
It's time for another installment of our Meet Your Bloggers series. Here's Jen!
How long have you been working at Babeland? I'm a baby compared to most. I began working at Babeland in October of 2007, but it feels like so much longer.
Why did you start working at Babeland? I'm a retired riot grrrl and a former AIDS activist, so my way of viewing the world has always been processed through a sex-positive/feminist/queer lens. During my undergrad years in Philadelphia, visiting Babeland Rivington was always a treat, especially because it meshed so beautifully with my own views and interests. Upon moving to Seattle, I did a jig of glee when I found that Babeland was hiring. The rest, as they say, is history.
Favorite customer interaction: We've a fantastic regular customer, who I will refer to "The Doctor" for privacy's sake. The Doctor has an expansive personality, a rumbling laugh, and she never minces words. To add to her appeal, she's a specialist in trans* health and she knows her toys and toy materials. I always listen with rapt attention when The Doctor tells me about items she's removed from unfortunate asses (reminder: always use a toy with a flared base for back-door play). She's even brought one of these items in, safely sealed in a biohazard baggie, should we need a reminder. I will never *ever* get enough of The Doctor.
Question you get asked the most: This really runs the gamut. If we're going for sheer numbers, I'd say it's split between "what lube should I buy?", "what vibrator should I buy?", and "what dildo and/or harness should I buy?"
Favorite question: I love the creative problem solving questions. These usually are posed by someone who wants something very specific (e.g. a harness-able dildo that vibrates, is *this* exact size, can suction), so it's great fun combing the store with them and putting together a toy (or toys) that will meet their needs.
Favorite toy: The first vibe I fell in love with was the Hitachi Magic Wand, but there are two that have really captured my heart as of late: the Pure Wand and the WeVibe.
Favorite lube: I'm a member of the Cult of Liquid Silk; but when I'm looking for something thick and flavorless, BabeLube is my top choice.
Toy you're most looking forward to: Njoy's Eleven. Pretty? Yes, please. Shiny? Yes, please? 2.75 pounds of stainless steel? Oh, yes, please!
Your life outside of Babeland: I'm an art person, no doubt about it. Undergrad was painting and art history, followed by 5 years of art modeling, 2 summers of teaching art history, and various gallery shows. My work is of the representational ilk (the female nude done up in oils-- go figure) and I'm about to enter a four year classical atelier program. Aside from the art trip, I'm a voracious reader/book hoarder, amateur anatomist, and eater of as much delicious food as I can get my greedy mitts on.