Archive for the ‘Sex Issue’ Category

Sleeping with the stars: Your advanced guide to which attainable celebrities should be on your to-do list

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Matt Karlan and Cecilia Razak
Scott Bressler

Hey, typical Wash. U. student: Are you nonplussed about your body image? Depressed that your looks may range somewhere between sub-par and frumpy? Well, “The Insider’s Guide to Colleges” says that Wash. U. undergraduates call themselves a “moderate to very attractive student body.”

Oh, my, it seems you’re all in denial. Well, that’s simply not healthy at all.

But for those of you who have faced the truth, you homely realists, all is not lost. You may be thinking to yourself, “I have jowls, unsightly sweating patterns and a rigid hunch like a diving board. I would never have a chance with my favorite celebrity.” Well, this is all very true. But hold on there, funny Valentine; that doesn’t mean every celebrity is off limits. I mean, you’ve got some redeeming qualities. You’re unbeatable at Halo, you have an impressive ensemble of North Face jackets and your score on the ACTs was in the upper percentiles (though only a few points shy of your BMI).

So, as a guide to bedding that famous beau, here’s a list of the most attainable celebrities around. If you happen to see any of these homely personalities while getting your unibrow styled or picking up a quart of frozen yogurt to down before noon, you are welcome to hit on them without being maced. In fact, you could probably sleep with them by the end of the day on their futon made of residual checks.

The cast of “Sex and the City,” excluding Kristin Davis (the hot brunette)

A secret of the trade: The acting on this show seemed so authentic because it wasn’t acting. The leading men and women were actually used to scoring members of the opposite sex with facial abnormalities. I have always been flummoxed by the drawing power of watching horse-faced, plastic surgery ridden ladies get their jollies, but it does instill some hope that there’s a whole stable of actors out there who would get with anyone who owns an apartment on the upper east side.

Randy Quaid

Randy Quaid, also known as the less-hot Quaid, the poor-man’s Quaid and “not Dennis,” seems like a likable guy. He seems fairly personable. And he seems passably attractive. I would jump on him as soon as Dennis turned me down, just to prove a point.

Christopher Lloyd

The man who brought us the time-traveling Delorean could never be a has-been, but he still can be had. As the wild-haired Doc, the no-haired Uncle Fester and the hat-haired Al in “Angels in the Outfield,” Christopher Lloyd is not just an icon-he’s a dish in any dimension, and with all those hair mishaps, an attainable one. “Great Scott, Marty, let’s take that co-ed Back… to the apartment!”

Jared (Fogle) from Subway, and the Verizon Guy

Your friends will certainly be impressed in hearing you were double teamed by these pillars of advertising. I’d imagine they would approach you at a bar or your local Subway restaurant and the Verizon Guy would ask, “Can you sleep with us now? Good.” Then you’d all go back to Jared’s house and jump in the sack, and, by sack, I mean Jared’s old pants. Jared would ask if you wanted a bite of his foot long. And you’d vow to never call them, which would be simple because Verizon has such shoddy coverage.

The 1.5 men who are not Charlie Sheen on “Two and a Half Men”

Gangly John Cryer and round young Angus T. Jones seem the perfect prey, so overshadowed by their famous counterpart that they might just jump on anything that tosses a bone their way-even a Wash. U. student.

DJ Jazzy Jeff

Even if he insists on doing it “Big Willie Style” and yelling out Tatyana Ali’s name at orgasm, you will get to meet Uncle Phil in the morning when he shows up to collect overdue rent money. “Man, parents just don’t understand I’m in the lowest tax bracket.”

Rick Moranis

I’d let Rick Moranis shrink me and launch me down a plastic ramp in a toy car any day. He could ravage me at the fifty-yard line after sending Icebox and Junior Floyd out for ice cream. Those domineering nerd glasses, combined with his fumbling hands and endearing stutter only make him more sextastic. Best of all, only he knows the specific anatomy of a person two inches tall, and therefore only he can hit all the right buttons.

Sneezy

Yes, yes, I know. “Sneezy?” you say. “I couldn’t get Sneezy if I were Brad Pitt. Hell, Snow White couldn’t even hit that, and she had skin as pale as Marcia Cross.” He may seem out of your league at first, but there’s a simple way to this dwarf’s heart: carry a box of tissues and a miniature bottle of Claritin, and he’ll be like nasal fluid in your hand.

Cookie Monster, The Count

In a similar vein, the Cookie Monster has a well-documented one-track mind. Tuck a package of Chips Ahoy away in your girdle-and they start with C, so they must be good enough for him. If, during coitus, you find yourself slightly left out while he pays special attention to the sweet treat’s chocolate chips, well, you’ll just have to wait. Hopefully the Count is nearby, and you can make sweet puppet love three times. Ah, ah, ah! One! two! three!

Rachel Dratch

Think Tina Fey is secretly hot? Well, secret’s out, because so does everyone else. Trust me, you aren’t the only one who thinks her scar is “actually quite cute.” But she’s really successful right now and out of your league, so go after her more asymmetric companion, Rachel Dratch. Sure, there ain’t nothing like the real thing, but hey, she’s cuter than Rob Schneider?

Tia and Tamara Mowry, Ben Savage, Dave Coulier

I actually saw Tamara Mowry at an all-you-can-eat $6 Thai buffet over the summer. (Yes, I can tell them apart.) Her boyfriend was some overweight, unemployed nobody. And she still looked in pretty good shape. Which made me realize that out-of-work former stars of family shows probably have such low self-esteem now that any schlub with $6 and a mode of transportation could get with them. And you could brag to all your friends that Cory Matthews said your body was sexier than Topanga’s. (Although, so is Seabiscuit’s.) “Hey, did Uncle Joey talk dirty in bed?” “Not really. He did a lot of impressions of Yosemite Sam and Popeye, though.”

Olive Oyl

Speaking of Popeye, if you’re incredibly jacked but have the face of a Doberman Pincher and the complexion of a poorly-played game of Battleship, then here’s your lady. She’ll be impressed by how much iron is in your system and how poorly proportioned you are. Just make sure to keep it gentle, she’s fragile and malnourished.

Program provides sex education, with a twist

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Ann Johnson

Some come for information, some come because they are required to and some come hoping to win sex toys.

Whatever the reason, every year students turn out for Sex in the Dark, a sex education program led by Paola “Poli” Rijos, Student Health Service’s Health Educator, for residential college and dormitory floors.

Sex in the Dark takes a question-and-answer approach to sexual education. Students are given the chance to write down or e-mail questions they have before the program. During the program, the lights are turned off in the room and the questions are answered.

“We turn off the lights because even though the questions are anonymous, people still might blush when they hear their question being answered,” said Rijos.

In theory, by fostering a sense of anonymity, students are more likely to ask questions about what they are really wondering, rather than being constricted by embarrassment.

In general, the event is tailored to make students feel comfortable.

“We avoid scare tactics,” said Rijos. “We also try to remind students that not everyone is having sex. It may seem that way, because the only things you’ll hear about sex are from the people who are having it and being loud about it. But there are just as many people who aren’t having sex and being quiet.”

According to data from the Student Life sex survey, nearly 54 percent of freshmen report being virgins; this is comparable to data in other surveys circulated prior to the Sex in the Dark program.

Many students are surprised when they hear statistics similar to this at their floor’s Sex in the Dark program, based on data collected from students on the floor.

“I’d thought that a lot more people were having sex,” said freshman Andie Sporck.

Because students have had a vast range of experience with sex education in high school, students’ reactions can vary from “nothing I hadn’t heard before” to surprise or shock over the frankness of the program.

“Sex in the Dark freaked me out. I can’t believe they raffled off vibrators and anal beads,” said one freshman, who said she’d never had such explicit sex education before and preferred not to be identified by name. “I didn’t even know what they were until Sex in the Dark. It made me feel uncomfortable-I thought it was a little inappropriate.”

Another student jokingly complained that the name “Sex in the Dark” was false advertising.

Even as it attempts to cater to students with different educational and life experiences, the program attempts to distinguish itself with a candid environment and humorous tools like a fake vagina dubbed Lola.

Almost all students interviewed, though, appreciated the realistic approach that Sex in the Dark took.

“I thought it was good because they understood that people are going to have sex, and they weren’t ignoring that,” said Michael Fazio, a freshman. “They were very honest and frank and realistic in their approach, and that was good.”

Josh Lalo, another freshman, agreed.

“It’s good to have a place to talk about [sex], for people to talk about their problems,” he said. “I liked how they were so open about everything, especially the people who weren’t afraid to answer questions with stories from their personal experience.”

By the end of the first semester, every freshman has had the chance to attend Sex in the Dark with their residential college.

Most take advantage of the opportunity, but several students didn’t attend citing tests, busy schedules or just lack of interest.

Top 10 Best songs to play while having sex

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | David Kaminsky

Everyone has one thing they hold most valuable when trying to set the proper mood for their sexual endeavors. For some it’s lighting, for others it’s obtaining the proper toys and foods, but for us at Cadenza, it’s ensuring that the music is just right. Thus, on this very special Valentine’s Day we are pleased to give you a list of 10 songs (in no specific order) and the situations in which they’ll best complement the sex you will be having.

1. Dave Matthews Band – “Crash” (First 30 seconds or so)

I know what you’re thinking. This is a sexy song. I suppose you could easily find that to be true. But what I find most fitting about it is the way in which it helps draw the comparison between the first time you had sex and the first time you took the family car out for a spin after getting your license.”crash.” And you thought you were so prepared.

2. Radiohead – “Everything in its Right Place”

While the lyrics don’t actually mean anything, this song is compelling to the point of being mesmerizing. This is a great track for the really romantic as it reminds those engaged in the sexual act that truly “everything is in its right place.”

3. Ratatat – “Wildcat”

Feeling frisky? This is the track for you. “Wildcat” features a sound sample of an actual, well.wildcat, mixed in with the electronic-instrumentals with which Ratatat creates its groove. This is one in which you can get into the rhythm without having to lose that extra intensity.

4. The Early November – “I Want to Hear You Sad”

“I Want to Hear You Sad” is emo at its best. Poppy and catchy as can be while being intensely bitter. Thus, it’s perfect for hate sex. For best effect use strangulation as your kink of choice during this sex session and add force during the chorus as singer Ace Enders belts out, “For all of this, I’m better off without you.”

5. The Faint – “Worked Up So Sexual”

A pulsing electronic beat with grotesquely sexual lyrics. This one works in any situation.

6. Her Space Holiday – “The Luxury of Loneliness”

The Postal Service-style electronic beats with more sullen vocals. This one’s perfect for a lonely, wistful boning, as the whole time it reminds you to ask yourself why you’re even having sex with that person in the first place. The empty feeling you’ll have inside before having sex to this song will not compare to that which you’ll have after.

7. Justice – “D.A.N.C.E.”

If sex for you is a party then this is a great one. Sync to the beat in your thrusting/bouncing to truly get into the groove.

8. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – “Falling Slowly”

This sweet sentimental little ditty sung by two lovers (with a 20-year age difference between them, kind of gross, I know) is one to set the mood after the next date at the movies seeing a romantic comedy.

9. Stars – “Heart”

Somewhat sad and somewhat sweet all at the same time, “Heart” is a good one for more calm occasions as well as, in particular, for make-up sex. Take comfort as the duo of Torquil Campbell and Amy Milan sing to you in the chorus, “I’m still in love with you.” Now that’s nice.

10. TV on the Radio – “I Was a Lover”

“I Was a Lover” has a fantastic electronic drumbeat that one can sync to. That combined with the spacey feeling of the horn parts make it a good song to jive to when trying to get that special feeling.

The real reason Olympic athletes are fit

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Josh Goldman
MCT

Every two years, a rare phenomenon occurs, affecting companies such as Trojan, Durex and, starting in August, the Guilin Latex Factory. With the arrival of the Beijing Olympics, the Olympic Village will replace college campuses worldwide as the sexual epicenter of the world.

If this year’s Olympics follow the trend seen in Sydney, Salt Lake City and Athens, China will experience an exponential increase in sexual activity.

For the Athens games, the Olympic committee ordered 130,000 condoms and 30,000 tubes of lubricant from Durex, the official condom and lubricant sponsor of the 2004 games; each athlete received 12 condoms for the two-week-long games.

“As the official supplier of condoms and lubricants, we hope the donation will help athletes improve their achievements between the sheets,” stated a Durex mouthpiece to ESPN.com staff writer Jeff Merron in an August 11, 2004 article.

At Sydney in 2000, athletes only received about five condoms to start the games, so if the 41.67 percent increase from Sydney to Athens holds true, officials in Beijing will need to order 178,500 condoms (17 per athlete) and more than 42,000 tubes of lubricant.

With Guilin Latex Factory, China’s largest condom vendor, virtually a lock to sponsor the condoms for the 2008 Olympics, other companies have started selling products tailored to attract not only the athletes but also the fans and tourists who will be in Beijing.

The Chinese auction site Taobao is selling condoms bearing one of the five Fuwa Olympic mascots for eight yuan ($1.11), and the auction site Paipai is selling Olympic ring-colored sex beads bearing the five colors of the Beijing games.

“The anal beads are spherical, but multifaceted for your intense stimulation,” reads the ad for the beads upon their release into the public market.

The fact the Olympic athletes engage in sexual activity during their entire stay at the Olympics raises the question of whether sex negatively influences the athletes. Many coaches forbid sexual contact by their players during any moments of intense competition, such as the Olympics or the NFL playoffs, and Eva Longoria withheld herself from husband and San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker during the 2007 NBA finals.

While Parker played great and helped his team win the title, many doctors and psychologists disagree with the theory that sex hinders athletic performance. Emphasizing that sex allows athletes to relieve stress and to expel extra energy that would hinder their concentration on the field or court, some doctors have even encouraged athletes to have sex the night before an event.

Additionally, ejaculation actually raises testosterone levels in men, which may benefit sprinters, boxers and other sportsmen who must have as much energy as possible when competing.

While athletes and coaches may worry about fatigue in the legs due to sex, doctors claim that no scientific proof exists to support this claim, citing that sex only burns around 50 calories. Supporting the claim that sex can help athletic performance, Bob Beamon shattered the long jump record by almost two feet at the 1968 Olympics after having sex the previous night.

“There is no proven effect on athletic performance, either positive or negative, of sexual activity prior to an athletic event,” stated Dr. Alan Glass, director of the Habif Health and Wellness Center.

“There is no evidence that demonstrated that sex can hurt an athlete’s performance,” said Paola Rijos, health educator at the Habif Center. “According to the National Geographic, scientists do not believe that sex the night before a sporting event has a tiring effect. They also add that sex does not weaken the athletes’ muscles. The psychological affects are still unclear. It’s important to know that scientists stress athletes should not try anything new the night before a competition.”

Of course, most of the athletes who are expected to contend for metals do abstain during the games, but the majority of Olympic athletes, often called Olympic tourists, come not only to win but also to meet other beautiful, fit individuals and cannot help sleeping with their compatriots.

Accordingly, the Chinese government has already begun taking precautions against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and has ordered all Beijing hotels to supply guests with free condoms beginning this year.

The games will likely receive another key component to the sex trade starting with the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Prostitutes in the area are attempting to organize co-op brothels for the spectators in an effort to tie sex even closer to the Olympics and give fans the opportunity to live the games like the majority of the athletes whom they are watching.

As in Sydney, owners will be sure to expand their brothels and include handicapped accessible venues and prostitutes from all four corners of the globe will convene for the games.

While Wash. U. provides a sizeable supply of condoms, the horny young adult crowd pales in comparison to the horny beautiful members of the Olympic Village.

According to Student Health Services, the University orders 40,000 condoms for distribution, coming out to between six and seven per person.

The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) has a separate program from Student Health Services, called “We’ve Got You Covered.” The goal of the “We’ve Got You Covered” campaign is to promote safer sex by providing students with free, reliable access to both contraception and sexual health information. This is accomplished by providing participating residence halls with “safer sex packets,” which contain 20 envelopes with two condoms and optional sexual health fact sheets. SHAC refills the packets once a month. The campaign is supported by Student Union, Residential Life and Student Health Services.

‘Lost Girls:’ Sex, fairytales and the graphic novel

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Beth Ochoa

Graphic novelist Alan Moore may be most famous for “V for Vendetta” and “Watchmen” but neither offers the sex appeal of his racy graphic novel, “Lost Girls.” He takes a down and dirty approach to some of children’s literature’s most beloved characters and in a way that catapults him from the depths of naughty fan fiction into the world of published art.

The graphic novel tells the tale of three middle-aged women meeting at an European hotel. Each woman, Wendy, Dorothy and Alice, confides in the others about the strange nature of their sexual awakenings as children. Each had made up a fantasy-land that helped them confront their complex emotional states.

As a child, Wendy met a boy named Peter in the park and he and his other homeless friends expose her to the wonders of sex. She later confronts a man with a crippled hand that appears very hook-like, whose actions both turn her on and scare her.

Dorothy’s story is that of a sex-fueled girl from Kansas. Her sexual awakening begins when she is caught in a tornado and begins to masturbate (it makes more sense in context). After the tornado has settled, she takes it upon herself to have sex with every man who works on her farm.

Alice’s story is the most believable of all. When she is still a child a twitchy family friend called Bunny sexually assaults Alice. During the act, she imagines herself looking in a mirror watching another version of herself. This detachment from reality is surprisingly naturalistic, and nicely ties into the fairy tale we all know so well. As you may have guessed, these are not wholly original characters. Moore has taken these children’s stories that are all so universally known and suggests a sexual explanation for the obvious metaphors about growing up. How do the Queen of Hearts, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Lost Boys, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow fit in? The answer is simple: in sexy, sexy ways.

Gaining wide publicity not only for issues with copyright infringement but also with the wide variety of paraphilias-from zoophilia to katoptronophilia (paraphilia for mirrors)-“Lost Girls” is worth reading if only for the controversial elements.

But it offers a lot more than that. Each woman must deal with evolving sexuality and their past, which all have kept secret until they meet each other.

The most controversial aspect of “Lost Girls” is the depiction of minors having sex. Legally, the decision was made that if no children were harmed or used in the production, then it cannot be child pornography. Oddly, Moore addresses this concern head on in chapter 22 when characters read a book that illustrates incestuous sex. One character exclaims, “And then children: how outrageous! How old can they be?” The response is, “Eleven? Twelve? It is quite monstrous except that they are fictions, as old as the page they appear upon, no less, no more. Fact and fiction: only madmen and magistrates cannot discriminate between them.”

Moore confronts the issue of depicting children in sexual situations directly by having his characters moralize the very issue he knows will face his own book on release. He goes on to take a little meta-fictional jab at the issue by having the same character make this confession in the next panel. “And since Helena, who I just f***ed, is only thirteen, I am very guilty.” Moore uses humor to address and then dismiss what is a very serious concern.

Overall, the issue of illustrated child pornography is inexorably linked with this graphic novel. More attention should be given to the way Moore weaves together well-known fairy tales with the ‘real life events’ which caused the girls to make up the stories. The girls’ first sexual experiences were in many ways scarring and so they transformed them into elaborate stories.

“Lost Girls” offers one of the best graphic novel authors working in the genre of erotica withut sacrificing his tendencies towards metaphor and allusion.

Student Life Sex Survey 2008

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Josh Goldman
Scott Bressler

Ahh. Another year, another Sex Issue survey. While the results vary each year, the main purpose of survey remains constant: to discover students’ expectations, experiences and opinions on relationships and sex.

However, there were some notable changes made this year. 2008 marked the first time Student Life conducted the survey online, leading to an unprecedented 1550 undergraduate responses collected. The survey has a theoretical margin of error of two percent.

We also sorted some of the data based on gender, relationship status and other factors to see if there were any interesting delineations. However, no generalizations were made based on sexual orientation because the number of respondents who chose options other than heterosexual was too low to supply sufficient data for an accurate analysis.

Data complied by David Brody and Shweta Murthi
Graphic design by Joe Rigodanzo and Anna Dinndorf












Playing with your food

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Lucy Moore
Scott Bressler

All photos by Lucy Moore

Chocolate sauce, a more processed form of the well-known aphrodisiac, can be used to enhance your sex life, or even move you toward, as Marvin Gaye put it, a “sexual healing.”

Instead of the typical candy heart, try writing your love notes in the form of frozen corn. Actually, don’t. But do be creative with food; it can be a fun way to turn on your partner.

When using whipped cream to adorn the stomach, make sure you take it out of the fridge first so its not too cold. While we choose to use it as an advertisement, you should use it to your advantage-lick it off seductively, or even hum and kiss it off, creating warm vibrations on your partner’s tummy.

The greatest thing about intergrating foods like whipped cream and chocolate sauce into your intimate life: getting to eat it afterwards. Yum.

Watch out! While whipped cream is fun, it can get messy. Make sure, if you choose to dive inside the world of food+fun, that you prepare for its consequences.

Will you marry me?

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Eric Rosenbaum

The coat just sat there. Her boyfriend was in the gas station. To keep from peeking in his pocket, Missouri State University junior Kenvie Fischer had to play with a baseball she found on the ground.

She had no idea where they were going, but she had an idea of what might happen there.

She and Ben Hurst had been dating on and off since he was in eighth grade and she was in seventh.

“We started dating [again] at the end of April,” said Hurst. “Three weeks later, I went ring shopping.”

He knew how he would do it. He would pretend to tie a bow on her dress to get on one knee. He would give her flowers with a card that read, “Say yes.”

But while the question of “whether” was easy, the question of “where” was more difficult. He finally found a company called the Fremont Dinner Train. The owners renovated four 1940s train cars into moving restaurants which circle around 18 miles of scenic landscape in Fremont, Neb.

Location is often the most important factor for men who are proposing, according to Father Gary Braun of the Catholic Student Center.

“Most of the time they pick a place with a common significance,” said Braun.

For instance, about eight times in the past 16 years, students who met in the Catholic Student Center also became engaged there. One man met his wife at his adult baptism; she was the liturgical dancer for the ceremony. He proposed two months ago.

Not surprisingly, Father Braun has never proposed himself. But he does assist with many proposals every year. He sees enough proposals to recognize the patterns.

“There are always tons of tears,” he said. “Tons of tears.”

He has such a reputation in the marriage department that sometimes he gets unexpected requests.

Four years ago, a Jewish student called him. He had met his girlfriend at Washington University and had heard about Father Braun.

“I’d like to propose to her at the top of Brookings Tower,” said Allen Mattison. “I heard that if anybody could do this, it was you.”

Braun did in fact help Mattison, pull it off. Braun set up a table with wine at the center of the roof and left the door unlocked; that way the groom-to-be could pretend that he found it unlocked while he and his girlfriend were exploring the building.

At a certain point, the new fiancés both looked over the edge, and Braun was waiting to take their picture from the bottom.

But while men seem to be primarily concerned with the beauty or significance of the place, women are more concerned with timing.

“I know 20 to 30 couples where the woman proposed first,” said Braun, “and almost always it was a perfect moment rather than a perfect place.”

There is also a third option. Some couples go for the event, the spectacle. Braun remembers one Washington University couple, for instance, who shimmied up the drainpipe of the Athletic Complex and proposed at the top.

A New York medical student Yaron Markfeld also chose an unusual proposal.

His fiancée, law school student Natalie Benhamou, remembers not wanting to go to her Entertainment Law class on the day of a guest speaker. Her teachers were the lawyers who represent the rapper Nelly, and a friend convinced her to attend by saying that Nelly himself might show up.

Near the end of class, the teacher stopped the actual speakers, who were in fact record producers, to introduce another guest speaker. Before Markfeld walked out, Benhamou thought, “Oh my God, it’s actually Nelly!” She couldn’t have guessed what would actually happen.

In the end, there is not much I can say about how to propose. It’s done in almost any way you can imagine, any place, any time. There is not a lot in common from proposal to proposal.

But I can say one thing, based on the advice of Father Braun: bring some tissues.

Father Gary Braun’s “Top Ten Most Romantic (and Free!) Places to Propose in St. Louis”

1) The bluffs over the Missouri River, off the Lewis and Clark trail

2) The far end of Forest Park, under a weeping willow

3) The top of the smaller sledding hill in Forest Park, over the waterfall

4) Anywhere in Laumeier Sculpture Park

5) The backyard hammock of the Catholic Student Center

6) Danforth Plaza in front of Brookings

7) The Southeast corner of the lake at Art Hill

8) Anywhere in Queeny Park

9) Cathedral Basilica

10) Toss up: either the Chain of Rocks Bridge or the Art Museum. The problem with the Art Museum is that you have to whisper.

The 7 Deadly Sins

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Lucy Moore
Scott Bressler

While everyone is cozying up with their significant other this Valentine’s Day, it is worth remembering the Seven Deadly Sins and the dangers they pose to the debonnaire young man.

All photos by Lionel Sobehart

lust

Remember, you were created with two heads, but not enough blood to use both at the same time. Make good choices.

wrath

Beware the wrath of a woman scorned, especially when she’s wearing stilettos.

sloth

If you can’t get up, you’ll never get down. You can lie around in bed all day, but remember, it takes two to tango.

envy

You can look but you can’t touch. Well, you can, but don’t get caught.

pride

If you put yourself on a pedestal, it will be all the easier to get knocked down.

gluttony

Everything in moderation, except the fun stuff.

greed

Stay away from gold diggers. Having that girl take your heart away is great, but don’t let her get away with your wallet, too.

Phone sex: A how-to guide for longing lovers

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Shayna Makaron and Tali Panken
Scott Bressler

She lay on the bed, spread eagle, one arm sultrily placed above her head, revealing every curve of her nearly naked body. The other hand slowly traced the line of her lace panties as she struggled to keep her heart from pounding out of her chest. Her mouth went dry as he said these words: I want to explore you, let my hands cover every inch of your body, although they might linger on some parts longer than others.

“Hold on, my mom’s on call waiting,” she responded, in the husky tone she had grown so used to.

Ahh, the infamous sexy phone conversation. Perhaps it was as uncomfortable for you to read as it was for us to write. Or perhaps you’re rather intrigued and turned on. Our purpose is to assure you that both mentalities are completely normal, but the latter can really spice up your life, if you know what we’re saying.

Why phone sex, you ask? Well, according to Facebook, 20 percent of people in the Wash. U. network are listed as “in a relationship,” and that’s not even including those of you who think you’re too cool to put up your relationship status. Undoubtedly, many of these are long-distance relationships, and it can get lonely when your significant other is 500 miles away (or sometimes even when they live on the other side of campus). We’re not here to judge; we’re here to help.

Like most sexual activities, the first time will probably be uncomfortable. So take a deep breath, relax your muscles, and lower your voice by at least half an octave before that first, “Hey baby, what are you wearing?”

Hopefully that first phrase will release a storm of passion and your pornographic alter ego will kick in. However, it is likely that your cheeks will flush and you will release little more than a nervous giggle. Don’t back down in the early stages of phone foreplay. It may help to use some of these default lines to get going and minimize the initial discomfort:

“I love it when you put your _____ all over my _____.”

“The taste of your _____ makes me want to ______.”

“I’m taking off my ______ and imagining that you’re nibbling on my _____.”

Think of it as a fun little game of Mad Libs, except it’s the special edition kind that gets you off. If you’re at a loss for words, a moan, sigh or gasp will usually do the trick. Be aware of just how enthusiastic you’re getting, though-you wouldn’t want your neighbors to call EST. Feel free to switch up the tense of your conversation, too. Many people like to use the present tense, but we’re personally fans of the conditional.

If this is just too much for you, you might consider starting out with IMs or text messages. There’s more time for planning and revising what you’re going to say, and it is less aggressive, as well. Be poetic, in that Walt Whitman kind of way.

On the other hand, maybe phone sex is just not enough. Our suggestion is to upgrade to using props during the act or perhaps video chat. If that doesn’t do it for you, seek professional help.

Last but not least, just because it isn’t actual intercourse doesn’t mean you don’t have to use protection. Make sure you lock your door.