Day 59 - Bridges & Weekend in Review

Sunday was a pretty good day. First off, the picture. This is an old train bridge outside of Salem, Oregon. I wish I could have gotten closer, but liked the wooden frame and the old steel of the bridge.

As you can tell, it was a gorgeous day in Oregon. We were definitely in the 60 degree range - blue skies - sun - and no wind. As we drove through here, we had the windows of the car open and the sunroof open. It was great. Can't tell it was the last day in February.

But, this is how it was after the clouds burned off. Garbanzo and I ran in the Tumor Shooter Benefit Run at Oregon State University. It was a fundraiser for the assistant cross country coach at the college who is going through treatment for a second brain tumor. Her first one occurred at 19. She is an avid runner and has qualified twice for the Olympic Trials. It sounded like a fun run - a good cause, so we drove down there.

I ran the short course - 3 miles. The course was going to be hilly - and I decided 3 miles of hills sounded a lot better than 7 miles. I kicked ass. I was 37th out of about 100 people. And, I was first in my age group. The second person in my age group was almost 9 minutes behind me. When I saw that on the results sheet, I was shocked. I was beyond shock really. I couldn't wait for Garbanzo to finish so I could have him look at it and confirm. Yep, that was me. I'm still a bit amazed at myself, truth be told. I felt good running. I knew I was doing better than most.  And the muddy portion was a lot of fun but slowed me down despite the downhill which made me a bit concerned. I guess I more than made up for it. It's what I needed in terms of getting my head back into running again.  (Oh, and Thank You to those who congratulated me on Twitter yesterday. I do appreciate it!)

Then Sunday after the run, we hung out with SG and his wife at their house. Garbanzo got conned by their dog into a never ending game of fetch as we talked about life as we sat outside enjoying the sunshine. Their kids were floating around. We heard their oldest talk about his tourney yesterday. His friend was pretty funny too as he gave his own comments here and there. We got to meet their middle son's girlfriend which was interesting since I have heard many stories already. It was just nice being away and relaxing with friends. Kind of a forced lazy day away from everything.

And on that note, I'm off to bed. Hope people had a great weekend!

Day 58 - Change of Plans

Tonight we were supposed to have a play date with SG and his wife. We were going to be down in their area anyway for a run, so we invited them to join us in our hotel. They took us up on it.

But, there was a wonderful change in plans. One of their kids is an athlete who was in a tourney this weekend. He did so well that their plans had to change. So they are celebrating, and we will be rescheduling.

I will have to admit it though - I don't have much to complain about. They happened to be down the street from us, and Garbanzo and the girls were gone this morning. SG came by for some fun. We verified two things. The first is that we are able to have a quickie. And, the other was that we will need to do that again sometime. :)

e[Lust] #8

HNT Courtesy of Blue-Eyed Vixen

Welcome to e[lust] - your source for sexual intelligence and inspirations of lust from the smartest & sexiest bloggers! Whether you’re looking for hot steamy smut, thought-provoking opinions or expert information, you’re going to find it here. Want to be included in e[lust] #9? Start with the rules, check out the schedule in the site’s sidebar and subscribe to the RSS feed for updates!

~ This Week’s Top Three Posts ~

This Isn’t Play. . . BDSM and Rape - The very basic principle that we hold so dear in BDSM play, “Nothing without consent” seems to stand in stark contrast to a very common form of play, “Rape Play”.

Half-Full - When I get my ass beaten, is it as much for the sensation as it is for the “Good girl…I knew you could take that for me.” that I want so badly at the close of the scene?

House Party Part 2 -His wife walked by at one point and he cryptically asked her to "do what she did to so-and-so earlier". His wife disappeared behind me, but I felt her hands touching me and his cock as it entered me.

~ e[lust] Editress ~

Backseat Orgasms - We kissed lightly and without focus, both a sensual act and maddening at the same time. More, I needed more. In a blur I was on my knees on the seat, straddling his leg, his mouth latched onto one nipple and his fingers hunting for the key to undoing my dress pants.

~ Featured Post (Lilly’s Pick) ~

Are You Watching Me? - A plan of devious proportions begins to form. Before this is over with, I will have forced you into a corner…forced you to act…forced you to give ME what I want.

See also: Pleasurists #64 and 65 for all your sex toy review needs.

All blogs that have a submission in this edition must re-post this digest from tip-to-toe on their blogs within 7 days. Re-posting the photo is optional and the use of the “read more…” tag is allowable after this point. Thank you, and enjoy!

Erotic Writing

A story of FL
Contemplation
Cuddling
Floor Exercises
Good day for a milking
Goodbye
G-Spot Orgasms Galore - Part 2
Initiation
Logan
Mark. Confession #423
Mouth
Nothing says I love you quite like...
Playful and Dangerous
Play your part
Plotter
Splish Splash
The Library Hotel
The Secret I Couldn't Keep
Triple X
Three A.M. Surprise

Thoughts & Advice on Sex & Relationships

Anatomy of Desire (PT. Two)
Better Cautious Than Raped
Lingerie Tales Vol 1 An Obsession Begins
My life as a gamer's slave
Perplexed
Saturday Texting
So Simple
The Elusive Female Orgasm
The G Spot Mouse or How To Make A Woman Squirt
Transtastic: On Language

Kink & Fetish

A No Limits Slave?
Are Discipline and Punishment The Same?
BDSM Advice Series: Pet Play
Bondage 101—Part 1: Bondage Basics
Breaking the Demons
Dark/DirtyBlog Crush
Factory Doll
Hand vs. toys
I'm on a book cover: 'The Punishment List' by Abel
Kink
Men as sex objects
Rough Porn
Raleigh and La Fortress
Savouring the texture of my skin with his teeth
The Way They Look At Me
The Slut Chronicles #13 ~ The Auction
Whither the spankosphere?

Sex News, Interviews, Politics & Humor

Happy Valentines Day!
Hookers, Catholic School Students and Facebook
Lane Bryant Makes Puppies and Kittens Cry
Pussy Cosmetics and Vagina Myths

Day 57 - Beer PIcture #4

When I saw this beer, it reminded me a bit of the beer Daniel told me about drinking the other night. I just had to get it. It had been a long afternoon. It was exactly what I wanted.

Random Glimpses into My Life

An IM session:

Emmy: What should I write a blog about? I'm at a loss. Give me a topic.
TL: Hmmm...
Emmy: It's not easy - see. ;-)
TL: Yeah....But nothing ever happens to me!
Emmy: Like I have a lot that happens to me? I'm just opinionated.
Emmy: And verbose.
A bit later....
Emmy: You disappoint me. I figured if ANYONE would give me a good topic, it would be you. ;-)
<Yes, I was egging him on. He seems to, ahem, perform well when taunted.>
TL: Father/son bonding
Emmy: Uhmm....that could be interesting since I'm neither a father nor a son....
TL: That's why I'm not responding silly
Emmy: I gathered that. I'm just being snarky....which Garbanzo said means it's a day of the week. Go back to your bonding.
TL: Thank you....I've been telling my son to get off his phone! Lol!

Ahh...irony.
Or at least how I inadvertently created some.

~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A conversation between me and DJ after dinner:

DJ: Moe, what can I have for dessert?
Emmy: Your sister is taking a bath. You can have some Indigo tea.
DJ: Can I squeeze all the juice out of her, so I can have extra flavor?
Emmy: If she'll let you.
DJ: Wouldn't it be better if we chopped her into little pieces so I can get the most flavor out of her?
Emmy: If you think she'll let you.
DJ: Bwahahahahahaha

Garbanzo looks at me shaking his head.
Emmy: What?

(Yeah, the kids have my weird and 'not right' sense of humor. Poor Garbanzo.)

~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A text from earlier:

X: Look at you making friends on Twitter :P
Emmy: I'm making friends with her so that next time you miss a deadline, I can give her ideas of how to punish you.
X: That's just evil.
Emmy: I would never be THAT evil. I mean, I like you. ;)

(X got a glimpse of my more evil side the other night - evil in terms of what I would do to someone I didn't like, thus the distinction.)

~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An email between me and my boss's boss:

Emmy: Are you okay with him adding people to your team?
Her: Sure. Why not! The more, the merrier!
Emmy: I like that attitude! No seriously, he's adding people to everyone's team without consulting them first. So if you want me to deal with him, I will.
Her: He isn't causing you too many problems, is he?
Emmy: Nah, he just got talked to which means he is freaking out. I'm learning to manage his craziness when this happens. It's all good. (I hope.)

~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A conversation with the consultant after the meeting where everyone was late:

Emmy: Did we just spend 20 minutes trying to convince the accountants not to put detailed cell phone info into the general ledger because the managers sometimes need the info to  manage their employee's cell usage & they want to run a report rather than hand them the huge cell phone detail file?
Consultant: Uhm, yeah.
Emmy: You're an accountant. Is that fucked up or is that fucked up?
Consultant: It's wrong on many levels.
Emmy: Okay, I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't overreacting when I asked them why they were trying to solve a people management issue via accounting.
Consultant: No, I was happy you did because that is NOT something we can solve using accounting.
Emmy: Just making sure. I think I made them feel stupid.
The consultant simply laughed.

~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A text I sent as I went by the place where they were holding a high school event - an event SG and SGW were attending because their son was in it.

Emmy: I'm waving hello to you as I ride by on the train. Hope it's all going well!
SG: Hello to you too!

~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A conversation between my boss and I where he is explaining how he's planning on making the two systems talk to each other without using this middle software everyone hates.

Emmy: You know that in order for this piece of the software to work properly, it needs that middle software, right?
Boss (looking at the diagram we just drew): Damn, you're right.
Emmy (with a smirk): I know I'm right.
Boss (laughing): I'm learning that about you.

~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A text message from Garbanzo....

Garbanzo: One of the kids stole a container of acid from the science room.
Emmy: They know it isn't the acid they can get high off of, right?

~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And finally:
Garbanzo: I'm turning off the light and laying here with a semi-erect cock in case someone wants to come suck on it.

I think that's my cue to schedule this and head to bed. :)
(And thank you TL! See - you did give me an idea!)

found on vi.sualize.us
Happy Friday!!

Day 56 - Paper Flowers

Today, the Girl Scouts held Thinking Day - a day where the girls learn about other cultures. One of the troops made flowers as they learned about Hawaiian culture. The girls had so much fun with the activities - and they will be telling me all about the different cultures for the next several days, I'm sure.

HNT - Just My Socks

When I'm down to just my socks, you know what time it is. It's "Business Time".

To truly understand that reference, you MUST watch this video and enjoy the greatness that is Flight of the Concord. (I'd post the lyrics, but, well, it isn't the same, sadly.)

For other HNTs, check out Os.
Or for some naughty HNT fun, check out OHNT.

Day 55 - Explosion

The plum tree has exploded.
It's February.
Wonder if someone should tell the trees and flowers it is too soon.

A Good Day

Tuesday was a good day.

It started out with a fun chat with TL while I was on the train. I was happy to see him healthy. It feels like forever since he's been around and chatty at that time. Mainly because he's been sick. The only downside - his teasing. Finding out he was naked in bed while chatting and having that image in my head - an image I know - well, that was quite a tease for me. Damn him!!! Lol!

Then, I had a great talk with my boss when I got there. He had forgotten that I lead girl scouts ever other week. Then fretted we hadn't talked about it. He's funny. I think what helps the situation be less weird is the fact I've been in his shoes. So instead of taking it personally, I laughed. I had covered my bases because I knew if I hadn't that this would come up. He just missed it. And he knew it. It was pretty funny.

I was then finally allowed to lead my first project meeting. I tossed the executive that interjects too much of what he wants to see happen out of the meeting. The 3-hr meeting lasted 1 hour. I am now a hero.

Then, I had some great follow-up discussions. Everyone was happy how it went - even those who were not happy going into it. They felt they got a lot out of it - and were happy with the progress.

I went out and grabbed some lunch. Some soup since I'm on the verge of this stupid freaking cold, and seemed to encounter people who were genuinely happy to be at work. The two people at the coffee shop were fabulous. I was kind of taken back by them - in a good way.

Back in the office, I had a great meeting with an executive at the company. She was not happy about the project to date. In 10 minutes, I had her happy with the progress, understanding the plan and wanting to help me anyway she could.

Then, I got back to my desk and checked my personal email. I saw that eLust #8 came out.  I was looking through the code in my email just to see who was highlighted - and found my story in the top 3 posts. I was blown away. I am my own worst critic, so it was a very nice surprise. Wow!

Soon after, I spoke with another friend. It was great hearing the excitement in his voice about his night. And a nice little break from my afternoon of meetings too.

Then I went home and had a funny train experience. I moved for a cyclist who had the rights to the location I was standing in. (It was the designated bike area.) He was going to get off in a second, so he told me not to worry about it. Another guy had slid into my spot, so the cyclist yelled at him. "The lady moves because it's the right thing to do and you take her spot when I don't need it? How fucking rude! Get out of there and let her go back to her spot!"  This guy moved faster than I had ever seen someone move. I was laughing. And I got my spot back.

At home, the girls were goofy. DJ was in a great mood. Indigo was in a good and loving mood. Garbanzo was happy. Life is good!

I like those days.
I'll be honest that I went into Tuesday not optimistic given what was on the agenda of things to do, so I was pleasantly surprised that it ALL went well.
Days like these days are too few and far between.
Here's to hoping today was not a fluke!

Day 54 - Bike

Garbanzo got a new bike. He wanted to a bike for his triathlon and found an amazing deal on ebay. He got it a week ago, had it assembled, and got to ride it for the first time on Saturday. It is a ninja bike. It flies. It is treated like it is gold by him. It's a pretty bike.

A Smile, Not a Smirk

I have decided I am not openly grateful enough for these people in my life.  There are many people that put a smile on my face through out the day. And many times they do it without even realizing it.

Like Saturday, I received a random text on my way to running group. I felt like crap. Fighting a cold and thinking about going on a run was not improving my mood. But I got this text - out of the blue - wishing me a good morning- hoping I had a great run - encouraging me to enjoy the sun. When I got it as I walked to the running store, it made me smile. I liked know that someone was thinking about me - that someone remembered an obscure piece of info.  It's amazing what a pick me up that can be. I know that smile stayed on my face even after the run was done.

Or last night, getting an out of the blue message from someone else with just a line of a memory we share. Just put a smile on my face. Especially because of the memory. It was a nice memory that led to a nice series of thoughts about that time. And it was also very nice to get that sort of thing after the long day I had.

Or the random chats I have at times with online blogger friends. I have had some make me laugh when I need it. And maybe they haven't even realized it.  The quick check-ins. The back & forth. The sharing of info. It's nice to have those moments.

And the comments on this blog at times make me smile. SouthernGirl's comment on last week's HNT still has me laughing.

So to everyone, thank you. I am grateful for those times.
And I am grateful for you.

Day 53 - Addict

Ironically enough, after I took this picture, he put his iPhone away. I asked him what was wrong to which he replied, "I am here with my family, and I got sucked into my phone. I'm stopping now."

I can't blame him too much. While at the Super Bowl party, SG and I laughed at how his son, wife, Garbanzo, and another friend were all texting on their phones.  Clearly, he is not alone.

A Morning Break of Sorts

He came into the bedroom to get his wallet.
But instead we ended up in an embrace, kissing passionate.
I had been getting dressed. I had been in my sweats and decided it was time to get dressed and get out in the day. But had put on a thong and was searching for a shirt and pants. But instead of finishing, I was in my husband's arms.

I broke our embrace and stripped off my sweatshirt.  When I turned back around, my husband's pants were off and his cock was ready for me.

I knelt before him taking his cock deep into my mouth. I licked the head of his cock then took it deep into my mouth and throat. Feeling his cock get harder while I sucked and licked it turned me on even more. After several minutes of giving him oral attention, I stood up, slipped off my thong, and bent over the bed.

He came behind me and slid straight into my pussy in one stroke.
"God, you are wet!' was his observation as he thrusted deep inside me.

He picked up the pace and drove me into the bed with each stroke. My moan was barely contained.  And it wasn't at all contained as I felt his hand in my hair, grabbing it, and pulling my head back up. His other hand slid under me and grabbed a nipple and squeezed it firmly.

He released my head finally and slid his hand under my hips; finding my clit. With each stroke of his cock, his fingers expertly massaged my clit. I could feel my orgasm building quickly.

"Fuck me harder...please!" I begged.

And he picked up the pace as I started to cum.
And as I started to cum, he pulled his hands back to my hips and drove me hard into the bed as his own orgasm hit.

We laid their in a heap for a moment - catching our breath.
Then got ourselves together and went out to corral the kids and continue on with our day.
I love these unexpected quickies.

Day 52 - Mt Hood, Columbia River & An Afternoon with DJ

Mt Hood & Columbia River


Standing on the sandbar looking back at Hayden Island. The Columbia River is around us.

It is a gorgeous day, so DJ and I walked out to the point of the Columbia River. It was quite breezy, and we watched as the sailboats were on some pretty spectacular tacks. They were flying upstream which is pretty hard to do given the strong current of the Columbia. But the wind was perfect for it. (Garbanzo and I used to sail on his dad's sailing boat. We stopped when he sold the boat.)  It was definitely a gorgeous day to be out on the water.

And spending 1x1 time with DJ was quite interesting. At almost 10, I was surprised when she slid her hand into mine as we walked down to the beach. She hasn't done that in years now. As we walked, she talked non-stop about her friends and the games they play. For example, they have a Weenie game. They all have Weenie names - she is DJ-Weenie, and they have their own version of Weenie Latin. For example: "How-weenie are-weenie you-weenie?" I asked what the game was to which she responded to not be a rotten weenie.

Thank God she is still young and naive because she thought I was laughing for a different reason when she told me the game they play when they get board of the weenie game - they play "beaver munch". I was laughing so hard I was almost crying when she tossed in that they walk around saying "beaver, beaver, beaver - munch, munch munch."  Oh, God will I be remember this when she gets older.

To be fair, her friend's dad graduated from Oregon State, so they watch the Beavers quite a bit. This is where it came from. But going from weenie to beaver in the span of a few minutes was just a bit too much for me.

We had fun as we wandered around. She is definitely my daughter in terms of her sense of humor. My eyes water really bad when the wind is blowing the right direction even if I'm wearing sunglasses. She would look over at me and put her arm around my waist and say "Moe, it's okay - you don't have to cry. The bears won't eat you." She is an odd one.

Then as we were walking back, she said she thought it would be cool if we were like starfish. We could lose a finger and it would grow back. Then she proceeded to say if she was a starfish, she would put her suckers on my back. Then she started laughing hysterically and said she wants lots of lollipops so she can lick them and put them on my back - get it -suckers on my back. I simply stopped and looked at her and asked if she ate anything she found on the beach I should be aware of.  "No, Moe! I'm just crazy!!"

Yes, DJ, you are

Sunday Randomness

I have about 10 posts started with no real motivation to finish them, so here is a list bouncing around in my mind.

1. Work started with a low and ended with a high. After being treated like I was an idiot by one of the execs who then got his staff to "retract" what they had raised as an issue, I decided to fuck them all and stay the course. I'm a bit arrogant that way. I mean, I know what needs to be done regardless of whether or not he does. The next day, he and I had a heart to heart where he revealed how frustrated he is that no one is understand him. I gave him a few ideas as to why, but it was his response that gave me my vindication "maybe I should just let you take over and do the job you were hired to do since you have a better idea of what's going on than I do."  It's not exactly a "you're right, I was wrong", but I'll take it.
2. I've been fighting the starts of a cold all week. I would love to blame TL for getting me sick since I don't know anyone else who is sick. But I doubt texting him to see if he was still alive could really transmit germs.
   
3. My run Saturday morning which I expected to suck ended up being pretty good. I think it was a combination of several things. A random, out of the blue text message from a friend sent by a friend wishing me a good run. The sun - the fucking sun was great! And the company. My pitcher buddy has decided I am his running partner now, and we chatted throughout the entire run. I'm never much of a chatter, but we were joking around a bit too. I expressed to him that "I hate this long slow climb uphill" to which he responded "thanks, I hadn't noticed it until just now - that was really helpful of you to point that out." I got him back though when I made him pick up the pace on the last half mile. I knew if I sped up that his competitive nature would kick in. Yeah, I'm evil. But I think I'm closer to running sub 9min/miles than I thought I am. I'm averaging between 9-9:20min/miles right now. And at one point during the 4 mile run, we were running a 8:25min/mile. I love my running watch.
   
4. I want the fucking Girl Scout cookies out of my living room. I've had one parent say she was going to pick them up this weekend. One out of the seven. In the meantime, they are in a pile in my living room. Oh, and sorting 350 boxes of cookies FUCKING SUCKS! Not only did I get to count and recount them 4 times because I kept ending up with an extra box, I get to count them each time someone picks them up.
   
5. My children have been fighting non-stop for the past week. Toss in their whining about not being able to watch the same episode of iCarly for the 100th time, and I've wondered why we decided to have children in the first place. I mean, I get to listen to them fight and periodically referee when it gets physical. I get to pick up after them. I get to remind them that last time I checked the stick to the lollipop they just finished does not go on the floor - to which I am rewarded with whining of the kids where they then try to accuse the other of it being their fault. Good times.
6. We are going to see SG and SGW next weekend. We are going to go run in a fundraiser south of Portland, and they are going to meet us down there the night before for some fun. Glad it could work out like it did. And I don't know who is more excited about it - us or them. I think that's what's fun about this couple compared to the other couple we play with. These guys are pretty much an open book in terms of how they are feeling about things. The other couple, while fun, sort of worries that the lifestyle will take over their life in a negative way, so they keep it very segregated. While I get their concern, it only means we hear from them when they want to play. SG & his wife are nice counterpoint to that couple and more inline with what we were hoping for.
   
7. I signed up for a run in April called Bridge to Brews. Yes, I will be running between two micro-brew locations in the city - and across one of the largest bridges in Portland. The reward at the end is lunch and two taste beverages of my choice. Mmmm....beer. Next weekend we are doing a run put on by Oregon State's cross country team. They are raising money for one of their former runner's cancer treatments. This woman is amazing. Had a brain tumor removed back in the fall, I think, going through chemo, and still running like a mad woman. I think she's trying to qualify for the Olympic marathon trials (again). A good cause for an amazing woman.
   
8. I'm glad Garbanzo's friend from high school is back in town. She finished a beer she had been brewing today and stopped by the house to let us try some. Let me try some actually. It was fantastic stuff. I can't wait until she starts brewing regularly. I suspect I will be the recipient of a lot of sample tastes.
   
9. We are going to add more raised beds in our backyard for the garden. I'm trying to decide when I want to lug all of the dirt back there. It will be a repeat of last year's great dirt move. Maybe spring break - then I can be sure it is raining when we do it. Because I don't have enough to do, I figure why not plant more in the backyard.
10. Garbanzo got his new triathlon bike last weekend and had it fit to him yesterday. It's quite an amazing bike. His plan is to ride it to spin practice for his tri training team. Last spin practice, he tried to make a couple of adjustments at once and ended up falling off the spin bike. (Spin bikes are NOT like standard stationary bike you'd find in the cardio section of your gym - they are more like a fix gear bike.) I swear he is the only guy who could do that. I joked that maybe he should wear a helmet next time. Good thing he's taking one with him.

Hope everyone has been having a great weekend!

Day 51 - Overexposed

Everyone gives me great compliments on my photography. And I totally appreciate them. But, I thought I would show you what happens when you pick up the camera set on 'manual' and start taking pictures.

Let me explain what happened. The kids were driving us crazy. It was a gorgeous day outside. We kept tossing them outside instead of letting them stay inside and watch TV or sit in their rooms. Finally, we told them to go outside and pick up after the dogs in the backyard. (In other words, pick up the dog shit.) They went out there as the alternative we gave them wasn't much of an alternative. And in the process of "working together", something unexpected happened. The tied shut bag of dog crap ended up on the roof of the back overhang.

Our response: "Go get it off the roof. You know where the ladder is."

So, they worked together to get it down. It was funny to watch, so I grabbed my camera (unbeknownst to them) and started taking pictures. I glanced at the back screen once very briefly, didn't notice anything wrong (but didn't pay attention really) and kept shooting. 

When I downloaded the pictures tonight, I noticed all were overexposed. When I took my pictures yesterday, I had changed the shutter speed just a hair to let in a bit more light. And forgot I had done it. So, sunny day and slower shutter speed equals overexposed pictures. And they were overexposed enough that I couldn't fix them. 

I ended up just doing weird things so I could get something like this:

Turned out to be kinda neat, but only because I fucked up the pictures so badly.

I guess, you could say that like the bag of dog crap, my pictures ended up in a totally unexpected place.

Day 50 - Roger-Roger

Outside of cropping, this photo is straight from my camera. I liked the way the Star Wars Lego Characters looked while standing on top of this lamp. Kind like something out of Star Wars.

Oh, and those little Battle Droids - they say "roger-roger" a lot especially in Lego Star Wars.

The Question I Dread

"What do you like?"

I hate this question.

While I appreciate the desire of the guy to understand "what I like" so that he can make our experience a pleasurable one for me, I never know how to answer this question. It is not that I cannot articulate "what I like". It is more of the fact we don't have an hour. So, I never feel I answer it quite like they want. I almost feel like I take a cop out.

I have answered the question simple, "there isn't a lot I don't like." or even "I like most everything", but here is the real answer:

I don't have many boundaries. I truly don't. And what I will do with one guy isn't necessarily what I will do with every guy. Why? Because the guys are different. Our bodies will fit differently. The chemistry is different. The dynamic is different. I don't know his stamina; he doesn't know mine. One guy's talented tongue may not work right on my clit. It may take more coaching or just rub me the wrong way. And I will bring a set of experiences to the table as will he. We will both bring what has worked and what hasn't worked - so going in with an open mind just works for me.

It's like I said the other day in my reflection on the year back. Some of what I've liked is playing with different partners and maybe trying things that maybe have not worked between Garbanzo and me when we've tried it.  I like that new dynamic and the new chemistry that someone brings to the bed. I like the different approach and learning that if done in a certain way, something I never enjoyed before can become something I REALLY enjoy.

And if something isn't working, I will say it isn't working. I think that is what guys have truly been afraid of - that I won't say something. But, I will. I've gently redirected play in a way that the guy I'm redirecting doesn't even know it. I've spoken up and said "this is not working - let's do this." I will not go along with something that isn't working for me. Just like if something feels great, I'll say it if my moans and such don't deliver that message for me. If I can tell the guy wants to pull my hair, for example, I'll speak up and suggest it when their hand runs through the hair a second time. 

So, I guess, for me, that's the real answer to this question:
"I don't know - let's jump in bed and find out - together."

Day 49 - Blossoms

Our plum tree is about to explode in blossoms. Yes, I am aware it is February 18th. Clearly, the tree is not.

Or as someone said "Viva El Nino!"

HNT - Tape Dalay

The Winter Olympics, for me, is about avoiding everything that could tell me the metal count or who just won what event . Vancouver, BC, for those of you who don't know is just north of where I am, yet, I have to wait until "prime time" to see the Olympics. It doesn't stop news agencies who broadcast results on Twitter or other feeds though.

But, we've been keeping busy - distracting ourselves from seeing results.
And I'm thankful for Tivo ....so if we get too distracted, we still don't miss anything.

Check out those people who were more creative with today's theme by visiting Os.
Or for those more NSFW, visit those on OHNT.

Day 48 - GS Cookie Guard Dog

Our dog has taken to guarding the cookies.
I keep telling him I'm not giving him any Samoas, but I think he's hopeful.

Reflecting on the First Year

About a year ago, Garbanzo and I took our fantasy talk and acted upon it. We setup a profile on a local site or two and ventured into the lifestyle. Our goal at the time seemed simple - find some people we could be friends with and have some fun in the bedroom with. Being newbies, the first several months were hard. Newbies are not exactly embraced by experienced swingers, and we quickly discovered why as we corresponded with a few ourselves. We either found that they weren't on the same page, or the idea was interesting until someone wanted to meet them, at which point, they would flee. We often wondered what we were doing wrong. Now we know - it wasn't us.

I already told the story about Carrie and Mark. It was definitely a learning experience - that's for sure. Once we had our swinger cherry popped, if you will, it seemed like the swinging universe deemed us ready - and we found some good playmates right away.

The past year, we have had some drama that has now passed. But more importantly, we have made some great, sexy friends. And we both feel we are quickly establishing a small group of swinging friends that all get along and play together.

Friday night on our way home from a play date with SG and his wife, Garbanzo and I could not help but reflect on our year. Here are some of our observations:

• I have become a hell of a lot more secure with myself. In situations where in the past I would not have been very assertive, I am now extremely assertive. I'm more confident. I have always been good at reading people, but now, I can pick up the smallest cues. And a lot of it is simply the fact that I have figured out how to shut my brain off and stop thinking so much. I have simply started doing. And, what I have found with that simple act: the worst that can happen is I could have fun. The first time I did that flawlessly was the night I met TL in person. We all ended up in our bed touching and playing and talking - and Garbanzo made a comment about how I'd cum if I touched myself. TL asked what I was waiting for. Until that point I had really only done that in front of Garbanzo. For a split second, I almost didn't do it - then said fuck it and had fun. And boy did we all have fun.

• Communication between Garbanzo and me has gotten much better. We have always had good communication. I want to make that perfectly clear. We've been together over 18 years without any major issues or obstacles. But, it has definitely cranked up a notch.  Mainly this has happened as a result of possibilities that have arisen. We talk about these things from different angles now - just to make sure that we are both okay - before and after. As we keep saying to each other, this is supposed to be fun - not destroy what we have. The constant check points is extremely important to us now - even more so than in the past.

• Our rules are less rules, more guidelines. We have broken most of the rules we put into place when we started. Only play as a couple. Broken. Never play on the first date. Broken. No single men. That one is shattered between TL and X. The only rule we have not broken is "taking one for the team". Of the rules, we will never break this one. It is pretty much our Golden Swinger Rule. We have learned when to trust our gut and when to run away. We go into situations with a desire of what we hope to see happen but with a flexibility that allows us to go with the flow of the situation knowing that if one person is uncomfortable or unhappy that the "code phrase" can and will be used.  We even have code phrases in certain situations to let the other know that all is well and to "play on".  We now go into every situation with a couple and judge it uniquely based on the couple and the circumstances. 

• I am letting people see the person Garbanzo sees. As weird as it sounds saying this has made me more able to combine the different facets of myself, it has. I think it is having a group of "friends" who are interested in seeing all of these sides has helped tremendously. I mean, to have conversations with people you've had sex with that centers around kids, family, work and sex - how often are you able to do that? Having a group of friends where you can drop all guards and just be you, it's quite freeing really.

• Being able to sexually play in new ways - even ways where maybe Garbanzo and I are not able to play with each other. In some cases, it is merely a new partner bringing something new to the table. In other cases, it is maybe something one partner is just not into trying. It has been a fun exploration. Again, communication has been the key to making this possible.
  

Overall, looking back, we have found this has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. We hope it continues to evolve.  Right now, we are planning an overnight with SG and his wife (SGW) in a couple weeks. SGW and Garbanzo are planning a weekend away with a third couple - a couple we all get along with and have had fun with.  THAT could be an interesting weekend too. And, hopefully, soon TL and I can find some time together again soon. Because as I've explained to him, I'm not done with him yet.

So, a year later, we are happy. We are where we hoped to be. And we are having lots of fun. There are no "we hare happy, but" comments, and most importantly - no regrets!

Day 47 - A Ring

Who says women are the only ones who like jewelry on Valentine's Day. Garbanzo had been admiring this very steampunk inspired ring he found. The top and bottom of the ring turn in opposite directions so that the gears move. His "isn't this a cool idea" comment inspired a present. What can I say - I'm not one to guess what he wants in terms of gifts.

Jamie Oliver & Spreading Good Ideas

I must confess - I have a thing for Jamie Oliver. I always have. Maybe it was when I first heard of his first show on Food Network "The Naked Chef" that captured my interest. Or maybe it is the fact that I seem to be attracted to men whose brains seem to be in over-drive. I don't know. It doesn't matter. I have a thing for him.
 
As a chef, I love his simple approach to cooking - it is very much like my own. Who needs an overly complicated recipe - toss stuff together - mix and match - know the elements and go for it. Enjoy the food.
 
Take his bread recipe, for example. It drives Garbanzo nuts that he can spend so much time and energy trying to perfect bread making and still fuck it up more times than not. Jamie's recipe just speaks to me - about this much flour, about that much water. Nothing is precise   - yet it turns out perfectly.
 
As a person though, I began admiring his passion for teaching. He has a couple restaurants now that teaches troubled kids how to become chefs. Hell, the restaurants are run by his trainees. And he rides their asses too - trying to help spark motivation and passion - to help them realize it is time to help themselves versus expecting others to do it for them.
 
His efforts in England with trying to get good food back into the schools - get parents to stop compromising on nutrition is amazing. (Even if it is controversial.) He loves kids. He loves food. And he hates seeing what food is doing to people with increased rates of obesity and obesity related health issues. So, instead of teaching strict nutrition - he's teaching people how to do it. How to take that stuff - make it good to eat - fast.
 
Jamie has recently started bringing this message to the US. His wish is simple:
“I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.”
 
And here is what I like - the fact he realizes at the root of the problem is the fact we as a society have lost our connection with food - lost our connection with home cooking. Fast food and prepackaged meals have become too prevalent because of the societal changes that result in people feeling they have less time to actually cook meals. Homecoooked meals get sacrificed in the time crunch. While the heart of the decision may be understandable, the unintended consequence is much greater.
 
His movement in the US is to teach kids how to cook. Instead of throwing them into nutrition classes, he wants them to learn how to cook. Learn how to apply it. Learn that you can throw something healthy and good together in 15 minutes if that's all you have. He also wants to connect the kids back to their food.
 
A few weeks ago, there was an article about how he went to a school in the US to teach the kids. He quickly learned the kids didn't even know their basic vegetables. In fact a potato and a tomato seemed to stump most of the kids.
 
When Garbanzo taught at the inner city school for the first 5 years, he used to teach the kids to cook. He started using it as a way to teach the kids about math - fractions, specifically. He ended up evolving it into nutrition as well as the cost of buying the food to make these things. Most of those kids were on public assistance of some sort - free lunches, food stamps, subsidized housing, food boxes, etc. As they started cooking, he realized how little understanding the kids had around food and the cost of it. They made a huge vat of soup one day - I think the cost for a classroom of 25 kids was maybe $10.  This blew his minds of his 11 year old kids. He fed the whole class on $10. They wanted the recipe. They wanted to go home and make it for their families. All of these kids were acutely aware of the financial situations of their families. And this was astounding to them being able to do this.
 
Seeing that this was blowing them away, he took them to the grocery store on a field trip. He taught them how to shop for food. How to look at the cost of rice, for example, and know which was the best deal. The kids were eating it up. In fact, the parents started asking questions because of what their kids were saying. When the parents started talking about it, our friend who was the on site social worker at this school (yes, this school was THAT bad that the county put an on site social worker in the school) - she decided that maybe they should do an after school cooking class for the parents. So, they did. And, it went extremely well.
 
Did it work long term? Hard to say. Seeing the short term effect on the kids was pretty inspiring though. And with Garbanzo, he just accidentally stumbled across it - all because he wanted to teach them math.  But, it makes me appreciate the approach Jamie Oliver is taking. Get the kids excited about food - get them asking for veggies because they tried it and loved it. Who can argue with that?
 
Jamie Oliver was officially awarded the TED prize last week for his efforts around these causes. Check out his speech. No, seriously, go right now and listen to it. It is seriously inspiring and eye opening! And I think what he says can hit close to home for everyone. I know it did for me.

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. It is a non-profit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Their website contains videos of some inspirational people. Their idea is to do exactly what their tag line says: spread ideas.

Recommended are:

• Clifford Stoll who is teaching college level physics to 8th graders. Amazing guy and an absolutely amazing talk.
  
• Aimee Mullens who is a record breaking sprinter and model - oh, and an amputee who works with scientists to help think of prosthetics in new ways. She has legs for all occasions. Check her out.
  
• Scott McCloud who talks about comics and computers as an infinite canvas.
  
• David Blaine who spoke about how he held his breath for 17 minutes and the process behind it. His speech lasted slightly longer than his record.

If you peruse the website, you will find that a great number of well known people have spoken. I know I could spend hours just watching and listening to their ideas.

Day 46 - Ecotrust Building

In the middle of the Pearl District is the remains of a building. When they were rebuilding this area converting it from light industrial to mega trendy, they left the old wall up on the corner and remodeled the old building adjacent to it incorporating the old and new. What resulted was a neat building and parking lot area. Intermixed between them are some functioning veggie and fruit gardens used by one of the restaurants. And in the summer and fall, they host a small farmer's market each week.

Skipping Dinner

"Are you coming with us or staying here?"
Our spouses had decided they were hungry after their play and wanted food.
We looked at each other for a second then said, "We'll stay here."
"Okay, we are going to go eat - we'll bring you back something"

The door shut.
And for the first time that evening, we were alone.
No background noise from the other two.
No conversations to ignore.
Just us.

He crawled on top of me, hovering over me kissing me passionately. He was clearly as happy as I that we were alone.

And as he made his way down my body, he paused at my nipples. Alternating between squeezing and sucking them. And as he squeezed them harder - or sucked them deeper, my moans increased. They were going to be sore tomorrow - but I didn't fucking care.

He suddenly sat up, between my legs, and gave me this sly grin as he reached for my hand.
"I want to see you do this," was all he said as he placed my hand on my clit.

During an earlier exchange, I had shared with him that cumming was most easily accomplished by my own hand. G-spot stimulation is fabulous but I never have the huge orgasm unless my clit is involved. He understood but especially loved it when I said I had no problem doing it in front of him.

I started finding the rhythm easily knowing how much he was enjoying the show. I could tell he wanted to lend a hand, so I asked if he would add some fingers. "It won't distract you?" Oh, not at all. Between his fingers and my own, I came pretty quickly. Not surprising given the few hours of build up that we had already had. I was ready for a big orgasm.

He readied himself and positioned his cock between us. I was desperate to be fucked, so I pulled him into me - I needed the delay and teasing to end. I needed to be fucked.

"I love how desperate for me that orgasm has made you."

He grabbed my hair and used it to pin me to the bed as he started fucking me hard.

"Ahh...this is exactly what I needed," I said between my moans in his ear and my mouth on his neck. I held him close as he fucked me hard. I did not want him to stop or change position or change rhythm. I did not want to be fucked with anymore - I wanted to ride the waves of pleasure the constant motion was providing.

But that wasn't up to me.

He stopped buried deep inside me and kissed me hard and deep. His hand released my hair. And as we kissed, his hands encircled my wrists, and he lifted them above my head where he held them and me in his control.

He broke the kiss and started fucking me slowly - building up the rhythm slowly. Using one hand to keep me pinned to the bed, he moved his other hand to near my collar bone - where the shoulder meets the neck and held me firmly  - ensuring I could not move as he drove into me hard and deep. The intense look on his face told me he was in control. I got my pleasure, and now this was about him.

The sound of our bodies slapping together were intermixed with our moans. He moved his hand from my collar bone to my knee and pulled it up just a bit. "Keep it right there" was his command. His hand joined the other one pinning me down. And all I could do was hold still, doing as I was told, and hold onto his hands as they held me into position. A moment later, he came hard.

He leaned into me and kissed me. Kissed my face, my lips, my neck, my breasts - then settled on top of me catching his breath as I returned the kisses. His hands staying where they were.

We laid there like this for several minutes. Enjoying the closeness and gathering our wits as we came down from the intensity of the play. "God, I am going to have fun with you! I love your submissiveness. I mean, I still have you pinned to the bed, and you aren't even trying to move or get away. I love that! How do you feel about being tied down?"

Yeah, I think I may have been too hasty in giving him "Shy Guy" as a moniker. 'Cause SG (as he will now be known) is a lot dirtier in his play than I could have ever expected.

I'm with him.
This is going to be fun.

Day 45 - Girl Scout Cookies

Valentine's Day and Girl Scout Cookie Pick-up Day.

25 cases of cookies were what I picked up from the warehouse for my troop. I have to pick up the rest tomorrow because I need a few boxes of different kinds, and it didn't make sense to order whole cases when I need 3 boxes. Then begins the fun task of sorting and delivering them to the girls. Until then, they will sit in a pile in the dining room.