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Interview with Barbie Cantu
Interviewd by LA Judge
This month Demoness Barbie sets the interview page on fire. Bringing to the Vampire Church her upfront style Barbie dollops out doses of reality & humor with equal enthusiasm. One of the longer time sanguinary Associate members of the Vampire Church, Barbie talks about everything from blood to chocolate
LA: Greetings Barbie and welcome to the Vampire Church interview chair. You have been a Vampire Church Associate member for a number of years and are well known for your impish style & quirky sense of humor. Please introduce yourself to the VC Magazine readers.
Barbie: Hey all, I'm Barbie...who's impish...lol an Associate for last count 4 years, unless you want the full list.
LA: Lol. You are a sanguinary vampire. That is a hard route. Tell me some about how you came to that realization
Barbie: Well recognizing sanguine vampirism is very difficult, its a process by which you feel the need for energy, but do not know why The process involves tasting another's blood before you realize that you are a sang vampire: Tho you know there's something wrong for a long time
LA: How so?
Barbie: For myself, the realization came from being naughty and biting my boyfriend (at the time's) lip during a kiss. The need for energy is there, its constant but you don't know how to attain what you need. So you don't know what it is you need until you actually take it - usually by accident, as it was in my case.
LA: In the Oct 2004 issue of VC Magazine, you wrote an excellent article cautioning vampires that think they are sang to re-examine from where the energy is taken. Is it your thought then that many who think they are sanguinary may be using other energy sources as well? http://vcmagazine.net/Vol28/zinearticle4.html
Barbie: Yes, most definitely, most people think it’s so romantic to take blood, and their desire to fulfill the typical vampire stereotype will lead them to want to take from those energies. Psy, empathic and other types of vampires are quite capable of using and taking sanguine energies of that there is no doubt, but the need for most isn't really a need for the sanguinary energies. It’s a need for the emotional energies.
LA: You are very right about the Gothic Victorian romance notion with blood - it seems almost trendy. So many come thru the door thinking blood is the only need when in fact it is energy that is needed
Barbie: Yeah, that's something a lot will deny. A lot DO deny I should say…lol. I wrote an article also regarding the blood being a vessel for the energies needed. http://darkester.hypermart.net/zine1/zinearticle4.html
LA: So true. As a sanguinary vampire, does this over fascination with blood bother or affect you?
Barbie: Well I’m overly fascinated with blood, traits, energies, everything involved in it, from the way its made up to the way it travels through the body. I used to do phlebotomy. The different feelings of blood from accident victims to people who were sick with fever were amazing. Just a note to those who would think I’m nutso enough to do it, no I never drank any of the blood and had no desire to do so.
LA: You have penned a number of articles all in the VC Magazine past issues files dealing with sanguinary vampirism, it is good to have you here as a resource. You act as a balance point to the outrageous claims that some make.
Barbie: The whole glamorous idea of blood being taken from the neck, or over-shall we say stimulating the populace by using a feeding to create shock value or to increase the allure of who you are is pathetic in my mind tho.
LA: That is so much playing to the Hollywood cliché.
Barbie: I’ve watched on TV people take something personal like feeding and make a spectacle out of it. That's so immature and unnecessary. The thought of the community has been to promote understanding, not create shock for the sake of shock. That hardly improves our image...lol.
LA: Sang feeding is a very private personal matter. You are right that it has been used in prime time for the shock value. Speaking of image ...you are not the typical vampire. You are a stay at home mom in a small community surrounded by generations of family. Tell me about that.
Barbie: Yes, I’ve been married since I was 16. I live in the same area that most of my ancestors dating back to my great grandparents have. It’s good and bad to have so many I’m related to here...lol.
LA: How does that affect your energy and the way you interact with the vampire community?
Barbie: well as you can imagine it’s pretty draining to live next door to your mother...lol. Even if you LIKE her...lol.
LA: Lol
Barbie: My interactions with the vampire community have varied a lot from when I’ve first gotten here, in the online community I mean. At first I was very active on the lists and made every attempt to make everyone feel welcomed. I wrote to people personally regarding their problems, and all that. After becoming Council however, it was too difficult to keep that up as well as the other houses and organizations I belonged to. I pushed myself way too far with a lot of the things I was doing and it did have a crash effect. So now I take it easy most ways.
LA: You like many vampires have an empathic sense do you feel that you are more in tune that way because of a familial connection with the energy?
Barbie: Hmm, I’m not really sure, I think it’s just something I have. My sisters are pretty much clueless on empathic connections, tho my mom is very good at it. To the area however...lol, I’ve got a much bigger connection to the area than I do with most of my family. There's so many cousins aunts uncles, second cousins living in the area, but I don't talk to them much. I go visit the family cemetery and the old cemetery often tho, It’s a connection to the land, don't know if I like it, but its there...lol.
LA: Does that empathic sense kick in more at home or can feel the same in large group situations?
Barbie: I can feel it all the time, several situations lately have reminded me how the balance being tipped can leave you completely frucked. (Pardon my French) I was sick for a couple of weeks with the flu. Smart me decided to go to the mall while I was recovering still, but hadn't had any type of feeding to fix my energy levels.
LA: Ooo --- not a good move I take it?
Barbie: I was bombed by empathic energies from people. I didn't have enough energy to shield anything out, it was terrible.
LA: You just brought up an excellent point…that your vampire energy is directly linked to your body health.
Barbie: Yes, it’s something I plan on writing about soonly, hopefully for this issue.
LA: How does that work for you - both healthy & when fighting off a bug?
Barbie: Well fighting off a bug you won’t get me out of bed for much and for a long while after I’ll laze more than expend what little energy is left until I’m completely over it. ‘cept for the last time, much to my Homer style forehead slapping.
LA: I look forward to that article it should be very informative and much needed in this year when flu shots are in short supply.
Barbie: Ha! I already got the flu, no more flu for me, muahahahaha! Take that. I gave it to everyone!!
LA: Lol. Changing gears a little - what brought you to the VC and what keeps you here?
Barbie: It’s been a while, thinking back I can't really remember what brought me to VC besides looking up info (I wasn't aware that my feeding was vampirism until I read the VC site).
LA: Many say that the VC helped them recognize themselves.
Barbie: What keeps me here? I think the VC has a lot to offer anyone who's barely coming into their vampirism. I write to help out as much as I can with my area which isn't covered as much as other forms of vampirism. Straight out only sang being very rare. Much more rare than most would think. Besides that, Damien’s such a great guy, I love him to death... I’ve also made a lot of friends here, picked a lot of fights, won some, lost some, but I know my opinion will be respected even if it’s not agreed with.
LA: You are right - many that hit on the blood topics do so from almost a fetish type angle - you are very grounded and reality based in your approach.
Barbie: The fetish angle makes me laugh actually.
LA: How is that?
Barbie: How romantic is it to say to someone who isn't into blood "hey btw, can I cut you with this blade?” Lol. Not something you can discuss during dinner.
LA: Geez - yeah that is a bit out there.
Barbie: Don't get me wrong, a lot of sang vamps are into the fetish scene, but not all are, and getting on that subject with someone you wish to be a donor is not something that's easy.
LA: Well it is not exactly the casual conversation that many make it to be.
Barbie: Oh I’ve seen the commentary of using "the eyes" to make someone want to, gods makes me wanna puke.
LA: You are lucky you have a regular donor - that must be a great relief.
Barbie: Yes, but I wouldn't say he donors regularly...lol. His energy levels are usually on a downswing due to his working a lot. I’m not one to tap someone who doesn't have much to give.
LA: Give some advice here on what makes a good donor & how to treat your donor.
Barbie: Respect for your donor and respect for their energy levels is something that’s sadly lacking nowadays. I’ve seen plenty who'll take from anyone anywhere (crowded club floors, private parties). What makes a good donor is someone who's free of diseases, anyone unwilling to test themselves prior to being fed from is unacceptable unless you have been with this person long enough to know they are clean. Making sure your donor has the energy to spare is something that's key, and you can feel it from them easily. Anytime they can't, respect that and wait.
LA: That is very sound advice and hope that others show the respect you do and that you teach.
Barbie: Teaching, its getting more difficult, I swear, I’ve never seen a more hard-headed season than the Halloween/fall season...lol
LA: You have a nickname in the VC – Demoness. How did that come to be?
Barbie: Oh, that's a loooong story...lol. When I was a kid, I was very religious. I mean seriously thinking of becoming a nun.
LA: Really? You?
Barbie: Yeah me, shocking isn't it. My sister used to tease me when I was being bad she would say they'd never accept me because that's what I was. I hated it when I was a kid, but when I lost my religion and ended up very angry at it, I embraced the title, much to my sister's chagrin I can tell you that...lol.
LA: Lol …you have also been known for your straight forward style.
Barbie: Its been called a lot of things, one of which is straight forward. Some say its rude, but I mostly tell it like it is. I don't see any reason to dance around things anymore.
LA: A reality-based approach is always good.
Barbie: Yes, well sometimes it isn't. My opinions on certain people in the community, certain books, certain houses, etc aren't for airing in certain places. But personally, if I’m asked, I’ll answer.
LA: How do you see the community changing in the future?
Barbie: I should say something positive right? Lol, I don't see it changing. It’s a very cut-throat place to be to say the least. You have to have one hell of an armor to get around and not end up with your heart trampled.
LA: Why would you say that is?
Barbie: Houses pop up out of anger for other houses. Personal issues become community issues when they shouldn't. People are people and communities are just that. I wouldn’t' say the vampire community is really a community, more like an interconnected series of caves where you crawl out and see each other every so often. But that doesn't mean all of them are pleasant.
LA: That is a very dark view. How would you change that if you could?
Barbie: There are plenty of places which get along, mind you. It’s just that most are based purely on political and anti-political sentiments and all too often personalities clash and people take it upon themselves to choose sides rather than stay neutral. Well my mom always said, you can't change people. Tho it would be nice to see a handshake that's more heartfelt rather than something to be endured for the sake of the "community".
LA: Neutrality is one thing that the Vampire Church seems to do well. Has that been your experience as well?
Barbie: Ah, my road with the VC has been a rocky one, but positive for the most part. Neutrality with the rest of the communities dramas is something that's refreshing tho. Personalities clash here as they do in other places, but the organization as a whole is not affected. Everything goes on despite whatever's going on internally or externally.
LA: Yes, that is very refreshing here compared to many places.
Barbie: Plus it helps to have a handsome elder Ooops, I said that out loud. He's not here to say hmmm tho...lol.
LA: Another thing that is different in the VC is the lack of attempting link vampirism with religion or role-playing. How do you feel about that?
Barbie: Well one of the things I’ve attempted to teach is that if you're coming to VC to look for direction with your spirituality don’t' waste your time. There's plenty of houses who are all too willing to do that, to go look in those directions. Adding your vampirism to your spirituality isn't hard, but it isn't a requirement for vampirism. Connecting the two will leave more questions than answers. And fangs, ankhs, clothes, makeup, fads, they all fade away, basing your entire life on that is just silly.
LA: Very true words.
Barbie: I don't see the point of belonging to a "club" or giving into a fad, it’s so empty.
LA: Lastly, I have to ask one more thing in this interview or I would be negligent...and I address this question to Lady Chocula. So what is it with you & chocolate?
Barbie: I don't have a clue, but I love chocolate....lol. There’s a lot of energy reasons for it I suppose, but the chocolate house is a spoof house. I see a lot of people giving themselves the title of elder when they do less than nothing to deserve it. So I gave myself one, silly it a little.
LA: I love it.
Barbie: I am the elder of a mystical ancient house of chocolate worshippers. How glamorous is that? Haha.
LA: Nice
Barbie: I hear some don't get it tho. I guess it would be an inside joke if it wasn't so... plain to see.
LA: Lol well then the joke is on them.
Barbie: All hail...lol.
LA: Is there anything else you would like to share with the VC Magazine readers?
Barbie: Yes! I will be making more skeets for my Adopt-a-Skeet program soon. Just setting up my new graphics program.
LA: Lol
Barbie: http://www.geocities.com/adopt_a_skeet I think that's the addy
LA: Cool thank you.
Barbie: One of my projects I guess you could say...lol. Yes, that's the addy.
LA: Well this has sure been a pleasure and I am glad we have you here as a sanguinary voice of reality.
Barbie: Pleasure's all mine ;)
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