Campin Out!

I had a massage today. Ever have one? Now I'm not talking about foreplay I mean a REAL massage on a padded table by someone who's got an "M.T." after their name. It's quite an experience like I gave my body a gift today.

one.

Of course this wasn't my first I've had three now, so I'm a veteran of sorts. My first massage was the most interesting. Up to that time, no one had ever gotten that close to me without saying "I love you" first!

nurse

Angie is a very talented masseuse. In addition to being a Masso-therapist, she's a registered she knows her bones! And she works part-time doing massage and body work with the elderly so she's familiar with all types of bodies as well as their special needs and differences.

...

First time around, this JUST didn't fit my picture. Guess I expected someone in a meter maid's outfit with a rubber hose maybe a nun's habit and rotten eggs? Oh, never mind. I was wrong. It was new age music, a room gently illuminated by candle and low lighting, my body cradled in a fluffy soft sheet and a soothing hot-pack nestled under my weary neck so perfect, I thought I'd died and gone to Provincetown.

She explained her intentions. My body was now mapped out. It was a well-planned excursion... and no, she was not in costume. Angie started at my feet as good a place as any. I always thought that my scalp and feet were my two main erogenous zones (an error in design perhaps, but I kind of like it). Funny, she's working on my toes now and I don't feel a thing. It doesn't feel good or bad. Zip. Nothing. Then she gets to the third toe and I start crying for no reason. Who would imagine there'd be pent-up emotions stuffed into such an innocent looking middle toe (and I'm PAYING for this?!). But it was no big thing. Some tears flowed over in a wave of sadness that passed as mysteriously as it began. A journey indeed.

Angie talks to me in a soothing tone calling attention to my breathing as she works her way up one side and own the other. Anticipation rises and I notice an expectation to be touched sexually. Really. It's a strange feeling. I'm not used to being touched intimately-but-not-sexually. This is about total safety, however. Not that sex can't be so comfortable, but it's a different sensation when there is absolutely nothing to anticipate or respond to.

And she continues. Scalp to neck to shoulder ...

"I will trust you to tell me if there's any discomfort."

"You're safe here."

"I don't want to hurt you." "I need you to keep me

informed"... shoulder to arm to hand. At this point my arms are goo and I'm wondering if i can sell all my belongings and afford to keep her doing this FOREVER. (Okay ... just a little addictive!) "Want to turn over now?" Legs to hip to back. I wonder if she'd marry me and have my child. Angie slows her pace and returns my arm back to its side. Oh my God she's stopping! Was it something I said? Did I drool on her carpet?

...

"Take some quiet time now and come downstairs when you're ready." "DON'T GO" the voice in my head screams as she calmly exits the room., I'm alone. All my bones are liquefied and my muscles transformed to marshmallow fluff. I'm suppose to get up" Will she notice when I'm still here tomorrow and the day after?

Face down on the table I study my hands, fingers straight and spread apart. I'm struck by how young they look. I notice how much time I think about aging and here I have this perfectly youthful set of digits staring back at me. It's as though I'd never seen them before. A Palmolive commercial minus the Madge. Amazing.

Each massage has left me with some new perspective on my body and health. And after only 3 sessions, I must admit I'm sold. I see a therapeutic massage as becoming an integral part of my overall health and improvement routing... like flossing when I remember and weeding out undesireable underwear. You know, I feel better just thinking about it. ▼

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Olivia at Carnegie

Olivia Records caps its 15th anniversary year with a national celebration at New York's Carnegie Hall and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Friday, November 25. The Carnegie Hall concert, scene of Olivia's historic tenth anniversary gala, begins at 8pm. Featured artists include Cris Williamson and Band, Lucie Blue Tremblay, Deidre McCalla, Tret Fure and Band, Nancy Vogl and Dianne Davidson and Band. An Anniversary Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Grand Hotel will follow the concert. evening is lavender tie optional.

The

Olivia looks forward to making November 25th the women's music event of the decade. Judy Dlugacz, President of Olivia, says, "It will be a wonderful sight women from all over the world arriving at Carnegie in horsedraw carriage, limousines, and motorcycles decked out in fabulous, flaming attire! The entourage from Carnegie to the Waldorf following the concert will be a spectacular moment in New York history."

Standing-room crowds have welcomed Olivia's entire roster of artists at 15th anniversary concerts

REVIEW:

By Ed SantaVicca

FALLING IN (GAY) LOVE AGAIN

The New Loving Someone Gay, by Don Clark. Revised and updated. Celestial Arts, 1988. $7.95

Fifteen years ago, coming out was a traumatic experience--for myself, and for those whose lives touched mine in one way or another. It was just a few years after Stonewall, and a time when I was trying to define and fit my own changing values into a new and changing definition of those same values by a new, improved and liberated Lesbian and Gay community. It was exhausting.

None of use was quite certain about who we were, or who we could be to each other. I fluctuated; and so did the community--for a number of years--until the first edition of Loving Someone Gay appeared in print. I read it; it changed my life. It changed my values. Finally, here was a nonscientific, non-pathological work, written from the vantage point of human relationships rather than abnormal psychology. Better yet, it had as its goal the desire to build healthy, blossoming relationships throughout the Gay community. It was clearly written. It was rational. It was caring. It was a relief.

Finally, here was an author willing to discuss emotions, support

around the country. The Boston Globe calls Olivia's roster "...their strongest, most musically diverse lineup yet."

Limited sponsorship tickets of $100 each include special orchestra seating and admission to the ball. Concert ticket prices are $40, $35, and $25. Anniversary Ball tickets are $40 with advance concert ticket purchase and $50 at the door. All tickets are available by sending a check or money order to Olivia Records, 4400 Market St., Oakland, CA 94608. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Or Olivia records at you may call (415)655-0364 (9:30am to 5:30pm PST) for credit card orders. Concert tickets (only) are also available through the Box Carnegie Hall Office after September 26. Early ticket purchase is suggested due to expected demand. The concert is wheelchair accessible and will be interpreted for the hearing impaired.

Other Olivia 15th anniversary concerts are tentatively scheduled in Denver on October 28, Minneapolis on October 29, Seattle on November 12 and Atlanta on November 19.▼

systems, sex roles, coming out, relationships with family and friends, the human psychology of growing up Gay and more importantly, the pleasures and dignity of being Gay. Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!

once.

Now appears The New Loving Someone Gay, revised and updated (with approximately 70 new pages). Wonderful! Go out and buy it. Read it Read it again. Give it to a friend. Talk about it. Talk about yourself. Think about yourself. And consider changing some of the things-some of the perspectives--in your life. You won't regret it. With this new edition, Clark attempts to review changes in Lesbian and Gay lives and lifestyles that have happened since the original edition was published in 1977. He reviews developments and the current state of freedoms and oppression, sex, health, spirituality, commitment, communication, knowledge, acceptance, loss--and variety of other topics that affect our daily lives.

Seriously, think about reading this one. If you are having problems with unsympathetic friends or family; if you are not sure whether you are out (or want to be out); if you do not feel completely comfortable with who you are (or unsure of how to get to where you want to be)--read this book. There are few comparable works in print and so available, and still fewer that are this affordable. ▼

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