Zappadan cometh...

Today is the first day of Zappadan, a celebration of America's finest composer, guitarist and satirist.

To begin, we all know that, all they really need is some discipline so here's a Spanking for DarkBlack, ZenComix and Ketchup is a Vegetable.

Link here

De Wabbit cums...

... to The Jade Gate in the Year of Xin Mao

Even the White Tiger runs from THIS Bunny
"just look at the bones!"



Will you come and face The Rabbit?
or will you "Run Away, Run Away!" Link here

Ooh Noooose!

CNN y Der Gupta se dicen:

!Mucho Cuidado!

!No se tocan los tacos y las salchichas tampoco!

Eeeeeeiiiiiiiiii.........

Link here

Poly for The Masses

Just in time to stoke the fires of the  pre show buzz, my brilliant Captain is the subject of this week's Polyamory Weekly interview with Cunning Minx. 

Mittens,  The Poly Molecule 

Link here

DarkBlack, now in 3D!

I am happy to say that I have talked with the progressive pixel provocateur, DarkBlack, and he has graciously allowed me to exhibit some of his work in the "Eye of the White Tiger" Progressive Erotic and Kink art exhibit here at The Jade Gate.

As anyone who follows the progressive left blogosphere knows, DB is one of the heroes of this movement. His insight, biting and often poignant manipulation of digital images have become a rallying point and a comfort to those of us who see how MSM and the right noise machine force reality into their mold. One of his images can say more and have more impact and influence than hundreds of outraged blog posts and heated righteous comments.

Now that I have settled in my new studio I have a chance to do it right. DB will be among other excellent artists to exhibit art at my show. While we are still deciding what pieces to show, I can guarantee that it will be worth a look.

When I was in Texas during the dark years of W, I always wanted to show some of DB's stuff to the so called liberal part of Texas, (Austin). I was never able to pull that off there but now I have the opportunity.

The show will be comprised of edgy erotic, kink and political art. It will have performance, live music, sculpture, dance and other surprises. Keep an eye here for developments and updates.

DarkBlack is so prolific and has such a body of work,(I also love the Sunday music/jazz posts that stir my memory) it is tough for me to decide what to print and show. When I get things worked out I will be sure to share the result.

For those who are familiar with DB's work, which one was your favorite? I have so many but this one and this one really make it for me. I have a few other favs that may show up on the walls at the show.

So thanks DB, for letting me bring your vision into 3D to haunt and mess with the minds of the unsuspecting visitors to my new place! Link here

Pussy Power

Even as we, the denizens of The Jade Gate prepare for our Chinese New Year Art show, Eye of The White Tiger, celebrating the Year of the Tiger, news from afar of art, worship and feline potency ...

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a 2,000-year-old temple in Alexandria dedicated to a cat goddess.

The find confirms the Greek dynasty of Egyptians continued the worship of ancient animal deities.

The temple, discovered in the Kom el-Dekkah neighbourhood of the city, is believed to belong to Queen Berenike II, wife of Ptolemy III who ruled Egypt in the third century BC.

Moon Goddess

The Greek-speaking Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt for almost 300 years, after the foundation of the city by Alexander the Great in 305BC until Queen Cleopatra was ousted by the Romans.

Archaeologists found statues of Bastet, worshipped by the Greek-speaking Egyptians as the moon goddess.

For thousands of years the Egyptian Pharaohs believed Bastet was a lion-headed goddess, a relative of the sun-god Ra and a ferocious protector.

The find confirms the Greek dynasty of Egyptians continued the worship of ancient animal deities.

Hellenistic Egyptians resurrected Bastet as the equivalent of the ancient Greek deity Artemis.

Artemis art/ Joanna Barnum

Link here

Art and Happenings at "Eye of the White Tiger"

Here's the latest info on the art and artists who will be exhibiting their work at the "Eye of the White Tiger" show at The Jade Gate Studio.

I am pleased to announce that I have made an arrangement with the award winning and nationally known fine art oil painter, Kim Dow, to exhibit two of her "Divergent" works. We are proud to have these beautiful examples of erotic art here at the
"Eye of the White Tiger" show for their world premiere.

Come and see for the first time, two sensuous and erotic works done in lush and classically beautiful oils. You can see them ONLY here at TJG!

Here is another painting by Kim,

"Soft on Soft" by Kim Dow

Next, I am excited to offer a chance to see Jeff Whitaker's "Defender." When I was talking to Jeff and he showed me this sculpture, I knew it was destined to be in the show. His 8ft. tall, twisted and spiked, metal and marble obelisk evokes the spirit of the Metal Tiger, with its majesty, austere beauty and potential danger. Come see this metal tiger and more of Jeff's work at the show.

"Sprout" by Jeff Whitaker
(marble and bronze)

Performing music throughout the evening is a musician who hangs out in the lower reeds, Jay Easton. When I heard him perform at The Steampunk Ball in Seattle, I knew I wanted him for the show. Don't let his mild mannered look deceive you, his music is intense, engaging and sophisticated.
And those things he blows into....

Jay with one of his instruments

From his site:
" Jay C. Easton specializes in reed instruments both common and exotic. His solo performances feature rare and occasionally dangerous woodwinds collected from across the centuries and around the world, and he is the founding member of the Brass Dragon Saxophone Band and Northstar Saxophone Quartet. In addition to his musical activities, Dr. Easton is fond of lighting things on fire, cats, beauty, and spiced tea. His website is www.jayeaston.com."


Offering part of the movement component of the show will be members of the surreal dance performance group, Seraphic Society. They will perform throughout the evening. Captivating and stimulating, they are sure to fill the senses to the hilt.

Tiger Lily of Seraphic Society

And of course, what would a show at The Jade Gate be without Rope bondage. Bringing his own proficient and show stopping bondage to the "Eye of the White Tiger" erotic art and performance exhibition is Lew Rubens.

Lew will be composing a bondage tie called, Tiger descends the Mountain. Known for his high in the sky and daring outdoor ties, Lew is going hang his model from a beam high up in the studio. To see the Tiger descend the Mountain, you will have to come to the show. Some examples of Lew's work below.


Stay tuned for more, including all of the Rope bondage and Fetish photography and much more including a surprise Kinbaku performance.

Link here

"Eye of the White Tiger," Art show and Party

The Jade Gate presents:

Eye of the White Tiger

An Evening of Art, Music,

Movement and Restraint

To celebrate the “Year of the Tiger”

February 13th - Portland, OR
Art Show 6-9pm
Party 9pm-1am

This is a special Chinese New Year at The Jade Gate Studio. It is the Year of White Tiger. According to divine celestial influences, this type of Tiger, also called the Metal Tiger, is known for unpredictability, danger and adventure. The normal maintenance of order will be a challenge this year, so prepare for a wild ride. Although some may be uneasy at finding the usual order untrustworthy, for those who are free and unafraid of adventure, it is a chance to achieve things that they could not at any other time. The wise advise to stay loose, keep an eye out for opportunity and seize it with your claws as it passes.

So in this spirit, we at The Jade Gate Studio are proud to be putting together an erotic art event that embraces the adventure to come. We are grabbing the White Tiger by the tail and not letting go. The Eye of the White Tiger will have live music and dance performances, erotic art, including new rope restraint works, as well as live rope and Kinbaku demonstrations.

This is an 18 and over only event.

This is a special opportunity to see erotic art with a flavor of beauty and power, of dominance and acquiescence, in a setting that cultivates sex positive erotic culture.

Then, after the show, starting at 9pm,

The Tiger’s Teeth, a Fetish and Play party.

Dress your best and do your worst in the malevolent maw of the Metal Tiger. Multiple overhead points and a friendly floor make it easy to catch and subdue your own prey.

Tickets to The Tiger’s Teeth are $25 and sold in advance only. To allow everyone to enjoy the party and their impetuous encounters therein, we are limiting the number of tickets sold. Your advance purchase of party tickets allows The Jade Gate Studio to bring you quality art, music and a comfortable play space.

To get advance tickets for The Tiger’s Teeth, write,

TheJadeGate or CecilyDeville at Gmail dot com for information.

We at the Jade Gate Studio acknowledge the power of the erotic experience. We respect its transformative and evolutionary potential, and understand that it drives many of the important aspects of our lives. From the most intimate and personal relations, to the creative drive for art and civilization, to a profound merging with the spiritual forces of our existence, the erotic experience continues to permeate, fascinate and motivate us.

Link here

Hard to Swallow?

A SWORD swallowing hypnotist put himself in a trance for FIVE hours after practising in front of a mirror.

The hypnotist also known as Hannibal Helmurto became transfixed after looking into the mirror.

German Helmut, a performer with the touring Circus of Horrors group, learnt how to hypnotise himself so he could swallow swords.

The 38-year-old said: "I underestimated the techniques and how powerful they were. I put myself in a very deep state and lost all sense of time around me.

"It is a very pleasant feeling. Sometimes it is so pleasant that you literally forget the things around you and that is what happened to me.

"Your body is absolutely relaxed. You don't feel a thing. On the one hand your body is relaxed and floating and on the other hand your mind is extremely focused on something."

(  During his debut performance with the Circus of Horrors Helmut skewered himself with a 4ft long sabre and ended up in intensive care. )

Link here

Merry Christmas from TJG

Ha!
Merry Fucking Krampus

You perverted fetish spanking bastards!





Below from the Wiki

The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen). In the Alpine regions, Krampus is represented by an incubus-like creature. Traditionally, young men dress up as the Krampus in the first two weeks of December, particularly on the evening of December 5, and roam the streets frightening children and women with rusty chains and bells. In some rural areas the tradition also includes birching – corporal punishment with a birch rod – by Krampus, especially of young girls. Images of Krampus usually show him with a basket on his back used to carry away bad children and dump them into the pits of Hell.

Link here

Fond of Chiffon on your Wrist Array? Come to Zappadan '09

I am lucky to be able to sit back and enjoy the Zappadan
wave wash away that other thing they do this time of year.

Grateful thanks to Mr. Hobart at Zappadan HQ and DB

If you like, you can peruse some of my contributions to Zappadan here.

Below is my humble (very, it's a repost)
contribution to Zappadan '09.

That cute little drummer Terry... recently felt in love with a publicity photo of a boy named Punky Meadows, lead guitar player from a group called ANGEL . . . In the photo, Punky was seen with a beautiful shiny hairdo in a semi-profile which emphasized the pooched out succulence of his insolent pouting rictus . . .
The sight of which drove the helpless drummer mad with desire!

Oooooooh, Punky . . .

Link here

The Doctor Will Please You Now

'IN THE NEXT ROOM (OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY)'

by Sarah Ruhl

Here is a clip from the New York Times review

The play is set in a spa town in the vicinity of New York in the late 1800s. Electricity has just begun to spread its mysterious glow in the homes of the well-to-do. It has recently been installed in the parlor of Dr. and Mrs. Givings, and more significantly in the room next door, the doctor’s “operating theater,” where he practices gynecology and the treatment of “hysteria” using that strange electric-powered box.

A new patient, Sabrina Daldry (Maria Dizzia), is suffering from symptoms that alarm her husband (John Leonard Thompson). She is sensitive to light and prone to tears. Referring obliquely to the cooling of the marital fires, and perhaps the real reason for his dissatisfaction, Mr. Daldry adds, “I am afraid there is very little sympathy between us.”

The forthright and self-confident Dr. Givings (Paul Niebanck) sends Mr. Daldry for a short walk while he begins treatment. “We need to relieve the pressure on her nerves,” he says reassuringly. “You will soon have your blooming wife back.”

Enter the magic box. While Sabrina lies supine on a table, her skirts removed and a white sheet placed decorously over her, Dr. Givings makes businesslike small talk while using his new machine to induce a “paroxysm,” the slightly alarming term for what would today be called something else entirely, and is generally considered more recreational than therapeutic.

Link here

Real Journalism

Now this is a newspaper article.
I guess its OK for the India Times.
It is the land of the Kama Sutra after all.
Also because it is in the Man-Woman
not the Same Sex section of the paper.

Link here

The New Army

click to enbiggen...

Link here

Evil touches everyone

Is CBS trying to make a point here?

Be sure to read the comments for
a varied view of this report.

Alt punk'ed Craigslist

Online rep is a bitch...

Link here

Every day is a New day

Everything is a sales pitch..

Gadget to help women feign virginity angers many in Egypt Conservatives condemn the Artificial Virginity Hymen Kit as technology that will promote promiscuity. Others say the furor over the device raises disturbing questions about double standards.

By Jeffrey Fleishman and Amro Hassan October, from LA Times

Reporting from Cairo - Whether it's seen as a clever little gadget to help a woman keep a secret or a devilish deception that threatens Islam, the Artificial Virginity Hymen Kit is not welcome in Egypt.

The kit allows a bride who is not a virgin to pretend that she is. A pouch inserted into the vagina on her wedding night ruptures and leaks a blood-like liquid designed to trick a new husband into believing that his wife is chaste. It's a wink of ingenuity to soothe a man's ego and keep the dowry intact.


Egyptian conservatives condemn the device as technology that will promote promiscuity in a culture that forbids premarital sex. Their protests are arising in a nation that over the last 40 years has gone from miniskirts and secularism to hijabs and religious devotion. But seldom have conservatives faced such brazen advertising.

"No more worry about losing your virginity. With this product, you can have your first night back any time," states the website of Gigimo, a Chinese mail-order company that sells the kit and other sexual products, including sex dolls and bondage toys, worldwide. "Add in a few moans and groans, you will pass through

undetectable."

The rest is here

Link here

Fecundity for the Harvest

Banana Sex cult leader splits after raid

from AFP and here

PAPUA New Guinea police are hunting the leader of a sex cult who promised villagers a bumper banana harvest if they engaged in public sex.

The man and his followers fled naked into the wilderness when police tried to arrest them over the weekend, the Post Courier newspaper reported.

The newspaper said the villagers in Morobe province, about 200km north of the capital Port Moresby, had been promised their banana harvest would increase 10-fold every time they had sex in public.

It said the cult leader was wanted for a range of alleged offenses over the past four months, including threatening people and illegal sexual activity.

Inspector Adam Busil said he and officers surrounded the man's hut early Saturday but he refused to come out, then made a dash for freedom with about seven naked followers.

"He used his two wives as a human shield to avoid being shot at by the policemen," Busil said.

"They were called on to surrender but they refused."

He said extra officers were being called in to track down the cultists.

Link here

Tied Died

From a Tibetian Burial Ritual

Does this make me look fat?

I forgot to brush, got a mint?

Link here

I Love Birthdays

Reynolds Unwrapped by Dan Reynolds

click to enbiggen

Link here

Please don't let me be misunderstood...

From here

Fetishist Fight City Hall

They came in kilts, white face, chains, collars and boots, braving the heat in full leather and latex regalia, to protest what they see as unfair treatment of the Montclair's sex toy and fetish store, Dressing for Pleasure. One man, dressed as a Puritan, staged a fake counter protest, carrying a small megaphone and denouncing the shocking behavior of the BDSM (Bondage Discipline Sadist Masochist) cluster that had found its way to 205 Claremont Avenue. Meanwhile, councilors Rich Murnick and Cary Africk, who were planning to attend the Planning Board meeting inside, looked on awkwardly.

Dressing for Pleasure found itself at odds with the township in mid-June, when the town's compliance department received an anonymous tip in the form of an email from "Joe Shmoe."

Someone should inspect Dressing for Pleasure at 220 Bloomfield Ave. Their basement doubles as a sex club. The place is a fire trap from hanging wires and has no emergency exit. The air stinks and is a health hazard.

The store was cited for building violations, including failing to get building and electrical permits, and agreed to close down the basement, sometimes called the crawlspace or dungeon, where BDSM events were held. They have since reapplied to re-open the basement, but were turned down by town attorney Alan Trembulak. "We've made a decision that the use that they've proposed isn't permitted under the zoning ordinance," Trembulak said.

But store owner Ed Dougherty, who comes by the name Master Ed, believes that Trembulak "misunderstands what we're trying to do" and has mischaracterized the basement meetings as adult entertainment. "There's no sexual activity permitted," Dougherty said. The events there have been, rather, educational in nature, such as a workshop on the subject of bondage safety. "If you want to explore bondage, there are ways to do it safely and unsafely, right ways and wrong ways." In June, a gay couple demonstrated leather culture, he said.

Some events are more "theatrical" in nature, Dougherty added, such as "fire play," which involves torches and rubbing alcohol. "Done correctly, it's harmless," he said.

"Montclair has a reputation as one of the more liberal progressive communities," he added. "I'd hate to think that ony extends to religion or the color of your skin."

"I'd think this area has a whole lot more to do focusing on a recession than the fact that one of the oldest and most reputable stores of its kind might be offending some people's sensibilities," said Jeff Mach of Hackensack, who attended the rally.

Another protestor, also from Hackensack, defended the community as "one of the few places where you can see someone being a gentleman, where you can see old-world charm."

Link here

Community support, both in and out of doors

Soho sex workers thank residents
from BBC

Masked sex workers have paraded through Soho in central London to thank local people for their support in fighting plans to evict them from the area.

Police closed two flats in Dean Street in February, claiming they encouraged anti-social behaviour. But the sex workers and local residents later won a court decision to have the properties reopened.

(pic of Amsterdam not London)

The parade had been organised by the Soho Working Girls and English Collective of Prostitutes. The organisations say most working flats are small, women-run ventures that offer greater safety, companionship and lower running expenses.

They claim it is 10 times safer than working on the streets.

Link here

Stay in shape...or not

Police seek man with fetish for exercise balls
from the AP

DULUTH, Minn. – Police are looking for a man with a self-professed sexual fetish for slashing rubber balls. Police have been seeking the 31-year-old since surveillance tape allegedly showed him breaking into a fitness clinic in May and slashing exercise balls.

Authorities are familiar with the man. A criminal complaint released Thursday said he was convicted in 2005 of breaking into a sports facility at the University of Minnesota in Duluth and slashing about 70 balls. Each ball cost between $30 and $60.

The complaint says when he pleaded guilty in that case, he admitted slashing more than 40 other balls at two clinics.

Court documents said the man told police he slashed the rubber balls to satisfy a sexual urge. Experts said he has an unusual attraction to inflatable exercise devices.

Link here

The Jade Gate Open House and Party

I am pleased to announce that
The Jade Gate Open House and Party
will be on July 25th at 8pm in Portland OR.

Come and help us break in our new place with refreshments, minglings and demos. There will be plenty of things to do and see, like vigorous kinkbaku, rope suspension, a hojojutsu demo, twisted acupuncture, bamboo caning and other fun surprises.

Everyone is welcome but be advised, this is a kink event and party later.

Please RSVP to:

CecilyDeVille at Gmail

We hope to see everyone there!

Link here

Kinbaku Art by Trevor Brown

Beautiful Kinbaku art work by Trevor Brown.

Link here

The Studio...

(click pics for intimate details)

The soon to be rigged main beam at TJG Studio

The Kitchen of Power


Cecily's hammock and the Futon of Love

Stay tuned for updates,
Our Opening is on July 25th...

Link here

Geisha is...

A blockbuster movie I can really get behind!



--SJ Link here

Hot Stuff

For my friends in Texas;
A warning!

Statement as of 2:06 PM PDT on July 01, 2009 ... Heat advisory in effect from noon Thursday to 8 PM PDT Friday...

The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a heat
advisory... which is in effect from noon Thursday to 8 PM PDT
Friday.

The warmest weather of the year thus far is expected on Thursday and Friday as we enter the Holiday weekend. On Thursday... valley temperatures are expected to soar into the lower to mid 90s.

Temperatures in the Coast Range and Cascade foothills will also be quite warm with readings in the mid 80s to lower 90s.

A couple of degrees of cooling is expected on Friday... but temperatures will remain quite warm. Temperatures may remain close to 90 even on Saturday.

At risk populations can be especially vulnerable to heat related illnesses during episodes of hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids and try to stay of the sun during the hottest part of the day.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids... stay in an air-conditioned room... stay out of the sun... and check up on relatives and neighbors.

We are preparing TJG Studio and are about
to make things very hot around here...

Link here

That's...

... what I'm talkin' 'bout!!!

House OK's industrial hemp

by Melissa Repko, The Oregonian

SALEM--Oregon is a step closer to growing industrial hemp with a House vote on Monday.

Industrial hemp, a cousin to marijuana, can be used to make clothes and food products. The bill would allow the production, commerce, and possession of hemp products. The House passed the bill on Monday with a 46-11 vote.

Rep. Jules Bailey, D-Portland, demonstrated the diversity of industrial hemp products with visual aids like hemp tortilla chips and a non-dairy milk product.

Holding up a T-shirt, Bailey said "Senate Bill 676 is about rope, not dope."

The bill heads to the governor's desk.

-Melissa Repko; melissarepko@news.oregonian.com

Link here

Said the Fly to the Spider

Trapped in the Web of Love


Makes me think of the hammocks at The Jade Gate 3.0, or the fact that it's another Austin Rope weekend. Sort of screams for a re-enactment at a drag show, too. Thanks, as always to the wacky kids at Boing Boing for the Scopitone Goodness.

--SJ Link here

Portland is not the Austin of the PNW

In which the resident yeoman of The Jade Gate says to herself: Curiouser and Curiouser...

Having lo these long weeks passed through a multitude of states extant and otherwise, our heroine finds herself almost entirely shifted.

Relish, Anyone?

(click pic for full flavor)

My Captain, whose patience and consideration are my joy and comfort, steady hand on the rudder, our worldly possessions stowed in the hold, guided/willed/manifest, our circumnavigation of the west coast by way of Momma's Kitchen...

On Local Culture:

The rope group here leaves much to be desired. Having now been sat down kindergarten style and been made to suffer an entirely egregious safety & bio mechanics talk , yours truly recognizes the occasional pang for the Whatknot and all of our Austin friends.

Rope with a side of Safety Meeting( don't even ask about the Shakespeare )

Luckily, the locals made us feel welcome right away...

Bonus? Unisex bathrooms make all the girls wanna use the urinal.

Cheers, Ya'll.

Link here

The New Jade Gate

We have finally landed and are resettling.
We found a great space thanks to a friend and are making ourselves at home.

Cecily in her new office.

We have half of this top floor.

More to come soon. Best to all my blogger buds.
I will return. Be patient.
Like a mountain...

Link here

The Grey Lady Steps on Georgio the Human Carpet

From the New York Times

Bartender, Make It a Stiletto

A MAN walks into a bar. He’s carrying a carpet under his arm. He wraps himself in the carpet, lies on the floor, covers his face and waits for people to step on him. A sign taped to the bar reads: “Step on carpet.”

--SJ Link here

King of Magazines

This is what I envisioned the Jade Gate's road trip relocation to look like, just add one sorcerer.

Danko Jones - King Of Magazines from Bad Taste Records on Vimeo.

Danko Jones - King of Magazines. Drawn/directed by Dave Cooper

--SJ Link here

Found Art

Saw this in a city planter in downtown Portland:

I call it...
Fetish Doll Hog-tie w/stain #31

Link here

Warm and Wet

We have been off the air during our relocation to the NW.
We have arrived
(and are planning strategic take-over)

It was warm when we drove in but raining today,
we're relaxing for the weekend

Rainy Day, Dream Away - Jimi Hendrix Experience

I did a class here last that went very well.
People asked me about my move.
One person asked me why I did.

I told them because,
I am Free
Stone Free...



More soon...

Link here

Looks like a Potent Charm to me...

Erotic Art or Fecundity Charm?
Both and more probably...

After 35,000 years, erotic art for cavemen discovered

By Steve Connor, Science Editor
for The Independent.co.uk

The Venus figurine, shown six times its actual size, found in a German cave, features grossly protruding breasts, belly and thighs

With its grotesquely exaggerated features, this could easily be the work of one of the 20th century's great figurative artists. But this voluptuous Venus was carved out of a mammoth's tusk more than 35,000 years ago.

The two-and-a-half-inch statuette was found buried 10 feet below the floor of the Hohle Fels Cave in the Schwabian region of south-west Germany, where archaeologists have already discovered a gallery of early art objects dating to the same period of the Stone Age. Carbon dating has shown that the female figurine predates other similar Venus carvings by about 5,000 years.

"This figurine was produced at least 35,000 calendar years ago, making it one of the oldest known examples of figurative art," said Nicholas Conard of the University of Tubingen, who describes the statuette in Nature. He added that it "radically changes our views of the context and meaning of the earliest Palaeolithic art".

The oldest known works of art are abstract engravings – geometric designs in red iron oxide – found at a cave site in southern Africa and dated to about 75,000 years ago. Figurative cave paintings in southern France of Stone Age animals such as bison, horses, deer and rhinos, have been dated to about 37,000 years ago.

But the Venus figurine unearthed from the cave in Germany is the oldest known statuette depicting the human form. As the earliest example of three-dimensional figurative art, it could represent the birth of true sculpture in the global artistic tradition, according to scientists who have studied the piece.

The carving was made from a solid piece of mammoth ivory and depicts a naked woman with grossly protruding breasts, swollen thighs and belly, and a greatly enlarged and explicit vulva. A disproportionately small head was probably used to hang the figurine, according to Paul Mellars, of Stony Brook University in New York.

"The figure is explicitly – and blatantly – that of a woman, with exaggerated sexual characteristics... that by 21st-century standards could be seen as bordering on the pornographic," said Dr Mellars. "As if to emphasise the sexual characteristics, the figure's arms and legs are severely reduced to the form of a carefully carved ring, evidently to allow the figure to be suspended from a string or thong."

More here

Link here

We Live!

I have returned from a vigorous weekend of rope, teaching and unspeakable experimentation in Seattle. I have removed myself from "The Cube," and will be re-animating my life and lifestyle in a new form.

They laughed at me at the academy. My teachers told me I was crazy... but I will show them. I and my hunchback Yeoman will arise anew! A new and vital form of The Jade Gate will soon be roaming the countryside, terrorizing the villagers and frightening the farm animals.

And they said it couldn't be done!
What Fools!

Ball Of Confusion, The Temptations

Link here

The Secret Life of Furniture

As the Jade Gate's current physical location continues to disassemble itself and divest itself of furniture, now might be good time to explain how chairs really get dinged up. I actually like this clip better with the annoying YouTube pop-up ad.

--SJ Link here

I like it when I feel Potentate

I am...



(right?)

Link here

We Need a Stimulus Plan...Now!

(mmmm, stimulus...)

Global economic crisis hits German sex industry

By Erik Kirschbaum for Reuters

BERLIN (Reuters) - It did not take long for the world financial crisis to affect the world's oldest profession in Germany.

In one of the few countries where prostitution is legal, and unusually transparent, the industry has responded with an economic stimulus package of its own: modern marketing tools, rebates and gimmicks to boost falling demand.

Some brothels have cut prices or added free promotions while others have introduced all-inclusive flat-rate fees. Free shuttle buses, discounts for seniors and taxi drivers, as well as "day passes" are among marketing strategies designed to keep business going.

"Times are tough for us too," said Karin Ahrens, who manages the "Yes, Sir" brothel in Hanover. She told Reuters revenue had dropped by 30 percent at her establishment while turnover had fallen by as much as 50 percent at other clubs.

"We're definitely feeling the crisis. Clients are being tight with their money. They're afraid. You can't charge for the extras any more and there is pressure to cut prices. Everyone wants a deal. Special promotions are essential these days."

Germany has about 400,000 professional prostitutes. Official figures do not distinguish between the sexes and the number of male prostitutes is not known, but they account for a small fraction of the total and are treated the same under the law.

In 2002, new legislation allowed prostitutes to advertise and to enter into formal labor contracts. It opened the way for them to obtain health insurance, previously refused if they listed their true profession.

Annual revenues are about 14 billion euros ($18 billion), according to an estimate by the Verdi services union. Taxes on prostitution are an important source of income for some cities.

Prostitution is also legal and regulated in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Greece, Turkey and in some parts of Australia, and the U.S. state of Nevada.

In other countries, such as Luxembourg, Latvia, Denmark, Belgium and Finland, it is legal but brothels and pimping are not.

"CREATIVE SOLUTIONS"

Berlin's "Pussy Club" has attracted media attention with its headline-grabbing "flat rate" -- a 70-euro admission charge for unlimited food, drink and sex between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

"You've got to come up with creative solutions these days," said club manager Stefan, who requested his surname not be published. "We're feeling the economic crisis, too, even though business has fortunately been more or less okay for us so far.

"Our offer might sound like it's too good to be true, but it's real. You can eat as much as you want, drink as much as you want and have as much sex as you want."

Stefan, who runs other establishments in Heidelberg and Wuppertal besides the Berlin club, said the flat rate had helped keep the 30 women working in each location fully employed.

the rest here at Reuters

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