Thighs!

I've been patiently waiting for a new social media meme to come along that I an jump on and here it is. Well, to be fair, I'm not quite sure if this is in meme territory or whether if is should just be thought of as a viral trend but, either way, I'm going with it! 

For the last couple of days, there have been three things trending constantly for me on Twitter; Willy Wonka / Oompa Loompa, Christian Horner / Geri (he's a fucking cunt, by the way) and thighs. I can't really get involved in the first two but the third one is right up my alley!

So here you... Thighs! 

(For some reason, Twitter won't let me embed the tweet so I'll just share the gif instead. That was it... the gif and "Thighs")

When I quoted tweeted the original tweet that started this craze, I wasn't expected anyone to follow the instructions in responding to it. I thought that it was just the done thing to include for reference of why I was sharing my thighs with everyone.

Nevertheless, it only took a few minutes before I got my very first "Hell yeah", which actually took me completely by surprise. A few more followed after that, which made me very happy, even if I am, as of writing this, a couple short of the target set by the original tweet.

I just appreciate each and every "Hell yeah" that I did get.

Adorably lewd

Oh my gosh, you guys! Look what I found being given away for free!

These are the cutest little lewd critters ever and I'm so excited to have two of my own now. And even better, I didn't even need to smuggle either of them out of The Library.

Now I just need to find somewhere suitable for them to live in my home. Maybe guarding my collection of naughty little toys...

I suppose I should give each of them a name as well, but that will require some careful thought!

Slut Talk Live

As a podcaster myself, I was very intrigued when I saw an advert for a live podcast named Slut Talk Live advertised on Twitter this afternoon. I was very keen to see what it was all about so I made sure to make a note of the start time so I could drop in as an audience member.

It's the first time I've come across this show so it's unclear to me how long it may have been running for. The vibe I got from the advert was that it was pretty new, maybe in debuting today. I'm not any the wiser about that now, although it definitely seemed like it wasn't the first episode.

To be honest, I thought it was a slightly questionable time for the podcast to be hosted; Friday evening for Europe and Lunchtime for the U.S. For that reason, I was pretty surprised by how many audience member were there when I arrived. I'm not sure what the peak was but it was over 40 when I checked, which is good going, if you ask me.

From the general chatter I picked up on, it seemed like it was a pretty U.S. dominated crowd, which makes sense. Like I said, it was Friday evening over here in Europe, which is obviously prime time for going on a night out to blow off some steam at the end of the week. Furthermore, both hosts, as well as their guest, were all American so that may explain why this was the first I was hearing off it.

So what did I make of Slut Talk Live?

Starting with the good; like I said there was a healthy audience in-attendance. The hosts were also very enthusiastic. Most impressive was their guest though. I missed her name but she is someone who is a misstress for hire and has worked taking calls on a sex line. Her willingness and ability to carry a conversation and give expansive answers really did carry the show at times.

The live aspect of the show was also fun, allowing the hosts and guest to interact with the crowd. That allowed them to include a few sections based around crowd participation. 

In the first of those sections, a crowd member was invited up on stage to do some live roleplay with the guest. Interestingly, it wss RadaghastWolf, who you may remember appeared as a guest on the BDSM-themed episode of Text-To-Speech Podcast. Seems like he is ticking off appearances on all of the podcasts!

In another section of the show, they played Two Truths and One Lie, with the guest providing 3 tails of her sexual deeds and the crowd and hosts trying to decide with one was the lie. The first story she gave was quite lengthy and detailed, whereas the two that followed were much shorter and somewhat lacking in details by comparison. That made me quite suspicious that she was putting more effort into making the lie believable, even if I felt like the situation was probably the most realistic. My suspicion was ill-founded though, with the second story actually being the lie.

And the other portion of the show that involved the audience was a simple Q&A section. This section actually tees up talking about things that they could improve for future shows quite nicely because, if I'm being brutally honest, if was pretty chaotic with the hosts struggling to keep up with the questions. I feel like this is where they really needed some assistance, ideally from an off-mic producer who could be keeping track of the questions and then passing them along to the hosts at an appropriate time.

A producer could also help with the general pacing and flow of the show. There were times that there were awkward silences, hosts talking over one another  or where, although there was some planned questions, there wasn't a clear flow to the conversation. The speaking ability of the guest that I mentioned earlier, certainly bailed them out a few times due to her just being able to step in and keep things flowing. Again, this is where I feel having someone off-mic, feeding them prompts or focussing on being more mindful of the flow of the chat, could really improve the show.

One other improvement that absolutely needs to be made if the show is going to be on-going is to the sound quality. Once again, the show's guest got this spot on but both of the host's had very poor microphone audio. Improving that should be a non-negotiable. 

Especially since, at one point, one of the hosts seemed to suggest that the show was also being broadcast online. Whilst the guest and RadaghastWolf were performing som sex acts on-stage, she said something along the lines of "for the benefit of those who are not here in person" and then described what was happening. 

If it is available online, I'd be very interested to know where that is. Although it was a bit of a mixed bag, I would say that it is well worth checking out if you are a podcast enjoyer and like lewd chat. It's just a pity that I can't tell you how to do that except for turning up in person to sit in the audience.

Seasonal events done right

During last week's rant about how to properly theme a community event, I mentioned how it had been done much better for last year's Halloween party and how I never got roung to posting anything about it at the time.

As a quicker reminder, that was during a break that I was taking to address a poor mental health situation that I was dealing with but I was very keen to make a one-off return just for that event. Of course, I took loads and loads of pics. None of them ever got posted though. 

At the time, I didn't want to immediately post them because I felt that that might give peeps the false impression that I'd returned from my break. My intention instead was to post them as soon as I genuinely did return, which ended up being over a month later. However, that meant that we'd already slipped into Christmas territory and that then dominated all of my posts going forwards. So the Halloween event kind of got forgotten about.

So, I feel like this is the ideal time to dig up that one and cast a nostalgic eye back to a fun event, which should have acted as a good template for how future community events could be organised.

However, as you can probably imagine, it's difficult to recollect the exact details of what I personally got up to at a party that happened over 4 months ago. For that reason, I won't even attempt to give my usual full rundown of the event. Instead I'll just highlight some of the things that I felt were well done by the organisers.

Well, before that, I should mention that I did join in the dressing up fun. I decided to go back to the well of outfits that I know from past experience, and picked a sexy Freddy Kruger as my outfit. I like that one because it's fairly easy to pull off and fits nice with the horror them of Halloween. Also, did I mention that it was sexy? Oh, I did? Obviously that means I didn't quite go the whole hog by wearing a mask or make-up to reproduce Freddy's burn scars but whatever.

And that leads nicely into mentioning how good the general level of costumes and cosplays were. Not only were all the outfits really good, but there was also a really high percentage of party-goers who choose to took part. It was a really fucking good effort on everyone's part and demonstrates how guests should be encouraged to embrace the event theme.

Presumably, part of the reason that there was such good participation in dressing up was that the organisers were running a costume competition. Two areas were reserved for a pair of official photographers to take photos of guests who wanted to enter the competition. And, let me tell, you judging by the length of the two queues for the photographers, a hell of a lot of guests wanted to take part.

All of the official photos were then posted on social media for the community to vote on to pick the winners.

This then circles back to what I was saying about my own outfit, because I saw a few others there dressed as Freddy Kruger. That was a little disappointing as I like to be original and unique, although I feel like my look was at least as good as all of them and definitely a lot sexier.

That said, there was one that was very cool and I was very pleased to see that he had entered the costume competition. I will happily disclose that he got one of my photos. And, if my memory is correct, he managed to pick up one of the Top 3 prizes, so that was a vote well spent

So yeah, that was a very good way to embrace the event theme and generate easy guest engagement. Future event organisers should definitely take note.

if the competition wasn't enough to generate some buzz around the theme, the venue also did a very good job. All the sorts of decoration that you would expect to find at a Halloween event were spotted around the venue. 

We had spider-webs with giant spiders, piles of pumpkins, coffins, rows of gallows, spooky houses, random faux dismembered limbs and probably other things that I can't remember.

Also, there were plenty of food and drinks options. Very important stuff for a big party. Bonus points for all the burgers and hotdogs being flam grilled. With Halloweens close proximity to Bonfire Night, those two have always kind of gone hand in hand for me so I do like a fire element being brought to my Halloween.

And there you go; that's about all I can recall of the party, but I think you get the general drift and clearly see how much better the theming was than for the Valentine's Day party.

For the singles

To all the singles out there on Singles Appreication Day, a reminder that YOU matter too!

And don't forget to love yourself!

Doing it the right way

I was hoping to get an early night yesterday because I've not been getting enough sleep recently and that has left me feeling pretty shitty. That had to go on hold though when I saw someone from Frostverse advertising for kissers to be stationed at a kissing booth.

Given my recent rant about how something like this was a must for the community event but completely overlooked, I felt compelled to make a flying visit to Frostverse's party to check it out for myself.

And I'm glad I did. Not only was did they have a kissing booth, but they also had a giant heart for couples to pose by. In other words, two of the things that I lambasted the community event for not having despite them being common sense additions.

Ok, someone from Frostverse could have seen my post and taken inspiration from it, then hastily added those activities to their party but I think that is rather unlikely. I tend to think that they just took the time to consider the theme of the party and then dress their venue accordingly in order to support that theme. I mean, it's not rocket science people!

What's more, they even when to the effort to arrange a schedule for the kissers at the booth to ensure that it was properly manned at all times! This is the sort of details that events planners should be thinking about and I 100% applaud them for doing so.

Plus they were running some sort of competition for guests to become Prom King and Queen. I didn't catch the details of it but wanted to highlight it as yet another example of how to broaden the party experience beyond just dancing and drinking.

Moral of the story - think more about how to create an engaging guest experience than how you are going to try to pump your numbers with a flashy but superficial venue. 

Oh, and one final thing; they actually had thematically appropriate music. I only caught a few tunes but walking in to some Depeche Mode immediately got me onside. Top job guys!

Wrap It Up

OK, I'll address the elephant in the room first... Yes, I know that today is a very popular romantic occasion but I'm not interested in delving deeper into that. Instead I want to highlight something that will no doubt be completely overshadowed by hearts and cupids but is infinitely more important.

In a world where relationships take on various forms and expressions, one aspect remains constant—the importance of safe sex. One of the most effective tools in practicing safe sex is the proper and consistent use of condoms, something that National Condom Day aims to promote wider use of.

The accessibility, affordability and ease of use of condoms makes them an ideal choice for couples and individuals looking for a convenient and reliable method of birth control. By preventing unintended pregnancies, condoms empower individuals to plan and manage their reproductive choices, fostering a sense of control and responsibility in intimate relationships.

While there are various contraceptive methods available, condoms offer a dual benefit—they act as a contraceptive barrier and protect against STIs simultaneously. By creating a physical barrier during sexual intercourse, they are highly effective in preventing the exchange of bodily fluids, which can transmit STIs, including HIV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis. For this reason, condoms are especially critical when engaging in sexual intercourse outside of the security of a stable relationship where there is familiarity with a partner's sexual history.

Despite the proven efficacy of condoms, there still exists a stigma and misinformation surrounding their use. Some individuals may perceive condoms as interruptive or uncomfortable, while others may believe in myths about their effectiveness. It is crucial to address these misconceptions and foster a culture that recognizes the importance of condoms in promoting sexual health.

What's more, the use of condoms goes beyond the physical aspect of protection. Something that is often overlooked is that condom also promotes open communication and consent within sexual encounters. Discussing and agreeing on condom use with a partner demonstrates a commitment to mutual well-being and safety. This conversation can enhance trust and understanding, creating a foundation for a healthy and communicative relationship.

Furthermore, the act of using condoms is a tangible expression of consent. Both partners actively participate in safeguarding their health and each other's, fostering an environment of respect and responsibility. 

Another aspect of the importance of condom use is its inclusivity and accessibility. Condoms are available in various sizes, textures, and materials, catering to diverse preferences and sensitivities. This inclusivity ensures that individuals can find a suitable option that aligns with their needs, promoting comfort and satisfaction during sexual activity.

So there you go; the importance of condom use in practicing safe sex cannot be overstated - both in terms of being a versatile tool in protecting against unwanted pregnancies and STIs, but also in communicating consent and respect.

As we navigate the complexities of modern relationships, incorporating condoms into our intimate practices is a responsible and empowering choice. It is a commitment to both our own health and the health of our sexual partners.

Where is the love?

This is not the party report that I wanted to write. It is the report that I have to write though. It fucking pisses me off that I have to be negative because that's not the sort of content that I want to share. Sometimes you simply have to call a spade a spade though, otherwise nothing will ever change. And I take no joy in this because I know that there will have been people that poured hours and hours of hard work into preparing this. Anyway, here we go...

Valentine's Day should be one of the easiest events of the year to put on a community-wide event for, especially within a community that is built around sex and relationships. So quite how the organisers of this one managed to fail quite so spectacularly to embrace that theme is quite beyond.

Maybe it shouldn't come as a surprise as I have lamented in the last few reviews of these mega-parties that they seemed to be on a downward spiral. So many of the things that were great about the early parties had fallen by the wayside.

But this one was on a whole other level because, ultimately, it was nothing more than a generic dance party. If you hadn't of seen the invite posters, that was absolutely nothing about it to tell you that it was for Valentine's Day.

Like, if you close your eyes for a moment and describe what comes to your mind's eye at the mention of Valentine's Day, I'm sure you will think of hearts and cupids. The cupids will often be styled after Eros, the Greek God of Love, and, by extension of that, a classic Greek aesthetic may also come to mind. 

So why the flying fuck was this party held in futuristic space cavern? It's like literally zero thought had been put into it other than "can we make a really impressive room that we can cram as many bodies into as possible?". The answer to that is yes but it completely misses the point.

And what makes it infinitely worse is that no consideration was given towards guest experience. This was an event entirely about getting as many people to attend as possible and not giving a shot about what they did once they arrived. Which is exactly why I have to call this bullshit out. Because, from an organiser's point of view, this event can be seen as a massive success on account of the huge crowd it drew, which will just lead to them putting on more and more events like this. 

From a guest's point of view though, it was style over substance. There was nothing to enjoy about this event at all.

If you think back to my report from the previous events, you may recall that the best ones all have some really interesting points of guest engagement. Activities that guest can take part into make the event a memorable experience. Think about the red carpet photo ops. Think about cosplay competitions. Think about Father Christmas meet and greets. Well, there was none of that this time.

It only takes a cursory glance at social media to notice that we are part of a community that is fucking obsessed with taking photos. The Lovense events had the red carpet experience that I just mentioned, as well as giant toy displays that guests could pose on. The Halloween event had a cosplay photo competition where guests could queue to have photos taken by official photographers. Christmas events had a Father Christmas, his elves and a sleigh that you could pose with.

But what photo ops did this event have? Were there official cupids that you could pose with for a quick pic? No! Was there a giant heart that couples could pose in front of? Nope!

And what makes this even more baffling is that there was an official competition to submit photos that were taken at the party along with some sort of romantic comment. How is that possible when there wasn't even the hint of love and romance about the party. No suitable displays to pose in front of. No themed areas where singles like me could go to try to meet other singles. No private areas for horny couples to go and fuck. 

I mean, the possibilities are endless... what about a speed dating area where singles could congregate to meet new people? I already mentioned photo opportunities such as displays and roaming cupids but i will say it again... there need to be official cupids acting as greeters and photo ops. Then you could also dedicate at least a small portion of the musical offerings to romantic slowdance opportunities. The list goes on...

Instead, there was literally nothing to do at this event except dance or sit at a bar. And dancing really wasn't an option for me as I have zero interest in the randomly inappropriate dance soundtrack. It seems like such a basic consideration; having music that evokes feelings of love and romance. Instead we got generic trance. Add that to the list of elements that had no tie to the theme. Loving and romantic, those tunes were not. 

A feeling of love was definitely not in the air tonight. In point of fact, the most romantic thing I saw all night was Emmy and Kemistry making out as I was heading for the exit.

And, as for me,  it's sad to say that the most noteworthy thing that I managed to do while there was to purchase a lollipop. I kid you not! And that's why I managed to hang around for barely an hour before getting fed up with the sorry state of affairs, and that was only because I managed to catch Jess before she had to leave. 

Apparently I'm not the only one that struggled to maintain aby sort of interest. With each passing event, celebs Gizmo and Lisa seem to show less and less enthusiasm for hanging around at these events to meet and greet fans. I don't recall seeing either of them at the recent Christmas party and I only saw Gizmo at this one for a very short while. So short, that I didn't even manage to sneak a quick picture of him.

I'm sure that I could continue to pick more holes in this event if I had the enthusiasm. But, just like when during my short appearance there, my interest in it has already run out. 

So, in closing, I will just say this; I hope that for future events, and I do hope that they continue to put on community events, I hope the organisers spend less time preaching on social media about what sort of guests are valid and how they should behave, and more time on actually creating an event that is relevant to the theme and provides some sort of memory experience to guest beyond the pain of being in such a crowded room.

Rant over...