As I said in my first column, I want to be the guy who said the thing about anal beads. This week's column is devoted entirely to sex toys.
Do you need sex toys to have great sex? Absolutely not. Can great sex be improved with sex toys? Absolutely. Extra bedroom equipment can be daunting, especially for students with little experience or cash. There are more kinds of sex toys out there than you would think, ranging from the large (ceiling-mounted sex swing) to the tiny (vibrating egg).
Before I get into specific products, let me address where to purchase such things. As far as I've been able to discern, the only D.C. store where you can buy erotic miscellany is Pleasure Place in Georgetown, Dupont Circle and at pleasureplace.com. However, we live in an age of information, and there are a number of other excellent Web sites. The best three in my opinion are babeland.com, goodvibes.com and comeasyouare.com.
Now, there are a number of different categories when considering sex toys. Think about what need or desire you want to fulfill with the toy. There are dildos for vaginal or anal play, vibrators for electronically powered stimulation, sleeves for penis masturbation, cock rings to lengthen the duration of erections, anal toys for butt play and dildo harness strap-ons to give a dick to the dick-less. That's only scratching the surface. There are so many toys that defy classification.
Take, for instance, the thigh harness. It is essentially a dildo attached to a thigh brace.
"Anyone who's ever gotten off by rubbing up against a lover's thigh can appreciate the beauty of the thigh harness," says babeland.com. Enough said. Then, there's the Rude Boy, for sale at Good Vibrations. This C-shaped prostate toy penetrates the anus and vibrates below the perineum, otherwise known as "taint," "grundle" or "gooch."
Starting out with sex toys can be cheap and relatively low-risk. Say, for instance, when the lights are low and the mood is right, you occasionally enjoy a finger in your butt. Well, it might be logical to buy a small butt plug for $15. Think of it as fuzzy handcuffs for your ass. If you try it and it's not for you, you've spent less than you would on a meal at the Cheesecake Factory.
Also, don't forget that if you do use sex toys, it's important to keep them clean. You really can't just toss it in a box and not look at it until you use it next. This might seem like a lot if you live in the dorms, but there are discreet bathrooms around the school, just like there are discreet places to bone. Usually, soap and water are all it takes.
Even if you don't have any intention of buying anything, it's fun to look around on these sites. Reading the reviews of some products can be a good reminder that, like everything sexual, everyone is different. What one man or woman enjoys putting in or on themselves, another man or woman may not enjoy.
I've really enjoyed writing the column so far, and the responses have been really encouraging, but I'm going abroad next semester. Yes, I, Pierce Hardcastle, need a replacement. Do you have what it takes? Send any and all inquiries to features@theeagleonline.com.
As always, I need your questions. Please send me what you've got at piercehardcastle@theeagleonline.com, put a note in the box outside The Eagle office in Mary Graydon Center 252 or send me a message on Facebook.
