Archive for July, 2010
Recommended Reading #5: Entertainment
“Rock Stars in Particular Order” by Alana Noel Voth (Short Story) 2006
I was blown away the first time I read this story. I’ve been generally blown away by anything Alana Noel Voth has written since I was first introduced to her work.
“John Updike Made Me Do It” by Donna George Storey (Erotic Short Story) 7/21/10
This story was originally published last year in Swing!, and I felt truly honored to be published alongside such a beautiful work. Recently reprinted at Clean Sheets, this is one of my favorite stories from one of my favorite erotica writers.
This (what I found!) quite humorous account of online gaming (Humor, Non-sex-related) 1/31/10
This has nothing to do with sex or The Green Light District’s traditional subject matter; I simply found it hilarious. :)
Recommended Reading #4: Eye on the Law
“John Stagliano is Free on Obscenity Rap!” on reason.tv (Sexual Culture, Free Speech) 7/16/10
This is a “recommended watch” rather than read (I forgot to mention that I reserve the right to take such liberties ;)). Charges against John Stagliano were dismissed last week; this is a short video interview with him thereafter. I have some catch-up reading to do on the charges/trial itself and may blog more about it later. Regardless, I feel relieved that the case has been dismissed.
“Hooking Without Crooking” by Juliet November (Sex Work, Sex Worker Rights) 5/09
This is a short article by a working whore discussing work environment and decriminalization.
“Legalization vs. Decriminalization” (Sex Work)
This page provides a delineation of the difference between “legalization” and “decriminalization” in regard to sex work. (The organization is based in Montreal, so specific legal references relate accordingly). Given the seemingly common unawareness or misunderstanding of this distinction, this page seems to me a helpful reference.
Recommended Reading #3: Poetry
“a dr. like this” by ferret (Sex Work, Sexuality Education)
Found on the site of Dr. Carol Queen (and written in her honor), I have found this poem stunning since the first time I read it.
“Down There” by Jacque (Erotic Poetry) 6/1/10
This is a poem recently published at The Erotic Woman by poet Jacque, with whom I have recently had the pleasure of making the online acquaintance.
“The Guest House” by Rumi (Spiritual, Non-sex-related)
I simply find this beautiful.
Reverence and Black Cloths
I had another post ready to go today, but for now, this trumps it. As a lifelong Yankees fan and, even more so, a baseball fan, I offer reverence here in light of the deaths of Mr. George M. Steinbrenner III, longtime principal owner of the New York Yankees, this morning at age 80, and Mr. Bob Sheppard, announcer at Yankee Stadium for almost half a century, on Sunday at age 99.
Though I didn’t always appreciate the impression I had of Mr. Steinbrenner’s actions or behavior, I unquestionably feel deep reverence for the pain and loss the Yankees organization may be feeling with the loss of their legendary principal owner. As well I appreciate and revere the profound contributions both Mr. Sheppard and Mr. Steinbrenner made to a team and to a game I love so much. Most of all, I honor their lives, the form of love they took in this lifetime.
I happen to have just finished reading one of my very favorite novels, The Secret Life of Bees, yesterday for the third time. Though it was my third time reading it, it affected me just as profoundly as it did the first two. The following quote, which I had read just hours before learning of Mr. Steinbrenner’s death, came to me as I reflected on these losses to Yankees baseball and to the world.
As one of the main characters, August, drapes black fabric over her beehives to signify mourning, she says, “Putting black cloths on the hives is for us. I do it to remind us that life gives way into death, and then death turns around and gives way to life.” (p. 206)
To Mr. Bob Sheppard and Mr. George Steinbrenner, beautiful journeys.
Love,
Emerald
Recommended Reading #2: Sex Education and Self-Awareness
“What Does Sex-Positivity Say About Abstinence?” by Dr. Charlie Glickman (Sexuality Education, Sexual Freedom) 5/14/10
The title is probably self-explanatory for this one.
“Our Responsibility” by Shanna Katz (Sexuality Education) 6/22/10
Shanna Katz gives her take on the responsibilities of adult sex educators and supporting each other and why.
“My ‘Trendy’ Post-Breakup Celibacy” by Rachel Kramer Bussel (Sexual Culture, Personal) 5/19/10
Rachel speaks about “trendiness” and sexual self-awareness via personal account/experience.
My Favorite Holiday
Happy Fourth of July to those who observe it, and to those who don’t, happy fourth day of July. : ) The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday, mainly because it’s in the summer and involves fireworks.
On that note, last July Ms. Alison Tyler posted my flash story “Fireworks Display” at her blog H is for Harlot (thanks again Alison!). I’ve created a podcast of “Fireworks Display” that I wanted to feature today in honor of the Fourth of July. (It plays automatically upon clicking the link; length is about six and a half minutes.)
Happy day today, whether you observe it as a holiday or not! ; )
Love,
Emerald
-from “Fireworks Display”
Interviewed at ERWA This Month!
I am honored and delighted to have been interviewed by one of my favorite people in the erotica world, Ashley Lister, this month for his “Between the Lines” column at the Erotica Readers and Writers Association (ERWA).
ERWA has been a resource I have utilized (heavily) for years—since I first started exploring submitting work for publication in the erotica genre, in fact. It is the most useful/helpful resource I know for erotica authors as far as publishing calls and also offers an array of information each month from its brilliant columnists.
And speaking of those brilliant columnists, the name “Ashley Lister” was one of the first names I ever remember seeing at ERWA. I started reading his regular offerings there almost as soon as I discovered the site, and I have been vastly admiring him from afar ever since. To be asked to be interviewed by him for a site that was the most instrumental in my ever publishing erotica is a profound honor to me.
Our interview may be found in full here. Thank you Ashley!
Love,
Emerald
“In the course of the psycho-spiritual inner work that has been a primary focus in my life for several years, I have seen more clearly some of the historical propensities in me as well as experienced an expanded perspective. So within the same story one character may display a lot of the perspectives and propensities I recognize that I demonstrated in the past alongside a different character who embodies some understanding I didn’t have then but may see more now.”
-from my interview with Ashley Lister for the Erotica Readers and Writers Association
