Some tidbits of interest:

1) Sex pheromones make mice brains grow
“A DOMINANT male mouse won’t just turn a female on. He’ll make her brain grow. Just a whiff of his odour is enough to make the female’s brain sprout new neurons, and this growth drives her to want to mate with him.”

2) massive floating condom
“Concertgoers at a festival in the Dutch city of Lichtenvoorde were treated to an unusual sight Friday: A pink hot air balloon 127 feet high, shaped exactly like a condom, drifting lazily across the sky. The balloon, with the words “Vrij Veilig”—Dutch for “Safe Sex”—was launched by the public health service.”

3) Can plus-sized be pretty
I like the post on About Face regarding ads for a a Brazilian dairy company.

This series of ads recasts three iconic film images (Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct, Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch, and Mena Suvari in American Beauty) as full-bodied women. The accompanying words translate as: “Forget about it. Men’s preference will never change. Fit Light Yogurt.”

The worst part of the ads’ interpretations of male desire is the message that appealing to it should be at the forefront of female concerns. Even the most mundane aspects of daily life, such as grocery shopping, are to be approached with men in mind. The suggestion that we should choose yogurt based on how it makes us look to men essentially reflects an archaic idea that is remains all too potent in the structure of our everyday lives: a woman’s value lies in what she does for men.

4) I finished another book report for school. This one on: Passionate Marriage. I actually read the book two years ago because I had heard such wonderful things about it, so I spent an hour or two re-reading my favorite bits. For an explanation of Schnarch’s approach, go HERE. But here’s one clip:

The Passionate Marriage Approach emphasizes life-long sexual development rather than merely curing desire problems or sexual dysfunctions. People get better in bed as they get older. Most people never reach their sexual potential, and those who do are generally into their 40s, 50s, and 60s. This surprises the many people who confuse genital prime with sexual prime, but you are more capable of an intensely intimate sexual relationships as you mature (become more differentiated).

5) Reason 238 for having sex:

July 31st,
2007
11:18 am

I had sex with my (now ex-) wife because that was the only way she was letting me in–no substantive talk, no affectionate touch, no sweet smiles, but she would have enthusiastic sex with me. I’d have preferred the talk, touch, and smiles, but settled for the sex.

— Posted by Matthew