Thursday, October 30, 2008

Happy Halloween!

Have a GHOULISHLY good time this Halloween Weekend!
Don't drink and fly; you're better looking alive.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A Walk Down Memory Lane With Some of My Favorite Couples

I'm a reader. I'm a teacher. I'm a literature teacher. I belong to Goodreads. I have a library card. I could easily spend my salary at a Barnes and Nobel, in one day. I own more books that I do...anything else. If my house were to catch on fire, it would burn quickly and proficiently. Many days I would rather dive into a book than actually have a conversation with a real person. These elements prove that I am indeed a bibliophile.

I've been reading more than usual lately. Which to say, is A LOT and quickly. I was recently having a discussion with my friend MW about the literary couple in the Twilight Series. The conversation brought about a question in my mind..."Who are the most memorable literary couples out there?" I have started a list that I hope you will add to.

Heathcliff and Catherine of Wuthering Heights. One either loves or hates this novel. I am of the love camp. Their souls are tragically intertwined with one another. The love, the hate, the passion. Can happiness ever truly come to fruition without the eternal loss and suffering of something or someone? A Romantic idea and philosophy.


Romeo and Juliet of Romeo and Juliet. Really this needs no explanation. They are the archetype.

Henry and Claire of The Time Traveler's Wife. The patience. The love. The patience. The compromise. Did I mention the patience?

Janie and Tea Cake of Their Eyes Were Watching God. I'm weeping while writing, knowing what it took for them to find one another, and because of what they lost. However, how lucky for Janie to get to experience the kind of love that would cause one to say, "[Tea Cake] looked like the love thoughts of women. He could be a bee to a blossom - a pear tree blossom in the spring. He seemed to be crushing scent out of the world with his footsteps. Crushing aromatic herbs with every step he took. Spices hung about him. He was a glance from God." What luck to have found him.

Odysseus and Penelope of The Odyssey. She waited 20 years for his return. I don't think there needs to be any further explanation.

Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph de Bricassart of The Thorn Birds. Though their love is plagued with devotion, dedication, ambition, and loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church, it manages to transcend another level.

Arthur and Guinevere and Lancelot of any Arthurian Legend, The Once and Future King. The most famous of the love triangles. Romantic love, brotherly love, kingly love, and everything in between.

Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen gave us the character. GAWD gave us Colin Firth! Thank goodness for both!

*I'll be adding to this as you all suggest couples and as I think of more.


Monday, October 27, 2008

A New Addiction


...Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series

If you haven't read them, start NOW! They are fantastic. I can't wait to get home to pick up the third book.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Because I'm An Ego Maniac


*photo courtesy of Bethie.
Denver, CO. 2008.

Obama v. McCain

Voting Extravaganza


A Voting Extravaganza to Support
Barack Obama
and the entire
Democratic Team
Live Music: Bluegrass, Jazz, Gospel, Blues, Reggae & Funk
Free Family Fun: Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Hot Dogs, Jupiter Jump, Balloons, Clowns, Magic, Games &
Much, Much, More!!!
Live Broadcast by 98.7 FM - The Beat
Where: Haddad Riverfront Park
on Kanawha Boulevard
When:Saturday, Oct. 25
(Rain date: November 1)
10A.M. - 6P.M.
Bring Family, Bring Friends, Then Go Vote


Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Lupus Lady

I have a friend who after being misdiagnosed with a stomach ulcer, skin allergies, sun poisoning, and countless other issues, was finally diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. She not only is faced with living with Lupus daily, but is doing so with a support group that is learning about the disease along side of her. Her friends and family are reading literature that she provides and being directed to websites to learn more about it while she is living it first hand. Because of this, she is asking everyone to educate yourself and help to educate those around you. Then if the time should ever come, you can provide the support that is needed and there is one more individual who doesn't feel so alone. Support and education have the power to heal.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that effects mostly skin, joints, blood, kidneys, brain, and lungs. With lupus, the body's antibodies become confused and not only attack the bad stuff, but also the good stuff like cells and tissues. Pain, discomfort, lesions, and damage to the body are symptoms and issues that are Lupus related. Luckily, for most people the effects of the disease are mild. However, for some it can become life threatening. If it isn't properly maintained it is quite painful.

Lupus affects most often women, and becomes prevalent during the childbearing years. This isn't to say that men aren't afflicted with Lupus. However, the likelihood for men is far less compared to females.

There is no known cure for Lupus at this time. However, daily they are learning more and more about the disease that affects over 1.5 million Americans a year. They have found that preventative measures can reduce the frequency of flareups and discomforts tremendously. There are also maintance drugs available to those that suffer from Lupus.

Just because Lupus is not considered for the most part to be fatal, it is however, debilitating in the sense that it affects a person's daily life, comfort, and quality of life. Skin rashes can lead to not only physical discomfort, but also image issues and mental discomfort. I've never met anyone who enjoys a fever and flu-like symptoms. The idea of your kidneys perhaps failing on you is not a pleasant thought either.

Much more research needs to be done to help find a cure for Lupus. Educating yourself and those around you is the first step. Finding the funding is the second. If you are interested in learning more about Lupus visit The Lupus Foundation of America. Unfortunately, there is not a local chapter set up in the state of West Virginia. However, my friend is currently working on starting a local chapter that is in direct affiliation with the National Foundations. She also has a facebook group that is dedicated to Lupus Education and helping to find a cure. Please check it out. Educate yourself. Educate others. Help find a cure.

Few "Take Backs"


Today's Lesson:

It is an old lesson from long ago. We hear it all of the time. However, it isn't until it directly affects us that we actually listen to the message at hand.

Never put anything into writing, email, blog, memo, essay, or any form of thought outside of your brain that you don't want others to see, are afraid of being passed along to others, or aren't prepared to defend or deal with the consequences.


In the tech savvy world that we live in today, emails and computer generated documents can be sent with the simplest push of a button. It happens daily. Great moments and ideas can come from such impulsive or even deliberate moves. However, many times hurt, miscommunication, or misinterpretation can come from such instances-even when goodness is intended. In fact, most often goodness is intended.

During this emotional, political, opinionated, passionate time in our country, it is important to remember this lesson. We have personal responsibility for the ideas that we write about or forward on to others. Many times a message has been sent inappropriately or to the inappropriate person and it takes on a life of it's own, outside of the author. I have been guilty of writing emails without thinking of where they may end. I have been guilty of pressing the forward/post button without completely thinking it through as well. There are many of us out there that get excited and write, send, post, forward an idea without completely thinking through the consequence plan. Mistakes happen. However...

Think before you post or press the send/forward button. You never can tell where that email or memo might end up or for that matter, from where it stems. There are few 'take backs' in this computer generated, tele-communicative world we live in today. Don't create havic for yourself!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Praying and Singing For Change


"I Shall Not Walk Alone"



Battered and torn

still I can see the light

tattered and worn

but I must kneel to fight


Friend of mine

what can't you spare

I know some times

it gets cold in there


When my legs no longer carry

and the warm wind chills my bones

I reach for Mother Mary

and I shall not walk alone


Hope is alive

while we're apart

only tears speak from my heart

break the chains

that hold us down

and we shall be

forever bound


When I'm tired and weary

and a long way from home

I reach for Mother Mary

and I shall not walk alone


Beauty that we left behind

how shall we tomorrow find

Set aside our weight in sin

so that we can live again


When my legs no longer carry

and the warm wind chills my bones

I reach for Mother Mary

and I shall not walk alone



Do what you can to get people to the polls. Our country needs repaired. People are tired. People are worn. However, together, we can make the change happen.

We shall not walk alone.



Politically Correct?

I recently received an email from a college roommate that was filled with incredibly inaccurate data, misinformation, and the worst part, it was in all capital letters. An email that is in all capital letters does NOT make it more important, smarter, or factually accurate. In fact 99.9% of the time, you can bet the farm that it is the exact opposite. Educated people (whether street educated or school educated) know these things! So I thought...

I received an all capital letter email from FRM (Former Roommate) that took excerpts from Obama's books completely out of context and used it in much the same way that fundamentalist, religious nutcases might use the Bible to prove a discussion point. I shouldn't say discussion point; discussion tends to lend itself to the idea that two people are participating in the conversation, which often is not the case. Mind you, she did not author the email, but she did forward it on.

Whether the email had endorsed Obama rather than McCain, I would have still been appalled at the fact that a well educated woman would send such inaccurate and media-spooged nonsense. I replied in an email that I would prefer to be left off any emails that promoted a political agenda based out of inaccuracies and slander. I informed FRW that I was indeed an Obama Supporter, but that so often in elections these days, all candidates are taken like lambs to the slaughter in terms of the media.

She replied to the email in such a matter:
"I'm sorry to hear that..."

What is she sorry about that I asked her to remove my email from further slanderous exchanges?
Is she sorry that I am an Obama supporter?
Is she sorry that she sent an email so full of false information and as a teacher she should be ashamed? What?

Either way, I was upset that she responded in the manner in which she did. She has known me for a very long time, as I her. I have been a bra burning liberal soul my whole life. I'm shocked that she thought it was a good idea to send the email to me to begin with. Unless there is a new mission to save bra burning souls?!

I was raised that religion and politics were ill advised when having discussions in mixed company. That is always better to take the high road and walk a thin line between debate and argument. I always try to keep the following words in mind when either topic comes about:


* You cannot help the poor, by destroying the rich.

* You cannot strengthen the weak, by weakening the strong.
* You cannot bring about prosperity, by discouraging thrift.
* You cannot lift the wage earner up, by pulling the wage payer down.
* You cannot further the brotherhood of man, by inciting class hatred.
* You cannot build character and courage, by taking away men's initiative and independence.
* You cannot help men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves.


-Abraham Lincoln

Perhaps we could all take a lesson from President Lincoln




Monday, October 20, 2008

Dem(ocratic)-Fun



Thanks to the folks over at Shakesville for this giggle.
Rock it out, Dems! Rock it out!

Titled Food



I had a dream about 'IT' last night. Soon. I'll get some soon!

Election Day is right around the corner. As soon as Election Day comes, we get our Dano back and Chez gets her Macaroni!


No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed

Benefit Auction
Featuring Products From The
#1 Shopping Network
from LCD TVs to bedroom sheets

Saturday Oct. 25, 2008
Starting At 6:00pm
At Chesapeake Town Hall

A portion of the proceeds will go to Cory Barton who recently received a liver transplant from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Cory is a Riverside High School (Kanawha County) graduate and a West Virginia University student. The funds will cover any additional medical bills, travel expenses, and any other unforeseen financial circumstances directly related to the transplant recovery process.

**Concessions will also be available…come hungry!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Mr. WV Has Been A Bad Boy!


According to many online tabloid blogs and articles, A HOTTY bachelor from WV was dis-invited from a Cosmopolitan Party for the 50 Hottest Bachelors of the US. Every year Cosmo invites a hunky hotty from each of the 50 states to join the fun at the party held in NYC. This year two of the beau hunks were dis-invited, one for appearing in a gay porn site for money, the other for posing for Playboy. Apparently, being paid for The Full Monty is out this year, and slightly skinned is the new black.

Tic Tac Toe





Give it a shot. See if you can beat the computer!

Great iPhone Application Recommendation

Yesterday, I was reading blogging and Twitter buddy's Oncee's most recent post. He blogged about a new iPhone application called RjDj. To understand the application one really must download the free single version and play with it. Only then would I recommend buying the album version for $2.99.

It's trippy! It basically picks up the sounds around you in your environment and creates a unique soundtrack of your life! I downloaded the free single and was so amazed that I immediately bought the album version so that I would have more options.

It's awesome. One of the soundtracks took me back to some of my illegal activity days of experimentation in college. I think I might now know what it felt like to be at a Doors concert or the movie Legend. I definitely know that this application is going to give hours of entertainment!

Please Don't...

Please don't ever let this become a reality!!!!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Bork Bork Bork!



The Muppets Swedish Chef - video powered by Metacafe


In a desperate attempt to find my Happy Place, I look back to one of my favorite Muppets. Bork! Bork! Bork!

The Match-O-Matic II


Still trying to decide which candidate is your ideal Commander In Chief?

Want to solidify your decision?

Take this quiz.
*Thanks ABC News.
Subliminal Message: Vote Obama! Vote Obama!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Great Seats!

A big public thanks again to my friend, Chris, who GAVE me the two GREAT tickets to the WVU Homecoming game against Syracuse. The Mounties did NOT look great playing, but thankfully they pulled out a W! Can we say 30 yard line, 8th row?! Fantastic! A good time was had by all!

Mario's Fishbowl

Mario's Fishbowl

704 Richwood Avenue

Morgantown, WV 26505

(304) 292-2511
(304) 292-9109

fishbowl@mountain.net

Rich in history and awards, Mario's Fishbowl sits on top of the hill between WVU's main down campus and neighboring area of Sabraton. The Fishbowl has been in existence since 1949. Three couples have been lucky enough to call themselves owner. The most famous owners are the legendary Mario and Rose Spina; their picture sits above the bar. Story goes that upon entering Mario's, Rose would take your car keys and only give them back at the end of your stay if she felt you were okay to drive home. If not, she would hold on to your keys until the following day. This was the location of my parent's very first date! Classy, Dad. However, having been a dutiful customer to Mario's during my decade in Morgantown and now as a visitor, I find it to be the best place my parents could have had their first day. I feel a connection to the younger version of them when sitting in the small venue.

Today, Mario's is much the same as it was in Rose and Mario's days. The walls are still decorated with homemade record breakers recorded on paper from receipts, boxes, cardboard. ect- from who traveled the furthest to drink a fishbowl to being able to eat 17 hot dogs in 12 minutes. The fishbowls of beer (multiple draft selections are available) are still available along with a great menu. Individuals rave about the hot dogs, wings, and fish sandwiches. They also offer catering both on and off site through Crosley's which sits next door to The Fishbowl. The Fishbowl hosts three big screen TVs that are constantly tuned into college and pro sports. The Juke Box is awesome!

This past weekend was Homecoming at WVU. My friends, The BoyFriend, and I went to Morgantown for the weekend. We spent Friday night at McClafferty's, the game on Saturday, a quick dinner at The Black Bear, and then by request of AT, we hit The Fishbowl.

Immediately upon entering, I ran into old high school and college friends. It's amazing how everyone flocks back to the hot spots of their college days. We all laughed and reminisced about previous visits to The Fishbowl. Everyone had a blast reading the records and attempting to get the quarter in the vase for the free beer possibility. You can't beat $4.50 for a fishbowl of New Castle either! It's always at treat to go to The Fishbowl. I've never had anything but a memorable experience and time there! If you are in the area it is a must go to!


Fishbowl Ii-Mario's on Urbanspoon

Macaroni Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to I'm The Chez's Baby Sister! This Macaroni turns 28 today! Happy Birthday, Bryn!

*How is it possible that my younger sister who is four years younger than me is actually now the same age that I am? According to my math, she should still be in her early 20s. Hmmmm....

Why They Keep Me Around

*mtv.com


In the fall of 1985 I was 8 years old, enrolled in the 3rd grade at Holz Elementary, and Til Tuesday debuted their title song, Voices Carry. For years I couldn't understand why the title was Voices Carry. I really believed that Aimee and the kids should have called the song This Is Scary. After all it was a song about a girl who was in love with an abusive boyfriend; to me that sounded pretty scary. "Hush! Keep it down now, this is scary." I would sing this song at the top of my lungs. I remembered watching the video feeling empowered at the end, when she had finally had enough and just started singing while sitting in the audience with her asshole boyfriend. Yeah, girl now matter how SCARY it is, you can do it!

It wasn't until some time in the early days of the 21st Century that I actually googled the song, and much to my surprise found out that I have been wrong about the lyrics for much of my life. I was devastated. Are you kidding me?! Seriously?! I'm still a bit pissed about it.

I recently told two girl friends this story, and they have laughed for days. Hell, one has laughed for months. I received the following text message this morning at 8am: "I can't stop singing 'this is scary.' I woke up with it in my head! Thanks! :-P" Perhaps, this is one of the many reasons they all keep me around, entertainment value.

Maxwell's



Maxwell's

1 Wall Street

Morgantown, WV 26505

304-292-0982

Happy 30th Anniversary, Maxwell's!!!

One of my absolute FAVORITE places to dine in this world is Maxwell's in Morgantown, WV. Maxwell's is located in the alley perpendicular to High Street known as Wall Street. Brunch, lunch, dinner, coffee and dessert-it doesn't matter; Maxwell's is there to meet your culinary needs. Their food is to die for and the prices are quite reasonable. I can honestly say that I have NEVER had anything less than spectacular in the 15 years that I have been going to Maxwell's for meals.

I had not been to Maxwell's in roughly a year. I was jonesing for some of their homemade blue cheese dressing. There is nothing better than ordering a side of their home fries and dipping them into the BEST blue cheese dressing that I have ever had the opportunity to be blessed with. The BoyFriend, two friends, and I decided to stop by and see Becky and the ladies at Maxwell's this Sunday prior to hitting I79 back to Charleston. What better way to end a fantastic homecoming weekend in Morgantown than with a Maxwell's brunch?!

When entering the small, but quaint restaurant we were met with a 10 minute wait. The place was hopping with diners, but the staff was efficient in table turn overs. The wait gave us time to peruse the local artists that were featured on the wall this particular month. Plus, this is the most important part, the 10 minutes that we waited prior to be seated gave us a moment to contemplate the Specials Board. The Specials Board is really a beautiful, beautiful thing. Rum butter French toast for brunch or skip straight to the homemade cheese cake?!

Normally, when going to Maxwell's I almost ALWAYS get the Italian Griller, home fries, and a side of blue cheese. However, today the Specials Board all but slapped me across the face. From the top of the Specials Board I ordered the Eggs Oscar, home fries, and homemade blue cheese dressing. Eggs Oscar might be the best brunch I have ever had in my life. Eggs Oscar- Eggs Benedict, but the Canadian Bacon is substituted with a homemade crab cake drizzled in Maxwell's original homemade Hollandaise Sauce. The Boyfriend ordered the same. Friend 1 ordered the omelet special. I believe it was a mushroom, Swiss, red pepper omelet. It smelled devine! Friend 2 ordered the Rum Butter French Toast. I was givent he opportunity to sample this. Wow! Everyone was beyond satisfied. In retrospect I wish that I had taken pictures, but I don't believe my meal stood a chance-I ravished it!

If you are ever in the Morgantown area, I urge you to try Maxwell's. They have the Tuesday Taste of Home Specials, Thursday Pasta Nights, Friday and Saturday Seafood Feasts, Sunday Brunches, and the daily menu. Open 7 days a week, Maxwell's is there to serve the best in home made and fresh dishes! You have to taste for yourself.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Chum-On!

I'm at work. It's my prep period. I logged on to my Pandora account. I created a few more music stations to my tastes. "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson just came on. I'm jamming! I mean, I'm getting down at my desk. Students are walking by the room laughing at the old crazy lady in A44. I just did the whole hand in front of the face, backwards wave while singing "Wooo Wooo, Chum-On!" to one of them in the hall. I feel the moon walk coming if the next MJ song is rocking! No wonder the rumor about Chez being a loon is going around! Hell, it's not a rumor.

OMG! Prince's 1999 just came! This calls for volume increase! Chair dancing at it's finest! "I was dreaming when I wrote this..." Oh yeah, I'm working it. "Party like it's 1999!" Shoulder shrug. Shoulder shrug. Booty shake! I'm having too much fun.

TGIF! Come on guys, get yourselves out from behind your desks for a Friday Dance Party! It'll make ya feel gooooooood!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Satire Leads To Reality




I snagged this from a blogger friend's page. Go and give her some props!

Grassroots Movement for New Presidential Candidate

Just when we thought our hopes were swirling down the drain, we finally found a person capable of being "The Agent of Change"that we really need. Click here to watch this inspirational video of a person who is willing to tackle the hard stuff.


An Open Letter To Senator McCain

October 8, 2008

Dear Senator McCain,


I'm very, very hungry and it is your fault. I blame you for the rumbling in my belly, the roar coming from my GI tract, and the dry smacking of my starving lips. My lack of eating a consistently healthy dinner EVERY night is YOUR fault, sir. Let me provide a bit of background information to help you completely understand what you have done to me!


A year ago, my upstairs neighbor got hammered, decided it was time to try his hands at the latest Iron Chef recipes, fell asleep, and burned his apartment to shit. Unfortunately, my kitchen and dining room suffered the brunt of the fireman's hose and my kitchen was out of commission from October to February. (That's a whole other blog at another time when I don't feel as if I might stroke out!) Not having a kitchen makes it hard to feed one's self from home. The BoyFriend and Dano stepped up to the plate and really took over in the kitchen area. The Domestic Goddess retired. I became spoiled. Dinner at Dano's a couple of times a week. The Boyfriend would cook on the weekends. I didn't have to do anything! I became their DIVA Creation!

Then all of a sudden the election year kind of sneaked up on us. Dano, being the good Young Democrat and politico that he is, puts his nose to the grind stone for the WV Democratic Delegation and all Democratic Re-election campaigns. He's good at what he does. However, it keeps him in the office until almost 10pm, sometimes midnight, 6 nights a week! Now how the hell is a girl suppose to get fed when her personal chef is at the office until the wee hours of the night?! She doesn't! She either eats shit that is bad for her on the run, drinks a ton of water, or just goes to bed, anxiously awaiting Friday when The BoyFriend will throw together something spectacular! (I'll blog the BoyFriend some other day.)

I am a good Democrat. I support your opponents because I think they speak to me and my values, wants, needs, and desires much more so than you and that Tinky "Winky" Teletubby that you have running with you. (By the by, shame on you for thinking that most American women are stupid enough to vote for you based on your Veep pick. We aren't falling for that with deaf ears.) Needless to say, the Dems have my vote.

Here is where you could help my rapidly shrinking waist line. Just concede and let Obama win. We all know he is going to. Walk away from the office. The sooner the election is over, the sooner I can have my Dano back in the kitchen. I really, really need him back in the kitchen. I miss the eggplant dish, and I miss the hybrid noodle curry dish, and I really miss having every meal that he prepares do this to me. Please, please, please Senator McCain, put an end to this madness, so that we may all experience the Lazy Man's Supper again! I, no we, need our Dano back in the kitchen. Ask not what you can do for your country; ask what you can do for my belly!

I thank you very much,
I'm The Chez

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Blogger Boobie-Thon

Ladies and Gentlemen, you have until midnight to participate and/or donate to the 7th annual Boobiethon! All money goes towards Breast Cancer Research. One of the ways to donate is to submit a picture of your boobies (covered creatively or uncovered naturally) to be posted anonymously on the gallery pages. If modesty is your thing, please give a little pocket change to such an honorable cause. It's never too late to give back! (I might even get brave and put my picture up here on the blog! It will be tasteful of course!)

Matching Game

Directions: Match the correct name to the correct picture. This may prove to be quite difficult!
Names:
a. Cindy McCain
b. Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous

Picture #1 ________________



Picture #2 ______________




Picture #3 _______________










Has Sarah Palin Been Calling The Daily Mail Vent Line Again?


-anonymous redneck who doesn't listen to or read for facts

Monday, October 6, 2008

Stream of Consciousness


Every time she says the word "Maverick" I think of...


Every time I think of him, I think of...


Knowing that Scientology is a cult, I think of...


Cults make me think of him...


He reminds me a little of...




Hmmmmmm....


True Blood-Episode 5

I am sooo pissed off that they have killed off Gran Stackhouse! She was so oddly sweet. There was too much blood left all over the kitchen for it to have been a vampire. Can we perhaps say, "Sam The Shape Shifter?!" I refuse to visit the spoiler sites, so this is simply an educated guess. That and I simply don't trust Sam at all! What do you all think?

Also, I hope Tara retires the thoughts of anything positive coming between she and Jason. He is simply an oversexed idiot! She is too smart for him anyway.

304blogs.com


Thanks to Twitter and the readers, I'm The Chez has been placed on the WV bloggers directory/site 304blogs! Thanks guys! Go and check out 304blogs to see what is happening all over the great state of West Virginia!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

I'm In Love With A 175 Year Old Vampire From The South!

I've always found the mythology behind the vampire as intriguing if not completely seductive and overwhelming. I've read many of the novels and watched the movies based around Dracula and Lestat. The image of the vampire has changed as time has moved on- from that of a monster to a sexual deviant to a mainstream character in everyday life. However, I must tell you that the latest portrayal of the vampire is HOTTER THAN EVER! He definitely gets my BLOOD boiling!


Meet Bill Compton, our resident Southern Genteel Vampire from the HBO's new series, True Blood. He's a heart throb, that is if he had a heart. He was vamped when he was a soldier fighting in the Civil War. He has been living the life of a vampire for over a 170 years. He has returned home to his family homestead to attempt to salvage what little humanity he has manage to hold on to. Who knew that love, romance, sex, and murders in small town Louisiana would follow him. He has found himself falling for the telepathic, virgin, barmaid Sookie whose sex addicted brother is in the middle of two murder investigations of former lovers all bearing the mark of the vampire bite. Oh, this is better than DAY TIME!

At the time of this posting there have only been four episodes of True Blood released. I'm addicted. The first episode, having to set the stage for the characters and plot line, was a bit boring, but if you stick it out, the rest proves to be well worth the wait.

True Blood even employs one of Charleston's very own. Sam Trammell, a 1987 George Washington High School graduate, accomplished stage actor, small screen actor, and movie actor stars as Sam Merlotte, a bar owner and protector of Sookie, the innocent, but spunky female lead.

I strongly recommend that you check out True Blood. The first four episodes are airing on the HBO On Demand site, plus will run throughout the season. It is incredibly sensual, mysterious, addicting, and intriguing. You don't want to miss out.