Today’s burning question is sure to boggle your mind.
We often (by we I mean the general we, not you and me) speak of how smart humans are, or more often than not, how stupid individuals are.
We also speak about how some groups of people run seemingly blind to all reason and some do not. Don’t even get me started on politics. Seriously, don’t. Don’t you start either.
I try to talk to my children about the reasoning behind some groups and the dangerous notion of group think. We wonder if they will ever change. This is of course on the negative side of humanity. Why do people join cults? Why do people join extremist or destructive hateful organizations? Why do people embrace ignorance rather than look for answers? Why are some people curious and some aren’t? Is it society? Are we just stupid by nature? Have we reached our limits?
Do you ever wish you were smarter? Maybe just a bit?
Of course we know there are no limits on how smart Vampires are. LOL. Just kidding. I know plenty of Vampires who are willing to prove to everyone what jack asses they are.
Yes, I know you were expecting something funny. Here you go.
Burning Question #23: Is there a limit to how smart individuals and communities can be?
I hope with all of my heart that the answer is NO. If you’re a parent or have children in your lives please tell them the answer is NO. There is no limits to how smart one can be. The same goes with compassion, humor, and love. No limits.
But feel free to answer how YOU want to answer.
Feel free to share any thoughts, strong opinions, puns, childhood stories, or poetry in the comments section.
Thank you for dropping by and answering this Burning Question.
It is too hot to even think right now – about 107 F outside and the air conditioning isn’t what it should be…so I’m inspired by something even hotter than the pavement in front of my house – Vincent Price.
Vincent Price is one of my favorite actors. He was wonderful in the dark mystery “Laura.” I saw him live in the early 80’s as Oscar Wilde.
Oh and that voice. He had such a wonderful mesmerizing voice.
The weirdest thing (something I just found out) is that he played Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith in one of his early movies. I kid you not.
Of course anyone who was around in the 1970’s will remember all of the Hammer films and other “creature features” of late night TV along with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.
From Wikipedia:
Vincent Leonard Price Jr. (May 27, 1911 – October 25, 1993) was an American actor, known for his performances in horror films. His career spanned other genres, including film noir, drama, mystery, thriller, and comedy. He appeared on stage, television, radio, and more than one hundred films.
Price was an art collector and consultant, with a degree in art history, lecturing and writing books on the subject. Additionally, he was the founder of the eponymous Vincent Price Art Museum in California.
An example of his outspoken political action came when he concluded an old-time radio episode of The Saint, entitled “Author of Murder”, which aired on NBC Radio on July 30, 1950. He denounced racial and religious prejudice as a form of poison and claimed Americans must actively fight against it because racial and religious prejudice within the United States fuels support for the nation’s enemies.
Price was supportive of his daughter, who came out and was critical of Anita Bryant‘s anti-gay campaign in the 1970s. He was an honorary board member of PFLAG and among the first celebrities to appear in public service announcements discussing AIDS with the public
Not only was he an amazing actor and dad but he was also an accomplished cook and had his own cooking show in the UK.
In honor of the Burning Question #21 we’re going to be thinking about booze.
Some of us drink alcohol. Some of us don’t. Either way, alcohol, be it beer, wine, or hard liquor is part of our world. But how does it all play out if you’re a Vampire? You might not drink, but your drink might drink. How will that play out in the course of a night? Do you care? Or is that something you seriously consider when you’re looking for your next donor?
Burning Question #21: If a Vampire drinks blood from an inebriated person will the Vampire become inebriated as well?
I’ll see you all next week for another Burning Question. In the meantime enjoy one of Teddy’s classic Vampire Cocktails.
Bloody Talent
3 parts Vegetable Juice Cocktail
2 parts Vodka (I use the kind in the blue bottle)
1 part blood
A dash of lemon juice
A dash of lime juice
A dash of hot sauce
A dash of orange juice (just a dash)
A splash of good gin (the blue or green bottle)
3 large green olives (stuffed with whatever you like)
And add a pickled green bean if you like. Might as well.
Pour over ice!
Thank you Teddy!
If you’re not a Vampire leave out the blood.
And remember, if you’re going to drink or drink blood from someone who is drunk don’t drive.
It is now time for me to tease you with another Burning Question!
I like my men to be confident, smart, and flirty.
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman
But some people have a less than lovely view of flirts. They have a somewhat vile view of flirts.
Some believe flirts hurt.
From the Royal Path of Life (1883)
Flirting is a horrid outrage upon the most holy and exalted feelings of the human soul, and the most sacred and important relation of life. It is a vulgarism and wickedness to be compared only to blasphemy. It had, and still has, its origin in the basest lust. The refined soul is always disgusted with it.
You can read the entire text at the end of this post – AFTER you click your answer on the poll. It is from my own copy of the highly entertaining and educational publication.
If the passage above is true then my husband Teddy, who also happens to be a Vampire, and an outrageous flirt would be considered a crass unrefined soul. That makes me so sad. Even now he flirts. If he walks into a room he can make any woman feel beautiful. He can make any man laugh. He is charming and such a flirt. Is that wrong?
But what about when flirting is mean spirited. Maybe it isn’t really flirting, or is it? That is the burning question.
Some think it should be an Olympic sport. In that case I’d have a case full of medals. My husband would have a warehouse full.
So I’ll put it to you…
Burning Question #20: Is Flirting a Good Thing?
If you have an opinion or statement, or want to flirt with me or anyone else around here please leave a comment. It would be fabulous and delightful.
xoxo
I’ll see you next Saturday for the next BURNING QUESTION.
In the meantime, I wouldn’t recommend you flirt with disaster but if you must, you must.
This week’s burning question is from the smart and beautiful Jessica, a young Vampire who jets sets between Las Vegas and New York. Thanks Jessica!
Straws have been in the news lately. I’m talking drinking straws here. Some countries are banning plastic straws. I remember when straws were all paper. At home we have reusable stainless steel straws. I have to say I love the stainless ones. Just like we got used to resuable grocery bags, we’ll get used to new and creative straw options.
But what about the physical and philosophical questions and mysteries that surround straws? OK I don’t care either but still, think about it. This is a fun one.
Burning Question #19: Does a straw have one hole or two?
So what do you think?
See you next week for Burning Question #20.
Keep cool, and don’t make annoying sounds when you drink stuff.
We will agree that we all know who Edgar Allan Poe was and are familiar with some of his work. I’ll have a reading list at the end for reference.
Don’t run off before you answer the poll below. It is fast and easy and the reason we’re here today. Just scroll down (but read the amazing story too.)
Welcome to the Next Great True Crime Mystery
In October of 1849, ten years before I was born, my parents were arriving in California with a baby boy and a group of Vampires who’d come out West to start a new life.
In the meantime, across the country on October 3, 1849, Poe was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore, “in great distress, and… in need of immediate assistance”, according to Joseph W. Walker who found him. Poe later died on Sunday, October 7, 1849 at 5:00 in the morning. Poe was never coherent long enough to explain how he came to be in his dire condition and, oddly, was wearing clothes that were not his own. He is said to have repeatedly called out the name “Reynolds” on the night before his death, though it is unclear to whom he was referring. Some sources say that Poe’s final words were “Lord help my poor soul”.
All medical records and Poe’s death certificate were conveniently lost.
The day that Edgar Allan Poe was buried, a long obituary appeared in The New York Post signed “Ludwig”. It was soon published throughout the country. The piece began, “Edgar Allan Poe is dead. He died in Baltimore the day before yesterday. This announcement will startle many, but few will be grieved by it.”
“Ludwig” was soon identified an asshole named Rufus Wilmot Griswold an editor, critic, and anthologist who had borne a grudge against Poe since 1842. Griswold somehow became Poe’s literary executor (no doubt through lies and bribes)and attempted to destroy Poe’s reputation after his death.
The story was fabricated by Griswold, and it was denounced by those who had known Poe, including Sarah Helen Whitman, Charles Frederick Briggs, and George Rex Graham. This account became popularly accepted, in part because it was the only full biography available and was widely reprinted. It also remained popular because many readers assumed that Poe was similar to his fictional characters and were thrilled at the thought of reading the works of an “evil” man.
Nevermore
A more accurate biography of Poe did not appear until of 1875 (Ingram). But once a lie is out it is difficult to retract it. Many writers used Poe as a cautionary tale against alcohol and drugs. In 1941, Arthur Hobson Quinn presented evidence that Griswold had forged and re-written a number of Poe’s letters that were included in his “Memoir of the Author”. By then, Griswold’s depiction of Poe was entrenched in the mind of the public, both in America and around the world, and this distorted image of the author has become part of the Poe legend despite attempts to dispel it.
The very fact that Poe, a snappy and fashionable man was found in worn out clothing in a gutter went against the nature of the man. I believe he suffered from depression, of course, but I also believe that the notion of him drinking himself to death is wrong.
In the 19th Century, in America, people, especially man, all drank copious amounts of alcohol. The temperance movement in the United States was well founded due to the amount of alcohol most people consumed. Drink did not agree with Edgar Poe. So we he drank it went right to his head in extreme ways, but yet, if he had passed up a drink that would have gone against the social norms.
A few months before his death Edgar Allan Poe became engaged to his childhood sweetheart Sarah Elmira Royster. There were rumors that her brothers, who were against the union, had Poe murdered.
Sarah Elmira Royster Poe’s Love Interest at the time of he is death.
Poe’s friend Sarah Helen Whitman, a poet, and woman of good standing always insisted he did not die a dishonorable man.
Sarah Helen Whitman Poet and Friend of Poe
He did die a brilliant story teller and the father of the modern murder mystery, and modern horror.
If you get a chance look up the different stories about Poe. You’ll be amazed at what is out there.
Or, on the other hand, Edgar Allan Poe might still be with us, having come aboard the ship to California with the rest of the Vampires.
Burning Question #18: Was Edgar Allan Poe Murdered?
The Black Cat Illustrated by Gris Grimly
When I was a child my brother’s and I used to read Poe around a candle at night. Well, they’d read. As the youngest child I’d just let them scare the jeebers out of me. Later I read the stories on my own. And of course we’ve all seen (much later) the Vincent Price movies.
