Thursday, April 26, 2018

Pictures from my trips to Japan


Japan

Unfortunately many of my pictures were destroyed or lost on a Chinese cell phone so these are mostly pictures of pictures.... But here are some of my first two trips.

The Golden Pavilion
She totally didn't know what to do with me.
One of my first trips I went to Mt. Fuji. My love had business so I hooked into a tour group because it was actually the cheapest way to go (which was odd).

Mt. Fuji (dormant volcano)
 I visited Nagano in the middle of winter. It was FREEZING! We had to hike into our ryokan. My love and I hung out with the monkeys for several hours (until I couldn't feel my feet). Part of The Temple of Heaven takes place at Jigkudani.
Jigokudani (Nagano)
The monkeys really will come right into your room if the window is open too far much to the anger of the park rangers.

An example of what happens to my hair without hot rollers!



Vampire By Munch (I saw it in a Tokyo Museum by now it's traveling)

I loved Japan even before I discovered Yaoi. I'm hoping to get in 2019 for a Yuri On Ice tour, the penis festival, and more Kyoto.

Thank you for letting me share some of my travels with you.

Many hugs, Z.

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Made in China

I spent about six years living in China. It was amazing (the people I met, the bargains I struck while shopping, $8 massages, and seeing incredible places) and terrible (being completely in a foreign place, no clue how things worked, not speaking the language) all at once.

I wanted to share the apartment I designed, built, and lived it. The Made in China currently live in the apartment. Made in China 1: The Great Wall  











The apartment was on the corner of Ling Long Lu > which meant many of the places I shopped called me Ling Long Laura  LOL.

I loved my time in China and still miss it. I keep in touch with several of my friends from Suzhou.

Buy links


Many hugs, Z.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Turkish Oil Wrestling


Sometimes someone will say something or show me something and it gets stuck in my brain. I saw a video on Turkish Oil wrestling and was enthralled. I was fascinated by how such a masculine culture could add such a homoerotic component to their favorite sport.

My librarian in The Librarian’s Rake is trying to explain the ins and outs Turkish wrestling which is a centuries old tradition in Turkey. The men rub themselves down with olive oil and wear special slippery pants. One of the ways to win is to control your opponent by sticking your hand down their pants… (think on that… then ask yourself why Turkish oil wrestling isn’t a subgenre in romance?)

Just kidding! It’s a serious sport and looks incredibly difficult. Take a look at this video: 




Excerpt from The Librarian’s Rake:

“I’m telling you, Turkish oil wrestling is a real sport.” Tristan locked the library and chuckled at Phillip’s reaction.
“Right! But come on, they stick their thumbs up the other guy’s ass to win.” Phillip shook his head.
“It’s called hooking.” Tristan supplied him with an easy setup.
“Maybe I can get into sports after all.” Phillip batted his eyelashes.




The Librarian’s Rake
Opposites might attract, but is acting on that attraction wise?

Librarian Tristan Cooper can’t steer clear of sexy, motorcycle-riding bad boy Phillip—the man is hot—but Phillip is bound to find quiet, bookish Tristan boring, like all Tristan’s boyfriends. Tristan yearns to explore his wild side, the part of himself he’s only allowed into his fantasies, and maybe rakish Phillip is just what he needs to feel free. 

Sexperienced hairdresser Phillip is more of a believer in happy endings than happily ever afters. Experience has taught him not to hope for more—until he meets sweet, vulnerable Tristan, who seems genuinely interested in his heart. But Phillip can’t trust enough to see himself as a man Tristan might want for more than a night.

With the help of a pair of matchmaking grandfathers, Tristan and Phillip might find the courage to step beyond their comfort zones and discover what has been missing from their lives.



The Librarian’s Rake Blurb
Opposites might attract, but is acting on that attraction wise?
Librarian Tristan Cooper can’t steer clear of sexy, motorcycle-riding bad boy Phillip—the man is hot—but Phillip is bound to and quiet, bookish Tristan boring, like all Tristan’s boyfriends. Tristan yearns to explore his wild side, the part of himself he’s only allowed into his fantasies, and maybe rakish Phillip is just what he needs to feel free.
Sexperienced hairdresser Phillip is more of a believer in happy endings than happily ever afters. Experience has taught him not to hope for more— until he meets sweet, vulnerable Tristan, who seems genuinely interested in his heart. But Phillip can’t trust enough to see himself as a man Tristan might want for more than a night.
With the help of a pair of matchmaking grandfathers, Tristan and Phillip might and the courage to step beyond their comfort zones and discover what has been missing from their lives....



Buy Link:

Thursday, April 5, 2018

What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?


Any positive or negative expectation about circumstances, events or people that affects the person's behavior toward them in a way that causes the expectations to be fulfilled." (Business Dictionary).

My definition is belief so strong it becomes a barrier preventing any other outcome. Our beliefs cause us to act in certain ways reinforcing what we think will happen.


Any positive or negative expectation about circumstances, events, or people that may affect a person's behavior toward them in a manner that causes those expectations to be fulfilled.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/self-fulfilling-prophecy.html

Any positive or negative expectation about circumstances, events, or people that may affect a person's behavior toward them in a manner that causes those expectations to be fulfilled.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/self-fulfilling-prophecy.html
The Librarian’s Rake is a perfect example of self-fulfilling prophecies at work. Tristan (the librarian) sees himself as boring and lives down to that expectation quietly living his lonely life. Philip (the rake) doesn’t believe in happily ever after only happy endings that are done right after he swallows.

Both men are in a rut. When they meet, Tristan decides he’s ready for a change and asks Phillip for assistance. Phillip starts with superficial changes: hair, clothing, glasses. As a hairdresser, Phillip knows physical makeovers change how people see themselves. Once Tristan begins to view himself as no longer bookish and boring, he can take other risks he may have been too timid to try.

Phillip knows how the world works and doesn’t expect much out of life. Guys are for getting off and having fun with but companionship comes from his friends. When Tristan treats Phillip like a friend rather than a fuckbuddy, Phillip’s world view is turned upside down. Tristan makes him want things he never thought he could have… and that’s bad, right?



The Librarian’s Rake Blurb
Opposites might attract, but is acting on that attraction wise?
Librarian Tristan Cooper can’t steer clear of sexy, motorcycle-riding bad boy Phillip—the man is hot—but Phillip is bound to and quiet, bookish Tristan boring, like all Tristan’s boyfriends. Tristan yearns to explore his wild side, the part of himself he’s only allowed into his fantasies, and maybe rakish Phillip is just what he needs to feel free.
Sexperienced hairdresser Phillip is more of a believer in happy endings than happily ever afters. Experience has taught him not to hope for more— until he meets sweet, vulnerable Tristan, who seems genuinely interested in his heart. But Phillip can’t trust enough to see himself as a man Tristan might want for more than a night.
With the help of a pair of matchmaking grandfathers, Tristan and Phillip might and the courage to step beyond their comfort zones and discover what has been missing from their lives....



Buy Link: