That Sex Show

Buzz buzz

2009-03-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

There's going to be a whole lot of young ladies out there with glowing skin that's not coming from the facial cleanser if you know what I mean. (Hint: it vibrates).

Print vs Online

2009-03-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

For the past three years I have been a freelance journalist. My freelancing life began when I secured a weekly feature in the Sydney Morning Herald called Table for Eight. It was a fluffy affair tracking a group of singles who met at a Sydney bar for drinks and some speed dating. The Herald paid me $500 a week to write the feature and so I did not argue. To supplement my income I wrote articles for various sections of the Herald and for some of the women’s glossies. I also presented an online series for Fairfax Digital Productions that featured on the SMH and The Age websites. It was when I began this endeavour that I discovered the resistance within the ranks of traditional media to online.

I asked the editor of my section on numerous occasions for a reference to my show at the end of my articles. My requests were met with silence. When I spoke with deputy editors or subeditors of the section, they were not even aware the company was producing online video content. It was clear they rarely looked at the company’s online offerings.

With two years of writing the feature under my belt, I was something of an established writer, or so I thought. When the feature was scrapped due to a lack of advertising support in the section, I was unable to find an immediate replacement. I spent some time working in public relations and I looked at opportunities to write for online publications. It was clear to me then as it is now that newspapers face an uncertain future while online is only going to grow and grow. Journalists need to familiarise themselves with online or they too will face extinction.

I started to write a blog for Yahoo which was and still is unpaid and when other websites came calling I was shocked to discover they also expected unpaid content or were willing to offer a tiny percentage of the sixty cents per word I had come to expect. (I recently met with askmen.com a Fox Digital Media website and was offered $85 per 500 to 800 word article.)

This is all very interesting when you consider the comments made by Peter Cox in an article at businessspectator.com.au. Cox compares the Roy Morgan Research methodology of measuring newspaper readers – they “show respondents a card listing the titles of papers and to ask which of them they ‘read or looked into over a period’.” As Cox points out, “This does not detail how many pages were viewed or sections read… Newspaper measurement seems archaic compared to the Internet, which can measure unique browsers, pages viewed, duration and click throughs.” So while newspapers are willing to pay substantially for content they have no way of tracking readership for, in the online sphere where they know for sure, you’re lucky to get paid at all.

Cox also makes the point of how many newspaper pages go to waste when people toss unwanted sections. He tallies the sections he turfs and comes up with 172 pages. I’ve long held the belief that the lift-outs should be optional since I turf sport, business, employment, Domain, travel and the TV guides every weekend. Maybe that’s a way to cut costs instead of cutting journos because despite the fact that I see newspapers as having an uncertain future, at least six to eight hours of my weekend involves reading them. This is both a pleasure and a chore I don’t wish to forgo and I’m sure I am far from alone. So the industry needs to find a way to meet the needs of both online and print audiences and as they do, hopefully the imbalance of content remuneration will correct itself.

Getting some reciprocation between the sheets

2009-03-11T23:09:00.000-07:00

There are some things you should never bring into the bedroom. Like children, strangers or portraits of your self. And you know what, I think power tools should stay in the shed where they belong also. Using a reciprocating saw as a sex toy really is a no-no.

2009-03-09T18:22:00.001-07:00

Watch Episode 3 of That's Why You're Single here: http://www.twystv.tv

2009-02-25T18:23:00.001-08:00

Check out my new website http://ping.fm/ZQ4op

Eat your heart out Lars

2009-02-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

Some things should be kept private. Like fondling a blow up doll..

Front page news

2009-01-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

Big thanks to Media Watch for this pearler.

Wow

2009-01-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

Words escape me on this occasion but in case you seek an explanation as I did, please go here. I feel a little ill just looking at that.

It could only happen in QLD

2009-01-14T17:09:00.000-08:00

If you can't find yourself a date, why not get an inflatable one? Of course, just like the real thing, it's going to cost you but not if you break into a sex shop steal Jungle Jane and whip her out the back for a quick rogering. You'll be a little out of breath after you inflate her. The Cairns Post reports the culprit likes to squeeze through tight holes. I'll bet he does.

What will they think of next?

2008-09-26T00:55:00.000-07:00

From strokes to stroking and now this: a multitasking product that spells serious danger. The Womaniser Shaver and Massager. Because maintenance of your nether regions has always been such a stress, why not get the razor to vibrate while you're doing it. No thanks.

Stroke it part 2

2008-09-26T00:43:00.000-07:00

According to The Australian a man appeared in court after being accused of stroking a latex vagina in front of a young woman at a Queensland shopping mall. Latex vaginas are apparently big with the cross dressing set and while trying to find a pic to share with you I stumbled upon something far worse - latex vagina feet. Can I stay at your place tonight? Something tells me I'll be having nightmares about this.

Stroke it

2008-09-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

It's pretty rare for women to die during sex. Mainly, it's the blokes who kick the bucket mid thrust and a heart attack is the exit strategy of choice. But a 35 year old American woman diced with death recently when she suffered a stroke mid coitus. Forget worrying about the cellulite on your thighs or trying to peak at the same time as your partner and focus on memorising the warning signs of a stroke.

Pure gold

2008-08-18T03:04:00.000-07:00

The Phallic Logo awards.

Man's lust for outdoor furniture almost costs him his livelihood

2008-08-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

Now I know why my mother told me not to go walking through parks late at night; "a man had to be cut free by doctors after becoming stuck while trying to have sex with a park bench."

Keep it down!

2008-08-08T02:51:00.000-07:00

British woman fined for loud sex that made children wet the bed. So what two consenting adults do in the privacy is fine, provided they keep the noise down. Fair enough I say.

Sex Olympics

2008-07-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

From one contest to another, the Chinese have set up labs to determine the gender of Olympic athletes according to the ABC. Apparently it's common practice at the Olympics to play gender police and it's been going on for decades. This made me think of our transgender friends. In 2004 the IOC announced transgender athletes could compete provided they met certain requirements. They must have completed genital reconstructive surgery, at least two years of hormonal therapy and have legal recognition of their gender. One woman who can tick the boxes is Kristen Worley a Canadian cyclist, a serious contender at the Beijing Olympics. To read about athletes who have come a cropper in the gender lab, follow this link.

Blown away

2008-07-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

Well, nine British women are facing prostitution charges after taking part in an oral sex competition on the Greek holiday island of Zakynthos according to Reuters. I've spent some time working on party islands and at holiday resorts. Heck, I've even been to Cancun. People do stupid shit when they are on holidays. They have a little too much to drink and combined with sun stroke, that can be dangerous. These broads were paid to participate in the competition which was to be filmed and broadcast on the internet. I'm a big believer that people's sex lives are their own business provided they involve consensual acts between adults. But when you get yourself into something like this, you deserve to go down. Pardon the pun.

Imagine having to tell your future husband/employer/kids. "Honey, I can't go on my honeymoon to Greece because I have a criminal record there," she says. "Why's that dear?" Future husband looks concerned. "Just type blow job comp into You Tube. It explains everything."

Size doesn't matter

2008-06-29T02:07:00.000-07:00

Try telling these lads. Not for the faint hearted or the workplace.

Teeth

2008-06-25T22:56:00.000-07:00

The premise is simple: female coming of age tale with a biting twist. Dawn is an advocate of the abstinence movement until her interest is piqued in the opposite sex. A few moments of self exploration later, Dawn discovers she's not like other girls. No, it's not a matter that can be fixed by labiaplasty. Dawn has teeth - down there.

I love this movie. Yes, it has a couple of flaws. It finishes without a satisfying ending and all of the men bar one are total bastards but it's about time the ladies bit back. How often are women used in films as props? Women are raped, killed, abused and attacked at a far greater rate than men. I'm impressed that we get a shot in this black comedy.

There are some images that have never before been shown in films and the boys will squeal and say they don't ever need to be shown. I disagree. It's considered a dramatic tool in the plot of a movie for a woman to be sexually abused or threatened so why not show a severed penis?

Visit the website www.vagident.co.uk. I have to admit that I thought this was plausible until I did a search for the gyno's hospital. Clever marketing.

Sex on Film

2008-06-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the final episode of sexperts ever. I must say, it is a great relief to be done and the last ep really highlights why I am glad it's over.

It's tough, but someone's gotta do it...

2008-06-16T01:25:00.000-07:00

Last night we hit the red carpet for the world premier of of The Square. The plan was to ask those that blessed the shag pile about sex on film. You won't see this by clicking on the link, you'll have to hold out for the next ep of Sexperts. But nonetheless, here I am in my first appearance on a red carpet.

Honey, I'm gay

2008-06-10T19:23:00.001-07:00

We recently interviewed Anthony Venn-Brown, author of A Life of Unlearning. Anthony approached me after we interviewed a colleague of his for an episode about bisexuality. He had his publisher send me a copy of his book and I couldn't put it down. It details his struggle to come to terms with his sexuality. We are so lucky in Australia today but 20-30 years ago, it was a different story altogether. Anthony thought religion could cure him of his same sex urges and at Bible college he had exorcisms performed on him to cast out the "gay demon". In one hand was his religion, in the other his sexuality and the two couldn't mix. When he eventually came out, he was forced to do so publicly in front of his congregation. Today he is openly gay and coaches other men who find themselves in similar situations. Do yourself a favor and read his book. Oh, and watch the episode here.

Sex advice from potheads

2008-06-04T01:31:00.000-07:00

Love it!

Ouch!

2008-06-03T04:41:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the bedroom, here is a collection of the worst sexual injuries. What was I thinking when I said to cross your legs?

Sexual Injuries

2008-06-02T04:05:00.000-07:00

This week sexual injuries are on the cards with our next episode going live tomorrow. I like to stay abreast of sex in the media and once again we are right on topic. Two separate injuries have popped up over the last 24 hours. Firstly is the poor fella whose little fella had a run in with a snake and then there is the not so accidental case of the bloke with a thing for decorating his member. I don't even have a penis and I am wincing.

Masturbation

2008-06-01T00:23:00.000-07:00

As you would know if you have spent even a millisecond with me, I've spent the last couple of weeks writing a piece for Women's Health about masturbation. I've spoken to some 'experts' about the topic and conducted some research of my own. At the library, of course. What were you thinking?

Is my husband gay?

2008-06-01T00:19:00.000-07:00

Up next is mixed orientation marriages. We're looking to speak to a spouse who has survived their partner coming out. Must be Sydney based. Male or female, we want to hear from you. Drop me an email.

Sex & Death

2008-06-01T00:14:00.000-07:00

This week we're working on an episode about sex and death. Can sex kill you? How often do people die during the act. Matthew McConaughey thinks it would be a top way to go. We're heading along to the coroner's office to ask them about what happens when someone carks it mid shag. Should be interesting.

As if there's not enough hours in the day

2008-05-31T21:13:00.000-07:00

As if there's not enough hours in the day, on a whim, I have decided to return to the Blogosphere. I've been reading some amazing stuff lately about sex and feminism, technology and the future of the media and I feel like I want to be a part of it. So here goes. My last effort in the land of blog lasted three years. We'll see how this one fares.