Cedarcrest Sanctum

Thinking Inside the Box – Vampire Verisimilitude

November 27, 2016Leave a comment

Crypts and coffins go with Vampires like garages and cars — they have to be someplace when they’re not active, right?

I’ve mentioned before that immortals require a place to rest, one with a bed of earth and deep enough to be completely interred. It doesn’t require being covered, but a sense of safety is paramount; if you’ve seen any of those movies where the fools disturbing a Vampire at rest during the day realize we’re not actually sleeping, you’ve got the right bloody idea.

As a reminder of what immortal rest feels like: the blissful bit of time when you feel like you’re falling asleep right after you hit the snooze button because you don’t have to get up just yet? That… except you never fall completely asleep. You stay right there: comfortably numb.

But what about those times when you don’t want to get up but you don’t feel like resting?

Ah, modern conveniences to the rescue! Of course Vampires can see in extreme low-light conditions, but a reading light never hurts — nor does a back-lit video screen with an in-crypt high-speed wireless connection and a charging cradle. Finish a book, interact on social media, do some light shopping, or binge-watch a season on Netflix. When Vampires were cursed to spend their days confined to a crypt, I’ll bet the culprits never suspected science would supersede magic.

Pro-tip: set your mobile device to vibrate whenever you don’t need sound. Any audible alert when you’re sacked out makes you feel like someone will be standing over you with a stake when you open your eyes — you don’t need that kind of negativity in your eternity.

Take your power seriously. Keep each other safe.
~ Janiss

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Two Vampires Talk Politics – Daughters of Darkness

November 20, 2016November 22, 20164 Comments

2016daughtersofdarkness Janiss: Welcome to Daughters of Darkness, a candid discussion between two immortals, myself being almost three decades old —

Nancy: (interrupting) Including living years.

J: Right, and yourself being almost three centuries old by way of comparison… also including living years.

N: You’re not really calling it that, are you?

J: What? “Daughters of Darkness”? We are. We’re night folk. It’s clever, damn it — roll with it.

N: We’re just Vampires, Janiss. Please continue.

J: Right… cool. So, okay, we’re talking about the 2016 election —

N: If we have to. I see they misspelled our code names on the cocoa again.

J: (smirks) I told them to do that on purpose. You know, like when we first —

N: (patronizing) Of course you did.

J: I figured it could be a thing.

N: (sarcastic) Of course you did.

J: Ahem. Getting back to it, I voted for Hillary. Nancy, who did you vote for?

N: As I texted back to you: not Hillary.

J: So why’d you vote for the other guy?

N: The president-elect’s name is Donald J. Trump, and I didn’t vote for him, either.

J: (long pause) I’m… confused. When I asked you here —

N: You asked if I voted for Ms. Clinton.

J: Right. And you said…
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The Shepherd Wolf

November 13, 2016November 13, 2016Leave a comment

Every full moon, the wolf would appear to devour another sheep — it was the way of things.

Always at night and always hungry, the wolf would appear to chase the herd until one could run no longer. When it fell behind, the wolf took the weakest sheep into its powerful jaws and disappeared into the night.

While most of the sheep looked away, one did not. It watched, saw how frightened the other sheep were, and offered comfort to others.

But the wolf noticed the sheep that watched, and on the night when the moon became darkest, it came and took it away.

“Why do you watch?” the wolf asked, not yet having devoured the sheep.

“To understand,” it replied. “There must be a secret that can save us all.”

The wolf laughed. “I will reveal my secret, for it cannot save anyone.” With that, the wolf became a sheep.

“You’re one of us,” the sheep gasped.

“One need not be seen as a wolf all of the time, but it is ever what I am inside. You see such things and that is dangerous to me, but you will watch no longer.”

The wolf bit the sheep, and the sheep fell into a deep slumber.

When the sheep awoke, the wolf was gone, and so the sheep wandered back to the herd. No one in the herd had ever survived such an attack, and a few accused the sheep of bargaining with the wolf, for how else could it survive? The sheep denied the accusation but could not speak the whole truth, for it understood it would be shunned.

wolfchallenge On the next full moon, the wolf returned. When the herd scattered, the spared sheep did not run.

“Join the hunt,” the wolf commanded, and the sheep became a wolf as well.

The fear from the herd was palpable upon seeing two wolves, and the sheep smelled delicious to the predators, but the new wolf turned and faced the old wolf down.

“Why fight me when there are sheep for the taking?” the old wolf asked.

The new wolf answered, “Because I remember being one of the sheep, and I will watch no longer.”

And it became the way of things.

* * *

It felt like a parable kind of day today.

You can buy an art print of the image here.

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

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The More They Stay the Same – Vampire Verisimilitude

November 6, 20161 Comment

I can count on one finger the Vampires who are as new as I am (no, I didn’t do it). Most I know are decades or even centuries old.

I’m six in bloodsucker years. In human years, I’m twenty-eight years old as of yesterday… if you count up from the day of my birth. While I still look twenty-two, I notice mortals aging all around me.

Let me be clear: I. Notice. Everything.

I’ve become very good at concealing what I notice. If you decided to skip the shower or the deodorant last night or this morning, I’ll know. The smell of the last thing you ate on your breath? Most likely. The color fade of your favorite piece of clothing every time you wash it? Oh yes.

There’s more. Thinning or graying hair? Yep. Age spots? Wrinkles? Any change in weight, up or down? That, too.

And what do I see in the mirror? Not one single solitary change.

Every detail suggesting the passing of time in others is a reminder that, barring some horrible fate, I will see every living person I know die.

I know some Vampires who lament this, but I’ve reconciled with it. Life is short for all but a few immortals, and you have to make the most of the time you have with them because you know they’re not long for this Earth — even if you are.

The funny thing is, that should always be true… even if you’re not an immortal.

Meanwhile…

Birthday Meanings Of People Born On November 5th

zodiacscorpiomonster According to SunSigns.org (sounds like a bad place already): I should be extremely talented — I try to be the best Vampire I can be — and an excellent communicator. I supposedly have a talent for writing… yeah, sure. Hmm: generally a private person (check), likes to work alone, and doesn’t need to be popular (also check).

Being comfortable with myself is a very important aspect of who I am (you have no idea). “Charismatic” and “passionate” are two words that describe me (yes, I’m still reading this), listens to reason but goes with their gut (oh yeah). Scorpions want to marry early in life, probably to a long-time friend (skipping through this part)…

This thing is listing how I probably eat and my general physical condition. I’ll note here it doesn’t mention an all-liquid diet or that I’m essentially the animated dead, but it does say I’d be great in the community relations field… blah blah blah writing again.

Red is my lucky color (also green) and a deck of Tarot cards makes an ideal gift for me (meh). Apparently, I am also quite secretive (nailed it).

Keep each other safe. And vote on Tuesday.

~ Janiss

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Halloween, Ohio – Vampire Verisimilitude

October 30, 2016Leave a comment

btvsspike “In my day, no self-respecting creature of the night went out on All Hallow’s Eve. We left that to the posers, the blighters who had to dress up and try to be scary.” ~ Spike, “Angel”

Tomorrow night is the official Trick ‘r Treating — on All Hallow’s Eve, as it should be — 6:00pm to 7:30pm in the town I grew up.

Sunset is about 22 minutes after that… and I’ll be awake.

There’s little or no chance of rain today or tomorrow in the city of St. Clairsville, Ohio; highs in the mid 50s, perfect for going door-to-door in costume for candy. Neighborhoods like the one I grew up in are perfect for Trick ‘r Treating because it’s too far to walk out to my Gramma’s house in West Virginia.

halloweenpumpkins So why won’t I be in Glenville or at Cedarcrest Sanctum this weekend? I felt like a bit of a reset. I see my folks on Easter and Thanksgiving, usually reserving Christmas and New Years for the residents at Cedarcrest.

But not this year. I turn 28 next Saturday, November 5th, and I’ve been feeling a little nostalgic. I though that maybe I could make a tradition of hanging out with my folks while they’re still around… especially in light of the fact I haven’t aged in six years and subsist entirely on a diet of human blood.

Did I mention my dad dug a grave for me in the backyard and had a guest house built around it? I have a crafty old man when he wants to be.

I’m looking forward to the smell of freshly carved pumpkins with real candles burning inside (my mom always insists) and hot apple cider in the air. I want to see the kids in costume with their parents, especially when the adults dress up, too — happy family units going door-to-door. The Connelly Residence is always a favorite stop since my dad fills a huge plastic cauldron with full-size candy bars… take your pick.

btvssunnydaleclass1999 My folks dress up but not in costumes; they let their decorations show off their spooky spirit.

What will I be wearing? Jeans, jacket, and a gray t-shirt that says “Sunnydale High School, Class of ’99.” Subtle, right? Even my ‘rents won’t get it.

Happy Halloween!

~ Janiss

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A World of Secrets – Vampire Verisimilitude

October 24, 2016October 25, 2016Leave a comment

Middle West Virginia isn’t exactly spook central or populace-palooza… which makes it perfect for the discreet Vampire. As such, there isn’t much in the way of trouble-making strangers (for the most part). Sure, we get a new crop of students over at GSC every Fall as well as those returning, but the college campus is essentially self-contained. Think about it: in spite of the influx of students from all over the East Coast, Gilmer County is still one of the five poorest counties in one of the poorest states in the country.

halloweenscarecrow This brings me to today’s meandering thought: what other supernatural or paranormal creatures or things are also out there?

I found out about Vampires when I awoke as one, but my first real lesson was that secrets are currency. Money and people are easy to manipulate; everything else falls into place with a little patience and creativity. That said, whenever you try to pry a secret from another immortal, you either have to prove it will benefit them to share it or have a one of equal value to trade.

So, here’s what I’ve learned.

Vampires – We’re real. Not an alien race or even a perpetuating one (unless you count turning others). Vampires were made, not born, and our makers apparently did so in an attempt to consolidate their power. This brings is to…
Witches – Okay, but not really. The term I’ve heard is Bloodworkers: those with an innate ability to rend so-called magic from living blood. Like Vampires, they know there are essential properties contained within blood that yet escapes the detection of science. But if a Bloodworker made the first of us, what else could they make?
Werewolves (or were-anything/shapechangers) – Never met one or even heard of there being one. If they exist, they keep a lower profile than we do. The best story I’ve heard is that Vampires created the legend of Werewolves to explain away a Vampire’s nocturnal activities to foolish locals. “We killed the wolf! It was Old Bob, and now we don’t have to move away!” Cruel and sneaky.
Ghosts – This one’s still a mystery to me. I know people spotting an immortal can be mistaken for ghosts, and the daydreams of Vampires are haunted by our victims, but are ghosts real? As before, I’ve never met one… so why do stories about them persist?
Zombies – Really? Does anyone still actually think zombies are plausible sci-fi? Totally fantasy… and totally made up. Trust me.
Angels and Demons – We can throw God and the Devil under this one, too — do these folks really exist? I was raised in the Church of Christ; I believe what I was taught, but I also strongly question it. Never mind that science can’t yet detect the supernatural component of blood or the existence of a soul — I have proof that these energies are real and can be manipulated, so I can’t rule this one out (and neither should you).
Fae, Trolls, Goblins, and Such – I have no idea. Any misdeed a fairy creature has ever been accused of could easily be attributed to a Vampire, from stealing babies to seducing men. I have my doubts there are or ever were such things… except trolls on the Internet.

So, with this little pre-Halloween shared, what have you seen or heard? I’m ready to believe you.

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

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Bodily Integrity – Vampire Verisimilitude

October 16, 2016October 16, 2016Leave a comment

There’s been a lot of talk recently in the media about how women should be treated and how to treat those who think otherwise.

Why is this still an issue in 2016? Half of the world’s population is female. Aren’t we past this sort of thing?

Here are a few boundaries and expectations for those endorsing “locker room talk.”

If there’s something you wouldn’t say about a man, don’t say it about a woman.
If there’s something you wouldn’t say TO a man, don’t say it to a woman, either.
It’s okay to look, but don’t leer. Creeping is neither attractive nor friendly.
The touching and grabbing thing? It’s called Bodily Integrity. Look it up. You know what? Never mind… here you go:

Bodily integrity is the inviolability of the physical body and emphasizes the importance of personal autonomy and the self-determination of human beings over their own bodies. It considers the violation of bodily integrity as an unethical infringement, intrusive, and possibly criminal.

Here comes the hypocritical part: don’t Vampires violate bodily integrity all the time?

It’s true: too many of us do, and we’re built for it. We can make you forget we ever touched you, bit you, or took something that didn’t belong to us without permission. I’ll go so far as to admit this is more often the rule than the exception — and no, not killing you isn’t any better of an excuse. “I’m sorry I violated you, but hey, at least you’re still alive.”

There’s also the argument that human beings don’t ask permission to slaughter cows, chickens, or pigs — they’re just food. True, but humans aren’t just food. You’re sentient, self-aware, and understand what’s happening to you. Okay, farm animals don’t… well, hmm. Fine — maybe they do know, and it’s not like they can save themselves. How did this turn into a Vegan message?

THAT escalated quickly.

2016alphapredator So let’s say “bad” Vampires enjoy the locker room talk and violating bodily integrity. You don’t want to be like them, do you?

To recap: watch your mouth, watch your hands, and show some respect.

You don’t always know who you’re talking to when you’re out and about, and maybe you’re not the alpha predator in this little documentary.

Ever watch Animal Planet?

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

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Millennial Field Notes – Vampire Verisimilitude

October 9, 2016March 6, 2022Leave a comment

Am I really a Millennial?
Let’s compare the evidence to all of the so-called “traits.”

janissmillennial

Born as early as 1977 and as late as 1996. November 5th, 1988 — dead in the middle. Check.
Digital natives having grown up with tech. My dad practically pushed technology into my hands. “You have to use this stuff to make it work effectively for you… AND for fun,” he’d say. We always had the newest computers, but those were more for him than mom or I. Check.
Seen as “trophy kids” rewarded for participation. My dad would never let me get away with this. If I ever got a participant’s trophy — or ribbon, actually, since trophies are expensive — he’d explain to me that participation is important but succeeding over others encourages competition; you won’t always be the best in real life and you’ll have to work at it if you want to be. No check.
Detached from institutions and networked with friends. Yep… except I rarely did either. I hated high school drama and avoided AOL chatrooms and (shudder) MySpace pages. Maybe I should have engaged more, but I was working hard in school and the rest of my time was spent with family and a few close friends. Check… technically.
More upbeat about the future than older adults. Not with my dad around. He knew about business and money; he saw opportunity everywhere. He once told me his biggest regret was that he couldn’t personally oversee all of his investments. Me? I aspired to be a school teacher and teach kids to create a better future. No check.
Optimistic and engaged team players. When I had to, yes. Check.
Classical liberal attitudes, sees social change as pragmatic idealism. In other words, Millennials accept (without any actual choice) the reality they live in but believe the tools exist to make it better. Oh yeah… all me. BIG check.
Want to make the world a better place by changing it from the inside out. This has become me. Since becoming a Vampire, I’ve embraced my embrace, so to speak. It’s hard work: a lot of routine and thinking ahead to ensure people around me are safe from my savage nature — aka “the monster” — but the reward is being able to use my supernatural abilities for things I could have only dreamed of. Cedarcrest Sanctum was built by Louisa and founded on this idea. Hell-to-the-yes check.
Trend toward “irreligion.” Yes, and I know I’m not alone — it may even be a cultural shift. My generation sees religion for what it has become: control. Prayer and worship, on the other hand, can be done outside organized religion, but as a generation with no choice but to accept reality, the idea of morality without fear of a divine rewarding or punishing us in the afterlife is simple: it’s the right thing to do. If you don’t get that, you don’t get us — and you don’t get me. Check.
Champion political correctness. Sort of? I don’t know… I find things funny I probably shouldn’t, but I’ve never liked the concept of insulating myself from “bad stuff.” I understand the idea behind trigger warnings — we all have buttons others press — but my mom always taught me not to shy away from things that scared me. “Be brave,” she’d say, because being scared makes you a target and being a target makes you a victim. I didn’t always defend others when I felt I should have, but being practically invulnerable and irresistibly influential now makes championing others who need help a whole lot easier. Check.

8 out of 10? So, yes, I’m a proud Millennial — and anyone who says otherwise may feel free to express their opinions to a blank computer screen.

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

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Eternal Millennial Prequel – Vampire Verisimilitude

October 2, 2016Leave a comment

Vampires aren’t born; they’re made. In my experience, they aren’t a race, a virus, or a curse. While I can’t speak to the exact intent of the bloodworkers who created the first Vampires, evidence suggests it was meant as a blessing… before things got out of control.

That said, I wasn’t always as I am now.

In either a somewhat late or ridiculously early Throwback Thursday #tbt, I found my old college blog — and by “found” I mean I’ve stopped trying to hide it. After what happened to myself and Daniel — what *I* did to Daniel — it hurt… it STILL hurts, but it’s part of who I am: my prequel.

Also, a bunch of you keep auto-subscribing to it without realizing there’s nothing there, so now there is!

So, for all the rest of you, here it is from the beginning: https://janissconnelly.wordpress.com/2007/05/25/im-graduating/

It makes more sense in order, and there’s even a few old photos in there. Happy?

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

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I, Fictional Character – Vampire Verisimilitude

September 25, 2016September 25, 2016Leave a comment

Ever feel like you’re the star of your own television show? Not a good one or the most watched one, but a show on the bubble, always teetering on cancellation?

You wake up, think about things, then go about your life. There are recurring supporting characters, the occasional guest star, and those who are written out because their contract’s up.

If you were the outside observer — a mere viewer tuning in for a bit of escapism — how many stars would you give your own program?

trumanshow There’s a movie called The Truman Show about a man (Jim Carrey) whose life being broadcast live 24/7, only he’s blissfully unaware that his existence is scripted — entertainment for the masses. All of his successes and failures are orchestrated under the control of a director and a writer’s room.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like that from time to time.

I’ve updated all of my social media profiles now to include the description “fictional character.” I’ve done this for a couple of reasons — one of which was covering my backside after being warned a few of my private posts were bleeding over into public viewing — but the best excuse is that it seems correct. After some of the most horrible things I’ve endured or seen, I still ask myself too often, “Did that really happen?”

So my question is, how about you? With online media and cameras everywhere, every word recorded and every image archived, doesn’t it feel nowadays like we’re all on television? On display for the entire world to judge or sympathize with? The only control feels like whatever you put into your profile, a sentence or two to sum up your full existence into an easily digestible bite for any potential audience.

janisscorporateportraitgscclock2016 Here’s mine:

Bleeding-heart Millennial w/tragic backstory & fangs. Stargazer. Whedonite. Phlebotomist. Fictional character. Hugger.

On half of my profiles, there wasn’t enough room to squeeze even one additional word in, so I changed them all to match the smallest allowed description (turns out that’s Google+ with 140 words or less) and I like the consistency.

But I would be remiss if I didn’t confess a few folks I’ve spoken to don’t believe what I’ve been through in my short thirty years on this earth. I’m obviously disillusioned, a liar, and/or starving for attention… blah blah blah and yada yada yada. So for them and for me, there it is: fictional character — a made-up or imaginary person… because we all present the image of ourselves we want others to accept.

Maybe I should have someone mock-up a few fake book covers and slap my face on them. Timothy?

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss