enjoyed it and want to do it again.  Especially, if it can get rid of migraine headaches.  I get them regularly and would do anything to feel normal again.

Thank you,
Dana



From: Keith Collier
Date: June 21, 2008 9:06:32 PM EDT
To: ramelle@mac.com
Subject: Feedback from your show at Dallastown on June 12!

Mr. Macoy,

As we discussed that evening, although I just run the lights and sound and wasn't hypnotized myself, I would really like to have a copy of your CD!

I have heard nothing but  WONDERFUL feedback from folks who were in attendance at your performance! (Even more than usual this year!) Many have also mentioned having spoken with the kids who were on-stage, and discussed how they witnessed the experience "from the inside"- really the first I've heard much in that area. Most said they went from watching a "full image" and concentrating on the "spot on the back wall", to everything outside the spot kind of "going fuzzy", and just really seeing the center of their field of vision in sharp focus. It was supposedly like being in a dream. My garage mechanic, whose son graduated this year, said he tried the initial "watch the spot" exercise, and could actually feel himself beginning to "go under", but I guess decided not to go further, and "came back" to watch the rest of the show. His boy was one of the hearing-impaired kids, who I believe had a "signer" down front to help interpret, and Eric said that he, his wife, and Kyle all had a GREAT time, both at your show and the party in general.

I felt this seemed like one of the larger crowds we've had for your show, and I hope you too felt it was a success, in spite of losing a couple of your original 13 participants. (Of course this has happened to one extent or another many of the years you've been with us.) The remainder provided a great show, as evidenced by the feedback I heard (and am still hearing, as I run into people I haven't seen since that evening)!

Thanks again for coming out to entertain us for the... how many times have you been here? There were a few years in the beginning (circa 1980-81) when you were only back every few years for all-school assemblies, but since you started doing the senior parties most every year, it's got to be around 15 to 20 total, just at Dallastown, not counting the time or two I saw you at Student Council events. (including 2 state conferences, and I think one district event we hosted) At least to me, you've almost become a member of the staff "family", who only teaches class once a year!

Take care, and I hope to see you again next year! Regards, Keith


From: Sam Inkrote
Date: June 13, 2008 10:38:26 PM EDT
To: ramelle@mac.com
Subject: Hypnosis CD

Ramelle --
 
Thanks for choosing me as a hypnosis volunteer.  I really enjoyed the experience and can't wait to do it again.
 
Now, to answer your questions:
 
1. Were you really hypnotized.    I believe I was.
 
2. How do you know?   I did everything with a straight face, which normally I could not have done any of the silly things I did with a straight face.  Also, I felt very relaxed and concentrated.
 
3. How would you describe the experience to others.  I knew what I was doing, but didn't seem to care.  Also, I couldn't remember much of anything I did right after the show, but remembered later when people told me what I had done.  I felt very relaxed during the show and rejuvenated afterwards.  Everything I did felt natural, even though I was doing stupid things at the time.. It felt normal.
 
~Sam Inkrote, Dallastown Area High School Graduate


From: Cheryl Doughty
Date: June 13, 2008 11:04:48 AM EDT
To: ramelle@mac.com
Subject: Hypnotized

This was the first time I have ever been hypnotized so i didn't know what to expect. I was really hypnotized, but it was at kind of a low level...if that makes sense. I remember everything that happened but I felt like I had to do whatever you said.

I wish I was completely out of it and couldn't remember anything. I think I could be hypnotized even more if it was just me being hypnotized without the crowd in the background laughing.

When people ask me what it is like I tell them I was just concentrating and doing everything you told us to do. It was a very weird, fun experience. Thank you!

Cheryl Doughty


From: Jeff Bagley
Date: June 10, 2008 12:12:12 AM EDT
To: ramelle@mac.com
Subject: Hypnotizing

Hi!!! Thanks for the show today at Pennridge High
School...I was one of the people you hypnotized.

1. Yes I was hypnotized
2. I don't really remember any of it.
3. It was a once in a lifetime experience that really
one of the coolest things that I have ever done.

Thanks Again,
Jeff Bagley


From: besis18@aol.com
Date: May 27, 2008 1:10:57 PM EDT
To: ramelle@mac.com
Subject: York Suburban Post Prom Volunteer: Brad Simon

Although the hypnosis did not work for me the entire time of the show, I truly enjoyed the experience. In the beginning, I felt quite under your control, but when the crowd started laughing a lot and I lost my focus, I think I fell out of it.

I've told my friends who've asked that the experience is very interesting. I could hear my heart beating and my breathing VERY clearly. When you asked us to focus on the exit sign, I felt as if I was in a trance and things started to change. My eyes were very very heavy and my motions felt as if I could not fully control them. I knew what was going on, but could not stop myself from doing them.

I am very interested in your self-hypnosis cd, so if you could send it to me, that would be great.

Thanks,
Brad Simon



From: LPADancer89@aol.com
Date: May 27, 2008 12:06:29 AM EDT
To: ramelle@mac.com
Subject: Hello! I was hypnotized and you asked us to answer a few questions...

Yes, I was hypnotized!  It was really exciting and I knew that going into it I was very open to the idea of being hypnotized...and it just happened.

I initially knew when my eyes started blinking even before you were telling us that we'd be going to sleep.  I was out pretty quickly but still strangely conscious of some of the things going on around me. 

After I came out of the hypnotic state I was unsure if I had been hypnotized until observers reminded me of things that had happened during the presentation.  I was convinced when they showed me videos of the class laughing and I could not remember any of them laughing, only your voice.

I would describe the experience as fun and interesting.  It is definitely a feeling that I would like to experience again.  I would encourage others to try if they have the opportunity. 
 
I hope this helps!!
-Olivia


From: Katie Shambaugh (ktwpsports20@yahoo.com)
Date: Sat. Mar 8, 2008

i was a volunteer at West Perry High School and to my surprise I can barely remember anything that happend during the show ... actually it was just yesterday and all i can say is that I can remember getting on stage and and then I opened my eyes and it was over ... it was kinda freaky but kinda neat ... my friends keep telling me that I was soo funny with the things I did ... they were telling me about my friends Kelly and how I couldnt see her even though she was right in front of me ... it was an unusual expierrence but I’m glad I did it ... i only have one question ... is it normal that I dont remember???


From: Patrick Wood (pat_woody@hotmail.com)
Date: Mon, Jun 4, 2007

Yes, i really think i was hypnotised. When you hypnotised me i was very relaxed and all i heard was your voice. I could have chose not to listen to you but i still did. I concentrated very hard on your voice and what you said. I was also very relaxed by your voice and the way you used your words. I guess that has something to do with it.

I don\'t really remember you telling me to do anything but i do remember felling different things that i felt were real. Some things i did i thought to myself that i didn’t have to do this. but i did anyway because i felt like doing it. My mind kind of felt like felling different emotions at different times.

The wierd thing is, is that there was no reason to any of my emotions. I just did it. So i think that was hypnotism. To me, I think i was really hypnotised. But it took a lot of concentration and cooperation from myself. Thank you for giving me a wonderful ex perience that i will remember for the rest of my life. You gave me a slip of paper that says you have a self-hypnosis CD. I am very interested in that because I think it could help me. You see, I am a very big procrastinator and I don’t do things I have to sometimes. I just wish I could have a better work ethic. I\'ve tried myself but i don\'t think i am strong enough. If you have any suggestions or a copy of a CD for me it would be greatly appriciated. Once again, thank you for giving me such a wonderful experience.



From: Mark Rausch
Date: March 27, 2007 3:19:42 PM EDT
To: ramelle@macoy.net

I was at your show and was "hypnotized" at Everett High School. I participated, but I was not asked to do anything! I stormed back to my seat at the end completely convinced I was not hypnotized. I ranted at my friends for a minute when my pocket got very cold. The "100 dollar" bill in my pocket where you had earlier suggested that I place it, grew cold to the point Ithat I had to take it out.

Thank you so much, come again.






From: Devany Yokum
Date: March 28, 2007 9:33:49 AM EDT
To: ramelle@macoy.net

Hello this is Devany, Number 6, from Everett High School. I was a volunteer on March 27th, 2007.
.
I’m rather dumbfounded after your hypnosis. I don't believe I can tell you if I enjoyed it or not, if I was hypnotized or not.

I remember most everything, I remember that I wanted to pet the cow and that it felt good to pet it because I really wanted to win. However when I was supposed to hide the $100 I rather panicked and lost concentration trying to think where to hide it.

When we were to rock the baby my arms automatically started rocking but i couldn't think of anything to sing and Number 7 was screaming “Itsy Bitsy Spider” in my ear, which was rather distracting.

From then on I wasn't very focused and I don't believe I was hypnotized as much. You told me I would enjoy the rest of the show and feel so good I’d want to show it, jump up and shout "Whoopee look at me!" So the rest of the time I laughed hysterically and thought, "Why is this so funny?" But when you touched your tie I knew I would be making an ass out of myself so I didn't want to.

Then you hypnotized Kelly to do the same thing and then I would do the whoopee part some. This is like me though. I’m not loud when its quiet so much as when someone else is making noise. I’m not one to jump off a bridge and look like an idiot unless someone will do it with me.

I had to put my finger on my nose and it was like my arm wanted to rise but i didn't have to touch my nose if I didn't want to. When it was supposed to be stuck I felt like if I tried taking it off I would ruin the show. From then on I missed a few directions and was rather confused.

Most people say I was faking but I'm not so sure I wasn't just excited and exaggerating. When someone asks I’m not sure and I say about half. I remember everything that happened, I felt like I wanted to memorize everything.

Thanks for the show,
Devany


From: Polly Digon
Date: April 9, 2007 4:03:37 PM EDT
To: ramelle@macoy.net

I’m so relieved to find that other people experienced the same things I did! I was beginning to think that I'm a closet showoff!

I guess that I had always imagined being hypnotized as being in some sort of "black hole" of unconsciousness, where you have no awareness or control over your actions, and no memory of the experience.

Instead, during the entire experience I was very aware of what was going on around me and felt like a very active participant. There were times I even told myself that I was not going to perform a "stunt," because after all, I wasn't really hypnotized and I should stop acting so ridiculous and playing along. But the moment you "suggested" that I do something, I felt this overwhelming urge to comply!

I wonder if our susceptibility to hypnotism has anything to do with our natural desire to please people. I was aware of feeling that I didn't want to disappoint you by not complying with your commands.

Interestingly, too, when Dixie "disappeared," I did know that she was standing beside you. I could see her, and I wondered how I was going to cover for you when you asked me to find her. But, when you asked me if Dixie was in the room I could not bring myself to acknowledge her!

With summer fast approaching, I\'m wondering if you could help me drop a few pounds so that I can feel better in shorts and swimsuits? Or, maybe under hypnosis, I could just convince myself that I look like Charlize Theron!

Thanks so much for a memorable experience! My family is intrigued!

Polly Digon