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The Play's The Thing Wherein I'll Catch The Conscience Of The Swing(er)
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The Play's The Thing Wherein I'll Catch The Conscience Of The Swing(er) The word “play” is probably my favorite euphemism for sexual activity, especially in a club or swinging situation. Asking a potential partner if he/she wants to play is a lot more gentle than the somewhat stilted “Ya wanna?” And it doesn’t have the buzz-killing potential of “Let’s fuck” (“Let’s fuck” can work depending on the level of tongue-in-cheek interaction people have had before the proposition is made, as well as whether it is delivered playfully. But it’s risky, folks… it’s risky.) In a pinch, asking someone if he/she wants to “go upstairs” can work… but only if the club does, in fact, have an upstairs where the play areas are located. (Although there’s always the possibility of having a rooftop romp, I suppose. Just make sure someone props the access door open. Sad experience begs me to mention this.) As far as euphemisms go, I’ll be sticking with “play” for the time being… and it looks as though National Public Radio agrees with me. In a recent article on NPR’s blog (“Play Doesn't End With Childhood: Why Adults Need Recess Too”) author Sami Yenigun places swinging as an adult activity right next to within-limits gambling, board games, and carnival midways. (I love the idea of sex games being equated with board games. I’m a huge Scrabble fanatic, and consider a turn that builds words both vertically and horizontally almost as titillating as a gentle stroke or two. Hey, I said almost.) In her post, Yenigun discusses the Power Exchange, a San Francisco-based sex club in which people are actively encouraged to explore their fantasies “in a safe, sex-positive environment.” I’ve never been to the club, and I can’t speak to its claim that it’s “Accepting of more lifestyles than most of the 'other' sex clubs out there” – save to say that it’s nice to see someone is still keeping public relations<b> writers </font></b>employed. But the club is quite earnest in reinforcing this claim, with language on its online welcome page touting its fantasy rooms and dungeons. The site is not without flaws: A little more detail about these rooms would have been appreciated, along with some photographs – which don’t even need to show people playing – that give a sense of the quality of its offerings. Can’t help but to raise an eyebrow at their absence, but I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt and hope that they’ll be posted at some point. Back to play: Yenigun quotes Dr. Stuart Brown, head of a nonprofit called the National Institute for Play, as saying “The couples who sustain a sense of mutual playfulness with each other tend to work out the wrinkles in their relationships much better than those who are really serious.” Granted, Brown probably wasn’t commenting on swinging, but there is a lot of truth to this statement within the lifestyle: Sex has a place as a wonderful, tender, intimate interaction between two monogamous adults who care for each other a great deal. But it also – for those who can handle it – has a place as a simple, joyful activity between people (number indeterminate) who enjoy each other on a less-committed level. Here’s my question for Mike Powers, who founded and runs Power Exchange: Any thoughts on setting up a board game room for perverts like me who consider landing on Marvin Gardens a form of foreplay? Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic |
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as much as I hate cheesy comments, I do have to ask: what would the pieces be for the board game? All female and born this way ~!
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Well that was a cool post! It suddenly hit me what's missing in my life! NPR! When I was working I listened all the time. Since I retired I rarely turn it on. I think PD and I play a lot- not just sexual play- we're fairly playful just in general conversation. But what I really need is to read the story about the access door to the roof...you can't just drop a tantalizing hint like that and not follow through...unless you're trying to tweak anticipation, which I guess is legitimate business practice but still a bit devious. Wait a minute...is this part of that "play" thing? Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Well that was a cool post! It suddenly hit me what's missing in my life! NPR! When I was working I listened all the time. Since I retired I rarely turn it on. I think PD and I play a lot- not just sexual play- we're fairly playful just in general conversation. But what I really need is to read the story about the access door to the roof...you can't just drop a tantalizing hint like that and not follow through...unless you're trying to tweak anticipation, which I guess is legitimate business practice but still a bit devious. Wait a minute...is this part of that "play" thing? As for the access door story: I'll admit to a little bait-and-switch here. I have had an instance where I didn't check to make sure a rooftop door was openable from the outside (dumb, on my part) but it had nothing to do with a play situation... was for Fourth of July fireworks! Let's just say the Fourth celebration ended up lasting neatly until the fifth, when we were finally able to raise building security... Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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as much as I hate cheesy comments, I do have to ask: what would the pieces be for the board game? I imagine people would just use whatever was handy at the club as game tokens. But one can already see the arguments arising... "C'mon, people, we can't ALL have the Magnum condom! SOMEBODY has to play as the Mighty Mite!" Welcome to the blog! Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Hey, any time I'm able to reintroduce NPR into someone's life, I'm happy... In addition to the various morning shows, I'm a huge "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" fan. As for the access door story: I'll admit to a little bait-and-switch here. I have had an instance where I didn't check to make sure a rooftop door was openable from the outside (dumb, on my part) but it had nothing to do with a play situation... was for Fourth of July fireworks! Let's just say the Fourth celebration ended up lasting neatly until the fifth, when we were finally able to raise building security... Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Can't help you in your car, unless you have a source for the internet in it. NPR maintains a web site, and it, as does PRI (Public Radio International) and, most likely, your local station. Most programs offered on your local NPR station are ultimately archived and available through their respective sites: I'm often not around when "Wait, Wait" is braodcast, but am quite happy to stream it from the NPR site when I want. There's nothing like washing dishes to the dulcet tones of Paula Poundstone! This site doesn't do a lot for clubs, but there are people on it who host individual parties and use it for their meet and greet activities. SLS is Swing Lifestyle, which seems to be a bit more club-friendly. You raise an interesting question, though -- one which has been asked in many different ways and with many different intents on several blogs throughout this site. What makes a swinger (yes, yes, aside from other swingers), and therefore what makes one site more swing-friendly than another? I'll semi-duck the issue here, aside from saying that I believe swingers exist along a continuum of activity. One site may be more conducive to one-on-one (or couple-on-couple) activity, while another may be more club-friendly. Different denominations, same faith. Thank you for your compliments on my writing! I've enjoyed yours as well -- you paint wonderful pictures of your adventures. I'm really delighted with the quality of writing among this blog's regular readers: I'd be delighted to be judged by the company I'm keeping. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Anyone who loves Wait, Wait" is OK in my book. I still do listen to that, but I gotta start tuning in weekdays again too. It made many of my days bearable. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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You'd be surprised, actually, at how difficult it can be to get a good game of strip Scrabble going... I tried to do so once, but found myself out on the tiles. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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The world 'play' is used quite a lot in the 'swinger' world. I actually like it for the reasons you put forth. Its no where near as crass as "lets fuck" and it invokes a much more playful mood if you will which I think allows it to be more 'approachable' if a word can be such.. The word is also used in the BDSM community but they also use the word 'scene' as both a noun AND a verb. The club we go to changed ownership a few years ago and the new owner has made a concerted effort to open the place up to ALL, something she has bee pretty successful in doing I might add. She has really changed the whole 'feel' of the place, for the better IMHO. I've never played 'strip Scrabble' but it sounds interesting. I love Scrabble and I love being naked so, put the two toghether.....  I have played naked Twister more times than I can mention and it's a blast, especially when everyone is covered in oil.... LOL  -tm
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The world 'play' is used quite a lot in the 'swinger' world. I actually like it for the reasons you put forth. Its no where near as crass as "lets fuck" and it invokes a much more playful mood if you will which I think allows it to be more 'approachable' if a word can be such.. The word is also used in the BDSM community but they also use the word 'scene' as both a noun AND a verb. The club we go to changed ownership a few years ago and the new owner has made a concerted effort to open the place up to ALL, something she has bee pretty successful in doing I might add. She has really changed the whole 'feel' of the place, for the better IMHO. I've never played 'strip Scrabble' but it sounds interesting. I love Scrabble and I love being naked so, put the two toghether..... I have played naked Twister more times than I can mention and it's a blast, especially when everyone is covered in oil.... LOL -tmWords matter, and to me, using phrases like "let's play" not only is more inviting in the moment, but reinforces the idea of what clubs are about: In addition to getting one's rocks off, they're about everyone having a good time. How has the new owner been successful in opening your favorite club up? Have you posted something on this? If so, I'd welcome a link. If not... why not? Ah, Twister, of course! As for other games one might bring into clubs... without going into the gory details, you'd be surprised at how few women aren't immediately turned on by a man yelling "You sunk my battleship!" Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Maybe a good game of twister might be in order hugsssssssssssss V Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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Maybe a good game of twister might be in order hugsssssssssssss V Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Thank you! And... I'm sure between all of us here, we could round up a heck of a game... Dibs on the top hat! Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Ass kicking falls into a very special category of swing club... Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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New watcher to this blog here! I like the word "play" too, for sexual adventures. I have swung at a sex club and I have played at a "play party" put on by polyamorous people. I guess you could say that I have dabbled, and am swing-curious with experience, rather than hard-core swinger. You know, leaving a comment on my blog for the first time just as I was A) trying to cut back on my blog list that I watch and  trying to spend less time on ARF was counter productive... ha!Kk The observant make the best lovers, I may not do right, but I do write, I have bliss, joy, and happiness in my life, Kitkat Come check out my blog KItkat1415 check out this post by me Adventures In Body Grooming #39 April Topic Link: What Lies Beneath If April Showers Oh Bloody Hell What Kind Of Weather Turns Me On Bloggers Symposium 40
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New watcher to this blog here! I like the word "play" too, for sexual adventures. I have swung at a sex club and I have played at a "play party" put on by polyamorous people. I guess you could say that I have dabbled, and am swing-curious with experience, rather than hard-core swinger. You know, leaving a comment on my blog for the first time just as I was A) trying to cut back on my blog list that I watch and trying to spend less time on ARF was counter productive... ha!Kk As I've read through the site blogs, I've seen a theme come up again and again. Folks explore what the definition of "swinger" is -- should the term be limited to couples only, should it be based on self-identification, should it be a matter of whether one has ever gone to a swing party. I'm not going to jump into that debate just yet, if at all: This blog is about commenting on news about swingers and swinging, and how both are portrayed in the media. But it is an interesting question... As for my "guilt" in clearly entrapping you to follow me... well, I can live with this sin quite happily. Delighted to have you along for the ride! And -- a bold plug here -- I've found that the folks who follow me (and whom I follow) tend to be smart, creative, literate, and generally worth following. One could do worse than use 'em as a base off which to determine whom to watch... Again, welcome, and as was often said in "The Prisoner" (the good series -- the one with Patrick McGoohan), "Be seeing you!" Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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I like the euphemism play as well! One of the local clubs had a "game night"... not so much the traditional games, but rather more like drinking games but with stripping instead of drinking! It went over rather well as I recall, with "musical laps" being a BIG hit! 
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I like the euphemism play as well! One of the local clubs had a "game night"... not so much the traditional games, but rather more like drinking games but with stripping instead of drinking! It went over rather well as I recall, with "musical laps" being a BIG hit! Your game night sounds like a blast! Any chance we could get you to pull together a blog post on it? No details on who did what -- what happens in the clubs stays in the clubs -- but generalizations on the games and a few interesting tidbits would be great. *Full disclosure. I was one of those school-age brats who played a lot of Dungeons & Dragons. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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