Revamp

After I shut down Diary of an amateur vampirologist and started a new blog, I've decided this one could do with a shake-up, too. It's been a while a while since I've toyed around with it.

To see what the blog looked like till now, click on the image to the right. But it's not just the layout I want to change with this thing, but the 'tone', too. Some of it. I want it to have more of a scholarly tone. The previous entry gave a taste of that.

Now that I know how to create footnotes in HTML, the main text won't be encumbered with intrusive author-date referencing.

I've also been wondering whether I should merge this and my WordPress blog of the same name. We'll see.

Cat's Outta the Bag

David continues his shameless deception and hucksterism. Also, the recent stalking escapades he's condoned, have inspired a new blurb for this blog.

Yes, the great proponent of free speech has been (unsurprisingly) selective in publishing my comments on his blog. My response to one of his latest deceptive tirades is still "awaiting moderation."


Meanwhile, he's allowed comments by regular commentator, "John Baldry's Cat" (JBC) concerning purchasing his latest book. Yes, despite saying "I do not use this Blog to advertise my books". Whatevs! As a result, JBC was left without context for what I actually wrote, instead relying on David's rhetoric.


I followed it up with a comment that David actually allowed, amazingly enough (maybe because of the coverage I've been giving the matter on my blog?), in which I set JBC straight. Yet, he still managed to censor it.


The missing name? Manchester. David frequently alludes to him, but clearly doesn't like using his actual name. So much for "naming names" and backing up his claims. Funnily enough, the Manchester crew likes hiding David's name on occasion, too. Note the reference to "The Devil's Fool" in this thread on The Cross and the Stake message board is actually Farrant. Yet another similarity of the opposing sides.

Now, back to the comments. Next up, Dave tries to dissuade JBC ordering a copy of the book on my behalf, encouraging me to buy my own copy. Yes, yet another sales pitch. He also discusses my lack of awareness of the book's contents:


There's a pretty obvious reason why I don't know what's in the book. It'll become readily apparent. But first up, JBC's response:


Well, I'm gonna take his word on that one. He might be pesky, but I don't think he's that nutty. So it was a longshot. But it still leaves open the mystery of who my stalker was. Notice how conveniently that was brushed aside by Dave? Typical. Anyway, now it's time to reveal why my knowledge of the book is somewhat limited. Strap yourselves in, folks!


Yes, amazingly enough, in all the time Dave's been sales-pitching, he's refused to discuss what the damn thing's about! Do you buy books online without knowing anything about their contents? As I've pointed out before, the damn thing doesn't even have a product description on Amazon. Do authors usually spend this much time dodging questions concerning basic information covered in their book? Worst. Salesman. Ever.

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Lastly, I come to this blog's new blurb. In light of all the stalkyness that's been going on, I've been concerned that my readers might find themselves exposed to it, considering the nuttiness of the stalker in question. So, I've composed a new blurb for this blog, which'll hopefully give readers (the sane ones) a heads-up on what they might be getting into:


Felt like I needed something a bit more direct than my "Public Service Announcement". If you're a newbie, or never really paid attention, and you wanna see what the old blurb said, then you'll find it here.

Gadget Busts the Bish

Sure, the Bishop can pretend his plagiarised St. Bonaventure post never existed, but how can he account for its lingering presence on a Blogger "gadget"?

On the righthand side of this blog, you'll see a "Reading List". It's a collection of blogs I've collected that relate to the Highgate Vampire Case and/or the personages associated with it. It's connected to an RSS feed, which relays the latest blog entries they've posted.

Blogger has many "gadgets", that is, applications that can be added to your blog to jazz it up a bit. The "Reading List" in question, was formulated using one called "Blog List". Anyone with a Blogger account can add it to their own blog.

Funny thing is, the Bishop obviously wasn't counting on it confirming the presence of a plagiarised post he tried to hide after I caught him red-handed. You see, even if you delete a post, the gadget still marks its presence until you write a new one. Now, because the Bishop hasn't written anything new on The Truth Shall Set You Free (ironic title) since the Bonaventure post, there's still presently a record of its existence. Nice try, Bish!

An Overhaul and a Manifesto

After mucking about with my other blog's layout, I decided to do the same for this one, too, to make it look a bit more spiffy.

It's certainly been a while since I've done so. Here's what it looked like until today:

I also did something I've been avoiding for a long time: I've linked each of my blogs to the other. There's a clearcut reason for why I haven't done so till now.

As I mentioned in "Public Service Announcement", discussing the Highgate Vampire can attract unwanted attention. The allusion, of course, was to VRS and HVS associates and affiliates. Here's an example of the kind of idiocy I've had to deal with.

So, I've been keeping both worlds separate, as I see my vampires studies as (for want of a better term) more serious, albeit entertaining, than my forays into the Highgate Vampire Case, which is sort of a sideline hobby.

How can I label "vampire studies" as "serious" over the Highgate Vampire, when both involve dealing with the undead? Simple. I know vampires aren't real. I enjoy reading about them in a fictional or folkloric context. The Highgate Vampire Case is presented as a real event by its main participants (even if it's occasionally revised to be a "psychic entity"), but, quite frankly, there's just too much hokum involved in it to make it believable in any sense.

Its main promoters, Dave and Sean, and their "fans", have done little to dispel this notion, as attested during the course of this blog's existence and frequent exposés. Nonetheless, they take it seriously enough (probably cos it's pretty much the oxygen that keeps their fame alive and helps generate an income for 'em) to engage in some rather dubious practices. That's why I wrote the "Public Service Announcement" in the first place.

But, y'know what? I'm proud of the work I've done for this blog. I shouldn't have to keep it "hidden". I think it should be read by more people. Despite my stance on the matter, I don't begrudge those who do believe something spooky went down in the Cemetery. That's their choice to make. They don't have to agree with what I write and I'm certainly open to discussions on the matter. I've been doing so over at my Facebook group, which you're free to join.

On my part, I've made no money off my endeavors, nor do I intend to. The information I share is freely accessible. That's because most of it's online. Whether you consider that to be a legitimate resource should be buoyed by the fact that a lot of the writings in question are primary sources. That's right: stuff right out of the mouths (keyboards, really) of VRS and HVS presidents, founders, associates and fans.

But in doing so, it means I've had to put up with a lotta crap. In fact, at various intervals, I've been accused of being on either side of the party. Neutrality is not something generally appreciated in this Case. It seems you gotta bat for one team or the other.

I think that's a preposterous expectation.

Especially considering that we're dealing with a Case that involves bloodsucking undead corpses and disembodied psychic entities sapping away at your lifeforce. Depending on who you ask. It's even been able to generate a feud (and revenue) that has been going on for about 40 years (the Case went public in 1970, after all).

The main parties presenting their claims are clearly as dodgy as the other. My advice to people who express doubt for both sides, but still find themselves siding with one over the other, is that's it's like picking the lesser of two snakeoil salesmen: why would you choose either one?

Again, as harsh that might sound, I'll emphasise again, that I'm still open to discussions on the topic. I can't not make you believe in the Highgate Vampire (or Entity). That's up to you. I only ask that you be open-minded enough to consider the evidence on hand and to share your own thoughts and views on the subject. Who knows what we might learn.

Username Becomes Real Name

I've decided to bite the bullet and start signing off with my real name.

After all, Dennis Crawford, International Secretary of the Vampire Research Society has done so well subverting my attempt at anonymity (see also: "Unmasked!"), I figure there's not much point in continuing to use my "Overseer" moniker.

It's a username he's previously hijacked, himself, after hypocritically chastising me for its usage:

I suppose as a Baptist you intend the title "Overseer" to indicate "parish officer" as distinct from "Bishop" which your denomination does not recognise as an episcopal office? I nevertheless refer you to the first nine words of St Paul's First letter to Timothy (3: 2-7) which describes qualities required of an Overseer: "An overseer, then, or bishop, must be above reproach ..." The Revised English Bible uses the word "bishop" whereas the New American Standard Bible employs "overseer." An overseer in ecclesial terms is a bishop.

Needless to say (but I'm gonna say it anyway), that usage was certainly not my intent:

My title/membership name, i.e., "The Overseer" is meant as a reference to my role as manager of this group, not a religious reference. I was not making any such comparison and indeed, was not even aware of the Scriptural verse you mentioned.

In further displays of his level of originality, he also hijacked my forum's name, which he also shamelessly uses for his blog.

Happy Hundredth!

Yep, this is the 100th post on DAWWIH!

Can you believe it?

Here's the seed from which this tree grew.

And now, time for the goodies. Don's gave coverage to a thread he's posted over at The Paracast forum, on his blog, Dark Matters Radio:

Oh, I almost forgot so let me tell you now before I do. Another show I uploaded to the Paranet is one titled “VAMPIRES & Tits and Ass.” It is concerned with the Highgate Vampire Case I’ve talked about before, right here. There are some absolutely hilarious website out there dealing with this case.

Yep, you read right: "VAMPIRES & Tits and Ass". You can read the thread here. In the meantime, here's a snippet:

I pissed this bunch off by trying to conduct an investigation into the claims that a genuine vampire stalked the London landscape back in the late 60’s and early 70’s looking to turn all of us into happy meals! Boy, did they take off after me. First they attacked me as a “war monger” because of my military service in Viet Nam, then they attacked all of America as “Imperialists” warmongers, etc. ad nauseum. Over many years they have managed to scare folks away from asking about this case by threats, internet stalking and various other means. I refused to be intimidated and began to crack the case.

Incidentally, my blog gets a mention on both.

To toot my horn a bit more, did you know I was given an "award for Best Retorts to Bonky" from Lone Stranger of Net Curtains Lurkers? Here's what he had to say in "Game, Set, Match – To The Overseer", regarding my debating tactics with "Demonologist":

Those of you watching the sparring between the “Demonologist” and that saucy Aussie, “The Overseer,” I have to declare the guy from down under the winner. While Deme keeps trotting out the same tired lines, it’s clear he’s run out of anything new to say. The Overseer, however, is articulate, concise and relentless.

I've also padded out my Blogger profile page with some background info in "About Me", listed a few of my "Favorite Movies", "Favorite Music" and "Favorite Books".

As a wrap-up treat, have a read through "The Highgate Vampire" thread over at the Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums. Predictably enough, it didn't take long for a faceless VRS rep to wade into the scene.

Thanks to my readers and casual browsers and here's to many hundreds more!

Something You Should Know About Arminius Vámbéry (VRS)

This quote from Arminius Vámbéry's MySpace blog entry, "Something You Should Know About Steve Genier (SOPS)" brought a smile to my face:

Much nonsense is claimed about the Highgate Vampire case on the internet by those who copy and paste manufactured twaddle from elsewhere.

It's hard to tell if he's taking the piss or not. There doesn't seem to be a hint of irony in what he's saying, even though he's pretty much referencing himself.

For those not in the know, I've previously exposed Arminius as a blatant plagiarist.

He also happens to be one of the admins for the VRS's Facebook page.

I enjoyed reading his unabashed statement so much, that I've now incorporated into this blog's very first tagline:

If the VRS can keep producing comedians like Arminius, then maybe they're still in with a chance!

Change of Template

I've never been too fond of the template (a customised version of Douglas Bowman's "Minima Dark") and design I've utilised for this blog:

So, I've decided to select something a bit more aesthetically pleasing.

As of this writing, you'll know be treated to Jeffrey Zeldman's "Son of Moto" template! I still feel a bit guilty for using it, though - it's the same one used by one of my favourite blogs, Niels K. Petersen's Magia Posthuma. Almost feel like I'm ripping him off.

Might have to make some adjustments to it.