Excerpt from the Real-Vampires Community Alliance Guide to Safer Bloodletting, written by Sylvere:
Before you begin, you should prepare a first-aid kit. Include antiseptic mouthwash, antibacterial ointment or spray for aftercare; Band-Aids or another brand of sterile bandages for punctures and small cuts; nonstick, sterile gauze pads and medical tape for larger wounds; and latex gloves. You should also purchase one or more puncture-resistant plastic containers to dispose of your sharp instruments or to store them for sterilization later. You can get these from medical suppliers. Take this kit with you if there is even the slightest chance you might feed. Like the Boy Scouts, you should always be prepared. We also advise taking a class in basic first aid in case of accidents. Learn as much as you can about anatomy so you'll know where the major veins and arteries are and be able to avoid them.
Peter Rugg reporter's notebook, 12/19/08:
I'm sitting in the Winstead's by the Plaza waiting for a group of people I've never met. It's the monthly meeting of Gathering Dusk, a Midwest meet-up club that's primarily for people who identify themselves as vampires.
I realize, when they arrive, that I wouldn't give half of them a second glance if I saw them on the street; the other half look as I'd expect a vampire to look in Kansas City in 2008: lots of black clothing and eyeliner and lipstick. For most, it's a good look.
The oldest is Sylvere, 38, who's dressed for comfort tonight rather than in gothic style. She has gone by the name Sylvere since high school, when she picked up the nickname because her fashion tastes favored silver tones. She wasn't immediately agreeable to a story on local vampires. "I won't be set up as the local freak of the week, if that's your angle," she had written me. "I have my family's welfare to consider."
She has dark hair and eyes, and her features are birdlike in a pleasant way. She has run this group for almost four years and has finally agreed to introduce me to local vampires. The press has approached her before. Because the online community of vampires isn't that big and not many are as willing as Sylvere is to out themselves, she has been approached by a British documentary crew, been called for interviews on programs like The Tyra Banks Show, and had her account of vampire life included in anthologies from new-age publishing houses.
Though they call themselves vampires, not all drink blood. They tell me that there are different classifications of people who genuinely believe they need more than food. The most common are psi-vampires, such as Sylvere, who say they drink in the energy from surrounding people and willing donors. Then there are the real blood drinkers, called sanguinarians. As they explain blood classifications to me, I wonder if their way of life would sound more acceptable if they presented it as a fetish rather than a health issue.
They describe it a health issue because most claim to feel fatigued if they don't have a decent feeding every once in a while. Bright sunlight can cause them to burn badly and quickly, though this seems a common problem for many light-skinned nonvampires, too. Religious icons don't bother them. That doesn't mean they don't have opinions about religion: When Sylvere says she hopes to work in publishing and I mention a local Christian company, she insists that hardcore Christians don't "agree with rational thought."
Fewer than 10 of us are sitting at a table in the back of the restaurant. On my left is Sylvere, who starts polling the group as to whether the 1950s-themed diner would be a good spot for future meetings. It has two of the group's most important requirements: open to all ages and open late. They vote yes.
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Well, if candlemagick says it's true...then it must be...
Here is my take on the vampire story...I feel a sense of despair for these people who have a adopted a thought, taken it as truth, and convinced themselves that it is reality. I ask them to remember the moment they were first presented the notion that they were vampires and engaged in these behaviors, in that moment they may be able to remember what it was like to be a normal human being, just trying to sort life out. Adopting this macabre, evil, destructive way of life is in no way healing, to you, or those around you. This is, put in the the most elementary of terms, sick. But don't despair, it does not define you and just as you lobbed the burden of a vampire lifestyle on your back, you can easily throw it to the ground and walk away. It will call you though, scream to you, beg you to come back and carry it again, until it kills you, the key is, getting far enough away that you cannot hear it's plea. Your mind and body needs to heal from this effects this lifestyle affords. You must stay away from anyone in this circle, find new friends, new music, new surroundings...seek GOD. If you knock, HE will and answer. If you read this story and your heart fills with anger and you wish you knew who I was so that you could lash out at me, I apologize...this comment is not directed to you. But there will be some that read this and find their heart begin to hope, some may even cry and find it hard to read beyond their tears, for you, this comment is directed and should be received as God speaking directly to you. For you should know that there is a mighty plan for you life, there is a path you are destined to take, it is a narrow path but one filled with peace. Let go of what's behind and stretch your arms out to the Savior, Christ Jesus, the Lion of Judah, the King and Rock of ages, He will do the rest. Godspeed.
Well, if candlemagick says it's true...then it must be... Here is my take on the vampire story...I feel a sense of despair for these people who have a adopted a thought, taken it as truth, and convinced themselves that it is reality. I ask them to remember the moment they were first presented the notion that they were vampires and engaged in these behaviors, in that moment they may be able to remember what it was like to be a normal human being, just trying to sort life out. Adopting this macabre, evil, destructive way of life is in no way healing, to you, or those around you. This is, put in the the most elementary of terms, sick. But don't despair, it does not define you and just as you lobbed the burden of a vampire lifestyle on your back, you can easily throw it to the ground and walk away. It will call you though, scream to you, beg you to come back and carry it again, until it kills you, the key is, getting far enough away that you cannot hear it's plea. Your mind and body needs to heal from this effects this lifestyle affords. You must stay away from anyone in this circle, find new friends, new music, new surroundings...seek GOD. If you knock, HE will and answer. If you read this story and your heart fills with anger and you wish you knew who I was so that you could lash out at me, I apologize...this comment is not directed to you. But there will be some that read this and find their heart begin to hope, some may even cry and find it hard to read beyond their tears, for you, this comment is directed and should be received as God speaking directly to you. For you should know that there is a mighty plan for you life, there is a path you are destined to take, it is a narrow path but one filled with peace. Let go of what's behind and stretch your arms out to the Savior, Christ Jesus, the Lion of Judah, the King and Rock of ages, He will do the rest. Godspeed.
this is my contact(icq) 355393753, and contact(icq) my 2 friends -
451322839 and 483657812 and http://my.mail.ru/mail/battler... !!!!!!i and my friend searching really vampire !!!whatever drunk blood and kill people!i know what this vampire exist !!!i know it!!!please telling us or whriting us please really vampire !!!!
this is my contact(icq) 355393753, and contact(icq) my 2 friends - 451322839 and 483657812 and http://my.mail.ru/mail/battleready/ !!!!!!i and my friend searching really vampire !!!whatever drunk blood and kill people!i know what this vampire exist !!!i know it!!!please telling us or whriting us please really vampire !!!!
Thank you so much for this article, and for writing it with honesty and integrity; Instead of it being a caraciture of real vampires. Vampirism is really an issue with many people and its frustrating to hear people go on and on about how cool it would be OR about how fake they think it is. Having recently moved, I have yet to notice any sangs/psi's in my area but they sort of abounded where I used to live. My last friend was a vamp and was constantly in and out of the doctors for all sorts of things. One day she explained her symptoms to me, and after I told her she could be a sanguinarian, it all clicked for her. She has yet to find a donor however, and is constantly fatigued. I've seen how it affects people and its not the dark, sexy, carefree thing most take it to be...It's pretty tough. But thank you for really respecting them and trying to understand; It deserves to be in the spotlight, but just the way it is. No more or less.
Btw, to those who completely write it off as fake:do your research. Looki it up; its often considerd its own medical condition you know. And anyway, writing off any and every thing that seems silly to you or that you don't understand is not only silly itself, it's dangerous. Educate yourself before you write something off at face value.
Peace
Thank you so much for this article, and for writing it with honesty and integrity; Instead of it being a caraciture of real vampires. Vampirism is really an issue with many people and its frustrating to hear people go on and on about how cool it would be OR about how fake they think it is. Having recently moved, I have yet to notice any sangs/psi's in my area but they sort of abounded where I used to live. My last friend was a vamp and was constantly in and out of the doctors for all sorts of things. One day she explained her symptoms to me, and after I told her she could be a sanguinarian, it all clicked for her. She has yet to find a donor however, and is constantly fatigued. I've seen how it affects people and its not the dark, sexy, carefree thing most take it to be...It's pretty tough. But thank you for really respecting them and trying to understand; It deserves to be in the spotlight, but just the way it is. No more or less.
Btw, to those who completely write it off as fake:do your research. Looki it up; its often considerd its own medical condition you know. And anyway, writing off any and every thing that seems silly to you or that you don't understand is not only silly itself, it's dangerous. Educate yourself before you write something off at face value.
Peace
Thank you so much for this article, and for writing it with honesty and integrity; Instead of it being a caraciture of real vampires. Vampirism is really an issue with many people and its frustrating to hear people go on and on about how cool it would be OR about how fake they think it is. Having recently moved, I have yet to notice any sangs/psi's in my area but they sort of abounded where I used to live. My last friend was a vamp and was constantly in and out of the doctors for all sorts of things. One day she explained her symptoms to me, and after I told her she could be a sanguinarian, it all clicked for her. She has yet to find a donor however, and is constantly fatigued. I've seen how it affects people and its not the dark, sexy, carefree thing most take it to be...It's pretty tough. But thank you for really respecting them and trying to understand; It deserves to be in the spotlight, but just the way it is. No more or less. Btw, to those who completely write it off as fake:do your research. Looki it up; its often considerd its own medical condition you know. And anyway, writing off any and every thing that seems silly to you or that you don't understand is not only silly itself, it's dangerous. Educate yourself before you write something off at face value. Peace
Thank you so much for this article, and for writing it with honesty and integrity; Instead of it being a caraciture of real vampires. Vampirism is really an issue with many people and its frustrating to hear people go on and on about how cool it would be OR about how fake they think it is. Having recently moved, I have yet to notice any sangs/psi's in my area but they sort of abounded where I used to live. My last friend was a vamp and was constantly in and out of the doctors for all sorts of things. One day she explained her symptoms to me, and after I told her she could be a sanguinarian, it all clicked for her. She has yet to find a donor however, and is constantly fatigued. I've seen how it affects people and its not the dark, sexy, carefree thing most take it to be...It's pretty tough. But thank you for really respecting them and trying to understand; It deserves to be in the spotlight, but just the way it is. No more or less. Btw, to those who completely write it off as fake:do your research. Looki it up; its often considerd its own medical condition you know. And anyway, writing off any and every thing that seems silly to you or that you don't understand is not only silly itself, it's dangerous. Educate yourself before you write something off at face value. Peace
Hello everyone my name is Candlemagick and I like witchcraft and vampires, and pagan religions, I watch all the movies and read all the books about vampires, I think that everyone should learn all about vampires. Why? because it is the thing to be.. If you take like the Movie called Twilight that movie is a true movie, about vampires
Hello everyone my name is Candlemagick and I like witchcraft and vampires, and pagan religions, I watch all the movies and read all the books about vampires, I think that everyone should learn all about vampires. Why? because it is the thing to be.. If you take like the Movie called Twilight that movie is a true movie, about vampires
Hello everyone my name is Candlemagick and I like witchcraft and vampires, and pagan religions, I watch all the movies and read all the books about vampires, I think that everyone should learn all about vampires. Why? because it is the thing to be.. If you take like the Movie called Twilight that movie is a true movie, about vampires
Hello everyone my name is Candlemagick and I like witchcraft and vampires, and pagan religions, I watch all the movies and read all the books about vampires, I think that everyone should learn all about vampires. Why? because it is the thing to be.. If you take like the Movie called Twilight that movie is a true movie, about vampires
Well, I read this article, and it made me sad. I mean, I suppose it could be a fad, but those interviewed seem to be lifers. I am not really sure that there is anything wrong with the whole thing, I just think that for many its a control issue...and it is very sexualized, which screams DANGER. Before I got to the part where Lisa explained that she had been sexually assaulted at a young age, I thought to myself that she must have been abused in some way, and that this was a self-punishing coping mechanism that helped her feel like she was in control of someone else, and therefore herself...
Really, I don't wish to pass judgement (to each their own) but I worry that this and vampiric popular culture could lead to some really screwed up kids and adults.
Well, I read this article, and it made me sad. I mean, I suppose it could be a fad, but those interviewed seem to be lifers. I am not really sure that there is anything wrong with the whole thing, I just think that for many its a control issue...and it is very sexualized, which screams DANGER. Before I got to the part where Lisa explained that she had been sexually assaulted at a young age, I thought to myself that she must have been abused in some way, and that this was a self-punishing coping mechanism that helped her feel like she was in control of someone else, and therefore herself... Really, I don't wish to pass judgement (to each their own) but I worry that this and vampiric popular culture could lead to some really screwed up kids and adults.
Good for you Mr Rugg, for letting real vampires tell their story and not sensationalizing the myriad subjects they touched upon that you could have exploited. This was an endearing, fair, and honest glimpse and I applaud you!
What Ms. Dana from Albuquerque says is only partly right.
I have met vampires, both psychic and sanguine. There are many people who just want to be part of something, and will convince themselves of nearly anything if it means they're "in". I've been there myself. But there is a qualitative difference between wanna-be's and honest to God vampires. There is a real and abiding need, which is only satisfied in one way: taking in the substance of their need. Not desire, not wishful thinking.
I know people who tried to avoid it, who stopped satisfying this need. Some of them nearly died of exhaustion and health problems from heart arrhythmias to organ shutdown. But when they fed, everything cleared up. Immediate results, or at most a week or so to recover fully.
Yes, there are people playing at it, playing a dangerous game where people who think they have power are taking advantage and being taken advantage of. This is a risk in ANY social group with any kind of mystique or knowledge outside the mainstream. But understand: sometimes, it's real. And denying it doesn't make it go away.
Good for you Mr Rugg, for letting real vampires tell their story and not sensationalizing the myriad subjects they touched upon that you could have exploited. This was an endearing, fair, and honest glimpse and I applaud you!
What Ms. Dana from Albuquerque says is only partly right. I have met vampires, both psychic and sanguine. There are many people who just want to be part of something, and will convince themselves of nearly anything if it means they're "in". I've been there myself. But there is a qualitative difference between wanna-be's and honest to God vampires. There is a real and abiding need, which is only satisfied in one way: taking in the substance of their need. Not desire, not wishful thinking. I know people who tried to avoid it, who stopped satisfying this need. Some of them nearly died of exhaustion and health problems from heart arrhythmias to organ shutdown. But when they fed, everything cleared up. Immediate results, or at most a week or so to recover fully. Yes, there are people playing at it, playing a dangerous game where people who think they have power are taking advantage and being taken advantage of. This is a risk in ANY social group with any kind of mystique or knowledge outside the mainstream. But understand: sometimes, it's real. And denying it doesn't make it go away.
What I took away from this article which wasted 20 minutes of my life that I will never get back is a bunch of losers....yeah losers that are pissed because kids and other losers want to be vampires. When people should know that they are "Real" vampires and these new wanna-be's are doing it because it is a fad. And not real like them.
Don't they realize that they are all doing this for a fad and it is "role" playing. You aren't a fucking vampire you are just another person looking to be involved with anything, something..........its is just another organization that thinks it knows better than the similar like minded organization that isn't really vampires because it isn't their organization. It sounds a lot like the Christian churches if you ask me.
Has anyone forgot about the "fad" When lost boys came out to the movies in the 80's. Or how about the 90's when Anne Rice ruled and everyone wanted to be Lestat.
So give me a fucking break already......be a vampire let the other people be vampires who cares. Oh and try not to be a snob about it all.
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