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You and me. Pornography.

November 2, 2010
about clancy
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I don’t know what it is, but lately every time I watch porn I end up obsessing about the stars unfortunate choices in tattoos. Maybe I’m just hardened (hah!) to the whole thing, but I find myself questioning every decision they made that culminated in them working in the sex industry with a tattoo of Spiderman on his ass. I mean, I like Spidey like nobody’s business, but unless it’s superhero porn where the webbing blasts out of his dick, I don’t need to be thinking about Peter Parker.

Research: Pioneer Farms

July 13, 2010
picspam, writing
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I found out that there was a “living history park” not far from where I live. Unfortunately, the day I went, history was not coming alive. Only a couple of the houses were manned by people. Wasps—and I’m talking wasps as big as your hand—were out in full force.

Plantation House

It was in the upper 90s and a lot of the trail was directly in the sun. So it was pretty darn hot. But that in itself says a lot about the area and the kind of work that people were doing out in that kind of weather.

Outbuilding stove

I think the photos turned out well. The yellow house is the plantation house, which is right about the size I was hoping for. There are out buildings for not only the out house, but the kitchen, the loom/weaving area. And, of course, the well. Something out there bit my toe and I had to sit down for a few and rub the ouchie. A wasp kept buzzing me and eventually landed on my husband’s sleeve. Brave girl that I am, I ran away and let him deal with it.

Barn and Equipment

The barn is more of an immigrant barn, but it had some of the tools of the trade I thought were important.

Beautiful Tree
We checked out the Native American area, but there really wasn’t a lot there. I did fall in love with that giant tree and took many shots of it. I think that tree will make appearances in many stories.

See the whole Pioneer Farms Slideshow

Softcore History

July 8, 2010
about clancy, writing
6 Comments

I’m currently doing some research for a new novel/novella I’m writing. I actually started this story from a dream I had, but as all dreams need, there are details that have to be nailed down, hammered out, and otherwise put in their place.

As this is a historical story that I’m pretty sure will be antebellum South, I’m reading about plantations and slaves. No, it’s not a slave story. But it’s part of the life of a planter and they will figure into the plot at some stage, so I’m pawing through some fairly depressing history.

Back when I was 12 I was one of a few students that represented our school in a Texas history competition. This wasn’t because I’m so damn smart as much as my a fairly gossipy Texas history teacher who told great stories got me hooked and the rest of it just stuck. It’s the stories that are interesting, not the dates. At least, to me. And sort of the story of how we are here. Why there are so many damn German towns in Texas, things like that.

What I also discovered were a number of historical houses and tours right here in Austin. There’s even a historical reenactment place not far from my home. History is so much more interesting when you can touch it. Anyway, that’s what I’m currently up to.

Also, I’m going to fire a gun. I know, right? I live in Texas and don’t own a gun or a horse. Actually I did shoot a gun before and rode a few horses, both of which I chalk up to a misspent youth. Now I have to do it alllll over again. Once more, with feeling.

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