Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009
ghosts in the machine
Are there ghosts living among us?
It seems an ever-increasing amount of folks seem to think so.
You're not really considered wacky anymore if you describe a ghost encounter - and recount your tale with conviction, and specific examples and details.
Surge photographer Scott Smallin swears he had multiple encounters with the ghost of a young girl when our offices were located in a creaky building on Oak Street that used to be a Montessori school.
My wife and brother-in-law swear the ghost of an old lady was visible in one of their residences growing up.
Almost everyone has a ghost story.
Just ask 'em.
Does art imitate life, or the other way around?
Everywhere you look in today's pop culture, there's ghost and spirit-based entertainment. There's so-called "reality'' based shows such as "Ghost Hunters'' to the scripted dramas "The Ghost Whisperer'' and "Medium'' on mainstream TV networks.
And guess what happens to sit atop the box office receipts this week?
The thriller "Paranormal Activity'' which is scaring the bejeezus out of audiences coast-to-coast, including right here in Myrtle Beach. It took over the No. 1 spot at the box office raking in $22 million over the weekend, beating out the much higher profile "Saw VI,'' an annual Halloween fixture that may be losing its luster.
What is so alluring about ghosts?
Is it our desire to know what happens in the after-life? Are we hopeful that loved ones that have passed away are still around and able to receive our messages?
Is it all quackery in order to make a buck?
With the creepiest, spookiest time of year staring us in the face (Halloween is Saturday, in case you forgot), and with the Grand Strand rife with ghost tales, we dispatched intrepid correspondent Derrick Bracey to get together with some local mediums - those who communicate with spirits - and check out some of the area's purported haunted sites.
What did he find?
Did he make contact with the living dead?
If you're not too scared, turn to page 14 for his report.
In addition, we caught up with a local paranormal investigation crew that's getting some national notoriety, and you can read a Q-and-A with those guys on page 16.
And if you want to get in the ghost-hunting game yourself, we've got a breakdown on page 17 of the essential gear - from electromagnetic field detectors to night-vision video cameras - you'll need to nab a specter.
But the spook-tacular content doesn't end there as this week's Pod Picks (page 24) takes a look at songs featured on the soundtrack to the upcoming vampire/werewolf flick "New Moon," the second installment of the "Twilight'' series.
And speaking of flicks, Recliner Reviews has the skinny on five frightening DVDs on page 22 if you'd prefer to scare yourself silly in the comforts of your own home this weekend.
For the more social-oriented animals out there, and to paraphrase Oingo Boingo, if you're looking for a dead man's party, we've got a roundup of Halloween events, parties, costume contests and chicanery on page 25.
Do you believe in ghosts?
