OK, so last night I’m watching one of those crazy-azz celebrity ghost stories on the bio channel.
The comedian Louie Anderson was telling his ghost story (and it was pretty scary) about the time he was laying in bed facing the wall and he suddenly woke up because he felt someone was in the room, someone standing over him.
He finally found enough courage to turn around and no one was there, but he still felt a “presence.”
Ooooooh!
I was snickering at his story, knowing we viewers were being set up as he goes on to describe his utter fright as a bright light appeared in front of him. The more he stared at the light the less frightened he became because Louie says the light seemed to express calm.
So I’m at the “OH BROTHER GIVE ME A BREAK” stage of Louie’s story when all of the sudden my dark house lights up as my hall light comes on!
What?!!
A hall light that has been burned out for months! It’s one of those fixtures with four sockets for four little night light type bulbs. I had one replacement bulb and I put it in weeks ago only to find out after I flipped the switch up and down that the replacement bulb was no good either.
I very seldom use the fixture so I was in no hurry to make my way to Home Depot to stock up on bulbs.
When I’m here alone, I usually don’t have any lights on, no particular reason, just candles and TV light. So there I am and those idiots on TV are telling their bogus ghost stories and right at the crescendo of Louie’s story, that’s when the hall light just suddenly comes on, and I have to admit it was rather startling!
I was kind of creeped out for a few moments.
The hall light with a mind of its own, by the way, is “off” now.
As in, NOT illuminating.
I did not turn it off. When the surprising moment happened, I flipped the switch a couple of times, but I left it on the "on" position.
It is now the next day and I just noticed a few minutes ago that the light is no longer on. I flipped the switch again a couple of times and nothing came on or off.
It’s sort of a game now. I’m wondering if my playful ghost will turn it back on for me.
I’ve had a couple of suggestions. One friend told me it happened to him once because his house wires were crossed with a house in Slovenia. (I have bizarre and wonderful friends.)
My sister suggested it was our dear departed brother playing a trick on me and then snickering and laughing his way back to Heaven.
If there is an otherworldly account to my unexplained illumination, it would be nice to hold on to this explanation.
But really any self-respecting ghost would be out haunting places with vivid history and lore and not bothering to haunt a relatively new apartment building (well, new in ghost years.)
The scariest thing a condo ghost could hope for would be to dress up like a condo Nazi, make loud banging noises on the front door and scream "You have one too many potted plants on your lanai and it exceeds the limit put forth in the book of rules, if you will check page 926, outline 6 paragraph 5 amendment 2,893....!"
Well, I guess that is kind of scary.
So anyway, Casper aside, are there any tangible concerns here? Do I have to worry about wiring? Why would a light fixture come on and go off on its own?
Faulty wiring is way scarier than any ghost that Louie Anderson can come up with. Any electricians out there that can set my mind at ease?
By the way, Louie’s ghost was his Mom. She appeared to him one last time to say goodbye and to let him know everything will be OK. Sweet story really.
I want to believe in ghost stories if only for the comfort it may produce for some. I would love to think my finicky light was my trickster brother and I would say to him, “Hey buddy! Good one Bro! Ya really got me! Stop by anytime ‘cause I really miss ya!”
You’re not going to believe this but that hall light just came back on!
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Comments » 24
keekee writes:
The hall light didn't really come on, but I believe it could happen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVSRm8...
bossman1 writes:
I'm sure you figured it out by now, but here is my imput.
You probably have a loose connection in the juction box at your light or maybe at the switch. The light bulbs are probably ok.
I would change the light switch and check the wiring/connections at the switch and light fixture juction box.
Yes I am a electrician. bossman1
SCHLLC (Inactive) writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
keekee writes:
Please gentlemen, I sure hope I can keep it friendly in here. I do try.
SCHLLC, normally the only reason bossman comes here is to give me a hard time but today he has only done what I have asked and that was for electronic information.
bossman, I thank you for the suggestion. I have removed all lights from the fixture, turned the switch to off and as soon as I go to Home Depot for replacement bulbs I will follow your suggestion.
SCHLLC, I am glad to see you here for my silly little offerings, and I hope to see you more often. Things very seldom get real serious in here, oh I suppose I have my moments, but lightheartedness is what I’m going for! LOL Peace
bossman1 writes:
Did someone address you?
Be carefull Tara doesn't like namecalling on her blog.
Try not to im'fect other blogs with your hate schllc.
n >>m I also have bid fingers.
Why are you avoiding the 'our' blog?
Don't like what I write? Don't read it, no problem.
bye
SCHLLC (Inactive) writes:
Oh! My mistake. Forgive me for intruding.
Won't happen again.
bananas8187 writes:
I'm sure Tara welcomes your departure.
SCHLLC (Inactive) writes:
Awwwww, shucks nanners. What a lovely thing to say. I really appreciate the kind words. Best regards to your son.
miamia writes:
Hi KeeKee,
Another good story as usual. Congratulations!
I have a similar one which became too complex to share here so maybe I'll write a blog about it sometime soon!
I
keekee writes:
Thank you so much for the information. When it comes to home repairs I take the stance “they pay people to do that, right?”
Being the preverbal damsel in distress, when it comes to such things, it’s better left in the hands of the experts, lest I fry myself as I stand on my ladder with nothing but a burnt out shell to be found later.
Now when I refer to myself as the “damsel in distress” I don’t mean to describe myself as a withering, weak female, who will acquiesce to the male logic. Only in cases of wiggly, slithering critters and anything to do with electricity!
Sure glad you stopped by.
keekee writes:
Hey miamia! Thanks so much. My ego is always lifted a bit when I hear from you!
I LOVE ghost stories and I would love to hear yours!
I seem to be the biggest skeptic in the world, not only that but as I listen or watch ghost stories I tend to make fun. But you know what? I still watch ‘em! Deep down I want to beleive.
I wouldn’t miss my boys at “Ghost Hunters.” You can find a ghost tale on one channel or another just about any time, and when I come across one, I always stop and watch. So really who’s the sucker?! HA
I suppose I’m drawn to them as with anyone. I love the entertainment value for one, and even though our brains tell us there is no such thing, our heart will suggest, “gosh, one more minute, one more conversation, one more moment would be so cool. So yeah, I’ll make fun of these shows but at the same time I’m so hoping there is something to them!
keekee writes:
So bananas,
Do you believe in ghosts?
bossman1 writes:
The chances of all four bulbs being bad is very high.
The most likely chance of a wiring/connection problem is in the ceiling juction box for the light fixtures trickly because of it's overhead position.
I would not advise KK to check it out herself other than replacing a least one bulb with a known good one.
The breaker feeding the switch and light fixture should be turned off. Then the power to the switch and light fixture should be checked with a voltmeter before proceeding.
Just saying.
miamia writes:
In response to KeeKee...
" LOVE ghost stories and I would love to hear yours!"
Mine's more of an electrical problem; I'm not a "Ghost" lover! Will let you know when I write mine. I'm not sure of the process; I've never done one yet!
Maybe you can give me the details on my personal e-mail so as not to bore the others on the forum!
Thanks!
keekee writes:
Oh no, I’ve switched out bulbs and tested on and off, it’s the disconnecting of wires, ground wires, and remembering colors that intimidates me. They pay people to do that, right? HA!
Actually I work with a woman whose husband is in the business. I’m sure it will all work out.
I’m still thinking I have a prankster ghost. At least that notion is way more fun!
bananas8187 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
bananas8187 writes:
Of course I do. And unicorns, and Winged Monkeys, an LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!!!
Ghosts? No. not Angels neither. No Santy Claus nor Easter Bunny nor non a dem myths we bin fed ferebber.
ANJOU?
keekee writes:
WHAT? You’re not seriously suggesting there is no Santa Claus are you?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N2XdM8Uds7k...
nstinks writes:
Keekee......did this problem start before or after the sequester?
keekee writes:
LOL!
Hey, come to think of it...........
BigOrangeKitty writes:
Boo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MjuEq...
nstinks writes:
"We believe that electricity exists, because the electric company keeps sending us bills for it, but we cannot figure out how it travels inside wires."
Dave Barry
keekee writes:
Hi Ya BOK!! Too Funny!
Hey, where the heck ya been? It’s always good to see you. Don’t be a stranger!
bossman1 writes:
KK, Tell us what you found out about your light fixture problem. Is it working now and what was the fix?
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