blogTO | Posts by Japhet

blogTO | Posts by Japhet http://www.blogto.com/ Toronto blog Copyright 2008 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:49:00 PDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Do Sex-Workers Deserve a Safer Workplace?
Terri-Jean Bedford, a woman titling herself Canada's most famous dominatrix, has launched a constitutional challenge with three other sex-workers and Allan Young, a law professor from Osgoode Hall, to repeal three provisions of the Criminal Code dealing with sex work.

The three provisions have to do with the ban on bawdy houses, communication with potential clients and living in the avails of prostitution. At the heart of this protest against these provisions are concerns over the safety of sex-workers and, in a statement by the group known as the Sex Professionals of Canada (SPOC), "the provisions challenged in this application operate to deny sex workers safe legal options for the conducting of legal business".

After all, prostitution is legal in Canada, as long as it's of the independent outcall variety, but this places the onus on the individual woman to ensure her own safety while simultaneously acknowledging the current laws.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/06/do_sexworkers_deserve_a_safer_workplace http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/06/do_sexworkers_deserve_a_safer_workplace TnO Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:16:23 PDT TnO Japhet 2008-06-08T04:16:23 A Kink Of One's Own eating ass

eating ass

It's easy to make light of the idea of confessing some sexual perversion to one's partner in the abstract but it's an entirely different thing to confess that there's nothing you'd like better than to piss in your loved one's mouth, for example. After all, you have no idea how they'll react and many a newly-uncovered a kink has been the end of a previously-perfect relationship.

Me, I always enjoyed these accounts but I figured I knew myself pretty well. After all, I was 27 years-old and had presumably progressed beyond my college days to embrace the well-oiled sexual practices of the post-grad. I was no longer "figuring things out" (or at least I thought not).

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/05/a_kink_of_ones_own http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/05/a_kink_of_ones_own TnO Sat, 17 May 2008 05:19:40 PDT TnO Japhet 2008-05-17T05:19:40 Sleeping With Your Friends
I've lived in Toronto for seven years and have moved through a dozen or so social circles in my time here. Things are generally tight and without prodding, most groups tend to avoid long-term co-mingling. People move in and out but a core group tends to remain.

I've also had my share of fun and several relationships but I've noticed a distinct shift in terms of whom I choose to get closer with. Most of my hook-ups are close friends that I've known for awhile. While I've dated some of them briefly, all of them are people I feel comfortable with.

According to the ever-useful NOW Magazine Love and Sex Guide "35 percent of men and 39 percent of woman" identify as single while engaging in sexual relations with a friend.

Allowing for the demographics of those who cared to respond to the survey, that's still a substantial number.

More...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/05/sleeping_with_your_friends http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/05/sleeping_with_your_friends TnO Sat, 10 May 2008 08:49:51 PDT TnO Japhet 2008-05-10T08:49:51 Morning Brew: May 9th, 2008
Photo: "Contact @ MOCCA" by Peter Grevstad, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Your Toronto morning news roundup for Friday May 09th, 2008:

With oil prices up to $125 a barrel, the price at the pump will correspondingly be raised to a rather steep $1.25 per litre. I remember when it used to be only 79 cents... it was only a matter of time before we fell in line with the rest of the world.

Parents (and fiscally-responsible taxpayers everywhere) are shocked after a government report showed that Catholic School Board trustees were living high on the hog and claiming excessive personal expenses to the overall tune of $1 million. A $100,000 average per official suggests they're claiming more than just travel expenses and health benefits.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/morning_brew_may_9th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/morning_brew_may_9th_2008 City Fri, 09 May 2008 08:00:02 PDT City Japhet 2008-05-09T08:00:02 Morning Brew: May 8th, 2008 Photo: "Cleaners" by Metrix X, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Your Toronto morning news roundup for Thursday May 8th, 2008:

After much hemming and hawwing plans to open an Africentric high school will come to fruition by 2010.

Need another reason to quit driving? Hundreds of dump trucks are planning a protest that will see large portions of Toronto's highways tied up as part of an effort to improve their wages and working conditions.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/morning_brew_may_8th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/morning_brew_may_8th_2008 City Thu, 08 May 2008 08:03:57 PDT City Japhet 2008-05-08T08:03:57 Morning Brew: May 7th, 2008 Photo: "crystal palace" by jhccheng, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Your Toronto morning news roundup for Tuesday May 06, 2008:

In a move that will piss off drinkers everywhere, we can expect to see beer prices rise $2-$3 more per case over the year. It's one thing that they raise gas prices but when my personal fuel becomes more expensive, I start to question exactly why I'm living here (and just as beer was becoming so much more interesting in Ontario).

Buyer beware if you're thinking about buying a condo around Yonge & Sheppard: City councillors in North York voted to provide a warning to would-be residents concerning the massive traffic gridlock in the area that has experienced rapid growth as of late.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/morning_brew_may_7th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/morning_brew_may_7th_2008 City Wed, 07 May 2008 09:00:56 PDT City Japhet 2008-05-07T09:00:56 Morning Brew: May 6th, 2008 Photo: "Stay on Track" by VladGlebov, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Your Toronto morning news roundup for Tuesday May 06, 2008:

Robert Smith, better known as "that Scottish dude who loudly extols the virtues of a pint of Keiths", admitted to possessing and distributing child pornography which will likely net him some jail time. No word yet on whether beer ads will get any better.

In a significant about-face from the usual talk of increased police enforcement, Toronto's executive committee earmarked nearly $5 million dollars towards the hiring of new social workers to help our city's panhandlers. People with no fixed income don't really respond to well to tickets anyways...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/morning_brew_may_6th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/morning_brew_may_6th_2008 City Tue, 06 May 2008 08:04:56 PDT City Japhet 2008-05-06T08:04:56 Erol Alkan Gets Social With Toronto I've always wanted to hate the Social. I dislike Queen St. West in general and nearly every time I go there, whether by myself or with friends, I find myself stuck in some corner, watching bored people evaluate their standing on the social ladder and rehash the same-old misadventures they hope to top that night.

My roommate, being a newcomer to the east end, is still very fond of the opposite side of the city and has often insisted that I accompany him on the $10 cab ride for what he always promises will be "a good time".

I pretty much always refuse, even in the face of admittedly excellent artists such as Rye Rye, but it wasn't until I heard that Erol Alkan was due to hit the Social that my resolve started to crumble.

Here is one of the most reputedly down-to-earth DJs of the day spinning at a club I have an admitted (albeit unproven) bias against. Not only that but he's very talented and he usually plays much larger (and more expensive) venues in other cities.

What was I to do? I couldn't exactly pass this kind of opportunity up.

More...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2008/05/erol_alkan_gets_social_with_toronto http://www.blogto.com/music/2008/05/erol_alkan_gets_social_with_toronto Music Thu, 01 May 2008 06:18:36 PDT Music Japhet 2008-05-01T06:18:36 Why the Feminist Porn Awards Are Important What other awards show hands out glass butt plugs? They're just so... functional.

As Josey Vogels, one of the announcers noted, you wouldn't want to use an Emmy in the same way. An Oscar might work but it would require one helluva warm-up.

All kidding aside, of much greater importance than the sexual possibilities presented to the winners are the films that brought them the attention they deserve.

The Feminist Porn Awards are not about supporting either mainstream pornography. We have the AVNs for that. Unlike most awards shows, they want to recognize porn that isn't content with the same, old conventions of the cultural entity we are all wank off to.

Why be boring when you can actually show female pleasure or people of diverse backgrounds, body-types and fantasies getting it on? Whatever your sexual orientation, I would imagine most people are into the idea of getting off to people they like the look of getting it on because they want to.

We live in a world where people are slowly coming around to the idea that there's no right or wrong way to get off and though the mainstream porn industry is usually one of the first adopters when it comes to technology, they are notoriously reticent when it comes to pushing social boundaries. Try finding a bisexual porno...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/04/why_the_feminist_porn_awards_are_important http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/04/why_the_feminist_porn_awards_are_important TnO Sat, 26 Apr 2008 06:48:17 PDT TnO Japhet 2008-04-26T06:48:17 Dimitri the Lover Models the "Real Man" Like any major urban centre, Toronto has its landmarks and attractions; things the visitors are encouraged to see. From opera to architecture we're used to seeing these objects of civic pride measured against other cities knickknacks in the never-ending competition for tourist bucks.

Then there are the activities you don't usually hear about, the ones you can't necessarily enjoy with the entire family. Some are praiseworthy (gay couples from the States coming up here to get married), others leave a distinctly bad taste in my mouth (swinger couples visiting Club Wicked; is that the best we can do?) and a few are really weird (Reg Hartt screenings; more about him later).

Somewhere in between the last two is Dimitri the Lover and his Toronto Real Men meetings. If you don't already know, he is the latest iteration in a long line of pick-up artists (PUA) offering up the secrets of seduction to hapless guys all over the country.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/04/dimitri_the_lover_models_the_real_man http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/04/dimitri_the_lover_models_the_real_man TnO Sat, 05 Apr 2008 06:36:01 PDT TnO Japhet 2008-04-05T06:36:01 Partymakers: Primary Colors This is the first in a series of interviews with up-and-coming promoters who are throwing parties around Toronto.

I first hit up a Primary Colors party back in September of last year. With the lurid title of Big Dicks & Barbie Dolls, it was hard to not be intrigued despite having some misgivings about artists successfully attempting to say anything interesting when it comes to sex. Nevertheless, I went and had a fantastic time.

One night at the Boat and a loft party later, I was definitely into Alex Coleurs and Co.'s vision of themed, cohesive, dirty dance parties. The artists he brings in are varied and even the resident duo of DJs, Girls Like Us, aren't filler padding out the set list as is sometimes the case when promoters take a turn at the deck.

Most of all, Alex walks that really fine line between art and partying and makes it really fucking hot so I was interested in discovering what he was all about.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2008/04/partymakers_primary_colors http://www.blogto.com/music/2008/04/partymakers_primary_colors Music Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:03:54 PDT Music Japhet 2008-04-03T01:03:54 Morning Brew: April 2nd, 2008 Photo: "college" by blogTO Flickr pooler edanscime.

Your morning news roundup for Wednesday April 2nd, 2008:

The police, feeling rather fly after the last two Comfort Zone busts, have gone after Harvey's hookers and other assorted denizens of the sketchy strips around the Church-Seaton neighborhood. The kicker is that out of the 287 people arrested, only 23 of them lived in the area; a fact that doesn't bode well for the next area they decide to hang out at.

Apparently those environmentally-friendly tetra paks the LCBO are so fond of don't cut it with the Toronto Environment Alliance who take issue with the fact that they're made out of virgin pulp, aluminium and plastic; some not-so-green ingredients. The LCBO counters that refillable bottles are not practical despite evidence to the contrary.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/04/morning_brew_april_2nd_2008 http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/04/morning_brew_april_2nd_2008 City Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:00:00 PDT City Japhet 2008-04-02T08:00:00 Crystal Castles Hit The Right Note at Wrongbar
Like so many other people who work in the service industry, I miss quite a few weekend shows that I would love to attend. If I do get off by eleven, it's usually difficult to make it out to more than one event so needless to say, I was pleased to see that Crystal Castles were playing a second show at Wrongbar.

I'd like to see more bands do a couple of shows but I doubt that many would be up to the task. It's kind of like going out Friday when you know you're doing something Saturday; sure you can try to maintain your buzz at a certain level but the odds lean towards a certain amount of weariness beginning to seep in through the cracks of your party-fa�ade.

The first show had been huge and I'm sure many people had no doubt the second one was going to be just as good. Massive hype notwithstanding, Ethan Kath and Alice Glass are very, very good at what they do and even though my exposure to the band was limited to numerous music blogs singing their praises, I had that jumpy feeling in my stomach that you get when you know you're about to see a fantastic show.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2008/02/crystal_castles_hit_the_right_note_at_wrongbar http://www.blogto.com/music/2008/02/crystal_castles_hit_the_right_note_at_wrongbar Music Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:42:18 PST Music Japhet 2008-02-29T05:42:18 Know Thyself on Valentine's Day
After a brief hiatus TnO is back with a special Valentine's Day post. Mind you, this post isn't for those of you who knew what you were doing on the 14th a month ago. This isn't even for you poor bastards who are desperately searching for something, anything, to impress your significant other with and show them that you care.

This is for those of you who have complicated feelings about this day; that silent majority. I feel that I am qualified to speak to you because I have been a not-so-proud card-carrying member for most of my life.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/02/know_thyself_on_valentines_day http://www.blogto.com/tno/2008/02/know_thyself_on_valentines_day TnO Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:42:40 PST TnO Japhet 2008-02-13T02:42:40 Everyone's On Board for a Rollin' & Scratchin' Party
Although the blizzard that had Toronto in its slushy grasp undoubtedly prevented many a party-goer from reaching their intended destination, I determinedly headed back to one of my favorite spots in the city for a chance to check out the premiere of Three Man Dance Party as they opened for Candy Coated Killahz at The Boat as part of the monthly show put on there by Rollin' & Scratchin'.

I had no idea what to expect. Jeffrey's (half of TMPD) house parties always had great tunes (and they'd put out a fantastic mixtape last summer that I still listen to) but even listening to some of the new tracks on their website didn't properly prepare me for the spectacle that was about to ensue.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2008/02/everyones_on_board_for_a_rollin_scratchin_party http://www.blogto.com/music/2008/02/everyones_on_board_for_a_rollin_scratchin_party Music Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:21:30 PST Music Japhet 2008-02-05T20:21:30