Sunday, January 13, 2008

They're HeeeeeeEEEERRRRRRRrrrreeeeeeeee!

OK, so YES I'm superstitious, and YES some might think some of my personal beliefs are a little on the loop-dee-lou, over-the-top, new-agey side of the spectrum. I'll even go so far as to say I have lived in two previous homes with paranormal activity.. there was a ghost in my Parents basement that 3 other friends all saw once while at a dinner party there - and as far as I know he's still there, and I had an Apt here in Montréal that not only had one ghost, but at least two - before I moved in, the 2nd moved with the prior occupant... and for the record I was well aware it was haunted before I moved in, it was actually the clincher in my sub-letting it - and unfortunately two other things that I'll only refer to as 'Black Cats' -'cause seriously I was so freaked out by them, and so drained physically after having exorcised them that I don't even like to physically describe them in detail as I fear that might indeed be enough to call them back. And if you think I'm pulling your leg, you can ask my ex Boyfriend Graham why he didn't visit my place for over a month... Cause he saw em too! So did others.- And many other experiences, so yes, I belive in this shit.

...anyhoo, the point of all that is I think our condo has a poltergeist, or at least some sort of playful spirit. I'll go with playful spirit thanks. And not sure if this was a one shot deal or not...

Tonight, while friends (and witnesses) were over for a wee Wii battle of Bowling, Tennis and Golf, the Ice and Water dispensers both went off in the fridge, while all four of us were in the living room (You can see through to the kitchen. We all had a clear view) Now, to engage either of these two mechanisms you need to have a glass pushing (relatively firmly I might add) to a lever in the opening of the dispenser unit. But with no one there in the kitchen, and no visible glass or hands puching on the levers, there was ice tumbling to the bottom of the dispenser and the floor, as well as a steady stream of water. It was only after all four of us acknowledged this happening, did it stop. There is no way an electrical short circuit could have affected this as they are lever driven mechanisms. If the levers are not pushed, the openings through which the ice tumbles and the water pours remain closed. You must push the levers, there's no other way.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the course of the next few days, but I can assure you, I'll be on high alert. It IS Code Red here right now. I've seen and experienced too much voodoo-hoodoo-freaky stuff in my days to discount this as a very definite sign... of what it remains to be seen.

10 comments:

John Mielke Photography said...

I ain't doubting your belief in ghosts... the house I grew up in had one! Freaked my parents right out... still does... I, on the other hand, always found that spirit to be very comforting. He/She/It would make a soothing sweeping sound in my ear when I had trouble sleeping. Then it would go and open the access pannel to the attic, take people's shoes and hide them behind the linnens, flush toilets and snuff out fires in the fireplace... my parents always felt it's presence in their room and say they never slept well in that house. We were there 18 years. I went back about a year ago when the place was for sale. I instantly felt warm and cozy, and I heard that sweeping/wooshing sound for a moment too. I've long suspected it's my grandfather, who died not long after we moved there. I was two.

That said, as a bit of a handyman (I got that from my grandfather - even though I'm adopted - creepy huh), I suspect that the ice dispenser is no longer closing all the way after it's being used.

Look for some frost - typically under the ice bucket. This means that warm air is getting into the system (from when it's pressed upen to dispense water/ice) and the solenoid needs to be replaced. It could also be the circuit board and/or water valve. These boards and valves go bad all the time and are about $20 to replace... not counting the cost of the service call, of course. You can do it yourself, but it requires removing the door, disassembling the dispenser housing, disconnecting plumbing etc...

If your model is a GE, they recently had a service bulletin about this kind of problem and they may even fix it under warranty.

Sean Newbury said...

I've never been bothered per sé by most of what I've seen, heard and felt, but then this was the most physical thing I've seen. And the trap door on the ice dispenser was checked at the time and was not open at all and still firmly closes.

We're keeping a super close eye on it for any 'technical' malfunctions and ensure things are closed as they should...

- - -

As for your comments on feeling comforted about the presence in your parents house... The apt I spoke of that I moved in to on purpose... Well the spirit was female and only walked up and down the hall. She was never seen in any of the rooms. But I always knew when she was in the hall... you could 'feel' it. And I once walked right through her... that was CRAZY and truly electrifying... when I passed through her it was as if little static electrical shocks went off all over my body, all my hair stood on end, but it was not at all terrifying.

I had a cat at that time named Poe, He was a sweet cat, but didn't play with toys unless they had Nip in them. I had bought him this one foam ball though in the past and it had a bell in it. I used to try and get his attention with it, rolling in front of him, at him, past him... he would barely look at it. and never once in all the times I rolled that thing would he bat at it, catch it or run after it.

Well, one day I was reading in my bedroom when I could hear a bell jingle, then stop. Then a few moments later jingle again and stop, and jingle again and stop. And then I could hear Poe tumbling down the hallway, and the bell again. When I stuck my head out into the hallway There he was at one end of the hall and the ball at the other. I found that odd, rolled it down to him but he just looked past it. I went back to my book and in a minute the bell jingled again, and then as I focused I realized the tingle in the air... it was Cecile (That's what I called her after about 6 months) She was in the hall with Poe and seems he was playing with her! I would occasionally try and peek a glance at them but whenever I'd stick my head out... Poe would be siting and just blink at me. This type of activity went on for many months... not every day but once a week or so... And it was only even in that hall way, never in any room. And when I moved to another apt he never played at all with that ball again.

Maria said...

That just about confirms I ain't coming over - EVER! Not that you invited me, but right about now I am going to graciously decline. Thanks.

Guess having a ghost around might be good at times, you never have to be alone & lonely, even when there is no one home but you.

Hey Ghosty who ever you are, stay over at Kitty's he likes you and is all gung-ho about you being there. Leave the rest of us alone, your ghostlyness. Gracias.

Sean Newbury said...

You sure Maria... You don't want to come over and kick ass on Wii? And while I might keep the 'ghosty' I could, I am sure, locate one for your family to enjoy.

Maria said...

Thanks - please don't go to any trouble.

You can come to our place to play Wiiiiii and I will make souvlaki.

Sean Newbury said...

ok, but I prefer chicken souvlaki... unless it's LAMB... me no likey pork souvlaki

Maria said...

my hubby prefers chicken also... and I love LAMB... so your on Misster. That way no freakin' crazy spirits running around the house and spilling ice and stuff all over the place and freakin' me right out!

Anonymous said...

Maria: If you ever do get a spook in your house, just grab the Windex.

Maria said...

there's an idea. Or I just call Kitty seems like he's the PRO.

Sean Newbury said...

No No No!

Windex excites them!

heh