Not Your Mother's Sex Column

Wicked Faire

2009-11-10T22:27:53Z

WE GOT WICKED FAIRE! WOO!

http://wickedfaire.com/2010/

It's made of awesome. You should all go. I'm going to go celebrate now.

Filthy Gorgeous Burlesque & Your Holiday Party!

2009-11-10T19:51:40Z

Why public forum may not be the best source of information

2009-11-10T16:43:08Z

The most popular answer to "Can your baby get pregnant if you have sex while pregnant?"

The baby can get pregnant only if it's a female. If you suspect that your baby is pregnant, try not to have sex again. You run the risk of getting your baby's baby pregnant and that can lead to complications like an infinite loop.
Source(s):
http://www.4chan.org

If the question was asked seriously I doubt that they'd register that "4chan" is not necessarily a credible source.

Fear the infinity loop!

For a little junk in your trunk

2009-11-10T14:57:43Z

The timing of this is amazing, one because its a great way to start the day, and two because on Saturday one of my friends, in describing the proportions, weight, and padding of the body types (the ass in particular of all the body types), said "If I slap the right cheek I want the left one to shake too!" Nice to have those extra reminders that just because I see extra on me doesn't mean that all boys see it the same way.

That and I love the idea of an ad saying "put on weight so you can look like a Hollywood Hearthrob!"

Banning for not shoplifting now?

2009-11-10T03:28:52Z

NILES — The two Bic multipurpose lighters and a package of smaller lighters Joe Paolucci bought at the Niles Wal-Mart on Aug. 16 cost $15.84.

So how did the lighters end up the centerpiece of a situation that resulted in Paolucci and his gay partner, Thomas Hitchcock, being banned from Wal-Mart, not only in Niles but everywhere? That's the rest of the story.

Can't say that I was ever a fan of Wal Mart, but this is just stupid.

If you block one, you're blocking the other.

2009-11-10T00:02:04Z

The federal subsidies affect the plan, not just the individuals in the plan. It is not just the individual who has subsides that can't get abortion coverage. It is that any subsidy from anyone taints the entire plan. So any plan that gets subsidies from anyone at all can not offer abortion coverage.

I won't argue that abortion is a true "reproductive right" however I believe it is far better for them to be available than not, there are a lot more casualties when they are unavailable.

And this does have some arguments that are legitimate. The restrictions will have a global effect on the ability to find an insurance plan that covers abortion. It also ignores the number of people who are self employed and therefore not getting a plan through their employers. And I have to argue that I WANT the people who are very low income to be able to get an abortion, cause I'd rather the welfare family have fewer kids than keep popping 'em out.

Ignoring the 'killing of the fetus' D&C procedures, frequently necessary after a miscarriage, are the same procedure as an abortion. My mom had to go to an abortion clinic for a fetus that died before it came to term

Steampunk World's Faire

2009-11-09T23:09:38Z

http://steampunkworldsfair.com/

I believe the name says it all, only there's more!

There is the Cup of Brown Joy Tea Party, the Lovecraft’s Revenge Murder Mystery Dinner. For performers Professor Elemental of Cup of Brown Joy fame, The Penny Dreadfuls, artists, dancers, singers, writers, and Happy Hour!

Yes, that's right. Happy Hour Burlesque will be performing at the Steampunk World's Fair!

Get your tickets now because the hotel is half full already!

Cory Doctoro: Teen Sex in Fiction

2009-11-08T15:26:08Z

Sex in YA stories usually comes naturally, as the literal climax of a coming-of-age story in which the adolescent characters have undertaken a series of leaps of faiths, doing consequential things (lying, telling the truth, being noble, subverting authority, etc.) for the first time, never knowing, really knowing, what the outcome will be. These figurative losses of virginity are one of the major themes of YA novels — and one of the major themes of adolescence — so it's artistically satisfying for the figurative to become literal in the course of the book. This is a common literary and artistic technique, and it's very effective.

I admit that I remain baffled by adults who object to the sex in this book. Not because it's prudish to object, but because the off-camera sex occurs in the middle of a story that features rioting, graphic torture, and detailed instructions for successful truancy.

I love Little Brother. I discovered it while processing new books at the library and put a reserve on it for as soon as it was in circulation. Since then I have my own copy which I had signed by Cory Doctoro at a convention I attended that same summer.

I have to agree that the least note worthy thing in this book is the indication that sex occurred. And it is just an indication, a condom is handed, scene ends, afterward a brief thought on it. The book contains desperation, fear, and torture. The main character is water boarded at one point.

I never read a whole lot of YA novels growing up. My YA novels were Anne McCaffery's Pern novels and the Star Wars canon. I almost feel that even the YA novels were sex isn't included (and it often is alluded to) there exists almost a code like in movies. Old movies made under the MPAA code had so many ways of indicating that sex had occurred, including a slap across the face and smoking cigarettes. And audiences KNEW what was indicated. I think there is some lvl of similar assumption going on between teen couples in YA books.

Most kids figure out sex exists well before they are in their teens, even if the movies and TV they watch are limited. Much of what they may know may be misinformed, but they still learn that it exists. I remember 5th and 6th graders having a game of asking the younger kids at my elementary school (this happened somewhere between 1st and 4th grade, I don't remember when exactly) if they were 'virgins'. I had no clue what they were talking about, but I remember the way they said it made me reluctant to say yes or no... is sounded like it connotated something dirty. I played stupid and said that my friend's sign was Virgo, but I was a Cancer.

Terrance Zdunich, special guest

2009-11-08T15:13:02Z

http://www.terrancezdunich.com/blog/?p=2537

Terrance's blog post about coming to the Academy of Music as a special guest for Genetic Imperfection and the Come Again Players at the Academy of Music.

Fruit Sex!

2009-11-06T19:52:03Z

Ok, so not fruit intercourse...
The complicated sex life of the papaya is about to get even more interesting, thanks to a $3.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant will fund basic research on the papaya sex chromosomes and will lead to the development of a papaya that produces only hermaphrodite offspring, an advance that will enhance papaya health while radically cutting papaya growers' production costs and their use of fertilizers and water.

This article is pretty interesting to read. I had no concept of gender in papaya, forget that they develop in three genders, male, female and hermaphrodite. And that the fruit with the most value are the hermaphrodites.

Its kind of neat to see a place where hermaphrodism is the goal not ignored, even ifs so we can eat the result.

Performances and Planning

2009-11-06T16:44:24Z

Ideally I'd like to start being able to do some local burlesque shows. Find some venue that will let us do a show once in awhile (well, one that will let us do it w/out breaking the bank). I know I should contact the IHEG at some point to at least see what their options are. We could do the Northampton Center for the Arts if we were a bit more cohesive as a group and could advertise well enough, then we would be able to afford it. I need to figure out the local performance halls and then who to contact about doing a show. The Flywheel might be an option as well.

Places I should look into:
Divas
Pushkin Gallery
The Flywheel
Northampton Center for the Arts
IHEG

At least to get cost or admission split options. And dress codes. I need to figure out more.

I also need to identify conventions earlier on in the game (instead of a month or two before hand remember about one and go "I wonder..."). I'm actually setting up or applying for several convention shows over the next few months, which is a double plus for me because it means I also get to go to more conventions. What is more exciting, since there is a financial investment in both costumes, travel, and if I stay overnight, housing, is that I have started to get offers to be paid to perform. It is notably easier to get paid to perform as a single performer rather than as a troupe (the amount per person will be significantly lower with a group instead of myself doing a solo).

Places I have applications in for or am inquiring about some level of burlesque activity:
Wicked Faire
TempleCon
Steampunk World Fair
Arisia

Places I will apply to in the near future:
Nexus Faire
Pi-Con

Similarly to performance halls, I am dreadfully unaware of which conventions are happening when, and sometimes even mix up names. I do also realize that application/inquiry does not equal success. But the more applications the more chances there are of a show.

To be honest, if things keep going this well (keep looking up really), I may be able to happily give up Rocky since I will have a outlet for performing. Also, more shows mean higher chance of finding more burlesque dancers to perform with us.

squee

2009-11-05T16:43:55Z

I am now the happy owner of 5" heeled, knee-high boots. AND THEY FIT!

Maine repeals Gay Marriage

2009-11-04T23:46:50Z

Eh.

So 6 months after it was signed, Maine voters rejected a state law that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed. What annoys me so much about the article I found is that the arguments against it were mostly religious in nature or are that if it passes 'gay marriage will be taught in school.' I honestly can't say I ever recall anything about marriage being taught to me in school. What schools are they going to? And from a sex ed point of view ignoring homosexuality and safe sex practices is just stupid. Also, so much for a separation of church and state.

Wait, I can get paid for this?

2009-11-04T05:10:08Z

I just booked a tickle fetish video shoot for next week, and am in the process of setting up some fetish work with someone in Brooklyn (minimum 3 hours at $75/hour, plus 2 hours tickling at $50/hour).

AND I got a request to do a paid burlesque performance at a convention after I replied to a casting call for convention booth girls. Not sure if they want the whole troupe or not. I'm going to have to invest in a few trinkets and such so I can get something a little more steampunk than what I own now.

I'm really excited for a whole bunch of reasons. I need the money. I love performing. And I've gone through a decent length spell of not being what the photographer wants for a casting call.

From MIDORI'S MUSINGS NEWSLETTER November 2, 2009

2009-11-02T23:05:24Z

Copyright 2009 by Midori:

Send any replies or questions: Ask@PlanetMidori.com

MIDORI'S MUSINGS NEWSLETTER November 2, 2009

= = =

1. AGE OF COMPASSION?

Could we actually be entering a new era of compassion and reason?
As I gaze out to a beautiful autumn day, I’m hopeful.

In the last few days, two seemingly small but significant actions by the US government caught my attention. Squeezed between the endless reports on suicide bombers and the crippled economy, news came through that the Obama administration lifted the 22-year ban on HIV-positive people entering the country. Then in another quiet announcement they opened the way for battered foreign women to receive asylum.

HIV Ban: In 1987, during the Reagan administration, US established a ban on HIV-positive people from entering the country and resident HIV pos foreigners being granted legal status. In the midst of the new pandemic, this was a public health policy reaction against a new disease whose transmission mysterious, and death certain, swift and miserable. This was further enforced in 1993 by Jesse Helms’ amendment, a barely veiled bigoted law riding the tide of the culture wars and feeding on irrational fears.

Until a few days ago United States was one of a dozen frightened countries barring HIV pos folks – this includes tourists, those seeking life saving medical treatments, and medical researchers. The other nations are: Armenia, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, Oman, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Sudan. Not exactly a line-up of countries exemplifying human rights and social development.

Women and Asylum: For women escaping severe domestic abuse from countries that culturally and institutionally condoned such behavior, for the last 13 years the doors of the US were closed to them. Worse still, should a lower courts grant them asylum, that decision could be reversed and they be deported back to likely fatal consequences. Department of Homeland Security had deemed women as not part of any persecuted group under American law.
This may now be changing.

Underneath these previous policies lay the ugliness of sexual shame, bigotry, homophobia and sexism – all spewing forth from the cankered disease of fear and ignorance. Fear and ignorance are ancient and toxic companions of the human soul, poisoning our potential to evolve into something greater as a species. But fear and ignorance is sweet candy to those who’d like us to follow like blind sheep and control our resources. Fear and ignorance breaks us down into continual downward spiral of being less-than. To become greater-than, to find peace, fulfillment and enlightenment, we must examine our own personal fears, institutional and social fears and ward off the lazy ease of ignorance.

Compassion and reason is anything but easy, but if we’re to survive, it maybe our only option.

Wishing you peace and pleasure,

Midori

Upcoming Shows: November 2009

2009-10-31T22:39:21Z

Happy Hour will be performing in 2 shows this upcoming month!

November 17th we will be at Haven's Exotic Erotic Ball doing a brief performance. I will also be running a vendor table for Oh My! with a selection of our restraints, harnesses, and variety of slappy things for sale (actual inventory so people can buy it and take it home, unlike toy parties where it is shipped out).

November 21st we will be performing a full show at the Transcending Boundaries Conference in Worcester, MA.

History of Birth Control

2009-10-30T17:45:29Z

A collection of images from Newsweek on the history of birth control. Some interesting snippets, I recommend reading it.

Stripping down to the Essentials

2009-10-29T04:08:32Z

Taking it off for climate change:

On a side note I do feel that "global warming" itself is a misnomer. That being said I DO believe that are significant climate changes occurring. Some of them may be natural as the climate has cycles, I do think that a pollution has contributed to harsher extremes as well as other ecological damage.

I am also a fan of boobies as endorsements. Its been a long week and its only half over. This made me smile.

On-on Albany

2009-10-20T14:49:35Z

Went out hashing with the Halve Meins in Albany, lots of fun. There was almost 20 of us, about 7 of which I had met before. In hashing I have found the sort of automatic acceptance I have found no where else... and if you happened to be 'freaky' enough to shock someone its almost in your favor since everyone's raunchy and off the wall. Was also nice b/c its my first time traveling to a hash, and the hare was someone who has come to one of my trails and who's been having a sort of down time lately, so was happy that we visited. I'm really glad I'm dating a hasher... it would be very hard to really make a relationship work and be really involved with hashing unless there was alot of understanding and comfort spending a lot of time apart (including w/ one traveling to places where there'd be random drunken nudity and outrageous flirtation). We're hoping to incorporate hashing into a few of our trips we may be taking (like his sister's graduation).

The YES dance

2009-10-17T21:15:20Z

I feel that this has material to be added to "Dances of my Native Caucasia" Or perhaps we should add a subset of "Gayasia" since we do have "Gothasia" already. I feel that even as Eddie I'm way to straight to do this dance any justice.

But seriously... fork in the garbage disposal? If I stick with Rocky I have to make someone do that for Dances.

Toy Parties!

2009-10-15T18:09:16Z

I'm really excited cause I just booked two toy parties. Its been too long since I've done one.

Applying to Wicked Faire, 2010

2009-10-13T14:22:55Z

Sent an email to the performance committee of Jeff Mach's Wicked Faire about Happy Hour. Here's hoping we have even a small time slot there! *fingers crossed*

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder

2009-10-12T15:45:34Z

This is a disorder that I went and looked up to see if there was consistency to verify it. I had never heard of it and at first was was amazed and incredulous, in addition to a painful sympathy realizing the worst sexual frustration I've had is nothing to what these women go through (and I know from experience inability to orgasm can eventually get painful for women). After a little bit of thought though I did begin to wonder if this is similar to problem some men have where they constantly have a persistent erection regardless of desire (which to me does sound like "Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder").

The woman who can't stop orgasming, a story posted on BoingBoing.

From the Merck website: Persistent genital arousal disorder is excessive unwanted unprovoked genital arousal.

Cause is unknown. Anxiety and hypervigilance for recurrence of pain episodes may perpetuate the syndrome. Symptoms have been thought to sometimes be manifestations of seizure disorders, but in published series, brain imaging and EEG have not found abnormalities.

Unwanted, intrusive, spontaneous genital arousal (eg, tingling, throbbing) occurs, but sexual interest or desire is absent; arousal is unrelieved by orgasms. The feelings persist for hours or days. Older women may be very embarrassed by the symptoms.

Treatment is unclear. Self-stimulation may provide relief but usually only temporarily. High-dose SSRI therapy has been reported effective, but data are few. Simple recognition of the existence of this disorder, with reassurance that it can spontaneously remit, may help some patients.

Article from MSNBC: A good thing gone awry

Wikikpedia

MTF to Bathwater

2009-10-10T03:16:19Z

I think I've figured out the song for my next MTF burlesque act. Bathwater by No Doubt. Now need to pull it together, might not use if for TBC, might be for whatever show we do after.

Katrina Dohl of performs "Why Don't You Do Right"

2009-10-10T02:38:41Z

I love this song, and in general really like Katrina Dohl's performances. She performs with Gravity Plays Favorites.