Newsletter No. 22: FALL 2003

Good sex is a co-operative endeavour!

Co-operation is a wildly undervalued idea.  Often passed over in favour of competition and only ever taught to us as children when a shortage of toys would result in compulsory sharing - co-operation has been much maligned by the pro-competition forces that be.  As familiar a concept as co-operation might be, its meaning seems to have been lost on the world at large.

After all, co-operation doesn’t seem much like a natural tendency.  Who ever really wants to share their last bite of cake?  Did anyone ever like doing ‘group work’ in school?  Even sports teams seem to be set up to produce a select number of stars so every kid can have a jersey that says ‘Raptors’ on the front, and ‘Carter’ on the back.  Even when we’re told “We’re all in this together!”  it often feels more like “Every man for himself”.

But I think if we look more closely, we learn quite quickly that nothing good happens without some form of co-operation.  Certainly no good sex happens without co-operation – even if that co-operation is between different parts of you.  Competition looks for winners and losers, while co-operation hopes that everyone will do well in the end.  That end is harder to achieve, but we believe that ultimately co-operation is infinitely more fruitful.

While we’ve yet to truly enjoy the fruits of our labours, the opening of our first new location in Montreal this summer has been such a gratifying experience.  Knowing that this small group of people bound only by a sex-positive philosophy were able to create this great new thing out of nothing is almost awe inspiring.  Sure, lots of people open new businesses, but how many of them become like family in the process?  

Each member of our co-op is so different and unique.  We all have such diverse life experiences and ideas of the world, yet our individual experiences have somehow all lead us to this place together.  And none of this could have happened without the hard work we’ve put in to working well and getting along, but almost more importantly, it wouldn’t have happened without your support.

When you last came into our store and bought that new dildo or logged onto our web site to peruse our condom selection, you might not have thought much of it, but you are the folks who make sex-positive sex stores possible.  And hopefully, one day, other folks will be inspired by what our little co-op has done, and every city and town in Canada will have their very own co-operative sex shop. To learn more about worker-owned co-operatives visit www.workercoop.ca.

News

Venez Tels Quels

Our newest shop front is located in the beautiful Mile End neighborhood of Montreal. Open for a short time we’ve already had a tremendous response from both people in the area and some of our regular mail order customers from Quebec. We are very pleased to be given the chance to share in the unique culture of Montreal and follow in the footsteps of the many worker co-operatives that operate within Quebec. If you are in the neighborhood stop by to say hello to our fabulous new workers Morgen and Tamara, as well as Chantele, one of our worker-owners who has recently moved to la belle province.

Workshops

We have a full roster of upcoming workshops happening in Montreal. Time and time again we’ve had calls from Montreal asking for a workshop series in the city. We can now proudly say we’re at it full time finding all the right people to share their knowledge and get lively discussions about sex happening day and night. To start off in September, Shannon Bell will be presenting her very popular Female Ejaculation seminar. After a long time away from Montreal, Shannon Bell will be presenting her research work on the history of Female Ejaculation, anatomy (where is that g-spot anyway?), and followed by a very fun demonstration.

In Toronto, Cecilia Tan will be stopping by as part of WorldCon (the largest yearly science fiction gathering in the world). Cecilia Tan is the author of the book of erotic short stories Black Feathers, and founder/editor of Circlet Press. She will be presenting two workshops. The first, Intimate Improv, is a lecture seminar on bringing your fantasies to life. Participants will learn various ways to use erotic role playing to deepen intimacy and make good sex even better. The following evening, Cecilia Tan, will be leading her erotic writing workshop, Stroking the Pen. Who better to learn erotic writing from but the premier editor of magical, fantastical, and sci-fi smut? Attendees will try their hands at short erotic vignettes, with fun exercises to share with the group or with a partner. No prior writing experience is necessary, although valuable advice will be given for those who aspire to write professionally.

Porn Stars Galore

On Saturday September 20th  between 6-8 pm, Seymore Butts will be doing a free video signing in the store with actress Mari Possa.  Seymore Butts is the creator of many series of “reality-style” porn and will soon be featured in a Showcase reality show about his life. Come hear the stories, stresses, and excitement of making porn on the fly. This event is open to all. 
Toys

Some great new innovative toys have found their way onto our shelves. Small and compact, or soft and sensual, we know there is a definite buzz to all the excitement.

Finally, a moderately-sized, hard plastic anal vibe!  For folks who find rubber a little too pliable to really feel, this Love Trinkets Vibe isn’t too big, but is shaped to stay-put and feel good!  The external battery pack allows easy access and control of the variable speed dial. $36

As the dildos get bigger, the vibes seem to be getting smaller!    Unlike some mini-vibes, the Sweetheart Mini vibe isn’t too small to get a hold of and packs a good buzz to boot!  Looking for a toy to travel with, or just something to stash in your purse?  Either way, the Sweetheart Mini is a great addition to our collection of mini vibes. $29

Wahl Warm Oil is our newest electric vibrator with all the reliable quality we’ve come to expect from Wahl and a soft treat for aching muscles everywhere. Strong electric vibrations with a heat component and an oil canister attachment. An excellent vibe for rest and relaxation. $56.00

Cyberskin is such a great material for sex toys: it is super soft, stretchy and feels more like real skin than anything else.  Unfortunately, the thing that makes it great, also makes cyberskin prone to tearing.  For use over a dildo or vibrator, The Cyber Sleeve is a great accessory for folks who want a durable and harness-compatible toy with the supple feel of cyberskin. $32.00

Books
Great summertime reading to last you into fall. A collection of erotic novels that combine story and mystery with great dynamic sex. 

To begin, we have one of our bestselling erotic collections, Black Feathers, by author and editor, Cecilia Tan. Cecilia combines fantasy and a riveting storytelling style in her most original stories of lust, love, and adventure. Written in English. $25 

In Cecila Tan’s Science Fiction novel, The Velderet, the main characters struggle with forbidden desires in an egalitarian utopia. Submission and domination take on new meaning when alien visitors make contact and forbidden desires are explored. Written in English. $19.95

Almost a Gentleman is a poignantly told tale of an attractive heterosexual woman who decides to live her life as a man and becomes the most sought-after gentleman to steal the scene amongst London's elite social clubs. A fabulous novel of intrigue, romance, explicit sex, and Shakespearean like deceptions and follies. Heterosexual focus.Written in English. $23

Safe Word is the sequel to "Carries Story", a new s/m series brought to you by Cleis press.  In the fascinating follow-up, Carrie gets a new master and a European tour but will Carrie remain in the lifestyle she craved for so long or will she enjoy her new found liberation?  A great book for those of us who love BDSM novels but also want a smart classy writing style. Written in English.  $20.95   

Scarlet Thirst is part of the new "red hot diva" collection that is focused on publishing full length novels written by women. Scarlet Thirst is the second in the series and full of explicit and well-written sexual adventures. A lesbian vampire story telling the tale of two original characters, Rani and Rob as they "devour" the London nightlife. Written in English. $25

Some like them short!   In the two collections, Jouissives and Nouvelles érotiques de femmes, the focus is on women but so many topics are covered, there’s surely something for everyone.  And if your Canada includes Quebec, your fantasies will too, as many of the tales take place in “la belle province.” Written in French. $20
  
Take two parts erotic short stories, mix in one part bartender’s guide, and you have a collection of stories that are the perfect recipe for a seductive evening.  With plenty of humour and originality, Les cocktails que me concoctaient mes amants will be a unique addition to your shelf. Written in French. $20

Videos & DVD’s

We are happy to announce a new addition to our video section: documentaries. With all of the thinking and talking about sex, its great to have an opportunity to see some of the cutting-edge films that document some of the many facets that intrigue us. 

Part documentary, part voyeuristic treat, Marie and Jack: A Love Story is a sentimental and refreshing look at the intimate life of a couple who both work in the porn industry. An interview that is extremely sincere and candid followed by an exceptional and erotic scene of their life together after work hours. Half hour in length. VHS $55 DVD $60

Stacey Valentine is an acclaimed and much-lauded actress of countless pornography films. In the Girl Next Door, in-depth interviews are combined with revealing scenes of her life in the porn industry. A fascinating and sometimes bleak chart of one star’s rise from regular life to mega-dollar popularity. VHS $40 DVD $50

Sick is a startlingly introspective journey into the life of performance artist Bob Flanagan who suffered from cystic fibrosis throughout his 42 years. This disturbing, poignant, and disarmingly funny documentary examines his odyssey to have control over his body through inflicting pain on himself. An incredibly touching and human account of one person’s relationship with illness, pain and the love of his life dominatrix/partner Sheree Rose. $40 

Our newest educational series feature varied and erotic sex scenes with helpful and commonsense sex advice. What Women Want focuses on pleasure from a female perspective while What Men Want gives the men a chance to explore their desires. DVD comes with multiple subtitle options.
VHS $40 DVD $40

Workshops

Toronto

Intimate Improv
With Cecilia Tan 
September 2

Stroking the Pen
An Erotic Writing Workshop
With Cecilia Tan 
September 3

Free Video Signing
With Seymore Butts
And Mari Possa
September 20

Female Ejaculation
With Shannon Bell
October 14  For Women only.
October 15  For Women and men accompanied by a woman

Make Your Own Dildo 
With Shawna Morissette
November 9

Workshops 
Montreal

Female Ejaculation
With Shannon Bell
September 13 For Women Only 
September 14 For Women, and Men Accompanied by Women
(English)

Well Seasoned 
Rediscovering your sensuality. 
With Carmen Cadorette
September 24 (French)
For women 40 and up 
 
Erotic Writing
With Tess Fragulis
September 30 (English)

Tantra
With Monica Mueller
October 7 (English)

Erotic Photography
With Hera Bell
October 22, 25, and 28 (English)
 
Women and Consciousness
With Monica Mueller
November 4th and 5th
For women only (English)
 
Strap-on Sex for Everyone
With Jacqueline St-Urbain and Ericka Black
Nov 17th (English)
Nov 19th (French)