winter 2001, no 15

The Holiday season is approaching bringing with it feelings of togetherness and anticipation. Many of us look forward to having time to spend with our family and friends. Thoughtfulness and remembrance herald the New Year perhaps more than anything else. The inevitable best-of lists and resolutions reflect our collective desire to mark the passing of time. We remember the year that has past and anticipate that which is yet to come.

Lists, in fact, pop up quite a bit during this time. It doesn't matter whether you're shopping or wishing; being creative with gifts is sometimes very difficult. A sex toy can be a wonderful present when chosen with care. One that can express, desire, intimacy, humor and friendship. Here are a couple of suggestions to help you get what you want this year.

The hands down best method for receiving the gift of your dreams is to buy it yourself. Singles, friends couples or groups of three or more; we can all have fun choosing toys for ourselves. It's true that you don't get the same sort of surprise but hey, you can still surprise yourself (we witness that phenomenon quite often). All gifts are not made equal, some were not meant to be opened in front of your third cousin from out of town.

If you'd rather not know what's coming but still want to make sure it fits do what comes naturally and hint like crazy. Talking about toys you already have is a great way to provide clues. No toys yet to speak of? Don't fret. Look wistful as you bemoan your toyless state; whisper something suggestive during play or (old faithful) bring up the toy that so and so got last year. Many of us have had hinting perfected for a long time. No matter what it's for, the concept remains the same.

This newsletter contains some great gift ideas; leave it around with the interesting parts highlighted.come down to the store, visit our website or thumb through the catalogue. It's a lot easier for someone to get you the perfect thing when you have an idea of what's out there. Make a list of possibilities and give it to someone so they have something to work from. We'll help put a package together that will tingle your toes and put a smile on your face.

This month we're featuring more new toys, videos, DVDs, and books. We've also got our holiday kits back. Check out what we've put together; we think you're going to like it.

news

After a long night of battery-powered pleasure, what's a fun-loving person to do with all those expended batteries? Well we here at Come As You Are felt a great concern to find another solution to the problems of toxic waste.

Household batteries comprise a small fraction of 1% of total trash in Municipal Landfills, yet they are responsible for between 50% and 70% of all heavy metals found in landfills (Mercury, Cadmium, Lead). Not only is metal infinitely recyclable, but when recycled metal is re-melted, energy savings of between 45% and 90% are possible, compared to making metal from ore.

It may be a small step to take, but as sellers of toys that require batteries, we feel it is an important one. We now welcome all our customers to join with us in our CAYA Battery Recycling Programme. Just bring by your used alkaline batteries and we will send them off to the Raw Materials Company (www.rawmaterials.com) which specializes in proper disposal of toxins and reuse of recyclable metals. Good vibrations have never been easier.

toys

The holiday season seems to be the one time of the year that glitzy, cheesy, unabashed flashiness is not only celebrated, but also held up as an ideal. In homage to all things shiny we've brought together a new collection of flashy looking and high-tech toys that will satisfy lovers of the aesthetic and erotic. For the toy lover who has everything, a combination high powered vibrator and snow dome, Glitter Dome looks as good as it feels.

The Pulsonic Egg is a simple small vibrator that has three different kinds of vibration: a variable vibration, a pulsating vibration and a combination pulse variable vibration. A great toy for long sessions and prolonged orgasms.

The Hypersonic G is a wearable vibrator with the same pulsating feature. A curved insect shape fits snugly against the vulva while a g-spot attachment curls inside. The resulting effect is a pulsating vibrating rhythm that encircles both clitoris and g-spot. And all of this hands free.

The updated version of Ben Wa balls, but these Silicone Duo-tone Balls are dipped in silicone making them feel better and last longer. Made by Fun Factory they come in an amazing array of bright primary colours.

The new vibrating nipple clamps come in a classic butterfly clamp design, with a jelly rubber coating, and strong micro-bullet vibrators attached to each clamp.

After trying almost a dozen different styles of Vibrating Anal Beads, each one promising more than the last, our toy buyer has finally found beads that feel good, are easy to clean, and transmit strong vibrations.come to think of it, where is our toy buyer?

videos

For those with feeling the winter chill, these titles are sure to promise some exciting winter viewing. So stop freezing, find a warm couch somewhere and snuggle into some quality porn viewing. Ritual is the newest Michael Ninn to arrive on our shelves for the holidays. Fabulously thematic scenes with lots of fetish and spicy costumes. Highlights include a medical torture scene complete with gear, as well as a greasy and sexy performance by Nikita in a boiler room.

Being With Juli Ashton is a comedic spoof on the film Being With John Malcovitch. All of our favorite characters from the movie are here whooping it up with the gregarious Ashton playing herself. Well-constructed scenes combine with some of the best acting of the year.

White Lightning is a new film by the much-loved Veronica Hart. She is the diva of directing. She again proves her prowess as Ginger Lynn and cast act it out in explicit style.

The newest by Andrew Blake, Decadence, has a lush cinematic style. Overlapping scenes of tranquil and flirtatious camera work combine with light domination and fantasy.

Slide Bi Me takes place at a company picnic, where an eclectic group of people and a large amount of Jell-O deserts gather, and all workplace inhibitions are removed. Witty and wonderful. What bisexual porn should aspire to.

Please Don't Stop: Lesbian Tips for Givin' & Gettin' It is an educational video made by and for lesbians of colour. Great personalities, sex tips, and advice that everyone can learn from.

books

Books are the classic gift. Words that fill the erotic mind. Sparking new ideas and fertile imaginings. Whether they be erotic stories, sexual guides, or fanciful erotic pictures. Books to while away the wee hours.

Gynomite is for the fearless feminist feminist in your life. A collection of stories from various feminist perspectives. All unique and engaging.

Sextopia edited by Cecilia Tan are stories written in the erotic utopia. Fantasy and desire combine to create one of this year's most exciting collections. The Academy is the newest in the Marketplace trilogy by Laura Antoniou. Part novel, part short stories featuring great writers like Karen Taylor, Cecilia Tan, and M. Christian. A collection of well-told erotic tales of consensual bondage and domination.

When Someone You Love is Kinky is everything you needed to tell the people in your family but were short of words. Written by the authors of the Ethical Slut and the Bottoming Book (Easton and Liszt). A great guide to honesty and communication for all of us, and just in time for that awkward holiday time.

All mothers have little time for themselves. For year's people have been asking us for a sex guide written for pregnancy and beyond. Finally, we have The Mother's Guide to Sex. Smart, savvy, and all the questions you ever wanted answered.

A guide written for exploring sexuality and spiritual exploration (and drawing from the Kama Sutra), Soulmates: An Illustrated Guide to Black Love, Sex, and Romance, combines the two in a no-nonsense honest format interspersed with various individual's commentary. A must read.

A new hard cover version of the Kama Sutra hits the shelves just in time for gift giving. Beautiful full colour illustrations and typography. For the more practical, the Kama Sutra of Sexual Positions provide a how-to translation for incorporating the Kama Sutra into everyday sexuality.

workshops

FEMALE EJACULATION

Returning with her popular seminar, Shannon Bell will discuss female ejaculation from a historical and theoretical perspective, followed by an overview of anatomy and technique, plus a demonstration. Cost is $25. November 20 7:30 - 10:00 pm

SENSUAL DISCIPLINE

This practical workshop covers the 'how' of safe, consensual corporal discipline for adults. A demonstration of the sensual side of chastisement from over-the-knee spanking with hand and paddle, to strapping, cropping and caning. With Dr. Cane and Miss Jacqueline Banks. Cost $10. January 16 7:30-10:00pm

GIRL PARTS & THE BIG "O"

Learn about the what & where of women's sexual anatomy and the what & how of orgasm - in its myriad forms. For those with girl parts. With Carol Camper. Cost is $20. February 18 7:30 - 10:00 pm

Sex in the Ancient World (East)

Through lecture and discussion, this four-week course will focus on the ancient cultures of Japan, China, India and Persia. With Sudharshan Duraiyappah. Cost is $65. April 30, May 7, 14, 21, 2002, 7:30 - 10:00 pm

Sex in the Ancient World (West)

Through lecture and discussion, this four-week course will focus on the ancient cultures of Egypt, Greece, Rome & the Celts. With Gayle Gibson. Cost is $65. May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2002, 7:30 - 10:00 pm