Pride House for Olympics

Pride House Launch
Thursday, February 11th, 2pm-4pm

You are invited to the Grand Opening of PRIDE House Vancouver in front of Qmunity (1170 Bute St.) There will be music with Sugarbeach, sporting excitement and an innovative ribbon cutting ceremony. Speakers include Minister Mary McNeil, Minister of State for the Olympics, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek
and Vancouver-Centre MP Hon. Dr. Hedy Fry.

For the first time ever there will be a LGTB pavilion at the Olympics and in Vancouver it will be hosted at two locations, Qmunity and Score on Davie. Other Olympic cities have had gay bars but nothing has ever been done quite like this. PRIDE House is an initiative that brings to light the violations and prejudice that exist against LGBTI people. PRIDE House offers a queer space to watch the Olympics, hang out, meet people from around the world, trade pins and have fun.

Qmunity will be open from 10am-7pm, seven days a week and is the operational hub of the PRIDE House Vancouver experience where you will find friendly PRIDE House ambassadors to tell everything that is fabulously queer in Vancouver. They will also have on hand immigration and refugee experts with a wealth of knowledge and resources. PRIDE House will be a social hub, a welcome space for LGTB athletes, family, friends and visitors to come together to celebrate, to get information and resources, to be safe and to find community. Come and meet the world at Qmunity!

Score on Davie (1262 Davie Street) also hosts PRIDE House and offers a place to have a drink, a meal and celebrate diversity during the games. Lush booths and soft lighting and an inviting private side all lead to Score being one of Vancouvers premium sports lounges. Strategically placed tv's including a 71" Plasma in the main room gives every seat a ringside view of the 2010 games. Join the party at Score on Davie as we toast the Wins!

Vancouver Queer Film Festival is proud to partner with PRIDE house to present several films to coincide with the 2010 Cultural Olympiad. The Pride House Film Series will feature two nights of engaging cinema that promotes LGBT visibility in sport. Training Rules sponsored by CAAWS and Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride sponsored by PFLAG.

Heart Throb

He's such a sweetheart. As of late, he now smiles when smiled at. Follows anyone in the family with his eyes when we enter and exit a room. And coos all the time. I'm smitten.

Survey

A friend sent this along to me, and I in turn promised to post it.

Dear Jennifer

Our lab focuses on matters of human sexuality, particularly lovestyles that are socially stigmatized or sometimes excluded from academic study. I am a poly/kink community member and activist, and strive to increase awareness and decrease stigma within academia. For this study, we are looking at how safer sex practices (such as partnermnegotiation and prophylactic use) varies across a variety of lovestyles. The data will only be seen by myself, Dr Conley (the University of Michigan faculty member directing this research), and various research assistants in the lab. We don't ask for any personal information, the survey is completely anonymous.

For more information on Dr Conley's work and on the study itself,
please visit her faculty profile page.





Here is the survey, go ahead....fill it in.

Oh Crap

DEAR MADAM:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECENT ORDER FROM OUR SEX TOYS SHOP.

YOU ASKED FOR THE LARGE RED VIBRATOR AS FEATURED ON OUR WALL DISPLAY.

PLEASE SELECT ANOTHER ITEM BECAUSE THAT IS OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

(thanks for sending me this Donna)

Difficiulties

Visualize for a moment what I am about to share with you.

It's very, very late at night. Close to midnight and I've been awake since 7 in the morning ... this means that I am rather tired.

I am walking down the hallway from the living room towards the bathroom and bedrooms in the dark of night.

I'm only wearing capri pajama bottoms.

Attached to my left breast and laying in my left arm is a 13 pound baby nursing periodically as he puts himself to sleep.

In my right hand is my IV bag, which is rather hefty.

My bladder is about to burst so I make a pit stop for the toilet. This is when I realize I am going to have a struggle getting my pants down.

I could call out for Jason, but that would wake the baby. Instead, I grab the bottom end of one pajama leg with my toes on my right foot and pull. Then do the same with the left foot. Then when my pants are low enough I sit and pee.

I drop the IV bag to the floor, grab some toilet paper and wipe all the while in the pitch black of the bathroom. The sound of my pee hitting the water has stirred the wee man.

Before I stand up, I kick off my pants as they are now low enough to do so. Then I grab the IV bag from the floor and attempt to get up without shifting so much that I wake the person with the power to keep me awake for even longer.

Now I shuffle off to bed where I lay my pump by my head. Put the tubes under the pillow and then strategically maneavour myself into a somewhat comfortable position for sleep. What's most important is the bundle of joy laying next to me, has in his mouth my breast STILL.

Sometime in the next thirty minutes or so, he'll pop my nipple out and I'll be free for about four hours, to sleep without him hanging off of me.

The pump and tubes however will remain as a constant for a few more weeks yet.

Navigating day to day living is an honest to goodness challenge right now, and I wish nothing more to be back to normal sooner rather than later.

Accomplishments

The day of productivity ... such is life. Jason's first day off of three and we spent it running around tending to a number of things on the To-Do List of life.

Shopping for a new vehicle on car lots, then an appointment at the bank as we are buying one. Contractors at the Lounge putting in a new bathroom sink while another framed the inside entrance door in crown moldings and hung a matching coat rack. A stop at the fruit and veggie store to replenish supplies. A vehicle load of pop to top up our supply at the Lounge. Supplies for the feline in our house.

By the time we arrived back home just over six hours had gone by and we were wiped.

I laid out topless on the sofa, with the Pickle next to me. Then I dropped a breast into his mouth and he ate in between him and I cat napping while Jason cooked us dinner.

My state of exhaustion is high these days, it's a combination of medication, lack of sleep, new motherhood and over extending myself. So at 8:30 I promptly declared that I needed to go to bed. I left Jason and the baby together watching tv and off I went.

We managed to accomplish a lot in the day, and I was so glad to not have to do it all on my alone. Hauling a car seat in and out of the vehicle with a baby in it is tiring in off itself, let alone all that needed to be done.

We had lofty plans of an afternoon nap and some raunchy sex, sadly neither of those very exciting activities happened. Tomorrow is another day though and we will try again.

Classes X 2 at The Lounge Sun & Mon

SUNDAY February 7, 4:30 - 6:30PM
Play Party Etiquette class
$25 person / $40 couple - members only
presented by Jennifer
Libido Lounge, North Burnaby
Reservations Required: jennifer@libidoevents.com

Please note that you must also have your $25 cash renewal cost on you if your member number is PRE 516. And your renewal is good for 12 months.

An overview of how to behave at a public or private play event, and how to be successful at them.

Everyone has varying levels of experience when it comes to meeting others, knowing what activities they enjoy and even being comfortable enough to attend events. This class will help paint a picture of the play party scene, and will give attendees the chance to learn etiquette, safety considerations, safer sex concerns and a host of other necessary topics.

We will talk at length about how to be successful at the many different events Libido Lounge offers and how to prepare yourself properly to ensure positive play and social interactions.

* Asking for what you want
* Clothing choices
* Events and rules
* Finding someone to play with
* How to negotiate
* Planning what to bring
* Safer sex
* Using the facility
* Whose in charge
* To touch or not?

This is an information rich class for anyone looking to gain the confidence and facts necessary to move forward successfully at play parties.

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



MONDAY February 8, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Kiss Me Like This - Interactive Couples Only class
presented by Jennifer & Jason
Reservations: jennifer@libidoevents.com
Cost: Cash $45 couple

Please note that you must also have your $25 cash renewal cost on you if your member number is PRE 516. And your renewal is good for 12 months.

Kisses are at times tender, endearing, sexy, suave, teasing and sophisticated. From the subtle, through the pre-coital, to the full on public display of affection variety, this class will ignite some passion between your lips and in your relationship.

You and your partner will be guided through an awakening of oral delights. You'll be shown how to deliver a multitude of kisses and given tips to interpret smooch reactions and read body language. Learn to be the recipient of kisses as well as how to differentiate and master many lip locks to have your lover feeling everything from teased to toe curling pleasure.

Please bring a large blanket and two pillows to class. You will only practice on the partner that you came with.

The instructor will lead you through the evening, and you'll leave with some serious kissing skills and a hankering to pucker-up more often.

Off the top of my head

This post is a random assortment of thoughts, links and observations.

1. Consider how it makes you feel to learn that medical students are doing pelvic exams on unconscious non consenting women during surgeries in Canadian hospitals. Apparently these "students" need to practice on some one. Could it have been you?
2. I spent some time today digging up work related photos for the Gallery on the Libido website.
3. We have added a new and exciting event to our calendar, it will only be offered quarterly, so get yourself on the guest list now.
4. Today I watched a 10 minute movie called "The Period of Purple Crying" a new way to understand your baby's crying.
5. I have learned how to sleep with static aka white noise playing very loudly -- it calms the Pickle.
6. A friend gave me the gift of time yesterday. While I had a manicure and pedicure, she took the baby for a walk then after wards we all sat together talking over a cold drink. What a leisurely luxury, and long over due. I am filled with gratitude.
7. Are you a UBC student who I would recognize and know? If you are on campus next Tuesday AND/OR Thursday I need some assistance. Drop me a private note to my email address jennifer@libidoevents.com

Medical Crap

The nurse came by today as I am a part of the home IV program, and I was due for my regular check-in. Sitting at the kitchen table she undid my dressings and cleaned my PICC site. Then she set about trying to draw some blood and attempting to flush my line. (I normally do these things, but once a week she does it and then completes some paperwork on how it went)

Let's just say that I was greatly disturbed when time and time again she unable to get a draw on blood from my line. Then finally she tried to flush the line and it was really, really difficult to push through.

Another problem and not one that a home nurse can fix. She bandaged me back up and left for her office. She called about 90 minutes later to say that the hospital was expecting me and to make my way there.

Off I went, with the Pickle and Jason in tow. Into the Emergency room, where we were treated fast and very well. (a perk as Jason works there and most know him)

I had TPA pushed into my PICC. It's a blood thinner and it breaks down clots. Seems I had a clot on the end of my line and it needed to be cleared. Oh joy. It scared me half to death to get blood thinners and to know that I had a clot too.

A few hours after arriving I was bandaged back up, my pump was turned back on, and I was sent home. Minus the blood clot.

It's crazy the amount of stress this whole situation has created. And on Monday, I will be half way through the minimum number of weeks of treatment that have been ordered. I'll be so glad to get my next MRI to see where things are at in my jaw currently.

Lubricant necessary

After discussing sexy commercials and advertisements with some Lounge members, Bernard sent this ad to me. He described it well, but hey the image is a million times better.

Of course it is a advertisement for personal lubricant. It's subtle and very well done.

Some things just would not be possible without the slippery stuff.

Make-Over

It's to be expected I suppose. I barely feel very womanly these days.

Between being a patient, a milk dispenser and a poo changer, the opportunity to spend time on myself has been non existent.

I really need an appointment for a hair cut and color. Another booking for a manicure and a pedicure. And of course an hour and a half with my massage therapist.

Though all the work in the world could be done on me to make the shell look awesome, yet in my closet is next to nothing that fits my frame properly. A shopping trip is necessary to find some new pieces for me to mix and match with what I already have so I can feel attractive again as I go about life in some properly fitting clothes.

I've not worn cosmetics in months and my beauty regime is at a complete stand still. Some days just brushing my teeth is an accomplishment and bathing is down right difficult. My right arm has to stay dry and my pump has to be hung in the tub with me --- shaving is comical and I'm lucky I've not cut off a labia lip as I fumble an attempt to make myself smooth.

Finding clothes that fit over my PICC line is not impossible but truly not easy. Finding new bras that support my nursing breasts is necessary. New slacks and a pair of yoga pants are a must, and with these I also require new sensible shoes with no heel. I have virtually no flats what so ever.


Getting the time away from the baby for some me time is going to be a challenge yet I know I need to make the effort to do these things so I feel better about myself.

Wish me luck.

Exhaustion from baby & health

Help Two Local Artists

On December 25th/09 a good friend of mine who is an artist along with her artist friend (whom she shared a studio space with) lost all of their art, art supplies, furniture and journals/references among other things to a terrible fire that burned down our studio to the ground.

Wonderful friends have organized a fundraiser for the two of them to help then get a fresh start.

Many local artists and merchants of the neighborhood have generously donated art, products and services for the fundraiser which is the result of a great community spirit.

Here’s what:

Fundraiser on Jan 29th/2010 at the
Third Avenue Gallery
1727 West 3rd Ave from 7-11 pm

FULL DETAILS


There will be a silent art auction and raffles with all kinds of cool goods and art, food, wine and music. Please let others know about it. It'd be lovely to see you at this event.

Thanks so much,

Sonja Hebert


PS. I wish to let those of you know who have an interest in acquiring pieces of mine, that 6 panels of a 16 piece series completed in the late fall where exhibited at the Atsui Gallery in The Evolution of Inspiration show last November. These 6 saved ones were stored at the gallery until the end of December hence their survival. I will send more info and images about these works in early March, but you can always contact me via this email if you have an interest in securing a piece now.

Explanation

Need to figure out sex?

They call this "pen porn".

Check out this highly amusing photo collage of completely safe for work images.

Sensual Massage Night

As a Lounge member, you should try out this blissful event -- further you are welcome to reserve for a non member guest as well. Get yourself on the guest list now while there are still spots left.

FRIDAY JANUARY 29, 7:30 - 10:15 PM
SENSUAL MASSAGE NIGHT
Cost $25 member / $45 couple / $30 non member guest
Reservations: jennifer@libidoevents.com
Open to Couples, Women & Men

Please note that you must also have your $25 cash renewal cost on you if your member number is PRE 516. Your renewal is good for 12 months.


Here is your chance to get a sensual massage and to give a sensual massage in a safe environment.

This social relaxing event is open to men and women and is an all inclusive environment. You'll be respectfully touched by people of both sexes.

The evening starts with a short group ritual and then a conversation about group rules around boundaries to ensure each person gets the experience they are seeking. Then we break into groups on The Lounges countless massage tables.

Depending on the number of people attending each person will be massaged for a period of time, before "returning the favor". You may well have two or three sets of hands working you over at some point.

The event is non sexual, your preferences for pressure and massage placement will be honored.

There is no dress code, though wearing clothing easy to remove is most helpful. You may choose to be massaged while nude, or while wearing underwear.

You *must* bring your own towel. Massage oils are provided, though feel free to bring your favorite.

Snacks will be out and subtle music will fill the air.


BECOME A LOUNGE MEMBER SO IN FUTURE YOU CAN ATTEND OUR EVENTS

My box is broken

Just because the universe is conspiring against me these days, it seems only fitting that my computer is now under-the-weather.

I'm on a MacBook so there should not be any issues, yet this is just another thing that now requires my attention.

My computer is eating emails, deleting files randomly and taking the formatting out of all of my documents. And to add insult to injury Microsoft Word won't open at all.

I feel like I should be taking bets on what's next going to go wrong in my life.

Signage on Bowen Island

Finding My Groove

Typing one handed can be done though it takes me forever to complete things. Complicating matters is the 13 pound crying appendage laying in my left arm. (the one that is not on the keyboard)

This week and next are jam packed with appointments for me to get to. And of course I am still adjusting to how long it takes me to get somewhere with a seven week old baby. Planning excursions is now a must to ensure I am prepared for what ever could possibly happen.

On another note, there was a highlight to my day yesterday. A University emailed me saying "the check is in the mail" as they have hired me for a four day contract. This pleases me to no end particularly since I love working with students and I miss being on the teaching circuit. These past few months of late pregnancy and early postnatal have left me with a strong desire to return to educating the masses.

Then today, a local College confirmed a paid full week contract that I had sent in a proposal for. I was confident I would get this gig as I worked for them for two years previous. I am delighted to have my offerings accepted and to have this work.

I am attempting today to finish another contract that I have been trying to complete for over a week now. I know I'll land the job, but the formality of doing and submitting the paperwork is a necessity. Blah.

Nominate my friends

This request just came today from a mailing list I am on. If you have ever seen the Wet Spots perform, then I highly recommend that you nominate them - they deserve it.

Hi folks,

It's been a while since we wrote. 2009 was a busy year for us, but not in a 'million shows a week' kind of way. We spent most of the last 12 months working away at writing, scoring and mounting an original show called SHINE - A Burlesque Musical. SHINE is a comedy about a seedy downtown burlesque cabaret theater and the talented family of misfits who try to save it from demolition or worse - respectability. Many of you saw it last summer.

SHINE was a joy to create. We wrote thirteen original songs and an entire script in under two months - an unheard of level of productivity for us. We then managed to assemble a dynamite team to bring it to the stage for two Vancouver runs. And now, we have been nominated for two Ovation Awards. The Ovations recognize excellence in musical theater in Vancouver. SHINE has been nominated for "Best New Original Work" and our choreographer Miss April O'Peel has been nominated for "Best Gypsy". The awards are a straight-up popularity contest, and we need your vote! Click the link below to help us out, it only takes a moment. Voting closes on January 24th.

CLICK HERE

The "Best New Original Work" Award is a cash prize. We are currently planning a multi-city tour for SHINE for 2010, so a win here would give us a bit of money to underwrite the tour. Hopefully to get it to a theater near you!

All the best and may 2010 bring you great joy!

John

Troublesome things

Here are but a few things that are currently plaguing me...

• My baby is a poo machine.
• I wish I had another set of hands.
• The alarm on my pump keeps going off.
• Exhaustion is a side effect of my medication.
• Sleep deprivation is what happens when one has an infant.
• An orgasm would be nice.
• Shaving is difficult with a PICC line.
• The Jeep needs to see a mechanic.
• The Lounge still needs more volunteer hours to complete our plans.
• A hair cut, manicure and massage seem like a far away dream.
• I have no books to read that are not work or baby related.