winter 2000, no 12

As the days shorten and we enter into the longest nights of the year, many cultural and religious traditions have celebrations in which light plays a key role. Candles, lamps, lanterns, bonfires, coloured lights and images of stars are at the centre of a variety of myths, stories, and beliefs around the world. Some believe that these modern-day practices stem from pagan practices of encouraging the return of the sun god with fire rituals on these longest nights. Sometimes we have to communicate with the universe.

At Come As You Are, we believe there's no better way to herald brighter days than a special gift for yourself or a lover - or both of you, to share. These gifts will be enjoyed and appreciated long after the Christmas tree has been put by the curbside, the Hanukkah candles have burnt down, and the Diwali dipas have been shelved. In addition to the great, new products featured in the rest of this newsletter, we have for you our ever-popular kits - great combinations to spark the libido.

It may be too cold to swim, but there's always the bath and occasional hot tub to enjoy our Get Drenched! kit. This kit comes with two of our best-selling water-friendly products plus an extra present. A classic favourite, the Japanese Pocket Rocket, now in a waterproof version; a copy of the world's first fully waterproof book, Aqua Erotica, with water as the theme in each drenched story; plus, Eros, a silicone lubricant that won't break down in the tub.

Make the joy last a little longer with our Little Teasers kit. A curvaceous silicone butt plug (Li'l Flirt), a powerful silver-bullet vibe dipped in cyberskin (Cyberflicker), a feather, and a tantalizing sampling of flavoured lubricant - the ingredients for a recipe for excitement.

Everyone's watching it; everyone's talking about it. Our Porn Starter kit is a great way to begin or further your exploration. With three videos - mild, medium and hot - the kit has something for everyone's tastes.

Andrew Blake Triple Feature is back. Solid directing that people have come to rely on. Lush sets combined with fabulous style make Andrew Blake a favourite with customers and staff alike.

news

Our long-awaited paper catalogue is finally available! Get yours by sending your name, address and $3.00 (redeemable with purchase) to our address listed above. For those with internet access, you can still peruse our catalogue at www.comeasyouare.com

And, joining us in September, Lorraine is our newest member on staff. When not at the store, Lorraine is a poet and activist, and can be seen go-go dancing in various places around town.

toys

Wonders never cease! All of these toys are stocking-stuffer-friendly and will light up anyone's Christmas tree.

Enter the world of teeny, tiny vibrators: Wrist Pixie is a slim, two-and-a-half inches long, medium-strength cutie. Japanese-made and clear plastic in red or purple. A tiny parcel that will delight many, Fukuoku is a medium-strength vibrator that is worn on the tip of your finger. Comes with three textured finger pads and a carrying case.

Dirty Dice will spice up any night. Roll the dice to find out what to doand where to do it.

Organic herbs from Victoria BC are the source of the intoxicating scents of Earth's Herbal. This line of massage oils is available in three blends: Fire, Energy and Stress. (Fire has a slightly heating up effect. )

Make safer, slipperier sex fun and explore the possibilities for yourselfor a lucky recipient) with the variety in our lube & condom sampler pack!

The fun never stops! Our favourite newcomer, Tsunami, has a unique shapeand is good for G-spot stimulation. It's also waterproof and looks andfeels great in soft jelly translucent blue with sparkles.

For a completely different kind of vibration, try Ultra Sonic. Thisvibrator doesn't so much buzz - it gyrates. A very powerful vibe, and notfor the timid, it may be just the thing for those looking for a new experience in vibrators. Its sleek hard-plastic design makes it useful for penetration or external stimulation.

Special party this season? Want to sport a bulge? The Ultimate Packer issuper soft cyberskin toy that is ideal for packing and is garnering ravereviews. It's got the weight, size, shape and malleability that is taking realism to new heights.

videos

The flicker of the TV screen will be a popular source of illumination during this upcoming Canadian winter. Why not use it to entice yoursexuality out of the flannel nightgown or woolen long johns? Watching pornis always educational. Here are our newest sexy instruction tapes, and acouple of porn icons just being real.

Nina Hartley is the creator of popular sex education tapes that combine instruction with explicit demonstration. In Nina Hartley's Lifestyle Party,you get a glimpse into the world of swingers at the largest convention inthe world. If you love group scenes, this video features real people at agreat party hosted by Nina herself.

Extreme sex with panache and vigour. None other than Chloe takes you on atour of the pleasures of fisting. From the experienced to the first-timer, women are shown experiencing this intense and powerful sexual act. The Fist is a lesson and an amazing good time (which is a lesson in itself) all inone.

Featuring a diverse range of women, and their dynamic and powerful stories, Celebrating Orgasm, Viva La Vulva and Self Loving celebrate female orgasm.It's how-to of the hands-on kind from Betty Dodson, theoriginator of hands-on workshops for women on becoming orgasmic andexploring sexuality.

Porn actors/directors, Shane and Rocco can be counted on for presenting enthusiastic, raunchy sex and for showing off their favourite new stars. Pornological 4 features pros and amateurs in five steamy scenes - with alight story and a light touch. Shane continues to reign as the queen ofgonzo filmmaking. Diverse body types, authenticity and explicit sex are thehighlights of Rocco: Animal Trainer. Kelly is the belle of this ballfeaturing a wild threesome, anal cavorting and playful gangbangs.

books

Tantalize your imagination and get ready to spark some erotic fires.

Gwen is the girlfriend/muse of premier fetish photographer Eric Kroll. His newest book, The Transformations of Gwen, features her in a variety ofscenarios and roles, and an array of stilettos and fetish wear - with just the right touch of the bizarre and unusual that is Kroll's trademark. Gwen also appears in digital photos by luscious ingènue Natacha Merritt. Her book Digital Diaries is a sensuous, veritè collection featuring Merritt and her nubile friends straddling the line between life and porn.

Following a successful launch of their website into a print magazine, the minds behind Nerve. com have put together a collection of photography. TheNew Nude, edited by Genevieve Field, features photo-documentarians (NanGoldin, Sylvia Plachy and others) as well as noted art photographers - all delivering their unique, contemporary take on this perennial subject.

Delve into an auditory encounter with Encounters Erotica! Like a porn tapewithout the picture, five separate tracks lead you into a world of themoans, sighs, and pillow talk of real people enjoying real sex. Includes amènage-‡-trois, a lesbian scenario and an s/m scene.

Leave naughty messages and dirty thoughts on the fridge, the toolbox, thecar... with the magic of the Magnetic Poetry Erotic Kit (and itscompanion, the Deluxe Erotic Kit).

If you've got some time off work in December, it's time for some creative, exploratory coupling.From the authors of the ever-popular book The Multi-Orgasmic Man comes TheMulti-Orgasmic Couple. This book gives insight into sexual temperaments,channeling sexual energy, and experiencing multiple, longer and moreintense whole-body orgasms, with the ultimate goal of spiritual union.

workshops

Women Talking BDSM

A three-week workshop for women either already involved in, or who wouldlike to become involved in BDSM, covering activities, social beliefs,safety, negotiation, meeting partners. Facilitated by Leanne Cusitar. Costis $45. January 9, 16 & 23 - 7:30 - 10:00 pm

Erotic Writing

A four-week course with Kathryn Payne that will focus on developing yourerotic voice and the unique skills to express it, through writing exercisesand discussion of participants' work. Cost is $65. January 29, February 5, 12 & 19 - 7:30 - 9:30pm

Girl Parts & The Big "O"

Learn about the what & where of women's sexual anatomy and the what & howof orgasm - in its myriad forms. For those with girl parts. With CarolCamper (of Come As You Are). Cost is $20. March 13 - 7:30 - 10:00 pm

Kama Sutra

Through lecture and discussion, this four-week course will explore KamaSutra through four areas: its historical context; food & aphrodisiacs; sex(including homosexuality); and physical environment. With SudharshanDuraiyappah. Cost is $65. May 8, 15, 22 & 29 - 7:30 - 10:00 pm

The Art Of Tantra

Through lecture and discussion, this four-week course will focus on thephilosophies, practices and art associated with Tantra. With SudharshanDuraiyappah. Cost is $65. May 9, 16, 23 & 30 - 7:30 - 10:00 pm

Female Ejaculation

Returning with her popular seminar, Shannon Bell will discuss femaleejaculation from a historical and theoretical perspective, followed by anoverview of anatomy and technique, plus a demonstration. Cost is $25. June 5 - 7:30 - 10:00 pm