Nox Arcana: Videos and MP3's

As the week winds down and Friday is here, I thought I would give you all some pleasure for your senses. Think of me as Bast, Hedone, or perhaps one of the Daemonettes of Slaneesh. Of course, if your sense of pleasure runs to the darker side, you can always envision me as one of the cenobites. After all: "We have such sights to show you!"

Nox Arcana was kind enough to supply me with the links to two videos they themselves created - not fan made. They were also very generous in allowing me the opportunity to post some MP3's for your listening enjoyment.







Blackthorn Asylum: Released 21June 2009
Hidden Horrors
When Darkness Falls
Dementia 13
Essence of Evil
Fade to Black
Blackthorn Medley

Phantoms of the High Seas: Released 13October 2008
The Gallows Jig
Crossfire
Widow's Harbor
Skull and Crossbones
High Seas Overture

Grimm Tales: Released 30April 2008
Shadow Forest
Labyrinth of Dreams
Black Spires
Darkly Everafter
Grimm Medley

Shadow of the Raven: Released 20August 2007
Descent Into Madness
Madeline's Lament
Annabel Lee
Morbid Reminiscence
Raven Medley

Blood of the Dragon: Released 27November 2006
Highland Storm
Mist Loch
The Siege
Defenders of the Realm
Dragon Medley

Blood of Angels: Music by Nox Arcana, Vocals & lyrics by Michelle Belanger
Released 13October 2006
Bitter Ashes
Ella Sheena
Blood of Angels
Children of Heaven (club mix)

Carnival of Lost Souls: Released 6June 2006
Calliope
Soul Stealer
Theatre of Sorrows
Snake Charmer
Carnival Medley

Transylvania: Released 21October 2005
Castle Dracula
Nocturne
Gypsy Caravan
Lair of the Vampire
Transylvania Medley

Winter's Knight: Released 10July 2005
Ebonshire
Crystal Forest
Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
Winter Medley
Evening Star

Necronomicon: Released 10October 2004
Necronomicon
Temple of the Black Pharaoh
The Haunter of the Dark
The Stars Align

Darklore Manor: Released 15December 2003
Veil of Darkness
Remnants
Phantom Procession
Beyond Midnight
Darkness Immortal

Interview: Christine Filipak

Christine Filipak is one half of the driving and creative force behind Monolith Graphics. With her seemingly limitless talent - as a graphic designer, fine artist, and editor - Christine began working with Joseph Vargo in 1992, and since then she has taken her tenacity, talent, and creativity, to a level most can only dream of.

Since then Christine has been one busy women. In 1997, she and Joseph opened a fantasy art gallery, “The Realm,” and in 1998, the company Web site went online. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. Then, in 2003, with much research and inspired by various mythologies, the entrancing gothic-with-a-splash-of-art-nouveau "Madame Endora's Fortune Telling Cards" were born.

Besides being so gifted, Christine is also a very generous person with her time, in my humble opinion. She has gone the extra mile in helping me to make my interviews with herself and Joseph go smoothly, and then some. I respect her talent, knowledge, and gracious nature, and know that we will be seeing a lot more from Christine Filipak.

I think it is because I have been reading tarot since a very young age, and the fact that I have numerous decks that call to me and force me through their sheer magical will to buy them, that I discovered Madame Endora's Fortune Telling Cards. Pick a deck up and you will see not only the detail and beauty of their artistry, but also the simplistic complexity of their use and meanings.

So, as all good gushings must come to an end... here is my interview with Christine Filipak of Monolith Graphics:

Lili's Lair: What were you interested in first: tarot or art?

Christine Filipak: I was originally intrigued by the art of the tarot more than the divinatory meanings of the cards. Once I became more interested in the mythology of the cards, I began to research the history of the tarot.

Madame Endora's Fortune Cards are different than traditional tarot decks. The imagery and meanings are based in folklore, ancient mythology and mysticism from several different cultures, taking wisdom from each of them.

Lili's Lair: Why did you get the idea for Madame Endora's Fortune Cards?

Christine Filipak: Madame Endora was a regular feature in Dark Realms, a magazine that Monolith Graphics published between 2000 and 2008. The articles covered a wide variety of divination methods, plus she provided insight into different myths, legends, folklore, and spiritual belief systems. The card deck was simply a way to combine all of these ideas into something useful and fun.

Madame Endora was inspired by the Witch of Endor, who was a spirit medium from Biblical lore. According to the legend, King Saul had driven out all the necromancers and magicians from his kingdom. But fearing an impending invasion from his enemies, he disguised himself and sought out a witch in the village of Endor in order to discover his fate. At the king's bequest, the witch called upon the spirit of the prophet Samuel, who predicted Saul's downfall. The tale does not end happily, but illustrates irony and the pitfalls of hypocrisy.

Madame Endora offers the wisdom of the ages. Her advice is sensible and inspiring, and her fortunes are a combination of inner reflection, common sense and a positive attitude.

Lili's Lair: How did you come up with your card concept?

Christine Filipak: The deck contains a lot of symbolism and references to mythology from different cultures to convey various moral stories. To organize all these aspects, I assigned suits that are a bit different than what one finds in a traditional tarot. The Royal Court represents people of influence like the king and queen, maiden and minstrel. The Realm of Fable depicts figures from ancient lore such as fairies and satyrs. The Bestiary is a collection of creatures, both real and imaginary. The Treasury holds valuable mystical artifacts and talismans that can empower those who understand them. The Elements are symbolic representations of celestial bodies and the forces of nature.

Each card is inscribed with a brief meaning for simple interpretation. A more in-depth meaning of each card is provided in the accompanying booklet.

Lili's Lair: What was your process in the development of the deck?

Christine Filipak: Joseph Vargo and I worked together on this deck. We each illustrated different cards. I illustrated the feminine figures such as The Seer, The Queen and Hindrance, and some people will recognize Joseph's style in The Greenman, The Golem and The Satyr. I did many of the symbolic icons, Stars, Fire, Water, Air, etc., while Joseph did a lot of the creatures, Spider, Wolf, Wyvern and others. We worked on the various borders and backgrounds together. It was actually a 50/50 collaboration on the whole project. One example is The Siren, which was completely drawn by Joseph in pencil on white paper, then I came along and added all the color to her scales and fins and placed her on an abstract background that resembles a swirling sea. I did the Sun using computer illustration but incorporated a hand drawn scarab beetle that Joseph had created.

Lili's Lair: How long did it take you to finish the Madame Endora's Fortune Cards?

Christine Filipak: The whole project took less than six months from conception to completion, although some of the imagery was rendered and painted before the project began. There was also an extensive amount of research and editing involved in creating the text for the accompanying booklet.

Lili's Lair: What type of art media do you prefer to work with?

Christine Filipak: For the female figures, I used watercolors, pastel pencils, and ink on watercolor paper. I originally painted The Seer, The Queen and Hindrance as slightly different figures and displayed the original paintings in an art gallery that I helped design and build with Joseph in 1997. Over time I decided to change the images a bit, so I scanned them into the computer and did some Photoshop magic, adding borders, darkening colors, and things like that.

Mostly, I prefer the computer as a tool for illustration. I might go back to traditional techniques to achieve something that just doesn't look natural on the computer (like textures and hair, or to get that genuine hand-drawn look). But I'll usually scan it and clean it up using Photoshop. Everything we print must go from canvas to computer at some point, just to make the printing plates.

Lili's Lair: I have noticed that some artists like to use the same colour palette in all of their work. Is there a specific colour palette you like to work with or does it depend on what you are creating?

Christine Filipak: I'm comfortable with any color or combination. It really just depends on what mood I'm trying to achieve. But I do tend to gravitate towards a "royal" palette: rich burgundy or blood red, dark purple, warm golden tones, vivid deep blues and dark greens. I imagine those colors woven into a lush tapestry that's hanging on a stone wall in some great gothic castle.

Lili's Lair: Do you consider yourself to be a follower of any specific school of art?

Christine Filipak: I have a light side, and for this I love Art Nouveau. The style is highly decorative, flowing and sensual, and very feminine.

I also have a dark side. I love Gothic art and architecture — which by contrast is heavy, ornate, oppressive, gloomy, and even disturbing at times.

I really love and appreciate artwork of all types. I like primitive art, Renaissance art, fantasy art, iconic art, jewelry design, fashion design, sculpture, contemporary graphic design and photography if it's well thought out and executed.

My only personal rule is that a "work of art" must actually look like the subject, portraying that subject so the viewer can actually tell what it is without asking, even if it's a subject of fantasy. In graphic design or photography, the work or illustration must clearly and quickly communicate the concept or mood.

I do not consider something to be a "work of art" when it looks like someone poured paint into a blender and turned it on without the lid in place. It could be fun, but it doesn't involve talent, skill or much thought. The same goes for so-called "sculpture" that when "finished" looks like nothing more than a rock dragged out of a desert and mounted on a block of wood.

Lili's Lair: Is there a particular artist who has greatly influenced you?

Christine Filipak: Alphonse Mucha is my favorite artist of the Art Nouveau period (late 1800s to early 1900s), and his works have greatly influenced some of my own illustration for the Madame Endora cards.

Of course, there's Joseph Vargo. If not for him, I'd have probably never done this deck. He pushed me relentlessly. When it comes to my own artwork, I'm so weird. If I have to actually draw or paint something, I will procrastinate, mull over things, and forever make changes, but with my graphic design work, like when it involves putting together a layout, or overseeing the print-production of some new product of ours, I dig right in and never stop until the job's done.

Lili's Lair: Do you have any plans for creating another tarot or fortune telling deck?

Christine Filipak: I don't have any plans to do another deck, but Madame Endora has recently been adapted for the Apple iPhone. The entire deck can be downloaded as an app from iTunes. Just search iTunes for "Madame Endora." The developer is also planning to make a version for Nokia and other phones. The same may be done in the future for The Gothic Tarot.

I personally can't wait and hope to see an app for my Blackberry. Make sure to visit Christine at the links below, and pick up her fortune telling cards. You won't regret it.


LINKS:

Monolith Graphics
www.monolithgraphics.com/fortune.html

Apple
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=313132313&mt=8

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/096757563X/

Interview: Joseph Vargo of Nox Arcana

To say that Nox Arcana is just another goth band, and Joseph Vargo is just another musician, is a blasphemy. Those committing this blasphemy will be sent forthwith to the guillotine.

Joseph Vargo is much more than the founder of Nox Arcana or a simple musician; not only is he a brilliant composer, he is also an internationally acclaimed gothic fantasy artist, author, producer, entrepreneur, and creator of the renowned Gothic Tarot. For complete bios for both Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski of Nox Arcana, please visit the links at the conclusion of the interview.

For me, Nox Arcana is so much more than just simply music I enjoy sometimes. Since discovering them over five years ago, not a day goes by literally that during some point of the day I am not listening to one of Nox Arcana's CD's. I love the deeply haunting, melodic complexity that places you in another world. Another realm of being. Nox Arcana touches the deepest, darkest parts of my Irish-born soul, and envelopes me in the subtle bouquet of each note, each piece, on every CD. I could go on and on about each and every CD, not to mention Joseph Vargo's exquisite art, but I think I'll save that for another time. For now I will simply say I am grateful for such talent and that it is shared with the rest of us.

It is in this feeling of gratitude and personal delight that I offer up to you this interview with Joseph Vargo of Nox Arcana.

Lili's Lair: Was Nox Arcana once known as Midnight Syndicate? And if so why did you come to the decision to change your name?

Joseph Vargo: No. That was another band that I produced between 1998 and 2000. I was working with two other guys at the time and the creative atmosphere was very stifling, so I left the project to pursue my own artistic visions. In 2003 I formed Nox Arcana so that I could explore all the various aspects that I had conceived for a series of dark concept albums. With Nox Arcana, there are no musical or creative restrictions and we have produced eleven diverse CDs in just over five years.

Lili's Lair: You are a multi-talented individual. You create beautifully haunting music, you are a gifted artist, and you write quite well. Which of these gifts manifested themselves first?

Joseph Vargo: Thank you. I was constantly drawing at a very young age, and even then I loved to draw monsters. My mother always encouraged my artwork, while my father encouraged me to read. They were very supportive of art and literature. When I was eight years old, my parents bought a piano and my older sister and I took piano lessons from a retired music teacher in our neighborhood. Art and music were always part of my life. I didn't start writing until I was a teenager, and I didn't write anything serious until several years later.

Lili's Lair: Which of your talents do you enjoy the most?

Joseph Vargo: I get a great amount of satisfaction from each of my artistic pursuits, and though I don’t have a favorite medium, they each have their own rewards. Art gives instantaneous feedback. People look at a painting, and within a few seconds they begin to tell you what they like about it. It’s interesting to watch people view my paintings in a gallery. Some people gravitate toward specific pieces of art. Many people have told me that they were drawn to certain paintings from across the room. I love to hear them describe how their favorite works make them feel.

Music inspires a mood that you can revisit again and again. It stirs deep emotions and memories and is often very inspirational. Of all my artistic labors, I enjoy writing music the most.
Writing fiction allows me to describe my visions in much more detail than a painting allows. But no matter how descriptive a story is, it still leaves the reader to use his imagination to visualize exactly how everything looks and sounds.

Lili's Lair: Have you always known that music and/or art would be the path you were going to take? Or did you want to be something else "when you grew up" ?

Joseph Vargo: I always wanted to be an artist. I took advanced art classes in high school and attended the Cleveland Institute of Art when I graduated. But there was a period of almost 10 years that I worked at several different jobs that were completely unrelated to the art field. I almost gave up on my dream, but I never stopped drawing and painting. I did numerous freelance art gigs in my spare time until I decided to start my own business. Once I had established myself as an artist, I retuned to creating music.

Lili's Lair: From concept to completion, how long does it generally take to create one of your CDs?

Joseph Vargo: It takes an average of about four months to conceptualize and produce one of our CDs. I put in a solid forty-hour work week in the studio while I'm working on a CD. Aside from the composing, recording and mixing, I also have to put in an extra two to three weeks worth of work creating the artwork for the cd cover and booklet design. And then there's the puzzles hidden in our CDs, which take quite a bit of time to develop as well.

Lili's Lair: When coming up with the concept of a CD, which part comes to you first? Is it the music or the art?

Joseph Vargo: Once a specific theme has been chosen, the music and the story develop together. The art is usually the last thing I tackle because the concept may change from the initial idea. The only exceptions to this were two of our earliest CDs, Darklore Manor and Winter's Knight. The cover artwork for both of these CDs was created years earlier, but the interior booklet art was created after the CDs were finished. I make a lot of notes and sketches while I'm in the studio, but I like to immerse myself in my work, so I try to keep my focus on the music and concept before I switch gears to "artist mode."

Lili's Lair: Many people who are musicians, writers, and artists have described an almost ethereal presence come upon them when the muse strikes. How would you describe your personal experiences when your muse strikes?

Joseph Vargo: It just feels right. I don't have a spiritual epiphany, but I do follow my intuition. Sometimes the muse strikes and I have to write down whatever idea or melody is in my head before I forget it. Other times I sit down in front of a piano or blank canvas and start creating with a basic idea or mood in mind and the magic just happens. I don't ever feel any ethereal presence, I just keep working till things begin to click. Once I see the potential in a painting or song, it's fun to flesh-out the finished product.

Lili's Lair: As a creative partnership, do you ever find working together difficult? If so, how do you sort that out?

Joseph Vargo: We have had a few disagreements over the years, but we've always managed to discuss the problem and come to an amicable settlement. I think it's a good thing to have differences of opinions on some things. It allows the best ideas to rise to the top. It would be redundant and unnecessary to have two members of a creative team that had the exact same ideas about things.

Lili's Lair: Who comes up with the concepts for your projects, or is it a collaborative effort?

Joseph Vargo: I conceive the themes and develop the stories for all of our cds. Some of them have been based on the works of my favorite gothic authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and H.P. Lovecraft. Others were original concepts that I concocted on my own. I have so many other ideas in my head that I'd like to develop as well.

Lili's Lair: Where does your inspiration come from when creating your music and art?

Joseph Vargo: Mostly from my own imagination. Once I get an idea for a concept, I just begin to visualize the history and details of the surrounding story. For example, for Winter's Knight, I wanted to do a holiday album, that was darker than the traditional Christmas albums. With this basic idea in mind, I began to come up with ideas for a ghostly spirit that appeared in the ruins of an ancient cathedral each year on the eve of the winter solstice to tell a tale of redemption to those who would listen. The story links the music together and the song titles help to guide the listener through a crystal forest to the haunted village of Ebonshire where magical things can happen. Once I get rolling with a particular concept, the ideas flow like a waterfall.

Lili's Lair: Do you find the saying "art imitates life" to hold true? Or do you think life imitates art?

Joseph Vargo: I think that's true with some art and fiction, however our concept albums are based on fantasy themes chosen and specifically crafted to conjure certain moods and emotions, so the majority of ideas are solely inspired by imagination, while others pay homage to classic tales of fiction. None of our themes are set in the present day, and I try not to base things on personal experiences. I also really want our concepts to be completely original, or to put an original spin on an familiar theme.

Lili's Lair: Your music is very intense, very full of emotion. Do you feel that your personalities reflect this type of intensity as well? If they do, how so?

Joseph Vargo: Definitely. I strive to make my music a reflection of who I am. I like to listen to music that is powerful and dynamic, but I also have my quieter moods when I listen to music that is more melodic and haunting. I really am a romantic at heart, but I am also someone who enjoys action, danger, mystery and fantasy. My work really does mirror my own diverse personality traits.

Lili's Lair: If Nox Arcana could rewrite a musical score for any movie that has ever been made, what movie would it be, and why?

Joseph Vargo: That's a tough question. The first film that springs to mind is Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece Bram Stoker's Dracula. It has all the elements we love to convey with our music— mystery, romance, suspense, action and horror. The only problem is that the film already has a fantastic musical score, so I wouldn't want to mess with it. It would have to be a film that I really liked that had a weak score. Maybe one of the versions of the film Nosferatu. I think the original silent film would be cool to score, but the film itself is very choppy and disjointed, so I guess I would pick the 1979 version starring Klaus Kinski and Isabelle Adjani. I'd love to create a main musical theme for it that is as memorable as the themes for Halloween and The Exorcist. Other than that, if Tales from the Dark Tower were ever made into a film, our range of musical styles would be perfect for the score.

Lili's Lair: How much time do you dedicate every week to your work? Do you divide your time evenly between music, art, and writing, or do you work on whatever appeals to you at the moment?

Joseph Vargo: I have an insane work schedule. Over the past ten years, we were so busy with our business that my partner Christine Filipak and I used to put in ten to sixteen hours a day, seven days a week. We were so involved with all the aspects of Monolith Graphics, Nox Arcana, Dark Realms Magazine, The Gothic Tarot, T-shirts, books, posters and calendars that we didn't have any time left for ourselves. Not only did we create and produce all of our products, we also distributed them worldwide. After eight years of publishing a magazine, we decided to end it so that we could have some free time for ourselves. Now I only put in six to eight hours a day. I still work on the weekends, but I try to relax a little more.

Now when I work, I can dedicate an entire day or week to one project instead of being forced to juggle several different projects at once. Even though our concept albums combine music, art and writing, I still consider it to be a singular product and I work on it all at once. A lot of artists and musicians are very driven, but they aren't very disciplined when it comes to putting in a full day of work. I know that I have to put in some long hours stick to a tight schedule to meet my deadlines, even if they are self-imposed.

Lili's Lair: Five years down the road, what would you like to see Nox Arcana doing?

Joseph Vargo: Nox Arcana is just over five years old and we already have eleven full-length cds, so another five years from now, I can easily see us having about 20 albums that cover every dark musical theme imaginable. I used to think it would be cool to score films, but I'm not really interested in doing that anymore, unless I have control over the project. I think it would be very cool to create some interactive gothic-themed computer games with my music and artwork.

Lili's Lair: Blackthorn Asylum is your newest project. Any hints for your fans as to what is next on your immediate agenda?

Joseph Vargo: Yes, we just released Blackthorn Asylum. It's a musical nightmare set in an abandoned sanitarium for the criminally insane where the doctors conducted horrible experiments on the inmates. Even though the asylum has been deserted for years, it is still haunted by the tortured souls that once resided there. The music and sound effects are very dark and somewhat disturbing and the CD and website hold a puzzle and mystery for fans to investigate.

Now that Blackthorn Asylum is done, I've begun working with a good friend of mine, Jeff Hartz, on his first CD, Zombie Influx. His style is very different from our music. It's more of a mixture of unsettling ambient soundscapes and industrial techno music, all centered around a zombie infestation. I've written a few tracks for him and will be producing the CD with him as well. Because these latest cds themes are very horror-oriented, the next Nox Arcana CD will be more darkly romantic and mysterious.



Quench Your Dark Desires...
http://www.monolithgraphics.com
http://www.noxarcana.com
http://www.josephvargo.com

12 Bells Movie Promo

Press release for 12 Bells by Annubis Productions:

12 Bells – a unique and spine-tingling horror film
TRAILOR DEBUT OF the second feature film from award-winning writer/director Erik SOULLIARD

Clifton, NJ – 12 Bells is a film about a diverse group of apartment dwellers who unsuspectingly become trapped in a parallel dimension of disparate doors. While most are merely acquaintances at the outset, the group is thrust into a maze of hallways and rooms only to be separated by the mystifying element of each doorway. As they struggle to reunite and find their way, they encounter a myriad of macabre and often manic beings who threaten their life with false hope and violent sadistic behavior.

Erik Soulliard’s 12 Bells is a suspenseful, high-paced horror that highlights the supernatural possibility that not every missing person is a victim of violent crime. Set in a warehouse resembling a mysterious netherworld, the clash of human and sub-human beings results in a chilling perplexity of survival.

Currently embarking on a fundraising campaign for the production and seeking to commence filming in the fall of 2009, the team at Annubis Productions includes exceptional local production personnel and well known talent to be brought to Lebanon, PA to shoot a film that will premiere at top-tier film festivals and eventually enjoy international theatrical release. The film, with a current budget of $1.2 million, will be shot with the latest RED camera equipment which is equal to 35mm and easily converts to HD allowing for theatrical release.

Erik Soulliard writer, director and actor of 12 Bells wrote and directed his feature film debut The Creek in 2006. In 2008 the film was released to all major DVD outlets through Ryko Distribution & Indie-Pictures. The Creek received Best Horror Feature, Illinois International Film Festival 2007 and Official Selection, Full Moon Film Festival, Milwaukee County Massacre Horror Convention, Atlanta Horrorfest, Spooky Movie Film Festival, Wildwood By the Sea Film Festival, Ava Gardner Film Festival. Erik runs his production company Annubis Productions through which he has helmed a music video, worked on a video project for the New York chapter of SMPTE, compressed web videos for McGraw-Hill and pursues independent feature film.

Bill Simone, Director of Photography for 12 Bells is located in central Pennsylvania with over 20 years of experience behind cameras of all types both still and motion. Bill has built an impressive reputation amongst "A list" clients and advertising agencies both regionally and nationally. After many successful TV spots, corporate films and campaigns, Bill has engaged in a long standing desire to shoot documentary and feature films. As a Director of Photography, Bill owns and shoots with a complete Red One production package. He also has extensive grip and crew support. Visit him on the web at:

www.billsimone-dp.com or www.billsimonephotography.com.

Lili's Lair will also be covering another of Annubis Production movies: The Creek. It will be two days of bloody fun in August. Watch for an announcement on the dates.

A Travel Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse: Location 1

[What is A Travel Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse? Click here to find out.]

Location: Small city mall, Nowhereville, USA
Rating:

What happens when a small city's already bad economy is affected by an entire nation's recession?

The answer is this: The local mall that once only kind of sucked, now really sucks. "Town Square Mall" (the names have been changed to protect me from a lawsuit) once had a center court that was dedicated to the mall rat. Not only did it have a cinema, but also two - that's right, two - Chinese take-aways, two fast food chains, a pizza place, a sub shop, a pretzel chain in two locations, and a sit down family restaurant.

Now, due to bad and greedy management, coupled with the bad economy, all you have left is the two Chinese take-aways, the pretzel places, the pizza joint, and the family style restaurant (which is always out of what you want to order). However, they have replaced all of the mall rats' faves with six - yes, I said six - jewelry stores. What are you suppose to kill zombies with - a stupid diamond ring? Or maybe you can survive on the gold neck chains.

I suppose it doesn't matter, because if you find yourself stuck in this mall for too long you'll be zombie chow anyway.

With that said, let us look at this location from a survival standpoint, and why I even rated it 1 brain.

First of all, there is a department store with tools, chainsaws, and an automotive department. This means there are usable tools with which to make the things you need to survive and to help rebuild once the zombie apocalypse is over: chainsaws and torches to defend yourself with; an auto section with possible vehicles, petrol, used and new oil to make torches or for other flammable uses, parts to fix your current vehicle and tools which can be made into weapons; an electronics section for portable radios, phones, and - hey - pick up a camcorder to record the zombie apocalypse for posterity.

Secondly, there is a very large sporting goods store, which means that there are helmets, knee, arm, and chest pads, catchers masks, and other equipment to suitably make yourself some personal armour; bikes for a quiet getaway; bows and arrows, and, if you are mechanically inclined, paintball guns that I am sure can be rigged to use as proper guns; and last, but certainly not least, baseball bats.

There you go: two usable stores located in the mall for quick gear if you are stuck and desperate.

I wouldn't recommend staying for the long haul. Unlike zombie movies that make it seem like the mall is the perfect hideout, it is not. There are too many ways in and out.

My recommendation is this: Whether you are in a group or alone, this is a quick stop for some tools and supplies. IF - and this is a big "if," future zombie slayers - IF the place isn't swarming with zombies and you have a clear cut plan on how to get in and get out fast, it might even be safe enough to hang around for a couple of days, tops. If you are very desperate, look for an empty storefront. Most of these crappy, small malls have at the very least one empty storefront. Just remember, only use this location if you are sure you can get in and get out, for quick stock-ups, or really, really short stays.

Oh, one more thing: If you find that the zombie apocalypse begins when you are in one of these small crappy malls... RUN... RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AND GET OUT. DO NOT PASS GO AND DO NOT COLLECT $200.

A Travel Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse: Introduction

On your commute home from work, your favourite radio station interrupts the music for an emergency bulletin. Your worst fears have come to pass: you are in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. The military have lost control, whole cities, towns, and villages are aflame and burning to the ground.

Everyone you love is dead, well, undead, I should say.

You are alone, completely and utterly alone.

The dead are rising, looking for fresh human flesh to gorge on.

They will get you - or will they?

Well, not if you know where to go to hide. Not if you had some sort of guide. A guide that would save you the time and trouble of trying to figure out for yourself where the best and worst places are to seek refuge during a zombie apocalypse.

Are you prepared? Or will you simply end up as food for the undead?

A Travel Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse is finally here. (Don't be fooled by imitations.)

Each location has a brain rating of 0-5. The more brains, the better your chances.

So, don't you think you should get your guide now - before the zombies come for you? After all, it's not a question of IF the zombie apocalypse will happen, but WHEN.

Interview: ZOMBIE!

My sick obsession with all things zombie, coupled with my equal love of all things dark and grisly, including music, led me to the band ZOMBIE! Their lyrics alone will give you nightmares - hopefully this interview won't!

Lili's Lair: Why did you choose the name ZOMBIE!

ZOMBIE!: After nearly a decade of working too hard and too long on things that were no longer fulfilling for me, I literally felt like a zombie. I just became completely dead inside; Hell-bent on vengeance and consumed with the urge to mutilate the living. I couldn’t imagine calling this project anything but ZOMBIE! Also, the band name “Loverboy” was taken.

Lilis's Lair: How long has ZOMBIE! been around, and how did you get your start?

ZOMBIE!: ZOMBIE! officially rose from the grave on Halloween of 2008. It started by getting a few songs up on MySpace and YouTube. Since then, the ZOMBIE! fanbase has grown by over 1000 people per week.

Lili's Lair: How did you come to the decision to combine horror with music?

ZOMBIE!: It wasn’t really a decision. When I get inspired to write lyrics, it’s always from a dark or angry place. It’s just what comes out. It’s therapy. While some artists are inspired by love and reminiscing, I’m mostly inspired by horror and violence. I could further explain it, but that’s what my court appointed psychotherapist is for.

Lili's Lair: You are literally a one man band. Exactly what instruments can you play, and how long have you been playing them?

ZOMBIE!: I play guitar, bass, drums, and some piano/keyboards. I started on drums in 1986, when I was 14, and just picked everything else up over the years. I also produce the music myself.

Lili's Lair: Who has been your greatest musical influence?

ZOMBIE!: Glenn Danzig

Lili's Lair: What is "horror rock", and why did you decide that horror rock is what you wanted to do?

ZOMBIE!: There wasn’t much of a choice for me in the matter of what I “wanted” to do. It’s just what comes out. Musically, ZOMBIE! is influenced by rock, punk, blues, and metal and the “horror” is found in the lyrics and the imagery.

To me, the core of real “Horror Rock” is in the lyrics. I prefer them to be truly violent, twisted, and disturbing. There’s no point in making a G rated horror film, so why do it with a song?

If I write something, people are going to die or get seriously hurt within that song. But, it’s all in fun, as premeditated murder should be.

Lili's Lair: Do you do all of your own art for your T-shirts and such, and if so, were you a musician or artist first?

ZOMBIE!: I do some of the art and most of the concepts, but I also work with other artists for the majority of the ZOMBIE! visuals. I am an avid supporter of indie graphic designers and illustrators. There is a lot of talent out there and many of these guys do not get the credit they deserve.

A great guy and illustrator, Dave Cook, created the ZOMBIE! skull logo and a few of the shirt designs. Another truly amazing talent is Corefolio, who created the ZOMBIE! “Head Shot” design and is also working on the art for the CD. It’s seriously shaping up to be the most insane album art I’ve ever seen from a rock band. I can’t wait to show the fans.

Lili's Lair: Do you do many live shows?

ZOMBIE!: Once the ZOMBIE! CD is released; I will focus on live shows and a global killing spree.

Lili's Lair: I read that you will be incorporating more visuals with your music. Could you expand on that?

ZOMBIE!: ZOMBIE! is more of a multimedia project than simply a band. I don’t like to reveal anything until it’s finished, but fans can expect a lot more terror. There is always something ghoulish creeping around here.

Lili's Lair: What made you decide to incorporate more visuals? Was it more of a personal reason, or was it based on marketing purposes?

ZOMBIE!: The visual and multimedia aspect was always part of the original concept for ZOMBIE! I love nothing more than bringing the twisted visions in my head to life.

Lili's Lair: How many CD's do you currently have out?

ZOMBIE!: I’m still working on the debut CD. It will be out by the end of 2009.

Lili's Lair: What future projects does ZOMBIE! have on it's agenda?

ZOMBIE!: Finishing up the CD, expanding on the visual concepts, and of course… devouring the brains of the living.

To find out more about ZOMBIE! or to get in touch, hit these links below:

http://www.zombierocks.com/
http://www.twitter.com/ZombieRiot
http://www.myspace.com/ZombieRiot
ZombieGroup@gmail.com

Twisted Tales: Hansel and Gretel, the True Story, Part 2

[Continued from Part I]

"The Truth of Hansel and Gretel is this," the young man continued, "Hansel did not escape the evil witch's hunger. In fact, the evil witch told Gretel that if she helped to dismember and stew up her brother she would be left alone to live as a servant to the witch. Hansel loved his sister so and he bade her to do as the witch commanded so that at least one of them would survive.

"Alas, poor Gretel could not go through with it. So Hansel took the knife from Gretel's hand and slit his own throat. As the evil witch cackled at the sight, something went 'snap' inside of Gretel's mind.

"Each time the evil witch would lure a child into her gingerbread house (which was a magical illusion, by the way) she would say to Gretel, 'Remembering your brother, are you? Well, do not trouble yourself with such thoughts, for you are like me now, and nothing and no one can save your immortal soul. You are tainted, tainted to the core.'

"This statement was always followed by the evil witch's hideous cackle, and every time Gretel heard it, she slipped farther and farther away behind empty eyes.

"Days turned into months, months into years, with the same heinous crimes being committed by the witch and poor mad Gretel.

"Then, one day, a woodsman happened upon the cottage. For one brief moment, clarity came upon Gretel and she screamed and screamed for help, running towards the door. But, it was already too late, for the evil witch had cast her dastardly spell and dispatched the woodsman forthwith. With the woodsman gone, the witch set upon Gretel to punish her for her treachery. Gretel was bound to a chair, her mouth pried open, her tongue ripped out, and her lips cut off with a dull knife, so she could never scream again. Then the maniacal witch smashed and hobbled Gretel's feet so that Gretel could never try to run again.

"Several more years passed as Gretel slipped further and further into madness.

"Now, it came to be that the evil witch, whose eyesight was failing, had no choice but to let Gretel chop the vegetables and flesh that went into her human stews, and for some time Gretel did as she was told.

"However, one day things changed. The witch had brought home two small children around the same age and with an appearance very akin to Hansel and Gretel when they first stumbled upon the evil witch's lair.

"Once again something, 'snapped' in Gretel's brain as she began to chop vegetables for this unholy stew.

"As the witch's back was turned to wash her next human victims, Gretel quietly dragged herself around the table directly behind the witch. The maniacal witch being so preoccupied with her catch did not take notice of Gretel's whereabouts. Gretel quickly took the clever in her hand, and with all the strength she could summon hacked into the witches skull.

"Gretel then stumbled backwards as the evil witch grasping her head fell back upon Gretel, her life's blood leaving her in torrents.

"The children ran screaming out the door. Gretel hunched over the body and began to dissect it, piece by horrible piece, with a butcher's precision.

"Two days later, a huntsmen (my grandfather) came from the village in response to the childrens' tale. There he found Gretel huddled in a corner near the blood and gore of the rotting, evil witch's hacked up remains.

"Gretel stared off emptily into the distance, her knees drawn up under her chin as she rocked herself back and forth, back and forth.

"In her state of madness, she had clawed at her flesh and torn out clumps of hair.

"The huntsman brought her to this village, where her wounds were tended. Gretel emerged from her catatonic state only long enough to scribble out what had happened to her. After that, she once again retreated back into herself.

"My grandfather had no choice. He was forced to take her to the city, where she remains to this day - locked behind asylum doors. It is rumoured that she never makes a sound; she just sits there, rocking herself in a padded cell behind empty eyes.

"This is the story my grandfather told me," he said.

After a few more inappropriate suggestions, I smacked him across the face, causing his mouth to bleed. As I leaned over him licking the blood from his lips, I whispered: "Remember not this evening."

I left him there alone and bewildered.

Hmm, I wonder where this asylum is? as I wandered off toward my next adventure.

Vampire Earth: Some Thoughts

I went into this post with the idea that I would discuss and review the The Vampire Earth book series by E.E. Knight. What I ended up with was over six pages of material.

Yikes!! Too much, I thought. So, going into my typical angst of: "How can I shorten this and keep it simple," it dawned on me.

I am not a journalist, a critic, a professional reviewer, or a paid synopsis writer.

I am an typical book lover who just happens to be picky about what she reads. I'm a woman with two step-kids, a husband, and an 82-year-old mother-in-law to care for whilst trying to get our media company off the ground and write my own original stories and such.

I created this site out of my love for all things dark and spooky, without compensation or a paid professional editor or marketer. So, please keep that in mind.

If you want a synopsis, visit Amazon. If you want a professional critique or review, there are many out there. If you want to know why you should go out and buy The Vampire Earth books, I can help you with that.

Books are a way for me and most other book lovers, I'm sure, to escape into a different world. I just happen to like to escape into dangerous and scary places. The Vampire Earth is a dangerous and scary place.

From the first page of Way of the Wolf you are drawn into a post-apocalyptic world where humans are not only food, but an endangered species. A place where vampiristic aliens rule through subjugation and terror. Helped along by not only their blood-sucking puppets, the reapers, human traitors called quislings, but also a whole array of other nasty things. Put these elements all together and you've just stepped into a post-apocolyptic, vampire-infested world of hurt.

The world is complex, multi-layered, and if made into a good movie, would make for one hell of a blockbuster.

As you are led from book to book in the series, the world gets richer, deeper, and even more complex until finally you are drawn in so completely that you can imagine the whole circumstance surrounding the stories as being absolutely plausible.

The layers of this world are so deep that you can visualise every detail of it right down to a single strand of prairie grass. E.E. Knight weaves a tale so exquisite that your mind can even be tricked into thinking that you smell the campfires at Southern Command HQ, and feel the pain when David Valentine relives the murder of his family.

E.E. Knight has created a world that pulls you in, and no matter how bad things get you just have to keep reading like you are a part of it. You become the characters. You are David Valentine, Ahn-Kha, or Duvalier. You feel what they feel, experience the danger and excitement they do.

The characters are so well fleshed out that they could be people you know; your brother, sister or best friend. Even the alien vampires and their human minions are written so well that you hate them as much as the characters do.

So, if you want to be led on an adventure of a lifetime filled with darkness and light, struggle and hope, filled with real life characters that could be standing right outside your front door, pick up at least the first three volumes of The Vampire Earth. Once you read the first book you won't want to stop.

To find E.E. Knight online, visit my interview with him for links.

Interview: E.E.Knight

Ask anyone who know's me who my top five authors of all time are and E.E. Knight will be amongst them. Just in case you're wondering who the other four are: Charles Dickens, Marian Zimmer Bradley, Shakespeare, and Edgar Allan Poe round out the list.

I'm not going to go into a long diatribe as to the how's or why's E.E. Knight is one of my favourites right now. You will be able to read that when I discuss/review his Vampire Earth series. What I will say is this: I am not very picky when it comes to the horror movies I enjoy. Actually, as long as they have a decent story I am good. However, when it comes to the books I read, I am super picky to the point of being an intellectually pretentious bitch.

E.E. Knight is a top notch writer who in my humble opinion is far superior than, let us say, oh, I don't know, Stephen King for example. Don't crucify me I - said "in my humble opinion," after all.

With that said and flame wars about to ensue, I asked Mr. Knight if he would do an interview for Lili's Lair, and to my delight he agreed. So, enough gushing (no I don't have a crush, I'm happily & eternally "attached," and no, Mr. Knight is not paying me) on to E.E. Knight's interview.

Lili's Lair: How old were you when you first began to write?

E.E. Knight: I believe I wrote my first story when I was a tween. It was a bad pastiche of Creature From the Black Lagoon featuring an underwater spider.

Lili's Lair: How did you figure out that writing was going to be what you wanted to do? Did you have an epiphany of sorts?

E.E. Knight: I’d always done forms of writing. I wrote Advanced Dungeons and Dragons adventures for my gaming group, flirted with journalism, published some nonfiction articles. Writing a novel was something that was on my “bucket list” from my high school days. After college, it turned into a “next year, in Jerusalem!” sort of thing. Except next year always came, and the novel never did.

Finally in my thirties I had an early mid-life crisis. Crappy jobs, a series of failed relationships, credit card and school loan debt, every morning I looked in the mirror thinking “is this all there is?” I decided to finally take my writing seriously and enrolled in some continuing ed classes being taught by working genre authors, read everything I possibly could about the craft, and put in serious time drafting. Still, my first novel was a failure.

Lili's Lair: What was your first professional job?

E.E. Knight: That depends on how you define professional. Where I had to wear a tie every day? I suppose when I was managing a McDonalds. I’ve been a wedding photographer, a photo lab tech, I’ve sold everything from pet food to home furnishings, and I’ve been a software developer for Andersen Consulting.

Lili's Lair: What do you feel as a professional writer is the hardest part of writing story or novel?

E.E. Knight: I think editing really separates the sheep from the goats. There are a lot of people out there who can put 80 or 100 thousand words together. Only a few have the skill to really make it work by revising and enhancing.

When I’m in a darker mood, I think the hardest part of writing is that most novels never really live up to what you first envisioned when you began. There are always a few patches of regret when you finally read the typeset proofs. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of my work, but even my favorites have a few bits where I see where Spock’s ears are glued on and that takes the glamour out of it for me.

Lili's Lair: Do you ever suffer from writers block?

E.E. Knight: Not so much block [as] going over and back over a chapter or two to the point where I can’t tell anymore if I’m helping or hurting. I call it “churn.” I’ll spend time churning when I should be working on a new project.

Lili's Lair: Did you find the process of getting your first novel published a difficult one?

E.E. Knight: My first published novel you mean. My first novel won’t ever be published; I’ve done my best to make sure no copies exist.

Yeah, it was tough. I was rejected all over the place with Way of the Wolf. Finally it came out as an ebook by AOL/Time Warner’s iPublish imprint – a terrible name, since they had editors and all that selecting and working with the novels – and sold pretty well for an ebook/POD title. When iPublish imploded in 2001 I managed to get an agent (John Silbersack with Trident Media Group) interested and he sold the series to Penguin’s Roc imprint, who’d originally rejected my first submission draft. I’d learned a lot in the interim thanks to working with Paul Witcover, my iPublish editor, and he’d improved it a great deal. They bought the first three in the Vampire Earth series almost as soon as my agent had extracted the rights from the iPublish wreckage.

Lili's Lair: How did you come up with the idea for the Vampire Earth series?

E.E. Knight: It was an old gaming world I’d come up with in the early 80s. My players really liked it, sort of a mish-mash of post-apoc survival with WWII French Resistance type stuff, with a conquering race of extraterrestrial vampires and their slave zombies as the bad guys. I’d been diddling with the world ever since, refining the aliens and the way the world worked, so I had a ready-made milieu with plenty of challenges for my hero when I started Way of the Wolf.

Lili's Lair: Are the character concepts completely fictionalised, or are they based wholly or in part on yourself and people you know? (you don't have to name real names if you do not want to)

E.E. Knight: They’re fictionalized, though every now and then I throw in a name of someone I know as a tribute to our friendship. It doesn’t go any farther than names, though. It’s fiction, not journaling.

Lili's Lair: When you began writing Vampire Earth, did you have a clear and concise vision as to the direction in which you wanted the series to go?

E.E. Knight: Yeah, I sketched out a twelve-volume series. I’ve always been a fan of series fiction, and I wanted to top the Hornblower novels.

Lili's Lair: Some authors "just know" right from the beginning how many books a series will have. What was your case?

E.E. Knight: The tale is growing in the telling, as Tolkien said. I keep having to break story arcs in two because the books get too long.

Lili's Lair: Your books are very character driven. Do you feel you spend more time fleshing out the characters, or creating the worlds in which they live?

E.E. Knight: The characters are products of their world. Characterization is fairly easy to understand, but it’s hard to do well. I still don’t think I quite have a handle on it, except maybe for David and Ahn-Kha and Duvalier. I wish my minor characters were more memorable and robust.

Lili's Lair: How many more books in the Vampire Earth series should we expect, and how long will your publishers make us wait in-between?

E.E. Knight: They’ll have me on a one-a-year for the foreseeable future. The audience is growing, albeit slowly. I’m thinking it’ll be fifteen or so books now.

Lili's Lair: According to Amazon your next book will be released in July. Could you give us a little spoiler about the story?

E.E. Knight: Spoiler? Well, the ravies virus, which we haven’t really seen since the first volume, plays a big role in Winter Duty.

Lili's Lair: What would you like your next project to be after you have completed the Vampire Earth Series? Can we expect more horror novels from you?

E.E. Knight: I’m not sure VE is horror, though I have horror elements in it. I’m just trying to write a ripping yarn that mixes my favorite genres: scifi, fantasy, and horror (with a little military and western thrown in for flavor).

My Age of Fire series is wrapping up with volume 6, which I have to have done this December. After that I’ll move on to a lengthier volume. I’ve yet to write a truly “big book” and I think I’ve honed my craft enough to be up for the challenge.

Thank you E.E. Knight for this wonderful interview.

You can find E.E. Knight's books on Amazon or at your local booksellers.

You can visit E.E.Knight online:

http://www.vampjac.com/

http://eeknight.livejournal.com

http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8va25pZ2h0cmVhZGVycy5uaW5nLmNvbQ==

or become his friend on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/e_e_knight

and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/E-E-Knight/42434890434

The author portraits are credit Ebert Studios, used with permission.
The shots of the author in his office are credit Kyle Cassidy, used with permission.

Interview: Zombie Head Jewelry

With their artistic flair and love of all things horror, Zombie Head Jewelry creates some beautifully disgusting pieces of work. I mean that in the best way possible. I discovered them one day checking out other peoples' friends on MySpace and now I want to own every single piece they’ve created. I loved Krystal’s work so much, I asked if I could interview her and introduce you all to her creepy collection. So without further ad0 here is my conversation with Zombie Head Jewelry.

Lili’s Lair: I guess the first question that comes to mind is: why zombies and horror? And how long have you been interested in the genre?

Zombie Head Jewelry: Ever since I was 4 or 5 i loved horror movies. The atmosphere and settings always creep me out and zombies scare the crap out of me. When i was really young I was so traumatised by Return of the Living Dead that I couldn't walk into any house or building without thinking, "This place is sooo not zombie proof."

Lili’s Lair: How long have you been creating zombie wearable art?

Zombie Head Jewelry: For a long time now; just 3 years ago is when I started selling them online. I started making things that I personally would want to wear and couldn't find in stores or anywhere else and then I made jewelry as gifts for friends and family and then they started to gain popularity.

Lili’s Lair: Do you have a background in special effects and/or art, because some of your pieces really look like they belong in an FX department?

Zombie Head Jewelry: Thanks and yes! I've created make up effects since I was little and always wanted to be a make up FX artist. More recently I was hired for a few independent films. I love making monsters and nasty looking creatures and it's easier for me to make monsters into jewelery versus struggling to find someone who wants FX done for their film and then actually get paid for your work/ materials. FX stuff isn't cheap.

Lili’s Lair: What sculpting and art media do you use to create your pieces?

Zombie Head Jewelry: Mostly Super Sculpey and gardening wire. Acrylic paints and hard varnishes. I use some dental tools for fine lines and details.

Lili’s Lair: How long does it take on the average to create one of your pieces? For example, my favourite is the Toxic Zombie Head and all of your bangles?

Zombie Head Jewelry: Those "toxic" ones are new, glad you like them. It's hard to say, I'll do a bunch at once assembly line style and the bracelets usually take me longer due to painting or sculpting on to a round object.

Lili’s Lair: Where do you get your ideas from?

Zombie Head Jewelry: Multiple places. Movies and gross creatures I would want to see. Anything that grosses me out or that I think is neat I sculpt it. My first few were pretty primitive and since then have been getting better and better.

Lili’s Lair: How did you first come up with the idea to sell these adorably sick creations?

Zombie Head Jewelry: Like I said I started making them as gifts and then I sold a few here and there when friends would come over. Then I showed them to Jim and it was really his idea to get a shop going.

Lili’s Lair: How often do you make new pieces?

Zombie Head Jewelry: I try to work on new things every night. It's kinda my way to relax when I get home from doing hair all day. I pop in a nasty flick and just sit down and make some gore.

Lili’s Lair: Do you market strictly online or do you also sell to shops and such?

Zombie Head Jewelry: Almost only online but the first Wednesday of every month we set up at the Audubon Park Community Market (an event with local artists, food vendors and live music) and get to sell and talk to old and new customers around town. We have had a few offers from local shops and a few non-local ones. Most shops want 50% and I can't imagine making the prices any higher than they already are just to get what I need for them, and for the shop to make a profit. So we try to be the only sellers. Although we do have a shop in Cocoa Beach, FL called"The Pink Pussycat" that carries a shadow box of zombie heads and they are sold there along with other awesome fashions.

Lili’s Lair: The paintings on your bangles are so beautifully disturbing, have you thought about putting them to canvas or creating prints?

Zombie Head Jewelry: I actually was in a few galleries in central FL. I've always painted it's just now I put them on jewelry. As of now I have my art work on display at AXIOM Tattoos in Orlando. I just love what I'm doing right now its a great outlet for almost everything that I enjoy. I get to straight up paint (the bangles) sculpt gross zombies and the best part is our awesome customers are walking displays

Lili’s Lair: What are your future plans for Zombie Head Jewelry?

Zombie Head Jewelry: Well to be honest I would love for this to be my full time job. If I could be a full time zombie maker I would die happy. I always said I'd make monsters for a living and of course I thought it would be in the movies but this, to me is a little bit more special.

Thank you Krystal for the insight on the creation of Zombie Head Jewelry. Check out Zombie Head Jewelry and make sure to pick up one of their zombirific pieces for yourself or as a gift.

(Note to my readers: Lili’s Lair in no way makes any profit from any purchases you make from Zombie Head Jewelry. I just think their stuff is cool.)

Here are some places to find Zombie Head Jewelry

Main shop address:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5422145 or http://zombiehead.etsy.com

MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/zombiehead_etsy

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/ZombieHead_Etsy


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zombie-Head/105972651512

Disney Villians Videos

Interview: Vanessa Meaux, Paranormal Investigator

Vanessa Meaux has an interesting hobby which has grown tremendously over the last several years: she is a ghost hunter, AKA a "paranormal investigator." Vanessa was kind enough to spend some time with me here at Lili's Lair talking about her experiences as a paranormal investigator.

Lili's Lair: Vanessa, how long has ghost hunting been a hobby of yours, or do you prefer the term paranormal investigator?

Vanessa Meaux: I have no problem with the term ghost hunter. LOL. I have been interested in the paranormal for as long as I can remember, but only actively involved in paranormal investigations since 1995.

Lili's Lair: What got you interested in the paranormal? Was it a personal experience or something else?

Vanessa Meaux: Well, like I said, the paranormal has always been a part of my life. And, in fact, I didn't realize until I was much older that it wasn't "normal" to have paranormal experiences. LOL. I have become more fascinated with life after death since my 19 year old nephew, Jared Clayton, passed away a few years ago, and then shortly thereafter I lost my dog, Niles, who was in all things my child. It is my ultimate desire to make contact with one or both of them, and to know that they are still with me in some way, shape, or form.

Lili's Lair: Do you belong to any "professional" paranormal investigative group? If so which one?

Vanessa Meaux: I am a member of the Georgia Ghost Society out of Macon, Georgia. Our Founder and Director is Robert "Bob" Hunnicutt. In my opinion, Bob is one of the most experienced paranormal investigators in the business, and I am proud to be a member of his team. I have learned a great deal from him, and continue to learn on a daily basis. He is my mentor.

Lili's Lair: What types of equipment do you personally use whilst investigating?

Vanessa Meaux: In the Georgia Ghost Society, we are trained on the proper use of all of the equipment generally used in an investigation, so I do not always use one particular item. It depends on the situation, and how many other investigators are involved. Certainly, in my opinion, your brain, instincts, and common sense are your most valuable pieces of equipment.

Lili's Lair: What is your favourite piece of equipment to use during an investigation and why?

Vanessa Meaux: I guess my personal favorite would be a hand-held digital recorder. We use this device in an attempt to obtain electronic voice phenomena ("EVP").

Lili's Lair: What types of spooky experiences have you had?

Vanessa Meaux: I have had several spooky experiences over the years, but the most active location I have personally visited so far is the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana. One of my new favorite locations is the Gaither Plantation in Covington, GA. I have been there only once, but want to go back again and again. It is absolutely amazing!

Lili's Lair: Where is the scariest place you have investigated, and why?

Vanessa Meaux: One of the scariest places I investigated was the Ashley House in New Orleans, LA. I do not recall the year, but we were upstairs investigating when the lights began to turn on and off by themselves, with no one near the light switch, and a foggy mist appeared to overtake the room. After a few minutes things returned to normal, but it definitely took me off guard. The place itself was not scary, but that was the most paranormal activity I had experienced up until that time.

Lili's Lair: Any future investigative plans in the works?

Vanessa Meaux: We have several in the works, but no definite dates as of yet. I will keep you advised! :)

Thank you Vanessa for your thoughtful answers, and happy ghost hunting!

You can add Vanessa as a friend on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=724595769 or MySpace http://www.myspace.com/vcmeaux

Here are a few links Vanessa thinks you will enjoy:

http://www.georgiaghostsociety.com/

http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/

http://www.prairieghosts.com/

Movie Review: 13 Hours in a Warehouse

(Make sure to read my previous post on how I review movies.)

13 Hours in a Warehouse
(2008) R

After a successful heist, five thieves hide in an old warehouse for the night. But when a series of mysterious numbers appear on the wall, followed by a bloody attack, they quickly catch on that somebody - or something - doesn't want them there. Soon, they're fighting for their lives. Does the clue to survival lie in the strange string of numbers that keep showing up everywhere? (Netflix synopsis - because they did such a good job why should I screw with it?)

With two brothers, three accomplices, one kidnapped woman, and three vengeful ghosts, 13 Hours in a Warehouse is one messed up ghost story. Unlike some indie films, Dav Kaufman, his cast and crew deliver an original story, decent cinematography and special effects, along with some pretty decent acting. The movie will leave you guessing what’s going on with the numbers everywhere, and the ghosts will make you think about rats on a whole new level. Speaking of the rats, make sure to watch for the rat scenes as they are pretty trippy and gave me the idea to rip it off as a freaky Halloween decoration.

There were two actors who in my humble opinion stood out the most. The first is an actor by the name of Cody Lyman, who plays Paul White. The five thugs are scum bags, with Paul being the king of the scum bags, and Cody does a great job at making you hate his character so much you want him to die forthwith. Cody's character Paul is also the creator of one of the most memorable lines in the movie, "Rag doll." Watch the movie to see what I mean and you'll go around for days just saying "Rag doll" for no reason.

The second on my list is Chars Bonin, who plays Randy Hancock, the older but "simpler" of the two Hancock brothers, making him an almost sympathetic character. Chars did a good job at convincing me he wasn't such a scum bag. The most memorable scene in the movie is when Randy makes a comment to his younger brother Mike about the restaurant Denny's. Mike chimes in with the following quote which has become one of my all time favourite movie quotes:

"Craig’s dead. The girl is missing, and your answer is a grand slam fucking breakfast."

I actually use this quote when someone says something so incredibly stupid to me that it doesn't deserve a response.

As far as scenes go, remember: I don't do spoilers. However, I will tell you to watch for one of the ghost's scenes; it will leave you going: "How the feck did they do that?"

All in all, it's a good watch, with an interesting story, memorable quotes, some wicked scenes - a definite addy to the DVD collection. I can't wait to see what Dav comes up with next!

For more info on Dav and the 13 Hours in a Warehouse cast and crew, visit http://www.13hoursmovie.com/, and to become a fan on Facebook, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/13-Hours-in-a-Warehouse/22293518738