Sunday, January 10, 2010

An Open Invitation

A reader takes me to task:

I like your blog but you talk too much about pop culture and politics (especially vampire politics) and not enough about real practical tips for people who need help.

He urges me to remember the initial purpose of this website, which is to be a safe and reliable resource of information for those who are, or are dealing with, members of the preternatural communities. The recent vampire news is interesting, and politics affect us all, but I needed the reminder of what is really important to people.

To reiterate then from my first few posts nearly two years ago:

..preternatural communities tend to have a significant number of troubled individuals, and the prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders is appalling. In the absence of functional physiology, psychotropic medications are ineffective with the Dead, the Undead, or the Disembodied. So psychotherapy remains the treatment of choice. We work with the same issues that plague the human population, including depression, anxiety, identity confusion, and problems with interpersonal relationships.
....I'll answer questions and take comments. I'll share interesting items and information about the preternatural and links to sites on the web. You can reach me at
claire.rowan.wallace@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Thoughts on the VRA

I have very mixed emotions about the proposed VRA. On the one hand I have worked with some vampires with whom I would be glad to be neighbors. On the other hand, I have met some who are extremely dangerous. Humans also come in all varieties, and I hate to support--in this one instance--racial profiling, but after the Attacks of October, maybe we need to acknowledge that the Undead really are different from you and me?

The other side of the argument is here.