It seems our culture's fascination with vampires will never vanish. Sure, as far as monsters go, they're of the sexier set. But I personally don't get why something that is a literal and metaphoric leech is so damn attractive. Maybe it's that whole "he's powerful, but he needs me" thing. It doesn't matter what I say here, you know you're going to attend this lecture, and I probably will, too.

On Monday, February 13, you can meet a scholarly vamp who wants to introduce you to the modern vampire community. John Edgar Browning, author, Arthur A. Schomburg Fellow, and Ph.D. candidate at SUNY Buffalo, will visit Writers and Books (740 University Ave.) to present "Beyond the Reel/Real: Modern Vampire Traditions and Misconceptions." This talk caps the Beyond Reading: "Dracula" by Bram Stoker series at W&B, which included screenings of the "Twilight" movies and a blood drive (for the Red Cross). The lecture takes place 7-8 p.m. and is free and open to the curious public. For more information, call 473-2590 x107, or visit wab.org.