6 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
LIFESTYLE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14,2002
Best bet with sex is to keep it wet
SEX
Meghan Bainum
mbainum@kansan.com
I've never had a problem with messy sex. For me, sex without a liberal helping of spit, sweat, lube, cum and my own slick secretions is like eating barbecue without any sauce. Sure, you might be spotlessly clean in the end, if you don't have to deal with that thick, gooey, spicy stuff, but you lose out on the pleasure of eating a tasty, tantalizing meal. Because without barbecue sauce, you're just eating boring, dry meat. And sex should be anything but boring and dry.
Finger-lickin' good sex is usually hot, spicy and wet. And it doesn't have to include barbecue sauce or any other edible treat to get it this way. In fact, for nice, sloppy sex, all you need is the sexual fluids from your own body, and your partner's, augmented if necessary by a little spit or water-based lube.
Still, far too many people think sexual fluids are gross, dirty or simply too much of a mess to deal with. Some caution is a good thing as sexually transmitted nasties and pregnancies can all be a downfall of getting a little sloppy in the sack. But, the stuff that comes shooting or dripping out of a person's body while turned on should not always be regarded as a threat. In fact, getting your lover dripping wet and slippery is
usually an indication that you're really havin' at it in award-winning style.
this doesn't mean you must avoid a man's semen like the plague. Many people enjoy it when a man shoots his stuff onto their bodies instead of into their mouths. It's an interesting feeling, and fun because you can both watch him orgasm. Though many people like the experience, men should not pull out and let it off all over someone without his or her approval of the maneuver.
So, put that towel down, stop worrying about the sheets, and prepare to learn a little more about the taste, smell and usefulness of sexual fluids.
When orally pleasuring a woman, however, to spit or to swallow is not a question, it's a fact. When women are aroused, their vaginas continuously produce a natural form of lubrication that helps keep everything slick and ready down below. There's really nothing that works to keep vaginal fluids from finding their way into a pleasuring mouth.
By now, almost everybody is familiar with the good old spit-or-swallow debate, and almost everybody has a definite stand on the issue. While swallowing has never been a big deal for some enthusiastic oral sex givers—including myself—others consider swallowing semen about as sexy as hocking up and swallowing a big, juicy ball of snot. While some cite the slightly salty, tangy taste of semen as the problem, others simply cannot handle swallowing the warm, slightly viscous fluid. If you can't swallow without throwing up, don't. But
Speaking of mouths, spit is another fantastic fluid for keeping sex slippery and oral explorations successful. A key ingredient for a night of action is keeping something cold to drink close at hand. Bonus points if that something to drink is either ice water or a tasty beverage such as champagne; not only will your kisses be wet, but getting freaky with ice cubes or drinking off of someone's body does wonders for almost any encounter.
Italian bracelets offer charms with a twist
I began with self-control. "They are too trendy anyway," I reassured myself, but as my eyes fell upon the glass case with the rows of charms, I began wondering where the nearest ATM was.
FASHION
The Etc. Shop, 928 Massachusetts St., was where I first became enchanted by one of the freshest fads in jewelry — the Italian composable bracelet. These are a modern, sleek version of the gaudy, dangle-charm bracelet. The imported wrist decor is made of stainless steel and 18k gold "charms" that link together. Each link stretches to fit over the hand and adorn the wrist without a clasp.
The Etc. Shop has been carrying the popular brand Zoppini and seven other versions for almost two years, said sales clerk Katie Parr. She said the bracelets had been in high demand since the shop began carrying them. Nomination, the original company in composable Italian bracelets, created the "classic" design in 1987. The bracelets quickly made their way to the U.S. coasts and eventually onto the wrists of University of Kansas coeds.
These accessories have caught on because of the nature of the charm bracelet
Sara Behunek
sbehunek@kansan.com
— they can be tailored to represent events, people, or individual taste. No two are alike and there are an infinite number of charms to ensure just that. Designs range from enameled flags and hearts to Playboy bunnies. Nomination and Zoppini also carry charms with cubic zirconia and diamond designs as well as semi-precious and precious stones.
Laura Rupe, Wichita senior, wears two Italian bracelets one by Nomination and one by Zoppini she explained as she fingered each charm. She sported a playing card for Vegas; a mug of beer for her 21st birthday; a turtle, her favorite animal; and an Aries symbol for her sign.
A Nomination starter bracelet with 13 links can be purchased at Hobbs,700
Massachusetts St., for $6. The Zoppini starter from the Etc. Shop or Prairie Patches, 821 Massachusetts St., is $14.95. The average female wrist needs about 17 to 18 links for a comfortable fit. Single links cost 65 cents to $1.95.
It is in the charms, however, that the bracelet starts getting expensive. Charms run about $20 to $100 each, depending on the stones used, intricacy, or rarity of the design. The Etc. Shop will be soon be carrying a 14k gold hand-made Jayhawk link for $94.95. Although Jayhawk dangle-charms are already available, the Etc. Shop will be the only outlet in Kansas selling the link.
Hobbs was the last store I checked during my downtown pursuit of Italian wrist ornaments. They carry strictly Nomination charms and starter bracelets.
"It is the original. The rest are just cheap knock offs," sales clerk Angela Griswald said.
I was putty.
I left Hobbs swinging my shopping bag with a new composable bracelet and a rose charm. Try as you may, even the most devout shopping-reformist cannot resist some harmless Italian jewelry.
HEALTH Q&A
Jayplay is working with HOMEBASE to answer questions about body acceptance, healthy eating and physical fitness. Students in health-related fields will answer questions every week. Submit questions to achap@ukans.edu. Identities will remain anonymous.
O: I have been trying to lose weight for some time now and it really hasn't been working. I'm a very busy girl and don't really have too much time to spare. I usually run at least 45 minutes, but I find myself only having spare time to do so during the night, which is a time I refuse to run at unless it's at Robinson, but those treadmills have lines. I am going to invest my money in a treadmill because of this. But my busy schedule makes it hard to plan out my meals and have enough time to actually make them. I was just wondering if you might be able to give me some tips on healthy eating that won't make me gag and will help me lose weight. I know yogurt, fat-free pudding and reduced-fat chewy granola bars are good things to eat on the run, but I would like more to choose from.
A: Invest in some baggies or small containers and take 10 minutes to pack a variety of snacks at the beginning of your week. Snacks such as cereals (Cheerios, Life, or Chex), light microwave popcorn with a dash of Parmesan; homemade granola mixed with two types of whole grain cereals and added raisins; dried fruit, seeds, or nuts; frozen grapes; or one slice of whole wheat bread topped with a sensible spread such as peanut butter, jam or a turkey slice are convenient snacks and are easy to grab while you're flying out the door. Other prepackaged snacks such as low-fat yogurt, low-fat granola bars, fat-free pudding, individual applesauce or oatmeal, boxes of raisins or dried fruit and V8 or V8 Splash provide the same convenience. Fruits in individual servings, such as diced peaches, pineapple or mandarin oranges, make an excellent treat. Drink plenty of water and cut out or limit beverage calories such as soda and always read food labels. Hassle-free eating can be healthy.
- Kim Archer is a graduate student in Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences