From this gallery. They’re doing real yoga poses too. Very cool!
Posted by Vixen as Sexy Sensations at 10:28 PM CDT
June 30th, 2009
Naked Group Yoga
June 29th, 2009
Media Coverage Of Iran
I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about Iran recently before coming over to my blog. There’s been a ton of coverage, a lot of which is biased and distorted. Here’s some news stories I think deserve more attention.
From Info Wars:
Iranian Unrest: Evidence Of Western Intelligence Meddling
“Current events and historical precedents highlight covert operations
The following summary, with extensive links, highlights the major evidence that suggests western intelligence agencies are aiding in stirring up unrest inside Iran as part of a “color revolution” to foment regime change.”
There’s a lot of good news stories in the above link. Definitely check them out.
—
From Voltaire:
The CIA and the Iranian experiment
“The news of alleged election fraud has spread through Tehran like wildfire, pitching ayatollah Rafsanjani’s supporters against ayatollah Khamenei’s in street confrontations. This chaotic situation is secretly stirred by the CIA which has been spreading confusion by flooding Iranians with contradicting SMS messages. Thierry Meyssan recounts this psychological warfare experiment.”
—
From What Really Happened:
Media Propaganda On Iran
“Well I guess it sure was a popular fictional rally for Mousavi, because I later noticed while browsing the news sites a familiar picture on the BBC’s lead Iran story- it shows the same crowd, zoomed in to cut out Ahmadinejad. It is clearly the same protest as in the background are the same tree and odd circular building. However, the BBC managed to outdo the LA times in quality reporting- their actual comment under the photo from the huge PRO-Ahmadinejad rally reads ‘Supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi again defied a ban on protests’- a blatent lie and deliberately misleading description of what is actually occurring in Iran!”
BBC later admitted their error.
—
From the Guardian:
Democracy, made in Iran
“Iranians began their painful and bloody march toward democracy with the constitutional revolution of 1906. Only after the second world war did they finally manage to consolidate a freely elected government. Mossadeq was prime minister, and became hugely popular for taking up the great cause of the day, nationalisation of Iran’s oil industry. That outraged the British, who had “bought” the exclusive right to exploit Iranian oil from a corrupt Shah, and the Americans, who feared that allowing nationalization in Iran would encourage leftists around the world.”
—
From Palestine Think Tank:
Iconic photo of Iranian protester is faked: reveals Italy’s most conservative mainstream paper
“There is a picture circulating on the web, framed perfectly. It depicts an Iranian girl doing an unlikely American gesture, a striking parallel to the picture of a solitary Chinese youth standing in front of tanks at Tienanmen Square in Beijing. We can expect to see this picture soon everywhere on Internet.
None other than Corriere della Sera, Italy’s major mainstream newspaper, and one that is quite conservative regarding anything with the Middle East - says the picture is a photo montage, and shows the original picture: a picture of a girl standing in front of Ahmadinejad’s car, date and reason unknown, with an open hand, perhaps simply greeting Ahmadinejad. They even comment on the smiling face of the Iranian leader.”
—
From CQ Politics:
Mousavi, Celebrated in Iranian Protests, Was the Butcher of Beirut
“He may yet turn out to be the avatar of Iranian democracy, but three decades ago Mir-Hossein Mousavi was waging a terrorist war on the United States that included bloody attacks on the U.S. embassy and Marine Corps barracks in Beirut.
Mousavi, prime minister for most of the 1980s, personally selected his point man for the Beirut terror campaign, Ali Akbar Mohtashemi-pur, and dispatched him to Damascus as Iran’s ambassador, according to former CIA and military officials.”
—
From Democracy Now!:
How to Overthrow A Government Pt. 1: The 1953 U.S. Coup in Iran
“The story of how the C.I.A. overthrew the government of Iran in 1953 is really an object lesson in how easy it is for a rich and powerful country to throw a poor and weak country into chaos. The C.I.A. sent one of its most adept operatives, Kermit Roosevelt, the grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, to Iran with the mission of organizing the overthrow of the government. One reason I was so interested in writing this book is that I have always asked myself, how do you go about overthrowing a government?”
This is a good read to get some historical perspective on Iran.
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:56 PM CDT
June 28th, 2009
Busy Me
This weekend I’ve been busy on the phone. I think it’s partly because of Michael Jackson’s death. When the swine flu was big in the news the same thing happened. My theory is that the news coverage reminds some of my clients of their own mortality. Since they’re going to die too why not live it up and call mistress?
Posted by Vixen as PSO Confessions at 11:16 PM CDT
June 26th, 2009
A Sweet One
“I feel whole when I hear your voice.”
-regular client
Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 11:44 PM CDT
June 25th, 2009
Sex News Round Up
From the New York Times:
Mysteries Remain After Governor Admits an Affair
“Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina said Wednesday that he had been having an extramarital affair with a woman in Argentina for the last year, ending the mystery surrounding his disappearance over Father’s Day weekend and considerably dampening his prospects for a national political career.
But his confession and apology, in a rambling, nationally televised news conference, left other mysteries unsolved, like whether he had lied to his staff members as late as Monday about his whereabouts, whether the affair had definitively ended, whether he would resign from the governorship and whether he would even have acknowledged the affair had he not been met at the airport in Atlanta by a reporter upon his return.”
Sanford seems so sloppy. Why not pay for his mistress to come visit him? Or have some quasi-official reason to go visit Argentina?
—
From Chicago Tribune:
When US pols + Argentine love = scandal
“You have to hand it to Mark Sanford. As far as we know, he did not fool around like Bill Clinton with an intern in his government office. Nor did he slip off to a fancy Washington hotel room with an exceedingly high-priced New Jersey hooker like New York’s former law-’n’-order Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
No, South Carolina’s Republican governor flew all the way to Buenos Aires to be with his sweetie, which immediate brought to mind memories of another Argentinian who gained instant fame in 1974 as the main squeeze, not counting his wife, of a powerful American politician and presidential hopeful. Arkansas Democrat Wilbur Mills wielded great power as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Like Sanford, he was a contender in 1972 for his party’s presidential nomination. That was before U.S. Park Police found him with his face cut one night in October 1974 after they stopped his speeding car near the Tidal Basin at 2 a.m.
Out of his car jumped Ms. Annabelle Battistella, a.k.a. Fanne Foxe, a stripper known as the “the Argentine Firecracker” at Washington’s Silver Slipper club on 13th Street.”
Gotta love those retro affairs eh?
—
From XBiz:
No Charges in Portland Mayor Gay Sex Scandal
“Portland Mayor Sam Adams will not face charges in a sex scandal that has occupied his administration for more than six months. Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced the results of his investigation this afternoon.
Adams imperiled his political career and ignited a national scandal when it was revealed that he had conducted a sexual relationship in 2005 with Beau Breedlove, a mayoral intern who was then 18 years old. At the height of the scandal earlier this year, Breedlove posed for the cover of gay adult magazine Unzipped.”
And yet another politician in a sex scandal!?!
—
From NY Daily News:
Hollywood madam Michelle Braun cozies up to federal agents
“Hollywood, sports and business celebs have reason to sweat now that top madam Michelle Braun has cut a sweet plea deal with the feds.
Mickey Rourke, Charlie Sheen, Jose Canseco, Courtney Love and several Playmates are among those whose names have turned up in records provided to authorities — though none of them has been accused of any wrongdoing.
Braun, aka “Nici,” is due to be arraigned Monday in federal court in Santa Ana, Calif., as part of an agreement to “cooperate fully” with all branches of law enforcement.”
It’s interesting how Braun is getting treated in the media when compared to Deborah Jeane Palfrey. Palfrey fought the government and was criticized for being uncoperative. Braun cuts a plea deal with the government and is criticized for it. Madams can’t win with the press apparently.
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:10 PM CDT
June 23rd, 2009
UK Pagans Kicked Out Of Social Club
From Stockport Express:
When shall we three meet again? Well, not in October…
“A group of witches is claiming religious discrimination after church leaders banned them from using its social club.
Sandra Davis – High Priestess at the Crystal Cauldron – had reserved Our Lady’s Social Club in Shaw Heath for her Pagan group’s Annual Witches’ Ball in October.
But when she rang to make payment arrangements she was told the event could not be held there and – despite already having printed tickets – another venue must be found.
At first the club insisted the cancellation was down to a double booking, but bosses at the Diocese of Shrewsbury have since confirmed witches are not ‘compatible with the Catholic ethos’.”
Below in the comments Sandra comments more on the situation:
” I think I really need to confirm something here. When I called to book the venue which had been recommended and which I had used many times I new it as The Flint Street Social Club, I never knew it was run or attached to the Catholic church and when the Gentleman, who was very nice by the way, answered with Our Lady’s I then told him who I was, what we wanted and who were were, totally up front and said that I did not want to compromise them in any way. he assured me that this was a totally separate Buisness venture and that anyone could book the room and then ‘do what we want in it’ . I would not have continued with the booking had he said any different.”
There’s also a short video on the page.
Posted by Vixen as News at 10:06 PM CDT
June 22nd, 2009
Sugasm #168
The best of this week’s blogs by the bloggers who blog them. Highlighting the top 3 posts as chosen by Sugasm participants. Want in Sugasm #169? Submit a link to your best post of the week using this form. Participants, repost the link list within a week and you’re all set.
This Week’s Picks
Covet
“My mouth waters at the sheer beauty.”
Lilly’s Turn - Part 3: Wherein Lust, Greed and Risk Intersect
“She was biting her lip to prevent herself from making a sound.”
Oh Dirty Girl
“It was at that moment that I knew I needed him to take me and take me dirty.”
Mr. Sugasm Himself
Porn’s 2009 AIDs Outbreak
Sugasm Editor
Review: Why Just Her
Editor’s Choice
My very first HNT!
HNT courtesy of Erotic Garden.
Posted by Vixen as Sugasm at 11:44 PM CDT
June 21st, 2009
Stripping On The Beach
June 20th, 2009
Review: Why Just Her
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
June 19th, 2009
Finally Done!
I’m finally finished with the DC Madam book Why Just Her. I’m a page and a half into my review so hopefully it’ll be done tomorrow.
Posted by Vixen as Musings at 11:18 PM CDT
June 18th, 2009
A Butch Quote
“By the time I’m through with you I’m going to be more man than you are.”
-me, during a strap-on call
Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 11:15 PM CDT
June 17th, 2009
Sex News Round Up
From BBC:
Indian sex workers learn karate
“Prostitutes in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu have begun taking karate lessons to protect themselves from violent customers and pimps.
The women say they were so fed up with abuse that they approached a local community group for help.
The organizers hope the course in the ancient self-defense technique sends a message that violence against sex workers must stop.”
—
From the London Evening Standard:
Naked Bike Ride hits Brighton
“Participants in the Brighton leg of the World Naked Bike Ride ride through the streets of the city to demonstrate the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and to protest against oil dependency.”
Naked people on bikes. Fun times.
—
From the Telegraph:
Woman cancels wedding after finding fiance was porn star
“Haylie Hocking, 27, only found out that strapping 30-year-old fitness fanatic Jason Brake made adult films just weeks before the big day.
A friend organising her hen night searched online for a male stripper and spotted Jason with a woman in a porn movie.
Now Haylie has called her vicar to cancel the wedding.
She said: “There was no way I could marry an adult film star.”
I can’t imagine being married to someone that didn’t know I was a sex worker. On the other hand I can understand why some sex workers may feel the need to hide their past.
—
From the Indian Express:
Gangrape accused suspected in sex worker’s murder
“The Surat police are now investigating the role of one of the three accused — arrested in Friday’s gangrape incident — in connection with the murder of a sex worker on January 16 this year in the city.
The police have seized the mobile phones, laptop and a desktop computer of the trio and have found several MMSes that point to their being habitual sex offenders. They sought services of sex workers and filmed them in the act.”
Posted by Vixen as Musings at 11:49 PM CDT
June 16th, 2009
Want To Submit To $pread?
Are you a sex worker who wants to have something published in $pread magazine? You’re in luck because $pread Magazine has just announced it’s latest call for submissions!
From the $pread blog:
$pread Call For Submissions - Issue 5.2
“Please circulate widely! All questions, pitches, and finished pieces should be sent to contribute at spreadmagazine dot org
*Hot Topic: What about the children!? (200-300 words)*
What about *your* kids in relation to the work you do? Ever worked while pregnant? Did you enter the biz to support your kids, or leave it when they were born? Please include your location (city and state) and whatever name you’d like us to print.
*Consumer Report: Stripper heels (100 words per)*
We’re looking for pointed, possibly humorous, product reviews of stripper footwear. Please provide one-to-two sentences per product and be specific about its usefulness, or its incompatibility, in relation to your line of work. Items should be identified by brand and style name.
*Positions: Coming out (400 words)*
Is coming out to friends, family, or the public worth it?
*Reviews (400-600 words)*
Like to review a recent piece of sex-work related culture? Please let us know. Reviews should be between 400 and 600 words, but inquire before writing to make sure we haven’t already covered your particular selection.
*News Reports (500-1,000 words):*
Reports should cover current sex worker-related news and events from across the globe. If possible, please include photos with your report.
*Scene Report (500 words)*
Where do you work? Send us a description of your local workplace (e.g., brothel, club, parlor, dungeon, or street corner) and tell us about the venue where you work and how it compares to other locales. Past scene reports covered the New York street scene in the Village and escorting in Orange County, CA. Please include both personal and more industry-wide perspectives of your region.”
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 9:54 PM CDT
June 14th, 2009
Crash And Burn
I started a call with a new client. Two minutes into the call he said “I don’t like you, I don’t want to do the call now.” Then he hung up.
Ouch. But that happens sometimes.
Posted by Vixen as PSO Confessions at 11:20 PM CDT