What do I buy My Wife For Christmas?

Not sure what the wife will like this Christmas? I know what I like. SEX! So why not give her a little fun for Christmas. Besides, Jewelry is expensive, the stock market is down and Chocolate will make her fat.

After all, I am a Hip circa 2000 kind of tough guy and I can handle it!

After some research I decided on the store "Spicy Gear". These toys are picked by women, the prices are spot on and they have FREE SHIPPING! Yeah.

Sex Toys - They carry a wide assortment of these nice products. Both big and small, textured and non textured, basically anything and everything you could think of.

Vibrators for Her - Again as the name implies they carry all the cool stuff the ladies want.

Vibrators - I think these make the best gift. Period. A jack rabbit or Spicy Rabbit and a Sybian! What more could she ask for?

Now don't get me wrong here, I plan on buying my wife some jewelery and a card but adding a little vibe to her stocking and a couple of boxes for a private moment is a great thing. After all the stress the holidays but on us, who could complain about a thoughtful husband that was thinking about my wife's sexual pleasure?

LATIN AMERICA: AIDS Threat Still Looming

By Emilio Godoy

MEXICO CITY (IPS) - The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains stable in Latin America and the Caribbean, mainly affecting high-risk groups like gay men and sex workers, according to the UNAIDS report for 2008, released Tuesday.

Last year, 140,000 new infections were reported in the region, bringing the total number of people living with HIV to 1.7 million, while 63,000 people died of AIDS-related causes in 2007.

César Núñez, UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) director for Latin America, said at the presentation of the report that "this is not a small, controlled epidemic," and recommended heavy emphasis on prevention measures.

The U.N. agency's 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic identifies Brazil and Mexico (Latin America's most populous countries) as having the largest number of cases: 800,000 and 200,000, respectively.

It also reports that the Central American and Caribbean regions have been hard-hit by the pandemic. In the Caribbean, where 20,000 new cases were reported and 14,000 people died of AIDS in 2007, there are 230,000 people living with HIV.

A majority of the 33 million people testing positive for HIV worldwide live in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the study presented simultaneously in Mexico City, New York, Geneva, Johannesburg and Bangkok just ahead of the 17th International AIDS Conference, to take place Aug. 3-8 in the Mexican capital.

The "AIDS 2008" conference is expected to draw 25,000 delegates from national and international bodies, experts and activists from 150 nations.

The Latin America section of the UNAIDS study says unprotected sex is common among men who have sex with other men in Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

It also warns that in countries like Bolivia and Peru, the spread of HIV is linked to the practice of unprotected sex and intravenous drug use without precautions.

In addition, the report points to a feminisation of the epidemic. "We have seen that the number of infected women has gone up in recent years, and we will see this to an even greater extent in the future," said Núñez.

More than 30 percent of people living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean are women. In Mexico alone, 40,000 women test positive for the AIDS virus.

"The visibility of the epidemic must be raised among women, in order to promote safe, protected sexual practices," said Linda Adechar, head of the non-governmental Fundación Vihdha.

Tuberculosis is still the biggest killer of people with HIV/AIDS. "The disease remains the main cause of mortality among vulnerable groups," said Philippe Lamy, the Pan-American Health Organisation’s representative in Mexico.

Núñez underscored the significant increase in prevention efforts and treatment in Latin America, where 390,000 people now receive antiretroviral medications.

However, 630,000 people in the region still lack access to the life-extending drugs, he said.

"The number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy has increased," said the UNAIDS official, who also stressed the importance of prevention.

"Measures like blood tests and increased use of condoms have provided an encouraging response," said Mauricio Hernández, deputy minister of prevention in Mexico’s health ministry.

The fight against HIV/AIDS has faced hurdles from the start because of stigma, discrimination, homophobia and ignorance.

A study of seven Latin American countries, sponsored by Brazil's International Centre for Technical Cooperation on HIV/AIDS (ICTC) and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), noted that, despite more and better government policies and laws, discrimination against people living with HIV and high-risk groups remains a major challenge.

The report, which was coordinated by the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) and will be presented at next week's conference in Mexico, says that one of the biggest efforts that countries must make to fight HIV/AIDS is to achieve social equality for vulnerable groups like gay men and prostitutes.

The study, to which IPS had access, notes that practically all of the constitutions in the region mention the right to non-discrimination, but without referring to people living with HIV or to members of the gay, lesbian and transgender communities.

Labour is one of the most problematic areas, since that is where laws that guarantee the right to non-discrimination are systematically flouted, a phenomenon that is hidden because of reforms that have ushered in more flexible labour relations and the difficulties in proving that someone was fired because of discrimination, says the report, which focused on Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico and Peru.

"In the case of HIV, discrimination is still very strong, because of prejudice and misinformation about how it is spread," José Aguilar, national coordinator of the Mexico City-based Democracy and Sexuality network, told IPS.

A National Survey on Discrimination carried out in 2005 showed that the two groups who feel the worst discrimination in Mexico are the disabled and homosexuals.

On average, nine out of 10 women, disabled persons, indigenous people, homosexuals, elderly persons and members of religious minorities responded that they have faced discrimination. In addition, one out of three people belonging to these groups say they have suffered discrimination at work.

Alejandra Gil, president of the Asociación en Pro Apoyo a Servidores, which provides support for sex workers in the Mexican capital, told IPS that the growing visibility of high-risk groups can help combat the stigma and discrimination.

Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico and Peru have multidisciplinary agencies to deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is not the case in Argentina and Chile. But all of the countries studied have national action plans to tackle the problem.

The researchers found gaps and contradictions in laws on the right to non-discrimination in the countries studied.

While on one hand, governments try to combat the stigmatisation of people living with HIV, on the other they have laws and institutions that are themselves discriminatory against groups that are vulnerable to the disease, says the document.

"Stigma and discrimination are still major factors," said Núñez.

The FLACSO study found that while legislation in the region generally prohibits labour discrimination, such laws are usually not enforced.

"We need work places free of stigma and discrimination," said Adechar.

A study by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, which will also be presented at the Mexico City conference, concluded that even though organisations fighting the epidemic in 10 Latin American nations have gained visibility and political influence, they have more limited financial resources for carrying out their projects.

Schools "encouraging "underage sex

by Kathleen Nutt and Julia Belgutay
www.timesonline.co.uk

SCHOOLS have been criticised for encouraging underage sex by giving pupils free condoms.

Teenagers at secondary schools in Edinburgh and West Lothian have received the contraceptives, in a bid to curb unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

But parent groups and education campaigners say that the scheme encourages youngsters to have sex.

Broughton High School, in Edinburgh, North Berwick High School in East Lothian, Newbattle High School, in Midlothian and West Calder High School in West Lothian have given out contraceptives.

NHS Lothian was unable to say what age the pupils were who had received the contraceptives and whether they were over 16. The schools sexual health clinics also offer pregnancy tests and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

Free condoms have also been handed out to pupils at Sandwick Junior High School in Shetland under a one-year pilot scheme which is set to be extended to the seven other secondaries on the islands.

A spokesman for Shetland Isles' schools said that parents' permission is not required if the pupils are aged over 16. He said that it was "extremely rare" for underage pupils to receive condoms.

Some school nurses in secondary schools in the Borders have also obtained permission to give out free contraceptives to pupils.

However, the local authority does not keep information on how many contraceptives have been issued.

"Handing out free contraceptives to school children simply encourages teenage sexual activity," said Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education. "It is extremely worrying that condoms are being given out to pupils without the permission of their parents."

Stan Martin, one of the founders of Parents for Consultation, a group that wants parents to have more influence over sex education in schools, said: "Initiatives like these just sexualise children at an earlier and earlier age."

Scotland has one of the worst teenage pregnancy records in the world, with almost 30% of girls aged between 15 and 19 giving birth. In a league table of teenage pregnancy rates, produced by the children’s charity Bernardo, Scotland was 28th out of 31 countries. Only America, Mexico and Turkey had more teenage mothers.

Last year The Sunday Times reported that almost 5,000 underage girls, some as young as 11, were being prescribed the contraceptive pill.

Figures published last year revealed the number of cases of the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia rose by 4% cent, to 17,926. More than 70% of the patients suffering from the disease, which can cause infertility, were aged under 25.

Jim Reyner, quality improvement manager at Shetland Isles' schools service, said: "From our perspective we would rather condoms were available than kids were left ignorant. They are issued responsibly."

If any child under 16 asked for a condom, parents and child protection staff would be informed, he said.

A spokesman for Scottish Borders council said: "Contraceptives could be given out by school nurses in the drop-in sessions, but it is a private matter between the pupil and the school nurse. The sessions are confidential and designed to discuss all health issues."

Shona Robison, the public health minister, said: "It is important for local agencies to provide high-quality, consistent information in a range of settings. This includes easily accessible drop-in services, staffed by health professionals and youth workers, services we know young people respond well to.

"How these services are delivered is a decision for local health boards and local authorities to make in partnership with their sexual health strategy groups."

Making it big: Bravo Condoms aims product at sports, music scenes

By LAITH AGHA
www.montereyherald.com

In orchestrating his quickly growing business, Bravo Condoms, Zac Mazzotta figured out early that he is not just selling a product.

He is selling a name. He is selling packaging. And perhaps most importantly, he is selling an image.

In an industry that has traditionally focused on more general themes — safety and comfort — in its marketing, Mazzotta, a Stevenson School graduate and part-time Carmel Valley resident, is billing his product as the condom of youth culture, infiltrating the adventure sport and rock music crowds with an aggressive advertising campaign.

"We're becoming the Red Bull of condoms," said Mazzota, 28.

It is tailored toward a fast-paced lifestyle that craves convenience and lacks patience.

A cup of coffee is to be sipped. A Red Bull is "downed."

"These days kids buy image," said Bob Wecker, owner of The Wecker Group advertising design company in Monterey. "With a condom company, image and packaging is everything."

Most condoms come in three-dimensional boxes that must be ripped open. Bravo Condoms are sold in a flatter fold-open packet that borrows from Orbitz's gum packaging design. Flaps hook together to contain the contents.

While the typical condom package is easily identifiable, which can be embarrassing for those concerned about the stigma of buying or carrying condoms, Mazzotta said, Bravo's sleeker package design is less conspicuous.

The company's innovations appear within the packet, which, in addition
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to three condoms, contains a sticker of the Bravo logo — a lion's head with a flowing mane, an information booklet and a baggie for disposal purposes.

Starting a business in an established marketplace, with an industry leader, Trojan Condoms, that holds about 70 percent of the American market, "It's almost like, it's impossible to reinvent the wheel," Wecker said. "But there is always an opening."

The insurance industry, for instance, used to play it straight with its advertising, but once Aflac loosened the collar by featuring a comical duck in its commercials, "everyone else started do it," Wecker said.

Mazzotta saw a similar opportunity for the condom market.

"It's been a sleeping industry for 85 years," Mazzotta said.

The target consumer ranges from high school students to thirtysomethings, the age group most likely to use the product and to be involved in the sports and music scenes. But the company is not hyping sex to sell the product, Mazzotta said.

"We don't promote sex," he said. "We promote safe sex, and we promote condoms as a tool if you choose to do it."

And while the sales pitch is image-driven, the product retains the basic principals of its function.

"We're not just selling a mediocre product in nice packaging," Mazzotta said. "The goal was always to put out a phenomenal product in great packaging."

His company mantra, as well as his motivation to start the company, stems from personal experience.

Mazzotta's 4-year-old daughter is a blessing now, he said, but at the time he found he was going to be a father, Mazzotta was a 23-year-old race car driver living the fast-paced lifestyle that complements the profession. He hadn't planned to start a family for another decade, but he promised himself he would stop racing when he did start one because the risk of dying on the track was too great to be a responsible father, he said.

At the end of the 2003 racing season, a month before his daughter's birth, he retired early from the sport. Giving up the career and lifestyle to take care of a child — and learning how to be a father — was a major struggle, he said. Mazzotta learned first-hand the financial and emotional strains that can rise from an unplanned birth.

That was a major driving force in starting the company, Mazzotta said.

"It spawned in me a real passion to try and make options that gives someone the opportunity to keep that from happening to them," he said. "It's not easy for the adults. It's not fair to the kids."

He wanted to pursue something that inspired him more than pounding nails at construction sites, which he did for a while to make a living after racing.

Mazzotta moved to Santa Barbara from Carmel Valley in 2006 — he splits his time between the two places — and began researching for his new business idea the new-fashioned way, by Googling.

Selling the image can't happen without getting the word out, so Mazzotta is slapping the Bravo insignia on some very strategic surfaces.

The company sponsors 15 athletes in the adventure, or extreme, sports realm, starting with Mozzatta's brother, Hawk, a 26-year-old motorcycle racer from Carmel Valley who is competing in Sunday's American Motorcyclist Association Superbike race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Bull rider Tony Mendez, who competed in Wednesday's Professional Bull Riders tour event at the Salinas Sports Complex, signed with the company Thursday.

Bravo sponsors surfers, skateboarders, bicyclists and a daredevil.

Distribution is steadily increasing. Mazzotta started by stocking shelves of convenience stores and gas stations around the Monterey Peninsula and Santa Barbara. He expanded to businesses that cater to Bravo's target audience, such as surf and motorcycle shops. He has a deal with 7-Eleven stores in Hawaii.

But most of the company's volume has moved through online sales. More than 250,000 condoms have sold on the Web site, www.condomdepot.com, he said.

Mazzotta recently signed a product placement deal to put Bravo in several movies, including "Transformers 2" and "Old School 2," and the television shows "Entourage" and "The Office." And he is working out a deal with a distributor to have Bravo's logo placed on race cars in 11 NASCAR events next year.

After the label is on the race cars, Mazzotta said, he will be in a strategic position to approach major chain stores. If that door opens as Mazzotta hopes, the Bravo image could be sold across the country and, eventually, around the world.

"We're getting very close," he said.

Condom adverts should be screened before 9pm to tackle teenage pregnancies, Government advisers say

By Aislinn Simpson
www.telegraph.co.uk

The Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG) also called for the parents of children as young as four to be sent information packs about how to talk to their children about sex, relationships and contraception.

The group, which is made up of family planning advisers, medical experts and social workers picked by ministers, made its recommendations in its annual report published yesterday (Wed).

The report said: "TPIAG would like to see restrictive and outdated broadcasting standards reviewed and overhauled to ensure positive sexual health messages, including the advertising of condoms, are communicated effectively before the 9pm broadcast watershed."

Male fertility options growing

By Amy Crawford
www.chicagotribune.com


NEW YORK—Though they didn't look like much, the white specks squirming under a microscope in Debra Wolgemuth's lab could have a big impact in the world of controlling fertility, not for women but for men. The specks were sperm from mice that had been treated with a new contraceptive. The healthy, swimming cells showed that the new drug did not have a permanent effect once the mice had gone off it. For Wolgemuth, this was an important step toward testing the drug in men.

Wolgemuth and other researchers at Columbia University Medical Center were using the drug to block retinoid receptors—proteins that bond with vitamin A to turn on certain genes. The drug prevented sperm from developing normally.

"We demonstrated that the mice are infertile," Wolgemuth said. "We take them off the drug, and then after a certain period of time they're fertile again."

If the method works as well in humans, it could become a true contraceptive option for men.

In 1960, "the Pill" hit the market and changed the sex lives of millions of American women. By taking a tiny pill containing female hormones, they could take control of their bodies and prevent pregnancy. Today, 12 million women in the United States use oral contraceptives, and others use hormonal implants, transdermal patches or vaginal rings. For women who can't take hormones, there are copper intrauterine devices, female condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps.

Men, on the other hand, still have only two options.

"You have condoms, which are in the moment, and vasectomies, which are permanent, and nothing in between," said Elaine Lissner, founder of the not-for-profit Male Contraceptive Information Project.

But researchers around the world are working on new options for male birth control, including retinoid blocking, implants that could be removed when a man decides to become a father, and even special underwear that prevent sperm production. A new analysis of 30 studies done between 1990 and 2006 shows that male hormonal contraception might not be that far away.

"The initial work toward producing contraceptives focused on women, because women get pregnant," said Ronald Swerdloff, head of the endocrinology department at the UCLA Harbor Medical Center. "That attitude has changed with the changing attitudes of partners."

In a 2002 survey of 9,000 men on four continents, more than half said they would use male hormonal birth control. Methods like the Intra-Vas Device and RISUG would be ideal in developing countries, where access to pills or condoms is not always guaranteed, said Lissner.

FDA sets guidelines to ensure imported condoms hold up

By Elizabeth Lopatto
Bloomberg News-www.sltrib.com
No repeat shippers were listed as of June 17. A repeat offense will get a warning about manufacturing deficiencies. A bad shipment after that will lead to a full banfor example - before the shipment is freed.
Federal regulators urged steps to prevent a trickle of leaky condoms being shipped to the U.S. from becoming a flood.
One faulty sheath will cause a whole shipment to be detained, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday in its final guidelines for the industry and agency employees. Measures were originally proposed in 2000. The FDA also posted guidelines for medical gloves, which like condoms are made of latex.
''Some foreign manufacturers and shippers repeatedly attempt'' to ship leaky articles, the agency said. Condoms, when they work, help prevent pregnancy and the spread of diseases such as AIDS, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Leaky condoms have been shipped from China, India, Korea and Thailand, as well as the United Kingdom, Greece, Japan, Italy and Germany.
Condoms and latex gloves, according to the FDA, undergo what is known as the ''water leak test,'' set forth in a ''Compliance Policy Guide.'' If just one style of condom fails in a shipment that contains a variety - ''unlubricated, lubricated, spermicidally lubricated, ribbed, etc.'' - all must be detained and ''a separate style should be taken for each style that the field office wishes to test.''
Styles shouldn't be mixed in one sample.
The FDA has three levels of detention. First offenders have to show their products are safe - using an independent U.S. laboratory, for example - before the shipment is freed.
A repeat offense will get a warning about manufacturing deficiencies. A bad shipment after that will lead to a full ban. No repeat shippers were listed as of June 17.