Newsletter No. 25: SUMMER 2004

It’s time to share the self-love:  May is National Masturbation Month!

For the past six years we’ve been celebrating May as the month to love ourselves, to transform masturbation into an art form, a political act, and a way to raise money, all at once.  In preparing for this year’s festivities, we noticed that our success has spawned a legion of May bandwagon-jumpers.  In 2004, masturbation shares May with National Military Appreciation Month, National Electrical Safety Month, National Bike Month, and most excitingly, National Fair Trade Week.  

If imitation is indeed the highest form of flattery, than we’re blushing from head to toe.  We were trying to come up with some ingenious way of tying these celebrations together (but we got caught up in the spokes).  So we leave it to you to choose how best to spend May (let’s see…you could spend the whole month masturbating, or you could “appreciate” WMD’s, we hope the choice isn’t too difficult.

We have another reason to feel extra excited about this year’s celebration:  it’s our first year holding the National Masturbate-A-Thon in both of Canada’s official languages.  This seems particularly fitting since last year’s winner hailed from Québec. True to the historic rivalry between these two cities, the staff at our Montréal store has gallantly offered to challenge our Toronto store to see who can raise the most money. We hope a Montréal win won’t spark riots in either city. 

If hockey is any indication of our love of sport, then embracing the fundraising act of masturbation could see a whole new level of competition. But vote for yourself, you will be guaranteed to make it to the play-offs.

Regardless of where you are reading this, and what language you’re reading it in, we wanted to wish all our customers a glorious Masturbation Month.  We wish you a month (and indeed an entire year) of all the great sex and good feelings you so richly deserve.  If you’re among the more civic minded of our customers please consider taking up a pledge form, hitting your friends and loved ones up for donations, and on May 16th, doing your best to help others, by helping yourself!  

News

Masturbate-a-thon
The Masturbate-a-Thon is a one of a kind fundraiser that encourages participants to enjoy a full day of solo sex and raise funds for important women’s health organizations.  We’re sure it’s the most fun you’ll ever have with philanthropy (no blistered feet or Jerry Lewis!)  Plus if you are one of the top five fundraisers you can win a selection of exciting and gratifying prizes from Come As You Are. To down-load a pledge form just go to www.comeasyouare.com .

Jerk Off! Cabaret & Mon Ménage et Moi Spectacle

We will be holding two cabaret evenings of performances celebrating the act of masturbation, through word, song, and art followed up by Surry B.C.’s raucous sex-spewing fun-loving performers, Stink Mitt. The Jerk Off! Cabaret will be held in Toronto on Friday May, 28 at the 360, 326 Queen W. at Spadina. In Montréal check out Mon Ménage et Moi at Le Swimming (3643 boul St-Laurent). Shows start at 9pm. Check out the Masturbate-A-Thon web page at www.comeasyouare.com for event details and advance tickets.

Vegans Are Lovers Too

When ethics are as important in bed even as they are out of bed, we introduce our newest line of Vegan bondage wear and harnesses. Soft leather-like restraints and harnesses that have the look and feel of leather but are 100% synthetic. Guilt-free loving for vegans and the people who love them. 

And in less heartening news, while most name brand condoms use milk-proteins to cure the latex, vegan condoms are made instead with a vegetable protein substitute. Unfortunately our best-selling line of vegan condoms have recently been discontinued in North America and there are currently no substitutes. We are asking all of our customers to write in to Health Canada (www.hc-sc.gc.ca) and in the US, the US Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov) letting them know the need for such a product. 

Fetish Diva Midori

The fabulous Midori will be returning to Montréal at the end of August for a series of workshops. Avoid disappointment and sign up early at www.veneztelsquels.com for these previously sold out workshops. She will be presenting three workshops: Introduction to Rope Bondage on August 24, Thud! Percussive Play on August 25, and Level 2 Japanese Rope Bondage on August 29.

Toys

Got the sun in the morning and the moon at night?  Flip open the Solar Vibe, and let the mini solar panels soak up the sun during the day, and by night, it will be ready for play.  Works with natural and artificial light sources.  Variable speed. $56

Looking for something to light up your life?  Watch this vibe as it lights up, and changes colour right before your eyes!  The Rainbow Light Vibe provides intense vibration and great g-spot stimulation with its uniquely shaped tip.  Waterproof.  Variable Speed. $46

This entirely edible nipple gel is fun for all!  Just apply a little of Earth Herbal’s tasty and non-toxic Ice Queen Nipple Gel and experience the cool tingly sensation that ensues!  Sugar free. $18

Want to bring a little Atari aesthetic into your bedroom?  The Joystick Flogger features a joystick-shaped handle, and comes in a variety of materials.  Hand-made, original design. $30

Now your pants won’t fall down next time your special someone wants a good smack! The Don’t Make Me Take My Belt Off Slappers are made of vintage belts, are one-of-a-kind and use original belt hardware. $28

There’s nothing sweeter than nature’s candy!  The Honey Pot vibe comes with a strong variable speed motor, mild suction action, and is designed to fit right where you want it.    Dip into this Honey Pot and see how sweet it can be.  External use only. $28

Books

Experienced fetish photographer Charles Gatewood has created an amazing how to book of erotic photography, called Photography for Perverts. Packed with helpful technical tips, and featuring the work of greats such as Annie Sprinkle and Eric Knoll, the author reveals many interesting personal stories and anecdotes. A useful, fun, and erotically charged book. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in the world of erotic photography. $45

Another beautiful coffee table book from Goliath, Asia Bondage is a thought provoking exploration of the senses. Intriguing use of lighting and classic black and white photography combines with dramatic poses and fascinating models to bring you an elegant collection of photographs. $40

A delightfully sleazy collection of lustful narratives, Cocksure makes excellent bedtime reading material. Fresh plots and wonderful storytelling, how could you ask for more? This book lives up to its title with these carnal tales of man to man sex. $26

Dick: A User’s Guide, is frankly the most straightforward and sensible manual on the male member. This book is as entertaining as it is insightful. It puts many myths to sleep and sheds light on many topics such as basic health and anatomy whilst remaining humorous and respectful. An informative guide for owners and users alike! $22.50

The Nerve Guide to Sex Etiquette is an outrageously helpful handbook that will help you clean up your manners whether it’s a one night stand or a meaningful relationship! Integrating essential etiquette advice with witty one liners, this guide delivers hilarious, practical advice. Chapters like the Ten Commandments of the Pick Up and Booty Call Conduct could save you from a lifetime of blunders all the way from the first handshake to house-hunting. $18

Videos

Enjoying Guilty Pleasures features commentary by Dr. Herb Samuels and Louise Andre-Saulnier who address the basic myths about S&M, anal eroticism, and the guilt many associate with sexual fantasies. This tape is geared towards those who are just starting a conversation about alternative sexual practices, and the focus of this educational title is on expanding the limits within a monogamous relationship. In sexual encounters, real couples demonstrate different sexual ideas including oral sex, essential rules for acting out exotic fantasies and, role-play ménage a trois with sex toys.
DVD, $55.00 VHS, $55.00

A modern (and much more pornographic) adaptation of Les Liasons Dangereuses, Carnal Intentions combines a time-tested plot with first rate sex scenes. With a stand out scene involving a personal trainer and the “new house guest,” we completely concur with the 12 GAYVN nominations this Jim Steel film garnered.
DVD, $45.00 VHS, $34.00

Just as hilarious and outrageous as it’s namesake, The Ozporns is a spoof of the popular TV series, with a sexual twist.  Mixing comedy with a good variety of sex scenes, we follow “Izzy” as he stumbles from scene to libidinous scene. One of the best porn spoofs we’ve ever seen. DVD, $45.00 VHS, $34.00

Without a doubt, the best porn title of the year goes to Who’s The Bitch Now? a movie that turns the tables on the guys, and has a group of sexy women showing men how well they can dish it out.  Lots of big toys and willing boys make this movie a must see.
DVD, $50.00 VHS, $34.00

Belladonna has once again proven her chops are to be found both in front of and behind the camera with Evil Pink.  She is featured in this girl-on-girl escapade that finds her manipulating an array of alluring women with dazzling glass toys.  If you know one thing about Belladonna, it’s that she’s dirty in the best possible way.
DVD, $50.00 VHS, $34.00

Workshops

Toronto

April 20
Girl Parts & the Big 'O'

June 1
Japanese Rope Bondage with Midori

June 22
Introducing Sex Toys toYour Partner

Montreal

May 25
Sensual Massage for Couples
Bilingual

June 5 
Anal Sex for Everyone
In English

June 6
Tout le monde par en arriere
In French

June 24
Map of the Clitoris
In English

June 25 
SexCraft Curiculum
& Wholisitic Sexuality
In English

July 6
Marks of Beauty:
Celebrating the Body through Art
In English

July 13
Prolongez le plaisir pour hommes
In French

August 10
L’orgasme sous toutes ses formes
In French