Phaedrus

Another song about the daily grind... originally by Joe Jackson, but I like this version: Anthrax - Got The Time Edit: I *have* to post this too: bonus Lego stop-motion version. Clearly the most awesome thing you're going to see all day.

You could have done that anytime. But now you can smite them with lightning bolts if they don't :)

*sigh*. I'd always thought the French were more sensible about this sort of thing than some, but it seems the Swedish model has its fans there too.... ================= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16047284 France's parliament has backed a proposal to fight prostitution by making payment for sex a crime punishable by fines and prison. The National Assembly approved by a show of hands a cross-party, non-binding resolution which is due to be followed by a bill. Six-month prison sentences and fines of 3,000 euros (£2,580; $4,000) are envisaged for clients of prostitutes. Some campaigners reject the bill, advocating prostitutes' rights instead. Around 20,000 people are believed to be working as prostitutes in France. France has been committed to abolishing the practice in principle since 1960. The resolution said the country should seek "a society without prostitution" and that sex work "should in no case be designated as a professional activity". It urged abolition at a time when "prostitution seems to be becoming routine in Europe". In 1999, the Swedish government brought in similar legislation to criminalise the buying of sex, while decriminalising its sale. Under existing French laws on prostitution, summed up by French Roman Catholic newspaper La Croix France officially aspires to abolition but the act of prostitution itself is not a crime Prostitution is only liable for prosecution when it troubles public order A client faces prosecution only if the prostitute is under-age or "particularly vulnerable" because of illness etc Pimping is punishable with a prison sentence of up to seven years, and there are some 1,000 convictions annually Guy Geoffroy, an MP from the ruling UMP party who sits on the commission, said France's political parties had reached a consensus on the issue because it was a matter of "republican ethics". Nine out of 10 prostitutes were victims of trafficking, he said. "From now on prostitution is regarded from the point of view of violence against women and that has become unacceptable for everyone," Mr Geoffroy added. Yves Charpenel, head of the Fondation Scelles group which fights human trafficking and also advocates criminalisation, said it was unclear whether the bill would eventually be adopted. "There is no consensus yet on this subject," he said, according to AFP news agency. "Will the deputies who vote for the abolitionist resolution then vote for its concrete application? More than ever, it is necessary to clarify the French position." Another advocate of criminalisation, a French-led men's initiative known as ZeroMacho which was inspired by the historian and feminist Florence Montreynaud, has published a manifesto against prostitution, gathering some 200 signatures across EU states. ZeroMacho member Jean-Sebastien Mallet told French women's website Terrafemina that it wanted to speak for "the vast majority of men - hitherto silent - who do not use prostitutes". However, France's sex workers' trade union, Strass, called a rally outside parliament to oppose the proposed bill. Several dozen prostitutes and supporters gathered under placards reading "Sex Work is Work" and "Prostitution - No Repression - No Punishment - Rights!" Punishing clients would "deprive prostitutes of work that provides them with a living, give clients more power over them and push prostitutes to turn to intermediaries to be able to work", said Sarah-Marie Maffesoli, a lawyer for Strass. In a letter to MPs, it and other groups accused politicians of treating prostitutes as "marginals whose voice does not deserve to be heard". Strass draws a clear distinction between consensual prostitution and sexual trafficking. A man at the demonstration who described himself as a "client of sex-workers" said he was "against enslavement". "If I thought that the prostitutes I know were being enslaved, I would no longer be a client," he told Reuters news agency.

Since she's too modest to do so herself, I should also mention that Erin's in the same sort of area as Paradise (so not too long a drive from Barrhaven), and definitely worth visiting :)

Who knows? It may well be more difficult for a MP to open (since they're inherently more... obvious... than independent operators), but I really can't think of any good reason why there wouldn't be any indies. I'd be surprised... given that SPs seem to do fine in Orleans and around, I can't imagine it'd be that hostile an environment for MAs too. And I'm not aware that there's any bylaws in areas smaller than the city as a whole (although I may be entirely wrong about this :)

Many congratulations, Berlin! Awesome!

It'd be funny if it wasn't so sad. At least they acknowledge homosexuality exists in their country, unlike other nations in the region.

Thanks for the link to the obit, Andy - most interesting! On the subject of odd things: Ozric Tentacles - Oddentity

I don't know how many of them have hot tubs, but I'm sure quite a few would be happy to start off with a shower for two if you asked them nicely :) Seriously, your best bet on this is probably to decide who you'd like to see and then ask her directly. Unless you really have your heart set on the hot tub, in which case your options may be rather more limited...

I'm pretty sure that was originally Oscar Wilde's witticism :) One from me, paraphrased: Of course gods exist. But there's no point worshiping them. It just encourages the buggers. -- Terry Pratchett And also, of course, the one in my sig. I think of this one every morning when I can't face getting out of bed just yet :)

Discovering that chocolate-covered bacon is nowhere near as awesome as it sounds.

On the subject of rust... one for His Royal and Imperial Highness, (although he hasn't been around much of late) Megadeth - Rust in Peace.... Polaris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hVqpjZ8qWM

There's a reason why cat-owners sometimes get clawed to death...

Oops! Although I have to say, this kinda makes me sad.

Well, I can't deny that he has a point. I have to admit, the "everybody gets a prize" mentality annoys the hell out of me too. Unfortunately this point isn't actually opposed - or even relevant - to the one the Occupy protestors are making (and despite his protestations to the contrary, they *do* have a point). I think he's over-generous on the three and a half days, though. Giving them a cabin? Pah. Let them built a bivouac, or pray for good weather... :)

Wow. If rhythmic gymnastics can be an Olympic sport, I see no reason why that shouldn't be.

Sounds... entertaining. I have to ask, though - is this traditionally done on the last day of February, for Feb 29th? It won't matter this time around, but... Also - does the infamous FB BBM agency really need further encouragement? :)

Conversely, there seem to be more independent SPs in the east end than the west. I have no idea what conclusions to draw from this :)

Also CMJ and Angel's Touch in the south end of town, which isn't too far away. Presumably you can travel a bit, or you wouldn't be in Far-haven in the first place :)

Why on earth not? You're still taking up the same amount of the lady's time, whether you spend it in bed or tied to the wall or dining in a top-notch restaurant. Which was, I think, the point Nicki was making in the first place. Unless, of course, you're looking to embark on a relationship outside the hobby, which is a whole different ballgame...

I don't think so... but since I started down this road, I haven't tried monogamy so I can't really give you a definitive answer even for myself. I'm afraid I completely fail to see what this has to do with whether anyone was "exposed hardcore porn at a relatively young age", though. Do you think there may be a correlation between this and either participation in this hobby or monogamy in general?

Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightnin' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiExHrVXmtE

Since we're talking about riverboats now.... Sorry :)

Yep, absolutely. Separate email, separate phone. Information wants to be free, and once it's out you can never get it back...