December 4, 2018 · 5:57 am

Daily Sexy Musing: Handyman Sex Appeal

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Let’s face it. No matter how many high-tech gadgets we have in our lives, they’re going to break at some point. Whether it’s our cell phones or our toilets, it’s inevitable. Things break, no matter how complicated or simple they are. That just makes the people who repair them an integral part of our lives.

They often go overlooked and underappreciated. However, whenever something we value stops working, we depend on them to get the job done. When the eventually do fix something for us, we’re not just relieved. We’re astonished by them. Sometimes, that astonishment can have a very sensual connotation.

I’ve seen this happen more than once. Women see a man who can fix things and they find that genuinely attractive. Some may call it shallow, being attracted to someone on the basis of what they can do for them. That doesn’t make the feeling less real. It can get pretty intense too. When someone does something that inherently valuable for you, a part of you is going to want to thank them in a way beyond paying a repair bill.

The following Daily Sexy Musing is a testament to the handymen and handywomen who keep our complicated world working. Their sex appeal is underrated and worth celebrating. Think of that the next time you need something fixed. That person who can fix it for you might just end up being the sexiest person in the world. Enjoy!

Something breaks.

My world stops.

I try and a I fail to remedy it.

Then, I call you and you respond. I watch as you toil with things I cannot comprehend, tweaking and tinkering in ways I do not dare. You get down on your knees. You get your hands, face, and body so dirty. I feel dirty just watching you, but in the best possible way.

You speak with such knowledge and insight. You give me answers that seemed so distant. I learn from you what I did wrong or didn’t know to do in the first place. It’s humbling. Under your expertise, I feel smaller. As you speak, I feel like I’m looking up at a titan, one with the knowledge and skill to right the wrongs in my world.

These things that I rely on are my weakest link. Your ability to fix them turns that weakness into a strength. With you, I am no longer vulnerable. Together, we are equipped to use the best tools to overcome the greatest challenges. To be with you is to be so much more than my resources.

I have things you don’t have.

You have skills I don’t possess.

Together, we have it all.

When the work is done, the burden is lifted. My world continues, but it’s not enough to go back to the way things were. I seek to make things better and more robust. For that, I need your expertise. For you, I’m willing to offer my heart and so much more.

I reach out to you, not minding the dirt and toil still clinging to your hands. I embrace you, not minding the sweat and grime that your hard work has compiled. If anything, it excites me. Your skill with those hands makes me want to share some skills of my own. Driven by gratitude and grace, I have every incentive to get the job done, just like you.

You fixed my things.

I welcome you into my world.

Together, we forge an unbreakable passion.

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December 3, 2018 · 5:54 am

The First Genetically Modified Humans Have Been Born: Now What?

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When the USSR launched Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, it didn’t just kick-start the space race. It marked a major technological paradigm shift. From that moment forward, venturing into space wasn’t just some futuristic fantasy. It was real and it had major implications for the future of our species.

On November 26, 2018, a Chinese scientist named He Jiankui announced that the first genetically modified humans had been born. Specifically, two twin girls actually had their genetic code modified at the embryonic stage to disable the CCR5 gene to make them highly resistant to HIV/AIDS. In the history of our species, this moment will likely exceed the importance of Sputnik.

This man may have just upstaged Neil Armstrong.

To appreciate why this is such a big deal, consider the full ramifications of what Mr. Jiankui achieved. The change he made to the genome of those girls was impossible for them to inherent. This particular allele is a result of a mutation within a small population of Northern Europeans and is present in no other ethnic group. It is best known for providing significant immunity to common strains of the HIV virus.

This is of significant interest to China because they’ve been dealing with a surge in HIV/AIDS rates in recent years. Even though AIDS isn’t a death sentence anymore, the medicine needed to manage it is costly and tedious. These two girls, who have not been publicly named thus far, may now have a level of resistance that they never would’ve had without genetic modification.

On paper, that’s an objective good. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 35 million people have died because of AIDS since it was first discovered and approximately 36.9 million people are living with the disease today. It’s in the best interest of society to take steps towards preventing the spread of such a terrible disease, especially in a country as large as China.

However, Mr. Jiankui has caused more consternation than celebration. Shortly after he announced the birth of the two unnamed children, China suspended his research activities. Their reasoning is he crossed ethical boundaries by subjecting humans to an untested and potentially dangerous treatment that could have unforeseen consequences down the line.

Those concerns have been echoed by many others in the scientific community. Even the co-inventor of CRISPR, the technology used to implement this treatment and one I’ve cited before as a game-changer for biotechnology, condemned Mr. Jiankui’s work. It’s one thing to treat adults with this emerging technology. Treating children in the womb carries a whole host of risks.

That’s why there are multiple laws in multiple countries regulating the use of this technology on top of a mountain of ethical concerns. This isn’t about inventing new ways to make your smartphone faster. This involves tweaking the fundamental code of life. The potential for good is immense, but so is the potential for harm.

Whether or not Mr. Jiankui violated the law depends heavily on what lawyers and politicians decide. Even as the man defends his work, though, there’s one important takeaway that closely parallels the launch of Sputnik. The genie is out of the bottle. There’s no going back. This technology doesn’t just exist on paper and in the mind of science fiction writers anymore. It’s here and it’s not going away.

Like the space race before it, the push to realize the potential of genetic modification is officially on. Even as the scientific and legal world reacts strongly to Mr. Jiankui’s work, business interests are already investing in the future of this technology. The fact this investment has produced tangible results is only going to attract more.

It’s impossible to overstate the incentives at work here. Biotechnology is already a $139 billion industry. There is definitely a market for a prenatal treatment that makes children immune to deadly diseases. Both loving parents and greedy insurance companies have many reasons to see this process refined to a point where it’s as easy as getting a flu shot.

Even politicians, who have historically had a poor understanding of science, have a great many reasons to see this technology improve. A society full of healthy, disease-free citizens is more likely to be prosperous and productive. From working class people to the richest one percent, there are just too many benefits to having a healthy genome.

The current climate of apprehension surrounding Mr. Jiankui’s work may obscure that potential, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone. During the cold war, there was a similar climate of fear, albeit for different reasons. People back then were more afraid that the space race would lead to nuclear war and, given how close we came a few times, they weren’t completely unfounded.

There are reasons to fear the dangers and misuse of this technology. For all we know, the treatment to those two girls could have serious side-effects that don’t come to light until years later. However, it’s just as easy to argue that contracting HIV and having to treat it comes with side-effect that are every bit as serious.

As for what will come after Mr. Jiankui’s research remains unclear. I imagine there will be controversy, lawsuits, and plenty of inquiries full of people eager to give their opinion. As a result, he may not have much of a career when all is said and done. He won’t go down in history as the Neil Armstong of biotechnology, but he will still have taken a small step that preceded a giant leap.

Even if Mr. Jiankui’s name fades from the headlines, the breakthrough he made will continue to have an impact. It will likely generate a new range of controversy on the future of biotechnology and how to best manage it in an ethical, beneficial manner. It may even get nasty at times with protests on par or greater than the opposition to genetically modified foods.

Regardless of how passionate those protests are, the ball is already rolling on this technology. There’s money to be made for big business. There’s power and prosperity to be gained by government. If you think other countries will be too scared to do what a science team in China did, then you don’t know much about geopolitics.

Before November 26, 2018, there were probably many other research teams like Mr. Jiankui who were ready and eager to do something similar. The only thing that stopped them was reservation about being the first to announce that they’d done something controversial with a technology that has been prone to plenty of hype.

Now, that barrier is gone. Today, we live in a world where someone actually used this powerful tool to change the genome of two living individuals. It may not seem different now, but technology tends to sneak up on people while still advancing rapidly. That huge network of satellites that now orbit our planet didn’t go up weeks after Sputnik 1, but they are up there now because someone took that first step.

There are still so many unknowns surrounding biotechnology and the future of medicine, but the possibilities just become more real. Most people alive today probably won’t appreciate just how important November 26, 2018 is in the history of humanity, but future generations probably will, including two remarkable children in China.

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December 2, 2018 · 9:17 am

Jack Fisher’s Sexy Sunday Thoughts: Sexy Candle Edition

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What is it about candles that have both sex appeal and romantic undertones? I get that candles have a logistical use. They provide light without electricity. Some even have scents that make a dirty apartment smell like a rose garden. None of that is groundbreaking. However, whenever someone create a romantic scene, candles are often used to set the mood.

Maybe it’s the dim lighting, the added heat they provide, or the unique scent they exude. Maybe there’s something more primal at work. For most of human history, if we wanted to make love at night, we either had to do it under the stars or by the light of a fire. For all we know, it was the first method people used to establish a genuinely romantic mood.

Whatever the case, candles can provide uncanny sexiness when used properly. Beyond lighting, they have other kinkier uses that I won’t get into. I’ll just say that there’s a market for candle wax that goes beyond lighting. It’s more than enough to justify dedicating this week’s edition of my Sexy Sunday Thoughts to the unique sex appeal of candles. Hopefully, we don’t need to wait for a power outage to appreciate it.

“We are never more vulnerable when we’re both confused and horny.”

“Porn stars are the only professionals who can never take off their uniform.”

“Good grammar is like good foreplay in that people notice when it’s poorly done.”

“Lingerie is like wrapping paper for sex.”

“An anniversary is a tactful way of telling your lover that you still enjoy seeing them naked.”

“Making love in a moving car is like running naked during a blizzard in that you can do it, but there are some serious risks.”

“From a purely evolutionary standpoint, having sex while eating is the most basic form of multi-tasking.”

I hope that inspired lovers, young and old alike, to stock up on candles. Winter is here. The days are getting shorter and cold weather is making the act of getting naked less desirable. For fans of all things sexy and romantic, this presents a challenge and we need to make use of all the tools at our disposal. Candles are an underrated, but incredibly powerful tool to achieve plenty of sexy things this winter.

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December 1, 2018 · 10:00 am

“Wake-Up Call” A Sexy Short Story

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The following is a sexy short story I wrote about waking up in the morning in the best possible way. Enjoy!

“Hey Rachel! Are you awake yet?” asked a humored, but restless Dan Ayan.

He got no response. He didn’t expect one, either. Rachel, his wife of the past two years, just laid there comfortably in bed, snoring lightly as though the morning sun weren’t blaring through the window. It always amazed him, her ability to sleep so heavily after getting to bed so late, but he’d come to appreciate it over the years.

“Out like a light on a Wednesday morning,” Dan said, shaking his head. “You just love making this difficult for me, don’t you?”

Again, she didn’t respond. He thought he knew what it meant to be a heavy sleeper. Rachel raised the bar for all of them.

He’d known that about her since they started dating back in college. Her reputation for deep sleep was the stuff of legend. Her old roommate once said she slept through a fire drill and through an actual fire when a neighbor set a couch on fire. Her brother claimed she’d slept through her car alarm going off at five in the morning during a thunderstorm, which got her in trouble with the neighbors.

Dan didn’t doubt any of those stories, even if they were exaggerated. Rachel even warned him about that on their second date. He didn’t think it would be that big a deal as their relationship evolved. He’d since learned that dealing with her heavy sleeping habits meant adapting in creative ways.

“Fine,” Dan said. “You’re not going to get up in time for work? I’ll just have to take drastic measures.”

Feeling extra bold, having already had his morning cup of coffee, Dan crawled up onto the king-sized bed they shared and stealthily pulled back the covers. Even though part of it had been under her arms, Rachel still didn’t wake up. The blaring sunlight coming in through the windows illuminated the red nightie she wore the previous night. It also revealed that she wasn’t wearing any panties.

“You sneaky little minx, you,” he chuckled. “You probably planned this.”

That might have been half-true. It wasn’t unusual for Rachel to ditch panties when she slept, especially during the summer. She’d also worked late yesterday and might have just forgot to wear them. He didn’t always remember to wear underwear when he came home late, but he knew his wife well enough to sense when she went out of her way to forget.

“Okay then,” Dan said, licking his lips in anticipation. “If that’s the wake-up call you want, this morning…so be it.”

Being the considerate, caring husband he was, Dan shed his bathrobe and positioned himself just under his sleeping wife. Like an animal sneaking up on its prey, he inched his way closer to her exposed womanhood that her nighty so poorly hid. As soon as he got close enough to smell its heavenly scent, Dan went to rousing her from her deep slumber.

He was subtle at first, using his soft fingers to lightly stroke the outer folds of her crevice. Having come to know her anatomy so well, he slipped a finger into her vagina while lightly rubbing her clit. That finally got her to stir somewhat, but she remained fast asleep. That meant he had to step up his efforts.

More than willing to rise to the challenge – and on a weekday, no less – he leaned in closer and guided his tongue over her outer womanhood. Then, with one finger still on her clit, he took the proverbial plunge and tasted her tender flesh.

Finally, Rachel emerged from her deep sleep.

“Ooh!” she moaned. “Oh yeah!”

“Good morning sunshine,” Dan said through a muffled voice.

He further roused her by probing deeper, pushing his tongue into the wet recesses of her pussy. He made it a point to stimulate those well-hidden nerves that were so hard to reach, getting an even deeper whiff of her womanly heat in the process. It was almost as intoxicating as a morning cup of coffee, but much more rewarding.

“Oohhh! Good morning, indeed!” she cooed.

She didn’t sound that drowsy anymore, but her body still got ahead of her mind. As Dan continued his oral teasing, Rachel rolled from her side and onto her back. She then spread her legs widely, hitching them over his shoulders so that he had unobstructed access to her lower anatomy. He made good use of it, holding onto her thighs as he worked his tongue with greater intensity.

More moans followed, the kind that affirmed she was fully awake. That had been his goal, getting her out of bed before she slept in too late on a weekday. However, between his morning cup of coffee and the taste of his love’s pussy, Dan soon found himself getting aroused. Being a morning person, he experienced more “morning wood” than most men. It used to be a nuisance. Since he’d been with Rachel, it proved quite useful.

“Glad you’re awake,” Dan said, briefly looking up from her inner thighs. “If you want, I could let you get ready. Or if you need more rousing…”

Rachel didn’t let him finish. She already had that glint in her eye that let him know how their morning would play out.

“Don’t stop, Dan,” she said intently. “You know what I need…and I know what you need too.”

Showing the kind of certainty and sex appeal that shouldn’t have been possible so early on a Wednesday morning, Rachel rose up and shed her nighty, revealing those perky breasts of hers that Dan loved to admire. Then, her naked body glowing beautifully in the morning sun, she pulled him up and kissed him passionately, not even minding the trace of feminine juices dripping down his face.

Her capacity for horniness so early in the morning never ceased to astonish him. If there were a female equivalent to morning wood, Rachel definitely had it. She must have had some extra-naughty dreams too because her eagerness for a more intimate wake-up call left her very aroused. Already feeling excessive tightness in his briefs, Dan shed his underwear and got on top of her.

“Still drowsy, Mrs. Ayan?” he teased.

“Well, Mr. Ayan, I haven’t had my coffee yet,” she joked, “but a little dick will certainly help!”

With a playful grin, Dan gave her the extensive wake-up call she needed. Still holding onto her thighs, he positioned himself over her, his erect cock aligned with her moist entrance. He could feel the extent of her arousal as he rubbed the tip up against her outer folds. Ignoring the prospect of being late for work, he thrust his hips forward and entered his wife’s waiting depths. Under the warmth of the morning sun, they began making love.

“Oh Dan!” Rachel moaned. “That…that helps! That helps a lot!”

“Mmm…speak for yourself,” he quipped in a deep, manly tone.

His knees and feet dug into the bed as he worked his dick inside her, humping her in that steady, thorough rhythm he knew she loved. Rachel was the kind of woman who liked it rough on some occasions and gentle in others. For an early-morning wake-up call, a little of both was necessary.

Dan eagerly delivered, soaking in that warm, intimate feeling of hot sex with his wife. Their naked bodies moved and grinded together, his pelvis smacking against hers after each thrust. Rachel did her part as well, holding onto his shoulders and pulling him into a passionate kiss. Moans and grunts filled the room, all traces of grogginess replaced with pure bliss.

Following the pleasure and passion, Dan stepped up the pace, working his member harder and faster within his lover’s depths. He felt her inner muscles tighten harder with every motion, her gasps becoming more vocal as well. It was almost funny. A few minutes ago, she was fast asleep. Now, she was on the brink of orgasm.

“I’m close, Dan!” she gasped, her chin digging into his shoulder. “I’m so…so close.”

“Might as well get an early start,” he said with a manly grin.

Burying his face in her neck, Dan maintained the heated pace of lovemaking. He tightened his grip on her hips, giving them a firm squeeze as he pushed her to the brink. After a few more thorough movements, he sent her over the edge and into a world of ecstasy.

“Oohhh yes!” she exclaimed.

It was sweet music to his ears, far better than any blaring alarm clock. He steadied his movements so that his wife could take in her orgasm. Her body shuddered, her lower back arched, and her nails dug deep into his shoulders as the pleasure surged through her. Rachel was always so animated when she climaxed, as if to let her lover know that they achieved something special. Dan, being an overachiever by nature, had a special appreciation for such sexy quirks.

“I think it’s safe to say you’re up now,” he whispered into his lover’s ear.

“I am…almost,” Rachel replied, still panting heavily.

Then, in an outburst of energy that would’ve surprised any self-proclaimed morning person, Rachel kissed him passionately once more and rolled him over so that he was the on his back. His member never left her pussy, still surrounded by her throbbing wet flesh. He was still hard and in need of his own release. Dan doubted that need would go unmet.

“I know you’re awake,” she teased, “but are you energized, my love?”

“Well, I wasn’t feeling that groggy, but…”

Again, she didn’t wait for him to finish and Dan didn’t bother. Rachel had already begun riding his cock, digging her knees and feet into the bed while holding onto his torso for leverage. With strength indicative of someone who’d gotten good night’s rest, she moved her hips, working her pussy along the length of his dick. Dan, his hands still on her hips, just laid back and watched as his wife made love to him in the early morning sun.

It was a beautiful sight, enough to get any man energized for the day. She’d trusted him to wake her up from her exceedingly deep sleep. He trusted her to acknowledge his efforts in the sexiest way possible. Once again, she delivered.

“Just like that! Just…like that!” he grunted. “Rachel…I’m almost…there!”

“That’s it, my love!” she told him. “Enjoy…your morning…sex!”

Still riding him hard, she grabbed his wrists and guided his hands to her bouncing breasts. Dan instinctively squeezed them as she delivered the last round of movements, sending him to the brink and beyond, as only she could. The feeling that followed reaffirmed why he was such a morning person.

“Oohhh yeah!” Dan moaned, mirroring his wife’s ecstasy from earlier.

He strengthened his grip on her as he felt a surge of pleasure wash over him. The heat of the morning sun mixed with the heat of white-hot bliss, rippling through every fiber of his being. He let out a deep, masculine grunt as his muscles tensed and his manhood throbbed. Thick streams of manly fluid shot up into his love’s depths, mixing with her feminine juices.

Dan felt his love’s tender gaze every step of the way. She enjoyed seeing him in ecstasy as much as he enjoyed seeing her. She even got a little playful with it, leaning over and trailing her fingers up his chest as she kissed around his unshaven neck. In his blissful daze, he embraced her affectionately and returned the gesture.

“Okay, I’m convinced now. You’re officially awake,” Dan said jokingly.

“Yeah, I’d say so,” she laughed. “Thanks for being extra sure. I don’t mean to be such a heavy sleeper.”

“I believe you,” he replied, “about as much as I believe why you rarely wear panties to bed.”

“Hey, it’s not weird if it works.”

“I guess the results speak for themselves.”

They both shared a round of laughter. He then kissed her again. While Dan would’ve loved to just lay in bed for a while with his naked wife, they had jobs to get to and lives to live. The day was just beginning, but some hot, early-morning sex made for a promising start.

“Well, I better get cleaned up and dressed,” Rachel said as their naked bodies finally parted.

“Sounds good,” said Dan as he got up with her. “I’ll put on some more coffee while you shower.”

“Coffee, a shower, and hot sex…that’s a hell of a wake-up call.”

“Can you think of a better way to start your day?”

“Nope!”

 

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November 30, 2018 · 5:58 am

Daily Sexy Musing: The Joy (And Sexiness) Of Laughter

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When it comes to laughter, the appeal is universal. It transcends culture, geography, and time periods. Whether you’re a hipster in New York or a serf in medieval Russia, a good laugh goes a long way towards making your day a little better. Laughter is one of the few universal joys we can all appreciate. At the same time, it has underrated sex appeal.

Think about the reasons people often give for being attracted to someone. At some point, even if they’re strikingly beautiful or ridiculously well-endowed, they do something that makes them laugh. Laughter makes you feel good. We tend to gravitate towards people who make us feel those things. It’s one of the simplest forms of attraction.

It can go beyond attraction, though. Laughter can make someone feel good, but it has limits. In the right circumstances, it can act as a romantic appetizer. Making them laugh gives them a taste of just how happy you can make them. If they like it enough, then they’ll want more and from there, things tend to get intimate for all the right reasons.

When done right, laughter can make you downright sexy. You don’t have to be a comedian. You just have to know how to strike the right chords. From there, things get easier and sexier. The following Daily Sexy Musing is a testament to the more intimate side of laughter. Whether it involves a dirty joke or a bad pun, it can go a long way towards setting the mood.

We talk all the time. I know you so well and you know me. I can say so little, but convey so much. Our love is like a language and only we are fluent. With it, we can say so much. This time, however, I choose to be brief.

I smile and relax, taking the poise of someone not attempting to tickle your heart or loins. We start talking. Then, I say it. I make a very remark, one with a very specific purpose. I’m no longer attempting. I know what I’m doing. I seek only one immediate reaction.

It happens. You laugh and I laugh with you. That is just the beginning.

Everything feels lighter, now. The serious matters of the day fall to the wayside. We smile gleefully, oblivious to inanities or absurdities. You drift in closer to me. You like that feeling. I like it too. However, I know it’s not enough.

As you enter my embrace, you’re still smiling. It’s a beautiful sight. Seeing you happy makes me even happier. It also motivates me. I want to feed that feeling. I want to be the one who can give it to you. If I’m to be your lover, it is a skill I must master. To master it, though, I must practice.

I lean in closer.

I whisper into your ear.

I utter more words that I know will trigger a reaction.

Again, you laugh and I laugh with you. This time, there is more. I can feel it in the way you hold me. You’re so happy. I have captivated you with my wit and humor. Your jovial spirit ignites my heart and sparks my desires. I now seek more than just a smile.

As we laugh, I draw you into a kiss.

As we laugh, I guide you to a more intimate setting.

As we laugh, our clothes become a burden that must be lifted.

As we laugh, we follow one another to greater feats of bliss.

It doesn’t need setup. It requires no riches or resources of any kind. Only a sharp wit, a wry sense of humor, and an eagerness to see happiness in love is necessary. It starts with a laugh, but ends with so much more.

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Link

The following is a review I wrote for PopMatters for Dead Man Logan #1. Enjoy!

Bar Fights, Final Journeys, and Dystopian Futures in Marvel’s ‘Dead Man Logan #1’

 

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November 29, 2018 · 9:50 pm
November 29, 2018 · 5:50 am

Daily Sexy Musing: Celebrating Role Playing

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Role playing is one of those rare activities that is either too kinky or not kinky enough. As someone who has dressed up for the New York Comic Con before and met many amazing cos-player, I have a special appreciation for those who dress up and embrace a unique role. It doesn’t always have to be of a sexual nature, but it definitely has sexual potential.

When done right, it can be pretty damn sexy and a lot of fun. Not every intimate activity has to channel the romantic intensity of a Shakespearean play or a “Twilight” novel. It can just be two people having fun in their own unique way. That way doesn’t always have to include being who you’ve always been. It’s okay to channel a role very different from your usual persona.

You don’t have to be an actor. You don’t have to be a self-professed nerd or a theater guru. You and your lover just have to have a desire to mix things up and let yourself go. The following Daily Sexy Musing is both a celebration and an encouragement of the sexier parts of role playing. I hope it inspires people and their lovers, among other things. Enjoy!

We come home after a long, hard day. We’re tired, but restless. For hours on end, we do our part and carry out every task. It’s not always rewarding. Sometimes, it’s downright thankless. That makes what we’re about to do both desirable and necessary.

Behind closed doors, shrouded by curtains and blinds, we shed the persona that helps us function in the outside world. The weight, restraints, and shackles disappear. Finally, we’re free. We can cut loose. Alone, we can find certain reprieve. Together, we can do so much more.

I can be a secret agent, seducing a fellow spy.

I can be a cop enticing a sexy suspect.

I can be a hero receiving a special reward from my grateful bystander.

I can be more than just your lover. At the same time, you can be more than the world allows you to be. Imagine who you want to be and what you wish you could do. Create, in your mind, the most fanciful scenes that heightens your passions and heart. For you, I gladly submit to your whims.

You can be a strict disciplinarian and I can be your deviant pupil.

You can be a charismatic leader and I can be your loyal follower.

You can be the one who acts or the one acted upon.

You can be whatever and whoever you want to be.

The possibilities are endless, bound only by imagination and energy. In this moment, we have plenty of both. Together, we secure a space. We create a scene. I accept my role and you accept yours. One moment, we are just two lovers in a private domain. The next, we are someone and somewhere else entirely.

I am more than your lover.

You are more than mine.

Together, we whisk one another away into a world of fantasy. We leave our limits behind, but carry our desires with us. We act out every moment, ignoring time and constraint. We need not closer our eyes. We need only abandon the grip of reality. The stakes of passion rise, as do the rewards. Through both, our love becomes an adventure.

Like every adventure, we complete a journey. In doing so, we fulfill our role to the utmost.

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November 28, 2018 · 5:14 am

Kamala Khan Vs. America Chavez: How To Succeed (And Fail) With Female Superheroes

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It shouldn’t be that difficult or controversial to create compelling female superheroes. In a perfect world, it would be no different than creating quality male heroes. As long as they’re compelling, enjoyable, and foster great stories, that should be enough.

Sadly, we don’t live in a perfect world. You could even argue it has become even worse in recent years for female superheroes because they’ve become entwined with identity politics. It’s no longer sufficient for a female hero to just be likable and interesting. They have to take part in the never-ending whining contest that dominates outrage culture.

As a lifelong fan of superhero comics, this really frustrates me. I get that comics, like any medium, often reflect the issues of the time. That’s not new and comics have taken positions in those issues. Iconic stories have been crafted around them. The current situation with female superheroes, however, is less a reflection of the times and more a liability.

To illustrate this point, I’d like to single out two female superheroes, Kamala “Ms. Marvel” Khan and America “Miss America” Chavez. Both characters were created within the past 10 years. They’ve also been cited as prominent figures in the recent push for diversity within comics that has caused a lot of uproar or all the wrong reasons.

What sets them apart is that one character, Kamala Khan, has become a success story by most measures. Since her debut issue in February 2014, she has become popular and beloved. She has received and won numerous accolades and her graphic novels have made it onto the New York Times Best Sellers list. I consider myself a fan of hers. She’s one of my favorite female heroes.

On the other end of that spectrum is America Chavez. She debuted in 2011 and went onto have her own ongoing series. Unlike Kamala, though, her series received no accolades, sold poorly, and did nothing to endear her to fans of superhero comics. She has had opportunities to establish herself as a quality female hero. With few exceptions, she has failed at every turn.

These two characters represent a stark dichotomy in the current world of female superheroes. One provides a template for success. The other is a cautionary tale of how not to create a compelling female superhero in the current climate. It’s pretty striking how two characters created within a similar cultural environment can go in such wildly different directions. However, that difference also carries with it plenty of lessons.

To be fair to the medium I love, creating female superheroes today is very different compared to past decades. If Wonder Woman, Storm, Carol Danvers, or Supergirl were created today, they wouldn’t have the same impact. They came out at different times and under different circumstances. Those circumstances played a key role in how they became iconic.

Great female superheroes, and quality female characters in general, have traits that allow them to resonate in any era. However, the timing and influences have to be right for them to carve a place in popular culture. Kamala Khan and America Chavez dealt with similar circumstances when they debuted. That makes them a good case study in how female superheroes can succeed and fail.

Why Kamala Khan Succeeded

I still remember the day I read Ms. Marvel #1. I hadn’t been planning to buy it. I remember clearly that it was a light week, in terms of comics. I happened to have a few extra bucks to spend. I had heard that there was going to be a new Ms. Marvel. Having been a fan of Carol Danvers, I decided to check it out.

I’m glad I did because that one fateful issue made me a Kamala Kahn fan for years to come. The story it told struck all the right chords. It presented a character who felt real, genuine, and relatable. The fact that she was a girl, a Muslim, and the daughter of Pakistani immigrants was secondary. She still felt like a character that I could be friends with if she were real.

The reasons why Kamala was so endearing had little to do with how many diversity points she scored and everything to do with how the writer, G. Willow Wilson, went about developing her. She spent almost the entire first issue just revealing who Kamala was and what sort of life she had. We learn about her family, her friends, her hopes, her dreams, and even her favorite hobbies.

She quickly becomes more than just another teenage character. She’s a self-professed fangirl who writes fan fiction, plays MMO games, and loves gyros. Wilson approached developing Kamala the same way Stan Lee approached developing Peter Parker. She developed the personality before turning them into a superhero.

When Kamala finally does get her powers, Wilson establishes a solid reason for why she’s a hero. Just getting powers isn’t enough. Unlike Peter Parker, however, she doesn’t need a loved one to die. Being a fan of superheroes and having decent parents puts her in a position to make that choice without anyone dying. That, alone, makes her worthy of admiration.

From that point forward, it’s easy to root for Kamala. She carries herself as someone you want to root for. She personifies how fans of superhero comics are inspired by their heroes. Her having a chance to be a hero like the ones she idolizes isn’t just endearing. It’s special. That’s why she succeeds and why it’s very likely we’ll see her enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe at some point.

Why America Chavez Failed

Take everything I just said about why Kamala Khan works and why she’s so lovable. Then, reverse it completely. That’s basically who America Chavez is and why she’s more a joke than a success.

On paper, America has a lot going for her. She’s not just another generic female hero. She’s Latina, she’s a lesbian, and she comes from a very different world, literally and figuratively. In terms of diversity points, she checks as many boxes as Kamala. She has her own unique style and she even uses a familiar moniker that has been successfully used by others.

Beyond those traits, however, there’s nothing about her character or her story that will get superhero fans cheering. She’s not relatable like Peter Parker or Kamala Khan. She’s from a place called Utopian Parallel, which is exactly as boring as it sounds. Her world was threatened with destruction, but her parents sacrificed themselves to save it. They’re the only respectable heroes in her story.

America, for reasons that are poorly told and poorly developed, decides to prove that she’s as good a hero as her parents. Her world is a utopia. It doesn’t need her. As a result, she just looks for a world that needs heroes and happens to choose one that has a massive glut of them. Already, her judgment is questionable.

If you’re expecting me to explain the depths of why she’s a hero and how she distinguishes herself, I’m sorry to disappoint. That’s the extent of her heroic journey. She doesn’t answer the hero’s call as much as she looks for an excuse. She doesn’t work her way into the world of heroism. She just throws herself into it and skips the part that makes it a meaningful story.

It certainly doesn’t help that she’s grossly overpowered in a way that makes every battle feel boring. Unlike other powerful characters, including Superman or Captain Marvel, there’s no real intrigue to her abilities. Whereas Kamala Khan and Peter Parker struggle, seeing their powers as burdens at times, America Chavez rarely strains herself. When she does, it feels forced and contrived.

On top of all that, America never comes off as a likable person. In nearly every scene she’s in, she carries herself with an in-your-face, screw-you, I’m-better-than-everyone attitude that isn’t the least bit endearing. She basically tries too hard to be a badass female hero, but forgets the part where heroes are actually supposed to be admirable.

It’s not enough to just punch a Nazi, which she does at one point. Being a hero means embodying ideals that go beyond gender politics. America Chavez’s story is so contrived, at times, that it feels like the most shameless kind of pandering. It’s why those who bemoan Marvel’s diversity push often cite America Chavez as the personification of everything wrong with that effort. Sadly, she gives them plenty to work with.

Lessons For The Future

I have high hopes for Ms. Marvel. I even hope that, at some point, America Chavez becomes a solid character. There’s plenty of room for new characters that resonate with everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. It doesn’t have to come at the cost of established characters, either. Heroes can be anyone. That’s what makes them icons.

Now, I understand that there are plenty of people out there who don’t like Kamala. I don’t deny that she has her flaws and she’s had some pretty unflattering moments. I also understand that America Chavez has her share of fans who think I’m not being fair to her. I don’t claim that my take on her is definitive.

I singled these two characters out because I believe they embody the struggle facing female superheroes in the existing cultural climate. Like any creative endeavor, there is a right and wrong way to go about it. Kamala Khan and America Chavez provide important lessons on what to do and what to avoid. They include, but aren’t restricted to, the following.

Lesson #1: Build the character before the hero

Lesson #2: Appeal to everyone and not just a select few

Lesson #3: Make their struggle feel real and genuine

Lesson #4: Give the character a distinct and endearing voice

Lesson #5: Don’t just rely on punching Nazis

There are many other lessons to be learned from characters like Kamala Khan and America Chavez. Some of those lessons have to be learned the hard way, but they’re worth learning. More quality female superheroes can only help the genre, as a whole. Superheroes, by definition, are supposed to inspire others to be better. That inspiration need not be restricted to gender, race, or any other distinction.

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November 27, 2018 · 5:44 am

Daily Sexy Musing: Loving The Rough Stuff

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When it comes to celebrating love, romance, and everything in between, there’s a popular perception that it has to manifest in certain ways. We’ve seen it play out in movies, TV shows, and novels, some of which I’ve written. There has to be candles, rose petals, and Barry White music playing in the background. If sexy lingerie is somehow worked in, then that’s just a bonus.

From there, it plays out in a way that’s simple, but powerful. There’s plenty of tender kissing, a dash of loving sentiments whispered over the sound of the music, and the kind of tender caressing that makes every nerve shiver for all the right reasons. It’s sweet and sexy in its own right, but I believe there’s room for other kinds of romantic expression.

Not every couple is going to be content with sweet and soft gestures. Even those who enjoy it regularly will probably be in the mood for something else at some point. That’s where the rougher part of romance comes in. By that, I don’t just mean the kind of elaborate BDSM acts that made E. L. James rich. I’m talking about the kind of raw, physical outburst that puts a little something extra into lovemaking.

These days, it’s somewhat tricky to celebrate rough sex. It’s become taboo to be rough with any intimate partner. The reasons for this are many and I’ve already written multiple articles about the tricky politics surrounding it. For this Daily Sexy Musing, I just want to dig a bit deeper into the unique appeal of the rough stuff that often finds its way into a passionate romance. Enjoy!

It’s our night again. We’ve gotten through our day, clearing ourselves of any and all distractions. Now that the sun has set, our priorities align. I love you and you love me. Now, we turn that love into action.

The stage is set.

The moment has arrived.

The desire wells up inside us.

We come together and let our passions do the talking. It’s simple and direct. I feel your body in my arms, tasting your lips with mine and savoring every sensation. You return every gesture, letting love and lust converge into a singular feeling. I can tell you want me. I want you too. Tonight, we’re going to fulfill those wants. Then, just as the feeling escalates, we realize something.

It’s not enough.

We stop kissing. I look at you and you look at me. My arms tremble and your body shudders. The weight of hard truth sinks in. To hold each other, kiss each other, and make love to one another just won’t suffice. For this night, we crave something more.

I see a glint in your eye and a twitch in your face. In an instant, you transform from an innocent angel to a mischievous demon. Within me, humanity gives way to more primal instincts. The balance of love and lust tips in favor of lust. We don’t fight it. In fact, we embrace it. There’s a time and a place to make tender love. Tonight, is not that night.

I don’t just kiss your lips. I devour them.

I don’t just fondle your body. I smother it.

I don’t just remove your clothes. I rip them off.

There’s nothing gentle about what we do. There’s nothing sweet or soft about it, either. We make our way to the bed, ravaging one another’s bodies with our lips and hands. We collapse top the sheets. Our flesh comes together. We’re neither careful nor slow. We just take the most basic acts of intimacy and unleash our ounce of pent up desire.

Our bodies rock.

The bed rocks.

The world around us rocks.

Grunts replace moans. Crude words replace loving proclamations. We grab and grope, smothering and salivating over the sweet bliss we conjure. This is our love at its most unrefined. Rough yet sincere, we need not channel or temper it. There will be other nights for that. For now, we express our love in the roughest of ways. Whether gentle or raw, our passions remain true.

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November 26, 2018 · 9:16 am

Memory Enhancement: The First Killer App For Neuralink?

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Every new technological innovation promises to change the world, but few end up delivering. I still remember the overblown hype in the early 2000s when the Segway Personal Transporter was supposed to revolutionize the world. It was such a big deal that “South Park” made an episode about it.

The concept was intriguing, improving mobility for people in a way that was less bulky than a car and less taxing than a bicycle. I think its inventor, Dean Kamen, envisioned a world where the entire urban landscape changed as a result of his invention. I don’t doubt for a second that he believed in that vision.

However, like so many other ambitious inventions, it never came to pass. These days, the only place you’ll see Segways is malls and stadiums. It didn’t revolutionize mobility or transportation. Its use and appeal was just too limited.

Kevin James would argue otherwise.

Compare that to enormous impact of other inventions like smart phones. From the BlackBerry to the first iPhone, these devices have literally changed the world. How they brought about that change varies, but the key factor that set them apart from the Segway was the idea of a “killer app.”

You could argue that smartphones invented the term, but the idea is much older. A killer app isn’t as much an innovation as it is a use that goes onto be so popular that it further advances the technology behind it. Smartphones had many, from cameras to translation applications. As a result, they’re both a multi-billion dollar industry and an integral part of our lives.

Given the current pace of technological change, it’s only a matter of time before another innovation comes along that has a similar impact. That technology might actually exist now, but lack the killer app that will make it both a valuable market and a major part of our lives. One such technology is brain implants this technology has the potential to be even bigger than smartphones.

I’ve mentioned brain implants before. I’m even guilty of hyping it up a little. I’ve gone so far as to call it the most important technological advance in history, citing companies like Neuralink as the arbiters of this monumental change. Since I’m not a scientist and I’m not Elon Musk, it’s very likely I’m overstating many aspects of this technology.

Hype or no hype, brain implant technology is an emerging field. This isn’t a warp drive. This technology actually exists. Like the old brick-sized cell phones of the 1980s, they’re basically prototypes in need of both refinement and a killer application. The refinement is ongoing, but that one application to really further this technology isn’t as clear.

Now, and I apologize if this sounds like more overdone hype, there may be one use that could prove even more useful than a smartphone. That use is memory enhancement. If you don’t think people are willing to risk putting something in their brains to boost their memory, then you’ve clearly never crammed for a Spanish exam for three hours trying to memorize conjugations.

Think back to any situation where you wish your memory didn’t suck. Even if you’re not in school or college, how often do you forget something that no reasonable person should forget? Let’s face it. Most brains aren’t wired with a photographic memory. It’s not that it isn’t useful. There’s just little survival benefit to having one unless you’re a world class scientist or mathematician.

Since photographic memories are so uncommon, and some doubt they even exist to the extent people believe, a specialized brain implant could change all that. Modern neuroscience has a solid understanding of how memories are formed in the brain. In theory, an implant would just augment or expand those functions.

It’s not even entirely a theory. In early 2018, the New York Times reported that a study utilizing brain implants in human test subjects showed a significant improvement in memory function. It was a simple study, but the effect is real.

In the study, the research team determined the precise patterns for each person’s high-functioning state, when memory storage worked well in the brain, and low-functioning mode, when it did not.

The scientists then asked the patients to memorize lists of words and later, after a distraction, to recall as many as they could.

Each participant carried out a variety of tests repeatedly, recalling different words during each test. Some lists were memorized with the brain stimulation system turned on; others were done with it turned off, for comparison.

On average, people did about 15 percent better when the implant was switched on.

While 15 percent may not sound like much, it’s still important because it proves the concept. Like that first bulky cell phone in the 1980s that could barely make a call out of New York City, it shows that this idea does work and can be done with our current tools. It’s just a matter of refining those tools and improving the process.

Those refinements will find a market that is already ripe with people anxious to improve their memory and overall cognitive function. In recent years, the use and abuse of mind-enhancing drugs like Adderall is growing. I can personally attest that this happens.

When I was in college, I knew more than a few students who would do double doses before exams. If you think putting something in your brain is dangerous, then take a moment to appreciate the fact that drugs like Adderall are very similar to methamphetamine. One is available by prescription. The other is the basis of a hit TV show about drug dealing.

There is both a demand and a market for enhancing memory. Unfortunately, that market is dominated by supplements that don’t work and study programs run by convicted fraudsters. Unlike these costly and potentially harmful methods, a brain implant could actually work. It could enhance our memories to a point where we could read a dictionary in Swahili and remember every word.

This doesn’t just mean lost car keys are a thing of the past. This means our entire approach to learning, education, and training completely changes. A lot our modern education system, as well as training for doctors, lawyers, and scientists, relies heavily on memorizing large chunks of information. It takes years of constant and careful study to understand all that information. What happens when that is no longer the case?

Imagine a world where people can learn a new language in the span of a week.

Imagine a world where people can learn complex legal and medical procedures in only months.

Imagine a world where people can learn new software coding in just a few days.

If you’re a sports fan, imagine a world where football players can memorize an entire playbook in just a couple days. What will that do to the NFL Draft?

With a memory enhancing brain implant, it’s not just possible. It’s a potential game-changer. There are so many uses to having a good memory, just as there are so many uses for a smartphone. We had no idea that smartphones would lead to applications like Snapchat or Tinder. I doubt anyone has an idea on the impact that memory-enhancing brain implants will incur.

It won’t happen all at once. It took years for smartphones to become prevalent and unlike smartphones, this advance involves putting something in your brain. Then again, people are perfectly willing to put dangerous chemicals in their bodies to enhance their bodies so I don’t think that’s too great a barrier to overcome.

There are, of course, far greater applications for brain implants beyond acing final exams. I’ve mentioned a few of them, but those applications won’t be possible until the technology becomes a thriving market. For an advance like brain implants, it only takes one app to get the engines of innovation going. Memory enhancement may very well be that app.

It’s just a shame it came too late to help me with my Spanish exam.

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