Blog Posts by Em and Lo

If the ubiquitous Dr. Sanjay Gupta says it's coming in the next year, then it must be true! Some quick facts, based on recent studies of this pill: fellas, you take it every day (no skipping a week or taking 7 days of sugar pills, since guys don't menstruate); it takes three months to kick in and three months for sperm count to return after you stop taking it; you'd probably gain four to ten pounds, mostly in muscle mass; it lowers your good cholesterol a bit; and it's 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. Not much there not to love!

But will any dudes take it?...

The CNN poll on that question was split 50/50. And after years of bearing the burden of birth control responsibility (about ten options for women compared to one--two if you count withdrawal--for men), would women be able to trust men to take it consistently and correctly? Men still aren't the ones who get pregnant. Well, except in the rare case of this FTM transgendered dude who's now preggers (which we don't think

After our post the other day on open relationships, specifically the one between Dan and Carrie being recounted on TangoMag.com, we got a note from an acquaintance who's in an open relationship:

Do you think y'all have a subconscious bias against open relationships? Or that you're consciously sexually open-minded, but that it's riding atop a foundation of sexual conservatism? I'm curious what your self-perception is in this regard.

Our annoyance was only outweighed by our secret fear that we had unintentionally poo-poo-ed on Carrie and Dan's relationship. So we wrote them:

We've never professed to be open-relationship material ourselves--it's not our own cup of tea, at least not right now--though we do think we're pretty open-minded and we are definitely impressed by those who can pull it off. So, as a couple who are pulling it off quite nicely (and as the subjects of our post), did you think our post had some sort of bias against you? Or that deep down we're prudes?

You may remember that when we heard about about Dick Hats--edible chocolate caps for the penises in your life--we just weren't convinced it was a legitimate business. So we struck up an amicable exchange with the proprietor, "D. Sanchez" (charming), and he agreed to send us some free samples. (Read our original post for all the deets.)

A few weeks passed and we started to wonder if we weren't right after all, that this was just some weird internet practical joke.

And then a few days ago a package arrived. It was a square shipping box about the size of a head (ever seen Seven?). We opened it with some trepidation, but were pleased to find inside two "chocolate party hats" (both pictured above) and a cold pack...

First, the chocolate really is tasty. It's not like that cheap plastic chocolate they make hollow Easter Bunnies out of.

But, if we're totally honest (and a part of us wants to fib because Senor Sanchez has been nothing but nice to us), we gotta say the concept as a whole

• Seeing Stars: Horoscopes for your love life
• Do Tell: Em and Lo's impertinent question of the week
• The Doctor Is In: Dr. Kate answers all your women's health questions
• Ask Em and Lo: Sex advice from the experts

We met Carrie Ann via our home-base website a few years ago, after our article on non-monogamy in New York magazine came out. She told us about her own unorthodox romantic situation and ended up as a featured subject in our Glamour article about women's sexual secrets: hers, of course, was her open relationship. (Her profile was in the print mag, but you can get the idea of the piece with the online version.)

Well, if Glamour didn't let the cat out of the bag, her new boyfriend is currently liberating it on Tango.com. Dan Eldridge is publishing a series of articles on his "primary" relationship with Carrie called Marriage Without Monogamy (the third part of which just went live last night). Dan used to be her side dish, but is now her main squeeze, the primary partner she's intending to wed as a sort of business arrangement (for more on that, read part one).

The first installment got an emotional response, including plenty of nasty virtual finger wagging...

One nutbag even traced

If you've got a decent spam filter, then you may have forgotten all about those penis-enlargement ads that used to fill your in-box. Crazy thing: they're still going strong! Don't believe us? Check your spam folder. The majority are still for "thicker, longer weapons" or "power tools." And like real penises, they come in all shapes and sizes. Here's a recent sampling of the top six types:

1. The Classy Approach
SUBJECT: Grow Big and Strong with This
OPENER: It is now possible to enjoy amazing lovemaking sessions every night when you click here...
In a vast sea of sleaze, the ones with subtlety and sweetness are almost endearing. Almost.

2. The Titillating Fake-Out
SUBJECT: Look at those jugs.
OPENER: Every night will be an adventure with your brand new pecker...
Ha, ha, ha, gotcha sucker! But while you're here...

3. The Current Event Hook
SUBJECT: High rollers and their prostitutes.
OPENER: Realize your dream of being a full, 9 inches long today...
And you too will feel like

aries (Mar. 21st-Apr. 20th)
You'll impress anyone who catches your eye. Put your best foot forward and dive in with two feet. You're on the road to a long-lasting connection. Unless, of course, you're just a selfish, self-absorbed jerkface--in which case, horoscopes aren't gonna do you any good.

taurus (Apr. 21st-May 20th)
You'll have a 50/50 chance of choosing the right partner this week. Here's a hint: Looks are deceiving. Here's another: All that glitters is not gold. Getting warm? Someone once told you that "personality" was just a crutch for ugly people. That someone is going broke from all their Botox treatments and feels very empty inside.

gemini (May 21st-June 21st) In the early stages of dating, you gotta sell the sizzle, not the steak. Play hard to get.
cancer (June 22nd-July 22nd) Remember that Paul Newman quote about infidelity: "Why would I go out for a hamburger when there is steak waiting for me at home every night?" We give the sentiment two thumbs up (yay monogamy!),