Amalgamated, Decimated, Desiccated and Expounded by Tim
So, how did everyone make it through Halloween? Okay? A little something for the headache afterwards perhaps…hmmmmm?
Well, guess that means…
Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha..!!!
We certainly hope your balls were spectacular…!!!
Now, they tell me that around about now I’m supposed to be gettin’ ready to eat turkey… gotta share a secret with ya – I don’t like them birds…!!!
There ya go… that’s the best it gets…
TIME TO MAKE SUM FUCKIN’ NOIZE…!
OI… gotta throw a reminder out there, there’s a gig comin’ up that it’d be well worth getting involved with…
Img. courtesy of Vampire Court of Dallas
Mike Burgess and our good friends at the VCD are holding a winter event and toy drive, even if you can’t make the event please think about donating to the toy drive. Contact the VCD for details of how to make ‘out of state’ donations. The Toy Drive benefits The New Beginnings Center of Garland.
The Vampire Court of Dallas presents:
KRAMPUS NACHT 2: WINTER’S RETURN
– A Holiday Toy Drive Benefiting The New Beginnings Center of Garland.
Sunday, December 9th. – Doors open: 9pm
Your Host: May May Graves
Featuring:
Wild Bill’s Ugly Sweater Party in the Video Bar and Joe Virus in the Main Room.
With performances by:
Dead Girl Circus, Arty Dodger, Toni Tabasco, Scarlette D’Vine
Also featuring:
*Vendors for Last Minute Christmas Shopping
*Fangs by Blacksmith Fangs (Houston)
*Krampus Costume Contest at the end of the night with prizes from Cat Dillon
and Dan Miga Designs
*Roving Performers by The Krampus Society
*And Much More!
Suggested Dress Code: Christmas Goth, German Folk, Christmas Horror, Krampus, Winter Horror, Traditional Goth
Admission: $10 over / $15 under 21 – $5 off with Church Dog Tags
Free Drink (1 per individual) with Donation of New/Unwrapped Toy!
Venue: The Church, 2424 Swiss Ave.
Info: thechurchdallas.com
Social Media: thechurchdallas
Info: vampirecourtofdallas.org
Social Media: thevampirecourtofdallas
GO ON, GET INVOLVED AND MAKE SOMEONE’S CHRISTMAS…
Which reminds me, yeh, right, like we had our first snow of the season in this neck of the woods last night… WooooHoooo…!!! It’s comin’ and I’m dreaming of a…
MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA…!!!
That’s fuckin’ right kids, only 54 shopping days left starting tomorrow…!!!
EAT THIS CHUCK…!!!
Ohhhhh yeah, you better believe I’m outta control, kicked the tires and lit the fires already like…!!!
So what better time to get to the most popular portion of our show… yup, you got it…
Img. source: Target
THE WEEKLY BIATCH…!!!
Right, yeh, so… you might have read the editorial I wrote entitled “So, you want to mentor the newly awakened?”… a lot of stuff in there about commitment from the mentor’s side of the fence, that was because I’d run across some stories of people who were not treated well, fairly or, in my ever-so-humble opinion, effectively by persons claiming to be “mentors”.
Well, that got me thinking y’know… commitment… y’know, that thing that you give away freely when you make a PROMISE to do something. Well, turns out that a lot of folks like jumping on “bandwagons” in our culture but when the “pushie” “shovey” bits come… yeh, melt away like first season’s snow flakes right? Probably every person in the culture who has ever had, run, formed, coordinated or administered a group in the VC, online or off, could probably treat you to a litany of “losses” when it comes to getting people to commit to anything… why is that?
Why do you think that it is so difficult, nay, damn near impossible to get people to commit themselves to any project, exercise or activity within the VC most of the time?
Do you think it’s because, with the exception of local, active and interactive groups, NOBODY REALLY GIVES A FLYING FUCK?
Go on. tell me you’ve NEVER gotten that feeling…
So, then, naturally, the next question becomes, “Why should I give a fuck?” You wouldn’t be… *snigger*… human if you didn’t entertain that thought and I suppose that, when you really get down to it it’s a case of the old, “If it doesn’t directly, materially, affect me and improve my life why should I give a shit?” syndrome.
The biggest question of all then becomes, “What the living fuck are we doing here at all?”
Jus’ sayin’…
More beer, more smoke, MORE FUCKIN’ NOIZE…!!!
….annnnnd a song here for my beautiful Vampwife Lady M…
…annnnnnd one for all the heartstringers out there… go on, grab your special significant other and get yer groove on…
Be good, stay well and safe and fed…!!!
Copyright T & RVL, 2018
NB: Where used, quoted portions of other works are reproduced by permission, or under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, wherein allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
This article may be linked to but may not be copied or reproduced, nor redistributed in any manner, including electronic without the express permission of the copyright owners.
The views and opinions presented in this article are the opinions of the author and/or contributors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of The Owner/s of RVL, their officers, assigns or agents. RVL and its officers do not personally, individually, or jointly necessarily recommend or condone any of the activities or practices represented.
In 2003 the renowned Lady CG, of Darkened Mirror, wrote an article entitled, “Putting your vampyric life together – or – how to be a whole, happy, well-adjusted vampyre“, and the opening to this article was priceless…
“So you’ve discovered you’re a vampyre, and right now it feels like it sucks to be you. Every older vampyre like myself, still remembers what it felt like to be the “newly awakened”, and you’re right… it can suck. You’re hungry, you’re depressed, you want to rebel against your parents and the world in general. (And it’s not a feeling restricted ONLY to youth… we older folks just rebel against different things, since our parents shouldn’t be the problem once we get out on our own). You don’t fit in with most circles of normal peers, light hurts your eyes, people say you’re weird…. You feel like a complete outcast, or maybe you just feel like you don’t fit in anywhere…. Life hurts. A lot, and frequently.
I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be like that. I’m here to tell you… it gets better.”
~ Lady CG
Who is there that can help you with this?
We all have, or have had at some point in our lives, teachers. The people who guide and form our thinking and our perceptions about the world we inhabit and where we fit into it. These teachers started with our parents, then, perhaps, our siblings, our friends at school and in the workplace and then, for some of us, those who discover their true nature as being a modern living Vampire, Therian or Otherkin and that is the point where the “Mentor”, in our particular context, comes in.
A lot of people in the culture will tell, “Oh yes, I’ve been a real living Vampire for X number of years, I can teach you…!”– Is this actually true?
There are indeed many people in our midst who have mentored a newcomer, a newly awakened youngster, many have done so a number of times and so forth but how do you become a mentor? Is it years of experience as that which you are teaching about? Is there some ‘Hogwarts’ type school to go to and qualify in “Mentorship”? Can you take an online course and become a mentor? What is it that makes a “mentor” successful, or unsuccessful?
Img. Source: ULoop
As in any teaching relationship the teacher, or mentor, must first identify what it is the student is seeking. This, in and of itself, can be a complicated and delicate process. I have had the honour to be a mentor to three persons in my life since awakening. One discovered they were not “kin” at all but were an energy worker. One decided that they were not cut out for the online VC, nor even the society of other Vampires and continues to this day, as far as I know, to follow a very happy, secluded and private path. The third turned out to be someone who wanted to be an immortal, undead, ruler of the night – nuff said there.
The point of this is that these facets were discovered within the first three months of the process.
The initial contact between potential student and potential mentor is a delicate balancing act. The newcomer is unsure about themselves, uncertain about the whole “kin” thing, possibly mistrusting if they have been flipped off by others in the culture already, or if they have been ordered to, “go away and read!”
A true mentor is going to take the time to strike up, firstly, an acquaintanceship with the student. Finding common ground, common interests, is always a good thing. Listening to what the potential student has to say, in whatever way and order it comes is, to my mind, an indispensable step in the whole process. The mentor/student relationship is one that must be based in truth, trust and, above all, honesty. It’s no good lying to someone and telling them, “Oh yes, I can sense great power in you… you are most certainly marked with the sign of the Vampire/Wolf/Otherkin etc.” What’s that going to achieve except for confusing the potential student, turning them into a boorish asshat who tromps about the place annoying the fuck out of everyone and telling everyone that you taught them everything they know and are… see… karma, it’ll bite you in the ass so it’s much better to keep it honest and above board from the get go.
Img. Source: theypi.net
To my mind the Mentor needs to have the same things as any teacher/mentor does in real life, and I say this from the point of view of having trained warehouse employees and apprentices in mechanical and industrial workshops. The ‘mentor’ needs to have commitment to ensuring the best outcome for the student. The mentor needs to keep the student’s natural “exuberance” in check – what’s the old saying, “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” and a mentor needs to teach, by example, proper conduct.
We asked the honoured Lupa Gunnr MacPhee Lykaios of Gotham, “Have you had experience in mentoring newly awakened persons?” and, “”What do you think are the three most important attributes that a Vampyre culture mentor needs to have to positively mentor a newcomer?”
LG:Yes, I have had the pleasure of mentoring, Siring and guiding many newcomers: here in Gotham I mainly focus on newly awakened Fera or wolf. However having been Sired and awakened by a Vampire Lord O MacPhee, I am able to teach those who seek guidance in Vampyric ways
Transparency, genuine intent, selflessness
Without these it’ would be near impossible to truly expect anyone to listen and absorb all that they could learn.
It’s not good enough to say, “Do as I say, not as I do” that simply creates a conflict and confusion within the learning cycle. If you are going to be unruly while mentoring then you must clearly acknowledge that this is a fault of yours and is not the way you wish your student to act.
Kage Adamant-O’Mallie Asotus offered the opinion that;
“Integrity, inspiration and communication… Mentoring much like Siring, is a two way street and cannot be achieved without; honesty, motivation and an open line of communication.”
While Prince-Lord Shaolin Asura MacPhee opined that a good mentor needs to, “[Be] Patient, [Have] knowledge and willing not only to hear but LISTEN.”
All most excellent points and observations and yet there are so many that profess, or have professed to be “Sire”, “Siress” or “Mentor” that have led their charges to chaos and confusion that it seems there are those who would rather go into the deal with their own ego in mind rather than the knowledge of what’s best for the newly awakened.
We contacted Magistra Xia, of the Ordo Omnia, who offered the following response,
“Three most important attributes willingness to learn and apply techniques , open mind and putting ego aside , determination to try , try again .
My mentors I would say did a disservice all except one. I think in today’s day and age mentors are offering more support to their students. The old format was like a mother bird tossing the Young out of the nest and seeing if they could fly. The old format I think served its purpose but at the same time probably lost some students along the way who could have offered more in return if they were eased into some of the practices over time.
As far as what I required I wasn’t taught to vet my superiors. My arts training sort of contributed to my mentality of trusting those who were teaching me. Again I would hope that the students of today approach their mentors with deepened respect but a solid mind-set to leave if something was awry or wrong.”
Magstra Xia of the Ordo Omnia
Self Defence for the Student.
Unfortunately this is going to be a very necessary part of the mentoring of any newcomer. The modern Vampire culture is awash with conflict, with argument, with dare I say it “Drama” and the newcomer, in order to be a solid and “respectable” citizen, needs to be able to recognise the what, when and where of avoiding this. In the event that they found themselves caught up in it they need to know how, when and where to fight back. It’s sad but its reality both in the online and offline culture.
How many times did someone slip me that hoary old line, “If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen”, to which my unfailing response used to be to toss in another match or capful of the proverbial gasoline. This is something that is not recommended however, remember the “Do as I say not as I do” adage…
Self-assurance is the main thing that needs to be instilled and built up in the student. With a strong sense of self and a strong sense of the ability and self-determination that every person has within them the student will develop their own methods and ways, which goes without saying and the mentor has the duty of ensuring that this innate ability is channelled in the most beneficial way for the student. Remember, the seeker is not there for your glorification as mentor, you are there for their betterment and benefit.
Copyright Tim/RVL 2018
Grateful acknowledgement goes to; Lady CG of Darkened Mirror Lupa Gunnr MacPhee Lykaios, Kage Adamant-O’Mallie Asotus and Prince-Lord Shaolin Asura MacPhee of the Gotham Halo.
Magistra Xia of the Ordo Omnia
NB: Where used, quoted portions of other works are reproduced by permission, or under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, wherein allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
This article may be linked to but may not be copied or reproduced, nor redistributed in any manner, including electronic without the express permission of the copyright owners.
The views and opinions presented in this article are the opinions of the author and/or contributors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of The Owner/s of RVL, their officers, assigns or agents. RVL and its officers do not personally, individually, or jointly necessarily recommend or condone any of the activities or practices represented.
Been thinking about things Halloweenish lately… (No fucking kidding… DUH…!!!)
This is the first thing I thought about…
BITE
You talk, you dance, you laugh and drink, While in the shadows, dark things slink. In those closets where monsters were, The corners of your minds now aver.
The glitter and sound that swirls around, With dark senses, makes hearts pound. The taste and sense of bodies drawn close, That heady drug, a massive attack dose.
While shimm’ring beyond pools of light, Ever ready to dart in, draw blood in a bite. The wide eyed expectants hope to find, Salvation from boredom within dark kind.
Beware, beware that gentle dark night, When All Hallows stretches senses tight. We are waiting, circling, with delight, Now you dance in our hell, with one bite…!
copyright T. 2018
That’s a little something for all the “wannabe’s” that’ll be out and about this weekend in their funny clothes and heavy make-up… have a wonderful time won’t you…
Oooooh, wasn’t that bitchy? Care factor – fucking zero, i’m in a bitchy mood today so deal with it…!
…annnnnnd I feel like making sum NOIIIIIIIZE…!!!
For ANYONE that’s EVER been, or felt, DIFFERENT…!!!
You know, there comes time when some things are just more trouble than they’re worth yeah? Ever come across one of those things? Jobs, Cars, Getting out of bed, Facebook… etc.
So, in accordance with that precept we’ve shut down our Facebook portal… I mean, let’s “face” it (very punny eh?) Facebook has done more harm to the modern Vampire Culture than any other single event or process ever did. In fact, to be quite honest, yeah, let’s try that for a change eh? – Facebook, for something that started out as a “good” idea, Facebook has fucked up more lives and situations than any other single thing in the history of history. Just go and Google search some Facebook “bads”… you’ll see there’s only one possible conclusion.
That’s why we now have modern Vampires, with all their experience and knowledge, hanging around on fucking Gamer chat platforms… fer chrissakes already – does that put our people in the same league as momma’s basement dwelling, pop-tart stuffing, socially retarded gamers? What happened to dignity? Or… hey…maybe that means that the “gamers”, dare I say it… the “roleplayers”, now have a legitimate “in” to the modern culture?
It’s especially concerning when you hear reports of good, solid, respectable modern culture people being harangued, slapped down and insulted at the hands of the people in these “channels” and especially disquieting when you hear stories that it’s one or more of the supposed ‘moderators’ doing it… you REALLY wanna be there? Really?
Sheesh, as if things weren’t bad enough around the place…!!! Anarchy in the V.C. ???
Yeah, right on John…!!!
So, what’s next on the agenda… mmmm…mmmmm… more “social commentary”…. hmmmm…
Oh, yeh, yeh, that’s a thing…
Have you been following the latest MedSang Saga??? y’know, the one about manifesto’s, counter-manifesto’s, betrayals, excommunications, underhanded skullduggery, apologies, swipes and counter-swipes along with seemingly endless reams of “why’s and wherefore’s” about the whole thing?
I gotta be honest with ya, it’s getting worse than the Walking Dead… worse than General Hospital, worse than The Young and The Restless… I mean fuck me sideways people, really? An internal issue, a COMMON issue in just about every single group that’s ever been, or ever will be, in the culture and it’s getting bigger than Ben Hur?
I mean, why the sudden transparency and urgency to discuss internal politics by a faction which, historically, has pretty much rejected every single person who ISN’T absolutely in agreement with their “manifesto”???
Holy Fuck, suck it up and go back to your lives citizens…!!!
Y’see… these angelic little boys WERE prophets yeah?
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh we’re on a roll now aren’t we *manic giggle* but y’know the hoary old saying, “Some things just need to be said”… ’bout time we just stopped thinking it and stepped up right?
Oh-kayyyyy, we’re off to… ummm… ahhhh, here’s a good one
Yeah, I think we’ll make this time for… you got it… your favourite part of the show…
img. source: Vector Stock
THE WEEKLY BEE-AHHHHHHHHTCH…!!!
Okay, we have this wonderful, amazing, swirling, roiling, boiling, rockin’ an-ah rollin’ thing called the Modern Vampire Culture. (Known fact)
Within this splendid amalgam of social microcosm we have a myriad of individuals who are walking many paths, following many faiths, credos, manifestos ec. etc. etc. We have Havens, Houses, Temples. Cults and so forth – We have Elders, Leaders, Magisters, Matriarchs, Patriarchs, Lords, Princes, Goddesses, Kings and Queens who (sometimes) have some semblance of control over what goes on in their “Houses” and battle for influence without… they fight a war for the hearts and minds of “the people”, persuading the persuadable to betray, divulge, delete, blacklist and generally “create anarchy” to unbalance their rivals… sound familiar?
Yep – it’s called The VC
Now, at the ground level, within this this magnificent melting pot we have the “members”, the proletariat, the “public” who are being fought over with grandiose schemes, proclamations and edicts, manifestos, creeds and vast, oft times unintelligible “speeches” and rhetoric… yes, it’s like a sad semblance of the Imperial Roman Empire of antiquity but without a Senate…!!!
And you know what? PEOPLE DON’T REALLY GIVE A FLYING FUCK ABOUT IT ALL…Y’all driving away more good people with the stupid games and bullshit than at any other time in the history of the whole thing.
Really, people, in general (and I’m speaking from a vast range of comments that I personally have received) are really, really, really sick and tired of it. So, just think on that for a minute – build your empires, hold your enclaves and develop your manifestos but at the end of the day WHAT GOOD IS HAVING AN EMPIRE WHEN THERE’S NO ONE IN IT BECAUSE THEY THINK YOU ARE A PRIZE DICK…???
Nuff said…
Prophecy, Prophecy, Prophecy…
Img. source: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” Produzioni Europee Associate (PEA) (Produzioni Europee Associati – Rome) Arturo González Producciones Cinematográficas (co-production) and Constantin Film 1967
Mmmmmmmm… this is gettin’ juicy ain’t it? Probably should throw in a midpoint disclaimer here… L-fuckin’-O-L (Yeah, I’m bein’ a prick today…!!!)
“The views and opinions presented in this article are the opinions of the author and/or contributors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of The Owner/s of RVL, their officers, assigns or agents. RVL and its officers do not personally, individually, or jointly necessarily recommend or condone any of the activities or practices represented.” (Ref: RVL Website Disclaimer)
Okayyyyyyy…
Meme by T.
There’s something else that’s been in the back of my mind for months and goes back to a little while back when my lady and I got suckered into a particular situation that turned out to be one the most heinous examples of bullshit, misrepresentation and psychological manipulation ever… Loyalty? Honesty? Integrity? – as we say in Australia – IN A PIG’S FUCKIN’ EYE…!!!
Okay, breaks down like this…
In our wild, weird and wonderful culture – as I mentioned earlier – there are many, many paths, trails, journeys etc. Everybody’s headin’ someplace, by some “road”, somehow and without reservation I wish everyone out there all the best of luck and good journey. I hold everybody to be free to follow whatever path – that’s one of the highest gifts you can give to another person, the right to be what they will.
Having said that, let’s say you go into a group, Haven, House, Temple…whatever… you go in because it is a – see above list – for Vampyres. When you get inside you find there are Vampyre-Therians, Vampire-Witches, Vampire-Fae, Otherkin, all kinds of folks in there – great…! Wonderful..! Amazing…! Vive la difference I say, it’s a chance to learn from other sub-cultural factions and celebrate the diversity in our modern culture – then it begins… “Oh, you should be a Vampire/Therian/Fae/Witch/Otherkin… especially if you’re going to be in our haven…! Let’s put you in with these fine folk…”
“WHOA…!!! Hold the boat… you said you honour ALL paths, right?”
“Yes but…”
“Hang on a minute, if you honour all paths, what about my path?”
“Yes, well, we are a more ‘spiritual/theological/esoteric/metaphysical’ (whatever) house”
“I’m a Vampyre”
“Yes, well, that’s fine, you can be a Vampire…we just think you need to be…”
“But I’m a Vampyre, just a Vampyre, that’s all… I don’t have any spirtual/esoteric/theological/magickal etc. interests… I just want to learn…”
“Well, of course you can learn, here, here, read this… it’s our handbook/manual/bible/manifesto… it’ll make everything clear to you dear.” “WHAT’S NOT CLEAR ABOUT I’M A FUCKING VAMPYRE? ARE YOU A FUCKING RETARD? ARE YOU BLIND? DEAF? HAVE YOU ACTUALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT I’VE SAID ABOUT MY PATH… A PATH THAT’S AS RESPECTABLE AS ANY OTHER? WHAT THE ACTUAL LIVING FUCK… HAVE YOU GOT TWO BRAINCELLS TO RUB TOGETHER???”
Yep, that’s actually happened to my wife and I on more than one occasion now and then, after you’ve done ALL the work you suddenly become the REAL BAD DUDE/DUDETTE and you’re fuckin’ shafted, rudely, with a blunt fucking sceptre…
Vintage metal sign – zazzle.com
Vampires/Vampyres who are just that – MOTHERFUCKING, A-GRADE, 100% REAL LIVING VAMPYRES… and you wonder why there’s so many “RONIN” vampyres around…!!!
img. source: Samuel L. Jackson in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” Miramax (presents) A Band Apart Jersey Films, 1994.
So, fair warning, all you would be “Emperors” who wanna turn us honest to goodness Real Living Vampyres (only, nothing else) into something else – BACK TH’ FUCK OFF – WE BITE…!!!
img. source: Punch drunk Sports
WOW…!!! Fuel dissension man, what a ride…!!! Yeah…fuckin’ sing along mothers…!!!
Betcha I can’t get this on our good friend Lady Sylvere’s Grumpy Vamp…!!!
Y’know, I’ve been “awakened” – if ya wanna use the term since 1979. Awakened as a Sanguinarian in the days before internet and Facebook and so forth, all we had then was each other, we didn’t have computers, we didn’t even have frickin’ cell phones – even in the darkest night we ALWAYS had each other. now we hear, from folks down NOLA way, the “spiritual” home of Vampires in the U.S. no less, that different factions will actually diss each other, in the street, in public as they go about their daily business. WTF is that???
There’ll be a whole load of you that are reading this and saying, “Yeah, yeah… blah, blah, blah… heard it all before…!”
Well, in the words of my sacred homekin…
T-Meme
FUCK YOU… We have fucked everything up and now we are heading toward leaving the mess to the younger generation. What are we going to leave to them?
img. source: Pond5
Yeah, exactly…
So, this is my message of warning to the younger ones, to the ones who will inherit, to the ones whom, hopefully, will build something better than we have…!
Yep, yep, yep, yep, yeppers…!!!
I feel so much better now, so much better because I know that there will be one person, maybe one only out of thousands, who will read this and it will help them make a better choice for them… when that happens I will know that my job has been done and done well. That’s about all we can ever hope for right?
So listen, everybody have a great Halloween, everyone be at peace, everyone think about stepping up and doing the right thing… above all… have some fuckin’ fun yeah?
Copyright T. & RVL, 2018 (except where otherwise noted)
NB: Where used, quoted portions of other works are reproduced by permission, or under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, wherein allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
This article may be linked to but may not be copied or reproduce, nor redistributed in any manner, including electronic without the express permission of the copyright owners.
The views and opinions presented in this article are the opinions of the author and/or contributors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of The Owner/s of RVL, their officers, assigns or agents. RVL and its officers do not personally, individually, or jointly necessarily recommend or condone any of the activities or practices represented.
There ya go… that’s the best it gets…
