Abstinence-Only Sex Education?

You have got to be kidding me. Last year our government spent $204 million for a "sex education" program that focused on "virginity pledges"? Apparently teens view these as non-binding, and are just as likely to have sex as those who don't take the pledge. I can think of a lot better uses for that kind of money.

Not that the government is the only one to blame. Focus on sex education ought to be with the parents, and other trusted people in the child's life. If church is your thing, then get help there. I don't think we ought to be trusting the schools with that, as well as everything else kids are supposed to learn.

About the education itself, why do people feel the need to shelter teens from information that helps them in the long run? I made it my own responsibility to learn all my options, but part of that was due to a lack of information. My parents weren't the type to talk about sex, except I think my mother bought me a book about the birds and the bees when I was four. She brought up birth control - for the first time - after I moved in with a member of the opposite sex. I still read up on the new options, because it's in my best interest. My body chemistry isn't the happiest about some of them, and I am a planner.

I've noticed the theme in TV shows and movies- quite a few show pregnant teens. While that isn't all that could happen to them, it's interesting to get Hollywood's take on it.

Before you think I'm just picking on teens, I think it's the responsibility of every adult to know what's going on, too. Far too many unplanned pregnancies happen in all levels of the community. I know nothing is 100% effective, but several of us - including me - are accidents. In my case, the method wasn't effective. Could have been for any number of reasons.

I know the world would be much different if everyone planned things. Even the decision 'to let it happen when it happens' is a plan. Have the conversation, make choices, do research - this is the only way the world will change.

Read more here.

Trendy Sex Not So Hot?

Excerpt: Even Candida Royalle, the pioneering erotic actress, director, author, and sex toy designer tells me she is amazed at how sex has been “gobbled up and spit out as just another trend.”

Sex is losing its trendiness. As an erotica writer, I do wonder what that will mean for future writings. Sex may only be good for selling sex, but it does sell. Ought to be interesting to see what they come up with next. Probably just means we get to write about different things, in different ways.

The upside is there seems to be more tolerance about consenting adults and the things they do together.

Link to the article.

A Facebook Page...

I have one created for myself as a writer. Beginning stages, of course, but it's nice to be there. I linked the two stories you can find online that have been published.

Also had to edit access restrictions. I mean, there isn't anything on the facebook page that I'd mind a minor looking at, but the stories linked definitely aren't for young eyes. I've done that with this blog as well. I know it doesn't stop minors from finding what they really want to find, but they've been warned.

Some parents are better at diligence than others, but I do believe where there's a will, there's a way.

New Ways to Get Fired

Sounds like a day to be senior staff around here...

"Senior staff can choose to be sacked by Kirwan as she pours thick Devonshire double cream over their head and then licks it off while whispering 'you're fired' in their ear.Or they can watch Kirwan fashion the words 'you're fired' from a healthy dollop of spring onion mash before drizzling it with a red wine gravy and then sucking it off a spoon."

And it's all for brand loyalty so the fired workers - no, they don't all get those kinds of compensations - to continue to spend their money at the company store...

full article

Paparazzi Photos
Halle Berry
Obama

Fetishes

Recently I stumbled over a forum where the someone - I think a male - asked if his fetish was 'sick'.

Why are people always so worried about the things that turn them on? Surely everyone has something, though some tastes are more vanilla than others.

I wonder if the worry stems from the opinions of others. People are judgmental about everything - not just sex. So many times people look at others around them and anything that is different gets held against conflicting standards.

How can we justify saying, "I'm not okay with someone fucking me in the ass, so it's wrong for everyone else" and similar statements? Isn't that a lot like the sentiments that started the crusades? "Gee, I'm not okay with your religion so you need to follow mine."

My wish is for everyone to tolerate others. At some point we become adults and make our own decisions. Some of them are visible, like tattoos or piercings, but most of them take a little getting to know the person. I like to know religious preferences of those in my house only as far as it matters for me serving them food. Sexual preferences are the same. Well, not that it changes food I serve. Just that each of us choose for ourselves, and as long as two -consenting- adults choose to participate, who are the rest of us to say anything at all?

I hope the guy figures out what he needs. Acceptance needs to come from within, but we ought to help each other find it if we can.

Health Benefits of Sex!

Who could resist a list like this?

10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex

1. Sex Relieves Stress
2. Sex Boosts ImmunityClose Window
3. Sex Burns Calories
4. Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health
5. Sex Boosts Self-Esteem
6. Sex Improves Intimacy
7. Sex Reduces Pain
8. Sex Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk
9. Sex Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles
10. Sex Helps You Sleep Better

It might not make everything better, but it sounds like a great way to start off the new year! With a list like that, why aren't we all grabbing our better halves? I love how much they can back up with medical studies. Though what man admits he ejaculates between 4-7 times in a month, versus the other group at 21 or more, I just don't know.

Resolutions

1. I will post to this blog 3 times a week. (It doesn't seem like much, but starting the habit is the first step.)

2. I will submit a short story to a magazine at least once a month.

3. I will finish my languishing novel and submit it . I will also find at least two other possibilities by that point.

4. I will prep and write a new novel. (Idea's been brewing for about six weeks so far and I've begun the prep work.)

5. I will not be afraid to revisit these goals as needed depending on stress levels and life distractions.