Yes, as I type this I realize it sounds crazy. And I'm sure it has a plausible explanation. But it's also a fun story to share.
A few years ago my colleague and I were both sitting at our desks working. I was at my desk but working beside my computer (not actively using the computer at the time). All of a sudden my computer said "hello." Startled, I looked at my computer. My colleague called out (she was on the other side of a short wall), "was that your computer talking?" I told her, yes, and then we both heard it again call out "hello."
That was it. After that, nothing. Until recently.
Then just two weeks ago my computer did it again. I was logging out of my computer and after I logged out, my computer started talking. It was reciting some instructions on a computer program that I wasn't even aware was on my computer and which I never turned on (or at least I don't think I did). It kept talking for a few minutes (fortunately more my sanity, was heard by another colleague so I know it wasn't just me hearing it) telling me about buttons I should push on the computer (even though it was logged out).
I like to think it was someone in our IT department with either a wicked sense of humour or a wicked sense of timing. Or that I should more carefully read all of the instructions that come with my computers.
But I still haven't figured out what (if anything) made my computer talk to me on those two occasions. I do know it was weird. I also wish I had been smart enough the first time to say hello back. Who knows where that conversation could have led?
Showing posts with label Galt Hospital ghost. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galt Hospital ghost. Show all posts
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Guardian Spirits
September may be my favourite time of the year but October is certainly one of my busiest so sorry for not posting anything for a while. I have in the meantime been able to conduct several interviews with people who have ghost stories of southern Alberta and I have heard some amazing ones.
I have found a ghost (well, actually, two ghosts) with purpose!
When I started collecting these stories I knew that I wanted to take a folklore approach -- write them down so they're preserved for future generations, write them down so people can see if changes have been made to the stories, write them down so there's an understanding of southern Alberta through the stories we tell.
In order to do this respectfully and properly, I read many folklore studies done in other parts of the world. And one thing several writers in Europe notes is that the "purposeful ghost" seems to be on the decline. Hundreds of years ago a lot of ghost stories were about ghosts that came back for a reason -- revenge, to help someone right a wrong, to show someone where the treasure was and so much more.
But the stories of the past 100 or so years were more about ghosts that didn't seem to have any more purpose than to just be -- to hang around, to startle people, etc but not to "DO" anything.
One of the people I interviewed last night said that two of the spirits of the Galt Museum (the old Galt Hospital) were there as "guardians" to protect the building and make certain it was taken care of. She said they had a true affinity for the building and wanted it protected and preserved.
As a historian and a person who thinks historic buildings are among our greatest assets, I am so glad to think that this building, and maybe others?, have guardian spirits.
I have found a ghost (well, actually, two ghosts) with purpose!
When I started collecting these stories I knew that I wanted to take a folklore approach -- write them down so they're preserved for future generations, write them down so people can see if changes have been made to the stories, write them down so there's an understanding of southern Alberta through the stories we tell.
In order to do this respectfully and properly, I read many folklore studies done in other parts of the world. And one thing several writers in Europe notes is that the "purposeful ghost" seems to be on the decline. Hundreds of years ago a lot of ghost stories were about ghosts that came back for a reason -- revenge, to help someone right a wrong, to show someone where the treasure was and so much more.
But the stories of the past 100 or so years were more about ghosts that didn't seem to have any more purpose than to just be -- to hang around, to startle people, etc but not to "DO" anything.
One of the people I interviewed last night said that two of the spirits of the Galt Museum (the old Galt Hospital) were there as "guardians" to protect the building and make certain it was taken care of. She said they had a true affinity for the building and wanted it protected and preserved.
As a historian and a person who thinks historic buildings are among our greatest assets, I am so glad to think that this building, and maybe others?, have guardian spirits.
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