books 2007: Brief Encounters, by Emily Dubberley

[supercheesegirl]

Full title: Brief Encounters: The Women's Guide to Casual Sex. I started this on the train this morning, and it's a quick read, plus the fact that it's got some detailed sex manual stuff in it makes it an even quicker read. For me, most of the pick-up and dating advice was common sense stuff, but it's still good to have someone tell you common sense stuff. The actual sex tips gave me some good ideas, too. One thing I really liked about this book was the author's adorable British slang--most of which I could figure out, but I'm still not entirely sure what a bunny-boiler is (or something like that, I can't remember the exact term, and she didn't use it all that frequently--from something else she said, perhaps it's the creepy guy who if left alone will boil your pet bunny? ::edit:: ah, it seems I was correct! Hooray for context clues!).

Anyway, it was a fun read! And I would like to be having sex right now! Luckily, I have hands.

Comments

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

I think "bunny-boiler" is a reference to the movie Fatal Attraction, in which Glen Close goes all stalker on her ex, and ends up boiling his daughter's pet bunny.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Ah, thank you!

[lizabethanqueen]

I would also like to be having sex right now.

Too bad you're there and I'm here.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Definitely a shame. Weren't you supposed to be interviewing for a job in Philly? What happened to that??

[lizabethanqueen]

I interviewed over the phone, I'll know withing the next day if I get to move there... which might depend on if I can afford the lifestyle (what's rent like?)

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Not too bad, better than Boston I think, depending on where you live. I pay $725/month plus $40 for budget heat through my apartment complex. Electric and cable/internet are what you'd expect, and gas for the stove and off-street parking are included. I possibly could have done better, but I'm right across from the train station in a beautiful apartment in a great neighborhood, so I'm satisfied. I don't know what prices are like down in the actual city, though. I'm as close to being in the suburbs as you can get while still living within the city limits.

It goes without saying that you could stay with me while you're apartment hunting. Dude, I would love it if you moved here.

[lizabethanqueen]

well the job pays 300 a week (plus insurance and gym membership, it is only an apprenticeship after all) so I'd be really tight on money.... I might even have to have a roomate :(

But I'll let you know if I get ti :)

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you would probably need a roommate on that salary. I'm currently pulling almost twice that after taxes, so rent is a little more comfortable for me. I've read that a person's rent shouldn't be any more than that person makes in a week--I think that's a slightly low estimate, especially for living in a city, but it's not too bad of a gauge.

Would the place help you look for affordable housing?

[lizabethanqueen]

Yeah they recommend housing and give out contact info for all incoming apprentices so we can find roomates amongst ourselves


But I don't yet have the job, so I should wait to figure all this out.

[lizabethanqueen]

also, here's the wiki entry for bunny boiler: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunny_boiler

[unique-unknown.livejournal.com]

Yay for hands!?!?!

[handmadedark.livejournal.com]

Let me say, I'm really glad you have hands too. Well, most of the reasons I'm glad are entirely selfish, but you really can't blame me for that.

I've always been tempted to read one of the casual sex guides for women. I think it would be much more interesting than the man's guide to casual sex.

Um, next let declare: YAY! for sex tips and good ideas.

[moonshadow.livejournal.com]

Did you ever read The Happy Hook-Up? The subtitle is something like Casual Sex and the Single Girl. It was cute and I'd be happy to lend it to you if you're interested.

My favorite part was about responses to people who don't like you having casual sex, such as the old saw, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" The author's response - "The farmer does all the work. The cow just stands there and gets off." Love.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

I added that one to my wish list after you read it, but I haven't picked it up yet.

A friend of mine got the "cow" thing thrown at her a lot after she moved in with her boyfriend (now fiancee--so giving out the free milk samples clearly worked out for her!). We came up with a bunch of snarky responses--I think my favorite was, "Why buy the whole pig when all you want is a little bacon?"