So I’m hanging out with a vampire and a zombie and it struck me that that probably sounds weird to the casual passerby to this website. So I made a couple new pages for the site that will hopefully explain things a little better. And Liam made me include a one-click stop for the Zombie FAQ instead of spreading it out in a bunch of posts. Practical as always, that’s Liam. You can find the new stuff over there on the right or across the top of the page.

My friend Simone is also around atm. She thinks me having this blog is silly because people are just going to think I’m a little bit insane taking about vampires and zombies and necromancers and ghosts and all that stuff. The world has taken centuries to coming around the fact that the Shadow World exists and there will always be folks who want to deny it.

I can’t say I disagree, but if I don’t get out there, get visible and tell my stories of the life I lead, then there will always be fear and fear leads to anger and all that Yoda stuff. I believe that if the world can know zombies like Liam and vampires like Simone - hell even vamps like Arthur (who can take the whole “Dracula” image to the extreme because he thinks it’s funny) then that could a big step to acceptance. I think Simone’s just cynical. By rights, I should be too. I’ve dealt with the fear and denial by the ‘normals’ my whole life and have witnessed firsthand how destructive they can be. I want to put a stop to that if I can.

So I’ll continue to blog and answer questions and tell my stories. If you, dear reader, think I’m a nutjob well, that’s your prerogative.

I had a girls’ night in the other night with my best friend, Simone. Had to boot Liam and he was none too happy about it. I told him to go visit dad. They haven’t been around each other much lately. Figured they should have some zombie/necromancer bonding evening. That came out a little squickier than I intended. I just meant they should hang out.

Anyway, Simone came over and we ended up watching chick flicks like we always do. We did argue out the film choices at first, again like we always do. She threatened me with Shaun of the Dead, and retaliated by picking up Queen of the Damned. It was most amusing. An hour in Blockbuster picking out movies: $20. Pissing off a vampire by threatening to make her watch an Anne Rice movie: Priceless

Yes, Simone is a vampire. I probably should have mentioned that. I’ve known her since we were kids but she was vamped just a few years ago by a rogue passing through town who took a fancy to her. She’s pretty hot and she used to be pretty reckless. She adapted to the lifestyle pretty quickly though and seems to be all right with it. We stayed friends and we try to get together at least once a week to hang out and catch up.

But wait, I hear you saying. Doesn’t she try to suck your blood?

No. Well, there was that awkward night right after she was vamped and still coming to grips with the whole blood thing. but we got past it. No, Simone has a deal with a friend at the blood bank. She says the draw of drinking blood ‘from the tap’ is strong, but she could never get past the whole having to bite them thing. Apparently it grosses her out too much and she’s happy to nuke expired blood in the micro. She looks pretty cool though, with the fangs and pale beauty. She’s taken to going to a lot of the goth shows where she’s become something of a fixture among the kids there. She’s almost a show unto herself

Besides, not all vampires are evil. It’s much the same with them as it is with humans. Not all humans are “good” either. Mostly, if a vampire is evil, they would have been evil as a human anyway. Vlad the Impaler was a pretty nasty customer in his day. When he became a vampire and took on the name of Dracula, he was still pretty wicked.

But chances are, if you’re a decent person, you’ll remain one as a vampire and you’ll find a way to adapt that doesn’t involve killing or hurting.

A lot of the myths you know about vampires are true, however. Vampires are mystical creatures and as such, mystical means of killing or handling them hold true. A wooden stake, fire, crosses (though any holy item will do - anything that faith is put into can have averse effects on a vampire. Nobody knows why though), all of these things will hurt or kill a vampire. It is also true that they are creatures of the night. They don’t burst into flame if they are exposed to daylight, but it weakens them greatly, and they can’t really function in it.

Anyway, I’ve digressed. Girls’ night was a success. Much fun was had and it took my mind off of things. I definitely needed it. Thanks Simone. Mwah.

I thought I’d add a little to the FAQ about zombies tonight. I don’t have much time. Need to get to bed early tonight

Q. Can zombies feel pain?

A. Yes, though it’s not as acute as it would be if the zombie was human. I don’t pretend to know the physiological makeup of a true zombie. I’m no doctor. But my father believes that part of the power used to tie a zombie to his necromancer includes neurological functioning as well as functioning nerve endings. Liam says he feels like they’re deadened (ha!) though. I could smack him upside the head right now and it wouldn’t cause much pain. If I accidentally broke a finger, however, he would feel it.

Q. Speaking of breaking stuff, can zombies heal?

A. On their own, no. But the necromancer that raised the zombie can use that tie between them to sort of “push” more power into the zombie and heal him or her.

That’s all I’ve got time for tonight. I’ll post more tomorrow. Thanks for reading!

Well. Hi there. I have no idea what to say. My friend Liam seems to think it’s about time I “get with it” as he says and get online. “Time to join the 21st century CherryPop.” he says. So here I am. Bitching and moaning the whole time while Liam rolls his eyes at me.

It’s not so bad I guess. I’ve kept journals ever since I learned to write anyway. Maybe this way I’ll save bookshelf space.

I guess though since anyone can read this sucker, I’d better introduce myself. My name is CherryPop McGee. Yes, really. Save the jokes, I’ve heard them all. Besides, I love my name. So there.

Actually, Mom refuses to tell me why she named me after a fizzy drink. She just gets this dreamy look on her face and smiles before changing the subject. I gave up trying to solve the mystery when I was eight.

So enough about my funny name. If you’re here, you’re probably looking for info on zombies or vamps or witches and wizards. Maybe you met me at a rally and Liam handed you a card with my site address on it. Maybe you’re a crackpot who wants to let me know I’ll be spending eternity in hell. However you came by this place, I’ll do my best to keep you up-to-date on the latest news on the zombie rights front.

Here’s a few questions I get asked all. the. time.:

1. Are zombies real?
What do you think Liam? Are you real? Liam says, “Duh.” Liam’s sitting next to me nagging me to get this done keeping me company. Liam is a good friend of mine. Liam is also a true-blue, bona fide zombie and has been one since I was three. No, he doesn’t eat brains, or human flesh, or stumble around stupidly. Real zombies - the ones who have been raised properly by a trained necromancer - are human. Just dead. Liam and others like him can function normally in society. They just don’t need to eat, sleep, or drink. They do need to move around a lot or rigor mortis can set in and trust Liam when he says it’s a bitch to shake it off. Zombies don’t need to breathe either, so don’t offer them a ciggie.

Zombies cannot reproduce. No shagging There’s no blood circulating you see. So once you’re a zombie, nless you had children before you die, you will never be able to have them. One more reason to grant them rights as citizens. Some zombies would like to adopt, but as of now, that’s impossible.
2. I thought Zombies were slow-witted creatures who want to rip my guts out.
Some of them are. Avoid them. If a zombie is not raised properly, say if a wanna-be necromancer attempted to raise a zombie without the proper training and rituals, then you’re going to get the sort of zombie who give the rest of them a bad name. Yeah, they’re scary. Fortunately, it’s very difficult to raise the dead without the right training. Occasionally some idiot gets lucky, but for the most part the only dead things these amateurs might raise are bugs or fallen leaves.

3. What about vampires and witches and wizards? They’re real too?
Yes, yes and yes. I am a witch (I’m also a certified necromancer but you didn’t ask about those) and best friends are vampires and zombies. Similar cautions apply with all three of the above. You’re going to run into “evil” vamps and I know for certain there are “bad” witches and wizards in the world. There are “evil” humans out there too. Doesn’t mean they’re all evil now does it?

Wel I think I’m typed out for tonight.  Liam informs me that my little Q&A above is known as a FAQ online, so I will add to it next time. GNight!