I finally watched the movie Food, Inc. tonight. Wow, what a great film.
From the Food, Inc. site:
“In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation’s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won’t go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.
Featuring interviews with such experts as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield’s Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms’ Joel Salatin, Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what we eat, how it’s produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.”
Mr. Radical has extreme food allergies. Thankfully we’re able to maintain his health through diet. We eat about 90% organic. It’s not cheap or easy but his weird health problems have gone away. Because of his allergy I’ve gotten quite the education on where food comes from. I knew a lot of the information in the film but there were parts that completely shocked me. Here’s some highlights:
A chicken farmer named Carole Morison was interviewed for the film. She shares that she is allergic to antibiotics and can’t take them because they are fed to her chickens through their feed. The antibiotics in the feed passes to the chickens which then pass on to humans.
Barbara Kowalcyk’s two year old son died from eating a hamburger infected with E-coli. After his death she became a food safety advocate. She’s working to get a law passed named after her son. Kevin’s Law basically gives the USDA the power to shut down factories that have repeat offenses. They currently can’t do that?! Later in the film she’s asked what kind of diet her family eats now. She declined to answer the question because of so called veggie libel laws.
Now I know Monsanto is one of the really evil corporations. But there’s a scene in the movie where a farmer discovers he’s on a Monsanto “black list”. These are farmers who don’t “cooperate” with Monsanto and are seen as “problem farmers”. It was like something out of a Mafia movie.
It’s not cheap or easy to eat an organic diet. You’ll have a large grocery bill and make a lot of your food from scratch. Honestly, it’s often a pain in the ass. Sometimes I just want to go out and have a burger and fries and not have to think about it. But eating organic does feel much healthier.
One of my heroes Julia Butterfly Hill said, “The most revolutionary thing you can do is decide what to put at the end of your fork.” Her point basically sums up this entire film.
Eric Schlosser co-produced the film and is featured throughout. His book Fast Food Nation is a must read.
In a nutshell: Watch this film.
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 11:35 PM CST
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The Adult Toy Shoppe sent me the Icicles Sapphire Spiral Dildo to review.
It’s pretty sweet! The package says it’s hand blown. There’s a little dent in the cock head-cute.
There’s a nice curve to the toy.
Check out that raised spiral:
Now I only partially reviewed this dildo. The oranges know this toy more intimately than I do. Why?
I’m saving this dildo for my blog anniversary contest next March. There was a twinge of regret doing this photo shoot-I kind of want to keep this dildo for myself. It’s a nice size, good weight and it’s pretty. The cute factor of a toy is important to me. Your comments and emails really mean a lot to me so I’ve been working on a kick ass contest for you and this toy will be in the give away.
This dildo is a good value at $28.99. It’s 7 1/8″ long, 6 5/8″ is insertable and it’s 1 1/2″ wide.
Posted by Vixen as Sex Toys, Reviews at 10:15 PM CST
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Babeland sent me a Candy Vibe to review.
From the product page:
“You’ll be flooded with trick-or-treating memories when you reach for the Candy Vibes—until, that is, you see what’s inside. These small, surprisingly powerful one-speed slimline vibes come cleverly disguised in candy bar costumes; you’ll covet 100 Orgasms, Crotch, and Better than any Finger just like you used to covet their tasty counterparts, but with a whole different purpose in mind! We challenge you to come up with a better gift or party favor for the upcoming Halloween season. And don’t forget to share—these guys taste even better when you invite someone else along for the ride.”
It’s a cute vibe with a cute case. But it was a disappointment. I turned it on and wow-the thing is crazy loud. Not subtle at all. There’s only one speed which I didn’t like. I like several vibe varieties.
The vibration is a higher vibration that my other toys. I didn’t like it. My favorite toys have a deeper, lower vibration. I played with it and while it excited me it didn’t get me off. I ended up grabbing an old fave to finish the job.
The screw on cap end doesn’t quite close down completely. Not a big deal but I found it annoying.
I can see this being a cute holiday present. But if you want to really treat yourself go with another of their vibes. I like their waterproof pocket rocket vibe or the classic Slimline Vibrator.
Posted by Vixen as Sex Toys, Reviews at 2:58 AM CST
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When I started reading Two Is Enough: A Couple’s Guide to Living Childless by Choice
I wasn’t sure how I’d like it. I already knew I was childfree so what would I get out of the book?
I finished it last night and wow-I loved this book! Laura S. Scott does a good job mixing her research data and personal stories to make a compelling read. It was a pleasure to find out I had so much in common with other childfree people.
Scott categorizes the childless into different catagories. Apparently I’m an “early articulator”. As a young girl I knew I’d never have children. I never liked baby dolls. It felt like I was being forced to play mommy which felt wrong. (Barbie was different-she was an adult, dated Ken, fought the evil Osmond dolls and never had a baby.)
Scott had four categories for her study:
“Early articulators are those who make the decision early in their lives, generally without influence from a significant other.
Acquiescers are those who make the decision to remain childless primarily because their partner wanted to be childfree.
Postponers are those who delayed having a family and ultimately decided they didnt want kids.
Undecided are those who are still in the decision-making process.”
I was surprised by how many of the childfree heard the same myths as I did. “You’ll change your mind when you get older.” “It’s different when they’re your own kids.” “You’re selfish.” Her chapter Marginal and Misunderstood challenges the myths of the childfree life and was one of my favorite chapters.
Another outstanding chapter is Eighteen Reasons (and More) Why We Don’t Have Kids. I found myself agreeing with many of her “Motive Statements” such as “I love our life, our relationship, as it is, and having a child won’t enhance it” and “I value freedom and independence”.
Scott gives a realistic outline on the work that needs to be done for the childfree. Too many doctors are hesitant to provide sterilization to childless couples. I wrote about our frustrating journey towards Mr. Radical’s vascetomy here. There’s not nearly enough childfree role models in our culture. Family and friends still pressure couples to have children, ignoring the couples stated preference. Mr. Radical’s grandmother used to send me birthday cards featuring babies because we hadn’t popped out a grandchild yet. When his sister had kids the pressure finally eased up. Scott’s chapter A Place At The Table outlines ways the childfree can be more accepted into society.
One downside of the study was the lack of diversity. This isn’t Scott’s fault. She worked with the participants she had. But I’d like to hear perspectives from gay couples, those that choose to remain single, those in polyamorous relationships, people with non-traditional religions and atheists.
Hopefully her book and study will inspire more research.
Who’d like this book? Certainly the childfree. Amongst my friends and family Mr. Radical and I are definitely in the minority. It was a joy to read about other childfree people and know that there’s others taking this path. If you’re debating whether or not to have children this book would give you a good perspective on the childfree life.
I’m not sure this book will entertain parents. Certainly you won’t find me picking up books on parenting so why would a parent read this one? Maybe you’re like me and enjoy reading about sociological studies. Or maybe you’re curious about the motivations of the childfree. Scott goes out of her way to be respectful to those with children. She makes the point that many websites get nasty about parents. I’ll fess up that I throw the term “breeder” around when parents piss me off. But her book is very courteous to parents so you won’t be insulted if you read it and have kids of your own.
I definitely recommend this book! Want to know more about the childfree lifestyle? You can also check out Scott’s Childless by Choice Project.
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 10:48 PM CDT
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Last year author Anna Jane Grossman contacted me for an interview. She wanted to write about the decline of phone sex for her book Obsolete. She asked me several questions and now I’m quoted in Obsolete: An Encyclopedia of Once-Common Things Passing Us By. I’m on page 132. Neat!
Grossman gives definitions and anecdotes for her obsolete subject matter. Some of the items only have definitions. Here’s the definition for phone sex:
“Arousing conversations conducted via telephony, sometimes for a fee; born in 1875, with Alexander Graham Bell’s first words into a phone: “Mr. Watson, come here. I want you.”
It was a treat to see myself quoted in a book. One thing that irked me was that my quote sounds like I’m no longer a PSO. But she asked me the question “How would you describe your work to, say, someone living 100 years from now–someone who knows nothing about it?” So it made sense to describe myself in the past.
Is phone sex becoming obsolete because guys can get it for free online, as Grossman theorizes? The popularity may decline but I don’t see it going away completely. Especially with cell phones becoming smaller and cheaper with each passing year. Sure you can get free sexual services but will it satisfy? There’s a saying I learned from a Spanish teacher years ago that comes to mind-”What if free is often more expensive”. How many hours would someone have to spend to find someone willing to indulge their particular fantasy and do a good job of it?
She makes the point that college students are less likely to do paid phone sex. While it’s true that I don’t have many college aged clients I don’t think they’re my target audience. The bulk of my clients are middle aged or older. I guess the real question is will these college students turn to phone sex when they reach middle age? I theorize some will turn to sex workers to fulfill their needs. Perhaps new technology will change the way they communicate with said sex workers but I still think they’ll want to interact.
The book makes a good coffee table book. You can pick it up, read a few entries and then put it down again. You could read it straight through but I enjoyed randomly opening it and reading. While I don’t agree with all of her assessments-I can’t imagine email becoming obsolete. And as a knitter I know there’s a whole DIY community out there that darns socks. I know I do.
But there are some items where we’re in complete agreement-typewriters, hotel keys and lickable stamps are definitely in decline. There are cute illustrations throughout the book. They’re not needed but it makes the book fun.
Posted by Vixen as Musings, Reviews at 11:12 PM CDT
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Seal Press sent me the book Two Is Enough: A Couple’s Guide to Living Childless by Choice by Laura S. Scott to review. I’ve always known I didn’t want children but for some reason I’ve never read a childfree book. Maybe I figured I was already decided on the children issue so why read one? But this book got my attention.
Here’s some info from the book description and press release:
“Fall in love. Get married. Have children. For most couples, marriage and children go hand in hand. And yet, the number of people choosing childlessness is on the rise. These are the childless by choice—people who have actively decided not to have children—rather than the childless by circumstance. In Two Is Enough, Laura S. Scott explores the assumptions surrounding childrearing, and explores the reasons many people are choosing to forgo this experience. Scott, founder of the Childless by Choice Project, examines the personal stories of people who have faced this decision and explores the growing trend of childlessness. Scott’s expert knowledge and analysis offer a picture of the childless by choice—who they are, why they’ve chosen to remain childless, and how they’ve had these conversations with loved ones. Honest and unapologetic, Two Is Enough recognizes the challenges of being childless in today’s society and offers suggestions on how that same society can change to make room for the childless and the childfree.
—
“I love our life, our relationship as it is, and having a child won’t enhance it.”
This is just one of the many motives Laura S. Scott uncovered in her interviews with childless by choice couples. In Two Is Enough, Scott tells her own story, as well as others’ who are joining the growing number of couples opting out of parenthood. Honest and unapologetic, Two Is Enough challenges the notion that parenthood is inevitable, or essential for well-being and happiness. For those who are childless by choice or by circumstance, Scott offers ways to manage the pressure and questions from family and strangers alike in a culture that idealizes parenthood. For everyone else, she creates a space to consider and evaluate what a childfree life really looks like.”
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 10:42 PM CDT
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via Breathtakers
I’m taking part in another Pleasurist review roundup.
Pleasurists is a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days from bloggers all around the sex blogosphere. Did you miss Pleasurists #40? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #41? Submit it here before Sunday August 16th at 11:59pm PDT. Please re-post this list on your own blog if listed.
Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.
Madame Editrix
Scarlet Lotus St. Syr
On to the reviews…
Vibrators
Dildos
Anal Toys
Toys for Cocks
Lube, Massage Oil, Bath Stuff, & etc.
BDSM/Fetish
Adult Movies/Porn
Storage
Miscellaneous
Posted by Vixen as Musings, Reviews at 11:16 PM CDT
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Recently I received Babeland’s Under The Bed Restraints to review.
From the product page:
“No need to install complicated hardware or perfect your Boy Scout knots to have someone pinned and completely at your mercy—the Under the Bed Restraint system is simple, discreet and sets up in a snap. Four restraint straps and a connector slide under any size mattress—just attach each of the four soft, adjustable cuffs, and they’ll be rendered helpless in no time.”
The package looks good
And the back
Here’s the straps and cuffs
The wrist and ankle cuffs are identical.
The straps are long enought to fit beds of many sizes.
Here’s the restraints set up. I still have to shorten the wrists and ankle straps.
Mr. Radical agreed to be my model.
The straps are made of webbing.
The cuffs close with velcro.
A key ring and metal clip attach the cuffs to the straps.
So what do I think? It’s certainly a clever idea. Everything’s adjustable and the restraints make an excellent portable bondage kit. The cuffs are soft against the skin and the straps stayed tight.
But the materials aren’t that great. There’s quick release clips and key rings instead of strong D rings and buckles. The straps are thin webbing. Nothing buckles or locks down-the straps just tighten. The restraints work well enough but aren’t tough bondage materials.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. This kit has a cutesey feel which makes the $55 seem a bit high. People seriously into bondage would likely scoff at these restraints.
However, heavy leather cuffs and thick strong rope isn’t everyone’s bag. I can see using this kit to introduce a vanilla partner to bondage. Most of the straps could be hidden by the mattress, covers and pillows.
Personally, I like cuffs that buckle and prefer tying someone up with rope. But I’m definitely keeping these restraints. Some of my clients like to be tied up while I spank them. This kit will be perfect for my prodom sessions. It’s lightweight, portable and sets up quick-all things I need when I’m a traveling Mistress.
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 11:11 PM CDT
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I’m finally done with Why Just Her by Montgomery Sibley. When I first got the book I had told Sibley I’d likely be done with it at the end of May. Even when I realized the book was almost 600 pages I was still sure I’d make my deadline. After all, I read the last Harry Potter book in a weekend. Surely I could finish his book in a few weeks right?
Turns out, I was way off. I often took several days off between chapters. Reading the story of Palfrey’s legal nightmare was both disheartening and enraging. But before getting into the review I’d first like to thank Sibley for not once complaining about my tardiness. I appreciate his patience.
What do I think of this book? It’s a good one. I’m left with the impression that Sibley tried to pack in every detail of this case into the book as he could. There are several spots where he tells the reader that he’s legally prevented from disclosing certain facts about the case.
There were many surprises in the book. Civil forfeiture laws are much nastier than I ever realized. It’s hard to grasp that the government can legally seize all of a suspect’s assets before they’re found guilty of a crime. And I had no idea that judges can just refuse to rule on certain aspects of a case. Judge Kessler was supposed to make a ruling within 30 days of a particular motion concerning Palfrey’s civil forfeiture. But she just refused to rule. How is that legal?! If someone had suggested that to me before reading this book I probably would have thought they were joking. Certainly judges are legally required to rule on everything before them right? Not so much as it turns out.
Throughout the book Sibley shares email correspondence between himself and Palfrey. I was surprised with how much “behind the scenes” moments he shared with the reader. It makes you feel like you know her better. One email from Palfrey gave me the chills when I read it. While recounting how she found out her assets had been seized she writes:
“You do know this don’t you? Surely, you must. You can’t possibly be so blind as not to see what is all around you, in modern day America. Acquiescence has usurped freedom. It happened when you weren’t looking. Laziness and lives consumed with junk topped with more than a fair amount of sheer terror-real and imagined-has permitted your life to become a faux independence. One which allows, if not ostensibly encourages the likes of those predisposed to abuse-to reign over the rest of us. With impunity.”
It reads as if Palfrey is counseling us from the grave.
In the months running up to her trial Palfrey and Sibley had a falling out. He shares emails from her that portray him in a negative light. I was impressed at his openness. What caused her to lose faith in him? Sibley writes “I believe someone had whispered in Jeane’s ear.” He’s probably right. Throughout her ordeal there’s incident after incident of her case being tampered.
I have a few critiques. There are a number of spelling errors in the book. Of course there will be a minor amount of errors that escape the editor but it seemed I was noticing a higher number in this book. The errors were minor-trail instead of trial, witnesses instead of witnessed-that sort of thing. This probably won’t bother most readers. It’s just something I tend to notice.
I was a little disappointed there were no footnotes. However, I’m not sure what kind of notes I was expecting. It just seemed that a book like this, one focused around and referencing numerous legal rulings, should have them. Maybe a list of the cases referenced in the book? Or a list of all the various rulings in Palfrey’s case?
Another disappoint was Sibley’s belief that Palfrey did indeed commit suicide. That’s not a critique of the book. He’s certainly entitled to believe it was suicide. I’m just surprised is all. Another madam, Jody, wrote Sibley and said about Palfrey, “She’s now joined our ranks as Bruce showed me exists. Which means her life is in very real danger.” It seems Jody was right, whether Palfrey committed suicide or was suicided. Sibley writes “Would that her death had been the result of some nefarious, surreptitious, government plot to protect prominent leaders.” I can’t help but think that it was!
The epilogue was way too short. Perhaps Sibley was facing a deadline so not many events after Palfrey’s death could be included. Near the end of the book he writes that Palfrey’s death has scarred him. I wish he would have expanded on his feelings. Sibley was a part of Palfrey’s life and case during such a significant time. I wanted to hear more of his perspective. Is it difficult to practice law after seeing how much the legal system was perverted in this case? Or is he more energized to fight the system? How has Palfrey’s case shaped the legal landscape? Were any precedents set? Does he think prostitution rings will be more or less prosecuted because of Palfrey’s situation? How has working with Palfrey affected his legal career?
And what of the other players in this twisted legal game? Were Judge Kessler or Judge Robertson’s careers affected in any way? And what about Preston Burton? Sibley describes Preston during Palfrey’s criminal case-”To me, it appeared that Jeane was like an inconvenient pet being taken to the veterinarian’s office to be put down quietly, so there would be no fuss.” I was repeatedly shocked by Preston’s decisions regarding her case.
The question “why just her” never is really answered. As shown above, this book raises more questions than it answers. At the beginning of Chapter 22 Sibley quotes Otto von Bismark: “People who love sausage and people who believe in justice should never watch either of them being made.”
How true. Before reading this book I considered myself pretty disillusioned with how governments work. And yet I feel more disgruntled and deeply disappointed in our legal system. Like I said in my mini review-this isn’t a fun read but it’s an important one. If you don’t know much about how law works in the US this book will be a hard wake up call. For those like me that are already cynical this book will serve as yet more evidence of why the system needs to be changed.
In a nutshell: Read this book.
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 11:59 PM CDT
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I was hoping to be done with the Why Just Her book by now. Since I’m one of the blogs on Sibley’s book blog tour I’m doing a mini review this month. In a perfect world I’ll be able to get it done by this weekend and will have an official review up in the beginning of June.
This book isn’t easy to read. It’s upsetting to read how the government uses it’s authority and deep pockets to bend the court system to their will. Sibley shares many emails of Palfrey’s and it’s eerie to read her thoughts. At times she was angry and ready to fight, other times she was scared and helpless. Reading details of a long, complex case certainly isn’t exciting. At times it gets dry and the legal terms and descriptions start to blend together. But it’s an excellent peek into the intensity of fighting the government within their legal arena. More people should be aware of how dirty their government likes to play.
The legal course seems so endless. The book details a seemingly endless loop of meetings, filings, briefings, postponements, rulings on this little bit that affects this other little bit which leads to more meetings, filings, etc. Some of her legal battles aren’t a surprise. After I initially interviewed Palfrey I researched civil forfeiture and found out a ton of disturbing information. When people are stripped of all their assets, finances and resources how in the world can they be expected to adequately defend themselves?
This may not be a fun read but I think it’s an important one. And I’m only halfway through:
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 11:45 PM CDT
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I had heard of the Ethical Slut for years but had never read it. When I got the opportunity to review it I was excited to be reading what some of my kinkster friends consider a lifestyle classic.
Does the book live up to the hype? Yes and no. I worry this review will sound wishy washy but I’m just going with it.
For people who are starting to explore their sexuality this book will be a valuable guide. As a sexually liberal person I sometimes forget that social norms really do restrict people. A call with a client like Monotone Man is a quick reminder.
I often encourage my clients to live out their fantasies. Have a gay fantasy? A shoe fetish? An orgy fantasy? Explore it I say! And yet many of them just can’t. Ethical Slut could be used as a tool to get past sexual blocks.
The authors advise “Cultural belief systems can be very deeply rooted in literature, law and archetypes, which means that shaking them from your own personal ethos can be difficult. But the first step in exploring them is, of course, recognizing them.” They then list several sexual myths and analyze them. To the sexually liberated this is nothing new. But for the the sexually repressed it could be eye opening. I can think of several clients who would benefit from reading this book.
I’d recommend this book to newbies. For those who want to explore your sexuality but feel inhibited by sexual issues then definitely read this book. If you’re already sexually adventurous this book might feel like a sexuality refresher course. Since the book challenges so many sexual assumptions and explores so many sexual possibilities I think it can rightfully be called a classic.
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 10:57 PM CDT
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I recently got a $pread tote bag of my own. I like it. It’s a roomy cotton bag with sturdy handles. Normally I’m not a hot pink kind of gal but it looks cool on the black fabric.
Want one? You can get one here.
Posted by Vixen as Reviews, Sex Workers at 11:53 PM CDT
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Dossie Easton offered me a copy of the newly revised Ethical Slut to review. It’s a classic to many sexually adventurous types. While I’ve known about it for years I’ve never read it. The new cover is on the right.
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 11:27 PM CDT
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I submitted my Babeland Bondage Tape to the Pleasurists. It’s like the Sugasm except it’s just for reviews. Since it’s my first time I’m reposting the whole list.
Pleasurists is your round-up of the adult product reviews that came out in the last seven days from bloggers all around the sex blogosphere. Did you miss Pleasurists #18? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #20? Submit it here before Sunday March 15th at 11:59pm PST. Please re-post this list on your own blog if listed.
Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.
On to the reviews…
Editor’s Pick
- Pearl Cuffs by CarrieAnn
The second I saw them a fantasy bloomed, large and dark, in the recesses of my mind.
I had images of formalwear and candlelight, gourmet meals and decadent desserts. A meal served silently, these dainty pearl cuffs binding my wrists. Images of kneeling at his feet, being hand fed bits of his meal and sips of his wine - the pearl cuffs wrapping my wrists, hands helplessly still in my lap.
Madame Editrix
Scarlet Lotus Sexgeek
Vibrators
Dildos
Anal Toys
Toys for Cocks
Lube/Massage Oil/Bath Stuff
BDSM/Fetish
Adult Books/Games
Adult Movies/Porn
Storage
Miscellaneous
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 9:02 PM CDT
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