My Sweet blessed life

It is touching the great great number of you, close to two hundred thus far, who have made donations, contributions and bought memberships to the-soon-to-open Libido Lounge. Your love and support of me shines strong not just by the initial capital being raised for this Venture, but also the number of members we already have and the notes, cards, offerings of services I've been bestowed with. As I've needed most anything, it's been found by you my friends. I find it incredible all that you've done for me, thank you for reaching out to me when I came looking for help myself. I've wanted for almost eight years to bring this dream to reality, and look, we've made it together. I did this all for you, just as much for me.

There could not be this project without your belief in me and my vision for an inclusive sex-positive community. That you share my desire to be apart of Libido Lounge makes me proud. I have worked soooo hard to be in this place right now. This is the culmination of the last ten years of my activism. I deserve a place of my own, where I can create bigger, larger and more intimate sex-education, coaching and events. You as a member deserve a beautiful space to call your own. A venue that meets the needs of an adult spending time in sex positive culture: a venue that is a consistent, accessible, affordable, sexy, tolerant, educational, fun, safe, progressive, diverse, trendy, social hub and right for our uses.

I really am feeling as though I'm on top of the world right now. Even the little set-backs as they happen don't faze me. It's almost time to move on to the next step. It really is all so easy now. How everything has come together is through no luck or good fortune, it's been all from hard work. Hours every week of my personal life given up in pursuit of this dream. This has been going on for months now, I've stopped contact with so many people as of late. You know I love you, you know I care, you know I'm still your friend. Right? It wasn't even like there was a decision to make. Personal life OR Open Vancouver's Only Sex-Positive Center. I chose the latter, or rather it chose me long ago, and I was just now finally ready to take on the undertaking of my life. I sacrificed as did my family, my personal relationships and even other projects I was involved with from time to time. Nothing short of my daughter came before this Big New Venture. I was and have been a woman on a mission. Pioneering has been hard a lot of the time, though I wouldn't trade this first hand experience for anything. My sex-activism, history and background is lengthy, some even say impressive for a 34 year old queer woman that is.

Libido Lounge is being built around me right now. I'm standing there directing this and that and it stirs powerful emotions for me at the idea that this place is being created by community. There is much to do still, both offices and play spaces. Though with time on our side, we can redesign as we see the need. I've met a couple of great Professional Interior Designers (and volunteers at that,Woot!) and together we plan on doing some serious shopping late this weekend for drapery, sheers and detailing items to ready for opening.

My team ROCKS, they move mountains for me with their labour, time and commitment. Their involved has been substantial. I owe none of them anything for their help, and do they ever make me look good. They are showing their gratitude to me and to the greater sex positive community by their continued efforts to support such a grass roots effort as Libido Lounge.

I could never forget the number of people for whom I've lent strength, encouragement, time, wisdom or something personal: its these very people to whom I owe thanks today for all your help and whom are flocking to Libido Lounge as volunteers and members.

Hack, Cough, Sniffle...

Of all the times to be saddled with a head cold, this is certainly not the best. The weather is gorgeous, my schedule is booked full and there are an enormous number of people vying for my personal attention.

Alas, the cold bug has gotten hold of me. A short while ago, RC was on his knees before me, in one hand was three caplets of Cold FX and in the other a glass of water. Trying to trick me into opening my mouth, he successfully threw the three pills down my throat fast. I am not a good patient. He is an excellent caretaker.

T was sick first, after bringing the virus home from school. Then RC caught it and was down for about 5 days, and now it would appear, it's my turn. Blah, go away bug!

I fell asleep on my bed this afternoon amid hacking coughs at about 4:30 and woke at 6:30 to the aroma of curried chicken pouring out of the kitchen and through the house. RC had cooked dinner, I am a loved woman.

RC, Me, Bella & Alex - poly love

Security

There is a panic bar/door at the back of the Lounge, for emergency use. It also has a deadbolt and a number of slide locks as well. In order to bring the door up to Assembly Code, a number of small fixes are needed to pass the Fire Inspection.

I want to put a whole new door on. (instead of all the small fixes) Pricey perhaps, but none the less, I want something super safe and burglar proof or at least one hell of a deterrent.

Do you by chance work in commercial security or sell doors for a business?

I am looking at having built a steel gate to cover the door from the exterior with a large lock when we are closed, instead of relying on the new door alone for security.

I'm at Libido Lounge a lot this week, send me an email and let's see if we can meet up so I can show you the door in question and perhaps you can share with me some better suggestion for how to go about fixing this situation.

I sure appreciate the help and the company!

This is all about Libido Lounge ensuring that we run a club that is legally operating, up to code and zoned appropriately for Vancouver's Sex-Positive Community to enjoy.

Sign Maker Needed

Does you or your company make Outdoor Awning Signs and do installation as well?

The area is already back lit etc, it just needs a Libido Lounge ( LL ) sign outfront so everyone can find us.

Please contact me immediately

jennifer@libidoevents.com

locks and designs

Are you a Lock Smith OR an Engineer?

I am looking for both immediately.

Please contact me

jennifer@libidoevents.com

What A Great Way To Contribute to Vancouver's Only Sex-Positive Center!

(this is of course, me jumping through hoops to make the city happy & to keep all of you safe)

Life Notes

Idle chatter from my head...

It's Mother's Day, blessed be each of us who has a mother. Phoned mine to send her my love and catch up some on life, did you phone yours?

The Logo Contest for Libido Lounge deadline has been EXTENDED because we've not found something we like yet from amongst the entries thus far. Please consider making a contribution of your ideas!

Arrived back from Seattle to Burnaby at 3:30 this afternoon which meant we left the conference and hotel right after my morning class today and made a bee-line for the border, where Canada Customs greeted us with barely a look.

I did in fact get a new devious toy at the vendor fare from Scott Paul that looks somewhat disturbing yet sexy at once. Stainless steel spikes is all I have to say. And plenty of them. When RC laid it in my hands, I squealed with glee, I am a happy pervert. I was feeling benevolent enough to have Scott smack me in the ass a couple of times even with another toy that had caught my attention and left a sound impression on my bottom.

Last night was the dungeon party for the conference, we stopped by for 1 hour. That's it, you heard right, an hour. A single lone hour, where we sat against the wall talking to another Vancouverite we know, then we returned to our room to sleep more. In fact that's all we did on this weekend away at a D/s conference. We just slept. RC with a head cold and his back thrown out, me crampy with my period & teaching a few classes.

Hanging out in a quiet, peaceful hotel room in another city, another country, paid for by the conference, lounging in bed all day and night for an entire weekend together, was good for us. We have been going non-stop at such a pace lately at home that the break from the telephone/s and familiar surroundings was nice. Readying both Libido Lounge and ourselves for everything is tiring.

Saw Bella today, albeit briefly she stopped in before heading off to her evening's event. (She made the paper today Allena did) In her typical form, she came in the room, caught my eye and made her way right to me. And RC. We made her into a sandwich and gave her a Canadian hug and some loving. She even remembered to bring me a couple of things I had been looking for. Go me!

This evening finds RC in front of the sewing machine, sewing together two brand new King Size feather pillows. We wanted a pillow that was both thick and long enough to cover the entire width of the bed, so RC set about buying, then sewing two together. Sounds simple perhaps, but you should have seen the dining room filled with feathers. :) It was over in just over an hour and the end result, is impressive. Another of the reasons why I love him, is because he can sew.

I need to get to sleep so I can face the challenges this week that I need to.

Leather Reign

Housekeeping just left our room, it feels luxurious to have someone come and tidy the bed and bathroom. I had just removed the Do Not Disturb sign from the door when she arrived. Now I'm laying on a fresh made bed checking in on e-mails as I lay here in the Sheraton Bellevue Hotel.

Late yesterday RC and I drove down to Seattle to Leather Reign a conference happening this weekend. They have me teaching two classes, one this afternoon on Personal Safety for Perverts and then tomorrow my Bottoming Skills class. At the opening event last night, they put me on the auction block as an educator and sold me to a couple for $200 for a private one hour class in addition to the two already scheduled.

There was a play party last night, but instead of going down to check it out, RC and I stayed in our room together and were in bed sleeping by 11:00 with the alarm set to wake us up at 11:00 this morning. A solid 12 hours of sleep was most necessary for my happiness and RC's mental well-being, good thing we have a King Size bed. (he gets weird on little sleep & I simply can't function)

This trip has so far landed me with some shopping goodness. Let's see I bought a pair of red and black adorable burlesque style panties...a new pair of fence-net stockings, a fun male masturbator toy for classes and a tank top that says Girls Lick Pussy Better. The tank is perfect for me to wear when I'm teaching my Pussy Licking Good class. And finally, RC got me a new pair of extra special black, shiny, sleek knee high boots with a heel that goes on forevvvvvver!

My promise to RC is that I am not allowed to beat him with these new boots as I did in fact beat him with last pair of footwear that he bought me. (only because they hurt my feet so they should hurt him to) Apparently meeting his mother a few weeks back warranted my getting treated to these pretty boots.

We've not even checked out the vendors here at the event and goodness knows that they will have some devious device that I just must have. Before my class today I plan on checking them out, perhaps by then RC will be back from the gym downstairs.

drawing help

Today I come to you looking for an Architect or an Engineer.

Are you available Monday or Tuesday for a few hours by day or night and able
to donate your time to this amazing project?

I need a precise floor plan of the existing venue measured to the 1/4 inch and then again with furnishing added and the City says it HAS to be done by an Architect or Engineer. Since I am neither I need your help to complete this task for Libido Lounge. Of course, it needs to be completed on the spot.

Please e-mail volunteer@libidoevents.com

THANK YOU

Membership Drive

Dear Friends,

There's less than three weeks to the opening of the new pan-sexual, sex-positive space, and lots has happened since I first told you about it.

First, for those who haven't heard it yet, yes, the club has a name. And that name is...

***** LIBIDO LOUNGE *****

The name makes me very happy and was chosen at the end of reviewing three pages of over 70 suggestions.

Second, Libido Lounge is a go! It's on track to open on schedule on June 1, 2007. And this is all thanks to your generosity--yours as well as many others.

We're at the end of the initial fundraising period, which was to raise the funds to secure the venue, but even before today, the contributions that have come pouring in--much of it just in the first 48 hours--have done the job of clinching the space. This has allowed the renovation and furnishing of the club interior to begin ahead of schedule. It's all going very well. THANK YOU!

So, with Libido Lounge a go, I invite and encourage you to join as an Annual Member or as a Lifetime Member. Libido Lounge is about inclusivity. Everyone is welcome: straight, gay, lesbian, bi, male, female, transgendered, singles, couples, triads, other poly relationships, swingers, and there are no body type or age restrictions (other than being 19 or over).

Here are just some of the perks of a Lifetime Membership:

* Free admission to all events. Attend as many events as you like--classes, workshops, parties--without ever having to pay the per-event fees.

* 2 hours use of a club space of your choice every calendar month. Choose from the dungeon, the theatre, the meeting/social space, a bedroom--and that space is your private space just for you and your partner, or invited guests. (Have a special day in mind? Let me know as far ahead of time when you want a space.)

* Invitations to Lifetime Members special events. For example, a social mixer evening with educators or presenters coming from out of town--get the opportunity to chat with them outside their class or workshop.


All advance members, both Lifetime and Annual, also get:

* Invitations to the Pre-Opening Parties. There'll be more than one, for advance members, and for everyone who contributed, whether as a donation, a credit, a loan, or a donation of items or services. You'll get to see the club before its official opening and get to meet lots of wonderful, generous people just like you. The date will be announced soon.

* An invitation to attend a free class: Introduction to Sex-Positive Culture in Vancouver. This class will be offered monthly (attend any month you like), and covers topics such as regular and recurring local and in-house events, existing groups, vocabulary and language, safety tips, party etiquette, and more.

* Access to the Libido Events Sex-Positive Lending Library

* Discounts at affiliated clubs and stores.


Annual membership is just $25 a year, and for this limited time, pre-opening, I am offering Benefactor Lifetime Memberships for $1000 for an individual, and $1600 for a couple. Regular Lifetime Memberships will go up significantly once the club opens on June 1. (Tell your friends so they won't miss out.)

To become an advance member of Libido Lounge, email me, Jennifer at jennifer@libidoevents.com, and let me know which membership you want. Here is a form you can use.


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Jennifer,

I would like to become an advance member of Libido Lounge as:

[ ] an Annual Member ($25/year)
[ ] a Benefactor Lifetime Member ($1000)
[ ] Benefactor Lifetime Members, couple ($1600 for 2 people)

[ ] I am sending a Money Transfer from one of Canada's 5 major banks to this e-mail account. (jennifer@libidoevents.com).

[ ] I am sending a Gift, as a donation. Any amount of money, from $5 or $10 to whatever your generosity permits that you are able to donate will help. All donations will be received with gratitude.

[ ] I am sending a cheque, made out to Jennifer Skrukwa, to your mailing address: PO Box 28578, 4050 Hastings Street, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5C 6J4.

----------------------------------------------------------------------


I feel very grateful for your generosity that has allowed the opening of the club to go ahead, and am excited that I can offer these perks to our members as a result. I look forward to seeing you at the pre-opening party and at Libido Lounge again and again in the months following.

blessings,

Jennifer

no time to sit

Two woodworkers, one handyman and another who is quickly assuming the role of my personal assistant spent 5 hours today inside Libido Lounge with me getting things ticked off the To-Do-List. What a grueling non-stop afternoon of labour (in the heat) and of course right on the heels of a full morning of phone calls and e-mail answering that needed my full attention.

In order to dine with my daughter who has been short on mom time as of late, we decided to order sushi to go and ate it in the car, out front of the drop off point for her evening's Girl Guide meeting. The meal was my first of the day, I was famished both for the food and T's warm loving company.


My phone has rang over 24 times today, no joke, it's insane the amount of people trying to reach me. After three years of owning a cheap Fido cell phone with no features, I just today got call display so I can keep up with all my calls. Last week RC gave me a very sweet unexpected gift. A new fancy, shmancy cell phone, with a cool camera in it and more features than I've ever known before. My ring-tone is Witchy Woman and now I can even tell whose calling me. The present was extra special because I really disliked my old phone but made do with-it because it still worked, so why bother buying a new one. Now I have a new one and the old one has been retired.

My life is blessed, made rich by the GREAT number of friends that I have made through my sex-activism. To all of you who are reaching out to me right now through The Big New Venture, THANK YOU, for your trust, your gifts and praise. From back in the days when I started BIO in June 2000 through today with Libido Events & Libido Lounge I have always been here to serve the sex-positive community of Vancouver and BC. Your belief in me shines so bright right now, it brings tears to my eyes.

**I can't wait to unveil the gallery of framed Vancouver sex history archived items containing documents that detail the factual history of the last 20+ years. Wait till you see the truths, births and realities of ventures, ideas and individuals chronicled by newspaper articles, interviews, web articles, photos, magazines and receipts. Fascinating Factual walk down memory lane. This will be housed as part of our Libido Events Sex-Positive Lending Library - non removable items for all to enjoy, view and learn from.

one after another

Appointments, appointments, appointments. 8:00 a.m., (in-between these hours I came home quickly crawling into bed with RC for an hour long cuddle) 10:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Then off to the Post Box. Then the Bank. Then home to make a dozen phone calls to City Hall, finding everyone I needed to. Pack the teaching bag for Butt Sex & Anal Pleasures. Make dinner for daughter. Drive to Bellingham WA. Have dinner with friends then give my class to a group of perverts. Drive home arriving in at 11:30 p.m. Work on the computer till late.

Head and body, collapse into bed. Exhaustion, sleep.

Things are a whirlwind right now.

I am tense, needing a really thorough massage.

claiming my own

Today I came to an important realization. Something has been bothering me. I am not able to share a desk with RC. I need my own desk back and he needs his own back. Space for all my paperwork, computer, files and wires for all the necessary gadgets I own. Tonight after class we're picking up his desk from his soon-to-be old home and moving it back to our house.

Separate work spaces are a must, especially given that RC and I are running Libido Lounge together. We may share a bed, a life and long term goals, but I draw the line at desk sharing. I require my own personal desk free of others belongings.

Logo Design, Identity

Libido Lounge is set to open June 01 2007 on schedule so you can imagine just how crazy things are around here. I want to thank you in advance for any of your help and assistance with logo / graphic help that you can give me right now. I need it fast.


Logo needs....

Name Libido Lounge
Colors: vivid reds, royal colors, rich
Should feel sexy and yet still be subtle
I like the double L in Libido Lounge
Neither a feminine or masculine feel
No flowery font




The logo is for clothing, business cards, web use, and as a graphic. Important to know that there is an outside awning that is going to need either the full name on it OR the double LL's and this graphic/logo on it to make the club identifiable for all.

What can you create? Throw things at me, I want to have lots of choices to choose from.

If your graphic /logo is chosen you'll get a free membership for a year plus 4 free event passes.

If you have any further questions please let me know otherwise, I'll be closing this contest on Friday May 11 at noon.

Send your submissions to

volunteer@libidoevents.com

blessings and thanks.......good luck as well

What to call it?

At 12:15 p.m. I met a new friend. We found one another through the Libido Events mailing list, making first contact due to my recent announcement about the new club. Talked for an hour in his car, out front of a Starbucks in Burnaby. He sent me away with an envelope of cash for The Big New Venture campaign and a gift for myself. A gift certificate to an upscale restaurant for dinner for myself and a date, what a kind gesture. I felt most flattered.

I've received a fair number of chastising emails the past few days reminding me that I had promised to release the new club name last week. Tsk tsk tsk, your friendly neighborhood sex-activist has been very busy and late with the unveiling. So without further ado, let me announce to you, the name of the new club.....

Libido Lounge

The name makes me very happy and was chosen at the end of reviewing three pages, over 70 suggestions.

getting close

I've been laid out on my bed for the last four hours or so, working non-stop on the computer and phone. To be honest, I am exhausted. I am also vibrating with excitement. All tasks that need completed to bring a project of this magnitude to fruition have been completed on time and with ease. The pace has been hectic, and there's been no guide on how to take on such an undertaking but I've persevered, put myself out there and finally now am weeks from unveiling a center that will be a destination point for so many.

There are definitely some smart perverts sexual explorers out there amongst you. The $1000 Life Time Membership, Pre-Opening Offer is going really well. Realizing of course these people are investing not just in the club but in their own interests. A place where you can walk in the door, free of charge to events, year round with-out worrying about handling money. A place where for two hours every month you get a private room for play. Behind the scenes opportunities for Life Time Members to attend special events and meet notorious educators in human sexuality. And my gratitude, for a very long time. Act on this quickly if it's of interest to you as I'd hate for you to loose such an affordable opportunity.

Tomorrow I need to earthquake proof my hot water tank, fix a wobbly sink then frame & erect an easy short partial wall surrounding the new "Cuddle Puddle" area. That is it in terms of construction. It is so pretty, the whole club, really you are going to fall in love with it right away. It's an attractive place, where you'll feel safe relaxing and discovering your surroundings.

9 bedrooms (peeker, glory holes, singles, doubles)
1 theater room
1 group room
2 large play rooms (high ceilings & suspension points)
3 bathrooms
shower room ( 2 showers)
1 office (soon to be 2)
1 sex-positive lending library
1 kitchen space
1 locker room
Gallery Space
1 massive lounge / classroom or living room (depending on event)

Legal Capacity: 100 +
(exact number this Wednesday)
the whole place is fully accessible as well!

I am in need of two brand new Fire Extinguishers and two Smoke Detectors. Does anyone have either of these items before I head out to source and then buy them? As well a fully stocked, Industrial First Aid Kit is necessary right now. I would of course prefer to get them at no charge, FREE, or at a significant discount.

Couples Only class Sunday

May 06 Sunday
2:00 - 4:00pm
Erotic Wax & Ice Play - couples only
presented by Jennifer
Club Eden 11041 River Road North Delta
RSVP To: 604-589-2582
$25 person

Erotic Wax & Ice Play; a hands on, fully interactive class

We will have plenty of erotic fun and play with group sex-energy. Everyone attending will only be paired off with the person they came with.

Temperature is probably the most fascinating sensation to incorporate into erotic play. You can use temperature to focus the attention of your partner on erogenous zones all over their body. Your use of temperature can create a sense of well-being or extreme excitement.

This workshop will cover how to use temperature and incorporate both hot and cold sensations into your sex play. The tools will include wax, ice, and chilled metal items.

There will be a short demonstration followed by an interactive portion in which everyone will get to practice with the sensations taught in the course.

*Highly recommended: wear under clothing that is suitable for lying on the floor with and which will not be damaged if a small amount of wax happens to get on. Everyone must wear underwear and tank top or underwear only.

============================


"Vancouver's Sex-Positive Resource, Libido Events is a production company which teaches sex education classes, hosts educational, social, and play-based adult events, and promotes other events celebrating alternative sexuality in our culture."

taking stock

I am PROUD to be friend to so many WONDERFUL people. You, yes you, you know who you are. Thank you for showing your belief in me. The Big New Venture campaign is going well.

This is some of what I know to be true at this moment...

1. no time to shave my legs these days
2. was put to bed because I was no longer coherent working late into the night
3. tomorrow is final city inspections, yes more than one, 4 in fact
4. donations / loans & memberships fill my postbox
5. continuously I'm moved by the generosity of both strangers & friends
6. by making my intentions known, I've met some incredible new people
7. desk no longer enough, the Big New Venture Campaign has taken over the family dinner table
8. this is a journey that I am proud to share with everyone I've come into contact with
9. all my relationships are strong and everyone in my life is on board for my success
10. I feel valued, supported, appreciated and admired - it's like floating on a pillow of love


Time to put on my work-clothes and make a bee-line for the Club. After a quick stop to Home Depot for a round of cleaning supplies. How glamorous and sexy for me eh? Usually when I say work-clothes, I mean 6 inch heels, an accessory or two and a corset, perhaps a pair of panties along with some stockings. These days being the fashion icon that I am, I am sporting Doc boots, holey jeans and a t shirt with the proud slogan "Kiss My Wings Tink".

The name of the club will be released in the next 24 hours, I can't wait to share it with you.

Lawyer wanted

I find myself in need of legal help for the new club.

Are you a lawyer who is local to Vancouver or surrounding area and able to donate a wee bit of your precious time to help with The Big New Venture campaign?

Wow, what an incredible contribution you could quietly make right now. The need is here, and now.

As you can imagine, I am now swamped with paperwork, much of it foreign to me. I'd like to ensure no mistakes are made, all the bases covered and have someone skilled to look over all these documents accordingly.

If you would drop me an email to jennifer@libidoevents with your contact phone number/s so I may give you a call I would be so ever grateful.

This entire undertaking has been made possible by people like yourself stepping up to the plate and lending a hand along the way.

If you know someone who could potentially help here, please have them read this, forward it along where appropriate.

Thank you.

job well done

Subject line: Thanks, Wed. G-spot class


Hi Jennifer,

Jane and I wanted to let you know how much we both enjoyed your class on
Wed.

It was a privilege to be there, and the knowledge we left with was
invaluable.

We really loved your style and personal attention, so we'll be sure to
watch your event calendar for classes our schedule will allow us to
attend.

As well, you also mentioned that you are available as a personal
coach......this is something that Jane and I are interested in and would
love to explore further, if you have any ideas on what it would look
like please let us know.

Thanks again,

Cheers,

Dick & Jane

all in a day

Awoke at 10 this morning after returing home from the dungeon party at almost 1:00am, we played hard and sleep was so necessary. RC, Bella and I fit quite nicely in bed together. Fabulous way to wake up on a Sunday, in a cuddle puddle like that.

Then for me a two hour coaching session this afternoon was right following my Women's Dominance class, it was 4 hours of jam packed intense focus for me.

RC picked me up from the Wet Spot in my shiny clean car which he had just finished polishing for me and back we headed to Allena's for some dinner and a much needed shower and rest for yours truly.

Later on we returned to The Spots Try It You'll Like It Party, where much fun ensued. We arrived back home to Burnaby at 10:58pm without a single border delay. Not even tired from the drive, just on top of the world right now.