is this skirt:



Tutorial here at craftster.org.

Yesterday, when I was out buying material, I also went to the Toronto Women's Bookstore and picked up a couple of books:
1. Vaginas: An Owner's Manual: "Topp, a single, 20-something writer, teams up with her mother, Livoti, a seasoned gynecologist, to demystify the female reproductive system. The younger author felt lucky to grow up with a mother who was knowledgeable and forthcoming about the female anatomy, especially when she reached her teen years and realized that most of her friends weren't so lucky. Too many women are uncomfortable discussing their private parts with friends or even doctors, say the authors, and this can lead to misconceptions about their own bodies. Despite the catchy title, this is a deep examination of the body. Starting with an overview of the basic organs, then moving into menstruation, maintenance, menopause and medical problems, the authors investigate every nook and cranny of those elusive female parts. They explore sex, contraception, STDs and abortion from a nonjudgmental, pro-choice, woman-to-woman perspective."
2. Regulating Sex: The Politics of Intimacy and Identity (Perspectives on Gender): "The purpose of this volume of essays is to address contemporary dilemmas surrounding the regulation of sexuality via a series of spirited dialogues between scholars from diverse disciplinary, national, and theoretical perspectives. The contributors to Regulating Sex seek to address complex political questions surrounding the state regulation of sexuality, including: Is the pursuit of marital rights the best means to attain erotic freedom for gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals? Should the flourishing of the international sex trade demand a different state response than other sectors of the expanding global economy? How can we simultaneously empower and protect children in the course of their erotic decision-making? The authors in this volume draw upon original sociological, historical, and anthropological research to challenge conventional framings of gay marriage, human trafficking, and the sexual protection of children. The volume concludes with a discussion of new directions for theorizing about and advocating for sexual justice. Divided into four thematic sections and fourteen chapters, this text serves as an excellent companion reader to undergraduate and graduate-level syllabi in the sociology of law, gender, family, and sexuality."

I think, for now, I'm going to research sexuality and sex education as much as possible, and try to work my way into a job about it. I should find out if there's a semi-organized group lobbying for decriminalization (at least!) of sex work in Toronto. If there is, perhaps I will offer my publishing and/or web skills.

I noticed that the Toronto Women's Bookstore has a huge section of lesbian erotica... which I suppose is needed, but what about the straight girls? I suppose you could argue that straight girls can get their erotica from pretty much any other bookstore that sells such things, but I guess I expected it to serve all sorts of women. Maybe I just failed to notice that section? Or maybe I should have continued walking down the street to Good for Her? They also had a section on "knitting and crafts" which had knitting but no crocheting books. I kept quiet though, because I'm secretly plotting to try to get them to sell my crocheted vaginas. I'll sneak some crochet-respect into the store on the sly...