Thanksgiving with the fam

[feliciakw]

Some things that occurred during Thanksgiving with my extended family:

I was pegged as the vampire expert by Cousin SJI's daughters (SJI is my cousin, so her daughters are my first cousins once removed, for those of you keeping score). Why this is the case, I have no idea (other than my mom was pretty interested in vampire lore back in the day). The 12-year-old was full of questions about vampire lore, and where Dracula comes from (I tried to explain Vlad Tepes and Erzsebet Bathory), and I tried to explain how traditional vampire lore has been changed by modern popular culture and how anymore it depends on which book you're reading/movie you're watching/TV show you're into what the appropriate lore is. Meanwhile, in the background, my little bro, who has actually read Bram Stoker's Dracula was correcting me on my actual Dracula lore and finally pulled out one of his role playing magazines and was reading to us from an extensive article on the nature of vampires.

This conversation came about when the elder of the two daughters, who is 15, declared her deep and abiding affection for Twilight. My only response to which was "Vampires don't sparkle. It's just wrong." Well, that, and "I outgrew formula romance about 25 years ago." I also pointed out that "Vampires are evil. And dead."

Then they asked about werewolf lore, to which I responded, Oh, if you want to know about werewolves, you'll have to talk to my cousin (from the other side of the fam) girlyghoul.

"What about mummies?" they asked. "I don't like mummy movies. They're boring," says I. At which they gasped in shock because I've worked on a mummy movie. To which I replied that the only reason I did was that it was my husband's project. (But that's another story.)

(As a matter of fact, I did suggest that they give SPN a try. The teens are keen on horror. Cousin SJI is not, so I pointed out that the boys on the show are really cute.)

Next, there was much conversation (among the adults) of who wanted to take a conceal and carry course. I mentioned that I prefer lever action rifles, though pump action shotguns are good, too. Not that you can conceal such things, but you do not want me shooting a handgun.

And finally, we discovered that Cousin JA is a closet rocker. We played the Rock Band version of Guitar Hero (if that makes any sense--multiple instruments--2 guitars, drums, and vocals), and Cousin JA was most awesome. Her petite build and quiet demeanor belie the fact that she apparently practices Guitar Hero when no one is looking. She also stated (though I did not hear this directly) that it is much different when she hasn't had a beer first.

All in all, it was a delightful gathering. I talked to more people for longer in the five days that I was home than I do in a month here in Culpeper.

Comments

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

I am torn. Ot1h, I don't want to discourage your writing. Otoh, I told you I wasn't going to actively encourage any fic other than visions!Dean, 'cause, you know, original work needs your attention.

So . . . Go ahead and send, I guess, but do tell Jim and Blair and Larry and Megan that you've left Dean and Sam in kind of a spot, what with kids disappearing and all.

:-)