Fanfiction Sunday: My Life as a Bloodsucker

Good morning and Happy Sunday! Only two days left until Christmas. Are  you ready? Today I bring you another piece of fanfiction. This one is called My Life as a Bloodsucker, and it's about (and by) Count Dracula. I hope you enjoy it!

My Life After Death, or Memoir of a Bloodsucker

Part XXVI - How I Spent My Summer Vacation

by Vlad, Count Dracula

June 21 - First day of summer, thought for a treat I would get out of Carpathians, enjoy a little cooler clime for a change. Travel agent in Buda-Pesth recommended London, promised nice chilly fogs and little sun. Sounded perfect. He helped me rent a place for the summer, something a little like home so I no feel so homesick all the time. How was I to know he book me a house next door to an insane asylum! How crazy is that? I shall try to make best of situation. Let no man say that Count Dracula is not nice neighbor! Er, Count Deville. I forget I am using other name. Note to self: do not say Dracula. Remove all mirrors from the Abbey.

June 22 - Thought I would make neighbors little gift, have old Transylvanian brownie recipe from Grandmama. Damn, out of sugar, so I ran next door to borrow a cup. Met the head of the asylum, his name is Jack Seward - personally, I think he is on drugs. Glazed look in his eyes. Needle tracks on his arms dead givaway. Babbled something about divine retribution, so I take my sugar and make polite get-away. Met one of the inmates, name of Renfield, seemed more sane than Seward. Interesting. Note to self: Find nice book for Renfield.

June 29 - Have kept to myself all week, but I get feeling am being watched by Seward. I think he has telescope, maybe binoculars. Perhaps should talk to police, in case he decide to go after little girls. Maybe I should start neighborhood watch. Just a thought.

July 4 - Just when you think you get over girl, she finds you, isn't that always the way? World is too little, I think, she find me here. Oh Mina, just when I learn to live without you, here you are. And with snot-nosed young man. I ran into them on the street, was walking my wolf. I thought Harker (young snotty) was about to make piddle in his pants. Coward. Wolf is nice, not bite. (Unless I tell him to. Might make exception for Harker). Mina as beautiful as ever. O cruel world, why you do this to me? Not nice. What is a count to do?

July 7 - Mina has friend, name Lucy, she tried to set us up. Lucy is wild woman, not a virgin, for sure. Talks about many men - I laughed when I heard her mention Seward. Also American cowboy, and English lord. They will have to bury that one in y-shaped coffin, I think. Still, wouldn't hurt to have a drink. Show Mina that I am over her (even if I am not).

July 10 - First date with Lucy. I tried to take her to nice restaurant, but she wanted to walk in cemetery instead - strange girl. From the cliffs we watched a ship run aground - all hands lost. Wolf got excited, tried to help. Local yokels chased him away. What do they know? Rumours are starting, and I hear my name mentioned? What is this? Cannot be in two places at once. Seriously, whole village needs to take a chill pill.

July 17 - I meet Seward while walking wolf on Abbey grounds, he warns me stay away from Lucy. Then Harker tells me same thing about Mina. Fat chance, little men. I no listen to you, I am Dracula... er, I mean DeVille. I suggest you stick it where sun no shine.

July 23 - I decide to do neighborly thing, throw a party for neighbors and other guests. Mina, Lucy, Seward, Harker, Godolming, and Quincy the Cowboy all are there. Harker upset when Mina pet wolf - she very loving girl, you know, and wolf not mind. He accuse me of disgusting things, tell everyone I not normal, I am unnatural creature. I laugh at him, he such fool. If he not careful, he lose her - to me. I can live with that.

July 30 - I was watching the sunset when strange man come walking into my abbey, staring at me like he know me. Turn out to be friend of Seward, his name Van Helsing. Very odd old man. Squinky eye. Holding a stake in one hand, garlic in the other. I ask did he want to cook something, but he no answer. Began to laugh, asked me where my brides are, he has something for them. I tell him I no married, he just laugh louder. Crazy bastard. I told him go home, he left, said he'd be back. Can't wait.

August 8 - I am now dating Mina behind Harker's back - what he don't know won't hurt me. She is lovely, like new moon - dark and mysterious. Lips like fine wine. I kiss her lips, she kiss mine, and other things. Our evenings are full of our new love - maybe this time she stay with me. At least I hope so. If she go back to Fishface, I kill him.

August 15 - While Mina and I were in bedroom, they come bursting in, without knocking, how very vile. I just make blood pledge to my Mina, betrothe her to me - their timing stinks, to say least. They take my lovely Mina away from me, even though she crying for me, say she love me. I hate this place now, I go home. At least in Transylvania, they have better manners.

August 17 - What the hell? They follow me now? What is their problem? I only want to go home, take ship, over water. I feel them, in hot pursuit. Mina is with them. Is she guiding them or is she coming to me? So confused. I would sink their ship but that would hurt Mina, and that I cannot do.

August 21 - I reach land at last. Seasick for most of journey, so spend my time sleeping in bed I design myself - like little box, it lets in no sunlight. Ingenious, eh? My gypsies wait for me with wagon. On to the castle now. I am weary, and my heart is sore. I miss my Mina greatly. I call to her in dreams - I think she hears me. Our love, it is real. Foolish men.

August 23 - Wagon need better shocks, is very uncomfortable. Spend most of my time sleeping again, motion sickness getting worse. But every jolt take me closer to home. I think they are behind me still. Sometimes I hear strange music at night. One of gypsies tell me is Brokeback Mountain. I've never been there, maybe next summer.

August 26 - The castle is in sight at last, we almost there. I will be so glad to sleep in real bed with clean sheets. This travel is not for everyone I think. Oh damn, I hear horses. Are they really still there? Why? Mina, do you still love me? Come to me, my love, come to me. Oh yes, here you are, I hold you, I have you, let us fly to the castle, let us fly... what is that in your hand, my darling? Oh crap...

- She stake me, like wild animal, in gut, even though she cry and tell me she love me. Thank you, Mina, for curing me of my ridiculous obsession with love. Take your men and go. Van Helsing - no one else tell you, I tell you - lay off garlic, your breath is horrible. I think I sleep now. Renfield has come, he will take care of me.

I think next summer I will try that Brokeback Mountain. It has to be more fun than England.

I hope you enjoyed this! Next week, I'll post the Brokeback Mountain vacation!  

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

An unexpected holiday

It looks like my previous plans have been upended. I'd anticipated working next week, but I learned yesterday that is not the case. As of now, I'm not even sure when I'm going back to work. Again. That's the problem with temporary jobs, they're so... temporary.

Well, I could sit around and piss and moan about it, but what will that accomplish? Not a damn thing. Or I can take these lemons and make lemonade. I opt to do that! I have editing to do, and I have books to write. I hope to finish When Will I See You Again and sub it by the year's end, so maybe that's a good thing, right? Right!

Sarah and I went to see The Hobbit last weekend. It was AMAZING! If you're a fan of Lord of the Rings, you have to see this. It was everything I'd hoped for and more, including familiar faces I'd not expected to see. There are a lot of people in this movie, well worth a trip to IMDB to look them up, because frankly you won't recognize many of them with the great make-up jobs they have. For example, Bofur is James Nesbitt, who played Jekyll in the BBC mini-series. I would never have guessed. Yes, it's nearly three hours long - all the LOTR films are. But I have to tell you, it doesn't feel like it. In fact, I was so engrossed in what was happening, and had just settled down to watch more, when suddenly, the film was done.  I can't wait for next year, to see the second part.

Of course we saw some trailers while we were there, but nothing I'd rush out to see. Except for one thing, and it wasn't even a movie trailer, it was a promo for a TV series that is returning in January. One of my very favorites. Sarah and I got so excited to see that!  Yes, it's Justified! Coming back January 8th, I believe, and looking awesome! If you watched it last season, then you know about Bobby Quartles. And Winona. And a whole lot of stuff. Can't wait to see what happens.

I'm behind on watching programs, I admit, because of working, which is actually a good thing. Other than the ones Sarah and I watch together, such as Next Iron Chef Redemption, Sunday nights on Food Network. In fact, it's almost over now, down to three chefs - Alex Guarnaschelli, Amanda Freitag and Nate Appleman. The finale is Sunday, and I predict that Chef Appleman will be eliminated right away and the two women chefs will battle for the title. Katie is rooting for Amanda, I know, but I'm in Alex's corner. I think it would be so cool if she made it, and if Geoffrey was to work as her sous chef, like she does for him. Guess we'll find out Sunday, should be a good battle.  Go, Alex!

Top Chef Seattle is progressing smoothly as the field is narrowed every week. I was so grateful that they eliminated Carla, she got on my last nerve. As the weak ones are being picked off, the stronger chefs survive, although there are still a few I'd like to see gone. My favorite chef is Kristen, who is a model. She did very well this week, winning both challenges. Here she is, being kissed by Stefan. Stefan is a gruff and grumbly guy, and he didn't make a lot of friends in season 5 of Top Chef. But I rather like him, despite that, mostly because  he and Fabio are good friends and I love Fabio.

Speaking of Fabio, he's the only reason I even watch Life After Top Chef, frankly. It's him, Richard, Spike and Jen. Richard's okay, but I don't like Spike and I really can't stand Jen. I love Fabio, though, and would watch him in anything. Seriously. Put him in a show, and I'm there. Someday I hope to be able to eat at his restaurant. He is so sexy, and such a hard worker, and such a gentleman! If they got rid of the other three chefs, I'd never miss them. Just give me Fabio and I'll be happy!

Sarah and I are still watching Person of Interest, and this season is definitely a worthy addition to the series, beginning with Harold's kidnapping by a crazy woman. I love the relationship between Harold and John, and learning more about both of them. Watching Reese's fights is... well... exhilarating. I hope it's mandatory that he has at least one fight scene per episode, as they are damned exciting, and very sexy. I am never disappointed in any of the episodes, and I hope the show continues for a long time to come. I love that Carter and Fusco know about one another now, and that they all seem to be working for a common good. I predict that at some point, Lionel's number is going to come up in the machine. I also love Enrico Colantoni's Elias - he's a very clever and fascinating villain who wields great power, even from prison.

We're behind on The Walking Dead by three episodes.  *****SPOILERS***** We saw the birth of Lori's baby, and her death. Can't say I was torn up about that. I didn't like her, and the way she treated Rick. I've never liked their son much, either, especially since he got Dale killed. I read a spoiler myself, something about Shane returning, although we haven't seen it yet, and I'm not even sure how that can happen. But I'm not all that worried about it, either. I suspect Shane, if he does come back, will contend that the baby is his and will fight Rick for her. Maybe, in Rick's shattered state, he'll just give in. Or maybe he'll pull himself together and say no. Guess we'll find out. I think it's on hiatus until February now.

That's it for now, need to get moving and do other things. Maybe next time, I'll get to Sweet Genius and Vampire Diaries (behind on that too) and American Horror Story (also behind) and The New Normal. One good thing, I'll be around a lot more.

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Wednesday Briefs: A Gift for Jesus

Happy Wednesday and welcome to the Christmas edition of the Wednesday Briefs! This week's prompts were graciously given to us by Cia and were a lot of fun to use. Because of the nature of them, being Christmas and all, I'm giving Stan and Ollie two weeks off, but they will return. Instead, I'm introducing another couple of mine. They come from my book Revelations, which is coming out February 8th, 2013, from MuseIt Up Publishing. The couple in question is Judas and Jesus, and my story is A Gift For Jesus. I hope you enjoy it!

Don't forget to check out the other Christmas offerings from the Wednesday Briefers, whose links follow my tale.

A Gift For Jesus

The night is chill. Not surprising for December, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I’m cold. And I’m disgruntled, which only serves to exacerbate this feeling of discontent that wells within me.

I’ve no reason to be unhappy. I’ve gotten everything I’ve ever wanted in him. In my husband. My Jesus. So why am I troubled?

Because this is going to be our first real Christmas together, first since we got married that is. And while it’s never been a serious problem before, now I find myself asking the question—what’s the perfect gift for the perfect man? Especially as this day is a celebration of his birth—even if it’s not held at the right time of year, but it’s the thought that counts, right—so that makes it doubly special, and yes, I know I’m being a wet blanket and I can’t help it.

What am I so afraid of? We got through Hanukah just fine, didn’t we?

Just damn. I so don’t want to fuck things up, and I’m so afraid I will.

I know, right? Judas Iscariot fearing something. I’m only human, despite those who claim otherwise and who shall go unnamed right here and now.

Off in the distance, I hear the sounds of occasional traffic, but here we are isolated from that, off the beaten track.  We’re still on tour, of course. That hasn’t changed, naturally. But next year, I swear I’m going to make sure that when Christmas arrives, we’ll celebrate it in a warmer climate. This year I’ve had to settle for putting space heaters in the tent. That will have to do.

Of course, I’ll keep Jesus warm myself, rest assured about that.

Right now, he’s inside, talking with the others, while I’m communing with nature out here. Trying to sort out my thoughts, and not doing very well, I have to admit. The Kaplans have come to visit. It’s always good to see them.

“Problems in Paradise?”

I glance up, startled. Not like I expect him to herald his approach, but I hate to be taken by surprise. Especially by his Infernal Majesty, Prince of Annoyance. Aka Lucifer.

“Like I would tell you?” I snort.

Yes, he’s a pain in the ass but—and I’d never admit this to his face—he’s not quite the demon people make him out to be either. No pun intended. And yes, I did find out about the bet he lost with my father-in-law, and I was very gratified to learn that God had bet on Jesus and me. Serves the serpent right.

He rolls his eyes, drama queen that he is.

The next words out of my mouth surprise even me. “Have you ever been married?”

“Married? Me?” He looks as startled as I feel.  “Do I look that stupid? And no, don’t seriously answer that…”

I’m taken aback, not by his words, but by a glimpse of something in his eyes. But then whatever I saw is gone, and they’re simply a glacial blue.

“You should try it. It’s…” I’m at an unaccustomed loss for words, trying to describe this feeling inside, the one I wake up with on a daily basis. I had no idea until I married Jesus that love could be so… amazing, all-powerful, and… I mean, I knew it was powerful, but damn…

He eyes me for a moment, making no retort, but before I can add anything to what I’ve said, he’s disappeared. Guess I hit a nerve. I shrug and go back to my thoughts.

All I ever wanted was Jesus, and I have him, but what does he want that I can give?

“Something wrong?”

I tuck my robes closer as I turn to the sound of Kathy Kaplan’s voice.

“Just thinking,“ I fudge. Stubborn ass that I am, I don’t like to admit to being flummoxed by anything.

“Mr. Jude, Mr. Jude!’

Another country heard from. I bend down as a small body hurtles itself into my waiting arms. Sarah Kaplan, Kathy’s young daughter. I scoop her up and hug her tight, grateful for the momentary reprieve.

“Santa Claus is coming!” she squeals.

“I know, honey.”

“Don’t worry.” She pats my cheek tenderly. “He’ll get you something nice. You’ve been good this year, right?”

Out of the mouths of babes.

“He’s been very good this year.”

That voice. It never fails to make me shiver, even after two thousand years.

With a quick kiss on my cheek, Sarah wriggles so I set her down and she runs straight to my better half. My much better half. He tosses her in the air and she giggles in delight.

“Hey, let’s get some punch!” Kathy reaches for her child, who protests, until she adds, “And cookies.” And then she’s content to go inside.

That leaves me alone with my husband.

He closes the distance between us, his lips brushing over mine. “What’s troubling you, my love?”

Another shiver chases down my spine; I can’t help myself when I’m around him.

I can’t lie to him. I just can’t do it. “I don’t know what to get you for Christmas,” I admit.

“Don’t be silly, I have everything I could ever want,” he protests, as I surely knew he would. His hand cups my cheek, and he looks into my eyes, and I lose myself in him, as always.

“But… but…” I sputter. “This is our first one. Our first real one. I want it to be special for you—”

“It will be,” he interjects smoothly, “because you are in my life, and in my heart and soul.”

Oh mercy, he makes me puddle so much.

“But if you would like to do something…”

“What it is? I’ll do anything!”

“Sing with me. On stage.”

I hadn’t expected that.

“On Christmas?” There’s no concert planned that night.

“On New Year’s Eve,” he whispers.

I hold him close and nod my assent. Anything for him.

Merry Christmas to him, and to everyone else.

to be continued

Come back next week to read the conclusion! Now see what my fellow Briefers are up to:

Victoria Adams     m/f Lily Sawyer      m/m  MA Church     m/m Cia Nordwell     m/m MC Houle      m/m Tali Spencer     m/m

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

And the winners are.......

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit during the Purrfectly Giftastic Christmas Blog Hop! I hope you enjoyed reading my posts as much as I enjoyed writing them! We didn't quite make fifty comments, but we came close, so maybe next time!

And now for the moment  you've all been waiting for. The winners are....




AdOffae6 and Scott Wilcox!

I'll be getting touch with each of you shortly! Come back soon, I love to have giveaways and participate in blog hops!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Day 4 - Let's end this on an upbeat!

Hello and welcome to the last day of the Purrfectly Giftastic Christmas Blog Hop! It's been great fun, but all good things must come to an end, right? So today, I thought I'd end on a cheery note by talking about Christmas music.

There is a lot of music that is sung especially at this time of year. As a kid, we sang Christmas carols in school. I also sang carols with the Girl Scouts. We would go house to house and sing for the people in each house. Usually afterward, we'd have hot chocolate to warm us up! I don't remember the last time I've seen carolers in any neighborhood. I suppose it's a lost art now, but it was great fun back then.

Also, when I was in fifth and sixth grades, we made visits three or four times a year to Powell Hall, to hear the St. Louis Symphony play. Our symphony is world class and wonderful! We would listen to the music beforehand, so we'd be familiar with it. It was definitely a highlight of those years! Around Christmas time they would have a special concert featuring selections from Handel's great oratorio, The Messiah. We learned that there is a time honored tradition involved with one of the selections, The Halleleujah Chorus, which was begun during the time of King George. When you hear it played live, you stand, as he did, from respect.

Something else we did back in grade school was a breathing exercise by our music teacher - we had to sing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen in one breath! Believe it or not, I can still do it to this day!  lol It's a matter of breath control. It probably doesn't hurt that I played the oboe for six years, too, and that factors into that too, as with any wind instrument.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is We Three Kings (not to be confused with the George Clooney movie by the same name, which I also enjoy). There is something about the words and melody that moves me, the image of the travelers journeying to pay their respects to the newborn king. I also like First Noel, O Little Town of Bethelehem, Joy to the World, O Tannenbaum and so many more.

But my favorite Christmas song of all time is O Holy Night. It doesn't hurt that when I was in 9th grade, I heard it sung by a teacher I had a crush on! It's been dear to my heart ever since, and I think it's the most beautiful Christmas song ever.











Do you have favorite Christmas music? I'd love to hear about it!  Thank you for joining me on this wonderful blog hop! I will be announcing my winners tomorrow, after work!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Day 3 of the Blog Hop and my first Fanfiction Sunday

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Day 2 of the Purrfect Giftatastic Christmas Blog Hop!

So today I got around to addressing my Christmas cards - I know, better late than never, right? - and it occurred to me to wonder - how did this tradition start? So I looked it up and here's what I found out at the Big Site of Amazing Facts:

Christmas has been celebrated for many centuries, but the custom of sending greeting cards at Christmas didn’t begin until 1843.

That year, an Englishman named Henry Cole wanted to send his friends a note wishing them happiness at Christmas. He hired an artist named John Horsley to design the world’s first Christmas card.

This card showed a large family gathered around a table. On each side of the picture were smaller scenes showing people giving food and clothing to the poor. The message read: “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.” Christmas cards haven’t changed very much since then, have they?

Christmas cards didn’t become popular in the United States until about 30 years later. Today, Americans send about four billion Christmas cards a year, that’s 20 for every person!

A California man once sent more than 62,000 Christmas cards in a single year!

Well, I thank you, Mr. Cole. And the greeting card companies thank you too!

So today is my grocery shopping today, and though it's not time to get Christmas dinner, it's time to think about picking about some eggnog. Although it is sinfully rich and loaded with naughty calories. But it's only once a year, right? Actually, maybe instead of eggnog, we'll get something we were recently introduced to. Rumchata. What is Rumchata, you ask? It's a delicious blend of rice, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet dairy cream and Caribbean rum. You can mix drinks with it, add it to coffee, or drink it straight from the bottle. Thanks to my son, Chris, for sharing this with us recently! If you're looking for a satisfying holiday indulgence, look no further!

We aren't putting up a Christmas tree again this year, haven't had one since the last one died of old age, haven't been able to afford a new one. Frankly, it's not a big deal. It's just Sarah and me, and we're fine without it, although some day I'd like to get one and decorate it with pictures of naked men. But that will be for my room. When I get a new house, maybe I'll start decorating again. But our presents are wrapped and visible where they can tantalize us with wondering what's in them. Don't need a tree for that lol

So, let's play a game, shall we? If I had a Christmas tree, what would I like to see under it tagged forme?  Hmmm, that's a no-brainer, especially for anyone that knows me.  This is what I want - clothing optional :)  

Well, I can't top that lol  What would you like to see under your tree, no holds barred, sky's the limit?  Tell me!  Keep enjoying the hop and keep on hopping!