Entries Tagged 'Altered Aperture' ↓
October 18th, 2008 — Altered Aperture, BestSexBloggers.com, Blogs, Bondage, Claire Adams, Fetish, Fundraising, Madison Young, Movies, Ms Nikki Nefarious, Mz. Berlin, Photos, Recommendations, The Week In Kink
Trust Me... Does That Look Like A Girl Who Would Steer You Wrong?
Catalina’s Favorite Sex Blog Posts Of The Week! Thanks to Altered Aperture who makes me all pretty and then captures it on camera time and time again.
::psst… for more hot sex blog links go to Sugasm.com::
October 11th, 2008 — Altered Aperture, Blogs, Fetish, Ms Nikki Nefarious, Photos, Recommendations, Sugasm
October 10th, 2008 — Altered Aperture, Bitching, Bondage, Books, Coldplay, Collars, Español, FetLife, Fetish, Hogtied, Movies, Mr. F., My Fetish Diary, Pro Photo Tours, Shopping, Stuff and Things, Sugasm, Toys, Updates, Websites
Catalina by AlteredAperture.com
Catalina’s Favorite Sex Blog Posts Of The Week!
::psst… for more hot sex blog links go to Sugasm.com::
October 3rd, 2008 — Altered Aperture, Audacia Ray, Blogs, Bondage, Coldplay, Email, FetLife, Fetish, Hogtied, Lochai, M, Stuff and Things
I really do play nice... click the pic to make friends on Fetlife
So I was talking to John today about Fetlife advertising, as I do pretty much every day, and I mentioned to him that two of the most common questions people ask me are, “What is John really like?” and “What is it like to work for Fetlife?” So I told him, and I’ll tell you, too: John is really exactly like he presents himself on his profile on Fetlife right down to the dorky hat. He is friendly, honest, and genuine, he is compassionate, and he really cares about keeping Fetlife for the community. He is also one of the smartest people I know. He is one of three people whose opinion I seek when something really matters to me. He is one of my best friends and I haven’t even met him. Working with him on Fetlife just seems very natural to me. As soon as I came to Fetlife I knew it was special and I had to get involved. As far as working for him - I think of it as working with him. I mean ultimately Fetlife belongs to John, but as with anything else on Fetlife, John always seeks input and feedback before he makes a decision, so I feel like we collaborate. I have the best job in the world. I work with a friend on a project that I believe in while wearing my pajamas and listening to Coldplay. How can you ask for more than that?
Oh, if you’re lucky you don’t have to ask - you just exist. In my inbox today were two images from Audacia Ray, proofs for the NYC Sex Blogger Calendar, and I got to give my input on which one to use. I’ve seen a few of the proofs now, and I can tell you, as soon as I get the green light to post a pre-order post, I’ll be setting you up to buy a calendar. Those pics are hot, and knowing that they are the women behind all that delicious smut makes it even hotter. I am not really a calendar buying kind of person, but I will definitely be buying a calendar, just to hang in my pseudo-office. Call me a fangirl. Go ahead. I invited it. I embrace it. How could I not be a fan of these 12 amazing women!?! They are exactly what I (and most bloggers) aspire to become. I feel very lucky just to know some of them and be involved from a distance on the project!
Nikki sent me a zip file of images from our shoot (Altered Aperture) last week. They are shocking to see — If I weren’t positive that we shot together last week, I would swear some of those shots aren’t me! I love some of the suspension bondage shots she got. I’ll have to share on CatalinaLoves.com over the next several weeks. I am trying to be greedy with them and not just publish them one after the other, day after day. So many people know Ms. Nikki Nefarious and they also ask me what she’s like. She is every bit as sweet and adorable as she looks, and she is every bit as serious as the rope marks left in my skin after those shoots. She’s little, but don’t underestimate her - she’s a really powerful person and one hell of a photographer!
Don’t forget about Lochai. I couldn’t leave him out. He is undeniably important to me. Today marks the end of his first full week at Hogtied.com and soon we should be seeing his influence there. Anybody who is friends with Lochai would agree, he is over the top fantastic to his friends. He is truly a man of integrity and I trust him completely. When he gives me his advice or opinion, it carries a lot of weight. On top of that he’s Lochai! Need I say more? Have I not publicly said a thousand times that I adore that man?
And now it’s time to get in the shower and get ready to go visit my friend, M, for our Friday night tradition.
You hear artists say they are content rich and cash poor - well I do feel very friend rich. I am very lucky to have amazing friends!
October 2nd, 2008 — Altered Aperture, BestSexBloggers.com, Blogs, Email, FetLife, Fetish, Fundraising, Hogtied, Lochai, Madison Young, Movies, Politics, Press Releases, Stuff and Things
Image from Postsecret.com
So here’s something interesting - a twitter from Mistress Matisse saying, “Am I really going to be unable to find even 1 BDSM person who’s voting for McCain & will go on record as to why?” So, if you’re a BDSM lifestyler in support of McCain, please get in touch. For more information, read Mistress Matisse’s LiveJournal entry. I think there must be at least one BDSM person who is a staunch Republican.
I spent most of my morning contacting BDSM and fetish event coordinators to talk about advertising their event(s) on Fetlife.com. We find more and more every day that this market really has a need for event promotion and by targeting by location (even the surrounding states) we are able to really help them get the word out and we fit into their budget. I love a good win-win situation! The same seems to apply to sex clubs (no, not strip clubs, but BDSM clubs and adult oriented play clubs). You can always email me about Fetlife advertising - my email address is Catalina@Fetlife.com.
My afternoon was spent going through email and then uploading some new pictures that I just got back from Altered Aperture to my Model Mayhem profile. I’m allowed 20 pics, so I might as well use them! There is a little bit of everything there now. I’ve actually heard from several photographers, which I found to be very odd, but it’s a big world and I suppose there’s room in it for a “mature” model. It is weird to be small enough for a photographer to put me in a size six wedding dress and take shots for his portfolio. Why not, though? I never have worn a wedding dress, I kind of want the wedding I never had pictures! Oh, it’s not that we didn’t have pictures, but we wore our pajamas and got married in our living room by our hippie friend who was an ordained minister in some hippie church. They are all black and white and I wish I had them in digital so I could post some. (No, I don’t have a scanner.)
Lochai posted today about his First Official Shoot at Hogtied.com. I’m pretty excited to see it. Lochai isn’t the only change at Kink.com - they have officially launched a new site: Public Disgrace. According to the press release, “Helmed by WiredPussy.com director and prolific star Princess Donna, the site features gorgeous women being tied up, humiliated and fucked in public, particularly on city streets throughout Europe.” Yum, public sex. I have had a chance to take a peek, and I assure you, it’s a voyeur’s wet dream.
Also in my inbox was a press release from Madison Young about an event at Femina Potens Art Gallery which, honestly I should repost in its entirety:
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - October 1, 2008 - Madison Young and Abigail Productions present “Bust Ed” artwork around breast cancer awareness and breast health. Please allow us to tease, tantalize, and captivate you with our dirty pillows. “Bust Ed” celebrates the lovely and erotic nature of the bosom, while reminding everyone of the way breast cancer affects our lives.
“I’ve watched as my friends and family members have battled breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness and early detection are a crucial issue in women’s health and effect us all. Bringing together a body of artists who are all creating art around visibility of breast cancer, survival, strength, and unity with in our community allows us to dialogue and take action around this disease.” says Madison Young, curator and founder of Femina Potens.
This exhibit allows for audience participation in everything from designing nipples for Laura Drugal’s reconstructive surgery to witnessing the live body casting of breast cancer survivors to be added to Mary Ellen Scherel’s “Mamorial”. Madison Young will have limited edition autographed posters of her Erotic Breast Self Exam available for purchase as a monthly reminder to examine and care for your breasts.
Artists Annie Sprinkle, Elizabeth Stephens, Madison Young, Jennifer Clary, Laura Drugal, Mary Ellen Scherel, and Talia Green all address this prevalent issue with their art. Join us to pay tribute to the mighty and healthy breast for the opening reception October 9, 2008 at 7pm – 10 pm. Show runs October 9 through October 26, 2008.
Bust Ed is sponsored by Abigail productions www.abigailproductions.com
“Bust Ed” Visual Art Exhibition
October 9 - 26, 2008
Femina Potens Art Gallery
2199 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
Visit feminapotens.org for more information.
Well that pretty much covers the weird world of Catalina for the day. Oh, I did add new contributors to BestSexBloggers.com, so cruise on over there and check out some of the new writing. Now it’s time to work on The Week in Kink for tomorrow and I have to pick out a new rabbit vibe to review.
September 28th, 2008 — Altered Aperture, BestSexBloggers.com, Email, FetLife, Fetish, Interviews, Laurel, M, Stuff and Things, The Dude, Updates, Weight Loss
Image dedicated to my friend Essin' Em (http://essin-em.com)
It’s a great day. I got to sleep in, I published Peter Acworth’s interview, I cross-posted the Twitterific Contest Winner’s review on BestSexBloggers.com, I sent a few emails, and I’m about to take care of some more of them. I have this set as my primary goal for the day - deal with email.
I decided to make it a goal to attend Frolicon in the spring. It’s set for April 9-12, 2009 and Atlanta isn’t that far away. What could be better than hanging out with fellow kinksters over Easter? Is anybody else planning to attend? We stopped by their table yesterday at the Fetish Fair Fleamarket and i was pretty excited to see that they used one of the images from Altered Aperture for their postcard promo. Mark is so amazing that he walked away having sold them an ad for Fetlife.
I got to meet Tara from KJCanes.com, with whom I’ve spoken several times for Fetlife advertising. She was at the Fetish Fair Fleamarket yesterday. It was nice to put a face to the canes. If you ever want to get in touch with me about advertising on Fetlife.com, my email is catalina@fetlife.com.
I’ve been corset shopping online as a little diversion to working online. I said that when I got to a size 6 that I would have a corset custom made and now I’m there. Now, though, I think I won’t have one made until I’m a size 4, but that gives me time to shop now. Do you have a favorite corset maker? Seamstress? Know anybody who does it as a home-based business? I really want a custom corset!
I just occurred to me today that it’s almost October. There are some important things going on in October. My sister’s birthday is in October, and although she no longer talks to me, I’ll be thinking about her on her 40th birthday. I also have two friends taking major tests - The Dude is taking GRE and Laurel is taking the LSAT, so good luck to both of them! After Laurel finishes the LSAT she’s flying out to stay for a week with us. She used to live with us back in Eugene. I’m so excited I can barely contain myself. W loves her, too - she was an important part of W’s life back in Eugene. She very much imprinted on Laurel and we’re hoping that she follows Laurel’s path and be a beautiful, compassionate, well-traveled, highly intelligent, and very cool woman. I’m hoping to set her up with M while she’s here. I truly think they should be together.
…back to the inbox. I’m looking forward to hearing from my friend, Ms. Sex in Stilletos, who did her first Kink.com shoot on Friday for FuckingMachines.com. It will be a really interesting narrative.
September 27th, 2008 — Altered Aperture, Audacia Ray, Blogs, Bondage, Books, Ellie Lumpesse, Email, FetLife, Fetish, Hogtied, Interviews, Lochai, Madison Young, Ms Nikki Nefarious, Quid Pro Quo, Reviews, Stuff and Things, The Dude, Websites, Weight Loss
Another Image From "Home" in Oregon
YAY! Ellie is here!
Today was an interesting day. It was supposed to go like this: Fetish Fair Fleamarket, yoga with Susan and The Dude, and then home for an evening with or without Ellie and J, depending on whether or not they attend Purgatory tonight. We figured it made sense for us to try to go on behalf of Quid Pro Quo, good PR for our own PR company. Here’s how it went: I drove to South Carolina to pick up W from a sleepover, canceled yoga with Susan and The Dude, went to the Fetish Flea Market and came home. Ellie and J are still out and about and are thinking about going to Purgatory. I know myself well enough to know that Purgatory isn’t my scene.
It was interesting that at the fetish event there was an entire workshop dedicated to a face-to-face meeting of people from a Fetlife.com group. We didn’t even know that there was a Fetlife centered workshop. We walked through the door, unsure we were in the right place, and introduced ourselves as being a part of Fetlife and sat down to listen to what they had to say. It was neat to hear again and again how Fetlife has become a central part of their lives, a way to keep in touch on a daily basis with their family. It was really quite touching. I came home and told John all about it. He couldn’t believe it, and then he received an email from someone who was at the workshop/meeting who had written to tell him how important Fetlife and how it has really meant a lot to them to have a place to feel at home. Nice! John, you are changing the world!
I found a few nice corsets at the fleamarket, but it was difficult to find my size. Now WTF?! When I was a larger size I couldn’t find a nice corset that fit and now that I am small, I can’t find a corset that fits. Today all the corsets were too big or the few I found that were 22″ were like $500.00. If I’m going to invest that kind of money into a corset it’s going to be custom made for me. Doesn’t it seem to you like someone should make a corset for me so that I can promote the fuck out of their corsetry business? I would work for trade. Hey you corset seamstresses - are you listening? :)
Cleis Press sent me Tristan Taormino’s new book, Opening Up, to review. I have only heard good things about it and as a polyamorous soul married to a monoromantic, an open relationship can be a challenge - so not ony am I looking forward to a good read for the review, but also I am hoping to get something out of it personally. Well, that’s where the best reviews come from, anyway - though a book can be good and still not really be appealing to you.
I dd hear from my NYC friends that they are all getting set for tomorrow’s shoot. No alcohol, strict orders by the photographer will make for a less interesting evening, though if you put those 12 women in the same room, I don’t think it matters, the energy alone would be intoxicating!
Next week’s posts on Catalina Loves are going to be really good, if I do say so myself. I have an interview with Kink.com CEO Peter Acworth, a very good toy review on Tuesday, Lochai starts his new job with Hogtied.com Monday, so there will be lots of Lochai news, there is an interview waiting for me to post from Sgt. Major, who is a Kink.com dom, but also owns his own site: BackdoorBondage.com. I also have to write an interview for Madison Young, who sent me her new movie (w00t!) and hopefully Nikki will have some new images ready for me next week from our photoshoot this week. That’s a lot of good stuff, and that’s off the top of my head, so set make sure you subscribe and get all the goodness that there is.
Alright, enough babble for now. I swear upon all things holy that I will get through my email this weekend. It’s become a huge priority at this point!
September 15th, 2008 — Altered Aperture, Blogs, FetLife, M, Quid Pro Quo, Stuff and Things, Text Messages, Updates, Websites
Everyone could use a Lolcat on Monday
“A change of plans, I’ll email you tomorrow,” is what M’s text said last night at midnight. Hmmm… I wonder if that means I’m no longer going to Asheville with A. So far, no email. Curiosity kills the Cat(alina). [Update, she's not coming this week means I don't go to Asheville with A so really the lesson is, worry is just interest you pay on money you never borrowed!]
Richard Wright died today. If you don’t know who he is, I wonder how old you are. Are you old enough to read this blog? He’s (was) a member of Pink Floyd. I’m kind of sad, but in a selfish way - because this means there will be no more Pink Floyd reunion like their last show at Live 8. I am glad I watched it live and I’m glad I have it on my hard drive. I remember it so well because it was the day before I had my baby, S.
Today I’m keeping it short because I need to dedicate some time to Quid Pro Quo related things. It’s time to focus in more, get a clearer picture of what it is that I/we do best, and put together some marketing materials. For a marketing team, we have nothing to offer. Of course, as a friend puts it, my work suffers so that yours doesn’t, but there comes a time where you have to get your own stuff in order. I think that time has come. Also, I have a meeting with John (Fetlife) at 5:30 and things to do between now and then. [PS: If you are looking for a good place to advertise, Fetlife is a good place to advertise!]
One last note: If you are an artist, a blogger, a programmer, an affiliate manager, a graphic designer, a content producer, photographer, a model, or in any way associated with the bloggosphere and you would like to be a part of my email list, please get in touch for details. You can email me at CatalinaLoves@gmail.com.
Hot Yoga Saturday Countdown: Just 5 more days!
August 13th, 2008 — Altered Aperture, Blogs, Bondage, Books, Claire Adams, Ellie Lumpesse, Fetish, Fundraising, Graydancer, Lochai, Ms Nikki Nefarious, My Naughty Secretary, NCSF, Photos, Politics, Shibari, Shopping, Stuff and Things, Toys, Updates, Websites
I am overwhelmed with emotion and at a loss for words at the outpouring of support that people in our community have shown our family by donating prizes for the raffle, buying tickets, cross posting to spread the word, and the kind words that have gotten us through a very difficult time. We are proud to say that our personal need has been met and good (us, the sinners) triumphs over evil (them, the morally superior). To feed off of Graydancer’s post, we have proven that “a community proving that a community of pervs cares more about her education than an administration full of assholes.”
This means that instead of being my personal mission to fight for my daughter, I am on a bigger mission for the greater cause. I recognize that I am not the only person going through this battle. In fact, it’s a series of small battles that are all a part of a greater war on personal freedom, often with children in the crossfire.
This shouldn’t happen, but if you’re living an alternative lifestyle, it very well could happen to you. The only way to combat it is to put on the armor, link up arm-in-arm, and take them on as a commUNITY. That is exactly what I’ve seen in the last few days and I think we can do more!
The raffle continues, as it is scheduled to end on Sunday (8/17/08) at 10pm, but from this point forward, all proceeds will be going to the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom as a contribution from the community that has stood together and won this battle. This is our way of supporting the war that has been waged in the land of the free against personal and sexual freedom. At the end of the year, the refunded monies will also be donated on behalf of this community.
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is a national organization committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF is primarily focused on the rights of consenting adults in the SM-leather-fetish, swing, and polyamory communities, who often face discrimination because of their sexual expression.
My deepest gratitude to those who have supported and continue to support this cause. I have never felt such a sense of community in my entire life. So here is the current prize list for the new official National Coalition for Sexual Freedom raffle. Check back, as we seem to be adding prizes daily.
From Lochai there are three 5×7 museum signed prints from his recent exhibit at the World Erotic Art Museum, two of them are not only museum signed prints, but are also very limited editions.
Alley Bound and Curves are a limited edition of 10 museum signed prints. If you win, you will receive either 6/10 or 7/10. Beach Bound is Lochai’s iconic World’s Most Erotic Photograph winning piece, and is a signed museum print. (Sold normally at $75/print)
Ellie Lumpesse has donated three books:
The Straight Girl’s Guide to Sleeping With Chicks by Jen Sincero
Aqua Erotica by Mary Anne Mohanraj
The Ultimate Guide to Fellatio by Violet Blue
Ellie is also offering:
a 30-minute private phone session (that can include her amazingly sexy man) if you win.
Sam donated:
custom, hand made jewelry (a necklace and earring set) to a runner up. “It’s not a kinky prize, but pretty,” she said. Pretty indeed! Take a look: http://quem98.livejournal.com/306470.html
Thursday and D donated:
a signed 8×10 print of any one of their photographs
a copy of the book, The Mammoth Book of Illustrated Erotic Women.
And Thursday has also offered:
one of her sexy (orgasmic) voicemails to a lucky winner. Let me tell you, that is one hot prize.
The writer of Between My Sheets offered:
A brand new, still in the package, never been used Silver Bullet Vibe.
And just now I heard from my Naughty Secretary who offered:
Her services as a graphic designer. There are two separate prizes - each being two hours of graphic design time (normally charged at $120/hr). In addition to participating in this raffle, she is doing her own auction to raise money. She is sponsoring a silent auction of one of her paintings on her web page.
Edward, from Exjinn.net, the company that hosts all of our blogs and provides us without outstanding support and service, has offered:
A 50 gig hosting plan from Exjinn.net with 1-year of service.
Essin’ Em:
just donated a copy of the book, Wetter, with her story signed personally for you. As if that weren’t generous enough, she has also offered an 8×10 print!
Sabrina Fox - does the name ring a bell?
Sabrina Fox, as in the redhead hot as fuck bondage and fetish model, Sabrina Fox, was chatting with me today and mentioned that she has a few pairs of latex panties that she recently wore for a photoshoot that would offer as prizes. Latex panties worn by Sabrina Fox, anyone? Oh wait until I tell W about this when she is older.
Jeff Mach commented: (THANK YOU, JEFF!) [This is one of those prizes that I would like to know if you would like to be entered to win. If you're not in the area and can't use the tickets, then they would do you no good, but if you are in that area, then it's a great prize!]
I am running a New Year’s Eve fetish event in New Jersey at the end of this year (on NYE itself). I’ll offer a ticket (that is, admission for two people, including gourmet meal and champagne)
and
I run the Wicked Winter Renaissance Faire, now entering its fourth year, every February - again, in Jersey. We’re going to three days this year, and tickets for all three days would usually be at $40; I can donate two pairs of those, as well.
I feel like George from “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Graydancer, who posted a very insightful post about the society that we live in, just twittered me (it sounds dirtier than it is) and said:
I didn’t realize you were adding prizes. Throw in an audiobook version of my novel, “Nawashi“.
Rose Fox offered a very generous and naughty prize — a very good combination for this crowd!:
I used to review DVDs for AVN, and I’m still on Vivid’s mailing list, so now I have a closet full of unopened Vivid porn DVDs. I’ve been trying to figure out how to donate them someplace and would be delighted to offer them for your cause.
There are too many to catalog, so perhaps 10 “grab bags” of ten DVD’s? I’d do my best to include a varied selection so that the winner is fairly likely to get at least a few titles that suit their tastes.
(Just a note on this: because of the laws regarding the selling of pornography, the winners would need to submit a copy of their ID to Rose in order for her to be able to send them to you.)
Beautiful Rebecca has offered:
an original piece of sensual art from the artist. It was scheduled for a gallery show next year but we would much rather have it go to your cause as it hit home. It is 3×4 metal with an object representing a uterus called, “Oikos Cella”.
Alternatively, for those who win, but don’t feel that this art is right for their home, she is an interior designer and has offered to do a consultation for a room re-do. The details are kind of extensive, so I’ll discuss it with the winner personally.
Ms. Nikki Nefarious and AlteredAperture.com) has donated prints and a rope kit:
Collette for TABU Magazine 8 x 12
Jamie in Latex 8 x 12
Girl’s Best Friend 8 x 12
Scream 8 x 10
GarGirl Bound 8 x 10
The Enforcer 8 x 10
Sarah Sealed 8 x 10
Red Hood 8 x 10
and then A Starter Rope Package (4-pack of multi-colored ropes in different lengths and hemp rope cuffs)
Lily, who calls herself Lily (the rope ho) in her comment has donated
3 x 30ft hand-dyed, processed 6mm hemp kit
Radical Vixen, who most of you know as the editor of the weekly sex blog digest, Sugasm, is a very active political advocate. She has offered two books for the raffle:
She’s on Top: Erotic Stories of Female Dominance and Male Submission
Sex and Bacon: Why I Love Things That Are Very, Very Bad For Me
Thank you, so much! I cannot tell you how moved I am by the random kindness of the community. Lochai’s the one who started the commUNITY concept, but I get it better than ever now.
I’m officially re-launching the “Catalina’s Emergency Tuition Fund Raffle” as the “The Battle Is Won, But the War is Not Over” raffle with all remaining proceeds from this point forward going to NCSF.
Tickets are $10.00 each, you can buy as many as you’d like (if you’d like to donate $50.00, for example, I’ll enter your name 5 times). You are not obligated to buy a virtual ticket. You can also just donate to a very worthy cause at any amount.
I really will write down names and put them in a hat, and my daughter can pick the winners. At this point, she is well-aware of what is going on. We’ll choose the winners on August 17th at 10 pm. You will be notified by 10:30 pm by email. Heck, we’ll even try to find someone to film it and show it to you all :)
August 11th, 2008 — Altered Aperture, Bitching, Blogs, Bondage, Books, Claire Adams, Ellie Lumpesse, Fetish, Fundraising, Graydancer, Lochai, Movies, Ms Nikki Nefarious, My Naughty Secretary, Photos, Shibari, Stuff and Things, Toys, Updates
Buy A Raffle Ticket To Win A Limited, Edition, Museum Signed Print From Lochai
I’ve never discussed this on my blog before, but recent developments have prompted me to discuss the reason why I’m no longer a teacher. Being Catalina isn’t always a good thing. I separated early this year with my school as a peaceful way to avoid a public scandal that would ultimately affect my teenage daughter, who attended said school.
Part of my agreement I cannot legally discuss - specifically the reasons and terms of my separation - but use your imaginations. I can say that I agreed to leave quietly and peacefully under the condition that my (straight-a’s, honors courses, award-winning, athlete, without a discipline record) child be allowed to attend her last year of middle school just as if I had resigned at the end of the year. Let me spell this out for you. Faculty receive a substantial tuition discount. I pay 10% of the tuition. This roughly amounts to $1,100. After leaving, all faculty are offered one more year for their children at the faculty tuition discount as a way to avoid disrupting their children’s lives too much.
A few days ago the head of my former school called me to tell me that had rescinded his offer and that she was no longer welcome to attend. In the same phone conversation, he changed his mind and decided to honor our agreement. Well, kind of. I came in with the tuition and they refused to accept my payment.
Later I received an email that stated that on top of the faculty tuition, I am also expected to pay student fees, which are not covered under the faculty discount. Okay, so throw in another $900. I can come up with that, even if it means the car payment doesn’t get paid.
The straw that broke this camel’s back? The additional $1,000 expense account that is being demanded by the 18th of August to cover her lunch account (which was roughly $750 last year) and field trip expenses (which are roughly $250). I requested that she not be allowed to charge a lunch in the cafeteria and that she will bring her lunch, which is an option available to (other) parents, to have this fee waived. The field trip charges, I can’t really object to, that seems fair, so mental tab up to $2,200.
I’ve just been informed that the school is unwilling to waive the expense account fee for her lunch account and demands the entire amount be paid. If it is unused it will be refunded to me at the end of the year. Nice of them to at least offer that. This brings up my new grand total to $3,200 in 8 days.
I went from having her tuition paid to being a mile away.
I have never been as upset as I am right now. For a “Christian” educator to use a child as a pawn in a moral battle against me, and what I represent, is unethical - it’s beyond unethical - it’s reprehensible.
So I’ve played all of my cards, my hands are tied. He wins right now. Because I have been judged a whore, my child loses.
I refuse to allow that to happen. For the first time ever, I am asking my readers to help me. I’ve asked my readers to support the arts (artists, photographers, and other bloggers) but never asked for financial support on my blogs for myself or my family. Today that changes because my child is involved. Today I ask for your support for my daughter’s education and future.
Similar to the project I did for Lochai, I am asking for donations towards my daughter’s education fund. I spoke to Lochai this afternoon, and he has offered to donate three 5×7 museum signed prints from his recent exhibit at the World Erotic Art Museum, two of them are not only museum signed prints, but are also very limited editions.
Alley Bound and Curves are a limited edition of 10 museum signed prints. If you win, you will receive either 6/10 or 7/10. Beach Bound is Lochai’s iconic World’s Most Erotic Photograph winning piece, and is a signed museum print. (Sold normally at $75/print)
On top of Lochai’s unbelievably generous offer, several people have contacted me since posting this and asked to donate items to be raffled off as well. Now, from Ellie Lumpesse we have three books:
The Straight Girl’s Guide to Sleeping With Chicks by Jen Sincero
Aqua Erotica by Mary Anne Mohanraj
The Ultimate Guide to Fellatio by Violet Blue
Ellie is also offering a 30-minute private phone session (that can include her amazingly sexy man) if you win.
And one of Janice’s friends left a comment in my blog that she would donate custom, hand made jewelry (a necklace and earring set) to a runner up.
“It’s not a kinky prize, but pretty,” she said. Pretty indeed! Take a look: http://quem98.livejournal.com/306470.html
Thursday and D have also offered a signed 8×10 print of any one of their photographs and a copy of the book, The Mammoth Book of Illustrated Erotic Women. And Thursday has also offered one of her sexy (orgasmic) voicemails to a lucky winner. Let me tell you, that is one hot prize.
Then I got an email from a total stranger, the writer of Between My Sheets, who offered:
A brand new, still in the package, never been used Silver Bullet Vibe.
And just now I heard from my Naughty Secretary who offered:
Her services as a graphic designer and artist. She is looking into which painting(s) she is going to donate, but she has committed to two separate prizes - each being two hours of graphic design time (normally charged at $120/hr).
Edward, from Exjinn.net, the company that hosts all of our blogs and provides us without outstanding support and service, has offered:
A 50 gig hosting plan from Exjinn.net with 1-year of service.
Thank you, so much! I cannot tell you how moved I am by the random kindness of the community. Lochai’s the one who started the commUNITY concept, but I get it better than ever now.
Essin’ Em, the pansexual feminist sexpert on her way up, just donated a copy of the book, Wetter, with her story signed personally for you. As if that weren’t generous enough, she has also offered an 8×10 print!
Sabrina Fox - does the name ring a bell?
Sabrina Fox, as in the redhead hot as fuck bondage and fetish model, Sabrina Fox, was chatting with me today and mentioned that she has a few pairs of latex panties that she recently wore for a photoshoot that would offer as prizes. Latex panties worn by Sabrina Fox, anyone? Oh wait until I tell W about this when she is older.
Jeff Mach commented: (THANK YOU, JEFF!)
Prize donations, a few: - I am running a New Year’s Eve fetish event in New Jersey at the end of this year (on NYE itself). Tickets are probably going to be something along the lines of $250 per couple - we were actually finalizing that this week. I’ll offer a ticket (that is, admission for two people, including gourmet meal and champagne) for the raffle, if you’d like.
and
I run the Wicked Winter Renaissance Faire, now entering its fourth year, every February - again, in Jersey. We’re going to three days this year, and tickets for all three days would usually be at $40; I can donate two pairs of those, as well, if it will assist you.
I feel like George from “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Graydancer, who posted a very insightful post about the society that we live in, just twittered me (it sounds dirtier than it is) and said:
I didn’t realize you were adding prizes. Throw in an audiobook version of my novel, “Nawashi“.
Thanks, Graydancer! I appreciate it! I didn’t know I was going to add prizes either, until people started offering. The outpouring of support in the various ways people have shown it is very moving. Some people can afford to show their support by purchasing a ticket, some people are supporting us by crossposting, some are offering prizes, some are doing all of the above and then some. I even consider it supportive just to see comments from people who happened upon it and have shown emotional support.
In the comments this morning, from a total stranger, Rose Fox, was this offer, which is generous and naughty — a very good combination for this crowd!:
I’m here via the person who donated the jewelry. I used to review DVDs for AVN, and I’m still on Vivid’s mailing list, so now I have a closet full of unopened Vivid porn DVDs. I’ve been trying to figure out how to donate them someplace and would be delighted to offer them for your cause.
There are too many to catalog, so perhaps 10 “grab bags” of ten DVD’s? I’d do my best to include a varied selection so that the winner is fairly likely to get at least a few titles that suit their tastes.
Thank you, Rose — I don’t know anybody, personally, who would turn down a handful of DVD’s. And you’re really giving away 10 prizes, not just one, so thank you x 10! You’re right, there’s got to be something in there that turns that key in the lock. (Just a note on this: because of the laws regarding the selling of pornography, the winners would need to submit a copy of their ID to Rose in order for her to be able to send them to you.)
Also in the comments this morning was a message from Beautiful Rebecca offering a piece of original sensual art:
I have an original piece of sensual art from the artist I live with I would like to donate. It was scheduled for a gallery show next year but we would much rather have it go to your cause as it hit home.
The List Keeps Growing!
Please read this post on CatalinaLoves.com
to see the most recent list. Good stuff! I’m overwhelmed by the contributions people are making to make this raffle a big success.
I’m officially launching the “Catalina’s Emergency Tuition Fund Raffle”, here is the link to buy your virtual ticket. Tickets are $10.00 each, you can buy as many as you’d like (if you’d like to donate $50.00, for example, I’ll enter your name 5 times). I really will write down names and put them in a hat, and my daughter can pick the winners (of course I’ll come up with some vanilla reason why she’s doing it). We’ll choose the winners on August 17th at 10 pm. You will be notified by 10:15 pm.
