12 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
LIFESTYLE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2002
Dryness, impotence can get you down
A poorly functioning private part, unwilling or unable to get its groove on, can quickly turn passion into panic, foreplay into "stop!"
SEX
Meghan Bainum
mbainum@kansan.com
Even those who are accomplished in the ways of love usually will tremble in fear at the thought of things not going well in the area of bedroom aerobics. For the less skilled, the prospect is enough to send a penis or vagina running for cover. And although most people get up the courage, and other things if applicable, to succeed at giving and having satisfying sex, problems from dry vaginas to flaccid penises can happen at any time.
So, unless you're willing to forgo sex forever, or constantly pop prescription drugs, you need some quick solutions to the fires burning.
Although it's not always obvious when women struggle to become sexually aroused, it's still frustrating. Most problems involve a lack of lubrication in the vagina, which makes sex difficult and sometimes even impossible. Luckily, vaginal lubricants are inexpensive, easy to find and quite handy at solving the slickness problem. Condoms can be used with non-petroleum based lubricants which are most of them, check the bottle to find out - and can be applied as needed.
Although some herbal products claim to help lubrication, there's no guarantee they won't leave you high and dry.
gynecologist.
After lubrication, if sex is still not possible or is extremely painful, it is best to see a
For guys, a less-than-hard penis can be caused by anything from drinking alcohol to experiencing stress. Or it could just be from worrying so much about having a rock-hard unit in the first place. Basically, if the guy is drunk, sick or stressed out, his penis will be too and won't be performing at 100 percent.
So, guys, unless you have a prescription for Viagra, the easiest way to deal with a droopy unit is—unfourtunately—to wait it out. Praying to the deity of your choice is an option, as is curling up in a ball under your bed. Heading to the doctor is necessary only if there is pain in the groin area, or if you start having trouble getting it up on a regular basis.
The best way for men and women to deal when problems pop up down below is by getting busy using other resources, such as the mouth or hands. The worst way is by freaking out, or trying to place blame for the "problem." There's more to sex than just the ol' in-and-out, anyways, so try to view the "problem" as opportunity for a sexy experiment.
Fashion can reflect student hometowns
At the tender age of 17, I drove through nine hours of wheat fields that separate Colorado and KU — two very different fashion worlds.
Later while unpacking my collection of hiking boots and REI apparel I noticed my new roommate, a Minnesotan, had as many pairs of animal print stretch pants from Deb (a teenie-bopperish clothing store) as I had of Birkenstocks. Obviously, we had completely different taste in clothing. From the looks of it, Angie was a club rat and I was a champion hiker. But no sooner had we gotten drunk at The Hawk together than I realized we actually had a lot in common.
FASHION
Angie's obnoxious fashion was more than a genetic predisposition to oversized hoop earrings. Because she was raised in an entirely different environment, Angie chose more elaborate outfits (some of which included semi-sheer tops) for class, dinner at Mrs. E's, or any occasion I thought required sweat pants.
Yet as two similar young women, we dressed exactly opposite. How could Angie, who seems to have a good head on her shoulders, prefer mo-hair, high-heeled sandals over a pair of flip-flops?
Furthermore, I knew a girl from New York who would wear combat boots, stockings, a long skirt, a shorter skirt, a sweater, a scarf and over-sized sunglasses to class. All at once. This was in contrast to my drab T-shirt and jeans.
Having been in Kansas several years, my own wardrobe has become less "granola-
Sara Behunek sbehunek@kansan.com
y. " By the time I got home for my first winter break, my fellow Fort Collins-ites were aghast at my new boots, which actually had heels.
My older brother went through a similar episode. Jevon opted for the West Coast college experience (Eugene, Ore., specifically). The former pro-hemp necklace maker came back with black nail polish, Converse sneakers, spiked hair and tight vintage shirts. He looked like he belonged in the band Weezer, and all I could think was, "identity crisis much?"
Two years later I have become more secure, owning a personal style that does not mimic the adopted, Deb-inspired spandex attire of my freshman year. Yet, I haven't exactly returned to my roots. I, like many students, have a style that is very Midwestern.
KU is a fashion melting pot. There is no supreme fad of the land, and it is your responsibility to grace the rest of the student body with the hometown style that makes your region proud.
Web offers many spins on conspiracy theories
By Henry C. Jackson
Jayplay writer
Feel like someone is watching you? Rest assured, you're not the only one. Just check out these sites, and you won't feel alone.
The Smoking Gun (www.thesmokinggun.com)
Believability: Backed by Court TV, there's nothing too outlandish here. The focus is uncovering court transcripts and other incriminating materials, rather than throwing out bizarre theories.
Fun factor: High. Read about P Diddy's ridiculous post-MTV Video Music Awards party dress codes (absolutely NO scuffed shoes).
Tell me something I don't know: The site
features an Ohio woman arrested for sending her 11-year-old son to buy crack for her.
Conspiracy Net (www.conspiracynet.com)
Believability: Although slickly designed, Conspiracy Net has no support for its theories, which range from standard Internet "I know who shot JFK" articles to slightly more complex New World Order proliferation theories.
Fun factor: Taking this page with a grain of salt will allow you to revel in the sheer absurdity of articles such as "The elite, the IRS, and the mark of the beast."
Tell me something I don't know: Apparently, the Titanic wasn't sunk by an iceberg but rather a German torpedo, fired as a preemptive shot for World War I.
Conspiracy Planet (http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/)
Believability: Dubious at best. From the front page, which for unapparent reasons features lyrics from the Eminem song "White America," to the numerous absurd theories Conspiracy Planet presents, the whole package is incongruous.
Fun factor: Unfortunately, Conspiracy Planet takes itself too seriously. If you get past the depressing claim that the Central Intelligence Agency planted cocaine in the ghetto as a way to attack the Black power movements, you might be able to enjoy this site.
Tell me something I don't know: Planet says tapes of Osama Bin Laden seen on television have been doctored to make him appear more villainous.
Make your own conspiracy theory
(http://www.cjnetworks.com/~cubsfan/conspiracy.html)
Believability: None. You punch in the answers to a series of questions, and the site develops your custom conspiracy theory.
Fun factor. If you're amused by the absurd, this site is perfect. And the possibilities are almost endless.
Tell me something I don't know: According to my conspiracy theory, the media is controlled by Al Gore, so I should get my information from Republicans.
Contact Jackson at cjackson@kansan.com