Enter freely of your own wyll...
And leave some of thee happyness you bryng.
Search thee darkest corners of my realm...
Slipping out of gothyk mode...
Good grief, it has been a *LONG* time since I last updated this. I shall try to do at least a modest update as I know it's been a long time coming. To be honest, I haven't really had a moment to call my own lately. I'm still plugging away on my second novel. It's going through it's editing phase now. No telling what the publisher will do with it once they get their hands on it. I need to try and MAKE time for writing so I can finish it (and start another one). Normally I would wait until I have all the pages updated, but in the interest of time and wanting to get this updated and online as quickly as possible, I will upload the pages as I finish them. So, if the dates they were updated seem slightly out of whack it's because I guess-timated when I would have them completed. That being said... here we go.
May, 2004 - Hubby had back surgery the beginning of the month. Is recuperating nicely at home, though getting frustrated with how long it takes to bounce back from major surgery (his first).
July/August, 2003 - I made another trip to California. This time (and one of the biggest reasons I was able to go again so soon) I went by train (Amtrak). I've never travelled any distance by train before and I must say, even though I do enjoy flying, I *REALLY* enjoyed this!
Unfortunately, Amtrak doesn't have local service where I live so I had to go to Albuquerque, New Mexico to catch it. From there it's a straight trip to California - no changing trains till you get to Los Angeles (my final destination). The train was late arriving in Albuquerque (about 2 hours) to pick me up, but managed to make up some of that time on the way out. I really enjoy that part of the US and it was nice to just sit back and watch it go by the window. When I first boarded I was seated with a family of five who was going to see the Grand Canyon. They reached their stop around midnight and left the train. After that I had both seats to myself so I could stretch out (sort of) and sleep. I wouldn't say I got a great night's sleep, but it was adequate. There are a few adjustments to train travel from other forms of public transportation, but for the most part, I think it's more comfortable (more head and leg room) than a jet.
If there's a negative at all, it's attempting to use the restroom when the train is going at full speed. Train tracks are NOT flat and this causes each car to heave up and down (somewhat like a boat bobbing over large ocean swells). Makes for an interesting time when nature calls. Beyond that though I would definitely enjoy going by train again and it is infinitely cheaper than flying to the same destination - about half of what my plane ticket cost for the same trip I took in February, 2003.
While on my visit to California, I returned to "Torrid" - see the link below if you are interested in viewing their merchandise:
I also like shopping at "Hot Topic" - especially their clearance rack - made even better when they have one of their special sales and everything on the rack is reduced another 50%. I like to look for "Nightmare Before Christmas" stuff when they have it. Now that we have a "Hot Topic" store where I live, I can go there anytime and check out their new stuff. An old friend I originally met when he was working at Spencer's now works at our Hot Topic so it's nice to see a familiar face when I visit.
In January, 2003, I removed the pages re: Brian (and that hypocritical xian I had the run-in with a few years back). I did it because - at that time - they seemed no longer relevant, however, some new information has come to light re: Brian and I am putting up a new page about him with this new information. This goes way beyond my original reasons for putting up the page (Brian's opinions on 9/11) and shows a side of Brian even I was shocked to learn about. Call this my warning to those of you meeting people on the net who "seem" like nice people. Not everyone is as nice (or as honest) as they would have you believe.
The behind the scenes story on Brian and his so-called "nice guy" image
Really OLD news - The renovation is still in progress, but currently on hold for a while. With seven people living here it slowed down, but we did manage to finish the floor mosaic, tile/grouting and some of the wall treatment in the second bedroom. I've also painted two large mural-like paintings on the walls. I have plans for a third smaller one, but haven't been able to work on that yet. We installed new ceiling fixtures in both the smaller bedrooms (the ceiling fan I originally installed in the guestroom died a few months back). The new ones look a lot better (IMHO). I also made curtains for the second room and installed new curtain rods. There's still a lot to be done, but it's finally coming together.
I will say this, you'd never know the room now if you compared it to the before pics when my former EX-roommate moved out (December 3, 2000).
Please visit the "renovation diary" for pictures and the full update on what we've accomplished.
The Renovation Diary
And now a word from our sponsor...
What a great segue...
In the course of all this renovating, redecorating, arts, crafts and creative frenzy, I discovered a really good place to buy some of my supplies (fabric, paint, craft items - including a whole lot of rocks -- see my page on the renovation project -- then you'll understand).
The place is Joann's and they are located pretty much everywhere in the US. If you're looking for somewhere with some great creative ideas, please give them a try. What have you got to lose?
There are other links to Joann's throughout my website on other items they have to offer. Please look for the ones that interest you.
As for my former ex-roommate... *sigh*... that is a story unto itself. So bizarre, so bad, you may have difficulty believing it.
The Roommate From Hell
January 29, 2002 at 12:42 PM (PST) - I officially became a grandmother.
My granddaughter's name is Victoria Rose Denise Swaim.
Born - Escondido, California (near San Diego)
Weight - 8 lbs. 14 oz
Length - 21 inches
Description - Dark reddish blond wavy/curly hair and blue-grey eyes
I have TONS of pictures of her now. She recently celebrated her second birthday (time flies when you're a Grandmother). Here are some more recent pictures of her.
NEW PUBLISHING NEWS!!! A short story I wrote a couple years ago titled "Haunted House" is going into publication May, 2004 in a zine called "Grotesque". At this time I do not have any more information to give out, but when I do I'll post it here.
My first novel continues to sell and I am enjoying a small, but loyal following of fans. As I stated above, I hope to have book #2 edited and to a publisher by next year. Book #1 is available through my current publisher (Writer's Club Press - iUniverse.com) and all bookstores using "Bowker's Books in Print" or "Ingram Book Group".
A link to my publisher's website and more info about my book.
To order directly from your local bookstore:
TITLE: DHAMPIR
ISBN #: 0-595-18429-4
AUTHOR: Robyn D. Swaim
Here's a link to Amazon.com where you can read more about it and place an order. Anyone ordering my book who contacts me personally will be offered a personal autograph if they mail their copy to me (return postage paid by the sender please - I cannot return any books that do not include this). If you would prefer, (and especially for those living overseas) I can send an autographed card to be inserted in the front to save us both some postage. Your choice!
If you have any problems ordering this book, please tell the bookseller the book is a "POD" (Print On Demand). This should help to clarify how they should place the order.
While I am still a big fan of Umbra et Imago, I am not promoting them as much due to a combination of time restraints and lack of information. Since the fan base broke up, updates are non-existent. However, I still believe they are one of the greatest bands around.
A couple reviews I wrote about "Mea Culpa" and Umbra et Imago appeared online in the Goth zine "The Velvet Rag" (located out of San Diego, California). Unfortunately, "The Velvet Rag" has gone the way of so many online zines and disappeared. Thanks to my former editor, Eric for allowing me the honor of being in the second issue.
Here are links to two other reviews I wrote of the band's CD's on Amazon.com:
Mea Culpa
Hard Years: The Live Album
One of my reviews was re-printed (thanks to Eric's kind permission) in the Winter, 2000/2001 edition of the Umbra et Imago fanzine.
Other links to the band's available CD's on Amazon.com
Machina Mundi
A portion of the liner notes from "Machina Mundi" - if you look closely you'll see "Robyn, The Texas Vamp" listed.
Traume, Sex und Tod
Infantile Spiele
If this were not enough, life threw me a bit of a curveball. I feel it's important to talk about it. Not just for myself, but for anyone who is facing something similar.
September, 2002 - Updated with new info on my chemo therapy, etc.
Read the entire medical saga here:
A page about my pets so you can see the menagerie.
My Pets
One last thing (well, okay... NOT really the last) - I believe in the three R's (not the ones involving schoolwork - though I believe in them too), but the OTHER three R's... ranting, raving and rambling... and I do them frequently here. So be forewarned... as I like to say (and only I can) I'm a wordy bitch and what else is a personal page for except to spout off about how one feels personally? Thanks for listening/reading and visiting!
WARNING: This means if you don't want to be offended, now would be a good time to move along.
Page down if my interests, philosophy and upbringing sound boring. *yawn*
My interests and favorites:
Music: Umbra et Imago**, Type O Negative, KMFDM (MDFMK), Live, AC/DC, Queen, Def Leppard, Ian Moore, The Doors, Samael, White Zombie, Rob Zombie, Godsmack, Marilyn Manson, Enigma, Staind, Creed, Savage Garden, Depeche Mode, Van Halen, Kiss (and others too numerous to mention), Classical (Mozart, Beethoven, Bach), and Soundtracks (Graeme Revell, James Horner, Danny Elfman and others).
I have been a *BIG* fan of Graeme's for the longest time (ever since falling in love with the musical score to "The Crow") and had the extreme honor of meeting him in October, 2002 at a music symposium in Lubbock, TX. What was really nice is that Graeme made himself readily available to chat with through out the day. I've never had that kind of access to someone as big in the movie industry before. The day centered around a combination of classes, interviews, question and answer sessions (Meet the Artist) and a screening of one of the movies he did the score for ("Siege"). The very first time I met him, was early in the morning in a class on composing music. He walked right up to me, stuck out his hand and said, "Hi, I'm Graeme." Not expecting it, I was nearly speechless. It was such a pleasure to meet someone who is so friendly and personable and meeting him is something I will always cherish.
TV Shows: The Osbournes, Mad Mad House, Angel (thank badness they brought Spike back - but it sure sucks that the show is now over - talk about leaving you hanging!), Buffy, WWE, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Actors/Actresses: Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Michael Wincott, Gary Oldman, Jodie Foster, Oded Fehr, Johnny Depp, Jason Statham, Jackie Chan, Brad Pitt, Stephen Rea, Angelina Jolie, Wynona Ryder, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson, Mel Gibson, Antonio Banderas, Christopher Lambert, Vin Diesel, Vince Vaughn, Bruce Campbell, Vincent Price, Patrick Stewart, Anthony Hopkins, Milla Jojovich, Ewan McGregor, Steve Buscemi, Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Adrian Brody, Brandon and Bruce Lee.
Directors: Stanley Kubrick, Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, James Cameron, Robert Zemeckis, Luc Besson, The Coen's
Types of Movies: Foreign (yeah, even the subtitled stuff), Martial arts, Disney (animated), European historicals (dealing with historical subject matter prior to 1900), Vampires, Horror and Swordplay.
I doubt this list will ever be complete - listed in alpha order...
Favorite Movies
28 Days Later,
8 Mile,
8MM,
Aladdin (Disney)
Aliens 1-4,
American Psycho,
Anna And The King,
Armageddon,
Austin Powers 1-3,
The Big Blue,
The Big Lebowski,
Blade 1-2,
Brad Pitt's films,
Bram Stoker's Dracula,
Brotherhood Of The Wolf,
A Bug's Life (Disney),
Cast Away,
Citizen X,
Clerks,
A Clockwork Orange,
The Color Purple,
The Commitments,
Contact,
Crazy in Alabama,
The Crow,
Darkness Falls,
Dead Alive/Brain Dead,
Deep Blue Sea,
Desperado,
The Devils,
Dinosaur (Disney),
Dirty Dancing,
Dogma,
Dracula 2000,
Edward Scissorhands,
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark,
Enough,
Erin Brockovich,
Event Horizon,
Evil Dead 1-3,
Faraway! So Close,
Feardotcom,
The Fifth Element,
Finding Nemo (Disney)
Forrest Gump,
Frances,
Frailty,
Frida,
From Dusk Til Dawn,
From Hell,
Gary Oldman's films,
Ghost Ship,
Gladiator,
Gone With The Wind,
Gothika,
Hannibal,
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone,
Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets,
The Haunting (1963),
Hearts In Atlantis,
Henry And June,
Highlander,
House On Haunted Hill (1958 & 1999),
How Stella Got Her Groove Back,
Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney),
Ice Age,
Identity,
Interview With The Vampire,
Jackie Chan's films,
James Dean's films,
Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back,
John Carpenter's Vampires,
Johnny Depp's films,
Jurassic Park 1-3,
The King And I,
La Blue Girl,
The Last Emperor,
The Last Of The Dogmen,
Lilo And Stitch (Disney),
Lord Of The Rings 1-3,
Marilyn Monroe's films,
The Mask Of Zorro,
The Messenger,
Michael Wincott's films,
Monster's Inc. (Disney)
Moulin Rouge,
The Mummy,
The Mummy Returns,
The New Guy,
Nightmare Before Christmas,
Nurse Betty,
The Others,
The Pianist,
Pitch Black,
Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl,
Princess Mononoke,
The Prophecy,
Pulp Fiction,
Psycho (1960 & 1999)
Red Dragon,
Remember The Titans,
Resident Evil,
The Ring,
Rocky Horror,
A Room With A View,
Rose Red,
Rush Hour 1-2,
Se7en,
Session 9,
Shindler's List,
Shirley Valentine,
Shrek,
Signs,
Silence Of The Lambs,
The Sixth Sense,
Sleeping Beauty,
Sleepy Hollow,
Star Trek TNG: Nemesis,
Steel Magnolias,
Stigmata,
Stir Of Echoes,
Strangeland,
Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight,
Ten Things I Hate About You,
Thir13een Ghosts,
Top Gun,
Toy Story,
The Transporter
Underworld,
Urotsukidoji,
Vampire Hunter D,
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust,
Vampire Journals,
Vincent Price's films,
Virgin Spring,
Walking On The Moon,
What Lies Beneath,
What's Love Got To Do With It,
William Castle's films,
Wings Of Desire,
Wizard Of Oz
Hobbies: Sewing, Painting, Jewelry, Rubber Stamping, Polymer Clay, Crocheting, Fabric Painting, Tshirt Design, Computer Graphics, Webpages (doh), Dolls (***more on this below), Interior Design, and Furniture Refinishing
Things I Collect: Assorted Plush (including Disney, Grateful Dead Bears, Boyd's and Ty), Action Figures (Crow, Spawn, Horror-related), Pokemon (figures/plush - not games/cards), Trading Cards (non-sport, mostly movie-related), Comics (Lady Death, Vampire/Horror, The Crow - I used to collect more until it became too expensive), Nightmare Before Christmas, Kiss, James Dean/Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, and any other things involving - Vampires, Gargoyles, Gryphons, Dragons, Bats, Halloween, bladed weaponry, The Crow
Interests: The Crow (can you tell this is a continuing theme?), WWE (The Rock, Stone Cold, Mick Foley, Edge), Anime (Manga/18 and similar stuff - definitely NOT Sailor Moon or stuff for the kiddies) and things involving - Vampires, Gargoyles, Gryphons, Dragons, Bats, Animals (especially cats and bears), Halloween, Dark and Evil(huh?), Occult, Religion/Mythology, Serial Killers, Symbolism, Astronomy, Native American and Asian cultures, Writing, Reading (unrepentent bookaholic), Medieval European History and Weaponry (swords and knives), England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Germany.
***RE: The dolls... probably sounds a bit odd saying I like to collect dolls (though probably no worse than stuffed animals). I won't get into my collection, but I have a sideline "hobby". My idea may not be totally original, but it turned out better than expected and I hope someday to turn it into a business. I picked out a name for this venture and when I have more time I'll put up more info and pics - including before and after. My book and health problems have sort of put this on a back burner - not to mention a lot of my creative endeavor has been locked up dealing with renovating the house, however, I hope to get back to it at some point.
No list would be complete without the following:
Things I REALLY hate: Bigotry, animal, child, and spouse abuse, terrorism/terrorists, racism, white supremacists (KKK, Neo-nazis, militia, etc), gun lovers/enthusiasts (if you can't get it with a sword, it isn't worth getting) who think the 2nd amendment gives them the right to keep as many guns as they want in their house of any type/kind/description, religious zealots, hypocrites, cults, creationists, fundamentalists, judgemental "Xians" in general, ignorance, and general stupidity. I have a very LOW "Moron tolerance" level.
In light of my lengthy opinions on this topic, I have decided to set them on another page for your reading pleasure. If you REALLY want to know what I think about some of the stupidity that goes on in the world, go to the page on "Cneajna". (link below)
One final comment...Ok, the boring part is over - WAKE UP!
To my friends - I hope I'm not leaving anyone out -- if your name isn't here it may not be intentional -- please let me know.
Countries represented: The US, Mexico, Canada, UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Israel, Austria, Australia, Spain, Romania and Pakistan.
(most of these names are nicks to protect privacy)
B|oody666 -*- Volkmar -*- kulde -*- Sallow -*- Chaire -*- Beowulf
JADW -*- SKIDRO -*- Lagrnathy -*- PT_steele -*- Nancy
Azmodan -*- Avatar -*- UpstandingDragon -*- Rachael Wolfe
Lugosi -*- Bloofer -*- Valmont -*- Tanthalaswind -*- Morgasma - ^Baron^
Tigjah -*- Masenar -*- Tama -*- Westydeath
Prozach -*- ^Badger -*- Screams -*- Araandel
Ravenus -*- Zarlock -*- Vampy -*- Sharkman
Mastemoth -*- sorg -*- Lovelorn -*- Rob B.
Epona -*- Nephandus -*- Tavi -*- Lynnette -*- Diurnal Vampire
Bloofer... for the invaluable info on Vlad (Tepes) Dracula and Cneajna. And for just being a really cool and groovy person who knows a lot about Dracula and who's always willing to share her vast expertise.
Valmont... for your help with my writing and info on Dhampirs - I couldn't have done it without ya!
Rob Brautigam... for all your kind support, info, and wonderfully humorous letters and advice - "Thee NAWTY one" thanks you bunches and bunches!
Volkmar... for getting me "addicted" to THEE Greatest Band - UMBRA ET IMAGO - and for the updates, info on Umbra and STUFF!
And last, but definitely not least...
B|oody... for gracing me with your beautiful Goddess presence! You are THEE best! :) I love you for it!
Additional info:
Who is Cneajna?
Who was F14lover?
This is a VERY old nickname... but a few remember, so here is a part of my "historical past".
I'll soon be adding more airshow pics from my collection on a secondary page.
What is a Dhampir?
Currently Over 300 LINKS! All updated and working!
I want 666. Please send your favorite!
Stud Muffins - Friends and Famous - Guys who are HOT!
The Asylum
Friends Poetry, Artwork, etc.
Digital Doomsday Clock
My guestbook from Lycos has finally been retrieved and is installed here with all the old entries. So... if you'd like to leave comments, kudos, or constructive criticism or share your favorite movies... please sign - *HOWEVER* if all you want to do is to make immature remarks - take them somewhere else!
View My Guestbook
Sign My Guestbook
Gothyk Layre Established - July, 1995
Prior to the loss of my previous counters, approximately 3068+ visitors graced these pages with their presence. Once again my counter was abruptly turned off with no notice and I'm having to guess at the number of people who've been here since it disappeared and installing counter #5. I hope this one lasts a lot longer and works a lot better than the last one did.
Updates are ongoing - I hope you enjoy your stay.
