Basil E. Bacorn's Blog, page 3

Hold Up: Episode 1

Hold up... I just discovered a Russian children's cartoon that is currently broadcasted on
Universal Kids. And if you ask me, it is a lot wilder than you might think.

Children's TV has always been insane. From tall antenna-bearing television monsters to human hands with eyes, I honestly sometimes wonder how drunk the creators of these shows were when they were brainstorming ideas. "And we can put the face of a baby on the sun!"

(The Sun UK)
Anyway, of all the shows, Masha and the Bear seems to be quite normal with a passing glance, though with further investigation we reveal a few things that made me have to take a step back and say, "Hold up..."

(Masha and the Bear)
Masha and the Bear follows the life of an anthropomorphic bear and an omnipotent soviet child named Masha. Masha first seems to be a cute little Russain girl who simply lives in the woods with her farm animals. No big deal, right? Wrong. This child is terrifying.

The show is originally in Russain, meaning the English version voices do not match the mouth movements of the characters. Masha is the main character who actually speaks though, and when she talks it is like the voice of a child is echoing from the lips of this animated character.

Another thing to note about Masha are her powers to alter reality. That's right, this child has omnipotent powers to bend the world around her at her will. A prime example is in the episode, Rock-A-Bye, Baby, where Masha materializes sheep from her thought bubble.


Another example is in the following clip, where she uses her powers to magically paint entire trees with the flick of a brush after she paints a bunch of animals so that they match the animals in her painting. Later in this same episode, she goes full Elsa-Let-It-Go and ends up painting the entire forest in a matter of minutes.


She also has the ability to run at superhuman speeds. She reminds me of an insect scurrying across the ground. You can see what I mean in the following video clip, in which she sings an absolutely horrifying song about eating too many sweets and losing your teeth. At about 1:17, Masha is running at the speed of a bicycle, until she eventually jumps on the back of it.

As a reminder, this is a very creepy song:



This child is omnipotent, creepy, and fast. What else? Well, she seems to be a member of the Soviet army, or know one. This is seen in the opening theme song of every episode.


Here you see Masha running toward the camera wearing a Soviet officer hat.

(Under the Red Star)According to my research, the closest thing I have found to Masha's Soviet hat is the above Cavalry Officer Service/Parade visor cap from between 1935 and 1950.

This brings me to a few of the real-world facts about Masha and the Bear that I found interesting.

The Russian language version of one of the episodes of Masha and the Bear, Маша плюс каша, is the fifth most viewed video on Youtube as of January 2020, with more than 4.2 billion views. That is about 800 Soviet armies worth of views. That is over half of the population of the Earth if each view was one person.

Also, the show was accused of being Russian propaganda in 2017 by activists of the Ukrainian public organization “Council of Public Security”. It was dubbed a "propaganda tool to impose a positive image of Russia on children," and it was suggested the series be banned, saying:

Russian propagandists send a clear signal to children: the bear, which is traditionally considered a symbol of the Russian Federation and is associated with this country, appears as a big strong hero who seizes other people's property, home, land with impunity.

It is worth noting that the animation company behind the show denied the accusation.

Regardless, whether or not the show is Russian propaganda, it can certainly be agreed that Masha is a terrifying child with supernatural powers who must be stopped. The poor bear deserves peace, and I deserve to be able to resist the urge to stay up until 3am on a Sunday night to write a blog post about a children's television show.



Thank you for reading! What do you think of this nightmare child? Feel free to sound off in the comments!

Marketplace Mayhem

Happy Friday! This week we had the third impeachment of a U.S. President in the history of the nation. Am I blogging about that? Nah. Instead, I have been finding a lot of weird listings online lately, and they seem to be getting more common. With that being said, let's take a look at some of the most... unique... listings for sale on Facebook.

1. For your Irish Lover?


This heart shaped potato is supposedly priceless. I suppose this would make a great wedding ring replacement if you elope with a leprechaun?
For those of us who know anything about potatoes, this is what we call a "misshapen potato". No offence to the potato, but it's just a regular potato. Nothing special about it. 


Next... 
2. WHAT IS THAT?!



This is the creepiest piggy bank I have ever laid eyes on. This is nightmares. I hate it. It's no wonder why the listing was lowered to $25... creepy coin-consuming clowns are not the craze.
But I suppose a creepy clown piggy bank would be good at teaching kids to be... penny-wise. 
The description of the listing, I have to add, was also insane due to one suggestion.

"Would make a unique Christmas gift."
Who do you HATE THAT MUCH?! Who would want to unwrap a pretty box, only to find THIS psycho clown staring up at them?!

"FEED ME YOUR PENNIES, CHILD"
Next we have another creepy looking thing...

3. Ah yes... another CLOWN.

Why is there so much creepy clown merch so close to me?

What is this used for? I don't know and I don't care just keep it away from me.
4. An Urn
This next one is the urn I have listed for sale in my Facebook group, Basil's Attic. (Quick Promo Time) I'm selling approximately 75% of my belongings, so if you are on Facebook and interested in buying stuff... join my Facebook group here!



Okay back to other listings I've found...

5. Cat Butt

I censored it out but... Cat Butt Gum? No thanks.

Next.. 

6. Back to Potatoes...


$150 worth of Mr. Potato Head.
Why?




Am I the only one wondering why I'd need to buy 10+ potatoes worth of Mr. Potato Head?

I feel like this is excessive.

7. Faceless Dolls



8. Oh look, more unsettling dolls...


The thing I have against this doll, if you haven't guessed, is that it looks like it is being suffocated beneath all that plastic packaging.

I don't even like looking at it because it makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable...

Poor child...




9. "For the clown lover (or hater)"...



At least this creepy clown is only $5.
It isn't AS CREEPY as the others, I would give him a 5/10 on the creepy scale. However, this is definitely not something I want staring at me from the shelf.


10. Some more clowns... (Why are there SO many clowns for sale?)





11. Caroline 

When I was younger, I remember my mother had a doll about 12 inches tall that stood in her bedroom doorway.
I hated it so much. It was so creepy.
And now, here is a creepy doll for sale that looks a lot like it...





Thanks Facebook Marketplace, I hate it.

And this one's name is Caroline, which is an inherently creepy name for a doll. Almost as bad as Annabelle or Chucky.


12. STUMPY



What could I even say about Stumpy the one pegged mannequin?

He's precious and although he's a weird listing, he deserves a nice home.


Stumpy isn't necessarily creepy... maybe a tad, but he's no clown bank, that's for sure.


"Forget Mr. Claus, I AM COMING TO TOWN THIS YEAR!!!"


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Well, thanks for reading! Do you agree with my thoughts? Would you buy any of these items? Let us know in the comments below! :)



~Credits~

Antique Clown
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Ashton Drake Dolls
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Cat Butt Gum
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Cast Iron Clown Bank
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Clown
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Handmade Primative Farmhouse Dolls
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Heart-Shaped Potato
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Official Disney Potato Head
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Vintage "Caroline"
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Vintage Porcelain Clown Figure
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...

Basil's 2019 Gift Guide

It is the beginning of December, which means for those of us who haven't finished their Christmas shopping a year in advance, the clock is ticking. But have no fear, Christmas King Basil is here! It is time for my 2019 Holiday Gift Guide featuring a few of the coolest companies and products I have found that would make great holiday gifts!




This post may contain affiliate links.


Gifts $10 and UnderFred Manatea Silicone Tea Infuser(https://www.genuinefred.com/mana-manatea)This happy boy wants to make you tea! This is the perfect gift for that tea-lover in your life!

"Of Course!" book of riddles(https://www.amazon.com/Course-Greatest-Collection-Riddles-Expanding/dp/0692268529)Brainteasers are the best, and this book is only $9.95!



Gifts Under $504Ocean Bracelets
(www.4Ocean.com)4Ocean is a great company that makes bracelets from recycled ocean litter, each bracelet sold funding the removal of one pound of waste from our oceans. Each bracelet is $20, and I love them and their mission. 10/10 

Vanguard Maple Plasticware (mykellyko.com)These dishes are cool and sustainable and made in the USA. "We've taken out 30% of the plastic and replaced it with organic materials. Sawdust, to be exact, from US furniture mills and window factories. This is combined with safe, certified clean plastic pellets to make our bowls."
I haven't tried these dishes yet, but I plan on stopping by Kelly & Ko to get a better look, and will update this post when I do.

Blanket Scarf(mykellyko.com)A SCARF that is ALSO A BLANKET. "This beautiful cashmere like blanket scarf is made of a beautiful Acrylic-wool blend that feels like soft cashmere against your face. Super comfortable, fashionable and warm for fall and winter! These handmade scarves are approximately 55x55 inches in size and have naturally frayed edges. Hand-wash if possible in cold water (light wash) and hang to dry (or tumble dry)."



Gifts for KidsGreen Toys (www.greentoys.com)Green Toys are the perfect gift for little ones! They have toys for babies and tots, and are amazing. The toys are made from recycled milk jugs and are incredibly durable. Not to mention, they are safe and free of BPA/Phthalates/PVC! These made in the USA children's toys are so awesome, I MAY have started a stash of them for the day that I have kids of my own. 10/10 children's toys.



Gifts for TeensThe Sketchbook Project (https://www.brooklynartlibrary.com/sketchbookproject)
Give the artist in your life the opportunity to be part of a global art library! 
"Order a sketchbook, fill it up, and send it back to us to be a part of the world’s largest collection of artist sketchbooks! Every participant is sent the same 5x7'' blank custom sketchbook. Each book will be given a unique six-digit barcode so we can easily catalog it into Brooklyn Art Library's system.

Once we catalog it, you’ll be able to track where your book travels and how often it is viewed - we want to make sure you can stay connected with your sketchbook!"
The site also sells art supplies that you can include with the sketchbook to give it that extra touch.

Harveys Seatbelt Bags (shopharveys.com)
These things are expensive but cool. They are made from seatbelts and look so cool. I want one. I think...



Basil's Picks (A.K.A. Stuff I Want) Now I think all of these products are cool so far, but these next three are the things that I myself would be asking Santa for this holiday season!Big Blanket [image error]
(https://bigblanket.com/)BIG BLANKET!!!

This is a 120" x 120" blanket and I want one. This is an elephant-sized blanket, big enough for two sumo wrestlers. "Big enough for the whole family!" says the website, but let's be honest... we are all just looking forward to getting lost in one of these.

They are also coming out with a WEIGHTED VERSION?!?! 

I want to just have a cup of egg nog and disappear under my expensive Big Blanket while binging Christmas movies and eating gingerbread men. 


Rareform  (rareform.com)Rareform creates one-of-a-kind repurposed vinyl billboard bags and accessories. Give a gift as unique as your recipient! I love Rareform and use mine all the time. They have such a wide selection! 

BONUS! I am a Rareform Rep, meaning you can get 20% off your order with the code BASIL20 on www.rareform.com! (I will make a commission off those sales, so thank you if you use the code!) 



Book of the Month Subscription Yes. A Book a Month Subscription. Perfect for the reader who can't decide what to read next. There are different lengths of subscriptions, but this company allows you to purchase a gift subscription, making everything way easier!

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Thanks for reading my 2019 Gift Guide! Feel free to buy me everything on this list ;)
Love these products? Sound off in the comments below! Happy Holidays!

Basil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More: What's Going On?

Hello! I'm back with an announcement of sorts regarding my retail business, Basil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More. I started the store almost two years ago in January of 2018 as a part of the Jay Mart Mall in Athens, PA. From there it grew, ultimately ending up in its own storefront location with a display in the Wellsboro Mini Mall in Wellsboro, PA as well.

As some of you may know, the Three Musketeers Shopping Center is slated to be going in the storefront my business is currently occupying. In this post, I figured I wanted to outline where I am in my thought process at this point in time.

At the end of this post will be a list of links for more information regarding various things mentioned.


Is the store closing?Maybe. I have been debating it.
I love the products I sell, and I love the community. I love owning a retail store, but I have recently felt a kind of stagnant feeling that has pervaded my retail life. Slow days feel even slower, and sales reports look disheartening. 
I'm getting bored, almost, I feel.
With that being said, yes, my store may be closing. The other two paths I am looking into are 1) moving to Ithaca, NY, and 2) selling the business. 
I have always had faith in my hometown of Athens, PA, so no matter what I choose, I refuse to leave my Athens storefront empty, hence why I have decided to replace my business with the Three Musketeers Shopping Center.
If the store closes, I plan to get the products we currently stock sold by fellow local businesses because I love these brands and want them to continue being available wherever possible. 
If I choose to move my business to Ithaca, I will have a post with more information regarding that go up on the store's website and will add the link to the list at the end of this post.
If the store closes, what about the Athens BookFest?Regardless of what happens with Basil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More, the Athens BookFest is happening as long as I have a say in it. If the store closes, the BookFest will be put on by Basil E. Bacorn Publishing and organized by Basil E. Bacorn Productions.
What's Basil E. Bacorn Productions?My new event planning company! Basil E. Bacorn Productions will be my new "main" business in the event I sell or close Basil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More. I love event planning, and I have said for a while that I would love to be an event planner. So I am excited for that!

With that, feel free to sound off in the comments on what you think I should do! Thanks for reading!

Links Three Musketeers Shopping Center - athensmusketeers.com - Facebook PageBasil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More - bebbam.com - Facebook PageAthens BookFest - Facebook PageBasil E. Bacorn Publishing - publishing.basilebacorn.com - Facebook PageBasil E. Bacorn Productions - events.basilebacorn.com - Facebook PageOfficial "Interest of Sale" from Basil E. Bacorn Enterprises regarding Basil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More (which includes the initial asking price)(If any of the links are broken or go to the wrong place, please just send an email to basil@basilebacorn.com and let me know. Thanks!)

Mac & Mooney's: My Thoughts

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Last month a new place to eat opened in Athens, PA. Mooney's is a small chain of restaurants throughout NY and PA that is well-known for one menu item in particular: their Mac & Cheese.

Mooney's Mac & Cheese, image obtained from mooneys.com 
On Monday night I stopped into Mooney's to check the place out. Unfortunately, my cell phone has decided to continue its habit of deleting pictures, but the above image of their mac & cheese is legit. It looks so beautiful, and the portion sizes are huge. 
I ordered a small bowl of the original mac & cheese to try. Though my personal opinion was that the dish was too plain, I was informed by the employee that the other varieties of Mac & Cheese were a lot more exciting. For that reason, I plan on going back to give them another try. And hopefully, I will be able to retake the pictures I lost to include in a follow-up to this post.
As for the location itself, it has an awesome atmosphere. Wooden tables, nicely lit (restaurants with dim lighting give me bad vibes; I like to easily see what I am about to eat). The service was amazing as well, extremely polite and knowledgable of the offerings. I did make unfortunate eye-contact with the deer head on the wall, however, though that was mostly my fault. The deer couldn't look away.

Overall it was a very nice experience, and I encourage you all to give it a try.


Have you been to Mooney's in Athens, PA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!


Thanks for reading! :)

National Read a Book Day 2019: Classic Lit Countdown

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Happy National Read a Book Day!

I love stories. Writing them and reading them. Since it is National Read a Book Day, I figured what better time to do a Classic Lit Countdown of five of my favorite classic tales.


5. Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein is so much more than the big green monster most think of when they hear the name. Frankenstein actually refers to Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who brought his creature to life.

This tale is a perfect example of how stories change over time. The book began as a contest between writers to see who could write the best ghost story while Mary Shelley and her lover were staying in the Swiss Alps. The story she conceived focused on a man named Victor Frankenstein, who loved science. We meet Victor, near-death in the arctic, and he tells the tale of the monster he created - a tale of how over-ambition ultimately lead to the demise of himself and those he held dear. The original work is very impactful and gives new light to the Halloween character known as Frankenstein.


4. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The well-known world of Wonderland is said to have come about on a boat-ride when Lewis Carroll (real name, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) told the daughters of Henry Liddell a story of his own creation. This tale would be expanded upon and published, and go on to be one of the most well-known stories of all. A girl, a rabbit hole, and countless crazy adventures.

While some believe the author was on drugs while creating the story, the story itself features a wide array of fantastical creatures and characters. With appearances by the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, and more, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is, well, one wild ride.


3. Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
One of my personal favorite stories, Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea follows the adventures of three men who find themselves aboard the vessel of the infamous Captain Nemo, the Nautilus.

The book explores the depths of the ocean and what life is like for the small crew which is cut-off from the rest of the human race, separated by the waves between ocean and sky.


2. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Not to brag, but I am pretty much an expert on Robert Louis Stevenson. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is a roller coaster. It explores the idea of two inner forces battling for control, the fight of dark and light within us all.

The story was based on a nightmare Stevenson had. The writer was quickly growing sick and was on medications to help him get through. When he decided to start writing Jekyll & Hyde, some reports suggest it became an unhealthy obsession. It got to the point that someone (either Stevenson’s wife, or Stevenson himself) threw the original manuscript into the fireplace, forcing the writer to redo all his work in a matter of days.

The backstory of how this tale came into existence, to me, is so extremely interesting, which is what helped to boost this classic work into the number two spot on this list.


1. Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve
Finally, number one. Now, I must admit I have yet to read the original tale, but when I do I will link my blog post about it here. That aside, Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite story. Honestly, it’s probably because I’m secretly a softie when it comes to things like “true beauty lies within”, but either way, it deserves to be on this list.


Honorable Mentions:A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
One book that SHOULD be forgotten:Donkeyskin by Charles Perrault

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What do you think? Like my list? What would you have added? Sound off in the comments below! Happy National Read a Book Day! :)

Ribbon Cutting at Kelly & Ko.

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ATHENS, PA

Fall festivity is in the air at Kelly & Ko., located at 118 Susquehanna St., Athens, Pennsylvania, which just had its long-awaited ribbon cutting this morning! The weather was thankfully cooperative for the snip of the ribbon.
Photos from Choice 102's Facebook Page
Kelly & Ko. is a boutique-style shop in downtown Athens, PA that stocks an array of goods from women’s clothing and bamboo loungewear to home decor and whoopie pies. Kelly’s products feature local artisans and locally made products - many of these lines are from individuals that she knows personally, and most of her store carries USA-made merchandise. 

Photo from Kelly & Ko.'s Facebook Page
While I was there, I made my way around the various store displays. Candles, soaps, wreaths, and more stuck out to me the most, and the store atmosphere was like a scene out of a Fall Hallmark movie. 


These types of feels, photo from Pexels.com
Overall, Kelly & Ko. is a great small-town shop with a cohesive product variety, run by a community-involved business owner following a dream.

I would like to end this post by saying I had taken several photographs while visiting the store that somehow managed to either be deleted or not save at all. So, if you are interested in seeing more of or looking more into Kelly & Ko., I highly encourage you to check them out!

Visit Kelly & Ko.’s Facebook Page to stay up-to-date!

August 2019 Wrap-up

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Hello! This is the last post of August 2019, which means it is time for the August 2019 Wrap-Up! Each month I will be doing a quick wrap-up of whatever went down with me, my businesses, the community, and the world. Here is August 2019 in a nutshell:

August flew by this year, but it wasn’t without its own set of ups and downs.

My AugustFor me this month has been a lot of buckling down with my goals. Probably the most exciting thing (which I am just now announcing), was that I have completed ALL the requirements for my Associate’s Degree in under a year ! I am now waiting on transcripts to go through, then will apply for completion and get my degree. :)

I have also been working on setting up a book tour for The 2nd Book of Random Thoughts, though due to business obligations, I have made the decision to cut the tour down by quite a bit.

I will be, however, attending the Wellsboro BookFest in October, which will be my first book-centric event and I am absolutely hyped!

August for BusinessMy new business, Sustainably Essential, is finally up and running after a long and laborious struggle with a supplier issue - although there is still a lot of work to be done in sorting the products for ease of browsability.

Basil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More (along with the rest of my ventures) had run into a rough spot that has unfortunately done a lot of damage to the financials of the company. Basically, we are struggling.
I decided to post this on Facebook this month, essentially just asking the community to stop by. As I wrote in the post, I have so many plans for this business and for Athens and my community, but those plans will go nowhere if I have to close my doors. Be on the look-out for a post regarding my thoughts on the potential Athens, PA has to become a THRIVING town. When it’s up, I’ll link to it here.

Halloween preparations are well underway, which may explain why my last post was about ghosts. The biggest thing as of right now are preparations for the store’s store within a store: the Spooktober Shoppe. If you are interested in becoming a consigned vendor for the Spooktober Shoppe, shoot an email to sales@bebbam.com.

A Community AugustI’d have to say the news of the month is certainly the opening of Mooney’s Athens location. The project had been in the works all summer and now they are finally open for business! The most exciting thing for me about the store’s new “Parking Lot Neighbors” is that they are pushing the Athens nightlife to 11pm! That also means I can eat there after I get out of work, even on my late days!

I am not a food blogger, but when I do my review of the new Mooney’s location, I will link that post here.

August for the WorldThe 45th G7 Summit was held in France this month. There are also continuing protests in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, I am not informed enough to comment further on these events at this time.
I will say that the Amazon is on fire, and you can read more about that in the article I wrote for Sustainably Essential here.

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And that’s that for August 2019! My recap/wrap-up skills are weak, but hopefully, in a few months, I’ll be a pro. Until then, thanks for reading and feel free to sound off in the comments! :)

Ghosts.

I do not believe in ghosts, not because my brain inherently does not believe in them, but because I choose to not believe in them. The world is enough already, the last thing I want to deal with are vengeful spirits. I have decided to try and convince myself that I believe ghosts are not real a few years ago, and I haven’t stopped since.

However, choosing to not believe in something does not mean your brain has to listen.

In this post, I will be diving a bit into surface-level ghost “stuff”, as well as sharing two of my own stories, which may or may not have been encounters with otherworldly beings.


Before I get started, I want to say the reason I am posting about ghosts in August is that this October, I have volunteered to spend the night in a haunted hotel to raise breast cancer awareness for breast cancer awareness month. If you are able to, I welcome all donations to the “Boos for Boobs” GoFundMe page here to help off-set the costs of the hotel booking and travel, and any excess funds raised will be donated to a breast cancer charity.



Diving In Photo by Pedro Figueras from Pexels

Ghosts have been around for centuries. According to an article from History.com, “Roman author and statesman Pliny the Younger recorded one of the first notable ghost stories in his letters” dating back to the first century A.D., in which he described the ghost of an old man with a long beard and rattling chains who was haunting his house in Athens. Stories such as this have since become a norm, especially in paranormal-related communities. I am a fan of the YouTube series Buzzfeed Unsolved, and during their ghost-hunting episodes, the viewer hears about supposed ghost-sightings and paranormal “activity” before skeptic Shane Madej and believer Ryan Bergara head out into the field to perform their own investigation. When I spent a semester of college in Maine, I joined the paranormal club because I’m a fan of adventure and wanted to go ghost-hunting (though I keep telling myself they aren’t real). So yeah, ghosts are relatively common to hear about though there is yet to be definitive proof of their existence, which is widely accepted by the scientific community.

Until then, we are left with rumors of haunted ships like that of the HMS Queen Mary, whose decks supposedly are alive with the hauntings of sailors and passengers from the ship’s past, tales of the ghosts of historical figures like Ben Franklin and Abraham Lincoln, and stories of supernatural experiences we find ourselves telling our friends after the fact.


Two Ghost Stories Storytime!
Image by PDPhotos from Pixabay
I do not believe in ghosts. That is a fact that I often remind myself when I am in less than ideal situations. Both of these two stories occurred within the last year or so of writing this post. The first takes place in a property in my hometown, which is currently for sale. The second is one which takes place just down the street, at my store, Basil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More. (I hope this won’t be bad for business…)

My hometown is full of old buildings that may be more than meets the eye. Dating back to the late 1700s and early 1800’s, Athens, Pennsylvania could easily be a collection bucket of ghosts. Given my personal experiences, if I decided to believe in ghosts, I would definitely say there is a high chance of hauntings in this town.


Building For Sale Dark hallways...
Original photo by Isabella Mendes from Pexels
This first story happened in October 2018 if I remember correctly. Because the building is currently for sale, I am going to be vague so no one accuses me of driving the value down.
I was visiting home from Maine when it happened. Back then, Basil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More was the book section of another local business. The store was to be moving into a new location, so I had to stop by to set-up my books. It was not difficult, nor was it particularly scary. The building could certainly be in better condition, but it was in the process of being readied for the store’s grand opening in a few weeks or so.

It was when the sun set, though, that things took a creepy turn.

My second day of setting-up began at about eight, since I was busy all day with familial obligations. Visiting home from college is destined to give you a tight schedule. Anyway, I get to the store, and head inside. It is a beautifully designed property, and has a ton of potential. It just needs a lot of work. A place that hadn’t been opened for about seven years is bound to need TLC. As I would come to find out, TLC can’t fix everything. Ghosts do what ghosts do.

If I believed in ghosts, I would say with 98% certainty that this building is haunted. I didn’t see any full-body apparitions. But I did end up leaving very quickly after what did go down.

Like I said, I arrived around eight. I would say It was between 9:30 and 10:00 pm that I heard the first noise. I knew I was alone, but since I try not to let myself believe in ghosts, I thought nothing of it. After all, old buildings creak. Maybe something was settling. It is hard to tell. All I know was it was a faint clank sound. It sounded metallic.

Instead of investigating, I just turned on my music and continued working.

Around ten, I hear what sounded like a knock. It was loud enough that I heard it over the sound of my jams, but I figured it was the building settling again, and continued stocking shelves.

Not even five minutes pass, and I hear it again. Louder. Three knocks coming from the rear of the building. The premises consists of a few halls connecting several rooms. The room I was working in was the only room with a light on, and it was towards the front of the store. There was a back door, but it led out into a very tangled mess of weeds so no one would have a reason to enter through that way. Nevertheless, I thought maybe it was someone who needed to get in or talk to me.

I walk down the dark hall to go see, but when I arrived at the back door, all I saw through the window were weeds in the light of the moon. I didn’t feel comfortable going outside in the dark at that hour - I didn’t need to get mugged… or worse…

So I hurried back to the room with light, though I did not make it that far with what I heard it again. Louder. Angrier. From a room, that did not have an outside door.

At this point, my worst fear is that someone was hiding in the darkness of the room, waiting to attack. I think it was a flag pole or something, but I grabbed a long object to defend myself with, and went towards the room I heard the banging coming from.

I know darkness plays tricks on the eye, but I peered into the room and asked the darkness, “Is anyone here?” Hearing my voice made me realize just how scared I was.

Please don’t answer, I think to myself, saying, “Hello?!”

I looked in further, and as I think I see something, BANG BANG BANG BANG!!!

The noise sent me running through the halls. I grabbed my stuff, turned off the lights, and booked it to the door. What did I think I see? Well, it was probably just my imagination, but I think I might have seen, crouching in the shadows, a dark figure looking right back at me. With a smile.


Working Late These stairs lead to the "empty" apartment upstairs...
Photo taken by Basil E. BacornThat previous story… I hate it. I try to pretend it never happened, but I swear I will never, ever enter that place again. Especially after dark.
I will preface my next story with this: I have never had any spooky experiences at the shop during busy hours, and it has been very rare that anything has happened during the day. So if a store being haunted is enough for you to not shop there, do not worry. You’ll be fine.

Anyway, I have had several moments over the past few months that have me wondering about the possibility of maybe, perhaps, some type of ghost-ish activity.

There was a single brief incident at the temporary location, but the current location is admittedly pretty… exciting… in the spooky way.

The noises have become less frequent, which is the only reason I feel comfortable telling you my store might have been slightly haunted - that is, if I actually believed in ghosts.

Which I don’t.

Obviously.

Like I mentioned in the previous story, the buildings of Athens are pretty old, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they have the occasional settling noises.

This is nowhere near as spooky as the first story, but I felt the need to include it.

There is an apartment upstairs, however it has no tenants.

So, when it is late at night, and you hear what sounds terrifyingly like footsteps… coming from a supposedly vacant apartment… you only have so many explanations - few of which are good.

Theory 1: It’s the ventilation system or something similar. This is a very possible explanation, which I choose to accept, however it doesn’t explain some of the other things, which I will get to shortly.

Theory 2: Squatters. Maybe there actually are people up there, they just aren’t supposed to be there. Not paranormal, but still not my favorite thing to think about while I am alone here.

And Theory 3: Ghosts.

This one in particular makes the most… I’m not going to finish that sentence.

Ghosts could be occupying the apartment upstairs. It would explain the footsteps, but it would also explain the sliding.

The first time I heard the noise, it reminded me of what I assumed a large wooden board sliding down the roof would sound like to the people inside. It wasn’t scraping, but it sounded like a giant sheet of something sliding down the walls and crashing to the floor.

I’ve done a little research, but nothing matches what I have heard here after hours. It’s happened three or four times so far. Like a large chunk of ice sliding off a polar ice cap, followed by the sound of something hitting the floor.

I don’t investigate partly because I don’t want to know what’s making the noises. I’d rather just assume it is the air conditioning than find an unhinged old man feasting on a dead bird he caught. Or… a ghost.

***

What do you think? Are ghosts real? Have you had your own spooky experiences you’d like to share? Drop a comment below!

Thanks for reading, and if you want to send me to a haunted hotel for a night of fright to raise breast cancer awareness, don’t forget to check out the “Boos for Boobs” GoFundMe page here! :)


Post Note: If you know any verifiable information about the town of Athens, Pennsylvania’s history, feel free to email me at basil@basilebacorn.com.

My Current Bops: Five Songs You Should Listen To Right Now

Happy Friday!

I love music, I listen to it all the time. My favorite songs are always changing, so here are my top five current bops that you should give a listen.


5. World Burn, from the Mean Girls Musical 
The Mean Girls Musical is a recent development in my music tastes, but a strong one - to the point I wrote an essay for college about the song, I See Stars. All of the tracks are amazing, but Taylor Louderman's rendition of World Burn is a jam. 
I love a villainous melody, and while she is no Maleficent, Regina George is a queen who doesn't go down without a fight. The power of the song leaves me wanting more, even after a show-stopping ending. These are the types of songs that have me rooting for the bad guy.
4. Me And The Sky, from Come From Away
I promise, not all of them are from musicals, but Me And The Sky is a must-listen in my book. It is probably the polar opposite of World Burn, with its positive, hopeful tone and bright melody. The song isn't without its emotion as it tells the story of the first female American captain in history - from her childhood to the moment her flight was diverted to the town of Gander, Newfoundland on 9-11-2001.The musical as a whole is amazing, but of all the songs that yank on my heartstrings, Me And The Sky is certainly the biggest bop of them all.
3. Say Somethin', by Austin Mahone
You can blame the music at Basil E. Bacorn Books, Art, and More for this 2012 throwback, but I can't resist jamming to this early 2010s tune. And with a music video taking place on the first day of school, what better song to dance to during the back to school season?
2. Queen of Mean, from Descendants 3
Okay technically this is a Disney Channel Original movie and NOT a musical per se, but when we are talking about great villain songs, Queen of Mean takes it hands down. It is not your run-of-the-mill storyline either. As a writer, I LOVE when the line between good and evil is ripped away to let both sides mingle. The movie's big reveal was its true villain, none other than Audrey the daughter of Sleeping Beauty - I love the irony. (If you are not familiar with the Descendants story, a quick Google search will fill you in!) Anyway, the song is modern, catchy, and amazing. Sarah Jeffery is a rockstar!
(Also, I love the choreography and effects SO much!)
1. Black Magic, by Little Mix
Finally, my number one current bop: Black Magic by Little Mix. Another song thanks to the store's ambiance music, Black Magic always has me moving along when it comes on. I absolutely adore the beat, and the chorus is so catchy. Words cannot express - I am listening to it while I write this and my head is bobbing along without permission. There are few songs that I find myself singing along to without realizing it at first and this is one of them. Honestly, I think I might play this song at my wedding. XD
(More cool special effects, especially for a music video...)


And there it is: my first "real" blog post on the new website! I do highly recommend you give these songs a listen. Did I get the order wrong? Do you absolutely hate my taste in music? Don't be afraid to sound off in the comments below!
Thanks for reading! :)