Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 14, 2011, 2:27 pm
It's been another long gap between posts for me. Part of that has been the usual busy autumn I've grown accustomed to (which usually means Halloween falls by the wayside and isn't the fun experience it once was), but added to that has been a heavy bout of depression accompanied by apathy. I guess th...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Oct 20, 2011, 4:40 am
I was talking with one of Ohio's many ghost hunters earlier this week, and he mentioned to me some paranormal activity he had experienced firsthand near Port Clinton, Ohio. He had been an employee at Sleep Inn & Suites, just off State Road about four miles east of Port Clinton, between 2005 and 2007...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Sep 30, 2011, 8:21 pm
I absolutely love cider; nothing says fall like it. I also happen to enjoy baking and tinkering around with recipes any time I get the chance. Just last week, I had a creative spark and made something that turned out very good. Of course, I don't always measure things exactly, so it can be tricky to...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Sep 26, 2011, 6:24 am
If there's one bad habit I refuse to get rid of, it's enjoying a cocktail or glass of beer/wine from time to time. Now that doesn't mean I down gallon after gallon of it. (Maybe a few times back in my early college days.) But it's a nice way to unwind. Believe it or not, paranormal-themed spirits ha...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Sep 11, 2011, 1:16 am
It's been an interesting year. Overall, I wouldn't rank it in my top ten best years ever, but there've been a few shining moments and amusing times to keep it from being a complete disaster. The important thing in life is not to lose your sense of humor, because really, life is funny and absurd. But...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Sep 10, 2011, 4:45 am
... of heart or anyone with a distaste for the somewhat perverse. But if you're fine with porn stars, killer sperm, Hitler, and zombie spoofs, then it just might be up your alley. And the ... trailer: Now I have to give kudos to Sean for being one of the first porn stars to successfully m...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Aug 31, 2011, 6:50 am
Sometimes, life can get a little overwhelming. Even the paranormal can get that way. I've been taking a bit of a break this week from things; getting off social networking sites as much as possible, stepping back from research, and watching some movies (which I haven't taken the time to do in many m...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Aug 27, 2011, 3:40 pm
For those of you who haven't heard the news, I'm now a regular contributor for Who Forted? Magazine (those people who brought you Ghost Hunters, Inc.). What does that mean about Spooked! and its future? Well, a little bit of changes. But nothing too worrying. For a long time now, Spooked! has...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Aug 20, 2011, 3:03 am
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I miss Ghost Hunters, Inc. Say what you will, it was always entertaining to see the latest adventures of the gang--with plush Scooby Doo in tow--exploring the weird, forgotten, and mythical places around Pennsylvania and New York. Back when I first started ...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Aug 6, 2011, 1:24 am
Whenever history is being told, remember there is almost always a bias on behalf of the person(s) telling it. Often, parts are left out, justified by one party involved, or even told inaccurately; it takes a lot of research and work to uncover the complete history of anything. I was talking with so...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Aug 3, 2011, 5:22 pm
It's been 13 years since one of Columbus' oldest landmarks met the wrecking ball in the name of progress. Built in 1834, the Ohio Penitentiary saw thousands of criminals pass through its doors. From Morgan's Raiders to the author O. Henry, many well-known people spent some time behind bars on Spring...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jul 22, 2011, 12:45 am
About a week ago, author Deonna Sayed brought up an interesting and very valid question: What makes someone a paranormal investigator? Is it active field work (with or without a team)? Watching "the shows"? Going to a few conferences? Just knowing people in "the field"? At what point does someone ea...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jul 12, 2011, 3:22 am
Generally, I don't watch any paranormal television shows. Sometimes I'll watch an old episode if it deals with a place I'm curious to find out a general synopsis about or (as in the case if Haunted Collector) if there happen to be antiques being discussed. I'd much rather be out exploring new locati...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jul 11, 2011, 1:25 am
A lot of paranormal shows (as well as paranormal groups) relish in the idea of being the first investigators allowed into a reputedly haunted site. It can be a big announcement if there's enough publicity. But sometimes, things turn out to be incorrect. With a little digging, anyone can find these m...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jul 8, 2011, 6:08 am
Another long week is drawing to an end and is heading into a bit of a busy weekend. Finally, my library talk on Australian ghost stories and legends went off without too many hitches on Tuesday. I did enjoy the experience and everyone seemed to enjoy both the presentation and prizes, yet for many re...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jun 29, 2011, 1:55 pm
There is a ton of absolutely mind-boggling ghost hunting out there. And even more, there is an unending wealth of erroneous history, bad investigating, and sheer stupidity. Most of the time, I just breeze by these things and roll my eyes. But yesterday, after watching a half hour video by Discovery ...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jun 27, 2011, 3:36 pm
In keeping with my last post, I've been thinking a lot more lately about how much I've enjoyed railroads over the years. They're still my favorite means of transportation, and it's quite sad seeing how rail travel has died out over the years. People might say that the automobile killed streetcars an...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jun 22, 2011, 6:19 pm
Back around 2004, I was trying to put together a ghost tour on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be; there were some issues raised by the fact that it was both true ghost stories and locations in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I can't blame anyone for the pla...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jun 21, 2011, 6:58 pm
The story of Cleveland becoming the home of the "burning river" dated back some 40 years when, for the first time, pollution caused the Cuyahoga River to catch fire. Right? Well, one part of this is true. On June 22, 1969, an oil slick on the river did catch fire and subsequently caught the attentio...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jun 20, 2011, 5:27 pm
After a lot of debate, I decided to bring back the Haunted Cuyahoga section of my website. Yes, a lot of my old research (and some rescued documents from Jaite Mill) were turned over to Jeri Holland of Cuyahoga Valley Paranormal about a year ago. I'm still leaving much of the valley's hauntings in h...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jun 16, 2011, 9:07 am
While I've been busy digging through Akron history, here are a few of the more bizarre (and slightly morbid or preternatural) news stories I missed from around the world. Exterminating Self-Extermination... Euthanasia can be controversial, but what about the right to do yourself in? While ass...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jun 13, 2011, 11:21 pm
Another year is rushing by. Though I've felt like my life has been quite boring lately, it hasn't been entirely without amusement and productivity. Most of my writing time has involved PowerPoint shows for libraries (I'm expecting to do several this fall on various places, including the Cuyahoga Val...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - May 19, 2011, 5:25 am
"The present week is a time of great interest to the believers in the personal reign of Christ, and in the Second Advent as now near. This week, we believe, will conclude the 2,300 years from the going forth of the decree to restore and build Jerusalem, at which time the word of God has been given t...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Apr 20, 2011, 6:06 pm
It's time again to break from reality and take a peek at some of the more bizarre things that have happened in our world. Three Cheesus Pizza... The Holy Trinity might need to be re-written as dough, tomato sauce, and mozzarella. Last month in Brisbane, a pizza emerged from the oven at Posh P...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Apr 15, 2011, 7:54 pm
I'm officially another year older today. It's been quite a chaotic year so far; my free time for blogging has dwindled more than expected. It's not just coursework that takes a chunk of my time away. I've been doing a fair amount of side research for two books and helping with editing a local ghost ...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Mar 22, 2011, 4:27 pm
Again, I've let my blogging fall on the wayside. There has been so much going on—exams, university work, research for books—that I keep forgetting to set aside time to write. But it has been worth it. I have over 100% in my psychology course and very high marks in the other classes. I'm assistin...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Feb 28, 2011, 9:15 pm
Almost every regular person is afraid of something. Spiders or growing old, abandonment or the dark. They range from the rational to the irrational. Some fears can be life saving while others hinder living a normal life. Yet it's something that makes us unique individuals. You could say that ...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Feb 19, 2011, 7:00 pm
As some of you might know, Ghost Adventures recently traveled to Salem, Massachusetts; this week Travel Channel aired the episode filmed at the famous Witch House (better known as Jonathan Corwin House). It's the only remaining structure in Salem with direct connections to the world-famous Salem Wi...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Feb 16, 2011, 6:37 pm
Being busy has its good and bad points. University has been a lot more work than I had anticipated. I have a few big projects for courses on the horizon (one where I worry I've bit off more than I can chew with the scope and work involved) so often when I write, it's only for class. I've even cut ba...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Feb 14, 2011, 9:55 pm
Since it's Valentine's Day, no doubt some of you are on festive dates or celebrating your relationships. Others may commiserate and loathe this day, be it because of single life, separation from the one you love(d), or other anti-holiday feelings. Some call it a Hallmark holiday geared toward materi...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Feb 6, 2011, 8:37 pm
We are strange creatures, human beings. Look at any animal on the planet and you see logical behavior: cause and effect. Yet people are perplexing. We murder for pleasure, cheat and steal for unnecessary objects, and behave in irrational unnatural ways. Simply put, we make no sense. I was rem...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jan 28, 2011, 5:12 pm
It's been a while since I've posted anything, much less the stranger side of the news. Here are a few of the oddest stories I've encountered during my study break. This Water is as Hot as... Everywhere, people are trying to save money, especially in government. In Redditch, Worchestershire, t...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jan 18, 2011, 9:09 pm
As most of you are probably aware, the weather in Queensland hasn't been very kind. Torrential rains have led to damaging floods costing the lives of many Australians. Yet there are people doing what they can to help out, however small the amount. And if you're in southern Australia for the weekend ...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jan 8, 2011, 6:23 pm
With a new year there are bound to be some changes. Some are good or bad while others can only be described as indifferent. While we loathe change it is inevitable. Even in the paranormal most things eventually come to an end. At least that's true with television. This weekend marks one such final c...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Jan 7, 2011, 9:45 am
A new year is finally underway. Anyone else dealing with that post-holiday depression? For me it's that coupled with post-vacation depression where you realize where you were a few weeks ago and the reality of being back home. Added together with those all-too-common feelings of regret, worry, guilt...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Dec 29, 2010, 8:23 pm
I had every intention of discussing at least one haunting in Sydney while I was visiting in the first few days of December. Due to limited internet, that never happened. And with the realization that three days hardly was enough time to cover my list of places to see I regretfully never paid a visit...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Dec 26, 2010, 4:09 pm
The Christmas holiday season has once more come to an end as another year slowly fades away. Following the excitement-filled trip earlier this month, my actual holiday was extremely subdued. In Victorian times, Christmas (not Halloween) was a time to tell ghost stories. While I did pass some of the ...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Dec 19, 2010, 2:37 pm
Australia definitely didn't disappoint me when it comes to the paranormal. Although I didn't set out to make my trip all about dead people, I did find a little time to seek out the bizarre, the otherworldly, and the creepy in the land far away. But first, a word on jet lag. I haven't traveled across...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Dec 16, 2010, 1:50 am
I successfully managed to neglect my blog the entire trip. It wasn't intentional. Having just two weeks to explore so much new territory was a challenge enough without fitting in some writing. I'm still trying to digest everything. Plus I made some fascinating discoveries, had a few unintentional ad...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 26, 2010, 12:34 pm
It's that time again. Time to wade through the news and seek out those oddities of life, death, and whatever might come after. Going Gayly to the Grave... Do you think those drab coffins aren't good enough for you? Want to be buried with some style? If you're in Cologne, Germany you might be ...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 24, 2010, 1:55 pm
Less than a week away until I jet over the Unites States and cross the Pacific Ocean before touching down at Sydney International Airport beside Botany Bay. My preparations are nearly complete. Packing very light, however, has caused a lot more thought than I expected though. Maybe I'm trying to com...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 18, 2010, 11:36 pm
Yikes! I've let a whole week pass by. Well, not intentionally. And not just from gearing up for the trip. I've been doing a lot of research and digging up interesting things. The only problem is they haven't involved Australia or ghosts. Yes, it might be strange to believe but I actually have other ...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 15, 2010, 11:58 pm
Two weeks ago I wrote about Sydney's first cemetery beneath present-day Sydney Town Hall. At that time I mentioned that a number of bodies exhumed were re-interred at Rookwood Necropolis. The interesting thing about this cemetery is it's the largest multicultural burial ground not only in Australi...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 12, 2010, 10:04 pm
Every day millions of US citizens see dead people. Perhaps as a statue on the street, a picture or photograph, or the name of a building or bridge we may not take much notice of it. But death is all around us. This is certainly reflected in our currency. With the exception of Benjamin Franklin (who ...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 11, 2010, 4:34 pm
Nearly every country has at least one story of a mythical or unexplainable creature. Having been separated from any nearby land some 48,000 years ago, Australia is naturally a place of exotic and bizarre animals many of which are found nowhere else on earth. The kangaroo, koala, and platypus were de...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 10, 2010, 5:31 pm
It's been a while since I've reported on a few of the weird goings-on around the globe. Luckily it's been a great year for the bizarreness of humanity. Here are just a few stories that fell through the cracks (including a few from Oceania) found inside the Sydney Morning Herald. Just Looking for a G...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 10, 2010, 12:16 am
As time ticks down for me to embark on following one of my dreams it should be a cheerful time. But it's not. I should be excited and elated. I am in part, but not wholeheartedly. It's difficult to be so happy about something in the wake of so much sadness across the nation. Sadness in the form of s...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 9, 2010, 12:09 pm
Normally I don't dream very often. If I do, I don't remember it at all. Once every several months I'll wake up recalling a dream. Yet for the past two nights in a row I've experienced a plethora of dreams all night long which I recall much of in the morning. These have been quite varied, from strang...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 8, 2010, 8:41 am
Now there are only three weeks before I leave. Time is going by too fast! I have so much to get finished in this time and over this week I'll be figuring out exactly what I'll be doing each day of my trip. There is a tentative plan in place of what city I'll be in on which days but with so much to e...
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Ken S. posted an article on Spooked! - Nov 5, 2010, 11:02 pm
Not everyone in Australia believes in ghosts. Yet spirits certainly are a part of the history and culture across the nation. Just listening to the bush ballad Waltzing Matilda shows one clear example. Said to have been based on a true story, the song ends with the swagman's ghost still haunting the ...
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