by Karen | Mar 13, 2008 | Events, General, Intimacies Discussion Group
Join The Good Life columnist Karen Kreps and special guest, Lee Khoury, for a conversation about body image. How you relate to food reflects how you relate to others. Lee is a licensed counselor and marriage therapist who specializes in treating eating disorders. Meet Wednesday, April 16, 2007, 7 pm-8:30 pm on the third floor of Book People, 603 N. Lamar. Audience members will be encouraged to share their personal experiences. No charge, just bring your sense of humor and an open mind.
This event is co-sponsored by The Good Life magazine and Book People.
by Karen | Mar 12, 2008 | About the Book, General
Reader Views, reviews for readers by readers
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Intimacies: Secrets of Love, Sex & Romance
Karen Kreps
Net Ingenuity Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9780979789007
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (2/08)
Having been happily married for ten years, Karen Kreps has written a book about how to have successful relationships. She has experienced both sides of the coin. She has had her heart broken in unfulfilling relationships, and now she is experiencing a wonderful marriage. Accepting the opportunity to write a monthly relationship column, she also got to host a monthly Intimacies Conversation Group in Austin, TX. This group attracted people from a variety of backgrounds and ages. Each month there was a specific topic and a special guest to provide their expertise.
“Intimacies” is a collection of articles that were written based upon information that was gathered from these meetings. They might include personal observations and experiences, professional advice and information about human behavior and current trends.
In the table of contents there are symbols for each article to indicate who the topics would be most relevant to. Even if I wasn’t reviewing the book, I still would have read all the articles, just because they provide a wealth of information about human behavior. I also loved the personal stories and reflections. They are touching and heartwarming. Kreps husband, Arye Shapiro illustrates her book with photographs of sculptures that he has created. These sculptures are beautiful and reflect depth and emotion.
“Intimacies” is well written and does not provide a “one size fits all” formula. Kreps writes about what works for different people. One example of this is her discussion of non-monogamy. For some people this works. Even though I would not be interested in a polyamorous relationship, it is interesting to read the views of people for whom it works. Kreps doesn’t leave any subject regarding relationships untouched, however, she writes in a manner that is respectful and not crude. I love that the last chapter is about “The Law of Attraction.” This adds a special spiritual touch to the book and provides a perfect ending. I highly recommend “Intimacies” to all people who are either in a relationship or would like to be.
by Karen | Mar 9, 2008 | General
A stigma exists around the subject of intimate relationships. At the SXSW Interactive conference, I attended an interesting conversation hosted by Elizabeth Wood, founder of the website SexinthePublicSquare.com and an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Nassau Community College, and Lux Alptraum, founder of the website Boinkology.com. Their sites are educational in nature, yet their sites are blocked by Internet content filters such as those found in public libraries and in most American airports. Sponsors hesitate to back such sites. Elizabeth said, “The people who have skills and ability to evaluate all the sexual content on the Web are being barred from helping those who can’t evaluate.”
While the Internet has increased access to sexually explicit material, many websites, including theirs, get tagged as, “NSFW” (not safe for work). The acronym is designed to protect users from following a link to sites that might get them into trouble with their bosses. But why is a site with sex ed info on it any less appropriate to look at while on the job than is, say, a shopping site or a gossip blog?
“Sex is the most basic part of our live, yet we fear that if we talk about it or demonstrate any interest in the topic, it will affect our employability,” said Elizabeth.
Usually, to get people to share their stories with me for my column in The Good Life magazine, I must offer to represent them with pseudonyms.
What personal beliefs prevent you from discussing subjects of love, sex and romance? Please share your thoughts.
