{"id":78753,"date":"2023-10-18T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=78753"},"modified":"2023-10-18T07:10:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T14:10:49","slug":"car-wash-clowns-and-queen-marys-ghouls","status":"publish","type":"newspack_nl_cpt","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/newsletter\/car-wash-clowns-and-queen-marys-ghouls","title":{"rendered":"Car wash clowns and Queen Mary’s ghouls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Off the Clock<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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A psycho clown successfully scares the author of this newsletter at haunted car wash in Lakewood. Photo by Brandon Richardson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So, I’ve been doing some journalism lately. Important journalism. Investigative<\/em> journalism, even.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past week, I’ve been locked inside the Queen Mary<\/strong>‘s pitch-dark jail (a.k.a. the Rope Hold<\/strong>), waved an EMF meter around Winston Churchill<\/strong>‘s bedroom and was accosted by a chainsaw-wielding maniac at a Lakewood car wash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it’s all been for your benefit, of course. Normally, the line would be: “I do these things so you don’t have to.” But this is a things to do<\/em> column; therefore, I’ve got some very special ~spooky season~ destinations for you to check out\u2014where you too can be terrorized by car wash clowns and interview ghosts aboard the Queen Mary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let’s make like the Scooby Gang<\/strong><\/a> and get going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grey Ghost Project <\/strong>– The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I rolled up to the old Queen Mary with my own band of Scoobies (fellow Post-ers) on a recent evening to charter the first-ever Grey Ghost Project<\/strong>, the ship’s latest paranormal tour, which opened officially to the public on Friday the 13th. But don’t call it a tour; it’s an “investigation.” A $125 investigation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Queen recently experienced her longest closure since 1967, and this will be its first public series of ghost investigations in years. This one will also include a bit of historical context for each location visited. It’s also not intended to be a Halloween-themed theatrical haunt experience, but a “scientific exploration.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equipped with a grip of special ghost-hunting gear (including light-up cat balls), you’ll get the unique chance to spend (an almost uncomfortable amount of) time in the eeriest of places, like the aforementioned Rope Hold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Click on the photo to watch a video of our investigation).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is an EMF Meter that I’m holding while standing in the Isolation Ward on the Queen Mary. Paranormal investigators believe that ghosts can be identified based on LED spikes picked up by these meters. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We wended through the Queen’s halls on our way to each paranormal destination, led by our guide, Rebecca Knight<\/strong>. She was aptly dressed in head-to-toe sailor-esque \u201850s’ vintage, so that the spectors toiling the decks might feel more comfortable at the sight of someone “from their era,” you know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While in the Rope Hold, with only the light of a red glowing lamp, we strategically placed light-up cat balls, EMF meters and other motion-sensored light-up do-dads around the old jail\/locker, where Knight alleged a tortured soul resided. For his consideration, she told us to mind our p’s and q’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Don’t ask how they died, or what it’s like to be dead,” she said, advising us to ask less invasive questions like “How was work today?” or “Do you like jazz?” and finally, “Would you like us to leave you alone?” Fair enough. We attempted to make small talk in the hopes that a spirit or two would tap one of the touch-sensitive, motion-censored, light-up items strewn about\u2014or speak to us through a radio wave-scanning “spirit box.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rebecca Knight, founder of the Grey Ghost Project, sets up an investigation inside Winston Churchill’s room, where people have previously reported the sight and smell of tobacco smoke. Photo by yours truly. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Over three hours, we spent time, ample time, in the Winston Churchill<\/strong> room, which essentially was the British prime minister’s office during World War II<\/strong>, Knight told us. Then, we tried our luck in the Isolation Ward. And finally, we spent a near-hour inside the famed art deco pool area, hoping to catch up with Jackie, one of the ship’s most popular ghosts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ll admit, the Rope Hold gave me the willies when we killed the lights, but the scariest part, for me personally, was cramming into that squeaky, warbly old elevator. Nope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re the ghost-curious type or you’re just…kind of a weirdo, this is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss out on, and it’s running all year long. As to whether I did or didn’t see or feel<\/em> anything during the investigation, mums the word. You’ll have to experience it for yourself. Interested? Book here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, I have one confession to make, it was my first time aboard the Queen. Will return, but probably just to investigate the bar next time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro-tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n