lady_cgs_garden

Curiousity got the better of me. Results could be worse, lol

2009-03-18T22:14:16Z

I am:

Arthur C. Clarke

Well known for nonfiction science writing and for early promotion of the effort toward space travel, his fiction was often grand and visionary.

Which science fiction writer are you?

an update on how i'm doing and an invite to everyone for Summer Solstice

2009-03-10T15:30:31Z

an update on how i'm doing and an invite to everyone for Summer Solstice

I'm doing better.

I got two Annual General Shareholders meetings out of
the way on Saturday which was aload off my overworked brain. I'm over
other issues now and the panic attacks are going away, thank the
goddess. WarCraft is awesome! Neal got an account now we hang out there
with our kids who now live 10 hours away from us. The family that slays
together stays together apparently cause we've actually been having a
LOT of fun!

Got my new blood storage article out but other than that i'm not
spending a ton of time doing Vamp stuff, which has been a nice change. I check my stuff on VVC, and i post occassionally to my board Smoke and Mirrors
http://smokeandmirrors34981.yuku.com/
to help support the new management team, which is doing AMAZINGLY well.
(a nice surprise after my last attempt at having someone else take over S&M)

I'm plugging away slowly at a few more articles, and spending time with my family and concentrating on work. Life is good. Neal and i are talking about being handfasted.

Last fall we naturalized crocus's in our front lawn. I am now awaiting spring to melt away our 3 feet of snow, so i can see my beloved flowers poke their heads up and tell me its spring.

I'm planning a big get together for Summer Solstice in my yard this year, like the huge ones i used to throw a few years ago. If you're community or a friend and you'd like to come and partake of my hospitality for a few days for Midsummer, let me know and i'll fix up the spare rooms, or provide camping space in my large well treed, grassy yard. I have ABSINTHE! And.. Patron! LOL!
Come celebrate Summer in Western Canada!

Thats about all the news for now. I miss you all, and i pop in when i can. The break is being good for me.

I just thought i'd give everyone an update.

I'm well, happier and doing much better!

*leaves lots of love

Long Term Blood Storage for Sangs!! (new article by Lady CG)

2009-03-06T19:17:41Z

I think this topic is too important to too many Blooddrinkers to keep
it to myself while i find time to finish redoing my book, so here it is in
article form!
Bon Appetite!

A couple of years ago a discussion between myself and another Sang got us
working on ways to extend the storage of blood for Sang consumption.
Months of research and experimenting ensued. Then.. Eureka! We got it!

New cryogenic research suggested that the answer MIGHT be glucose.

Research in that field indicated that glucose added to blood allowed it to
freeze smoothly without ice crystals forming and bursting the cell
walls, which causes oxidation of the blood, which of course spoils it
very quickly.

I've been using the following method for nearly a year now and i can
VOUCH for its effectiveness for storing blood in the freezer till
needed, for up to and possibly more than 6 months (blood never lasts in
my freezer longer than 6 months so i have no idea what the max storage
time is with this method)

The ability to store blood in the freezer till needed changes
EVERYTHING for real Sang Vampires! It means that though i doubt we'll
ever trade in donors for JUST drinking animal blood, we no longer HAVE
to be sick when a donor is unavailable or we live in areas where donors
are rarer than hens teeth.

I have been well fed for a long time now. The difference is amazing.
The following is how I do it, and i offer it to you as an alternative
to blood starvation and rage for those of us who NEED blood to be
healthy.

I don't have a regular enough donor and to be honest? I dont' get
enough blood from donors. I need more than they are willing to part with
since I consume about 4 oz every 7 to 10 days

So..why not animal blood?

I've used animal blood on and off for decades, when donors were not
available. The issue has always been that no matter how much one is
able to get during certain times of the year like hunting season, I
could never store it more than a few days, even in the freezer, because
it would quickly turn brown and icky and unusuable.

I buy a large cut of meat fresh from the butcher.. a case of eye or
rounds or top butts or a hind quarter, even a front quarter.. (hunters
and farmers are great sources of blood especially in fall when there is
a lot left over from hunting and fall kills, and blood can also be
purchased from many butchers and small packing houses / plants by
requesting food grade blood for cooking recipes like blood pudding,
blood sausage, and other traditional English and European dishes, still
commonly prepared)

I cut the meat up myself, if i'm purchasing a large cut, and save EVERY BIT of blood that comes out of it when i cut it up

Taking the blood I save or buy, I mix the blood with 1 tbsp (25ml) of glucose / cup of blood (250mls) and pour in ice cube trays, and freeze it.
I then i put the frozen ice cubes in plastic bags and keep them in the freezer with the cut up meat.

Now, Every time I sort of cook a steak, (I eat my steaks VERY blue rare
and just warmed in the centre) i thaw an icecube or two on my plate
while the steak is cooking.
I put the steak on top of the thawed blood, when i take it off the heat
source and use the warmth of the steak to warm the blood to body temp
*and add spice from the steak*
I cut the steak up in tiny peices so i get the most blood out of THAT too!
Then i drink the blood off the plate and if i'm still hungry i eat some of the meat
The rest of the steak I either freeze for soup which i'm fond of making or i give to our husky
And.. THAT Ladies and Gentlemen, is how i get enough blood
While its not as warm and fuzzy as a donor, its way better than starvation! lol

The majority of Sangs i know CAN and do survive just fine on animal
blood in a pinch and ANYTHING is better than blood rage and apathy. Its
well worth the effort to try it.

I hope this helps anyone, who like myself, is often donorless and in need of an alternative that keeps them healthy.

Stay well
Stay fed
Stay together!

Lady CG.
2009

Smoke and Mirrors New Management team ROCKS!!! recent board stats

2009-03-06T17:02:55Z

Smoke and Mirrors
> Community Profile

Domain Stats

Hottest Discussions

Word Association (3959 replies)
Next Person To Post (3063 replies)
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Popular Discussions

Word Association (3 kudos)
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Founded: 01/19/07
2334552 Total views
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Owner: Lady CG

Newest Members

598 Total members
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Topic Title	Author	Replies	Views	Last Reply
Attn: Mods	HellKAT69	7	36	HellKAT69 03/06/09 08:44:07	[+]
For now until further notice.....	HellKAT69	0	7	HellKAT69 03/04/09 09:38:22	[+]
Saint Patrick's Day	WintryMuse	12	34	HellKAT69 03/06/09 08:52:29	[+]
The Advanced Bonewits' Cult Danger Evaluation Frame 2.7 (important reading!!!)	Lady CG	2	19	codc 03/06/09 06:13:53	[+]
Maybe Anton was right... (Emotional Vampirism topic by Marcus) EXCELLENT!	Lady CG	3	32	psi angel 7 03/05/09 11:21:41	[+]
Taking a leave of absence from the OVC - first one since 1997! ( 1, 2 )	Lady CG	21	112	Aslylilfox 03/05/09 17:03:08	[+]
Starting a new series in the survival of the fittest forum!!	Aslylilfox	11	47	HellKAT69 02/19/09 09:04:28	[+]
I need a shiny new recommended reading list	Lady CG	10	72	Lady CG 01/31/09 16:58:53	[+]
This is WHY i do NOT believe I USE ENERGY FROM BLOOD! ( 1, 2, 3 )	Lady CG	60	291	psi angel 7 03/05/09 11:59:00	[+]
IS the Vampire Community Secret or Public? Should it be? Should Vamps be? ( 1, 2 )	Lady CG	26	161	psi angel 7 03/05/09 11:36:42	[+]
There still seem to be a few things missing around here: anyone want to bring back DUC and or The Curses / Hexes forums?	Lady CG	19	97	Lady CG 03/05/09 15:35:49	[+]
Updated List of S&M Network boards, sites, groups and projects, with links!	Lady CG	3	28	codc 01/29/09 09:18:34	[+]
meteor showers tonight!	Aslylilfox	9	29	dolphinmoon 01/05/09 20:09:47	[+]
Merry Xmas= a visit from St Nick Vampire Style - CGs Holiday Message	Lady CG	12	53	AngelofDeath5 12/23/08 09:32:20	[+]
What a Difference a couple of months MAKES!~ S&M BOARD STATS!!!!!	Lady CG	9	62	Lady CG 01/25/09 09:38:43	[+]
S&Ms Holiday Newsletter and Quarterly Reports	Lady CG	1	23	victorianrose41 12/10/08 12:00:46	[+]
Vampire Babies and how we grew! ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 )	Lady CG	83	391	dolphinmoon 02/11/09 14:28:08	[+]
LOOKING FOR IRC MODS for S&M IRC channel! HELP!	Lady CG	0	26	Lady CG 11/28/08 09:28:02	[+]
Copywrite Laws	HellKAT69	0	28	HellKAT69 11/24/08 05:31:17	[+]
A&E - The Secret Life Of Vampires (thank you Mert for finding these!)	Lady CG	12	139	Lady CG 03/05/09 10:48:04	[+]

The World Changes, and We With It

2009-02-17T17:11:20Z

I am taking an extended leave from the Community. I've had a lot of mail about this, which is natural since I have so recently posted my intentions to not be around.

The OVC has changed over the years I've been a participant. When I first got online in 1993 we all met in IRC, in places like Parents Kitchen on StarChat Polaris. Then came disc servers and egroups and by '98 i was already involved in some of the first egroups to hit the net, places like ONE, which is now yahoo groups. I remember when the first real modern message boards were created with more functionality and in 2002 i created Smoke and Mirrors.

Back then it was all about helping people and each other. It was an all for one and one for all thing where we got and recieved support, helped people like ourselves to learn to look after themselves, to feed, to thrive, to deal with who we are.

Its all changed. Now days i hear more about politics.. who is and who is NOT a Vampire, how to police the community, who's in and who's out and who's popular and who's not. Its become every Vampire for themselves. That was never what it was about.

I miss the days when the community was simpler. When it was OK to help others and one didn't get slammed for "handing out info that makes sheep out of everyone, because they just follow blindly" it was OK to help others learn to deal with being Vampire and learn the best ways thrive. Now its almost considered wrong to want to help, and i don't understand the reasons.

I've been in the community for a long time. After a while it twists you.
I am tired of covering my ass and watching my back because what i do doens't suit someone elses politics. Im tired of people who make what i post on my blogs about them instead of about ME, and MY world, which to me is what a blog is all about.
I don't like that I've changed from being a loving, caring Den Mother to an angry person who has constant panic attacks wondering who will be the next political opponent and who is going to back stab me next because they don't like what i do, or what i write or what i say.

I need a break. Having given a good portion of more than a decade to the community I'm taking my life back for a while.
I need time to rest, regroup, rethink and ACTUALLY be with the people i love. My mate, my family, my coven.

It is my hope in time that the VC will draw back from the media obsession it is currently infatuated with.
Its my hope that eventually the desire to help each other will someday overthrow the desire to be politically correct, or politically charged in any way for that matter.

For now i'm going to rewrite my book and get it back on the market. I'm going to hang with my friends around my library in Second Life and i'm going to play with my kids in Warcraft. I'm going to heal. I'm going to grow again, and i'm going to be happy. Eventually the panic attacks will pass.

If anyone REALLY needs me or really needs help for Vampire issues my board, Smoke and Mirrors is still at:
http://smokeandmirrors34981.yuku.com/ and support is offered at the Vampiric Library in Second Life at Lunitarium. Drop in for tea.

I love you all. I just won't be around much now that i'm done shutting down the majority of the accounts i have around the community.

I'll post here when my book is back on the market. I'll check around the accounts and the few places i still hold membership when i get a chance.
I wish you ALL, friend and foe alike, the very best life has to offer.

Stay Well
Stay Fed
Stay Together

Luv CG.

"After 86 years of perpetual motion, If he likes you he'll smile and say:
Its been some of it magick, a lot of it tragic But i had a good life all the way"

Jimmy Buffet

Practical Vampirism for Modern Vampires HAS been Temporaily pulled from print

2009-02-11T19:16:39Z

Category: Writing and Poetry

I should have the revised edition, sans Crazes contributions (at her request, of course) and with my new and revised articles added.

I will then put the book back on the market as a Second / Revised Edition
All the material can still be found on SangSpace and will eventually make it to my website.
Its also posted on Smoke and Mirrors.

Thank you ALL for your support.
LadyCG.

Smoke and Mirrors DARK has LEFT Dark Nations

2009-02-10T16:16:35Z

Smoke and Mirrors DARK has LEFT Dark Nations
Category: News and Politics

Due to my taking an extended leave of absence from the Vamp Community and the identity of the Dark Nations founder, We at S&M have left Dark Nations

I WILL miss all of you in the other Embassies. I've enjoyed getting to know you.
(I see most of you on other groups, so don't be a stranger!)

Our Embassy has been deleted.

Taking a Leave from the Vampire Community

2009-02-09T18:49:30Z

I'm sorry folks, but i won't be around for a while.
Due to an unfortunate choice in people i trusted loved I've decided to leave the OVC for a time, or at least cut back my participation to nil till i feel better.

I know.. no one see's the stuff he writes to me in private.
No one realizes what he's done to me. But i can say i'm not healing and the only way its going to happen, apparently is for me to just leave, since there are some places i can't block Khan from communicating with me, or put him on ignore.

So i'm going. I'll be back, hopefully, when i've healed and when i've got my head back on straight if that ever happens. I've never had my head so well fucked before, so, i honestly am not sure what to do with all this.

If the situation is critical and you NEED to find me for advice or for .. i don't know - stuff just comes up sometimes... I can be reached by my email, or a PM here. Out of necessity i will be still be checking in ton Smoke and Mirrors once in a blue moon and i'm looking for staff to help in my absence.
I will also be continuing my library and archive project on Second Life and I can be found on WOW. I'll try to check messages, but no promises.

I've been dedicated body, heart and soul to the community for well over 12 years, online and longer offline.
My real life Coven and Sanctuary will always be around and you're always invited to drop in if you're in or around Alberta Canada.
I'm going to try to finish my 2nd book, something i've had no time for with allthe groups and communities i help out on.

Please wish me well as i embark on a healing journey to spend time with my family and my mate, and take time to find myself again.
There is a commercial running that says:

"Sometimes to find yourself, you have to lose yourself, sometimes you gotta go walkabout"

I TRULY LOVE YOU ALL!
Stay well...
Stay fed...
Stay together.
CG.

Smoke and Mirrors Vampire Support (yuku) Needs Moderators! Help!

2009-01-28T19:05:19Z

http://smokeandmirrors34981.yuku.com/directory

We are a large Vampire Support and Teaching Community for Vampires who require support, mentoring, information and / or assistance.

We also serve the Therian and OtherKin communities as well as offering REAL Vampire info to the curious as well as basic information for families and friends of Vampires.

We have pagan forums, Meditation, Reiki, health information forums, and everything else one might need to be a happy, healthy, well adjusted individual, within the best of our abilities.

Drop by and check us out.

Experience is prefered but we're happy to train and prefer to have moderators who are interested in learning about the topics of the forums they moderate.

Teachers and mentors are also welcome.

Thank you!
Lady CG
Board owner / administrator.

VSN: A place where Vampires can exchange services!

2009-01-22T19:06:15Z

I am STRONGLY endorsing this project and i wish it WELL!
I personally believe that the community needs this service and i'm proud to see that Fury has done the work to make it happen.

*******************
About the VSN
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

Throughout the sometimes turbulent six years that I have been a part of the OVC, I have drawn the conclusion that while there may be an underlying need for a "united" community, it's highly unlikely that we will ever acheive a vampiric utopia. I have not yet seen a community, religion or country who are all truly united, and I don't think it's going to start with the VC. We are so much in disagreement about the little details, and personal squabbles that we often cant see through to the bigger issues at hand.

Vampires are individuals and as such, have individual needs. If we're going to be honest, we're all a bunch of self-absorbed, dramatic, and moody individuals. In our endeavours for unity, we constantly fight and struggle against the tides, bashing our head against the rocks, when perhaps it's time we embrace our nature, and swim with it.

We can be open to the fact that being a vampire means many different things to different people, and house a searchable network to let them find what suits them best, for their own individual needs. Whether that's a house, a clan, a mentor, donor or just a vampire friendly business that they can utilise in their every day lives.

Which brings me to the implementation of the Vampire Support Network.

I intend the VSN to be an ongoing international community project. I built this Support Network in the hope that we can develop a central resource system for all vampires out there who would like to collaborate ideas and goals, or plainly feel just a little bit lost. This can be a place for people to come and find mentors, donors, support groups, safe houses and other trustworthy information, instead of trolling through the hoards of unreliable and sometimes dangerous resources found elsewhere on the internet.

I hope that through this construct we will be able to build and maintain a co-operative and forthcoming entity working for the unification of the vampiric community.

I have based VSN on the Ning network and it can be found at http://vampiresupport. ning. com/.
The Ning registration process is a simple one, and on applying to the VSN there are a couple of profile questions which are helpful but not mandatory.

I have utilised both the Forum and Groups settings on Ning to fuse the available resources into a cohesive entity.

The Groups Menu acts as a directory. I have made groups into categories such as Donor/Mentor etc. This is where an individual registrant is able to list their services in the appropriate category. Cataloguing their resource should be considered their first priority after joining, which I am trying to emphasise on the site.

The Groups found in the Group Menu are not for posts of a personal nature. For discussion on other topics, I have opened a basic forum, again categorised group-specific, so that Mentors can discuss mentoring issues, and likewise Donors can discuss Donoring issues.

I feel that this will be an important resource and of value to the community as a whole. I ask all those who are able to register, so we can build together a network that will be beneficial to not only each other but also newcomers to the OVC.

I hope this will lead to the vampire community becoming more self-reliant, resourceful and co
**************************************
I will be registering my own boards and services including the Sanctuary service that we offer here at our home.

I hope everyone will do the same

CG.

* Edit post * Delete post * Report this post * Information * Reply with quote

2008-12-10T18:14:57Z

Another year of adventures in Message Boarding!
S&M has had a year of very real change and certainly more than a few adventures.
We recently joined DARK NATIONS, which acts like a United Nations for the Vampire Community.
We're proud to have been invited to be represented there.
As part of DNs format member groups are invited to post quarterly reports and since we were doing it up for THEM, we thought we'd pass those reports on to YOU our beloved members as part of our Holiday Newsletter.

So here is the news from the S&M Network sites and boards from the last quarter. All the news is broken down into parts, representing the various sections of our Network. I hope you'll all drop by S&M Support on Yuku and drop us some feedback on our reports and let us know if it was of interest or if we're just taking up your mailbox space, and what you'd LIKE to see in our Newsletters in the future.

Happy Holidays to every one of you.
Blessed New Years.
Enjoy the Reports!

Smoke Mirrors quarterly report part 1 Smoke and Mirrors Support
http://smokeandmirrors34981.yuku.com/

After a summer of uncertainty S&M Support is back running as it should be!
New members, new discussions, every kind of news from and about the community has been posted of late, with our post counts climbing DAILY after reaching an all time LOW of 0 posts / Day over the summer just before the transition back from intrim ownership.
If you're looking for Vampire/ Therian/Otherkin Support, Fellowship, Vampire Community News or just a little fun, S&M is once again the support board to drop by.

We've brought back a lower key version of our old BOS forums, that we had on ezboard before the move to YUKU.
We are looking for Moderators for several forums
We are looking for IRC Moderators for our brand new channel - Server: DALNET Channel: #smokeandmirrors
Thank you to all the staff and regular members who make S&M Support possible. Its been a rough year, but we're looking forward as the New Year approaches. If you have some time on your hands and would like to help out we are expecting a rather heavy influx with the new Underworld coming out, on top of Twilight, and could definately use the assistance!

Hottest Discussions

1. Word Association (3946 replies)
2. Next Person To Post (2816 replies)
3. Sexiest alive!! (1758 replies)
4. Sexiest alive!!! (1162 replies)
5. Next person to post.... (1097 replies)

Popular Discussions

1. Word Association (3 kudos)
2. Next Person To Post (2 kudos)
3. What are we shielding against? (2 kudos)
4. Judith Orloff MD New Book... (2 kudos)
5. Shhhh Its a secret! (2 kudos)

* Founded: 08/19/2002 Moved to YUKU: 01/19/07
* 2084826 Total views
* 30591 Total posts
* 3761 Total topics
* 48 Posts per day
* 100 Visits per member
* 628979 Total visits

Member Stats
Administrators & Moderators

Owner: Lady CG

* Administrators:
* Casidhe,
* Caleb Cane,
* furyfeva,
* The Pink Sparrow,
* SphynxCatVP,
* TheChrisII,
* HellKAT69,
* support,
* Bella Corday,
* WingsInTheNight,
* Vyrdolak,
* The Harlot,
* Aslylilfox,
* Barbara Clarke,
* Isealdor

* Moderators:
* DAHLIAS BLOOD,
* archangel1961,
* starfire77,
* Kitty Kitty Cat,
* rabidpredator666,
* Vampiress1988,
* stabb666,
* Tobias69,
* Petrov

Newest Members

1. Daniel09 - Materializes out of thin...
2. WintryMuse - Re: Which animal can you...
3. archangel - Re: Awakening.. whats...
4. Nurianna - Re: question for...
5. AyraGrace1 - hello all

* 577 Total members
* 53 Posts per member
* 1090 Visits per member
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Quarterly Report Part 2 S&M DARK

Smoke and Mirrors DARK is our "Inner Circle" / private membership boardhttp://www.smokenmirrorshome.com/phpBB3/
Entrance to S&M Dark is by registration and approval by our Admin team.
No Support is offered on S&M DARK. This board is for fellowship, research, and community discussions.
We do NOT accept Newbies, Roll Players or Lifestylers.
(Otherkin, Donors, Therians welcome, but be aware this is a Vampire Community Board)

We have SO much news from this board!
*Hacked 3 times this fall, we've upgraded to php3 and increased our security.
*We've uploaded several new skins and given our members the ability to change to their favourite skin as default.
*We did away with Moderators for the most part since we've actually needed posts moderated only TWICE since the board opened in '06.
So don't come by to work in the forums anymore. Come by to post and hang out instead!
*We've added a whole section for those who wish to keep up with events and news on Second Life at the Vampire Library and the SL
Real Vamp Communities.
*DARK IS accepting new members who fit with our DARK Member criteria. Please contact Lady CG or an Admin for more info.

Recent Hot Topics:

How do you take feeding out of the defintion of "Vampire"
on 02 Jul 2008 08:25 am
102 Replies
729 Views
Last post by Lady CG
on 28 Nov 2008 10:28 am

Violent Urges to Feed?
31 Dec 1969 05:00 pm
44 Replies
30 Views
Last post by Vampy88
on 04 Dec 2008 10:37 pm

Debate/Survey - Human or Nonhuman? Why?
25 Aug 2008 01:43 pm
25 Replies
176 Views
Last post by WintryMuse
on 02 Dec 2008 09:04 pm

Positive Vampiric traits and common skills
04 Jul 2008 11:24 am
24 Replies
147 Views
Last post by WintryMuse
on 02 Dec 2008 08:43 pm

Any Research on Menopause?
by WintryMuse on 02 Dec 2008 10:03 pm
7 Replies
18 Views
Last post by Vampy88
on 06 Dec 2008 04:27 pm

Mara Experiences (older vamps PLEASE check this out!)
by Guest on 18 Apr 2008 08:12 am
1 Replies
6 Views
Last post by WintryMuse
on 02 Dec 2008 09:56 pm

S&MN DARK Admin.STAFF:

aslylilfox 16 May 2007 06:02 pm 319
Bella Corday 12 Sep 2006 06:06 pm 176
caleb_cane 15 Jan 2007 09:57 am 52
Casidhe Trinity 13 Aug 2006 07:36 am 79
ChrisII 07 Aug 2006 12:52 pm 211
DarkFire 13 Aug 2006 10:56 am 373
furyfeva 11 Jan 2007 12:48 am 357
Harlot 15 Jan 2007 03:46 am 1367
Hellkat 17 Aug 2006 12:15 pm 1063
Isealdor 24 Aug 2008 02:22 am 71
JayFrost 25 Dec 2006 04:48 pm 94
LadyCG 06 Aug 2006 07:05 pm 1987
Santrua 13 Aug 2006 07:23 am 14
sphynxcatvp 13 Aug 2006 06:45 am 85
The Harlot 13 Aug 2006 09:08 am 91
Trollkvinna 13 Aug 2006 09:19 am 62
WingsInTheNight 13 Aug 2006 10:34 pm 58

Number of posts: 26299 Posts per day: 30.70
Number of topics: 6483 Topics per day: 7.57
Number of users: 116 Users per day: 0.14
Board started: 06 Aug 2006 07:05 pm
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Quarterly Report Part 3: Vampire Research Space (formerly VRC - Vampire Research Council)
http://vampireresearch.proboards51.com/index.cgi

This board has only been recently reopened as research space for members of the community who want / need a space to keep their reseach material and projects.
Created for those of us who do Vampire Research, this is a place to store your info, stats and other research related notes, including articles and statistics you might require, as well as a place where you can exchange note and info with others who are also doing research in various areas of the community.
If you need space, please apply and drop Lady CG a note at ladycg@gmail.com with your desire to take part (this is so you don't sit there waiting endlessly for approval). We'll get you set up quickly so you have the space and folders you need.

Current Projects stored on VRS:

Body Temperature Study
Ongoing study about vampires and body tempeture.

Vampyric Origin Research
Please post any and all info regarding Vampyric Origins HERE.

Vitimins and Vampires
Information on vitimains. How symptoms can be managed with vitamins and their effects.

Blood Use for Sangs - blood storage
Research into ways to allow Blood drinkers to prolong storage of blood, without losing the beneficial properties

Blood Substitutes for Sangs and other blood drinkers
Research into healthier ways to prolong the amount of time and number of ways Blood feeders can do without Blood while maintaining health.

Blood Content and info
articles on blood content, chemical analysis, other blood related articles and collected research

Symbiots (4 sub-boards)
Articles, links and ongoing discussion of the symbiot theory.

V5 (3 sub-boards)
Articles and ongoing discussion of V5.

Total Topics: 81 - Total Posts: 152
Total Members: 30
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Quarterly Report part 4: Smoke_and_Mirrors_Library Egroup · Smoke and Mirrors
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Smoke_and ... s_Library/

This is the egroup for the Smoke and Mirrors Message Board:
http://smokeandmirrors34981.yuku.com/ht ... om/phpBB3/
Smoke and Mirrors Library Archive Website:
http://www.smokenmirrorshome.com/
Smoke and Mirrors Vampire Articles RSS Feed
http://www.bloglines.com/blog/LadyCG

I'm sure most of our members here have heard about the revamp of S&M assets.. the boards, the website and i'm happy to say we have no forgotten about our little egroup!
In the past the purpose of the egroup has been a place to collect files we could not post on the boards and a place for general chit chat.
We will now be using this egroup as a place were friends and members can submit thier articles and stories and other writings for use on our Community wide public RSS feed and for use in the bookcases at the Vampiric Library on Second Life, where we collect REAL Vampires articles and info for the use of Real Vampires who live in Second Life.
We'll also still be using this egroup to discuss new articles and offerings.

Founded: Nov 22, 2004
Members: 75
_______________________________________________________________________

Quarterly Report Part 5: The Vampiric Library Project in Second Life
http://www.smokenmirrorshome.com/id63.htm

NOW LOCATED AT: Lunitarium (219, 64, 21)
or for those in world: Copy http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lunitarium/219/64/21
and paste it into SL's open chat, then bring up your chat history, and double-click the highlighted link, and it should teleport you there.

WOW what a difference a year makes!
In the past year we've lived in 3 different Sims, and made numerous changes but its all been worth it!
With more than 50 members the library is growing at an insane rate!
The new building is incredible, and i'll be updating our website over the holidays to show the new building, as well as our adorable new mascot, Solitaire the Siberian Tiger Cub.

CG has been filling bookcases like Crazy.
Each bookcase holds up to 36 articles / chapters.
Bookcases currently in use:

Michelle Belanger: Vampire Rituals
Acrophobic Pixie: Donor Articles
Sarasvati: Echos of Night
LadyCG: Practical Vampirism for Modern Vampires
LadyCG: Articles for Practical Vampirism 2
Deacon Gray: Articles by Deacon
SphynxcatVP: Articles by Sphynxcat
Vampire Definitions: by Various Authors
HUMOUR

Beginners Book of Shadows
Beginners Book of Shadows 2
Advanced Book of Shadows
Corrospondences
More being filled every day.

Global Teleport Station
we have a new Global teleporter kept up to date with links to others in the Real Vamp Community in Second Life
Anyone can use it and you do not need to be a Library member to use this apparatus to teleport to places such as
Vampiric Library Hostel and Store
Sanguinarius's Community Center
Khans Sanguine Dreams Club
and many other Real Vamp destinations.

Holiday Events being held around the library:
LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE
CGs CHRISTMAS SKATING PARTY FOR S&M
THE OFFICIAL SNOWBALL FIGHT 2008
LONGEST NIGHT DANCE UNDER THE STARS
AN SL NEW YEAR 2009

We are currently holding weekly chats as well as coffee chats and other services.
We hope to see you in world!

That concludes our Quarterly reports and Newsletter.
Blessing to all of you, from all of US
The Staff and Administrative Team
Smoke and Mirrors Support Network.

This was a community message from Lady CG on Smoke and Mirrors.

If you could change ANYTHING about the Vampire Community... HOW would you want it to turn out

2008-08-07T19:00:34Z

If you could change ANYTHING about the Vampire Community... HOW would you want it to turn out
Current mood: curious
Category: Life

I know .. i usually do opinion pieces, but i have a question for all Vampires great and small, irregardless of feeding method or affiliation... This question is for everyone, but Vampires in particular:

What would you change?

I hear it all the time, that the VC is in serious need of change and even that it should be blown to bits and started from scratch.

Sooooo.. here is YOUR chance. What would you change. How would you change it.

If you could CUSTOM DESIGN the Vampire community, what would it be when you were done?

I'm not suggesting i can change anything, but if we knew what we actually wanted, the community as a whole could possibly work in that direction. But too many people like to complain about what we have, without saying how it should be corrected.

Here is your open mike. Step up and tell us whats wrong and how it should be changed or just tell me how you'd reconfigure it all to work better.

Stay Well
Stay Together
Stay FED

Love CG

Hunters have followed me from SS to Yuku! OH NO! *laughs hysterically

2008-07-16T17:01:36Z

Hunters have followed me from SS to Yuku! OH NO! *laughs hysterically

For a bit of background: A so called hunter / slayer group tried to invade SangSpace networking site. In the course of banning them, it appears a couple of us gained our own personal trolls / slayers. Sadly their intent to intimidate was lost in the hillarity. Here for your entertainment value i post the message my personal SLAYER added to my YUKU profile comments:

comment by: sacredmark on profile: http://lady-cg.u.yuku.com/

07/15/08
hello lady you will not find me but i have found you, I am your slayer, and soon will be the angel that shadows over you until you stop this sick blood drinking shit you do ,and do not think that any vamp can harm me or drain me for the slayers from the finders group are immune to it,....you are my vampire now, and in hopes that other vampires will follow us, for more slayers await,....

I have, of course, reported this to YUKU techs, so the ip will be logged there, but in the meantime i thought we could analyze this little gem of a comment.

"hello lady you will not find me but i have found you"
Well its nice you found me.. but i'm pretty easy to find, since anyone can google me and find my boards, my book, and my blogs all over the web.
**pats troll on head** Its OK honey.. i'm sure you thought you did something special

"I am your slayer, and soon will be the angel that shadows over you until you stop this sick blood drinking shit you do ,and do not think that any vamp can harm me or drain me for the slayers from the finders group are immune to it,"
Actually, you are not my anything... well maybe my bitch if you show up at my place to try anything stupid or illegal. What you and your friends are immune to is actually acceptance of reality. Since Vampires don't claim to turn anyone.. what the hell is it you think you're immune to? Your WHAT hurts?

",....you are my vampire now,"
Umm ya.. about this.. I am someones Vampire, alright.. but.. its not yours... and if the person i DO belong to didn't claim me, I'd put myself up for auction before i was yours...
Hey Vamps out there... will someone please buy me so this asshole goes away?

"in hopes that other vampires will follow us, for more slayers await,.... "
Well i guess if you want to feed all of us, thats a generous offer.

Where the hell do these people come from? *laughs hysterically
Comments?

Will the Real Vampires please sit down?

2007-10-18T13:50:52Z

I recently opened my message board, Smoke and Mirrors up to what was previously, on my board, a group within the VC who are usually left out of most communities.
Lots of people thought I was NUTS when I started letting folks on the board who claimed to be Inheritors and Classicals, as described on Catherene Nightpoes site, Vampiric Studies.

(come on.. you've ALL seen it.. in the middle of the day when no one was watching)

I'd been aware of these groups for some time. I admit... I was curious. I have an insatiable curiosity and for me its never enough to HEAR about such people, I want to know them. I want to know why they are what they are, or say what they are.. whatever... I wanted to know what makes this group tick.

(I wanted to do some personal questioning of them as well, but thats another blog post altogether.. maybe next time)

Then it occurred to me... Lots of us have always wondered if long lived Vampires actually exist.
The problem is if they did, we sure as hell wouldn't know it, because everytime anyone comes on my board who says they are older than 80 we run their asses the hell off.
I'd been contacted over the years by a couple of Vampires who claimed older than normal life span and since I had LIKED them, finding them polite and intelligent, I decided that irregardless of their reasons to believe or say they are what they are, I wanted to get to know this remarkable group.

(I'm SO glad I did!)

I still don't know whether long lived Vampires exist. I have not physically met any of the people who claim such. What I DO know is that these people are good people. They are polite and kind and some of the most intelligent folks I know. I enjoy their company.

(and.. if they are NOT long lived Vamps.. they should be, because they frankly it would be to the credit of Vampkind)

So whether these are who they say they are, or whether they are just folks who need friends I count them among mine.

The Vampire Community , Like the Pagan Community is made up of a LOT of different folks. In the Pagan community we don't always agree on each groups philosophy, but we DO at least acknowledge, even when we disagree on our theologies, that we ARE ALL PAGAN. I don't think we have to agree with each group in the VC either. I think we're all STILL members of the Vampire Community. Even when we don't agree on what a Vampire actually IS. I believe the key to this is common courtesy. Every one of us is entitled to our own belief systems. We can debate the differences, we don't have to agree with each other to be respectful and still be friends. You don't have to fall in to anyone else's way of thinking. You're entitled to your own. It all still works as long as we give the same respect for others right to their own views, as we want for our own.

To my new board members:

I realize you'll get some harassment here and there, but I stand with the fact that Classicals and Inheritors are still part of the VC, even though not everyone will agree that you exist or are Vampires.

Don't take it personally. There is no shame in being part of the ongoing OVC argument over who is and which groups are NOT actual Vampires.
(In the VC as a whole this been elevated to an ART FORM!)

Are Psi's actually Vampires?
Are Sangs all role players?
Are Classicals and Inheritors fakes?
Do Hybrids take in Prana? Are they vampires
(and what is prana ANYWAY?)
Do spirtual Vampires qualify?
What about Therian Vampires?

Who are the Vampires?

I don't know who the REAL Vampires are. I do know who makes up the Vampire Community.
The answer is ALL OF THE ABOVE.

(I stand by the fact my board is open.)

Till the next time;

Stay warm,
Stay Fed
Stay TOGETHER

Luv CG

Back in the saddle and back to business!

2007-02-08T20:33:50Z

Back in the saddle and back to business!

A new board.. a moved board, issues with traitors, liars and drama llamas... Its been quite a couple of months around Smoke and Mirrors!
... but we are STILL HERE!
(and isn't that the trick of it.. to remain standing in the long run?)

If anyone STILL has any doubt about what went on, I still have the original threads and they are still available to read for anyone who feels the need.. just contact me.

In the meantime there have been some exciting changes!
S&M Dark, our new board for Fellowship and the discussion of darker natures (and a LOT of FUN) is busy and thriving and more souls of like persuasion have been making their way in weekly.
If you are interested in joining S&M Dark, please remember:
This board is for 18+ ONLY and is rated mature
This board is NOT for Vampire or Kin support, it is for FELLOWSHIP
(support will still be provided on S&M on YUKU as its always been)
If you wish to join S&M Dark, please drop me a note of introduction telling me why you'd like to join (and who you are) and if you have a reference, please include it. The board is located at: http://www.smokenmirrorshome.com/phpBB2/index.php

IN News from S&M Support on Yuku:
( http://smokeandmirrors34981.yuku.com/ )
The big news is the Return of Hapsburg, my Dapper CoOwner!
He is not back full time yet, as he is working on his internet connection, but if you're an old friend and want to drop him a note, he does check his catacomb box, these days I'm sure he'd be happy to hear from you, as he seems to think everyone he knew online will have forgotten him
(like anyone could ever forget Haps!)
When he is back full time, Haps will be replacing my old "2nd" on the Leadership Council and the VVC board, as well, since recent fallouts have left that spot vacant.

We are still having YUKU outages that are badly affecting our posting abilities on YUKU right now. They tell me it should be fixed in the near future and I hope it is.. the lack of being able to make progress on the new board is making me crazy.. but the decor IS becoming quite strikign and I hope everyone will stop in to say HI and see the new forum skins. I'm very proud of the new look that is finally coming around.

WELCOME BACK to Hawkmoor and Moonchild! I was able to speak to them both on IM the other day its wonderful to hear they will be finally be returning to the net more or less full time. They were much missed in their absence.

So there it is.. all the news that is fit to print, publicly. LOL
We've cleaned a good many of the Drama Llamas out of S&M Support, and created a board where those of us with Darker natures can spend time with those of our own kind. The privacy is wonderful! I've been delighted to see so many friends and other board owners joining in the fun there.
Life is GOOD!

Remember.. if you REALLY want to know whats going on with myself or S&M, don't rely on the Gossip Mongers.. just ask me and I'll be happy to show you.'
Its a standing offer... No games, no bullshit, just the plain old fashioned truth.
for those who like to start Drama and then blame the boards, all I can say is this:
Wherever you go, there you are. If drama is everywhere you go.. maybe you're just taking it with you.

(special note for Sanguinarius: What they did to your site was really shitty and may the fleas of a 1000 camels infest their armpits! (the MFing b*stards!) **hugs muchly)

(special note to Trolkvinna: Get WELL! I miss you desperately! **sends much love)

For everyone else::
Stay Fed
Stay together

Luv CG.

Good Riddence to Bad Guests

2006-12-29T13:18:06Z

I know.. I know.. everyone is waiting, with baited breath for me to respond to the latest round on internet gossip about myself and S&M.
I do have several things to say:

When people come to a message board they are there as GUESTS of the board owner. Like all boards, mine has rules. When people break those rules and then say "I'm LEAVING!" then hang around to make more drama, I toss their asses, you bet I do. That is my perogative as a board owner.
Recently some guests showed themselves to be poor guests and since they could not decide wether to leave like they said they were going to, or stay and attack my rules and myself, I helped them out the door.

As for everything I've heard about Crazes Blog....
I do NOT agree with her assessment of the situation or even the TOPIC matter she claims this tempest in the teapot was about.
I have nothing to say about Craze herself. She was my friend. If you count the year that Nightsky filled in for her as Admin,while she was offline, she was with S&M for 4 years. Not only does she know where all the bodies are buried... She buried most of them herself! (metaphorically speaking, of course)

If anyone REALLY wants or HAS to know what happened or feels they need my side of things, contact me. I have the original threads in my Archives and I will make them available to anyone who asks. You can make up your own mind. I'm not going to give MY translation of events, having seen some of the other translations... Why should I stoop to drama and just be another drama queen? Honestly.. if you want to see the threads, just ask. I"ll put them where they are accessible to anyone who wants to read them.

In other news... my holidays were GREAT! I had 16 family and friends for supper Christmas Eve, and it was a delightful bedlam! I am blessed with a truly wonderful and loving family.

S&M is in the moving process, from EZboard to YUKU and I'm creating an offshoot board, to be interlinked to Smoke and Mirrors. Its called
Smoke and Mirrors Dark.
Its not a support board. S&M Dark is a place for those of us who are not seeking support, but fellowship, and who have leanings to the "Darker side".
Drama Llamas and self righteous moralists need not apply.
(and yes there IS a difference between "immoral" and "illegal" and the person who tried to call S&M D "criminal" should look up the above quotationed definitions... my lawyer assures me there is nothing illegal about it, but the morals might be questionable, depending on who is doing the judging)

Smoke and Mirrors on YUKU will still be the same support board its ALWAYS been. We've had some staff changes, but the changes have been VERY good! When we move S&M on YUKU it will go back to being the board it USED to be when I opened it. One where ANY vampiric topic can be discussed... Any question asked. I didn't build S&M to spend every minute censoring posts. Thats not my job and I never want it to be so.
Those who come to S&M come to talk about what is on their mind or troubling them. We all need a place to be ourselves. I will never let others dictate to me what can and can't be discussed. Never have, never will. Sometimes you gotta stick with what you believe in, and I believe in S&M.
(and lets face it i'd be there collecting my articles and spells even if no one else was around... you don't really think I want to go back to collecting ALL THAT SHIT on my hardrives, do you???)

So... its still the same old controversial me... If you REALLY want to know what happened, don't go with the rumours. Just come ask me, and I'll SHOW you.

Carpe Noctum!
(and Happy New Year!)
Lady CG.

Its all been done... so what next?

2006-11-19T14:07:07Z

I've been a board owner for over 4.5 years now... nearly 5 years of writing articles, collecting BOS material, trying to provide a safe and creative place for Vampires and Vamplings to hang out and find whatever they need to be healthier, happier Vamps.

In that amount of time I think I've researched and or written, and posted a TON of articles relating in some way to Vampirism, wether its about Awakening as a Vamp, Living as a Vamp, or a Skill to make being a Vamp easier...
... and it seems strange to say it, but I'm running out of material!

I admit it, folks. I'm running out of new things to write about, for and to Vampires.
I am clearly in a rut.

Everything I try and research ("CG, you can't possibly do any useful research using polls on a message board!") and every thread I start for discussion seem to end up nipped in the bud by someone. ("OH! you know that isnt' possible CG, why are you wasting your time") I can post playful threads about Vampire Pride and Elitism and someone will find it offensive. ("you know vampires are no more "special" than anyone else!").... and its finally coming to a place where I just don't seem to have anything to say anymore.

I don't understand!

For me Vampires are just as exciting and amazing as we have always been.
I still believe in us as a group and as individuals. I still believe we are capeable of GREAT things... But... Maybe its all been done?

Maybe there have been SO many articles written and maybe we've posted on SO many boards and egroups and maybe we've researched as far as we can without "proffessional" help... if that is all true.. then I have a few questions before I throw in my keyboard:
Since I don't believe that Vampires are hopeless, tell me why if we've said and done it all, WHY do we still have dysfunctional Vampires? Why do we still have young ones coming into our groups and boards crying for answers? Why do we still have Vamplings with uneducated parents (about dealing with vampirism)?
WHY are we still crying for donors? Why are there vampires who are still getting sick from blood rage? Why are there a ton of young Vamps and old ones out in the world who still feel like they don't belong?

I get absolutely sick to death of people telling me there is nothing new or interesting or of practical use to post anymore. I refuse to believe it.
Its true... most message boards are not capeable of doing wide scale polling... but every bit of info we can collect tells us something new about us as a group.
And Ok... maybe I"m not going to change the world with my articles.. but I've never been out to change the world. I've always felt that if something I've written helps even ONE Vampire live a happier and more productive existance, then my article has done its job.
And I will be the first one to admit that my board won't do as good a job at making someone feel stable and healthy as repeated trips to your local mental health expert, (depending of course on the expert) but I do provide a place where people can be themselves and find love and support for who they are.

Have vampire groups and boards become obsolete? Maybe...
But I think I"ll keep mine till someone comes up with a better idea, so it might be around for a long time, even if its slower than it used to be.

Where has all the inspiration gone? I know I used to love what I do. Do we just get worn down by the "killjoys" and naysayers? I hope thats it.. cause i"d hate to think of a world where Vampires have become so commonplace that there is no longer any need to talk about ourselves
That would Definately make the world a less magickal place.

Carpe Noctum
Lady CG
2006

Smoke and Mirrors is holding OPEN HOUSE!

2006-10-15T16:07:13Z

Ever wondered what goes on inside S&M, but didn't want to be bothered applying for membership?

This is YOUR invitation to join us during our Open House!

In January S&M will be moving to a new server when all ezboards move over to the YUKU server.

We have opened the board so that old members can drop in and backup some of the posts that are important to them, and to keep the greater community up to date on our prospective move, and the test boards we are currently working on, as alternative hosting for S&M.

Smoke and Mirrors has been an OVC and Kin Community board for 4 1/2 years. Please feel free to drop by and check out over 60 forums of material of interest to Vampires, Goths, Therians, OtherKin, and Pagans.

S&M is Politically Neutral in all OVC and Kin dealings and welcomes members from all communities to use our resources.

Drop in and check it out... a place where its never completely dark, and you never have to be alone.

http://p203.ezboard.com/bsmokeandmirrors34981

Lady CG.

Public - 10:05 AM - add eprops - add comments - edit it - email it

At S&M we care about the health of Vampires...

2006-10-10T22:34:09Z

I got into a conversation with someone about the purpose of Online Vamp Communities. It got me to thinking about what I have always hoped to accomplish with Smoke & Mirrors, so I did some self analysis of my intentions and this is what I came up with:

I've been a member of the OVC for a long time. I've seen groups and communities come and go. Some were good and some were bad, but most tried to give vamps a place to talk about their needs, and often offered support in various ways.

When I opened S&M I wanted a place where Vamps could discuss ANYTHING that was of interest or concern, and get feedback from others of their own kind and those who support the community...

In the process of the boards growing pains, I came to realize that vamps need more than just verification that they are not alone. I discovered that what Vamps REALLY need is HOPE.

Most of us come from less than ideal backgrounds. Lots of us have dealt with trama and loss, some vamp related, some not.
Many of us have lost hope, along the way, of EVER living happy, productive lives (those who are happy and well adjusted don't NEED the OVC, for the most part)

I want you to know... I BELIEVE that Vampires can THRIVE. Its about MORE than survival. Its about being happy. Its about having the skills to be productive and live well.

I'm always proud to a part of this culture of creative, caring, intelligent folks. I BELIEVE in us, as a group, as well as individuals. I BELIEVE that given a chance to learn skills, and given support and encouragement, Vampires are amoung the fastest learning, charismatic, survivors on the face of the planet, and I believe we can change our worlds into places that are friendly to us.

Here on S&M we have tried to provide our members with everything they need to live happier lives. Wether that is learning magic skills, or learning life skills or learning people skills, we try and provide information to increase the quality of the lives of Vampires, Kin and those who support us.

Smoke and Mirrors is a special place.
Yes there are squabbles, yes there are fallouts.. but in the long run they almost never last, and very few people are cast out of our community for longer than an extended "cooling off" period. (usually the longest is about 6 months, barring further disruptions... YES THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS to the rule!)
NOTE: We have a total of about 6 people on our permenently banned list. Not bad in over 4 years.

In many ways S&M is warm, safe and womblike.
Mods and Admins check every post and every profile of every member, to insure nothing illegal or dangerous is going on. We trya nd keep flaming to ONE forum, and dont' allow bullying. we watch younger members hawkishly, to prevent them from coming to harm, while they are here. We do it because we CARE.

In the long run, we've tried to create a place where people in the community have space to grow. Everyone who works on S&M does so on their own time. We do it out of love.

Even after 4+ years, Smoke and Mirrors is still a living, breathing, growing entity.
I'm proud to be a part of it.
I thank YOU for being a part of it TOO!

Remember: S&M is here for YOU. Vampires CAN do more than Survive... Vampires CAN THRIVE!

Loving Thoughs to you all
Lady CG.

Smoke and Mirrors Message board: http://p203.ezboard.com/fsmokeandmirrors34981

Smoke and Mirrors Website: http://www.smokenmirrorshome.com/

lady_cgs_garden @ 2006-06-09T08:35:00

2006-06-09T14:36:57Z

A CG Editorial : Things Are What They Are

A CG Editorial

Things Are What They Are

Life plus complications, plus obvious differences can bog modern vampires down, into equaling a belief that we / they need to know all the whys and wherefores that create what makes we as vampires, different from our other more mundane humans friends and family. I’d like to say here and now, that sometimes,
“Things are what they are”!

I believe that all the history, origin theories, cultural outpourings, politics and social niceties, have, without a doubt, their place in most of our communities. But sometimes it comes down to basics, and knowing ALL that stuff, even if we knew ALL the answers, even if we could actually understand ALL the ins and outs of our condition, will never change the truth about who and what each of us are!

We come together, not over what has been, or what CAN be, but over what is. We are vampires, and, in the midst of a personal crisis, brought on by our need, its not about how we spell, or which origin theory we believe in made us this way. When you’re enduring cravings or rage or an overwhelming sense of estrangement from the rest of the world, its not about who disrespected you in a forum, or which social clique has outcasted who, or even about what rank you hold in which community! Its about the here and now and how we deal our personal crisis’ when we are in the midst of one.

Sometimes we need to set aside ALL the rest and remember what brought us together, as vampires, in the first place! The bottom line, what brought each and every one of us to “the communities”? We all came seeking individual ways to deal with a mutual set of problems. THAT is the bottom line. Not the social stuff, not the theories, not what science might discover about us via medical testing, not the “fun stuff” or even the sensuality or the sex!

What really brings us together is what happens to us when we are alone, and afraid and sick and lonely, and trying to deal with a set of circumstances beyond the comprehension of most. Its about hoping to find a way to make it stop hurting. And its about working on that together, since alone, none of us have the answers.

Sometimes… Things really are what they are. And sometimes the rest just needs to be given lower priority in favor of the mutual good.

Carpe Noctum!
Lady CG.

copyright 2006
(May be use with permission, please provide a link back!)

Life and Death (a chapter in progress, reviews appreciated)

2006-04-06T20:16:52Z

Life and Death (a chapter in progress, reviews appreciated)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Life and Death

(or… how Community REALLY works when the stars line up)

On January 25th something truly miraculous happened. People from at least 3 online vampyre communities, two states, and spanning two countries worked together to save a life.

Its not that the life was saved, though that in itself was miracle enough. The miracle was in the fact that if even ONE link in the chain of events had been broken, a young man might have died. That he didn’t die, is a testament to how Community can work when everyone works together for good.

Without naming names or embarassing the very exellent man, the entire incident revolved around, I’d like to tell you the story.

I’m a little foggy on the exact time all the events went into play. I’d arrived in the chat room of my message board where I hold “Coffee Chat” early most weekday mornings. I’d checked the board and was chatting with friends when I was asked by “Akasha” if I’d seen “ Marcus” recently.

Now what amazed me about that question, is that Marcus was not a member of my board, though I knew who he was from the board of a dear friend. I was interested enough to ask what was up and at 6:27am I received in my email, part of conversation from the night before, and directed to his online Blog. It seemed Marcus might have been pushed past his limit, though we didn’t know why, and the man was suicidal.

What frightened me was that he had already said his goodbyes and that no one had heard from him since midnight, the night before! Nothing on the message board he moderates on.. nothing on his blog but his obvious desire to end his life.

Akasha had his address and his real name… so we tried a reverse lookup to find his phone number… to no avail. We each asked friends we knew, where we might find him… NOTHING. I shot off notes to people who were not online at such an early hour, hoping someone would contact me when they got up and know how to reach Marcus, to check on him. I stared at his address till I thought I”d go blind and then it hit me! I knew someone in the city where he lived! I dragged out my Vampyre Contact list… who was in his city… I tossed off an instant messenger note to “Countessa” whom I knew was local to him.

Countessa was up.. but quite ill and very pregnant! She didn’t’ know him, but she’d look in the phone book for me and see if she could find his number so someone could call him to check up. There was no name in the book that matched the addy.
I knew there was a Vampiric House in the state and city where Marcus lived. I also knew that Countessa was a member. The leader of that house is “Morgana” so I asked Akasha for Selwyns phone number, which she gave to me.

Morgana was home! I quickly explained the situation. Morgana was all ears… Would she go over and check on Marcus? Of course she would! She’d go now and phone me with an update.

Twenty-five minutes is a long time when you are waiting to hear if a friend is dead or alive. We waiting in my chat room, jumping when people came on and off our IM’s or came and went from the chat. Finally my phone rang. It was Morgana.

“He isnt’ answering the door. What do you think I should do?” We discussed it and finally made the decision to call in the Cavalry. Morgana called the local Police. She called me back about 15 minutes later.

“The policeman has the same last name, that can’t be a coincidence, can it?” I bit my lip… In a city the size of theirs it almost HAD to be a relative… but was that good or bad? The police asked Morgana to leave so she fired up her truck and left. Now we were ALL sitting biting our nails and waiting!
Finally we got word.

He’s ALIVE~! Akasha had finally received word on his IM that Marcus was OK. They found him before he’d had time to hurt himself, and the police were watching him, now.

THIS is how Community SHOULD work. It took people from three different communities, working together to pull it off, but we saved a life.
WHY shouldn’t it be like that ALL the time? Think, for just a momment, what we could accomplish, if every vampyre community,worked together for the good of us all.

On January 25th we saved a life, and not just for a few minutes while he rethought it. We were able to put him in touch with an exellent Vamp House in his city. Friends, local contacts. We let him know he is NOT alone and that we CARE about him, even if we only know him online. He is real to us. Real enough to go to great lengths to save his life, because we CARE about HIM.

This is Community, folks. This is FAMILY. This is what it is and should be to be a Vampyre.

Lady CG.
© 2006

Raising a Crop O’ Vampyres First draft for edit and review

2006-04-03T16:37:15Z

Raising a Crop O’ Vampyres

(Or… HELP! My Teenager Wants to Eat the Dog!)

It’s probably an unsuspecting parents worst nightmare. You awaken, one day to realize your child might be hiding a desire to drink blood. For a non Vampyre Parent, it HAS to be a nightmare! How does one cope with this terrifying phenomenon? Is your child really a Vampyre? Are they sick? Do they need counseling? Have they fallen in with a dangerous cult? Not only are they all reasonable questions (no matter what your teen might tell you) they are also wise questions that deserve real answers.

We all love our children. We might not LIKE them very much, all the time, but we DO love them. I raised 4 children. Two of my now grown children are Sanguinarian Vampyres. Even though I myself am Sang, I too had to learn to deal with awakening Vamp teens, which is no simple task. Children do not come with manuals. Its tough enough dealing the things normal parents put up with. Now all of a sudden it feels like your kid has gone off the deep end! So, let us discuss this with a bit of practicality, as we would any other crisis in the lives of the ones we love and protect.

Symptoms of Sanguinarianism:

Psi draining: Probably the first and most recognizable of the symptoms of awakening. If your Childs presence leaves you emotionally and physically exhausted every time he or she is in the room with you, for more than a few minutes… If he or she has that effect on not just YOU, but everyone else around them, yet seems completely unaware they are having this affect, it’s definitely worth taking note of. I can’t tell you WHY this happens, but I CAN tell you, it’s pretty consistent.

How to deal with it: Not ALL Psi-draining youth go on to become Sang Vamps. Many never do more than suck energy during this rapid physical growth period. That doesn’t make it an easy phase to live with. Life with a teen at this stage is full of drama and sudden explosions, or they go the opposite way and try to completely cut you out of their affairs. I found the easiest way to deal with it was to make the child aware of what affect they are having on those around them. Once they are aware of it, the problem sometimes takes care of itself. If you want to be SURE it’s properly dealt with I recommend teaching the child the proper way to feed Psionically. This can be as simple as teaching them to Psi feed from an elemental source, rather than people, or a single person.
About this time you’re likely wondering how to teach your teen a skill you are completely unfamiliar with. It’s not nearly as complicated as it sounds. If your teen is siphoning energy from family members it’s not going to stop on its own. If you can deal with this phase and don’t mind being exhausted all the time, then the problem might look after itself in a year or two when the young person learns control naturally or switches from draining family members to siphoning from his or her peer group. If, however you need it to stop sooner, and talking to your child about what is happening isn’t helping, I recommend switching them to another source of energy, such as fire, electrical or earth energy. It’s not nearly as difficult as it sounds.
Your child already knows instinctually how to draw energy. You just need to teach them to focus it. Sit with your child in front of campfire, or outside before a storm. Tell him to try and FEEL the energy around them and coming from the desired feeding source. Next tell them to relax and try to open every pore in their body to receiving and taking in the energy coming from THAT source. Have them visualize the energy from the fire or storm infusing their whole being. Let them soak up as much as they can, till they start to lose focus on it. If it was successful, you’ll send them off to do other things, bouncing off the walls... If it wasn’t, let them rest and try again another time, or try another energy source. Concerts and large gatherings of people are also good harmless sources of energy that do no harm to your offspring or those around them. Trust me. Most catch on at light speed, and those who do not, usually need little time to pick it up. IF your child absolutely cannot get it... chances are you can sigh with a bit of relief. Most vamps pick it up, and if yours can’t, they are likely NOT a vampyre at all, and the phase will likely pass. Unless of course, they went straight to the next phase…

Blood Cravings: This one is weird for any North American Parent, so if the idea of dinking blood seems weird, taboo, occultish, demonic, unsanitary and taboo, you are definitely NOT alone.
Oddly, blood consumption seems to be a terrifying prospect, mostly, in our puritanical North American Culture. The British enjoy their Blood Puddings. Europeans are proud of their excellent blood sausage. In many parts of Africa, its not uncommon for people to drink fresh cows blood for strength, and it is given to children and the weak, to make them strong and healthy.
I live in Canada, and as such I was raised with a healthy fear of blood borne disease. Botulism, E-coli, and other contaminants are real fears for those of us raised in North America. I understand the concerns. Add to that the now prevalent fear of AIDS, Hepatitis, and other human diseases, and you it can be a lot to deal with.
On the other hand… I , personally, don’t know a single person who has ever gotten sick and died from eating a nice fresh blue-rare, inspected, Beef Steak.
I know... your child is probably telling you he or she is craving human blood. They are, in fact, most likely trying to tell you that they must have it! Its poppycock. Yes its what they are craving. I have no doubt about that, and neither should you. The part that is poppycock is that young Vampyres need HUMAN blood. They don’t.
I’ve dealt with vampires for a quarter of a century now. I have never seen a young vampyre who couldn’t get by on a combination of bloody steaks and a bit of energy vamping. Not one! A Vampyres need increases with age, but newly awakening Vampyres get by fine as long as they are getting a bit of fresh blood. Don’t let them tell you they are going to die. They are NOT. Feed them up with steaks that are cooked on the outside and red and bloody on the inside and the majority of Vampyres will do just fine.
The longer you can keep your minor on bloody steaks and away from drinking from other humans, the more peace of mind you will likely have. In my opinion, Vampyres under 18 DO NOT NEED to drink human blood. I know its all very “Vampish” to want it, but until they are adults, and old enough to make their own decisions, I think its wisest to keep them on rare steaks or other forms of animal blood such as fresh blood mixed with grape or pomegranate juice.

The donor system: Once your child is out on their own there is little you can do to either encourage or discourage a young vampyre to avoid getting a donor. I am a firm believer that the Donor System of feeding is NOT for those under the age of majority. It’s a lot of responsibility! Blood tests are not only encouraged, but are mostly required by most modern Vampyres. Both Vampyres and their Donors should be tested thoroughly and often! If you find you can’t keep your child from drinking from other young people, I recommend hauling their ass to your doctor or local clinic for blood tests. Do it every 6 months, if he or she insists on blood play. Yelling and screaming will likely NOT stop them from having a donor, if they find someone willing. All it will do is drive your child underground, so you won’t know what they are doing, or with whom. Dragging them in for blood tests shows you care about them, and that you want what is best for their over all health. It also keeps them from saying “My parents don’t understand. They hate me for who I am, and will never accept me or respect me” (I know... I hear this on my message board, from teens, at least once a month) you know you care. I know you care. Kids only see things from their own perspective. If you can keep vampirism above board and not drive it underground, you’ll be amazed how much you can influence your young person to make healthy choices.

Not all blood cravers are Vampyres: YAY! While being labeled a Vampyre is romantic to most young people, especially Goths; 25 + years dealing with blood drinking has convinced me that Vampirism is NOT the only thing that causes blood cravings. Like pregnant women, Teenagers deal with a lot of fluctuating hormones that can cause some bizarre cravings. I also know that giving a kid a banana when they crave blood will NOT work.
Try the rare steak thing and hope it goes away in a few months. It often does. We see young people come and go in the communities at a phenomenal rate. No one minds seeing a young person decide they are not Vampyre, after all.
The Vamp communities aim for healthy people. We rejoice when a young person moves on because they don’t crave blood and don’t need that kind of support anymore. I’m betting if it’s your child, you’ll rejoice too! If it doesn’t go away, take your child to see a doctor to rule out all other possible causes for the cravings. Better safe than sorry. If all else fails, read on!

Depression, aggression and apathy: You’ll want to keep an eye out for signs of depression and apathy, both of which indicate your young person is likely needing his or her biweekly feed of steak. As long as they seem perky and interested in being active, I wouldn’t worry too much. If you notice your young Vamp starting to take less interest in friends, crying constantly, sleeping as much as you let them get away with, or getting every virus that comes along, be concerned! Depression and apathy are common and serious issues for Sanguinarian Vampyres young and old. Most cases of Vampiric depression are resolved via feeding. But, if an extra steak doesn’t help, get your child some help, quickly. The solution can be as simple as making sure they get more daylight (in winter) or it can be a serious chemical imbalance. Either way, bring in a Professional opinion.
Ditto for signs of serious aggression. In Vamps, aggression is most often depression turned outward, instead of inward. Aggressive Vamps CAN BE DANGEROUS, to themselves AND to others! Most Depressed Vamps benefit from simple supplements like feverfew and / or St Johns Wort. If over the counter supplements do not cause immediate improvement, get your child to a professional!
A doctor, a councilor, an Holistic Practitioner, any of these people can likely help, as along as they don’t try to tell your child they are crazy for craving blood. Your child will likely reject anyone who tries to tell them they are crazy or misguided on this topic. It’s a waste of time and more likely to alienate the kid then to help him or her.
Depression is a Vampyres enemy. Deal with it quickly so your child can get on with his or her life.

Nocturnal Tendencies: Watch for the tendency of your vampire child to become nocturnal. Nocturalism can toss a real wrench into schooling. I think it’s important to keep our young vamps in school and doing well. They can’t manage that if they are dragging tired, depressed asses into school and spending the day either disrupting class or sleeping on their desks.
Extra rare meat can help, and if it doesn’t, and you honestly believe your child is having issues with being diurnal, a visit to your physician or Holistic Health Practitioner is in order. There are supplements out that can help with day / night problems, such as Melatonin.
Another practical and natural method I have used to deal with this issue is to keep a VERY regular schedule. It might be a pain having your young person out of bed and cooking breakfast at 7am on a weekend… But, its better than having a parent / teacher interview because your child can’t stay awake in class.

Other tips from one Vamp parent to another:

Encourage your offspring to be active. Vampyres do very well in sports, anything that requires hand /eye coordination, and are especially at home with body building equipment.

Encourage your child to AVOID too much sun. While a bit of limited tanning in a controlled tanning bed, can be excellent for your child before the summer gets here, keep in mind that Vampyres REALLY ARE extremely sun sensitive! This is a matter of life and death. Vamps dehydrate at light speed. We do NOT adapt well to extremes of temperature of any kind. I realize this creates a challenge in meeting your child’s need for Vitamin D, but tossing him or her outside for hours in summer really can be life threatening. Insist on a hat. Push fluids, even on your older teens. Sunscreen is a must. So are long sleeves in the afternoons, or heavy shade.

I raised two kids to adult Vampyres. I understand the challenges. They are too smart, too busy, and some days just too everything! They are also extremely intelligent and need to be challenged, which can be good and bad, for a busy parent. These kids can be SO rewarding! It’s not all about tearing your hair out. It’s about raising kids who have great self-esteem and the ability to function in the modern world. They understand they are different. The reward for you as an understanding parent, is a lifetime bond with a child who adores you because you tried to understand, even when you made mistakes and were a pain in the ass.

They can grow up to be your best friends, with a trust that never fails. It’s worth it.

LadyCG and Dark Warrior Party at West Ed ~ TONIGHT!

2006-03-09T14:57:17Z

We're on Vacation and partying tonight

(and maybe tomorrow)

at West Edmonton Mall.

Tonights Agenda includes getting drunk on "Bourbon Street" in the Mall.

If you live in the Edmonton Area, and want to party with the Vampyres, you can catch up to us tonight...

Watch for the RedHeaded Vampyress on Bourbon Street, in West Ed Mall!

(feel free to ask for a signed copy of my book!)

xoxoxo
CG

Vampyre Aging Conference Last Night...

2006-01-20T16:09:18Z

Vampyre Aging Conference Last Night...
was a bust.

Well... mostly....

6 of us showed up...Sanguinarius, SphynxcatVP, Teezer, Moonchild,

Wings in the Night (Wingsey) and myself.

We DID chat for over an hour, but I am NOT posting THAT log! LOL..

its NOT for young or male eyes! (go figure.. 6 vampyre women, alone

for a couple of hours...)

We did discuss:
(highlights plucked from log)

*Jonathon Sharkey
*The idocey of a Bus driver being fired for being Pagan
*appropriate forms of torture
*sexual and physcial abuse in Genetically Vampiric Families
*vampiric pregnacies (by request)
*miscarriages in vampyres
*blood subs for older vampyres.. ARE there really ANY?
*theorized why some people are BORN awake
*old family stories about vampyric relatives
* recognizing vamps by vibe stories
*which Male vampyre we'd most like to see Naked.
(and the rest was fun gossip and stuff we're not telling you about)

The 2nd Aging Conference will be reschedualed for next month
If you didn't get an invite, or you want to make SURE I remember to

send you one for the next get together, and you are OVER 35,
please email ladycg@gmail.com to insure your invite!

Thank you!
Lady CG

Changing Gears on my LJ... will now carry my Vampish updates!

2006-01-18T20:21:52Z

When I built this forum I told myself I'd only use it for NON Vampyre updates...

As it turns out... my family prefers to get thier updates (sans vampyre material) from my msn myspace, where they can see SCADS of pics of my grandchildren. (go figure)

So... I will be moving ALL vampish materials OFF my msn space and putting those updates HERE. My msn will become a Vamp Free Zone, for my very fundamental christian father and his relatives / friends.
It only seems fair, since he never bugs me about my Vampish activities (which is most likely because he lives 2000 miles away)

So look for more of "CGs Hairbrained Project Updates" here, in the future, or check out my Blogs on www.myspace.com or on Yahoo 360, or on Xanga.
(how DO people keep up with the number of free blogs, these days? YIKES!)

.. and remember.. This LJ is no longer a Vamp free zone!