A pioneering anthology of sadomasochistic practice and erotica, this book covers topics ranging from water sports and women masochists to Baudelaire and the Story of O.
I have had a varied,somewhat chaotic, yet interesting life which has involved living and working in many countries. Along the way I have tried to learn things of value from the at times very different cultures I found myself trying to adjust to. At times I was the only American within many miles. That takes a little getting used to.
My memories as a young man, only 10 and 11 years old, are of a post World War Two Japan that during the Korean War served as a support and maintenance area for US forces. I expect that Japan also served as an R. and R. center, but I was too young to know much about that. What I remember most vividly about Japan is that the winters were extremely cold. Outdoor excursions often brought the crackle of fresh snow under foot and snowball fights among the military brats.
Out in the countryside, away from the destruction that W.W. Two had tragically brought to most of Japan's larger cities, the scenery was truly beautiful. From near the American airbase the view of Mt. Fuji was breathtaking year around, especially for a young lad. And so was the view of the bare breasted Japanese women working in the rice paddies. My mother, being a rather proper old-fashioned Southern lady, tried to divert my attention as we approached the workers in our trusty jeep but her efforts were happily unsuccessful.
Shortly after returning to the States in 1954 my career Air Force stepfather was assigned to duty in France and in 1955 the family followed. Being a teenager in France was great. I was large for my age and ran with a slightly older high school crowd, old enough to drive Vespa motor scooters, usually at high rates of speed along beautifully tree-lined French country roads.
In addition, we soon learned that we could stop off at French sport bars and drink cognac and cokes while playing foosball. I learned to play a decent game of chess from elderly Frenchmen who must have wondered how a young American could challenge them at their favorite sports bar and occasionally put them into checkmate. Life in France was good.
So you see my love for travel and for mixing it up with the local folks started at a young age. As an adult I worked as a Forex financial consultant and sales trainer in New York City, Honolulu Hawaii, Berlin Germany, Hong Kong China ,Taipei Taiwan, Lahore Pakistan, and Cebu in the Philippines. This was after being sent in 1967 on an all expenses paid trip to the Republic of Vietnam, compliments of Uncle Sam.
In my retirement years I spent a good deal of time in Thailand, a country I really enjoy living in and will probably return to later this year. The Thai people, at least the ones I socialized with, have this "don't worry, be happy" attitude that I find appealing. Not only that but I love spicy Thai food along with ice cold Thai beer.
The first rate beaches, fantastic temples, and marvelous mountain areas add to the enjoyment. Then there is the spirituality of the place. There are little shrines everywhere, in every home and business, along every road. The Thais are very respectful of them all, as they are to old men like me.
So what does all this have to do with writing? Actually quite a lot. My contact with different cultures have helped me to better understand that there are two sides to every story. I also know from first-hand experience that unfortunate misunderstandings can occur when translating from one language to another. Heck, misunderstandings are easy enough to come by between two native English speaking people. Words have great power. We should be more careful with their use.
In addition, I know that in today's world American exceptionalism, as expressed by American politicians,is an overrated commodity. One that is resented in many parts of the world. While American politicians take every opportunity to tell Americans how exceptional their culture is and how America is number one, I know from on the ground experience that there are many hard-working exceptionally talented people in the world and that not all of them are Americans. The days of "we think and they sweat" are gone forever.
Please don't misunderstand me. America is still a great country and I'm proud to be an American. However, I believe that for many years America has been on the wrong course, one that is not sustainable, and that unless we make some changes in our busy body government policies and learn to live within our means we are going to be in a heap of trouble. Like right now.
Over the past five years I have used my experience with international travel, overseas cultures and business, and living abroad among the locals as background information to write for a number of blogs and online magazines. Hopefully, my writing will continue to improve, my experiences will continue to be interesting and enjoyable, or at least enlightening, and my efforts to educate and entertain in written words will be well received.
Now to see how my experiences will translate into writing ebooks published on Amazon. I look forward to the challenge.
