Thursday, August 25, 2016

What do you have to lose? Authors & Politics

Depends on your priorites...

How many times have we heard you should never discuss religion or politics in polite conversation? And in this election cycle it's been a tall order because >>>>> well you know!!!

I write rainbow romance (LGBTQIA LOVE STORIES). My blog is LOVE IS LOVE. My group is called Yaoified Love. It's pretty clear with my Pride Marches, PFLAG Meetings and Transgender Rallies where I stand on the issues. It wouldn't surprise my readers, my Pretties or my friends to find I who I'd will be voting for...

Z. Allora (& my truest self) is first and foremost an advocate of the rainbow. That is my priority and that's why I write happily ever afters for people on the rainbow.

That being said I don't attack or trash folks with a different political views. Though I will send hearts & like/love posts I agree with on Facebook. I have PMed folks or chatted offline to understand why or how they can support something or someone I can't to help my understanding of their world view.

I've seen folks upset that publishers have recommended authors not discuss their political viewpoint (or attack) because it harms sales...

Psst, it can and if you're writing to make money pay attention to publishers & what could negatively impact your bottomline.

Authors bleed onto the page... sometimes some of what we seep is our personal beliefs (religious, political, ideas on love, marriage, sex, our worldview, etc). We can only write through our filters. We can be aware of them so they affect our stories less but they are there. So even if we try to hide or de-emphasize our politic views they may find their way onto our pages in our characters values & views.

It is my hope that we are kind to each other. When we speak I hope it's to educate and not devalue. I think by increasing our understanding we build a more accepting world.

Big hugs, Z.


Thursday, August 18, 2016

Sex Machine Museum in Prague NOT WORK SAFE


Tucked away in one of the many touristy alleys of shops and restaurants is Prague's Sex Machine Museum. Here you can see early vibrators (developed by a doctor to save his wrist while treating female hysteria), various penis-shaped machines, and even two erotic dollhouses.

Earlier vibrators



Allowing you to masturbate while looking at your lover

There were lots of devices that allowed hands-free penetration
Shoes that fit into vagina stir-ups
Mask with removable nose
Various fetishes were on display (Someone's head can be inserted while someone sits...)
Urination sticks (one carries as a cane)
Erotic dollhouse
Erotic dollhouse
Sex gown so you didn't touch where it wasn't necessary  



May you have the pleasure of visiting a sex museum in your travels.

Hugs, Z.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Pokémon WHAT?

Pokémon GO!!!! 

Maybe you haven't noticed hordes of people with their heads down staring at their phones occasionally saying GOTCHA!

If you have noticed you may have rolled your eyes and thought IDIOTS!

You might be right but I have to say it gets me out of the house. I've been to Heidelberg Germany no less than 20 times in the past year & a half... but last week I took Pokémon Go with me and I saw things I never noticed. PokéStops (are where you go to get ball in which to capture the adorable creatures to store them) are based on area points of interest. 
Heidelberg Demon

Without Pokémon Go I missed these gorgeous pieces of history and art.

So laugh if you will... Pokémon Go ROCKS.
I adore going on hunting dates with my love searching for Pokémon.

So you might look into it!!!

It also made me think about which of my characters would be into Pokémon Go. Randy Camster & Boon-nam (Illusions & Dreams) (Their love's Jake & Lalana would be indulgent but definitely find common ground over totally not getting the craziness!)

Jordon Davis (Lock & Key) would be all about the hunt... though would get lost painting a Pokéstop for his future husband >>> whom he doesn't know yet.

The Dark Angels: Angel, Dare, Robin & Josh are definitely into the hunt... they've turned it into part of their band bonding rituals (which their manager is happy because it's drier than water blaster fights). Dusty would be begrudging get into it for the guys but secretly loves hunting with his Justin.

Lafayette, Storm, Alex, Kai and Corey from Club Zombie would be Pokémon masters of the group. Ulrich, Cutter and Jasper wouldn't quite get it but would applaud for each capture.
Hugs, Z.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

VACATION STRESS

How to lower the suckage and bounce the dumb shit that happens on your time off.

1) What do you want from your vacation?
Sounds easy… but really think about it. Do you want to recharge by seeing a new place, relaxing on the beach, getting a home project accomplished, etc? Once you figure out that tailor make your trip to get what you want.
>>> I find a combination of animals or art, interesting shopping and downtime is a nice combination.

2) Arguments with co-vacationers 
This is vacation there should be no stress! Time off should = easy, breezy so when it doesn’t go that way it feels devastating. The anger we feel for having our vacation violated with stress cuts deeper and is more intense.

>>>> Acknowledge tiredness, frustration and work as a team. 

When you can’t bounce the someone else’s angry frustration go to radio silence = just SHUT THE HELL UP. Seriously SHHHHHHH. Now I’m not suggesting you stew until you go home… I’m simply saying spewing YOUR bile isn’t going to get your trip back on track.

>>>> Find sympathy and give the benefit of the doubt.

3) Shitty things happen
Lost suitcases, the destination being less than expected, problems with the hotel/plane/car… It’s going to happen.

>>>>Try to stay calm and figure out what is going to get your trip back on track the quickest.

Remember terrible time = good stories (embellish! How will your describe the EVIL waiter? The dirty room? & let it motivate you to share your emotion in reviews>>> sometimes you can get apologies that make the bad more tolerable.
>>>>Don’t focus on the shittiness

4) The Learning curve
You can research and study and even if you’re familiar with the area but there are different ways of doing things and possibly different rhythms than you are used to which could be terribly frustrating. (This increases if you leave your state or country)

>>>>Research can help but still sometimes nothing can prepare you. ROLL WITH IT. It’s new it’s different you’re not home… things will take more time. Methods may not make sense to you… GO WITH IT.




5) Don't expect PERFECTION.







It doesn't exist at home or on vacation. All we can do is shoot for moments of happiness.
A little vacation mood music for you!






Be safe in all your travels and remember EVERYTHING can be an ADVENTURE it's all in how you look at it!!!

Hugs, Z.