Everybody just calm the fuck down!

I decided to jump on the current bandwagon, and instead of discussing the current, popular series The Hunger Games - even though it contains lots of violence, and throw my two cents into the online discussions on the just as violent but not in the same ways Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James.

Originally made as a Twilight fan fiction, this book has captured the attention (and lusty dreams) of women everywhere. Why not? It has sexy main characters, and more importantly lots of sex.

I started reading it as a lark. I wanted to see what all the fuss (both for and against) this book. Why were people in love with it? Why did people hate it? Being honest, I wanted a completely out there silly read and I wasn't disappointed. My favorite line in the book? "I don't make love, Anastasia. I fuck. Hard." So ridiculously bad it's good. It promises lots of sex, and it delivers.

It's easy to see the parallels between the main characters of this book and Twilight. Brooding, too handsome, powerful man. Klutzy, ordinary, doesn't know how beautiful she is woman that every other woman can identify with. And it has lots of sex. Kinky sex. Rough sex. Mmmm. Sex. Women love reading about sex as much as men love surfing the internet for weird porn.

The reason this book has polarized the erotic literary world is the Dominant / Submissive rolls depicted in this book. Women arguing that this books sets women's rights behind fifty years, women arguing that feminine power is all about the right to give that up to the person of their choosing, women arguing that unhealthy ideals about sexual power come from growing up in a society that forces them to be submissive. There's just a whole lotta arguing. Over sex. Fictional sex. Is that the most important thing we can do with our time these days?

What do I know about BDSM? It's "Safe, sane and consensual" sex, in which the submissive does hold their own power, despite how it looks outwardly. That it's about mutual respect, pushing boundaries, and it has its flaws too. Ultimately, whether you play in that realm or not, D/s sex is fun to think about. Obviously, or this book wouldn't be so wildly popular. So is all sorts of sex. Pirate sex, alien sex, werewolf sex, robot sex, public sex, gay sex, sex in cars, sex WITH cars, sea monster sex, lumberjack sex. Does that mean you want to be abducted by pirates, and made to have sex with lumberjacks in public? Not necessarily. (If you do - please call me!) One of the most popular types of erotic fiction being devoured is male on male sex. Women eat this up! Is it because they secretly want to be a gay man? Is it because they want to share their bed with two men more interested in each other than themselves? Or is it because women love romance and sex in all the various forms they can get their hands on? Sex and fantasy is fun. Just because so many women turned on by rough, dominating sex doesn't mean they want to give their free will up in a sexual contract. (Because seriously, it's just like marriage. Once you sign on the dotted line, all the fun is gone.) Fifty Shades of Grey succeeds in offering women a titillating view into a fantasy world, and that's as much that should be read into this books' popularity.

I love reading about true crime and serial killers and unicorns and zombies and (gasp!) yes, even zombie SEX. Does that mean I want to commit crimes and murders and turn myself into a zombie and have sex with other zombies? Of course not. That idea is preposterous. So why are so many people up in arms that so many women are having fun fantasizing about the D/s dynamic and rough sex? It could foster discussions about their own sexuality, desires, wants, and might even spice up the bedroom. Isn't that why we read erotica in the first place?

What harm is there in healthy fantasy? Absolutely none. The world should just calm the fuck down. I'm going back to my dungeon to read some more. Come join me when you're ready. Wear that sexy alien mask and bring my favorite flogger. I'll be waiting...

I Love Fluevog Shoes!

I'm rocking a funky bright red pair of John Fluevog mary jane shoes today, and decided to add John Fluevog to my twitter. And then got caught up in browing the beautiful shoes on their website. An hour later, I discovered their open source adverts. They put an open call on their website to designers to design a poster for a specific new launching shoe.

This makes sense - who better to advertise for them, than devoted fans? Why spend gobs of money on advertising when there's bound to be hundreds of graphic designers who would love the chance to take credit for designing one of their advertisements? I love the concept of bringing the company and the consumer together. If you win, you get the bragging rights of claiming you designed their ad. You also get a $1000 credit to their store. They get awesome ads, you get fame and shoes. It's win/win.

I looked at two styles that will be launching soon - both with a due date of August 31, and figured this will be my summer craft project. I don't have a LOT of spare time, but this shoe spoke to me, and I've practically got that money spent. The shoe I'll be designing an ad for is the On Course Portside shoe. It's funky and linear and will be the first pair I purchase with my money once I've won. Check it out: http://www.fluevog.com/code/fc_briefs.php?brief=20 (link goes to the design brief in case you want to be my competition for the ad)
Here are some other submissions: http://www.fluevog.com/code/fc_gallery.php?brief=19

May the best design win!

New Craft Project - another blog??

Okay, I know you think I've too much to do. You ALL have told me this. And despite quitting my second job, and limiting the number of committees and boards I sit on, you all STILL tell me that I'm way too busy. And now I have a new blog. Don't fret dear and faithful readers (all two of you!) I still love you and will post every few months or so still on the wonders of my world. But I've decided to write a blog all about the print industry. It's an effort to become the social media guru of Leduc. I am on FaceBook, my business is on Facebook. I am on Twitter, my business is on twitter. I have a blog, my business now has a blog. And besides, I spend more time on work, so it makes sense that I blog about work. And quite frankly, I still have a LOT to say. I NEED more ways to say it. So here it is. Please check it out for insights and updates in the print industry. It's a culmination of my entire life's work. Validate me. Please.
http://mmpleduc.blogspot.com/

And when you're bored reading both of my blogs, check me out on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/AlanaGueutal
I'm also on twitter: @MissG1978

I am a FanGirl! I am a GeekGirl!

I was at my "super professional" business group - of which I am the president, and started talking to a fellow member about my love of comic books and how I'm enjoying the sheer number of super hero movies coming to theatres this summer. He seemed surprised that I was such a geek girl. Really? Are people surprised to hear this? I have pictures of me with batman and wolverine (yum!) and I love comics and games. He seemed so surprised, that I couldn't help but open my briefcase to reveal a copy of Portal 2. Hardcore geek, y'all. I'm amazed to find out that people don't suspect I have this side to me.

I have such an impressive geek side - this post is dedicated to GEEK CRAFTS! Namely star trek. Check out the awesome star trek knit crafts. Makes me want to break out my needles. Knit one, purl two... Check out the awesome details - especially in the dolls. You can literally tell who they are by the faces! I want a set to live on my bed!! Yep. Super geeky to the core.

Short skirts, long jackets

This winter had been so long and so cold and so depressing. I'm certainly glad to see the sun, and even on not so warm spring days, and days where the wind is blowing, I'm so appreciative of the sun and lack of snow, I can barely contain my smug satisfaction. Ha, winter. You thought you won, but you didn't. So there. Nah.

I decided to honor spring and summer and fall this year by wearing as many skirts as possible. It's skirt weather, damnit, so I'm going to indulge! And when I'm not wearing skirts, I'll be wearing shorts or cropped pants or skorts, or anything. My part time job demands I'm in pants, but for the remainder of the time - unless weather is REALLY NOT permitting, I'm going to my best to bare my legs and toes and enjoy what time we have in NOT winter as possible.

That started the first day of spring. I was in a skirt and sandals and was up to my ankles in slushy snow. And I froze my toes happily, knowing it would only get better from there. And I have. In addition to the five long skirts I have, I also have five short skirts, and have purchased two more. (even shorter than my existing ones) And I have several pairs of shorts and capris, and a couple of dresses. Dressing like summer has certainly lifted my mood, and my outlook, and I can't wait to sit out on my porch swing with a summery drink and sit in my skirt and swing.

Ah, summer. Come hell or high water, I'ma gonna enjoy the hell outta you! <3