Sexual inspiration and The Woodhull Freedom Foundation

Last night I attended a fundraiser outside Washington, DC for the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. From their website:

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right by protecting and advancing freedom of speech and sexual expression.

WFF promotes sexuality as a positive personal, social and moral value through research, advocacy, activism, education and outreach.

I was really moved by the performances of Carol Queen and Nina Hartley. Carol performed from her show PEEP SHOW and talked about a man who came in and had a very specific, personal request. I kept thinking about her being in the peep show, being able to do that, being that comfortable with her body.

I think it was Nina who said that one way to get comfortable with your body is to take your clothes off, alone, and dance around to your favorite music. It's funny because there were a few things that were said, like sex tips (Nina was quite hilarious, showing off porn positions and how porn differs from real life), and sometimes they'd say, "But everyone here knows that."

What inspired me was that, actually, no, I don't really know how to be that comfortable with my body. It's not that I always hate it, and maybe I parcel out the love/hate, like I like my boobs and am happy to show them off (though not so much when strangers know mine are in the sex blogger calendar), but the rest of me? It's unnerving, and I've been working on eating better and exercising more, save for yesterday, when the stress of barely any sleep, leaving one of my bags in a cab, and generally running around had me stuffing Cheez-Its in my face in the car. The balance of working on liking my body, learning about it, like which exercises I like and when I have the most energy and taking care of my health (yay for being able to get my allergy/asthma prescriptions tomorrow), and being comfortable with exposing it, in private or public, is something I'm constantly working on.


me and Nina Hartley


How gorgeous is the new cover of Carol Queen's groundbreaking book Exhibitionism for the Shy? I kept picking it up and fondling it, even though that's actually a book I own and know where it is. I'm not seeing it come up on Amazon, and Carol told me the books arrived two days ago. Published by Down There Press. This is a classic book I plan to reread.

Book recommendations: In the bag I left in the cab (am calling 311 tonight to try to get it back), I had two books I was quite engrossed in and recommend: Butterfly Tattoo by Deidre Knight, a romance novel with a bisexual male protagonist (short version: widowed single dad, who'd had a kid with his male partner, falls for former actress who has scar on her face from being attached by a stalker) and Viral Loop: From Facebook to Twitter, How Today's Smartest Businesses Grow Themselves by Adam L. Penenberg, about how companies can tap into users making their product (or website) go viral. I'll have more on Butterfly Tattoo along with an interview with Deidre soon; I'm so into the book I ordered a new copy, though I'm hoping I recover my left-behind stuff.

When I realized I'd lost the stuff, the first thing that came up when I googled was a New York Times article about how many people don't get their stuff back and how the process doesn't work. I forget what search terms I used but now in the light of day with some sleep, I'm finding answers, which I will share.

NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission

Taxi drivers and owners must return property they find in a taxicab. If they cannot return the property directly to you, they need to bring it to a designated police precinct.

If you lose or find something in a black car, luxury limousine, livery (community car service), paratransit vehicle (ambulette) or commuter van, you need to contact the car service company you contacted for service...

The TLC will make every effort to assist you with your report. The TLC does not employ drivers or dispatch taxicabs. The more information you give us, the better we are able to help you track down your property. Please give us the following information if you have it:

• Date and Time of Cab Ride
• Pick up Location
• Drop off Location/Destination
• Taxi Driver’s Name
• Taxi Driver’s License Number
• Taxicab Medallion/License Plate Number
• Full Description of Item(s)
• Estimated value of the property
• How you paid for your cab ride; by cash or credit card

*Tips to Help You Find Your Lost Property:

* Try calling your cell phone as soon as you discover it is missing.
* Drivers frequently attempt to return property directly to its owner. So, if you were picked-up or dropped-off at a major transportation hub, including airports and rail stations, try calling the lost and found department at that location.
* If you were picked-up or dropped-off at a hotel, contact the concierge or security office to see if your property has turned up there.
* Keep in mind that another passenger may find your property and contact you directly.
* Every time you take a cab ride, take your receipt.