Cody Polston

Cody Polston is an author, historian and ghost investigator. He is the author of multiple books on history and paranormal topics. He was the host and producer of the popular podcast Ecto Radio and a writer for Ghosthunter X magazine. He is one of the founders of the Southwest Ghost Hunter's Association and has been investigating paranormal claims since 1985. In the 1990's several other ghost hunting groups gave him the moniker the "Hitman" due to his involvement in "debunking" several well known haunted locations in Texas. Although the nickname was intended to be a negative insult, Cody adopted the nickname and began using in on his podcasts and other media venues.

Seeking the supernatural: the Interactive Religious Experience Model

Although this paper applies to religious experiences, it can also be applied in a context to paranormal experiences. There is some very interesting stuff in here. The following is from the Abstract of the paper. We develop a new model of how human agency-detection capacities and other socio-cognitive biases are involved in forming religious beliefs. … Read moreSeeking the supernatural: the Interactive Religious Experience Model

The Old West in Steampunk

Another setting is “Western” steampunk, which overlaps with both the Weird West and Science fiction Western subgenres. One of the earliest steampunk books set in America was The Steam Man of the Prairies by Edward S. Ellis. Recent examples include the TV show and the movie adaption Wild Wild West, the Italian comics about Magico Vento. I couldn’t resist taking Tesla to the Wild West o … Read moreThe Old West in Steampunk

La Sayona

Today’s art piece is my rendition of La Sayona, a rather ominous figure that resembles La Llorona but she goes after unfaithful men instead of children. La Sayona is a legend from Venezuela, represented by the vengeful spirit of a woman that shows up only to men that have love affairs out of their marriages. … Read moreLa Sayona

The mystery of Victoriana Armijo

A rather sociable ghost has also been reported throughout various locations in the La Placita Restaurant. Many believe that it is Ambrosia’s daughter Victoriana. Victoriana was born in 1849 and died the 6th of October 1867 at the tender age of 18. She was married to Jose Ynez Perea and it is speculated that she … Read moreThe mystery of Victoriana Armijo

Birdcage Theater (Historic photographs)

The Bird Cage Theatre opened on December 26, 1881. It was owned by Lottie and William “Billy” Hutchinson. Hutchison, a variety performer, originally intended to present respectable family shows like he’d seen in San Francisco that were thronged by large crowds. After the Theatre opened, they hosted a Ladies Night for the respectable women of … Read moreBirdcage Theater (Historic photographs)

The first reported ghost story at La Placita in Old Town, Albuquerque

The first printed account of the La Placita Restaurant being haunted was recorded in the Albuquerque Tribune on May 27th, 1977. It was written by Howard Bryan for his column “Off the beaten path”. Today the location claims to have three ghosts, but in this original version there is only one. There is some misinformation … Read moreThe first reported ghost story at La Placita in Old Town, Albuquerque

ATOMIC TORPEDO, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Another from the Hoppy Sampler 12 pack. From their website: Atomic Torpedo is our East Coast–West Coast hop collision, unleashing the joint power of two styles: juicy East Coast IPAs and dank West Coast IPAs. Fused in this Double IPA, their hop favors span lush fruit, sticky pine, and floral tones. It’s our classic IPA … Read moreATOMIC TORPEDO, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Frankenstein’s Monster in the Old West

More art this week as boredom and writer’s block stopped everything else. So, I thought I would work on some unfinished art of Frankenstein’s monster. The monster is Victor Frankenstein’s creation, assembled from old body parts and strange chemicals, animated by a mysterious spark. He enters life eight feet tall and enormously strong but with … Read moreFrankenstein’s Monster in the Old West

The Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s

Several years ago I wrote a book called Wicked Albuquerque that covers the controversial past of the Duke City. In today’s blog, I am sharing some of the research that I did on the red light district in Old Town. Back in the roaring 80s, it was wilder than Tombstone or Dodge City. Click on … Read moreThe Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s

The Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s (Madam Rumalda Griego’s Brothel)

A famous bordello in Old Town was owned by a woman called Rumalda Griego. It was a simple three room building that had up to 3 beds per room. Often the ladies entertain their customers simultaneously in the same room. Madam Rumalda was hauled into court on numerous occasions, most often on charges of being … Read moreThe Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s (Madam Rumalda Griego’s Brothel)

Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight 2 (Movie Review)

Part 1 and part 2 of Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight take the classic horror movie format and turn it into something entertaining. It manages to replicate the familiar format while providing more realistic responses to the events of a horror-slasher flick. In addition, it created a film where the victims do everything right to survive. … Read moreNobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight 2 (Movie Review)