Dating in Brazil Vs USA: Paquerar & Namorar

I received the informative and timely email, Paquerar & Namorar, about the way Brazilians "flirt, hook up and hang out". I enjoy such social anthropological type-writings and only a 2 days prior, I'd met a dynamic Brasileira and our conversation landed on the topic of dating and  the what-to-do-whens.


I forwarded the email to my friend Danilo, a São Paulo native, and he confirmed that the article was very accurate. Some of the sentiments the Brasileira shared with me at the dinner party were included in the piece. The conclusion: the rules of love and dating apply to men and women.


I'm a hybrid of both worlds — USA and Brazil. Women and Men.

The Joy Of Presence

Guest Post by Chase Steele Greye

In the past few years I have most certainly become more present than I have ever been before. The twists and turns of life have a way of showing us when to listen and when to speak or act. It seems that we are constantly getting advice from others as to what we should do and how we should do it. But the truth remains that we all can learn a thing or two from just being present.




Imagine how it feels to eat an apple or even a lemon for that matter. Close your eyes and enter this sensation right now in your mind without the actual fruits being in front of you. You can almost feel the acidic qualities of the lemon and you can probably even feel the juice from the apple dripping down the side of your face. That unmistakable aroma that is set into motion when you bite into it is more than familiar. Did you have any difficulty with this exercise? If not, then you are more than capable of above average presence. If you did have an issue with that little exercise, please read on.

This Is How New Yorkers Feel About Each Other?

So there was a survey conducted to find out how New Yorkers feel about each other. In a city of 8+ million people... 414 people participated. 414 people. At least if the study had a 4-figure pool of survey respondents, I'd be less bothered by it. But perhaps when asked to participate in the survey, New Yorkers brushed it off with a "ain't nobody got time for that" since, you know, we're all so rude. 

These 414 people are those who live and/or work in New York. How long have they lived in New York? Do they work in NY but live in [New] Jersey or... Connecticut?

Where To Eat Foods From Around The World In New York City

Photo by Garrett Ziegler (via flickr)

I found this interactive map on Gothamist and was instantly fascinated.


Steven Melendez, a former member of the WNYC Data News Team compiled data of where to find different ethnic cuisines throughout New York City for Gothamist. For those of us from NY or who have visited before, some of the findings are what we expected -- Greek food in Astoria, Brazilian in Midtown Manhattan and Indian and "Middle Eastern" food in Queens.

Moregasm & Magic Wand Giveaway -- #iwantMORE

Want #More? #More sex? #More intimacy? #More knowledge?


This year, Babeland® is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. I, the "Wand Girl", thought it'd be great to celebrate with them by giving it to you good.

Another Random Moment With Johnny B. Azari

Johnny B. Azari, aspiring grand weirdo

 
I had a moment with him before he set out on tour.

He's back. The Tropic of Entropy tour is done.

Johnny B. Azari performed on October 12 at Henley Cigs -- the first time in 2 years that he's played in New York. The city he loves loved him back. The night before his birthday party-homecoming show, we got together to catch up -- what exactly was it like on the road?

Ask Abbie: My Girlfriend Gained Weight And I've Lost Attraction

Not Attracted To My Girlfriend Asks:

I need some advice. A year later, I've watched my girlfriend gain quite a bit of weight, and admit I'm less attracted physically but also because she's completely in denial, thinking she takes great care of herself. I'm worried about her health. No exercise, shitty diet overall, and a lot of talk about doing this and being involved with that, etc. No action. I'm starting to feel mismatched because I do put in effort and am noticing that she almost weighs the same as me. Plus, I think she's a bit depressed but denies that, too. 


How do I state my concerns without being offensive? A future with her would be difficult because, if there were to be kids, I want them to learn decent habits and take initiative, not the opposite. And spare me the bullshit about loving regardless, as we know that's not applicable in all situations. There have to be others out there who have dealt with this, right? Appreciate all your thoughts.

Ask Abbie: Should I Say I Love You?

Gotta Get It Off My Heart Asks:

Been with my gf for a few months. Things have gotten fairly serious and are going great. Haven't felt this good about a relationship in years. I've come to realize that I've fallen head over heels in love with her. Except I can't bring myself to tell her. Not sure if she'll freak out and go running or what she may do. Would hate to ruin something that is going so well. But I'm about to explode by not confessing how I feel. What should I do? Take a chance and tell her or just wait till maybe some day she says it to me first? Any and all advice would be appreciated, thanks!!

He Said, She Said

I'm sharing this quick exchange. Part of scene from a story or screenplay? Dialogue with tension and conflict help move a story along, establish dynamic relationships, set up characters' likability and relatability. A "getting to know you" text exchange gone awry? 21st century relationships barely live but do die due to misread messages and, for some, the emoticons they deem necessary.

Le Flâneur Et Son Pain

Re-working of Paul Gavarni's Le Flâneur from 1842 by Spenot

Here's the latest vignette I wrote for my French lessons. I started early last month with I met Anthony Bourdain. He was bound to inspire me. A few years ago a friend was reading a book about a wandering man, le flâneur. It's stuck with me ever since, even if the term isn't a common one in French (according to my French buddy). My imagination continues to flourish. My French is... coming along.

Why I Locked Them All Down

Back in the Saddle

Photograph by Daniel Dolpire

I think I made a huge mistake.


I jumped the gun when I locked down Boy Toy. Oxy is a helluva drug.


I wasn't wrong in locking him down. My mistake was thinking I'd want to lock him and only him down.

Does Penis Size Matter?

Guest Post by Joey

Today, the importance of size is greater than ever, and that includes almost all aspects of our life. Big cars, big salaries, big houses, even Big Macs. It’s no wonder why the majority of men are self-conscious of their penis size. Is it big enough? Will it satisfy my partner or will she laugh behind my back? Does penis size really matter?

Just open your spam folder. It will be full of penis enlargement ads for pills, pumps, herbs, possibly even magic spells, promising a larger penis in a matter of days. Obviously, it matters to men, which means only one thing.

Why Ruin My Surprise For The Sake Of Your Baby Clothes Shopping?

This Man Will Dress His Baby in Weird Reds and Dark Whites all in Celebration of Womanhood

Guest Post By StarPower

I really don't want to know my baby's sex until it's born. I'm not very concerned about people not knowing what color clothes to buy him/her. Sorry, I love my folks, but that's nonsense. And I know there are only, like, 10 colors (People say there are mad colors, but when pressed they just name variations of the real colors. There's only red, orange, yellow, blue, green, black, white, grey, purple and brown and probably teal. Beige and honey and all that is either dark white or light brown. All those auburns and maroons and rusts are either weird browns or weird reds. Anything indigo or violet or magenta is filed under off-blues or shades of purple. And orange basically covers anything that looks like it's not red or yellow but close. There are other colors but certain animals can see them, not us. Still, we do alright with the 9 or 10 we have.). But that means you have 8 to choose from, including their thousands of variations.

The Darker Side of Lust 5th Anniversary Poll

Could this be the last time you see The Legs?

This year in particular I've really noticed how time flies -- Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day -- all a blur. Any one in the Northern Hemisphere remember spring? Whoa.


I saw candy corn on display last week and refused to buy any. It's too soon!


That being said, it hit me that December is right around the corner. December 2014 is not far behind that. 12/14 marks 5 years since I published my erotic short story collection, The Darker Side of Lust.


I will release a 5th Anniversary Edition but what about it will say "Fabulous Five" Years? I have a few ideas but I also need your help deciding! Please take a few seconds to vote in my poll -- one question, four choices!


It will be 2014 before we know it...

One Man's Journey Into "CrossFit"

Guest Post By JR

(Source)

I've always been athletic; captain of my high school hockey team, briefly played in college, and at age almost-34 I still manage to strap on the skates. I've been put through workouts on a regular basis by a former Navy SEAL who had both knees replaced and would still throw 500 lbs on the squat rack and make it look like child's play. I'm no a stranger to the weight room. I've also done some stints as a bouncer, I run regularly and I've participated in "mud runs".



Using and improving my physical fitness has always been a passion of mine. I find it a stress-reliever, energy-booster and confidence-improver. So when a friend of mine invited me to join a CrossFit-like training class I jumped at the opportunity to try something new.

Masters of Sex

Ah sex. We love it, don't we? In 1956 America, folks were doing it but not for reasons we may think.


The thought that a woman could enjoy sex simply because and not need love to go along with it was unheard of.


Sex, no matter if it's for the sake of science, was considered smut.

Buddhism, Parenting and Body Acceptance

Guest Post by Glendaliz Camacho

21 Divisiones and Buddhism have helped me be a slightly better mom, have a better relationship with my body, cope with grief and date men who look like this disgruntled baby (which I swear, is actually a good thing, but is another story for another day).

A Random Moment With Johnny B. Azari

Johnny B. Azari, singer/songwriter and rambling man | Photo by Zach Gold

I met Johnny B. Azari at the restaurant Les Enfants Terribles (no more), then a week later I accepted his invitation to attend a performance of his blues duo (no more). Last year, I found out he wasn't in New York City anymore. But my love and intrigue for Johnny B. hasn't waned. He's currently touring the US -- The Tropic of Entropy tour -- leaving his mark and being marked. Track his music, movies and live performance dates on his website. Keep up with this ramblin' man on Instagram. He's making his way back east and when he gets to New York, I'll be sure to catch up with him for an update.


Before he embarked on his tour, I had a few questions for him...

Dear Mr. Anthony Bourdain

Of all the sidewalks in all the world he showed up on mine.


It was a bright, Thursday afternoon and I was heading back towards Columbus Circle from CBS Broadcast Center. As I passed my old stomping ground, the Time Warner Center, I looked up from my phone and there he stood.


He was there. Nerves bubbled up inside me but I didn't stop walking, I didn't alter the course. I knew I had to say something. Never mind that I was carrying two man grooming products in my hand. He moved his cell phone from his ear just as I got to him.

Mon Amie With The Expensive Bags Et Non D'argent

Photo by Abigail Ekue Photography

Using a lot of the vocabulary I learned during my last French-English exchange, I forced myself to write in the past tense and to write questions  -- both things I haven't grasped yet. I originally intended this French lesson assignment to be a "see dog run" paragraph. It quickly devolved into a story. I'm a writer. I can't help myself. I have a flair for the dramatic at times.