So it’s the day before my birthday. A birthday they swore I would never see. Tomorrow I will be able to rejoice and celebrate the fact that I was one of the lucky ones who defied the odds. Oh, I know that I’m not out of the woods yet. If I would forget, the neatly lined prescription bottles on my desk would remind me that I have a long way to go. Still, to be here, to be alive when they said I wouldn’t be…it’s just amazing.

As part of my new plan for living out loud, tomorrow is the day that I will officially begin Weight Watchers. I’ve dusted off my treadmill(a gift from Mama who was no longer using it), found my Nikes, and asked The Knight for a great pedometer. My refrigerator is full of frozen vegetables, low-fat milk and yogurt and the all important water bottle. Though I have tried to Weight Watchers before, it’s different this time. Back then it was just about losing weight. This time around it’s about changing my lifestyle and my relationship with food. (And I found the coolest journal to use while I am doing this. Catalina told me that writing things down really helped her in her weight loss journey, so I am taking my friends advice and giving it a go!)

Since I am making 2009 the year that I become a better version of myself, I am also attending Sex 2.0 in Washington, DC in May. With great speakers and great bloggers in attendance I can’t imagine a better way to mix and meet and find out how I can do more by way of activism. I feel that after four years of blogging it’s time to do more with my site than offer a peek into my own life and give readers reviews. While I admit that some of the things will be easier to do in a larger city, I’m hoping to find ways to help and spread the word here in Pittsburgh and I can’t think of a better way to get started than by spending time with people like Audacia Ray and Elizabeth Wood. I look forward to seeing everyone there, so be sure to register. {If you can’t attend but you’d like to show your support you can do so here.}

If you’re making 2009 your own year of self-discovery through weight loss, activism or even through writing (I’m determined that this is the year I see my writing published), drop me a line. I’d love to hear more about your plans and your goals. Maybe we can offer one another support along the way.

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Just a bit of fun on this cloudy Pittsburgh day. If you follow the link and do one of your own, please be sure to leave a comment or link back so I can see yours.

Get your twitter mosaic here.

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Please join me in celebrating a wonderful new home for Life. Love. Cancer! After months of thinking about it and wondering which direction to go with it, Life. Love. Cancer. will now have its own dot com.

We’re still working on it, tweaking and perfecting bits and pieces but so far, it’s a go. Not only will the articles have a place to live that is safe for work (and sharing among friends and family!) we will also be carving out a place for all things related. From news about the latest cancer research and technologies to relationship advice, Life. Love. Cancer. will cover it all.(For those who have asked for a place to share your thoughts on childhood abuse, we’ve included that too! As survivors, a place to gather and celebrate will be a wonderful addition.)

Thanks to everyone who made it possible. All the late night chats, last minute design tips, and pep talks really have paid off. Please be sure to join us and let us know what you think**.

**If you’re interested in contributing to Life. Love. Cancer please email us at [email protected]

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What? Sex 2.0
When? Saturday, May 9 2009
Where? Washington, D.C.

If you are part of the sex blogging CommUNITY at all, then you have already heard about, read about, or written about Sex 2.0. I didn’t hear about it last year, but once I saw Match’s Tweet about it, I needed to know more.

I read about the event in 2008 and knew immediately that I wanted to attend, no matter what. Then as I read a little more I knew I *really* wanted to attend but as I am not a conventional sex blogger, I worried that the fit might not be right. And their session topics? As much as I’d like to think that I’m evolved and educated, the truth is, not so much. I mean seriously, fat chick like me at an event with people like Audacia Ray, Catalina, and Ellie Lumpesse? Yeah right. So I put it on my back burner.

Time passed and more updates came. I mulled it over, subscribed to the Google group and let it settle in for a few days. I did an intro and expressed that I had no real experiences, so even if I attended it would be as an observer, not as someone who actually had something to say.

I registered for Sex 2.0 mere minutes ago. I reserved two tickets, one for The Knight and one for myself. Whether I have anything to say or anything of value to add, this is an event that I want to attend. I want to hear what the fabulously evolved and educated individuals have to say. I want to walk away knowing that I learned something new, something that I can carry into the rest of my life and apply that knowledge accordingly and (hopefully) for the greater good.

Some of the people you will find at Sex 2.o 2009

• Audacia Ray
• CARAS
• Cunning Minx
• Elizabeth Wood
• Ellie Lumpesse
• Erik Van Riper
• Match
• Melissa Gira
• Nikol Hasler
• NoVaHedonist
• Renegade Evolution
• Sabrina Morgan
• Viviane

So won’t you take the time and spend the weekend in with me in Washington D.C.? (Not for me, but for all the people listed above!)

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I can’t tell you how blessed I am. Just know that I understand it and I know it. In my heart of hearts, deep in my soul, I know that I am so very blessed.

So, to all of my friends in the CommUNITY, thank you.

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Adult product reviews from the last two weeks from all around the sex blogosphere. Did you miss Pleasurists #1? Read it all here. Do you Have a review for Pleasurists #3? Submit it here before Sunday November 9th at 11:59pm PST. Please re-post this list on your own blogs if listed.

Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.
Agent Ansley’s Win a Jaguar contest deadline November 5th 11:59 PM EST
Swag Contest: When I think of Essin’ Em deadline November 8th at 11:59pm MST.

Looking for some toys to review?
Wanted! Sex Toy Reviewers. Apply Within. Free Products Supplied.

On to the reviews…

Editor’s Pick
Njoy Pure Wand by Dangerous Lilly
“I have heard that the G-spot is more swollen and “receptive” after a clitoral orgasm, so I laid there for a bit with the wand still in me, idly playing. Soon, playing in earnest. And then I brought out the Hitachi.
Oh yes, I did.
I combined the two best toys in my arsenal.
Wanna know the result??”

The Editrix
Scarlet Lotus Sexgeek

Vibrators
Lust Objectified - Meet Nea by Domina Doll
Nice Try Durex - Durex play vibrations focus by Epiphora
The Miracle Massager plus Attachment by Rori of Between My Sheets
Buzz 1 by Essin’ Em
Sweet G Vibe and The Mini Mini Mouse by Betty Rocket
G-Spot Rabbit Vibrator by Long Distance Sub

Dildos
Bandito by Scarlet Lotus Sexgeek
Pure Wand from Njoy by Betty Rocket
Natural Contours Energie Kegel Exerciser by Stiletto Diaries

Anal Toys
Double Dare by Agent Ansley
The Nexus Titus by Jack of Writing Dirty

Erotic Books
Yes, Sir by That Toy Chick
The Leather Daddy and the Femme by Scarlet Lotus Sexgeek

Adult Movies
Review of Zack and Miri Make a Porno by Audacia Ray
Perversions of Lesbian Lust by Catalina Loves
The Erotic Witch Project by Hot Movies for Her
Girls Who Lust by Epiphora

Miscellaneous
Penis Cupcake Pan by The Countess - Elizabeth Black

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Adult product reviews from the last two weeks from all around the sex blogosphere. Find out more about Pleasurists by visiting the website.

Vibrators
Getting on “Tops” (Pleasure Tops review) by Bad Bad Girl
OhMiBod G-spot and Lelo’s Iris by Hot Movies for Her
The Odyssey Tickler by Scarlet Lotus Sexgeek

Dildos
The Hottie by Amber of Dark, Deep, Deviant
Bandito by Panthera Pardus
Vix Skin - Tex and Bandit Dildos by Buzz Buhrmann

Sex Kits
Cunnilingus Expert Kit by Ellie Lumpesse
The Ego Delight Kit by Thursday’s Child

Erotic Books/Games
The Modern Kama Sutra in a Box by The Butterfly Temptress
Tantric Lover Game and Best Sex Writing 2008 by Domina Doll
Dark Angels: Lesbian Vampire Erotica by Hot Movies for Her

Adult DVDs
Nina Hartley’s Guide to G-spot Sex by Domina Doll on Viviane’s Sex Carnival
Ladies of the Night - Les Vampyres by Hot Movies for Her
The Other Side of Sunny, Flying Solo, and Belladonna’s Foot Soldiers by Don Houston of XCritic
20 Questions by The Horny Housewife

Miscellaneous
FYN Foot Long case by Essin’ Em
VibeReview.com (the Sex Shop I Trust) by Catalina
Vixen Creations by That Toy Chick
The Hardcore Harness by Scarlet Lotus Sexgeek
Universal Lube Review by Domina Doll

Sex Toy Contests
Essin’ Em’s Blogiversary Contest deadline November 1st, 11:59pm, MST

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Not too long ago Edenfantasys proposed that I write a few pieces for them detailing what it’s like to deal with cancer. As a sex toy company they were definitely interested in how the cancer diagnosis had impacted our sex life and my sexuality but they were also interested in knowing how it changed my life and my marriage as a whole.

I read the email and asked the questions that I thought of. Then I sat back to think about whether or not I was willing to lay bare my soul in quite this way. Yes, I blog. I blog about sex; I blog about cancer. Blogging about how those things really feel or how they truly impact the most important aspects of your life is something completely different.

Then I realized that maybe this was something that needed to be written about. Why? Of all the articles on the Internet that I read or found myself directed to, very few mentioned the effects of cancer, chemo, or radiation on a woman’s sex life. I didn’t know when all of this started if it was normal to still desire my husband much less need to have an orgasm. I had no idea what to expect or what was normal. But I didn’t understand why no one had written about it.

So, I started writing. I wrote an article and I cried the entire way through. Another article took me three days to write. Other pieces and parts of articles came easily and they made me see myself in a different light.

Just before they started posting my articles on their blog I received an email asking me to set up a PayPal account and provide them with a button for donations. Edenfantasys had decided that they would match any donation made between then and November 18th. I was absolutely shocked and overwhelmed. So, I did as they asked.

Now, Catalina and the commUNITY at Best Sex Bloggers have decided to keep the articles going. Soon you will be able to read the articles there in their entirety. It’s amazing what happens when people pull together and I am honored to be a part of something so wonderful, to call many of them friends.

So a little time has passed and now you will notice a donation button in my sidebar. I swore I would never have one. To me, it’s an honor that you visit my site and read what I write here. However, some people have expressed concern about knowing that their intended donations reached the person, etc. With a donation button linked directly to an account specifically for this purpose, people can rest assured that their donations are going where they want them to go, if they choose to donate.

This is an odd place for me to be. I’m used to being the one who sets up donations for people. Families who can’t give their children a proper Christmas. Coats, blankets, and meal vouchers for homeless men and women in DC. Care packages and handwritten letters for men and women serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are many other things that I have organized and been a part of; things that warmed my heart and nurtured my soul in ways that no one will ever understand.

To be on the receiving end of an amazing gift is indescribable and I thank all of you from the bottom of my overflowing heart.

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