Leisure
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jun 7, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I love boners! Besides being the sponsors of many kinds of sex, they also have an amazing sense of spontaneity, making a boring situation like checking a book out of the library or waking up at a slumber party tons of awkward fun. Here’s to you, Mr. Bonerson,...
by Kathleen Broadhurst | Dec 3, 2012 | Leisure
This winter, the Trinity United Methodist Church presents its highly anticipated and unique Christmas celebration. The Boar’s Head Festival recreates the magic of a medieval court’s Yuletide celebrations with king and jesters, ladies and song. Hear the...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jun 7, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
My urges to wipe the snot off a stranger’s baby’s nose are practically unfightable. My womb aches. Unlike others struck by baby fever, I can’t just poke some holes in the condom and call it an “accident”—drats! Ladies making babies...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Dec 3, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I find it strange when my subconscious offers me a sex dream, especially after I spend most of my waking hours reading, writing, watching and talking sex. Like, hello, Subconscious—what else is there to tell me about sex that I haven’t thought about...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jun 14, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I spent the last month asking longtime Valley residents what their favorite swimming hole is and why. A bit of a Valley swimming hole fanatic myself, I was surprised at the amount of new plunge-worthy places people spilled to me. But then I was promptly sworn to...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Dec 10, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Dear V-Spot: I’m totally in love with my Hitachi Magic Wand. But I’m… worried… that it’s ruined me for all other sex. I use the high speed on my wand and that’s usually the only way I can come. Not only do I want to vary...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jun 21, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I often wax woefully philosophical in these columns about porn—mainly about how we (particularly women) have been culturally conditioned to think that watching porn is inherently wrong, desperate or weird, and that pornographic films are intrinsically degrading,...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Dec 17, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
The things Netflix Watch Instantly makes me do! This is now the second column inspired by this ridiculous show, Strange Sex. I apologize. Said inspirational episode follows Barbara Carrellas through her magical ability to achieve (and teach!)...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jun 28, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Coming out as bisexual is like telling your parents that you want to be a princess when you grow up. Mommy might nod and tell you that’s a great, plausible choice that she accepts because she’s no bigot, but when you actually grow up, the only way...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Dec 21, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Hi , Yana, My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year and a half and living together since August. When we first started dating, we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. He’s also the only guy I’ve been with that will make me come every time....
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jul 5, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Wait three days to call after the first date. Don’t sleep together too soon. Encyclopedias have been devoted to “The Relationship Rules” and “Dump his ass!” is the cardinal rule of cheating, as if the love life you’ve built together...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Dec 28, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Flaux job: A faux blow job. Or the act of sucking a silicone dildo as if you were giving a flesh-and-blood ding-a-ling a blow job. As in oral sex, head, BJs. You’re familiar with those, right? I thought so. For those familiar with the,...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jul 12, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
While I was working in sex toy stores, many catch phrases came out of my mouth. “Well, how big was your first butt plug?” “This dildo doesn’t attract cat hair.” “I don’t know, you should taste it.” But the most common...
by Mark Roessler | Jan 7, 2013 | Leisure
A cluster of vacant farm buildings huddles in a circle around an old tree to the right of Route 47 in Hadley, just north of Huntington Road. When you see them, you are near New England Falconry. These fading and slightly spooky structures aren’t where Chris...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jul 19, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I’m still waiting for my boobs. At fourteen, my female classmates were starting to bounce around the lacrosse field, and I was in my room with my breast—I mean best—friend, agonizing over a copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves. (For those of you born...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jan 7, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Dating and/or sleeping with a new person is exciting, but can be so hard sometimes! Let’s navigate the toughest obstacles together: Does s/he have herpes? Seriously though, does s/he? It’s a bit unrealistic to be a “Let’s go get tested at the...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jul 26, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
It all starts with “menarche,” the horrendous word for a young woman’s first period. In some cultures this is celebrated, and women get to laze around in pools of chocolate with their besties (read Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent). In others...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jan 15, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Now that we’ve all survived the end/beginning of the world on December 21st, we can get down to what’s really important—dieting for our New Year’s resolutions. This year, my diet’s going to be strict, and it’ll really work. Not...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Aug 2, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I was on the birth control pill for several years, heterosexual years, of my young adult life. While other girls bloated and broke out, compliments of the little hormone bombs, I got a lighter, more predictable period with fewer cramps and clearer skin. My peers...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jan 21, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
If we all acted more like the BDSM (bondage, dominance/submission, sadism/masochism) community, we’d all have better sex. Not everyone needs to head to their local dungeon to improve their sex lives, but the BDSM community’s extreme attention to crucial...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Aug 9, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Why waste all those contortionist positions, screaming orgasms and impressive tricks you’ve got up your… sleeve… on your boring old partner (and free-of-charge!) when you could share it with the world (for pay!)? Doesn’t reading about...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jan 29, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Hello—Two questions: 1. Do you know of any places where one can rent (rather than buy) good porn? I remember the old Pride and Joy in Northampton used to have a video collection. 2. Can you give me the low-down on the pros and cons of harnesses? I’ve used...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Aug 16, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
The only condom that ever broke on me was a Trojan “Her Pleasure.” Because I didn’t yet understand that “my pleasure” was actually determined by my clitoris and not some barely detectable “ribs” on a condom, I felt doubly...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Feb 11, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
From the sloppiest of tongues to someone treating your clitoris like a freakin’ set of turntables, we all know that sex can just be bad. While drunken one-nighters are almost begging to be awful, even your long-term love can just suck in the sack. But sex is so...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Aug 23, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Blame it on microwaves or those darn mini-skirts, but puberty is now hitting boys at age 9. Though erections happen throughout a boy’s life, starting in infancy—when those hormones start popping up, so does something else. During math class, when talking...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Feb 4, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
One might think that selling your—ahem—well-worn undies to the online fetish community would be a lucrative snap—you buy a cheap pack of panties from Target, wear ‘em around for a couple days, toss ‘em in an envelope and get some cash...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Aug 30, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I once wrote a column called “Hanky Panky”(May 26, 2011) about the art of “flagging” and it caused quite a stanky. Flagging is when you put a bandana in your pocket to indicate your kink according to the bandana’s color. An example I gave...
by Bob Weiss | Feb 11, 2013 | Leisure
The Presidents’ Week school holiday is always the prime week for a winter vacation. Ski resorts gear up for a busy week and usually schedule special events to keep the crowd entertained. It’s a time to get away for a few days or more, not just for a day...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Sep 6, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Coming out of the closet isn’t easy. Especially if yours is filled with whips, chains and mascot costumes (see last week’s “Thinkin’ About Kinkin'”). Whether you’re married or on the prowl, if you’ve got a fetish, you’re...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Feb 18, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Vaginal discharge has been instilling cultural fear and has been used and abused as a lame cunnilingus hall-pass for far too long. I don’t know why these vag-phobic boys think their balls smell like a bunch of fresh-picked daises when we’re giving you blow...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Sep 13, 2012 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I’m pissed at you guys. I’m starting to think that I only write this column for my two loyal fans—my wife (obligatory) and Westfield Wonder Woman (WWW), the hopelessly sexually exploratory and loyal-as-lice V-Spot reader who’s managed to write...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Feb 18, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Every time you stop into Northampton’s sensuality shop Oh My, you learn something new. Even me. Today, I swung by to grab a quick bottle of lube and turns out, not only is there a new silicone vibrator that looks like a pink cherry-topped cupcake (cute and...
by Tom Sturm | Feb 25, 2013 | Leisure
Though perhaps a tiny percentage of the science has yet to declare whether or not it’s our fault, there’s no denying that planet Earth is warming, and rather more quickly of late. If there are still doubters out there, a photographic exhibit and...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Mar 4, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I got my period on Saturday, February 9th. The same day the new moon started. The same day I spent three hours digging four cars out of my driveway that were buried under 26 inches of snow. With my partner—who also just started her period. The same day a friend...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Mar 11, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Dear V-Spot, I am a 20-something-year-old woman who loves having rough sex with lots of deep penetration. It feels so good in the moment, but sometimes up to a full 48 hours afterwards, I’m still feeling abdominal, lower back and vaginal pain from it all. I...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Mar 18, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Kicking and screaming in the candy aisle never landed you those lollipops when you were a toddler, and it certainly won’t get you the sugar you crave in the adult candyland of sex, either. Use your words, dear, and maybe you’ll actually get the Jolly...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Mar 25, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Back in the 18th century, famed doctor and apparent blow job enthusiast Samuel-Auguste Tisot claimed that semen was a hyper-concentrated version of a man’s blood. He spread the sticky-icky rumor that losing one ounce of sperm was more debilitating than losing 40...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Apr 2, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Yana, Hope you’re well! I’m spending another night on the road in scenic Western Mass. at a local sports bar reading your column regarding multiple orgasms. I felt right at home until I realized that you meant in one session,not a calendar year. I’m...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Apr 8, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
As someone who’s sold sex toys to all kinds of people, I’ve learned one thing for sure: size matters. Size is definitely a top-three priority for those considering what’s going to feel best inside their vagina/butt/mouth. Sex toy store...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Apr 15, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
For a woman, sleeping with people with lady parts has many perks. A partner who knows exactly where my clitoris is (and how to use it), no “spit or swallow,” no “I can’t get it up” and—most conveniently—zero risk of pregnancy....
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Apr 23, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I grew up in a small, quaint Massachusetts Hilltown that has one church, one elementary school, and a tiny country store-post office-gas station that typically closes before sunset and has been known to hang a hand-printed cardboard sign over its sole gas pump that...
by Caleb Rounds | May 3, 2013 | Leisure
Upon looking into last week’s letters at the urging of my esteemed editor, I was excited to read that I had provoked an emotion in one of my readers. Anger, of course wasn’t the emotion I was hoping to provoke, but it will have to do. Unfortunately, I...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | May 3, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Somehow you don’t totally botch picking up a sexy stranger in a bar, and the two of you go back to your place. You’re showing her your book collection (conveniently located in your room) when suddenly your brainy hotness magnetizes your new friend’s...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | May 7, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Music is one of the best ways to get in the mood—and this goes for all things sexy and otherwise. Listening to some good tunes motivates you at the gym, makes work go by faster and sets the tone for sex—in ways both good and evil. Not just anyone can DJ an...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | May 14, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
I’m a huge fan of “open” or “non-monogamous” relationships—when two or more people consensually agree not to be sexually and/or emotionally exclusive. Sometimes this looks like a couple being open to sleeping with others but...
by Sarah Werthan Buttenwieser | May 21, 2013 | Leisure
The word “sustainability” seems laden with ideals and practicality. But does it make us think about beauty? Aesthetic pleasure? Those notions don’t necessarily spring to mind. Keith Zaltzberg and his associates at Regenerative Design would like to...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | May 21, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
In the middle of what had been just another dinner conversation at the sex columnist’s house, a friend absolutely delighted me by dishing that he had just completed his first-ever public anal-plug wearing day. Just as many more people—gay, straight,...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | May 29, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
On my kitchen counter is a glass jar that used to contain Teddy Bear Peanut Butter. It now has a gooey yellowish substance in it, pock-marked with finger-scoop tracks. On the jar’s green lid is a pink Post-It note that says, in purple Sharpie marker:...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jun 4, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
Do you have 11 protons? ‘Cause you’re sodium fine! Thirteen hours studying for my biology final and I still barely squeaked by with a C+. My high school language classes were a breeze, but algebra brought me to tears. But my sophomore chemistry class? Aced...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jun 4, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
People change. We’re meant to. #YOLO. There are countless reasons why people choose to revisit old relationships for a second or twentieth time, but is it ever a good idea? It depends on why you split in the first place and why you’re coming back for more....
by Story and Pictures Pete Redington | Jun 5, 2013 | Leisure
After 40 minutes or so of skirting around enormous boulders, hurling myself up steep dirt trails, and staring slack-jawed at gigantic slabs of granite, I finally track down the echoing voices of two climbers who are enjoying a rain-free afternoon at Erving’s...
by Tom Vannah | Jun 11, 2013 | Leisure
If you’ve had your fill of 10K road races and sprint triathlons, or if you’re simply keen to see what the hell you’re really made of, it might be time to start training for the new adventure race scheduled for late summer at Berkshire East in...
by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Jun 18, 2013 | Leisure, The V-Spot
We can’t get married in every state (yet!), homophobia lurks around us like an old turd that just won’t flush no matter how many times we try, and it’s even harder to get through high school when you’re a lady-loving lady. Now I have and...
by Advocate Staff | Jul 2, 2013 | Leisure
Last winter, my wife caught me looking at plant porn. The catalogs are beautiful, of course, but it’s the garden design books that really get me excited. It’s true that they encourage an unhealthy fantasy version of what one’s garden will look like....
by James Heflin | Jul 16, 2013 | Leisure
Perhaps it was the Fonz’ famous water-ski shark jump, perhaps not. But whatever’s in the water at the Oxbow, situated in the wilds between Easthampton and Northampton, the waterskiers of the Valley seem intent on making summer an impressive spectacle. The...
by Richard Michelson | Aug 28, 2013 | Leisure
Four years ago a world-class poet moved to Northampton, city of poets. Perhaps you read about it in the newspaper headlines. Or you would have if poetry was celebrated in the manner of other arts. But David Kherdian settled in quietly and went about the business of...
by Pete Redington | Sep 10, 2013 | Leisure
If you’ve seen Norman Rockwell’s famous 1967 painting “Main Street, Stockbridge at Christmas,” then you know what Stockbridge looks like. The quintessential village remains virtually identical to Rockwell’s famous rendering even half a...
by Sarah Werthan Buttenwieser | Oct 1, 2013 | Leisure
Turns out, the ways people find offbeat and quirky dwellings can be rather offbeat and quirky. For Hannah Mohan of the band And the Kids, a housing situation that wasn’t as conducive to rehearsals as she hoped begged for some creative improvisation. Mohan had...
by Pete Redington | Oct 9, 2013 | Leisure
For Deb Habib, co-founder of the Garlic and Arts Festival, the collaborative space the festival offers for folks of the North Quabbin region is at least as important as is showcasing the crafts, farmed foods and organizations that come from those parts. “Being...
by Maureen Turner | Oct 15, 2013 | Leisure
Brittany Gutermuth majored in environmental studies in college and has spent years working as a science and nature educator. “It’s important for people to understand their place in this world, in order to take care of resources and the world around...
