Good vibes, bad vibes

Vibe: short for vibrator

Since this is a sexuality site, the above definition is probably more relevant. Through reviews and personal experiences a good vibe can be differentiated from a bad vibe. What might be a vibrator lacking in meeting expectations for one person, could be a different experience for another.

The type of vibe that can be bought at EdenFantasys, the kind that takes batteries…may be able to be returned through Eden’s great return policy.

The other type of vibe, the kind that can be felt in a different way, can be tapped into through listening to your intuition.
I haven’t experienced any intuition when it comes to vibrators or sex toys. My intuition is about people, places, animals, and objects. Good vibes, bad vibes…

A certain atmosphere of a place can illicit a bad vibe. Many times bad vibes are intangible, with no explanation or reasoning behind it. Some think it is a paranormal experience, others believe this intuition is something we all have the ability to tap into.

Regarding AIDS and HIV
World aids day is December 1st

Cocktail: a combination of drugs

A highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART, is sometimes referred to as the AIDS cocktail. While these treatments are not considered a cure, they can delay progression to AIDS, reduce complications, and support the immune system by reducing HIV copies, blocking HIV’s entry into a cell. They reduce the amount of the active virus. Cocktails are used to treat both HIV positive patients and AIDS patients. Early detection … GET TESTED!

At one point in history, there was no treatment at all. Then came AZT (in 1987), essentially the one treatment option before cocktails. AZT, from what I remember, had the reputation of being a killer in and of itself. I knew people who refused AZT after seeing what others went through.

Cocktails came out in the 90’s. HAART became the aggressive medication regimen, typically consisting of three or more medications. They increased hope and life expectancy, and the possibility of being HIV positive without getting sick from AIDS.

Finding the right cocktail, as with any medical treatment, can be frustrating and full of side effects. Be informed of your choices, the pros and cons of any medication changes, and communicate with your doctor(s).

Medication compliance can be an issue with many different types of patients…from the emotional aspect, getting into the routine, dealing with side effects, and a number of other individual personal obstacles. Compliance, no breaks from treatment, can be one of the biggest obstacles in the effectiveness of the cocktail treatment regimen. It can result in HIV strains that are more resistant to treatment, and the viral load can rapidly raise. A safer and more effective solution is for doctors and patients to work together to decide to possibly switch the meds to something more tolerable, or integrate other medications to offset side effects.

This is obviously a simplistic explanation. I urge you to take advantage of all the resource materials out there. Information can be found here on Eden Cafe, SexIs magazine, medical websites, and personal blogs.

Get informed, hear people’s stories, donate, and get tested on a regular basis.
If diagnosed, you have an excuse for a cocktail. (forgive my inappropriate humor, we all have our own ways of dealing with things.)

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I had expected to be looking through information on pheromones in regards to humans. Other then products for sale, most of the information I found on pheromones from a scientific perspective was about insects. The proven indisputable information regarding pheromones and the different messages they send is predominantly about bugs. I did find some reliable information regarding other species as well.

Pheromones are chemicals used to communicate information. They are definitely real. They can be sending out information on territory, mating, food sources, and they can even signal aggression.

When it comes to the debate on human pheromones, the armpit seems to always come up. I even found some interesting information about our outer ears. But that’s what it is, a debate. Tons of data about glands and secretions that are still explained with disclaimers. Words like “may” and “thought to”are used when it comes to human pheromones and their possible abilities and functions.

Let the scientists debate it out. I have my own opinions, which have been fueled and expanded on from their theories. First of all: the ear. I hadn’t considered this before. Think about the urge to nuzzle and nibble your partner’s ears. Turns out it could be pheromone related. The armpit information did not come as a surprise. The ear really made me think. I just don’t like to think of the words glands and secretions.

Everybody has their own “smell”. That’s why we wear our lover’s shirts. If a family member gives me clothes or a blanket I have to wash it. It doesn’t smell bad at all. It’s clean. It just smells like them, not us.

I use everything unscented. I don’t wear perfume. My partner prefers I don’t wear perfume, he likes how “I smell”. The companies out there sell us one thing to remove all of our scent so that they can sell us a shelf full of things to replace it with. Perfume companies even try to duplicate pheromones. It’s a cycle of wash them off, and then see if the pheromones we just bought actually work or not.
So I have to wonder…what messages am I sending? Is anyone getting my messages? I hope I’m not ever sending the wrong message.

For further information on Pheromones check out the SexIs article: Scent of Arousal: The Science Behind the Sexy of the Great Pheromone Debate by Liz NuMe

An awareness ribbon is a sign of support for an issue or cause. The color, colors, and even patterns on an awareness ribbon have different meanings. It can sometimes be difficult or confusing because some colors have numerous, often completely unrelated meanings.

The pink awareness ribbon is clearly a universal and international symbol of breast cancer awareness. It is one we are all familiar with. There is no question when we see it. It evokes different emotions and even different meanings for each person. However, we do all associate it with breast cancer.

It most definitely symbolizes moral support and solidarity. It is worn by survivors, affected loved ones, and any one wanting to visibly show their support and commitment to the cause. The ribbon is also to show support for finding a cure and treatments.

Seeing someone wearing a pink ribbon often evokes some comfort for those affected, reminding them they are not alone. The emotional power of this visible expression of breast cancer awareness can even remind someone to stop procrastinating on getting a mammogram.

The pink ribbon may be in the form of a simple loop of ribbon, identifying the wearer as a supporter for breast cancer awareness and support. There are, however, unlimited options beyond the simple literal ribbon. The pink ribbon symbol can be in the form of jewelry, pins, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and more.

Pink is often interpreted as a female symbol. There is a less used, and lesser known pink and blue ribbon for male breast cancer awareness. The pink and blue ribbon does, however, have more commonly interpreted unrelated meanings. There is also a pink and teal ribbon, which symbolizes hereditary breast cancer.

In addition to awareness ribbons, there are now wristbands. The meanings of the colors of the wristbands correspond to the ribbons. Regardless of how we visibly express the pink ribbon, it holds the same general meaning for all of us.

How pink is pink?

What is Pink washing?

The term was coined in 2002 by a grassroots advocacy group called Breast Cancer Action.

Pink washing is when a company promotes itself as a leader in breast cancer awareness, while at the same time taking actions and sells products that may be contributing to breast cancer. They slap a pink ribbon on a pink box and sell a product to a consumer who is given the impression that the product and company are promoting awareness and raising funds for research. Ironically some of the ingredients, many of which are not even disclosed in the ingredients list, may be found to be toxic, questionable, or unevaluated for safety.

What are you doing to raise breast cancer awareness during the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM)?

Don’t buy something just because it’s pink. It may have been pink washed. Do your due diligence when it comes to shopping and donating. Has the company merely chosen packaging and marketing to make you feel good about your purchase? Find out how much of the purchase price is being donated to what organization and if the company has put a cap on the donation amount? The pink ribbon doesn’t even guarantee there are any donations being made at all.

Breast cancer awareness, research, advocacy, and support for those affected are all VERY important things to focus on. We each do our part in a different way. If you are able to help fund donations you might want to consider donating the money directly to an established organization that wins your approval. Donate to an organization that supports the cause. Money is needed for research to find out more about causes, prevention, and treatment of breast cancer.

If you were planning on buying something anyways, by all means by a pink one that donates some of the proceeds. Just be sure it isn’t pink washed. Don’t let companies get by with cashing out on a cause.

For more information on a project by Breast Cancer Action, please visit http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org/

A mammogram is an x-ray test to detect any abnormalities in the breasts. Abnormalities may be cysts, fibroadenomas, or they may be nothing at all. Our big fear is cancer.

A lump does not equal cancer. The word we are hoping to hear after further testing is “benign”.

A diagnostic mammogram is performed when something has been found through a doctor’s or a self- examination. It usually starts out as a more in depth mammogram with the same type of machine. They focus on the area of concern.

If they move you on to the room where they do breast ultrasounds, don’t make any assumptions. The ultrasound is painless, and it is not necessarily a bad sign. They tend to do breast ultrasounds if the breast tissue is dense and thick, making the mammogram unreadable. A mammogram that produces hard to evaluate results, or one that points out something of suspicion, will be followed up with a breast ultrasound.

There is also something newer called a digital mammogram. The only information I was able to find was that not many places have it, and so far they have not found any benefits to the patient. The digital mammograms seem to just make life simpler for the medical professionals.

The breast MRI, is yet another contraption. These are typically used more for follow up care of breast cancer survivors.

Mammograms…get them done. Get a mammogram when your doctor advises it, get one if you feel or see something abnormal about your breast or underarm, and get them regularly. There has been debate about the recommended scheduling of mammograms and the effectiveness of self-exams, but I say it is your body, your breasts, and just like in any other health issue: YOU HAVE A SAY.

If you have fallen behind on the schedule, if you are afraid of the unknown, if you have that inner “voice” that says you’d just prefer not to know…NOW is the time.

It’s never too late to do things right. I personally will be rescheduling my biopsy, and follow-up mammograms. I will compare them to earlier test results and challenge the wait and see approach of six month follow-ups.

We all dread packing to move. In my neighborhood packing, or packing heat, has an entirely different meaning. If you’re a football fan, the word packers may bring to mind the Green Bay Packers.

Packing for the purposes of this WOTW has absolutely nothing to do with boxes, sports, or firearms. Although it may bring to mind socks. I am referring to packing a penis. Last week we talked about strap-ons, the hard-on versions of a detachable penis.

A packer is a prosthetic penis. The sex toy industry has surpassed the sock approach. I would say a packer is the flaccid strap-on. Men don’t walk around all day with an erect penis. The product options out there have brought about the ability to create a more realistic bulge. Choices in size, flesh tones, flexibility, and added features are boundless.

A harness is to a dildo what a packing strap is to a packing dildo. There are options of jock strap, brief style, and harness type straps to hold your package in place. The flexibility of a soft packing dildo allows the wearer to position it. The packing strap provides the security of holding it in place, and some are downright sexy. Even though most packers are not suitable for penetration, they provide a realism that a sock cannot compete with. Pairing the right packer and strap can create both a visual and touchable realism.

Innovations have provided an array of options, ranging from the ability to urinate while standing, to simulating ejaculation, and some specialty packers even have the ability to transform from a day to day packer into a play time penetrator.

I would like to learn more than just the definition and available options. A firsthand account providing insight from personal experience is what I am hoping to have the opportunity to provide my blog readers. I have been lucky enough to find a fellow blogger who will be writing a guest post at www.vanillafreesex.com to share some about how he identifies his gender and about products he uses.

When does a harness become a strap-on?

Your new harness comes in the mail and you excitedly take it out of the box and strap it on.  You finally figure out all the straps and adjust it for fit.  Turning to admire your new harness in the mirror you realize something is missing. You have strapped it on, yet it’s not quite yet a strap-on. There is a hole aching to be filled.

So it’s obvious what that hole needs to be filled with. It needs a firm hard dildo slid into it.  Getting a new harness when you don’t have any dildos is worse than realizing you don’t have batteries for your new vibrator. After-all, you can still use a vibe without the vibrations.

Hopefully you aren’t in the peculiar situation of standing there realizing you don’t have any dildos. If you are, stay calm, it’s going to be okay.  Many harnesses come with one or more attachments. However, if you ordered in a hurry and did not check the details, you may find being dildo-less. The good news is that EdenFantasys ships out orders quick! You won’t have long to wait. While perusing for your new toy, you will want to prepare yourself to have almost unlimited choices in shopping for something to fill that hole.

It might be a good idea to check in with the owner of the other hole that needs filled. There are decisions to be made; length, girth, appearance, balls or no balls. You may drool over a particular dildo to strap on, but if you want it sucked or fucked the other person will likely have preferences.  They get dibs on choosing that part of the strap-on.

So hopefully you have a harness and a dildo.

If so, you have a strap-on.

Did you name your adorable cat or dog Fifi? I can picture a little white fluff ball running towards its loving owner calling out to it in that cutesy baby talk voice, “Fifi,Fifi,  come to mama Fifi“. Is your nickname Fifi? Fifi is often short for Josephine or Sophia. How many children’s movies have characters named Fifi?

I am a slightly deranged word worm, so one of my favorite sources is The Urban Dictionary.  In this word of the week endeavor I also managed to find The Official Dictionary of Unofficial English. Wait, don’t click on the links yet! I want to be the one to tell you.

Fifi is slang for a homemade pocket pussy. Prison slang can be very interesting.  The descriptions I ran across were interesting considering the lack of resources in prison. The typical items used are a towel, rubber glove, Vaseline, and rubber bands. I decided to skip the You Tube video. I insist on putting some sort of limit to my curiosity. I ran across several other options for constructing home-made vaginas. It seems that if you are not in prison the options are boundless. If you have your freedom I suggest going with a retail choice and skipping the home project.

This Word of the Week was initially going to be pocket pussy. I started out by learning more then I ever wanted to know about male masturbation aids. Edenfantasys carries options ranging in price from around $6 all the way up to $399.  In my opinion the retail choices sound much more appealing then the homemade option. If you get to go shopping for one you can choose from an array of orifices, visual appeal, textures, and features.

In addition you can choose which simulation you are going for. Some are aimed to feel more like a blowjob. If you have an obsession with  a particular porn star you can even get one molded after his or her orifice of your choice.

With freedom and some cash you can skip the Fifi.

I have really enjoyed doing sex toy reviews. There have been times when I have chosen a review item under the assumption that I would have a partner. I am monogamous on my end of an on and off again relationship. I have since learned to be sure to choose items I can utilize on my own. When I am in denial, I often choose the wrong type of item, and end up not being timely on reviews. I was able to find some humor in the situation when I had a new strap-on during a time I had no one to use it on. What was I to do? I suppose one option would have been to just strut around the house in it. I will admit, I did enjoy lubing up the detachable penis and jacking myself off in the mirrror. I did end up contacting Edenfantasys and informing them why I was going to be late on the review. This is not a situation I want to be in again.

I want to point out that if you and your partner are having sexual issues in your relationship, adding the pressure of needing to incorporate a toy is way too much pressure. It can cause resentment on the non-reviewer, as well as them understandably questioning your intentions when you are the initiator. I have found this to be a concern of mine, even when things are going well.

I rarely want to have sex with myself when there are such issues going on. Ideally the incorporation of sex toys would be a plus. Depending on the issues, it tends to not work like that. A vibrator, other sex toys, or even naughty outfits do not have an influence on deep emotional issues. Orgasm however is a great release, and provides a temporary lift in mood. Therefore I should be having more sex with myself. I should do nice things for myself. Orgasms are nice.

I would like to take it easy on my “obligations” to review items by focusing on the one free item a month. One item will at least ensure that I get laid at a minimum of once a month, even if it’s a matter of taking care of business on my own. It is just so tempting to add onto that order. I would also like to look at this situation as an opportunity to expand my participation in the Eden Community. This is also a good time for me to focus on writing, both here on Eden Café, as well as elsewhere. The best way to hone my writing skills is to read, and read, and read some more. I also feel that this will get me in the habit of being better at spending time supporting my fellow EFers and bloggers. The members of this community deserve that loyalty.

I recently wrote a post on Eden Café titled, “When is it Time to Take a Break?”. I had a draft where I wrote about taking a break from all online activities. I decided to revamp the article when I realized I prefer the above mentioned options instead. What would I do with my time? I don’t have cable. I don’t have kids (both by choice). I don’t have a social life or a sex life.