Web Log Archives: May 25, 2003 - May 31, 2003
Thursday, May 29, 2003
Interesting Boston Globe article looks at the phenomenon of people using Google or Classmates.com to reconnect with their first loves, particularly "long-lost sweethearts who look each other up years or decades later and find that their old love returns with a passion -- at the expense of their current marriages." (Link snagged from Word Oyster.)
Nita Rao at the Village Voice offers a short cultural history of wedding rings.
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Associated Press: "Teenagers at high schools where condoms were available were no more likely to have sex than other teens, a study published Wednesday finds. The study confirms earlier research on the programs developed in the 1990s to stem the spread of HIV and reduce teen pregnancy. It found that students in high schools with condom programs were more likely to use condoms, though students in other high schools were more likely to use other forms of birth control. Some conservative groups have staunchly opposed such programs, saying they send the wrong message and in effect encourage and enable teens to have sex before marriage." The study was published in American Journal of Public Health, which has the abstract online for free (full article available to subscribers only).
Iraqi cinemas reopen in Basra — but strictly no sex. "Basra's three cinemas closed their doors earlier this month after several visits by serious young men on motorbikes who told them that if they showed 'sinful' movies they would be burned to the ground. This week they tentatively reopened, showing old Arabic films and American action movies. 'Romance' — the Basra euphemism for films showing as much naked female flesh as possible — was strictly off the agenda."
Cape Argus: "Arguments ranging from banning all forms of 'adult entertainment' to decriminalising the sex industry were made to a City of Cape Town task force yesterday. What could have been a routine hearing on planning issues instantly became a passionate debate on the morality of the sex industry, with representatives of sex workers, anti-sex industry advocacy groups, churches and individuals airing opinions on the City's integrated zoning scheme proposals. The submissions will help formulate a land use policy for escort agencies, massage parlours, sex shops and revue bars city-wide, believed to be the first policy of its kind in South Africa." More.
Graphics card maker Nvidia (or nVIDIA or nVidia) threw a party for E3 attendees at an LA nightclub last weekend. At some point, pornstar Catalina showed up and became the life of the party. Adult Video News has the story:
It’s not clear whether Catalina was hired or crashed the party, which was held at the Highland Grounds nightclub. Catalina, who was escorted by Max Hardcore, became the scandalous hit of the party once pictures were placed on the web. News soon leaked to Yahoo! Investor Message Board, most of whose members weren’t too pleased with what they viewed as an excessive waste of money – not to mention, perhaps not the image a publicly traded company should encourage. Catalina reportedly stayed at the party for an hour, walking around topless in a g-string for most of the time. She was asked to leave after she began dancing on a table.
The Opa-Age message board has a first-hand report and the scandalous photos. If you're really curious, here's a link to the Yahoo NVDA investor forum ranting. (Link snagged from Boing Boing.)
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
The St Gallen fine arts museum in Switzerland is currently running an exhibition entitled Striptease – concealment and revelation in art. The show "takes a close look at how we’ve been undressing for the past 500 years. From seemingly traditional nudes to avant-garde video art, not to mention the presence of a real life, gyrating male go-go dancer, the exhibition also reveals plenty about changing attitudes to the portrayal of nudity in art."
From MSNBC's weekly photojournalism slideshow: "Iraqi men watch a Turkish soft-porn movie at an X-rated movie theater on Baghdad's Rasheed Street, reopened after Saddam Hussein's fall from power." One of whom has the longest tongue I've ever seen. (Link snagged from Oliver Willis.)
Nerve presents a special sex & drugs issue with poetry, fiction and essays. Also check out the winners of Nerve's bad erotica contest, plus tips on how to write a sex scene by bad erotica panelist Steve Almond.
Adonis Art specializes in fine antique and contemporary works of art that celebrate the male body in all its strength and beauty. (Link snagged from Nightcharm.)
Currently at Scarlet Letters: watercolors by Carolyn Weltman, drawings by Sean Simmans and erotic fiction by Jenni Miller, Evelyn Augusto and retired sexblogger Nicholas Urfé.
Sunday, May 25, 2003
TV critic Lisa Rosen explores the recent explosion of lesbian kissing in movies and TV. "Are all of these kisses a sign of a growing acceptance of lesbians in our culture? Or is it simply exploitation in the service of a straight male fantasy? According to Sarah Warn [creator of the Web site AfterEllen.com], the answer is a resounding: both, but that's OK."
