Ghost Blogger

04/20/2021

Hello! And thanks for reading Ghost Blogger!

It is I- your host, not The Ghost Blogger, but the author.

You can find me in various locations across the internet. I’m an Illustrator, doodler, writer, and hold a couple varied certificates and other papers that say I am qualified to do things.

| My Website and Portfolio | Twitter | Instagram | The Substack of this blog |

Ghost Blogger was created one night when talking about creepypastas and fiction and the like. I drafted up a very rough outline, plus a couple of posts, and put October 6th, 2020 on my calendar. The pandemic and other world events obviously played a huge role in Ghost Blogger, the concept simply being “A dude who enjoys his job at a pizza shop also likes to hunt ghosts in his spare time. While coping with the ongoing pandemic among other events- things take an unexpected turn.”

It’s a little rough around the edges- but it was a fun little project! I stuck to a deadline, and wrote a lot more, and more consistently, than I had in a long while.

I hope you enjoyed this little adventure, and if you read along in real time- hopefully it provided a pleasant distraction. If you haven’t read Ghost Blogger, or need to catch up- please do! It lives on the internet now for a not yet defined period of time.

Read from the beginning HERE!

Read on SUBSTACK instead!

Thank you again for reading!!

(copied from ghostblogger.substack.com )

...yet

03/23/2021

More of a low-key update this week. But things are looking up! Or better at least. I can't believe I've been updating this for as long as I have. I started in October 2020. Here we are in MARCH 2021. Not that time seems to be following any consistent patterns, other than being relentless. In any case, I'm glad those of you who have been reading this have continued to do so! If you're just checking it out now, that's also awesome! Hopefully I'll make more cryptid friends and maybe finally see a ghost sometime soon. It's been a wild ride.

So in good news- my gf seems to be back more, and she’s talking to me again!! I still feel in the dark about what happened, but it's something. So far it's been a little weird, and awkward. She doesn't really look at me, and when she does it still kinda feels like she's looking at some point behind me. Plus- so far she has only communicated to me via notes or sitting next to each other typing out stuff on a laptop. It's super weird- though there is a part of it that's nice. I can really think out my thoughts before writing them down, but it lacks a lot by way of hand gestures and facial expressions. It's almost like being pen pals- except way more strange.

I still don't know what happened, but if she's back and at least talking to me, then maybe there is hope? Like, if it's something I did or something I can fix I'm on it! I just... I don't know. My roommates seem ecstatic about this development, though I still get the feeling something is off. It’s the same thing with work. My co-workers seem happy- but I almost feel like they are hiding something. It's been this way for a while now, I just don't understand, why? Everyone is weird to a degree, because of how long this pandemic has been, but this feels like something beyond that.

Also everyone seems very underwhelmed about what I've been finding. I guess maybe the novelty has worn off, but I've confirmed Henry is a cryptid or something other than a cat at the very least! Plus I've very nearly confirmed that I've probably seen Bigfoot a couple times now. I've been really excited about it! I don't understand why no one else is. Reed is the only one who seems at all interested, which is why I've been carefully planning time to safely hang out. Hopefully we'll be doing some evening or night adventures soon, really see some spooky stuff. Henry is harder to convince but doesn't seem completely against the idea. I don't know that I would call Henry a friend- but I'm at least getting to know cryptids! It's pretty exciting to me.

Sorry for the lackluster update- but things are going better than they have in a while. I'm excited to have more spooky adventures and share them with everyone!! Maybe I'll show the ghost hunting gear to Reed- maybe they will know what the problem is? I still think it would be great to make this blog really live up to its name and find some ghosts- even if from a distance!

Stay safe! Get vaccinated when you can! and as always- Stay Haunted!

Strange entity blogger?

03/16/2021

ALRIGHT, HERE WE GO! Welcome, one and all, to Ghost Blogger- the blog where you read about my many failed attempts to find ghosts! Now with 100% More cryptids! That's right, my adventure with my new friend Reed went incredibly well. I got to talk with Henry. Yes, THE Henry. The cat that lives with Old Linda, whom I have never believed to be a cat.

So I met up with Reed after I got off work the other day, bearing the agreed upon gift of pizza. After a bit of chatting while Reed made the larger portion of a large pizza disappear, we headed out. The snow had mostly melted away, so I cruised in the direction of Old Linda's on my bike while Reed followed on their skateboard. I took it slow thinking Reed wouldn't be able to keep up- but that only caused them to heckle me about peddling too slow.

We reached the edge of the woods, a little ways from Old Linda's. I parked my bike by the path entrance, offering to strap Reed's skateboard to it- but they simply buckled the board to their bag. Reed took the lead here, and I followed- staying back as best I could while still keeping them in view. We were actually pretty close to a path I'd taken before to test out some of the ghost hunting gear I have. Sure enough, we soon came to the clearing I vaguely remembered visiting.

I could see the shape of the lean-to I had poked around the last time I was here. It was hidden mostly by bushes, but it was there. I glanced around for Reed. They were already standing by the opposite end of the clearing, waving me over. As I got closer they pointed, and I saw that people must have made a fire here before. There was a small pit ringed with stones, along with some logs and chunks of wood that had been haphazardly spaced to serve as makeshift seats.

"I figured we could chill here, until he gets here anyway. Don't worry, the seats are pretty far apart and-" Reed patted a stump next to them. "I figured I would stay over here."

I sat down on one of the logs. "Who?"

"I'm pretty sure you'll know him."

"I thought we were looking for cryptids?"

"Yeah, this one can come to us though. He agreed."

I stared in disbelief. "Agreed? You're just friends with cryptids? How have you never mentioned this before?"

"Most people freak out." What I'm assuming was a laugh came from the hood. "I suppose you aren't most people."

Before I could decipher what that meant, I heard the snapping of sticks from behind us. I turned around to see Henry lazily trotting toward us.

"Henry?" I called out, standing up and stepping back. Again recalling the thing he had transformed into last time.

"It's alright, he won't bite...much." Reed's reassurance didn't do much to lower my hackles.

Laughter now came from Henry and he stopped and licked his paw, in true cat fashion. He kept one eye trained on me.

"I suppose I owe you an apology. I know I've scared you a few times now. Plus, I did try and knock you off that ladder once." His voice was like smoke, dry and grating.

I didn't say anything, I just sat down heavily on one of the logs.

His tail flicked. "I thought you might find this form a little easier to accept."

I swallowed and tried for words. "Old Linda..her cat..."

"Hmm. The true Henry passed away years ago now. I've taken up residence in the home of the one you call 'Old Linda'. In return, I watch over her. Taking the form of her cat when he passed on was easiest."

Slowly, realization dawned on me. "You- you kept people away. You were protecting her? Wait, so you did push me off the ladder?"

Reed behind me laughed. "Henry here tries to act all high and mighty, but he doesn't pay attention to how humans interact with one another. He saw you helping Old Linda as a possible threat."

A voice more grit than smoke now came from Henry. "Watch your tongue." The cat form then seemed to bristle before coughing and continuing in a lower voice. "I did not mean to cause you harm. In fact, I tried to warn you a few times, but...well it hardly matters now. I suppose."

"Warn..?" I start to ask, but I'm distracted by Reed suddenly coming forward and making a lot of gruff sounds, like they were clearing their throat.

"SO- Uh, um, you said you had a run in with Bigfoot again last week, right?" Reed asked, while picking up a stick to poke Henry with.

Fascinated by how Henry's fur seemed to wisp and undulate in annoyance at the agitator, it took me a moment to respond.

"Uh, yeah. Out by the road actually." I pointed back the way we came.

Henry's eyes seemed to glow in anger at Reed before he vanished and reappeared closer to me, and farther away from Reed's bothersome stick.

"It's impressive- if it was them. Bigfoot tends to keep to themselves. I don't see them often, and I've known them to take off and not return for, well, centuries." Henry was looking at me now, eyes glowing ever so slightly.

"So...they wouldn't be up for hanging out then?" I asked hesitantly.

I heard a snort of laughter from Reed, which gave away their position behind Henry. The next few moments happened so rapidly it felt like I imagined them. Henry grew, smoke like fur swirling and expanding like a storm until he was a leering shape, leaning over Reed, who then seemed ant like in comparison. Reed, though I couldn't see their face, at first hunched like they were scared- before he rolled back on his heels. Laughing. The swirling mass with glowing eyes grew dark and a deep voice spoke-

"ENOUGH."

A moment later and Henry was cleaning himself, again an ordinary cat. Reed was dusting themselves off, though I thought I still heard a chuckle.

We spent more time in the woods, though I can't say I got many more straight answers. I don't know what Henry is- but at the very least he means no harm to Old Linda. Both Reed and Henry seem to know more about cryptids, and Reed seems willing to explore and help me maybe meet more. I'm starting to question why Reed hides their face, though it's really none of my business.

I'm going to push for recruiting both Reed and Henry to help me see, or maybe meet, some ghosts. They didn't seem against the idea- though they certainly acted strange about it.

Kind of a chaotic and longer entry. I've gotten somewhat of a confirmation that I could have seen Bigfoot, and I've confirmed that Henry is....Henry. But definitely not a cat.

Anyway, stay safe- stay Haunted!

Screamed the tiny dust speck.

03/09/2021

Well, we've made it to another Tuesday. Last week, I had a small moment with what I still believe to be Bigfoot. It was small, and I suppose not very eventful. But it's stuck with me. I've walked around there since, though I haven't run into them again. I described the incident to my new friend in the hoodie, along with the thing Henry changed into a couple weeks ago. They seemed excited about it.

In more personal news, my roommate who maybe isn't my gf anymore stopped packing up my stuff. She also hasn't been around. She left a note for me recently. I won't copy the whole thing here. I don't know; she makes it sound like something dramatic happened and it's taken her months to come to terms with it. I'm just struggling to understand. Tim insists this is good, and a step in the right direction. But I don't know. She's ignored me for so long- I'm pretty sure we are done.

I might have accidentally spooked her one of the last times she was around. Which I feel a little bad about- even though it's the most reaction I've been able to get from her. I didn't know she was in the room, and I think she saw me in the mirror or something and it startled her. I thought maybe I could talk to her then- but she just started freaking out and crying? I panicked so I got Tim, since I was obviously making things worse. Again- Tim swears it's fine and, “She's just going through some stuff.” I'm just angry. I'm going through some stuff. Most of that “stuff” is her not acknowledging I exist! I’ll stop, I don't mean to vent or rant too much.

Anyway. My pal in the hoodie- they go by Reed- has been hanging around a lot. They've shown a lot of interest in my recent encounter with Bigfoot, and they also seem very intrigued by the strange, shape shifting Henry. They actually want to go with me to see Henry, claiming they might know more. I'm not sure. I guess we can stay socially distanced, but Old Linda responded almost violently to my presence last time. It makes me wary of going near her place again. Not to mention, I don't want to intrude. If she doesn't want me around- I should stay away. Reed promises we can check it out from a distance; they don't want to bother Old Linda either. They also made suggestions for paths through the woods- so, maybe, we’ll just go looking for cryptids together. They laughed at me when I asked about finding ghosts though. I guess finding ghosts can be difficult.

Look forward to next week, where I'll let you know how our little adventure goes!

Stay Haunted!

03/02/2021

This past weekend I went looking for Bigfoot, like I said I would. I’m not sure if I saw Bigfoot- but I saw something. Plus, I ran into Old Linda, though that part was a little...odd. In any case, the customer with the hoodie I mentioned last time definitely seems to have good insight into the local cryptid activity. I suppose most of the unusual sightings have all been around the same area. It makes sense because of the woods out past Old Linda’s place.

So, because the hoodie guy tipped me off last week, I went out to scout around Old Linda’s place again. I had been staying away since Old Linda had been acting strange (and told me to stop “haunting” her when I tried to call ). But, the draw of Bigfoot is too great! So off I went.

I mostly wandered the surrounding neighborhoods at first. It was a kind of gray day, so I didn’t see much of anything or anyone around. I finally looped over to Old Linda’s. I went up to the street that goes along the back of her house. I was remembering that the last time I came this way I had seen Henry turn into...something. I slowed my pace and shivered at the memory. Then, of course, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye- in the direction of Old Linda’s yard. I crept closer and peered over the hedge, but it was just Old Linda. It looked like she was picking up some branches that had fallen.

I tried to leave before she noticed me- but I wasn’t fast enough. She turned and must have seen me peeking over the bushes (which I guess isn’t a great look). Her skin seemed to drain of blood, and her eyes grew wide. Suddenly, she was brandishing a rake, as if in self defense. I was already backing away, hands held up in an attempt to show my desire to disengage. She was shaking the rake and yelling something about spirits. I shouted a quick, “Sorry!!” and bolted. I kept running for a couple of blocks before stopping to look back.

I was closer to the woods now, and of course Old Linda didn’t follow me. She’s stubborn and resilient- but I don’t think she’s about to chase people down the street. Although, I also didn’t think she would shake a rake at me. It was getting late, and the adventure had been more than unsuccessful. I was ready to head home.

That’s when I saw the Figure, or I thought it was the Figure. The one Tim and I saw and deemed it to be Bigfoot. It was a couple of houses away, just beyond the light from a streetlamp. I couldn’t see it well, but the light somehow caught it’s eyes. I could tell it was looking my way; I froze and glanced around to see if there was anyone else nearby. There, fortunately or unfortunately, was not. All the surrounding houses were dark. I stared, and it stared back.

Eventually, it turned and walked away, into the forest. I stood there in a daze. So close, but so far. I froze and missed the opportunity to get a picture. I didn’t even wave or try to talk to it. Somehow, I feel like we shared a moment. I hadn’t felt in danger or anything. Maybe they’re just as lonely as the rest of us.

Stay Haunted!

Plus pizza

02/23/2021

I think I mentioned this a while back, but we've had a strange, though welcome, new regular at the shop lately. They are a little forgettable, or maybe my memory is just not working as well as it used to. It's the person with the hoodie and the skateboard I've commented on. Actually some readers might remember them from even earlier posts. We only started talking recently, but I guess they've been around longer than I thought. I can't say I really remember clearly. I guess they just have one of those faces? Not that I can describe their face...

Anyway, weirdness aside- They've been pretty cool. They stop and chat sometimes while waiting for pizza. I am a little worried about how much pizza they seem to eat, but with the way things have been going, I dunno. Do what makes you happy the best you can, I guess. They seem to like hearing about my quest to find ghosts and cryptids- though they also seem to find the difficulties I've been having finding ghosts amusing. Not in, like, an ill-meaning way, I don't think. Possibly just seeing the same humor in it that I do; I've found cryptids while updating a blog titled "Ghost Blogger".

Actually, if we could go back to the weirdness- I said they always have a skateboard? They always have a skateboard- I swear I saw them using it in the snow the other day. Through the slush and sludge of New England winter. It can't be good for the skateboard. Not to mention with the snow, ice, salt and gravel- wouldn't you fall off? They seemed fine, and, while their clothes don't look new or anything, they never look like they just crashed into a snowbank. I never see any indication they’ve injured themselves. Maybe they are just really good, or they just like skateboarding that much? I used to know people who would shovel and sweep out skate parks any time it was nice out. Maybe it isn't even that weird.

The hoodie guy also mentioned Henry- and AGREED that he is weird! I've been trying to talk more about Henry and other sightings whenever I see them come in, though results have been mixed. Most of the time they just agree with what I'm saying, but they have rarely added any info of their own. However, the last time they came in, they did mention hearing about Bigfoot being sighted near Old Linda's house again. So at least I'll have something to do this coming weekend.

Just a weird customer who's been nice- plus a Bigfoot sighting. But it's better than nothing! Stay safe, stay warm, and stay Haunted!

Another Ghost Blogger update

02/16/2021

Hello, once again. Not a ton to report this week. Been pretty down lately. My girlfriend? person I share a room with? hasn't been around again. Tim seems optimistic. He swears everything is fine- it's not. I don't think so anyway. I've given up on the ghost hunting gear. Been trying to play video games and D&D with some friends, but now my camera is broken. I've ended up going for really long walks through the woods and stuff around here. The snow has been nice, and there is something peaceful about winter evenings.

Hey, so, this is a thing I haven't mentioned because... I dunno. It's a little weird, but could just be a me thing. I haven't been sleeping much. At all. I don't remember falling asleep most of the time- and I seem fine with very little rest. Makes the days a little long- but I used to always aim for a solid 8 hours. Like I said- might just be me. I feel fine, so I may be imagining it. My roommates don't seem to notice or think it's weird, but they mess up their sleep schedules fairly often.

The ghost hunting gear seems mostly bust, and the spirit box just makes me feel anxious. I have to admit I haven't really been using any of it, and I'm not sure I even have future plans to anymore. I guess maybe some of it was cheaper than I initially thought. It lights up like it's getting readings everywhere. I've dragged this stuff all over the place. At first I was excited, but now I'm frustrated. Technology has  really been giving out on me lately.

For another example: my computer is fine, but the camera has been acting up. Like, it's weirdly glitching. Which is fine, I just can't figure out what's wrong with it. It's been making playing D&D a little annoying; one of the guys keeps trying to skip me. He claimed it's because he forgets I was there, but he kept doing such a heavy eye roll when he said it. I don't know why we keep playing with that jerk.

The only thing I've been enjoying is my walks. I've always liked getting outside, and the pandemic has certainly made that more difficult. But I try to take less populated paths and neighborhoods. It's actually been pretty nice. I like looking at some of the older houses, and the trees have a nice little layer of snow finally. I like how it muffles everything a little and just seems to dress things up a tad. I haven't found it too cold either, which is nice. Andrew of course disagrees, but he wears sweatshirts in the summer- I really don't think that counts.

Sorry I don't have much other than my ghost hunting gear is busted. But- I did see a cryptid just last week, right? So that's good. I guess I should really think about renaming the blog something more appropriate. I always wanted to find a ghost- and, I mean, I still could- I just think I've had way more luck in the cryptid department. Maybe I should focus on that?

I hope everyone is staying safe, and able to stay warm if they are somewhere not accustomed to snow. It’s certainly been a rough storm for a lot of people. So, as always, try to help people in need if you’re able, and Stay Haunted!

02/09/2021

Hello and welcome! It's been a rough, and somewhat emotional week for me- But even so, we have made it to another Ghost Blogger post! Something (that I still think may be nothing) was found in the woods, and I have a weird experience with, I think, a Squonk. Plus some personal stuff I guess. A lot of strange personal stuff. 

I've been generally feeling off lately. It's been pretty gloomy out, and I haven't been leaving the house much other than for work. Everything just feels overwhelming. Which is probably something a lot of people are feeling, or that they have been feeling for a while now. The snow storm  presented a welcome distraction, since I'm fortunate enough to be able to just stare out the window at it from the comfort of my couch.

Over the weekend someone found a dead bear in the woods. Which I still don't think is all that weird, and the news has said they suspect natural causes. They did mention that the bear seemed pretty old as far as bears go. Some people, including the people I work with, think 'something' in the woods scared it, and it died of shock, or fright, or something. I mean they make a point that bears usually hibernate, but I've also seen photos of bears in snow. I'm not really knowledgeable enough on these things to know this, but I still don't think the bear got scared by a cryptid in the woods. I don't think anything I've run into is malicious? Right? Though...Henry has...taken on a new, more menacing form one of the last times I saw him. I don't know, I don’t think they are related. The bear is said to have died of natural causes, and I don’t think Henry would have anything to do with that.

So- in more substantial news- I had a run in with the weird creature I previously identified as probably being a Squonk. I was walking home from work, trying to dodge clumps of brown slush snow, when I heard a weird noise. I paused and took out an ear bud, looking around. It was dusk, so It wasn't very bright. The street lights had only just popped on. And there, crouching in a pool of light dimly cast by a flickering street lamp, was the squonk. It was pink, and wrinkly. It looked like it might have had warts, or maybe moles, on it as well. It had a long but also shriveled nose that seemed to be leaking. It was trembling and looking at me. 

I stared back, my mouth was probably hanging open. I didn't want to make any sudden movements- I slowly crouched down to look at it closer. It was still a ways away from me. But from this viewpoint I could tell it was following me with those big, almost glassy looking eyes. It was then that I realized that the sound I heard must have been from this creature, because it was sobbing. Big gobs of tears overflowed from it's eyes forming a puddle for it to shiver in. I shuffled closer and it just seemed to cry harder. I paused, very slowly reaching out a hand in an attempt to show I meant it no harm. It just continued to stare at me, our eyes locked together as its puddle slowly grew in size.

"Hey, little buddy....it's okay"

At that it seemed to let out a wail. Suddenly I was left in a damp fog, a deep puddle trying to lap at my boots. I stayed crouched in the mist for a moment. Seeing the creature had somehow left me feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness. Similar to how some people turn on a faucet to cry- seeing this thing just wracked with tears left me feeling like I had been holding back tears for weeks.

After being shaken by that encounter, I made my way home even more slowly. To find, of course, that my girlfriend was packing my things. Tim was frantically following her around, urging her to wait a little longer- and some other stuff I couldn't quite hear. I just numbly sat in the kitchen staring out the small window over the sink, until Andrew came in and dragged me into the room he shared with Tim. He was  insisting I needed to watch a movie with him, because, “Tim was being a butt,” and refused to marathon the Scream movies with him.

Sorry for such a downer read this week. In better news, Tim seems to have paused my girlfriend in her attempt to move me out without acknowledging my existence. It's been a ride. I don't know why I have to be the one to move out anyway, if it's such a goddamn problem.

Anyway- Stay Haunted. Stay safe. Talk to your partners. Whatever.

...And catches Pokemon.

02/02/2021

Another week- another Ghost Blogger post! Thanks for continuing to read these updates as we all stumble closer to a full year in a global pandemic. Hopefully you've been enjoying the adventures with me.  Nothing too exciting to report: more work aggravations,  a strange new regular who seems familiar somehow, Tim thinks he saw Bigfoot again, and something concerning about Old Linda. Maybe that's actually a lot, now that I've listed it out. I just didn't have any exciting encounters myself this time. 

I've been sort of forcing work back to normal, with mixed results. I've been ringing people out again, I missed the bustle of being up front. Talking to people, getting to hear and have small conversations has been good. I suppose everyone is a little conversation starved. Some people are weird and seem to talk through you, or ignore you entirely. Somehow that seems to be getting worse- but that's just any retail job. I have a kind of weird new regular. I must have seen him before, but he stops in frequently now to grab a couple slices. I can never really see his face, since he always has his hood up- and tends to come in later in the day. I've just come to recognize the hoodie, jacket, and skateboard combo. Also I keep thinking I smell, like, something burning when he comes in? Also very likely it's just the pizza. (We make very good pizza in my opinion- but things burn sometimes, it happens.)

In more interesting news- Tim thinks he saw Bigfoot again. I guess he was walking near the woods- trying to finish up some sort of collection goal in Pokemon Go. He says he saw something run across the road ahead of him. He tried to snap a picture- but only got a motion blur that doesn't look like anything. He also says he quickly got distracted by a shiny Pokemon in his phone game. How do you not chase after Bigfoot? But no, busy with digital creatures that live only in your phone.  It would be so cool if he had managed to get a clear picture of Bigfoot. I'll have to keep my eye out if Bigfoot is wandering the neighborhoods more. 

Old Linda is still being weirder than normal. Maybe she’s just always weirder than normal. I've tried to call her a few times to see if she needs groceries or anything, but she just hangs up on me. The last time she was yelling to stop calling, stop haunting her. She doesn't answer the door to me either. I guess I'll just leave her be. I don't understand the change. She was paying me a little, and tipped heavily- I'm okay without the extra money, so if she can't pay me that's okay. I wish she would tell me if that's the case. I'm also still worried about the creature that is in, or around, her house. I'm pretty sure it's Henry, who I thought was mostly harmless. But after my last encounter I'm not so sure.

I also am starting to wonder if Bigfoot and Henry could be the same thing? They seem to make appearances near the same areas. I hope not, I'm still hopeful for a chill Bigfoot you could share some snacks with. Or whatever it is. Some sort of chill cryptid would just be neat. Plus, living out in the woods by yourself must get lonely right? Or maybe it doesn't, maybe there are others and they have parties and family problems like we do.

Anyway- I'll keep looking around for Bigfoot and other cryptids! I still haven't been able to get the ghost hunting gear to work much recently, though. I'm still hopeful for some ghost sightings, but we'll see!

Stay Haunted!

Work work, zug zug

01/26/2021

After a slow vacation, aside from that encounter with what may be Henry, I’m back at it.  This week I ran some tests on the ghost hunting gear, finally got back to work, and...that's about it. No spooky encounters that I know of. Everything has been increasingly frustrating. So who knows what will happen. 

I'm finally back at work! Though, at this point, I can't decide if that's even a good thing or not. Normally I spend my time running around, stocking things, running the register, taking phone orders, and whatnot. When the pandemic first hit, and stuff sorta slowed down, I was learning some basic food prep as well. Which was kind of fun.  But now- since I've been back from vacation- I've been mostly cleaning in the back. Taking out trash, bringing stuff up from the basement. Steve has even had me organizing the basement, and helping with some paperwork. I don't mind the work- but they seem to be intentionally keeping me from the front.

I miss talking to our regulars. I like being social and chatting to our customers, checking in with them and talking about their day. Meanwhile, a couple of my coworkers are jealous because they would love to not do those things. At the same time- they won't switch with me. They just kinda shrug and say "Well, Steve said- so what can ya do?" I mean- sure. Steve told me he wanted me doing some of this since I’ve been there a bit longer and have more experience- it’s still a drag. Norman even ignores me when I ask him to switch- and he hates working up front. 

Some of my co-workers have been acting weird in other ways too. They seem, I dunno, jumpy? I guess the stress is getting to everyone. The pandemic has been going for a year, there are new covid strains that seem more contagious, and no one seems to have planned how to roll out the vaccines- despite having nearly a year to think about it. I hope Steve has others take a vacation like I did. It could be good for them too. The past year has been rough, this January has already felt like a lifetime, and we've worked hard.

I also ran some tests on the ghost hunting gear. The night vision goggles seem fine. The spirit box just seems loud and annoying. It makes me uncomfortable- though I don't think that's really a change. The EMF reader doesn't seem to be working right, or everything just got super haunted. It gets readings at home, at work, in the woods, by Old Linda's, even the store. At first, I thought I was finally getting something and going to find some ghosts. But now? I think maybe it's just busted. I mentioned it to the coworker who gave it to me, but he just weirdly shrugged and said it was probably just old or cheap. He said I could keep it though, and not to worry about returning it. I felt bad- especially if I had broken it somehow. I offered to pay for it, but he just waved his hands and insisted it was totally fine. I'll have to try to make it up to him somehow. 

Stuff has been super strange lately, but at the same time I feel like I haven't gotten any farther with ghost hunting. It's frustrating. I'll try and see if Old Linda needs groceries this week or something, check in on her. Maybe I'll force my way back up front at work too. Or talk to Steve about it. I like my job- I think I'm pretty good at it too.

Anyway- sorry for the lack of updates. Hopefully I'll resolve some stuff and have something for next week!

Stay Haunted!

Henry what is your deal

01/19/2021

Another Tuesday post! Feels good to be back on track! We’ve got some more EMF readings over by Old Linda's house,  Henry strangeness, and more this week! It's been a rough start to the new year, but we just have to keep pressing forward. I have to stay optimistic- at least we seem to be gaining traction in the ghost department.

I'm still on my little, somewhat forced, "vacation," so I've had a lot of free time. Which has been cool. I got a little time to play video games, though it hasn't been keeping my attention. I go for a lot of walks. I tried swinging by Old Linda's house, but she must have been out because I didn't get a response when I knocked on her door. I, of course, ran into Henry. He didn't seem very interested in me. After getting no response from Old Linda I had turned on the EMF reader. I started getting readings, so I followed it around to the street behind Old Linda's. While messing with the reader, Henry ran across my path. He hardly paused to notice me, maybe glancing at me and making a slight huffing noise in my direction. The signal couldn't be from Henry-right? I've used it near him before with no results.

"Hey, Henry. Everything okay?"

Henry, of course, said nothing, but flicked his tail and seemed to blink at me. For some reason I got the impression it was intended as an eye roll. He then slipped through the fence into Old Linda's yard. I peered after him, but almost instantly lost sight of the creature.

I know I said more Henry strangeness- but I guess I meant Henry just acted like a cat and it was weird. The EMF readings didn't stop then either, so it couldn't have been Henry. I'll have to do some tests with the gear I have soon. It seems like it's been acting pretty weird. I'll check in with the buddy who lent it to me next time I'm at work. Which should be soon. Anyway, so Henry disappeared, and I went back to messing with the EMF reader. Suddenly there was a dark shadow cast over me. I looked in the direction of Old Linda's fence, and towering over the overgrown bushes and vines was a dark, shapeless creature. Glowing eyes, shifting grey fur. Or maybe it wasn't fur. It leered over me, with it's strangely inconsistent, yet humanoid, form. A slash across the lower part of what I assumed was it's face, indicated a frightening attempt at a smile.

"H...Hen..ry?" I stammer out, frozen in place. "Is..is that you?"

The slash formed teeth to prove he was definitely at least going through the motions of grinning. It seemed to grow slightly, leaning over the now all too thin barrier between us.

"Boo," I heard it whisper.

Though maybe it was said at a normal volume- I was half way down the street already. My feet moved faster than they had ever cared to in gym class, or during any of my impulse attempts at fitness. Wind whistled in my ears and I could hear it- laughing. I didn't look back for fear I would slow down. But it taunted me, a full belly laugh emanating from this strange unknown creature in Old Linda's yard.

I ran all the way home and burst through the door to our apartment. I found Tim in the living room and started telling him everything I had seen. Thankfully, he actually responded normally this time. Jumping up and saying we should go back with cameras and maybe try to talk to it. I was still a little freaked out, but hearing him respond with his normal vigor somehow calmed me down. Jess must have heard the commotion and walked into the room, she looked confused, but when I tried to talk to her- she straight ignored me. Like I wasn't even there. I looked to Tim for help, but he had that weird, sad look on his face again. He whispered to me to wait there a moment.

I think Jess left after that, Tim said that she mentioned having a family thing. I don't know what I did, but I don't know how much more silent treatment I can take if she won't even listen to me. Tim won't tell me anything either. Andrew has stayed the most normal somehow and has actually been talking to me more. I still feel lost. I'm trying to focus on writing this and finding more ghosts or cryptids- but that only provides so much distraction.

In the end I just watched TV with Andrew and Tim. I wasn't sure I wanted to go back out- and I was pretty bummed about Jess ignoring me still. I'm pretty sure the thing I saw was Henry. It was clearer- and much closer- but it looked like Henry somehow. Or the shape I had seen leering behind Old Linda before. I'll have to check on her soon. Make sure she is okay, and maybe finally ask about Henry. Hopefully I'll be back at work soon, and who knows, maybe things will work out.

Until next time- Stay Haunted!

Ghosts?

01/12/2021

It’s Tuesday and we are back! I went out into the woods on my own, since Tim wouldn't come with me. I have a little extra time on my hands, because my boss told me to take some time off. Which is cool I guess? Everyone has been so weird. Anyway- that means I've had time to wander around in the woods and see if I could find signs of Bigfoot and whatever else. Unfortunately, there isn't much snow on the ground at the moment, so I haven't been too lucky with tracks. But I did seem to get lucky with my ghost hunting gear! So maybe we WILL find some ghosts this year!

So as I said, I went into the woods again. On my own- and while it was daylight.  It was a little annoying to get to. Normally you can cut through a park by going down these old overgrown stairs, but it looks like they've been roped off recently. I didn't bring my bike and the area around the stairs is covered with raspberry bushes- so I was stuck walking the long way around. No way to cut through. I like a nice walk, so it wasn't too bad. I found the entrance to some of the paths through the forest and picked one at random. Sadly, I didn't really have anything to go off of for where in the woods Bigfoot or his associates might be. It was a pretty quiet walk, except I spooked someone's dogs coming around a corner. Their human seemed a little bewildered and was too busy to answer my wave. But everyone is a little off with how long this pandemic has been going. So I guess that wasn’t too strange. Overall, I didn't see anything other than some squirrels and some little footprints in some mud. Those were probably from a raccoon or fox or something.

Eventually I reached a little clearing and paused for a bit. I had the EMF reader with me, I felt the spirit box would possibly  be a little too attention drawing. I looked around the clearing a bit before turning on the reader. Just outside the clearing I spotted what looked like a shed or lean-to. I crept a little closer, if it was someone's home I didn't want to bother them.  It looked pretty deserted so after calling out a few times, and checking the area around it, I set my bag down and turned on the EMF reader.

 It lit up right away.

I froze, looking around. The reading didn't seem to change any as I inched closer to the lean-to. It didn't change when I went to the clearing. I tried turning it on and off to see if it would change, but no luck. I couldn't see anything overly spooky or ghost-like. Though maybe it's just because it's daytime?  After a bit of this, to no avail, I spent some time sitting under the lean-to, just kind of listening to the woods. It didn't feel spooky in the slightest. So, as exciting as it was to finally get some readings, it was still a bit uneventful. Maybe getting readings means I can convince Tim to come with me next time. I think he mentioned taking some time off soon too.

Glad to be back to your regularly scheduled Ghost Blogging! Stay safe! Help your community! And as always- Stay Haunted!

And a few other days.

01/10/2021

Hey, so it's...Sunday. Not Tuesday.

 I don't know what happened? I don't even have anything to post about. I don't understand - I remember the party, it was fun. But I don't know where the rest of the week went. Sorry for missing the Tuesday post- I'll be better about that from here on out. I didn't hang out with Tim on Monday like we planned either. He says not to worry about it, but he seems to be avoiding me? We were just laughing and having fun at the party. I also haven't seen Jess and can’t get a hold of her...Tim just kinda blew it off and said to give her space. I must have done something. Is she mad? Were Tim and I being weird about cryptids too much or something? I just hope she's okay. I'm worried.

Sorry for the messy post. I guess I just wanted to say sorry for not posting on schedule. I really don't know how time got away from me like that. I must have drank something weird at the party, or maybe I got bad food poisoning? I remember going out to get fresh air at some point, but then my memory is fuzzy. I don't know- I'll go to the woods on my own if Tim won't come with me and see what I can find. I’ll be sure to update you with an actual normal Tuesday post this time!

Be back on schedule next week! Thanks for your support. Stay Haunted!

Goals- Also Henry scares the crap out of me again.

01/01/2021

WE DID IT! We made it to 2021. I figured I would make a quick little post for the new year, plus I somehow forgot that Tuesday's post would be the last one of the year. This year we will find some GHOSTS. I mean, hopefully, right?  I started this blog in 2020, while working at a little pizza shop during a global pandemic that is still ongoing. I got some gear from a buddy at work, and, while I haven't found anything ghost related with it, I did almost see Bigfoot. Had a bunch of weird encounters with Henry the- maybe not just a- cat.  I ended up helping out Old Linda a lot, and I worked with people in the pizza shop to entertain and feed our little town.  I went for a lot of bike rides, which was fun. I spent a lot of time talking about cryptids with my roommate Tim. 

My little home has been decorating and cleaning. This is all prep, so we can dance around and be silly for the Holiday party tomorrow night! Last year wasn't great, but I'm extremely thankful and lucky for what I have. Hopefully, if you're reading this, this blog has offered a slight distraction from the looming doom that seems to be ever growing heavier in the air.

I did get a chance to play with my ghost hunting gear, like I mentioned in Tuesday’s post. I sat in the basement of The Slice with my EMF reader and spirit box. I turned off the lights and everything. No one else was there. It was very quiet. The spirit box was very loud. And nothing happened.  It's disappointing of course. I use the gear at my apartment sometimes too, just to see, but usually the same thing. The spirit box never strings together more than a one-off quick word, never a phrase or sentence. 

I detoured past Old Linda's after leaving work. It was pretty nice out, though it was dark. With how quiet it was out, and the cold, just cruising on my bike is the best.  I, of course, looked through the darkness to see if I could spot Henry. I slowed and took out the EMF reader to see if I could pick anything up. I spotted Henry in a window above me, and waved. He just seemed to narrow his eyes at me, before leaving the view of the window. I shrugged, and continued scooting my bike slowly while holding the EMF reader. It briefly lit up like it had something- I glanced around. It's Henry. Look back at the reader, it's back to normal. I look up again. Henry is outside now, bristled, fur whipping around him like some sort of cloak. His eyes are orbs of light, and I feel afraid, but also a growing sense of dread. The next thing I know I'm biking away, fast. Not looking back.

I don't know what happened- and I don't know if maybe my brain was playing tricks on me. I've spent the last day or so feeling like I shouldn't be messing with this stuff anymore. But with the new year- I have to! I want to shake Bigfoot's hand. Maybe I can actually talk to Old Linda about the THING that haunts her home. I'll travel farther away with Tim, we'll have more camp-outs, and find more creatures. I'll do more research to find haunted places to go. To start things off, Tim and I are going to go back to where we originally, maybe, saw Bigfoot in the woods. There are trails over there, so Monday afternoon or so we will be digging through the woods to find evidence of Bigfoot! Or whatever lives in the woods. Henry is certainly, possibly scary, even when I thought maybe he was starting to like me, but I won't be deterred. I'm going to find more cryptids and hopefully a ghost this year! 

Stay Haunted! Sorry for the late post- look forward to Tuesday's post!

Right?

12/29/2020

Alright- I'm sorry for maybe being a little whiny in last week’s post. Just gotta keep searching for stuff.  I started this blog because of rumors regarding Old Linda, as well as the woods in the area being spooky, and maybe a couple cryptid sightings. I started writing stuff down here as a fun activity and, yes, in the hopes of finding evidence of neat or strange things. When I started I didn't fully believe I'd find much, it was partially a way to keep my mind off things. The state of the world, you know. But, I began finding some actually weird stuff, and had a couple weird and exciting experiences, which have led me to EXPECT them. We all know that drives things away. I think. 

With everything the way it is, the Holidays this year have felt weird- my roommates and I basically decided to wait to do stuff on the day of the virtual holiday party. I think we want something to look forward to. Christmas day and the weeks prior we just listened to good music and put on the occasional holiday special movie. The slow act of continual decorating definitely helped make things feel a little more festive.

In any case I went out looking for stuff since people had been mentioning Bigfoot again. Unfortunately, this didn't turn up much. I pretty much just biked around the neighborhoods by the woods and Old Linda's house. The snow has melted away again in true muddy New England fashion- which was sort of good because it wasn't too slippery for my bike. It was a nice day when I went, so that was good. The sun snuck out at some point and that felt nice. I'm very thankful to be somewhere that isn't too crowded, because it means I can still get outside like this. 

Nothing super weird happened on my bike ride. Some, I guess you could call it, normal weird stuff happened? Like I was biking along and I suddenly got a chill and a feeling like I should look behind me. But it was just some person in a hoodie zooming by on their skateboard. I don't think they said 'left side' or anything, but it kinda felt like I sensed them? My bike skidded out a moment later and I must have somehow hit my bag in a way that turned the spirit box on. It surprised the crap out of me. I wiped out near Old Linda's- of course. I picked myself and my bike up, making sure everything in my bag was okay. I was sort of at a back corner of Old Linda's, so her house feels like it's looming over me in the way that it does. I see Henry with one eye on me in a window. Tail lashing- all spooky. All very normal by now.

I give Henry a wave- because why not? He yawns. Which I guess is the most normal cat thing he's ever done. I check my bike chain and get ready to take off- And there is Henry. In front of my bike. I don't know, is this weird? Normal? I jump a little, but he's just cleaning himself, looking bored. I glance back up to the window- yup, no Henry.

"...Hi, Henry." I try.

He doesn't answer because Henry is a weird cat cryptid thing but still mostly a cat I think.

I hear a skateboard in the distance. Getting louder. The hoodie person from earlier looping back probably. It somehow sounds ominous. I shake my head- skateboards aren't ominous. I start to move my bike to get around Henry. Henry stands- looking in the direction of the noise, he glances at me in that pitying way cats have. I suddenly realize it's grown overcast, and cold, and the noise is growing, somehow overwhelmingly so. I turn to look in the direction the scraping sound of wheels on old tar is coming from. But I'm blinded by the sun. It's warm again- Henry is gone. As is the seemingly ominous sound of the distant skateboarder. Everything is quiet again.

I went home after that. There haven't been any more sightings of the Squonk thing since someone tried to catch it, but people keep describing Bigfoot by the woods again. Tim and I want to try to explore some of the trails over there, maybe see if we can track it? Find like a footprint or something. I think we’ll have this adventure during the day time, and also without beer. New Years eve is Thursday- the Party is Saturday in the evening. So I'm thinking Monday Tim and I will do some investigating so I can tell you all about it in Tuesday's post! Plus it gives us a recovery day after the Holiday party.

I might do an extra post on Friday to kind of start off the new year. I'm going to play with the spirit box and stuff on my own, between now and then, probably at work again or something. I have a couple closing shifts, so I should be able to be in the basement by myself. Really reveal some stuff. Maybe. You never know right?

Stay Haunted, keep believing!

Welcome back to the Still No Ghosts Zone

12/22/2020

Happy Holidays! And welcome back once more to Ghost Blogger. Where we hear rumors of cryptids, can't seem to find any ghosts, and if we are lucky- maybe see Bigfoot twice. Then never again. I don't mean to sound grumpy- but I guess I am. After almost sightings of Bigfoot and rumors of some weird rodent thing, not to mention just Henry in general- the last couple weeks have felt dull in comparison. And this week especially. Someone did try to catch the strange crying thing I mentioned in one of the past posts. Besides that, I have just been decorating for that virtual party and reaffirming that my gf doesn't believe in any of this. I guess it's making me doubt myself.

"I agree that the cat is odd, but Old Linda is also....odd. So they fit each other."

"You've been on walks with me when we've swung past her house, the cat is always there."

"I mean, it lives there. And I bet she has more than one. Look, I'm not buying the cryptid stuff, but both the cat or cats and Old Linda herself, are certified weird. Okay?" my gf says, giving in ever so slightly while leaning against the fridge, eating ice cream straight from the pint.

"Okay, okay- EVERYONE thinks they are weird. That isn't new- I'm saying it's more than that. The cat's fur like, changes." I'm once again not making a very good argument, but she seems to at least somewhat believe me. She's one of those people who always has some explanation. A tried and true skeptic. Though, to be fair, she does say she doesn't not believe me. She just thinks there is most likely a reasonable explanation for it.

"If it starts talking to you, let me know. Did you want some?" She holds out the pint to me and I shake my head. I didn't tell her about the time I thought Henry DID say something to me. I was afraid she would start worrying there was something wrong with me. 

"Okay, ready to help me move some stuff around in the living room?"

"Yeah, I'm just going to finish the dishes."

Since Tim and Andrew are both attending the virtual holiday party too, we decided to make more space in the living room and put up decorations and lights and stuff.  Really make it feel fun and festive. Thus the moving of furniture. The decorating is fine, and I admit having something to look forward to is fun- especially since this year has been so rough on everyone. Our little home has been very lucky, so I suppose there is a lot to celebrate.

I just wish Jess would believe a little more. I don't think she follows the blog at all. She knows it's something I work on- but I think she just saw ghost hunting as like my weird, cute quarantine hobby.  She says she likes Halloween fine, but none of that stuff is real except maybe the axe murderers and people who go as their 'favorite true crime podcast character'. (Guys, it's called True Crime. Real people did murder, meaning real people died-come ON. Don't do that.)  I mean, at least she hasn't gotten mad at me for it again- though I haven't  tried to camp out in the woods again either.

Anyway- the good news for the week is that I have a guess for what the weird crying rodent is. Someone tried to catch it and they said that they got, like, a cloth bag over it, but then it was gone. Only Leaving a puddle. They said they weren't willing to sniff the puddle to check if it had somehow been like a toad that peed to get away. But it matched the description of the other sightings of it, including it "melting" or disappearing into mist. Ben Willis, the fisherman, also heard about this and said it could be a Squonk. He also said we are a little farther north than where he believes they are normally seen. He’s a kinda weird guy, keeps to himself-but he had been hearing the same rumors. I looked it up and there isn't a lot available for info on them, but it does match pretty much perfectly.

A Squonk is a small creature, described as having "ill fitting skin" and a rather miserable nature. It cries constantly and leaves a trail of tears as it goes. Those that try to capture one will find that it will have dissolved into a puddle of its own tears. It seems the earliest account of the creature is from a book published in 1910, "Fearsome Creatures of The Lumberwoods". Squonks are said to be found in the northern woods of Pennsylvania . They are thought to be a mythical creature- but perhaps there is one that has strayed to our little town! I don't really see a good way to track it- especially with snow on the ground now. Maybe it has already moved on. I hope it isn't nearly as unhappy as it seems.

Hope everyone has been doing their best to stay safe and enjoy the Holidays- in the meantime, Stay Haunted!