The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Wow....diamonds really ARE a girl's best friend
21:37 Aug 30 2007
Times Read: 878






Hirst's diamond skull sells for $100 million

By Jeremy LovellThu Aug 30, 7:28 AM ET

A diamond-encrusted platinum skull by artist Damien Hirst has been sold to an investment group for the asking price of $100 million, a spokeswoman for Hirst's London gallery White Cube said on Thursday.

The skull, cast from a 35-year-old 18th century European man but retaining the original teeth, is coated with 8,601 diamonds, including a large pink diamond worth more than four million pounds in the centre of its forehead.

The spokeswoman said she could give no more details of the buyer.

"Damien Hirst has retained a participation in the work -- he still owns a share of it -- in order that he can oversee a global tour of the work that is currently being planned," she added.

The skull caused a sensation when it first went on display at an exhibition of new works by Hirst at the White Cube in central London on June 3 -- not least because of its price tag.

Some critics dismissed it as tasteless while others saw it as a reflection of celebrity-obsessed culture.

Works by Hirst, who first made his name displaying diced and pickled animals, became the most expensive at auction for a living artist when his "Lullaby Spring" pill cabinet sold at Sotheby's in London for 9.6 million pounds.

The skull is the most expensive piece to date by Hirst, already a millionaire several times over.

The sale of the skull brings to $350 million the value of works sold from the June exhibition. Generally the gallery takes 30 percent and Hirst 70 percent of the proceeds.

As an indication of the wealth he has amassed since being spotted in 1991 by art collector Charles Saatchi, Hirst, who financed the skull himself, said he couldn't remember whether it had cost 10 or 15 million pounds to make.

He said from the outset he wanted the work, inspired by similarly bejeweled Aztec skulls, to be on public view.

He rejected suggestions that his works were more a standing joke against the art establishment than real works of art.

But when asked at the time of the exhibition what his next project would be he immediately replied: "Two diamond skeletons shagging -- no just kidding."

Dr. Phil's Test- I scored 49
03:18 Aug 30 2007
Times Read: 885

Below is Dr. Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on Oprah - she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out!





Read on, this is very interesting!





Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and send it to your friends.





The person who sent it placed their score in the e-mail subject box. Please do the same before forwarding to your friends (send it back to the person who sent it to you.) Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.





Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready





This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.





Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total. When you are finished, forward this to friends/family, and also send it to the person who sent this to you. Make sure to put YOUR score in the subject box.





Ready?





Begin.





1. When do you feel your best?



a) in the morning

b) during the afternoon and early evening

c) late at night





2. You usually walk...



a) fairly fast, with long steps

b) fairly fast, with little steps

c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face

d) less fast, head down

e) very slowly





3. When talking to people you.. .



a) stand with your arms folded

b) have your hands clasped

c) have one or both your hands on your hips

d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking

e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair





4. When relaxing, you sit with...



a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side

b) your legs crossed

c) you r legs stretched out or straight

d) one leg curled under you





5. When something really amuses you, you react with...



a) big appreciated laugh

b) a laugh, but not a loud one

c) a quiet chuckle

d) a sheepish smile



6 When you go to a party or social gathering you...



a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you

b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know

c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed





7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...



a) welcome the break

b) feel extremely irritated

c) vary between these two extremes





8. Which of the following colors do you like most?



a) Red or orange

b) black

c) yellow or light blue

d) green

e) dark blue or purple

f) white

g) brown or gray





9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...



a) stretched out on your back

b) stretched out face down on your stomach

c) on your side, slightly curled

d) with your head on one arm

e) with your head under the covers





10. You often dream that you are...



a) falling

b) fighting or struggling

c) searching for something or somebody

d) flying or floating

e) you usually have dreamless sleep

f) your dreams are always pleasant







POINTS:



1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6

2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1

3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6

4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1

5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2

6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2

7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4

8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1

9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1

10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1



Now add up the total number of points.



OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.



51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.



41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out. You are very loyal to your friends and lovers. People find it easy to come to you with their problems, you are someone they can always rely on.



31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.



21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.



UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you' re boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.



Now forward this to others, and put your score in the subject box of your e-mail, like this:



Dr. Phil's Test

Mark Twain
22:40 Aug 29 2007
Times Read: 891

You can't depend on your judgement when your imagination is out of focus.

- Notebook, 1898

Funnies
22:29 Aug 27 2007
Times Read: 899

Living Will



Last night, my wife and I were sitting in the living room and I said

to her, "I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some

machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the

plug.



"She got up, unplugged the TV and then threw out my beer.



She's Such A Bitch......

ok...here goes...
08:23 Aug 21 2007
Times Read: 932

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...





I am so SICK of this shit.....

The sharing of memories
22:57 Aug 20 2007
Times Read: 935

I got a note from a friend of mine named Angelus, a fine gentleman here on VR who I have had a running commentary with off and on for 2 years almost. He commented on my Elvis entry, and asked if I had seen his entry on the anniversary of the King's death- I padded over there in my barefeet and read it, then sent him the following answer:



My parents had taken myself, my brother, and my best friend from school on vacation. We were eating dinner at a hotel in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. As we finished, Ellen (my best friend) said she wanted to call her parents and let them know we were settled in and ok, so I walked her to the lobby to use the phone. While she was talking to her mother, she got this god awful expression on her face, and when she hung up the phone, she RAN back to the table, me hard on her heels, thinking someithgn had happened to someone in her family. As she neared the table, she started screaming at the top of her lungs (we were 15 at the time, no need for sublety there...lol) "Elvis is dead! Elvis is dead!"



I remember my father looked at my mother, and put his arm around her just as she burst into tears....



THAT is something that I am afraid my new husband and I will never share. The age difference is just that far apart, as I said in my journal. But he has held me through many other things that my ex husband didn't, and that my father might not have thought of doing for my mother- so it all evens out.



Amazing what you remember after 30 years...

MY favorite...
02:35 Aug 17 2007
Times Read: 950






THIS is how I remember Elvis...I have made Irish musicians play this for me, and loved it just as much...but nothing can replace Elvis, ever...



Scott and I were discussing Elvis one night on the way home....he said he couldn't fathom a generation that made an icon out of one person like that, that built an era around someone...



Right there was where I truly felt the generational gap in our ages, and I for one feel truly sorry for his generation, if that is really true...



The past had Valentino, Charles Lindburgh, Elvis, the Beatles...



He claims his generation doesn't have any one thing or person they can honestly say "defined" their generation...



Sad thing is, he may be right...

I have NO idea what to call this entry...ROFLMAO
23:06 Aug 15 2007
Times Read: 958


Harry Potter and The Mid-Life Crisis

Add to My Profile | More Videos

To Images, Khayman, et al...
22:22 Aug 13 2007
Times Read: 972

And all my other computer/gadget/techno geeks out there...



This one is for you...LOL

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH - ala Charlie Brown YET again
06:52 Aug 09 2007
Times Read: 985






I can't STAND it anymore...I have tried EVERYTHING people have told me to try to TRY and make Hangman something I could enjoy again...



I have installed program after program- despite my objections, since this is not my computer, and I feel bad putting stuff like this on someone else's computer...



I have put in Firefox Mozilla, with all it's blockers and what not, to TRY and get hangman back to what it was...



Then I tried to go about my business, using this new format...



I couldn't hear my profile talking anymore

I couldn't hear ANYONE"S profile anymore



I can't hear the hangman game talking when I win



The game fucking DRAGS ASS



I have to double click on somethings to get them to even kick in, and GOD help me if I hit the wrong link- then I have to start ALL OVER with logging in here and there, cause otherwise, it is telling me I am not in a house, and therefore can't play hangman.



YES the banners are gone

YES the flashing is gone



NO I am NOT happy...



NOW I have to log into VR on IE, then log into Mozilla to get hangman up, then RE-log into VR from IE- all those protocols that are supposed to keep me safe from hackers make this necessary, cause you log in on one, it logs you out on the other, I understand. But can you SEE my frustration level rising as we speak???



I am proud to be a member of Umbrae Octo- I am also proud to be a member of the hall of Gladius, and be one of the better players therein...I enjoy playing hangman, and earning favor at the same time for my house..



But THIS is fucking ridiculous...



Cancer said there wasn't anything he could do- there IS- take the fucking banners OFF the games- what POSSIBLE good are they doing there anyway??? People are there to PLAY, not go visiting other sites...



Our houses demand favor from us to keep our standing- fine...but does it have to be so nervewracking and frustrating that it isn't any fun anymore, just a damned CHORE????



*pantpantpant*

Wow.....
06:22 Aug 09 2007
Times Read: 987




Woodstock's famous farm on the market Wed Aug 8, 6:01 PM ET







The famous farm near the alfalfa field that drew 400,000 people to Woodstock for three days of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll is up for sale.



The asking price: $8 million.



Roy Howard, the current owner, is packing it in after years of tangling with local officials over permits for reunion gatherings to mark the 1969, three-day Woodstock music festival that helped ignite a generation.



Up for sale is the 2,000-square-foot house that belonged to dairy farmer Max Yasgur, along with a larger farmhouse, a barn and 103 bucolic acres about 80 miles north of New York City.



Included are a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, double convection ovens, Viking stove, antique soapstone sink, 22-foot vaulted ceilings and expansive views of the Pocono Mountains. There's also a double whirlpool tub, steam shower and bidet.



The nearby alfalfa field where the concert was held isn't included in the sale. It's owned by cable magnate Alan Gerry, who turned it into the 4,800-seat Bethel Woods Center last summer.



Yasgur lent out the alfalfa field for the concert after promoters were rejected by officials in the nearby town of Woodstock. About 400,000 people packed the field Aug. 15-17 for the festival that drew the biggest names in music — Jimi Hendrix and the Who among them.



Yasgur and his farm were celebrated in Joni Mitchell's song "Woodstock," popularized by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with the line: "I'm going on down to Yasgur's farm. I'm going to join in a rock 'n' roll band."



Sullivan County Treasurer Ira Cohen, who was at Woodstock, helped organize reunions during the 1990s and said the sale will end an era.



"The reunions were a way to keep the music going," he said.

oh yeah...here I go...lol
04:41 Aug 09 2007
Times Read: 990

Two little old women were sitting on a park bench outside the local town hall where a Flower Show was in progress.





One leaned over and said to the other, 'Life is so darned boring; we never have any fun anymore. For $5.00 I'd take my clothes off and streak through that stupid Flower Show!'



'You're on!' said the other old woman holding up a $5.00 bill.



The first little old woman slowly fumbled her way out of her clothes and, completely nude, streaked (as fast as an old lady can) through the front door of the Flower Show. Waiting outside, her friend soon heard a huge commotion inside the hall followed by loud applause and shrill whistling.



The naked and smiling old woman came through the exit door surrounded by a cheering crowd.



'What happened?' asked her waiting friend.



'I won 1st Prize as Best Dried Arrangement!"

Ensuing Rant.....again....be warned...
23:42 Aug 05 2007
Times Read: 1,015

....and if you see yourself in here somehwere, who's fault is that? I'm not naming names this time, because they who shall not be named are in a position of power around here, and since they have already threatened to suspend a friend of mine, I certainly don't want to give them reason to suspend me. So names...nada not this time.



I will say this...power corrupts



And ABSOLUTE power corrupts ABSOLUTELY



Some people can start out as the nicest people on the face of the earth- fun loving, intriguing, articulate, and fun to be around....



Then you give them a taste...



Then suddenly they are talking about how they are more "diligent", and others in the same position "less lenient" and how they will not tolerate disrespect from someone who is asking a legitimate question. Yet in the same breath, they will accuse someone of being "childish" and "immature". Please tell me where calling people names who question you about something is justified? When did it become disrespect to ask a legitimate question? And WHO on this site aside from Cancer thinks that they can justify threatening suspension of a two-profile PAID member who has worked tirelessly for this site and the people here in, who has enjoyed being here and working both for and with this site and it's members? And not only did this person threaten, insult, and condescend to this member, he made her cry, and apoligize for something she had every right to be able to do...



Ask a question.



That's all...



And then didn't even have the courtesy or decency to respond to her apology, or ease her fears about being suspended for NO reason.



I, for one, have enjoyed the dominars, sentorans, acolytes and so forth that I have had a chance to be in contact with. Whenever I have had a question, I have been given the attention and respect that any human being deserves when talking to another human being. Aside from my own tangle with Nicnivian at the beginning of my membership here, I have never once either given cause to be slapped down, or been treated with anything other than respect from the administration around here.



I think it is high time that people like this one should be taken to task whenever they run rough shod over members on this site. Cruelty, disrespect, and an asshole attitude should not be de riguer for someone trusted with maintaining the integrity of this site.

For all my cats and cat lovers out there...
20:43 Aug 05 2007
Times Read: 1,017

FINALLY
22:40 Aug 01 2007
Times Read: 1,037

For those of you who have been keeping up with the ongoing saga of a Southern Belle in Queen Elizabeth's court up here, let's see if we can't straighten out the score card for you...several things have fallen into place rather nicely (finally) so let's see if we can't get everyone caught up here...



1) I have technically been approved for citizenship- all that is left is the final "landing ceremony" and it is official. The last thing the CIC wanted was the pics and Connor's birth certificate copy- see earlier entries for THAT rant...lol



2) My work permit showed up at the house ON MY BIRTHDAY...a great present- "happy birthday, now go to work..." lol



3) The pictures of Connor and his birth certificate showed up in the mail today- I said I would believe it when I saw it, and here it is. One less thing to do, and hopefully this will be the last thing CIC will ask for-I will be driving them over to the West Can people tomorrow.



The only thing left to do, in order for me to move on with my life, is to settle the legal hoohah with the stepmonster- and time wise, I should know something by the end of this week, God willing and the creek don't rise. Keep your fingers crossed for me, people...I need to be able to get out of this in a good way.....