BB 2/29/16

Good Morning Phoenix, and welcome to Movie Monday. If you watched The Walking Dead last night instead of the Oscars, you may not know that “Spotlight” won the award for Best Picture. We’ll discuss that movie today.
Plot:
When the Boston Globe's tenacious "Spotlight" team of reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. Based on actual events.
Trivia:
• During an interview on NPR's "Fresh Air", director Tom McCarthy said that they built a large set to depict many of the Boston Globe offices where parts of the story takes place. When the reporters depicted in the movie first visited the set, they gravitated to the desks where they had been sitting during the writing of the "Spotlight" piece, and many of them started to re-arrange the items on their desks to the way they had been at the time.
• When Michael Keaton accepted the role, he had tracked the real Walter Robinson before meeting him and found out he actually lived near Robinson's house. He also gotten hold of video and audio of Robinson. When Keaton first met him he did an impression of him that Robinson was so scared and said to him, "How did you know everything about me, we just met?"
• Defrocked Roman Catholic priest John J. Geoghan was murdered by his cellmate at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Institution (now MCI Shirley) in Shirley, MA on August 23, 2003. Because his conviction (for fondling a boy in a public swimming pool) was on appeal, and he died before the appeal had been finalized, his conviction was automatically overturned. The three justices who issued the decision noted that they were following the direction of the Supreme Judicial Court and that vacating the conviction is "customary practice of the courts in this Commonwealth under such circumstances."
• During an interview on NPR's "Fresh Air", director Tom McCarthy said many of the actors reached out to meet the reporters depicted in the movie shortly after agreeing to make the movie, and that many of the reporters spent a considerable amount of time on set during filming.
• When Mark Ruffalo met the real Michael Rezendes for the first time at his home, he was carrying a notebook and an iPhone to record Rezendes' voice in order to get his most accurate speech patterns.
Goofs:
• Through much of the film, a Dunkin' Donuts cup on Matt Caroll's desk features an icon for the "DD Perks" program, introduced in 2014.
• The small bags of Doritos in the Globe break room have a 2013 logo.
• The printer visible in the Spotlight team's office is clearly an HP Laserjet 4200/4300 Series model. This series was not introduced until December 2002, over a year after the bulk of the story's events occur.
• In the next to last scene, the two reporters show up at the Globe and park next to each other. Both of their cars have Massachusetts plates with 7 digits. Massachusetts never has more than six digits on their license plates.
• When Mark Ruffalo and Stanley Tucci chat outside the courthouse while Tucci eats lunch, a tall, blond woman in a gray business suit walks past them away from the camera at the beginning of the scene, and again at the end of it.  Have a fangtastic day my friends! <3   Brock V"""V

BB 2/28/16

Good morning Phoenix! Did you know it is National Tooth Fairy Day? Yep, that’s right.
At one time or another, all of us have been visited by the tooth fairy. So, it should come as no surprise that somewhere along the line, Tooth Fairy Day was born. The tooth fairy herself (or himself; as the verdict is still out on whether this spirit is male or female) has been around since at least the Middle Ages although the exact origins are still unknown. In fact, the fairy may have just been a means to calm a child that was undergoing the strange experience of losing a tooth (after all, we have all been there).
Still, Tooth Fairy day is a date that is designed to pay homage to this generous spirit that is known to leave treats or coins underneath our pillow. Interestingly enough, the exact date of celebration is under conjecture; some claiming it falls in February while others state that it is held in August. This actually makes a bit of sense, for we have yet to find a way to leave a coin or a snack for the fairy, as we are not even sure if she (or he) has a pillow!
So – let’s celebrate! Keep a lookout today, and throw quarters at any person you see that is missing a tooth! (Some people – you’ll just have to throw a roll of quarters at them and call it good) So, who’s with me on spreading some Tooth Fairy cheer? *grins*
Have a fangtastic Sunday!<3  Brock V"""V 

BB 2/27/16

Good morning and Happy Sippin' Saturday Phoenix! Today, I have a great breakfast recipe for you. Enjoy!
<3  Brock V"""V
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z1DxV6Hx1I

BB 2/26/16

Good morning and TGIF Phoenix! It’s time for Friday Funnies!

Three little old ladies were sitting on a park bench when a flasher came by in only an overcoat and opened it as wide as it could go. The first little old lady had a stroke, the second little old lady also had a stroke, but the third little old lady couldn't reach.

Several years ago, Andy was sentenced to prison. During his stay, he got along well with the guards and all his fellow inmates. The warden saw that deep down, Andy was a good person and made arrangements for Andy to learn a trade while doing his time.
After 3 years, Andy was recognized as one of the best carpenters in the local area. Often he would be given a weekend pass to do odd jobs for the citizens of the community, and he always reported back to prison before Sunday night was over.
The warden was thinking of remodeling his kitchen and in fact had done much of the work himself. But he lacked the skills to build a set of kitchen cupboards and a large counter top which he had promised his wife. So he called Andy into his office and asked him to complete the job for him. But, alas, Andy refused. He told the warden, ''Gosh, I'd really like to help you but counter fitting is what got me into prison in the first place.''

A farmhand is driving 'round the farm, checking the fences. After a few minutes he radios his boss and says, "Boss, I've got a problem. I hit a pig on the road and he's stuck in the bull-bars of my truck. He's still wriggling — what should I do?''
"In the back of your truck there's a shotgun. Shoot the pig in the head and when it stops wriggling you can pull it out and throw it in a bush."
The farm worker agrees and signs off. About 10 minutes later he radios back. "Boss I did what you said, I shot the pig and dragged it out and threw it in a bush."
"So what's the problem now?" his Boss snapped.
"The blue light on his bike is still flashing!"

Have a fangtastic day friends and fiends! <3 Brock V"""V

Enjoy the picture of Carys and Aric when they were little!

BB 2/25/16

Good morning Phoenix! Sure Happy It’s Thursday! It’s also time for TBT. Here’s what happened on this day in history:

• 1913: The Sixteenth Amendment, which paved the way for the United States adoption of income tax, was ratified.
• 1964: Cassius Clay, defeated Sonny Liston when Liston retired at the end of the sixth round in Miami to become Heavyweight Champion of the World.
• 1982: The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that beating school children against their parents' wishes is a violation of the Human Rights Convention. Britain was the last country in Western Europe to ban corporal punishment in state schools in 1986.
• 2004: This was the opening day of The Passion of the Christ, a film directed by Mel Gibson. It was highly acclaimed by those who wanted to view the exact nature of what happened to Jesus on the cross. However, it was Rated R, and was not recommended for children. There was some criticism made of the film, suggesting that it was intended to indicate that the Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus. Also, some people thought it was a bit too graphic. Nevertheless, the first run of The Passion of the Christ was substantially more effective and successful than the edited, less-violent run. This film had impacted many lives in many ways, at a time when religiosity was considered to be very important in peoples’ lives. This increased awareness and hunger for knowledge of God and/or a force greater than man was brought for many reasons during this time. One of the most shocking perhaps was the event of September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center Tragedy, during which thousands of people were killed.
• 2005: Dennis Rader is arrested for the BTK (Bind, Torture and Kill,) serial killings that terrorized Wichita, Kan. (He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 life prison terms.)
• 2009: Attorney-General Eric Holder has announced the arrest of more than seven hundred and fifty people on narcotics-related charges, and the seizure of more than twenty-three tons of narcotics. This is part of the twenty-one-month multi-agency law enforcement investigation known as 'Operation Xcellerator.' This number has included the fifty-two people detained in California, Minnesota and Maryland in raids targeting the powerful Sinaloa cartel. The twenty-one-month operation involved U.S, Mexican and Canadian authorities. A 2008 justice department report found that Mexican traffickers were the biggest organized crime threat to the United States.

Famous Birthdays:
• 1943 – George Harrison
• 1966 – Tea Leoni – actress
• 1967 – Carrot Top – comedian
• 1971 – Sean Astin – Actor
• 1973 – Julio Iglesias Jr. – Singer
• 1975 – Chelsea Handler – Comedian
• 1976 – Rashida Jones – Actress

A bit of trivia about Rashida Jones’ famous parents – her father is composer and record producer Quincy Jones, and her mother is Peggy Lipton, of the late 1960’s – 1970’s TV show Mod Squad. Her mother is Ashkenazi Jewish, and Rashida along with her sister, were raised in Reform Judaism by their mother. She attended Harvard University, and originally wanted to be a lawyer, but became disillusioned by the O.J. Simpson murder trial. As a singer, she has also provided backing vocals for Maroon 5, as well as being a guest vocalist on other albums and music videos.
Have a fangtastic day my friends! <3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/24/16

Morning Phoenix, and welcome to Hump Day, aka Wacky Wednesday!

Today’s treat for you is a list of the top 10 banned movies.  Perhaps you’ve seen some of them – I have.

10:  A Clockwork Orange (1971) – Now a cult classic, the film was banned in the UK for 27 years.  Real attacks in the UK copied the film’s violence including the graphic rape scene.  The ban was actually requested by director Stanley Kubrick after he and his family received death threats.

9:  The Birth of a Nation (1915)  -  Described as the most racist movie ever made, The Birth of a Nation is a silent film depicting American families during the civil war.  Banned in several American cities, it drew heavily on offensive stereotypes, depicting black men as savage rapists, and lynching as a positive activity.  The film has been seen as responsible for reviving the KKK.

8:  The Tin Drum (1979) – Despite winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film, this movie was banned in Canada and Oklahoma City.  It shocked viewers for having a scene seemingly showing an 11 year old boy having oral sex with a 16 year old girl.  The ban in Oklahoma City didn’t come into place until 1997, when a judge declared it to be child pornography.

7:  300 (2006) – Criticized for being “hurtful American propaganda”, 300 was banned in Iran, with Iranian newspapers claiming Hollywood had declared war on the country.  The movie depicted the Persians as weak, with a tyrannical government, in comparison to the heroic Western army.

6:  All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) – This story of a group of German soldiers struggling to cope during the first World War was banned in Austria and Germany for 14 years.  Criticized for sending anti-German messages, the film was banned by Hitler throughout the Second World War.  Though it did enjoy a brief run in Germany before being pulled, Nazis were instructed to interrupt screenings by releasing hordes of rats into cinemas to scare off audiences.

5:  Salo (1975) – Though the UK and Australia have lifted their ban for indecency, this film is still banned in countries including Iran and Singapore.  The film graphically depicts the torture of kidnapped teenagers.

4:  The Simpsons Movie (2007) – This movie was banned in Burma due to its extensive use of the color yellow.  Notorious for  creating bizarre censorship rules, the Burmese Motion Picture Censor Board have banned the colors yellow and red with no further explanation.

3:  Back to the Future Trilogy (1985, 1989, 1990) – The films are banned in China, which claims time travel films disrespect history and treat it frivolously.  The ban is thought to be enforced as the government doesn’t want viewers to see characters escaping from the oppressive regime to a happier time or place.

2:  The Last Tango in Paris (1973) – The story of a couple’s affair was banned for indecency in countries including Spain and Italy.  Particularly infamous is the “butter scene”.  In France, lines to see the movie lasted for hours, while many Spanish people traveled to other countries to get around the ban.

1:  Cannibal Holocaust (1980) – Banned in 40 countries, this fake documentary showed the final days of a film crew.  Audiences were shocked by scenes of violence and cannibalism, interspersed with footage of real executions.  The actors were contracted to hide for a year after the release.  However, the director was forced to bring them out of hiding after being accused of murdering them.  While the violence on humans turned out to be a pretense, the on-screen animal killings were real.  The film remains banned in several countries.

So, have you seen any of them?

While you're here, let's all wish a big Phoenix Happy Birthday to Miss Peggy Dovey Foye ! Happy Birthday babe!

Have a fangtastic day everyone. <3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/23/16

Good morning Phoenix and welcome to Trivia Tuesday! Today, I’m highlighting one of the most noble, honorable members of the Order – Rio.
He was born in Spain in the early 1900’s to a 16-year-old girl who was raped by a Rogue. He never knew his father. He was orphaned at 5 years old and taken in by a Darkhaven who taught him what he was. He had never been given a name, so they named him, giving him an elegant, meaningful name – Eleuterio de la Noche Atanacio. We just call him Rio. *grins* He has the ability to kill with his touch, particularly when provoked. We make it a point not to piss him off.
Some facts about Rio’s homeland:
• Many different groups of people have settled in Spain throughout history, including Iberians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Celts, Basques, and the Moors (Muslims who came from North Africa).
• The most enduring contribution of Spain to the world is its language, which was imported to the Americas with the expansion of the Spanish Empire in the 16th century. Now, more than 400 million people speak Spanish in 22 countries, including 35 million who speak it in the United States.
• The Iberian Peninsula was one of several refuges during the last ice age, so it was largely from Spain that northern Europe was repopulated after the ice age ended.
• The official language of Spain is Castilian Spanish (74%), though Catalan (17%) Galician (7%), and Basque (2%) are also spoken.
• Tomás de Torquemada (1420-1498) was the first Grand Inquisitor in the Spanish Inquisition. His name has been associated with the Inquisition’s horror, fanaticism, and bigotry. Ironically, he was a descendent of a converso, or someone who had converted to Christianly from Judaism or Islam. In 1832, his tomb was raided and his bones were stolen and burned.
• During the last ice age, most of Europe was covered in glaciers, but most of Spain was far enough south to escape the ice. Consequently, plants that were wiped out across Europe survived in Spain. Europe as a whole has 9,000 plant species; there are over 8,000 plant species in Spain alone, with 2,000 of them being unique to the country.
• In 1478, the Pope gave the Spanish King, Ferdinand V, power to initiate the Spanish Inquisition, during which people were tortured to prove they were true Christians. Thousands of converts fled Spain as the Inquisition spread fear across Europe. During the first 50 years of the Inquisition, 5,000 people were executed. The Inquisition was finally abolished in 1834.
• The largest producer of olive oil, Spain accounts for 45% of the world’s total olive oil production.
• Spain was neutral in WWI and WWII but experienced a civil war (1936-1939) which killed over 500,000 people. The victorious General Francisco Franco ruled as a brutal dictator until his death in 1975. After his defeat, Spain began to transform itself into a modern, industrial, and democratic European nation.
• When a child loses a tooth in Spain, a small mouse called “Ratoncito Pérez” leaves a surprise under the pillow.
• There are no laws against public nudity in Spain.
• Spain has the lowest age of consent for sexual activity in Europe at 13 years old. Both Malta and Turkey have the highest at 18.
• Spain’s national sport is fútbol, or soccer.
• Traditionally, Spanish women keep their maiden name after marriage. For example, if Eva García Piñedo married Carlos Hernández Rio, she may keep her own name, (García Piñedo). She could also be known as Señora de Hernández Río. In Latin America, she might also be called Eva García Piñedo de Hernández. The de (“day”) means, literally, that Eva is “of” her husband. The last name of their children would be Hernandez García. In the next generation, the mother’s maiden name would be dropped.
• For nearly 500 years Roman Catholicism was the official religion of Spain. It ceased to be the official religion of Spain in 1977. Around 85% of Spanish consider themselves Catholic and 40% go to church regularly. There are around 350,000 Protestants, 400,000 Muslims, and 15,000 Jews.
A tip of the hat to our brother Rio!
Have a fangtastic day my friends! <3  Brock V"""V

BB 2/22/16

Good morning Phoenix! It’s Movie Monday. In continuation of the Oscar nominee theme, this week’s selection is Room. It’s been nominated for 4 Oscars, including Best Picture.
Plot:
ROOM tells the extraordinary story of Jack, a spirited 5-year-old who is looked after by his loving and devoted mother. Like any good mother, Ma dedicates herself to keeping Jack happy and safe, nurturing him with warmth and love and doing typical things like playing games and telling stories. Their life, however, is anything but typical--they are trapped--confined to a windowless, 10-by-10-foot space that Ma has euphemistically named Room. Ma has created a whole universe for Jack within Room, and she will stop at nothing to ensure that, even in this treacherous environment, Jack is able to live a complete and fulfilling life. But as Jack's curiosity about their situation grows, and Ma's resilience reaches its breaking point, they enact a risky plan to escape, ultimately bringing them face-to-face with what may turn out to be the scariest thing yet: the real world.
Trivia:
• Brie Larson claimed that she avoided washing her face during filming, to really make clear on-camera that she was not wearing makeup.
• 'Old Nick,' the name of the antagonist, is another name for the Devil in Christianity, dating back to the mid-17th century.
• In several interviews, the author of the book on which the movie is based has said the story is not based on any specific real-life case.
• Although Joy tells Jack that his long hair is a source of strength for him, the real reason that both of them have very long hair is that their captor doesn't groom them or let them have scissors or any sharp implement that that could be used against him.
• While they are still in the hospital, a doctor tells Joy that she is lucky to have gotten Jack out of captivity while he is still "plastic." In psychology and child development, "plastic" (more commonly called 'plasticity') refers to a child's ability to learn, develop, and recover from trauma. Neuroplasticity, specifically, would be vitally important in ensuring Jack is able to successfully interact with the larger world. Humans of all ages, we now know, have varying degrees of neuroplasticity.
Goofs:
• When Jack rolls out and he is lying on the rug looking up. The rug goes from having a large fold in it right beside his head, to completely flat, to having the large fold again when he gets up.
• When Ma's tooth falls off and hands the tooth to Jack, the apple in his hand goes from his right hand to his left hand.
• When Nancy and Jack get out of the car from grocery shopping, between cuts her purse changes back and forth from being held over her shoulder, to in her hand a few times.
• When Jack is cracking eggs waiting for Nancy to wipe egg off his hands, the whisk in the bowl disappears out of the bowl without being touched, in fact is not visible on the table at all.
Have you seen this movie? If so, what did you think?
Have a fangtastic day my friends!<3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/21/16

Good Morning Phoenix! It’s Sunday – enjoy the last of the weekend. Hope everyone had some nice weather for a change.

Since it’s Sunday, and we all know how Gabby likes The Walking Dead, how about a list of some of the best horror movies? Here’s a list of the 33 best ones. I don’t know how they came up with a weird number like 33, but we are talking about horror films. *shrugs* Here we go:

33. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
32. The Omen (1976) Only the original will do…
31. Let The Right One In (2008)
30. Poltergeist (1982)
29: Re-Animator (1985)
28: Ringu ((1998) The one, the only original – the American remake was The Ring. This one is better.
27: Inside (2007)
26: [REC] 2 (2009)
25: Freaks (1932)
24: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
23: The Blair Witch Project (1999)
22: Se7en (1995)
21: Godzilla (1954) Once again – the Japanese original is the very best.
20: The Haunting (1963) Truly terrifying. The 1999 remake can’t even begin to compare.
19: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
18: Suspiria (1977)
17: The Wicker Man (1973)
16: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) Extra creepy details make this remake better than the original.
15: An American Werewolf in London (1981)
14: The Shining (1980)
13: Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
12: Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
11: The Evil Dead (1981) Evil Dead 2 (1987)
10: Alien (1979)
9: Jaws (1975) Any movie that made millions afraid to go swimming deserves the top 10.
8: Nosferatu (1922) Still scary after over 90 years
7: The Fly (1986) Another one that eclipses the original in the scare factor
6: The Thing (1982)
5: Night of the Living Dead (1968) The movie that brought zombies into modern culture
4: Halloween (1978)
3: Psycho (1960) The movie that made star Janet Leigh swear off showers permanently.
2: The Exorcist (1973) The Granddaddy of all possession films, and the best of the bunch. One of the scariest movies of all time.
1: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) 

This list was compiled by a horror film expert. Agree or disagree with his choices? What films would you add to this list?

Have a fangtastic day my friends! Pop a movie in the DVD player and relax!
<3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/20/16

Good morning Phoenix! It's time for Sippin' Saturday! Saturdays are days to kick back and relax - sometimes see a movie. So, with that said, how about a drink that goes with the movie Deadpool?
Here you go - let me know if you try it. Have a fangtastic day! <3    Brock V"""V

Deadpool Shots - Tipsy Bartender

BB 2/19/16

Good morning Phoenix and TGIF! Welcome to the weekend and another edition of Friday Funnies!

There's a bunch of doctors gathered together at a doctor's convention one night. A male doctor notices a female doctor from across the room. The female doctor notices also and the next thing you know, they're sitting next to each other by the end of dinner.
After dinner, the male asks the woman if she wants to go up to his hotel room.
''Sure,'' the woman says. ''Let me go wash my hands first.''
After she washes her hands, they have sex. After they are finished, she washes her hands again.
This is really starting to annoy the male doctor so he says, ''You know, you must be a surgeon, because you keep washing your hands.''
Angry at this remark, the woman says, ''Well, you must be an anesthesiologist, because I didn't feel a thing!''

Have a fangtastic Friday! <3  Brock V"""V

BB 2/18/16

Good morning Phoenix - it's Throwback Thursday!

Celebrity Birthdays Today:
• Dr. Dre – 51
• John Travolta – 62
• Matt Dillon – 52
• Molly Ringwald – 48
• Vanna White – 59

Music History for Today:
• 1959 – Ray Charles recorded “What’d I Say”
• 1974 – KISS released their first album, “KISS”
• 1974 – Yes played their first show at Madison Square Garden
• 1990 – Freddie Mercury made his final public appearance with Queen at the 11th Brit Awards
• 2006 – Rolling Stones gave a free concert before a crowd of over 1 million people at Copacabana Beach in Rio De Janeiro

General History:
• 1564 – Michelangelo died in Rome
• 1735 – The first opera performed in America was “Flora” in Charleston, SC
• 1885 – Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was published in the US for the first time
• 1953 – Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz signed a contract worth $8,000,000 to continue the “I Love Lucy” TV show through 1955
• 2001 – NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed in a crash during the Daytona 500

Have a fangtastic day my friends! <3  Brock V"""V

BB 2/17/16

Good morning Phoenix and welcome to Hump Day, aka Wacky Wednesday. We’re halfway through the week.

For your midweek enjoyment, I bring you – The 5 real signs that Vampires exist. (Besides myself, Kade, Aric, Niko, and Hunter along with the rest of the brethren - what other proof would you need??)

5: Fountain of Youth: The secret to a longer life may indeed lie in the blood of others. According to 3 recent studies done in mice, a blood transfusion in older subjects can improve memory, strength, and sense of smell – if you collect the blood from a younger host. The research points to a particular protein present in the blood of young mice, GDF11, as being partly responsible. Far from creating a world of vampires, the scientists hope to apply their findings to treat age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s.
4: Vampire Graves: Italy in 2006, Czech Republic in 2008, and Bulgaria in 2012 – almost every year, new “vampire” burial grounds are being unearthed. In the town of Gliwice, Poland, archaeologists discovered four decapitated skeletons dating back to the 16th Century - their severed skulls placed between their legs to ensure the dead stayed dead. (now it could be that they just always had their heads up their asses in life – just sayin’) On the Greek island of Lesbos, a male specimen was found in the ground with 8-inch iron spikes staked through its neck, pelvis, and ankle. Graves in Ireland and Italy feature skulls with huge rocks crushed into their mouths to prevent their former owners from feeding. Of course, those who died might not have been vampires at all. TB, after all, was known to cause weight loss and a pale color. Then again, Europeans thought that it was the vampires themselves who spread the sickness. Better safe than sorry, I guess.
3: The Real Dracula: This character from movies and fiction is based on a real person whose name inspired even greater fear - Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, was initiated into the Order of the Dragon, a Christian military organization, and thereby granted his father’s surname, Dracul, meaning Dragon. Vlad III murdered upward of 100,000 people in his life, burning some alive, but impaling most on sharp stakes. He was known for inviting guests over to feast, only to then impale them, dipping his bread into the fresh blood. Modern culture portrays Dracula as being vulnerable to items of Christianity, like the burning of his skin by a cross, but history shows that this first vampire was considered a warrior for his Christian faith. The Turks eventually killed him, their Sultan displaying Vlad’s impaled head outside his palace. His body was never found – some claimed it disappeared into thin air.
2: Porphyria: The demonic features of vampires have been portrayed in a myriad of forms. Only it’s not just imagination. It’s real. It’s an inherited disorder that causes an accumulation of red and purple pigments in the body, disfiguring the skin, body, and face. The disorder has also been known to cause mental disturbances, including mania, which could lead to strange or violent behaviors. King George III of England is among the most famous sufferers. It caused him to have fits and hallucinations, labeling him “The Mad King”. (check out the movie, “The Madness of King George”) Today, many social scientists and doctors credit Porphyria as a major influence in creating the folklore concerning vampires.

*insert drumroll* And the top reason:
1: Elizabeth Bathory: She is considered the vampiric equal or perhaps superior of Vlad the Impaler. Countess Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary abducted numerous young girls, many of whom were offered jobs as servants. For years, she beat girls to death, burned and mutilated their bodies, and even left them to slowly freeze to death in the winter cold. She believed that the blood of youth would stave off old-age (see #5 above), and so she would bathe in the blood of her victims. Locals often heard screams coming from her castle, and it was only in 1609 that soldiers were sent to investigate. What they found was said to be too horrific to be recorded, but when she was put on trial, 300 witnesses provided testimony, leading to her imprisonment, where she would eventually die. The horror of Bathory’s life and a history of evidence has led many to this simple truth – vampires are real.

Most of this information was gathered from the site Dark5. However, as we all well know, vampires such as the Midnight Breed resulted from the otherworldly Ancients mating with Atlanteans. That’s the real story.
Have a fangtastic day! <3  Brock V"""V

BB 2/16/16

Good morning Phoenix and welcome to Trivia Tuesday! Today, we’re going to have some trivia about Niko, or Matchstick, as his brothers refer to him. *grins*

Niko was born approximately 83 years ago in Siberia. He’s obsessed with things that go boom, so he is responsible for custom crafting most of the Order’s ammunition, and whenever we need a prank pulled that goes boom. :)

Trivia about Siberia:
• By the broadest definition is also known as North Asia. Siberia has been historically part of Russia since the 17th century.
• With an area of 13.1 million square kilometers, Siberia accounts for 77% of Russia's land area, but it is home to just 40 million people – 27% of the country's population. This is equivalent to an average population density of about 3 inhabitants per square kilometer (approximately equal to that of Australia), making Siberia one of the most sparsely populated regions on Earth.
• At least three species of humans lived in Southern Siberia around 40,000 years ago: H. sapiens, H. neanderthalensis, and the Denisovans. The last was determined in 2010 by DNA evidence to be a new species.
• The first great modern change in Siberia was the Trans-Siberian Railway, constructed during 1891–1916.
• At 7:15 a.m. on 30 June 1908, millions of trees were felled near the Podkamennaya Tunguska (Stony Tunguska) River in central Siberia in the Tunguska Event, which most scientists believe to have been the air burst of a meteoroid or a comet.
• Siberia covers almost 10% of Earth's land surface.
• The climate of Siberia varies dramatically, but all of it basically has short summers and long winters of very cold climate. On the north coast, north of the Arctic Circle, there is a very short (about one-month-long) summer.
• Most Siberians are Russians and russified Ukrainians.
• About seventy percent of Siberia's people live in cities, mainly in apartments.
• Novosibirsk is the largest city in Siberia, with a population of about 1.5 million.

And now you know! Have a fangtastic day my friends! <3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/15/16

*Yawns* Good Morning Phoenix friends, and welcome to Movie Monday. Today’s Oscar nominated selection is Brooklyn, starring Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson.

Plot: Based on a novel by Colm Tóibín, Eilis Lacey leaves small town Ireland for a better life in New York, arranged by an Irish priest in Brooklyn. Working in a shop she takes a bookkeeping course and participates in the Irish community. There she meets an Italian, and falls in love. They marry but she wants to see her mother after the death of her sister in Ireland. Returning home, she falls into the life of the small town, meets a local guy, but also a nasty neighbor who knows she was married in the US.

Trivia:
• Rooney Mara was originally cast in the lead role. However, her eventual replacement, Saoirse Ronan, was a front-runner for the part since the film began development, but she was too young to portray Eilis. The production was stalled for years, Mara backed out and when the project was ready to resume, Ronan had aged properly to fit the character and won the part.
• The city of Brooklyn in the film was actually shot in Montreal for budgeting reasons, as the production was unable to turn 2015 Brooklyn back to 1950s Brooklyn. Only two days of production were spent in Brooklyn, one in order to create the brownstone exterior shots and a second to film at Coney Island.
• Eilis is pronounced "Ay-lish".
• Second collaboration between Domhnall Gleeson and Julie Walters. He played Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter movies and she played his mother, Molly Weasley.
• The ending of the film differs from the ending of the novel. Nick Hornby created the new ending from scratch when adapting the novel.

Goofs:
• The film takes place in 1951-1952. As Eilis is walking down a street in Brooklyn, there is a 1955 Buick in the background.
• The characters go for a 1951 date to see the movie "Singing' in the Rain" - that movie did not come out until 1952.
• When returning to America, she stands in the customs line for US Citizens.
• In the dinner scene when Eilis meets Tony's family the food changes from spaghetti to a different meal after Frankie is yelled at.
• In scene where an Irish singer serenades an audience, at the top of a frame is an air conditioning duct that would not have existed in such a space in1952.

Have a fangtastic day, and remember -chocolate is half price now!
<3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/14/14

Good morning Phoenix and Happy Valentine's Day! Spend your day with your significant other, or, if you're single, with a child, a beloved pet, a book, or whatever makes you happy! It's day to do something you love with someone or something you love!

I hear tell the single Breeds have something cooked up for later, so stay tuned.

Have a fangtastic Valentine's Day! <3  Brock V"""V

BB 2/13/16

Good morning Phoenix friends! It's Saturday and you know what that means - it's Sippin' Saturday. In honor of Valentine's Day tomorrow, here's the perfect drink to get stuff started. Just don't drink it all at once, or things will end before they start if you get my drift.

What's your plans for Valentine's Day? <3  Brock V"""V

Pillow Talk

BB 2/12/16

Good morning Phoenix! As we count down the days to Valentine’s Day, I thought we could use a little Valentine humor!

Jim asked his friend, Tony, whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentine's Day.
'Yes,' came the answer from Tony who was a bit of a chauvinist, 'I've bought her a belt and a bag.'
'That was very kind of you,' Jim added, 'I hope she appreciated the thought.'
Tony smiled as he replied, 'So do I, and hopefully the vacuum cleaner will work better now.'

Roger, who was 19 years old, was buying an expensive bracelet, to surprise his girlfriend on Valentine's Day, at a very smart jeweler’s shop.
The jeweler inquired, 'Would you like your girlfriend's name engraved on it?'
Roger thought for a moment, grinned, then answered, 'No, instead engrave "To my one and only love".'
The jeweler smiled and said, 'Yes, sir; how very romantic of you.'
Roger retorted with a glint in his eye, 'Not exactly romantic, but very practical. This way, if we break up, I can use it again.'

I’m sure Tony and Roger had nice funeral services the following week.

Don’t forget to wish Aric and Carys a Happy Birthday!
Have a fangtastic day my friends! <3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/11/16

Good morning Phoenix and welcome to Throwback Thursday. Instead of the news, how about some famous birthdays on this day?

• 1934 – Mary Quandt – the designer behind the miniskirts and hot pants of the 1960’s
• 1934 – Tina Louise – Ginger in Gilligan’s Island
• 1936 – Burt Reynolds – of Smokey and the Bandit, Deliverance, and Boogie Nights fame
• 1953 – Jeb Bush – Governor of Florida and candidate for President
• 1962 – Sheryl Crow – singer
• 1964 – Sarah Palin – Governor of Alaska who sometimes says the silliest things
• 1969 – Jennifer Aniston – Actress
• 1979 – Brandy – Singer and actress
• 1992 – Taylor Lautner – Actor of Twilight fame

Diverse bunch of peeps. Amazing to think that the person that invented the miniskirt would be 82?
Have a fangtastic day my friends! <3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/10/16

Good morning Phoenix! Hope everyone is staying nice and toasty warm on this frigid Wacky Wednesday.

Speaking of Wacky Wednesday, let’s take a look at the wackiest vending machines in the world. You can’t make this stuff up.

• Lettuce vending machines – Japan. When you absolutely, positively gotta have a salad
• Rhinoceros Beetle vending machines – Japan. Kids buy them for pets, and for racing against each other. Ewww
• Japan strikes again with Canned Bread vending machines. The bread comes in all different flavors.
• Singapore chimes in with Mashed Potato vending machines in convenience stores. Guess it beats the usual day old hot dogs on the rotating grill?
• Vancouver Canada chimes in with a 25 cent Crack Pipe Vending Machine. When you absolutely gotta have a fresh one, I guess.
• Japan chimes in again with Bra vending machines. I would assume these are for when you have a wardrobe malfunction? Who knows? Anyway, a size chart is posted on the machine. The bras cost an average of $30 US.
• China enters the list with live Crab vending machines. The temperature inside is at a cool 5 degrees to keep the crabs in hibernation, but they are live.
• Japan – again. Good luck charm vending machines.
• Birth Control Vending Machines – a college in Pennsylvania has installed these on campus. The items inside range from condoms, spermicidal foam, to the morning after pill and pregnancy tests.
• Proactiv Acne Treatment vending machines – being installed in malls all across America. We’ve all seen the commercials. Now you can get some dispensed from a machine.
• Diaper Vending Machines – Across the US. Included is everything you need to clean up and change your baby – diaper, wipe, disposal bag. Gas mask not included.
• Caviar vending machines – in Los Angeles, of course. When the rich and famous just gotta have it. Price ranges from $50 to $500 according to the type you want. I assume it takes credit cards, because putting $500 worth of change in a coin slot is going to take awhile.
• Medical Marijuana Vending Machines – Seattle WA. A user has to swipe their medical marijuana ID card to purchase.
• Porn magazine vending machines – Japan. The covers of the mags are hidden by a curtain during the day, and opened at night.
• Used Schoolgirl Panties vending machines – Japan. Sorry, but it seems to me that the Japanese are more than just a little bit kinky.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen in a vending machine? I've seen french fries and pizza vending machines.
Have a fangtastic day my friends! <3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/9/16

Good morning Phoenix – it’s Trivia Tuesday time. As in weeks past, I’m highlighting one of our own and where they came from.

This week, we’re taking a look at Dante. Dante was born in Italy in the 18th century.

Facts and trivia about Italy:
• Italy has three active volcanoes: Vesuvius, Etna, and Stromboli.
• Italy is slightly larger than Arizona.
• The Vatican is a separate sovereign nation, its own country.
• The thermometer is an Italian invention, as is the typewriter.
• The average Italian consumes 26 gallons of wine a year.
• The piano hails from Italy.
• Italians invented optical eye glasses.
• The violin and the cello were both invented in Italy.
• The patron saint of Italy is Saint Francis of Assisi.
• Everyday 3,000€ gets tossed into the Trevi Fountain.
• Opera was created in Italy.
• The average consumption of pasta in Italy is 25 kg per person per year.
• The oldest olive tree in Italy, in Umbria, is reportedly over 1700 years old.
• Sixty percent of the world’s art treasures are in Italy.
• The oldest European university in continuous operation is the University of Bologna, founded in 1088.
• Italy holds the Guinness record for having the most elevators.
• With almost 40 million visitors, Italy is the fourth most visited country in the world.

Interesting. Have a fangtastic day my friends!<3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/8/16

Good morning Phoenix and welcome to Movie Monday! Hope everyone has recovered from the big game and accompanying parties, or very rested up if you weren’t interested in the game! LOL

Continuing with the theme of Oscar nominees, this week’s selection is The Big Short, starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt.

Plot:
Four denizens in the world of high-finance predict the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s, and decide to take on the big banks for their greed and lack of foresight.

Trivia:
• After meeting with Dr. Michael Burry, the character he would play in the movie, Christian Bale asked to have Burry's cargo shorts and T-shirt, which he then wore in the movie. Bale later said he hoped Burry would make it to the L.A. premiere, "because I really want to sit next to him and see if he's going to punch me in the fucking face."
• The character Mark Baum (Carrell) is based on the real-life money manager Steve Eisman. Jared Vennett (Gosling) is based on real-life trader Greg Lippmann. Ben Rickert (Pitt) is based on Ben Hockett. Charlie Gellar and Jamie Shipley (John Magaro and Finn Wittrock) are based on Charlie Ledley and Jamie Mai.
• Christian Bale does not share screen time with any of the other top-billed cast members.
• There are no special effects used for the left glass eye of Michael Burry. Christian Bale can rest one eye and move around with the other on command.
• At the end of the Vegas segment with the overhead shot of the freeway, you can see a homeless camp beneath the overpass as though it was an indicator of the future.

Goofs:
• While the guys are exploring one of the abandoned homes in Miami, a Ralphs Grocery Store circular is visible in the pile of junk mail. Ralphs are only found in Southern California.
• Various scenes for 2005 through 2008 showed "Empire Gold" variations of the New York State license plate. Empire Gold plates were not issued until 2010; The standard at that time was blue and white.
• When in Vegas, there is a man walking in the background holding a Bud Light Platinum, which was not released until 2012.
• When Mark talks to his wife on the phone, we can see a bus stop ad for the television show "Stitchers", which wasn't created till 2015.
• In a scene where the graphic states that it is "January 11th", people are seen walking around New York City dressed in only suits and dresses (no jackets, hats, or cold weather gear). Later, on the same day, someone is seen crossing the street wearing only shorts and a tee shirt.

Have you seen this movie? Tell us what you think.
Have a fangtastic day my friends! <3 Brock V"""V

BB 2/7/16

Good morning Phoenix! Happy Super Bowl Sunday. Quick poll - who will be watching the game and who will be watching just for the commercials? *grins*

Have a safe and happy fangtastic day. <3 Brock V"""V