Lately I’ve been checking out a lot of books at the local public library. Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk was a fun, lively, freaky story: if you are into witchcraft and sick humor I highly recommend reading it; or at least seeing the movie when it’s made, cuz I’m sure it will be! Also The Fight by Norman Mailer is a must-read for boxing fans: it is a detailed account of the classic Ali-Foreman “Rumble in the Jungle” heavyweight championship in Zaire, Africa. If you like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anthony Kiedis’ autobiography Scar Tissue gives you an inside look at the history and development of this band and its ultimate rock-n-roll lifestyle, as well as Anthonly’s personal struggles with fame, crazy relationships, drug addiction, and recovery.

Here at Babeland Headquarters, we have a hands-on approach to Customer Service, and so we also have our own lending library! Yes, we really can check out sex toys–and also books–to take home and enjoy! I had never used a bullet vibe before, but had sold quite a few of them, so I took home the smooth, sassy Grapevine vibe to play with and get to know what all the buzz (ha ha!) was about. It’s great for clitoral stimulation, feels smooth, silky, and sexy, and has a lot of fun settings you don’t get with the traditional silver bullet, although it’s smaller. I’ve also been checking out some of the new luxury vibes that we have started carrying, like the Little Gold and the Je Joue as well. Purely for professional reasons, of course!

Don’t gross out at the idea of a sex toy library! Babes at Babeland are very savvy about safe sex, so we clean our toys appropriately and always use condoms on insertable items. We also suggest that you have toy-swapping parties with your friends as long as safe sex procedures are followed. It’s a great way to try-before-you-buy, and get to know your friends a little more intimately. And you won’t ever have to pay any fines!

I just discovered that New York’s Museum of Sex (perhaps the best $20 you can spend unless you’re buying a Grapevine Vibe) has created a website they call the MoSexIndex. It lets you create a personalized account that searches for sex-related websites that you would be interested in every week. I’m filling out my survey right now and I’ve answered questions about my sexual preferences, if I’m interested in porn, erotica, oral sex, lesbians, latex, feet…. you name they’ve asked it. Not only am I having fun, but I’m really thinking about what I like to watch and do sexually.

This reminds me of an exercise that we sometimes do in our workshops. I’ve seen it in a lot of places so I don’t know who to give the credit to. It’s called the Yes/Maybe/No chart. It works like this: each person in a couple (and you can always do this by yourself) makes a list of every sexual activity they can think of and places it in one of the three categories. “yes” means they do this thing already or would be interested in doing it. “Maybe” means they’ve thought about it or maybe tried it once or twice but aren’t quite as sure as the “Yes” category. In the “No” category go things that you feel like you probably won’t ever want to do.

If you’re doing this with a partner, you can look at each other’s lists and see where you have overlaps. You might find that you’ve both been interested in trying something but just didn’t know it!

It’s important to remember two things with this exercise. First, you can list everything from “cuddling” to “extreme bondage”. This list is really up to you and how you want to define “sexual activity”. Second, your Yes/Maybe/No categories don’t have to be rigid once you’ve made this list. Things can move from one category to another over time. They can even move over the course of a few days or an evening.

You could also try this list with sex toys. Maybe you know for sure that you’d like to try the Little Flirt, you might like to try the Ripple but you know you don’t want to try the Pearl Plug. Or maybe you already own a Sterling, you’d like to try the Sonic Ring but you’re really not sure about the Teardrop cockring.

I love this exercise – whether I’m with a partner or not. I’ve done it multiple times and I’m sure I’ll keep on doing it as I learn more and as my tastes change. Try it!

I’m posting this because I thought it was such a great write up of one of the free back-to-school events we hosted at our stores this fall. Students got treated to several mini-lessons, delivered in real Babeland style. It was beautifully written by Audrey in Seattle.
Last night’s Back To School night was SO MUCH FUN! It was really great to have practically our entire staff here working on making this such a successful night, teaching workshops, and helping the over 66 customers that came to attend all of our mini workshops. Almost everyone was on time and we had 61 students in the store with pencils in hand and ready to learn when we started exactly at 7:30 (tardiness will NOT be tolerated in MY classroom).

Mr. Arbor was up first teaching Fellatio with the aid of his “stunt cock” Evan. The students repeatedly erupted into laughter as Mr. Arbor smacked the flip chart with a ruler to emphasize his points. Ms. Denk then taught the basics of cunnilingus, muff diving and eating boxed lunches followed by a POP QUIZ on anatomy.

Professor Status had everyone rolling in the aisles with the how to buy your first vibe seminar which started with “since the dawn of time, people have been interested in the pleasures of V~I~B~R~A~T~I~O~N”.

We then took a short recess where students got to snack on milk, juice and cookies, ask questions and shop while we opened the doors to cool down the store a bit. Class started up again with everyone’s favorite topic – Anal Sex. Our shop teacher Andrew got down to basics with some anatomy, techniques and toys for back door luvin’. Mrs. P then covered Babeland high tech toys including the Tantra Beam, High-Joy Bunny and Je Joue. Finally the night wrapped up with Professor Guinn covering the 3 main lessons of the G-spot (Lesson #1. It is NOT a Myth).

Of the 66 students attending last night, 10 had never even been to Babeland before and of the remaining 56, only 10 of them had ever been to a Babeland workshop before. We had several Pop Quizzes throughout the evening (which way do you curve your fingers to stimulate the prostate? What is the Babeland Mantra for Anal Sex (answer: relaxation, lubrication, communication)? What are 2 of the 4 most common materials for vibrators?) and we gave away 22 ShowerBabes to people that answered the POP Quiz questions correctly.

All in all, it was a truly exciting and fun evening. I’m so proud of all the seattle Sex Educators that got dressed up in their teacher and student outfits and that put together great mini workshops in true back to school style.

Check out Babeland’s other upcoming workshops!