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Friday, November 14, 2008
Unveiled Threats
I heard a story on the news last week that, I am now slightly embarrassed to say, made me smirk. According to the BBC, fifteen young women (teachers and students) were attacked on their way to school in Kandahar, Afghanistan. As yet unidentified men rode by on motorbikes and sprayed the women with battery acid. The part that brought a sick smile to my face was that some of the young women were protected from more severe acid burns because they were almost fully covered by their Islamic burkas. I found it ironic that a violent crime that was likely sparked by religious fundamentalism was thwarted (at least slightly) by that same fundamentalism.
I thought I would read more about Afghanistan and get the details of the attack and the general mood in the country so I could more fully make my charmingly ironic point. And then I actually read about Afghanistan. I have been aware that things are not right there. I listen to the news occasionally, and I have read a paper or two. I suppose I had allowed myself ignorance about the extent and severity of the oppression of women in that country.
Burkas are, supposedly, no longer mandated by law, but a woman might find herself beaten for choosing not to wear one in public. Schools are now open to both boys and girls, but the acid attack last week wasn’t the first of its kind, and I am sad to say that I doubt it will be the last. Women are routinely gang-raped by militants and then beaten and/or shunned by their families for the shame they have brought to bear as victims of violent sexual crime.
After reading all of this, I was left without much inspiration to play up the irony. Instead, I feel a bit sick to my stomach, and thankful that my face sees the sunlight on a regular basis and that I can marry and divorce as I see fit and seek an education and work how and where I choose.
At the same time, I am inspired by the hope and fortitude of the women making their way in this dangerous environment. They still want to go to school. They dream of being doctors. They dream of better lives. I can only look to them with awe and admiration. So much for irony. For the moment I am compelled to earnestly marinate in thankfulness for the life I am able to lead and the joy I experience on a daily basis.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Fukuoku to You, Too
I am not big on manual stimulation. By this I mean two things. First, when self-pleasuring I prefer to have the aid of some sort of tool or another, and second, I am not really into my hand as the tool. Ever since childhood, when I have wanted to "feel good" I have been more apt to rub up against something than to use my fingers and stick it to myself.
Recently I decided it might not be a bad idea to "let my fingers do the walking" and take a more "digital" approach to pleasure. I have enjoyed the added intimacy of feeling myself with my fingers. It has helped me to better learn my own unique anatomy from texture to location to size. With this new frontier at hand, I thought it might be fun to give myself a hand and try a toy that provided a little buzz while keeping the focus on the fingers. The Fukuoku 9000 was just the toy for the job.
The Fukuoku, powered by two watch batteries, fits neatly over a finger and provides a pretty mean buzz for something smaller than many a lipstick. It comes with three washable textured silicone sleeves and a handy-dandy carrying case that even boasts a belt loop. Innovative.
What I like about the Fukuoku
This little vibe is tiny. It is really a take anywhere toy that won't cause TSA to bat an eyelash. I also imagine that the Fukuoku is a great gateway toy. It is nonthreatening and, in no way, screams (or even mentions) sex. In fact, its campy brochure proclaims the wonders of using it to cure headaches and soothe tired feet (it says nothing about those sore feet and aching heads being anywhere near a vagina). Also, at about $30 it is not here to scare us off with designer sex toy pricing.
What I question about the Fukuoku
I read a number of reviews about the Fukuoku that complained about battery life. While I haven't buzzed mine into oblivion yet, I know the little watch batteries it uses can be pricey. Thankfully, the manufacturers do package it with a spare set. Additionally, I have to admit that while my fingers might be bulkier than some, I was surprised at how snugly the little Fukuoku fit me. After a few minutes, my finger was clearly retaining more blood than those around it. Again, I don't think I have man hands or anything, and I wonder how man hands would feel in this little device, despite its spring loaded adjustable-ness.
My Experience with the Fukuoku
I have to admit that I have been putting off trying this toy out for a few months. As I mentioned, I am not really into the finger thing, and I also enjoy penetration. When I finally pulled the Fukuoku out, it surprised me. First off, it is pretty darn loud for a little guy. Although, thankfully, its buzzing sound is muted significantly once pressed against flesh. The device fit neatly over my finger, and I found the on/off switch easy to manipulate with my thumb (watch out, Lefties; this may not work so well for you). The single speed vibration felt good on my body. I have to admit that I think it would take me many hours and batteries to actually reach climax with this device alone. As some reviewers recommend, it might be more fun with a friend and/or an insertion vibe as well.
For now, the Fukuoku 9000 delivers what its brochure offers, " Relaxation Massage Therapy..." I enjoyed the soft, warm buzz of the Fukuoku on my clit, I just can't imagine it taking me over the edge. That's alright. Some times all I need is a little "Relaxation Massage Therapy."
Fukuoku to you, too, at Babeland.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Some Bunny Loves Me
It was not the now infamous Sex and the City episode featuring the Rabbit Pearl vibrator that caused me to run out and buy one. In fact, I didn’t see that episode until years after I was the proud owner of my very own Rabbit.
I would, perhaps, still be bunny-less today if it were not for the creative shopping habits of The Mister. As I have mentioned here before, I did not own, nor use, a vibrator until my late twenties. One fine Capitalism Day in 2002, The Mister decided to give me the gift of things that go bump in the night. Wrapped with the utmost care in my pile of loot were both the Hello Kitty vibe (a hard plastic vibe that looks more like a children’s toy than a sex toy) and my very first Rabbit Pearl. I must admit I was a bit overwhelmed by the gifts at first. I felt a little like a cat owner; I knew the dead bird laid lovingly on my doorstep by my proud feline meant he loved me above all others, I just wasn’t sure what to do with it.
Years passed before I actually put my toys to use. While I admit that Hello Kitty never received a warm greeting from my “kitty,” The Rabbit Pearl quickly became my favorite sex toy, and like Charlotte on Sex in the City, I risked becoming its eternal victim. I loved my first bunny so much that he died in a haze of smoke that resulted (I think) from the motor overheating. I am serious. I killed the freakin’ rabbit with my vagina. Now that's love.
I did get a replacement Rabbit Pearl, but since reading about phthalates and the harm they can cause, I have been forcing my bunny to wear a condom, and I have been less than thrilled about using him at all; should I put a second condom on his cute little ears?
Enter Babeland with a fine solution to all my rabbit woes. Babeland is now selling a 100% elastomer version of the Rabbit Habit. What this means is that it is made of some sort of fancy rubber and completely free of latex and phthalates. This makes me feel safer overall and glad that Vibratex (the manufacturer) had the good sense to listen to consumers and change their formula.
I just played with my new Rabbit Habit for the first time, and I am not disappointed. First off, I know it is cheesy, and perhaps even juvenile, but I really appreciate the purple glitter body of the bunny. I feel it is appropriately visually stimulating for the task at hand. I prefer it to the pink of my old Rabbit Pearl. Another improvement of the Rabbit habit over the Rabbit Pearl is that the controls and battery case are located within the vibe instead of on a separate attached remote (is it still a remote if it’s attached?). This allows for one-handed use. I enjoyed having a hand free to roam where it pleased (me).
There are several other differences between the Rabbit Pearl and the new Rabbit Habit. First off, the shape of the Rabbit Habit is slightly different than that of the Rabbit Pearl. Most significantly, it is larger. I didn’t really notice the increased size until I was done playing with it and went to pull it out of my body. It didn’t cause pain or anything, but it was a noticeable feeling. If you are very petite, I might recommend a smaller duel-action (meaning clitoral and internal stimulation) vibe like the Rosebud.
Also changed is the rotation of the pearls in the shaft. They move more evenly in the Rabbit Habit. I can appreciate this because one of my earlier bunnies had pearls that got stuck and stopped rotating all together. Lastly, the new material of the Rabbit Habit allows the ears to flop about quite a bit more than they ever did on my old bunnies. I appreciated the added movement, but I think I got clit-slapped by my new bunny’s ears at one point. I didn’t mind. Slap me, Bunny, slap me. You dirty little rabbit!
Overall, I think the Rabbit Habit is a great addition to anyone’s toy collection, and a fabulous first time vibe. I have read many a tale of first time orgasms being achieved through the help of the Bunny. The added benefit of both clitoral and internal vibration (each with separate speed control) make this vibe extra versatile. In fact, because both the shaft and the bunny have separate controls, you can choose to use one or both and at varying speeds. I love the uniquely Japanese design which may make this vibe less intimidating to first time vibrator users. The shaft is made to look like the body of a woman. The “head” is actually her hair neatly parted in the middle. A demure pearl necklace and earrings accentuate her cute little smile. Only the Japanese. The Rabbit Habit is a classic, one of Babeland's All-Stars, actually. If you are going to buzz, this is the way to go.
Get your very own some Bunny to love at Babeland.
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