Blog Posts by Erin Flaherty, Shine staff

Ah, the truth is always stranger than fiction, and the latest um, "marital aid" (?) out on the market is a real head scratcher: Against the rather uncomfortable backdrop of women stooping to get controversial vaginal reconstruction surgeries, well, you know how beauty companies scrambled to produce Botox in a bottle products? Looks like the billion dollar sex industry has stepped up to the plate with tightening in a jar in the form of Liquid Virgin.

Sorry, but I can't deliver a review since I haven't personally road tested this creepy sounding new product, but I do know that according to the ad, it will give you a "tight, wet feeling everytime!" for about 15 minutes or so at least. Question is (you know, besides all the other obvious ones), what the heck is in this stuff, and are there any long term studies about its effects on a woman's nether regions? Turns out, one of the key ingredients is potassium alum, most often used in deodorant. Curious. Of course, I have to wonder if

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Oh boy, here we go again. So judging from all the comments, you guys had A LOT to say about the "Where people are having the most sex in the world" chart, so I just dug up a new one, about how much it costs to have sex in various places (not contrary to what you might think, based on hooker prices, but actually, condoms). Here, the genesis of this oh so very important scientific research:

"Well… Environmental Graffiti has decided to create a detailed graphical diagram, complete with wallpaper download for your viewing pleasure. The data, which gives the average condom price around the world has been compiled from UK price comparison site pricerunner and a blogger from an interesting little site called condomunity. We thought we'd go one step further however, and create a graphic representation of the findings - I think you'll agree the graph makes for 'interesting' viewing."--Environmental Graffiti

Environmental Graffiti
Guess I can't afford that upcoming trip to me Irish motherland, after all... I

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Okay, so a cheating husband is bad enough. But how would you feel if your husband and the father of your FOUR children was enjoying his extramarital affair in People magazine, and Perez Hilton, and... the list goes on? Apparently, Rosetta Getty is not stoked, and understandably so.

Man, I hadn't thought about Balthazar Getty in ages (remember, he was that cute indie actor who also happens to be a crazy mega rich oil heir), but suddenly, he's all over the papers, busted for romping around the Amalfi coast with a topless Sienna Miller, who has a rep for dating married and/or already attached dudes. Word on the street is that she set her sights on Getty because he's hot and rich--free ride anyone!?--although if you ask me, he hasn't aged all that well. Reports also claim that he and his wife have been estranged for a couple months now, but still, I would NOT want to be her right now. Ick.

Alright so I'll probably get BUST-ed myself if I post the topless photos here, but if you're not

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We were super excited to partner with online's number one men's lifestyle site and one of our faves, AskMen.com to be the Bonnie to their Clyde, The Great Male Survey. The Great Male Survey always offers up all kinds of juicy insights into the goings on in the male mind, and with 70,000 respondents this year, that's a lot of men to ask. But by adding the first annual Great Female Survey to the mix, now we can compare his and hers. And believe it or not, the results offered some potential peace treaties in the making when it comes to the seemingly never ending battle of the sexes. Turns out, men and women may not be from different planets after all, but you might be surprised at both our similarities, and of course, where we you know, agree to disagree.

Flex your funny bone
The majority of men and woman both use their sense of humor as the number one "weapon" used to attract a mate, with looks and intelligence almost tying for second, and money rated last.

Warm fuzzies
Sense of

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Brandon sent me a link to this article titled "Surgery Required for New Sexual Position":

"ISLA LOS ANGELES-Plastic surgeons at Cedar Sinai Medical Center are among the more than 100 doctors nationwide performing the surgery required to enjoy the sexual position 'Feast Of Forty Fingers Supping Upon The Nine-Branched Lotus,' as popularized by the Neo Sutra. 'Attempting the Forty Fingers position without proper bio-augmentation could result in needless maiming, so please ask a doctor about the required procedures,' said Dr. Joshua Mendelbaum of the Adaptive Procreative Therapy unit."

Okay, so this appeared in The Onion, and for those of you who aren't familiar (um, where have you been?), let's just say they specialize in satire. Still, it doesn't sound that crazy. I mean, women are getting vaginal reconstruction (new hymen anyone?) and getting kegel personal trainers, so this isn't really that left field after all. If you could get a surgery that ensured better sex or that you would

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Does anyone remember the story of Tyler and Renee Ziegel? He, the young Marine maimed and horribly disfigured in Iraq, she, the high school sweetheart who stood by his side and married him when he returned. It was one of those inspiring love stories that helped ease the pain of the war.

Well, they just got divorced.

In a nine page story by Ariel Leve in The Times Online, the writer travels to the small Midwestern town in Illinois to interview the friends and family members of the couple. It's easy for Renee to come across as the villainess in this tale, but in reality, it sounds like they succumbed to the normal pressures that young married couples face, except their issues were compounded by his continuing health problems and post traumatic stress syndrome. Sadly, there's not much of a lesson to be learned in this tragedy, except that to my mind, it simply reiterates the fact that soldiers and their families need access to all the best health care and counseling the government can

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I don't always 100% agree with everything Maureen Dowd says, but I am a religious reader of her column, and loved this recent Op-Ed piece she wrote about how against the backdrop of celebrity divorce, us plebians choosing wisely when it comes to our marriage partners is pretty damn solid advice. To learn more about the subject, she consulted an expert: Father Pat Connor, a 70-year old Catholic priest who has given a lecture called "Whom Not to Marry" to audiences of teenagers for the past 40 years. An expert indeed.

His advice, in summary:

"'Never marry a man who has no friends,' he starts. 'This usually means that he will be incapable of the intimacy that marriage demands.'"

Consider your financial compatibility. "Most marriages that founder do so because of money - she's thrifty, he's on his 10th credit card."

"Steer clear of someone whose life you can run, who never makes demands counter to yours. It's good to have a doormat in the home, but not if it's your husband."

"Is he

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Um, okay, apparently it's Nude Recreation Week (according to the Naturists Society at least). Guess they forgot to send me the memo. Anyhoo, I just came across this list of 20 things that nude enthusiasts should never, under any circumstances do, so feel free to pass it along to naked zealots as a kindly word of caution.

DON'TS:

"Slide down a slide."

"Fry bacon."

"Go on a rampage."

"Chaperone a prom."

"Swordfight."

"Travel. Anywhere."

"Shampoo your ferret."

For the full list check out Kansascity.com. Also see, "Do you deserve a nakation?" Got any more suggestions to share with the class?