Good Vibrations Magazine

With a staff as interesting and diverse as ours, we just can’t keep them to ourselves anymore! In this installment, meet Kuono…..artist, pornstar, French Horn blower.

Where did you grow up?

A small cowboy town called Makawao, on Maui, Hawai`i. Really! Next you’ll ask: “So why did you ever leave?!” And I’ll tell you… I got island fever. I longed for a queer community. (Hello! There were like two dykes on the entire island! Two!! And they were already dating each other!!!) I’m also really interested in cutting-edge art. The art scene on Maui is just… so… touristy. I wanted to join the freaky experimentalist haven that is SF. I do go home about twice a year to visit ohana.

When did you start working at GV?

I joined GV’s rockin’ Web/IT Department a year ago.

What did you do before working at GV?

I managed a café, gave private swimming instruction, directed a non-profit Asian American Art organization, was a nude model, a professional modern dancer, and a pornstar. I now work full-time at GV in the web department and am part of the collaborative performance art duo, Twincest.

What’s your favorite thing about working for GV?

Great health benefits (including alternative medicine), which is very hard to come by in the non-profit world. I also love the other perks like my rad co-workers and finding surplus condoms in the free box.

What’s the most interesting experience you’ve had at work?

I have more interesting experiences outside of work, when I come out to people as working for Good Vibrations.

Did you ever think you’d be selling sex toys?

Nope. I actually thought I’d forever be a starving art star.

What are five things you couldn’t live without?

1. The Internet

2. My Bicycle

3. Crying

4. txt msgs

5. art (with a lowercase “a”)

What’s your favorite (sexy) movie?
Crash Pad and SuperFreak are pretty wild. Tail of a Bondage Model and Wild Kingdom are great too. (ahem)

Favorite book?

Too many to chose from. I just finished reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (Haruki Murakami).

Song?

Oh, this might be embarrassing… The song’s called “Girlie Girlie” and it’s by a band called Jawaiian Rainbow. I was really into Jawaiian music (Hawaiian songs with a Reggae beat) for most of my childhood. What is a “Girlie Girlie” guy, you ask? This song refers to the kind of playa who has a girl in each town, one for each night of the week. Maybe this early childhood favorite could be my non-monogymous root? It’s one of those songs that gets stuck in my head, but since no one else is from Hawai`i… I keep it to myself, like Iz’s “Over the Rainbow”… mainland folks just wouldn’t understand.

Where could we find you on any given Saturday night?

If I’m not at home or hanging out with my partner in crime, I’m probably working.

What’s one thing about you that would surprise your co-workers if they found out?

A surprise for the folks who work at GV is not “I used to perform in an all-nude modern dance company” (they know I’m pretty comfortable in my skin) it’s more like “I used to play the French Horn.”

You know, I really did play the French Horn and I was damned good at it, too!

What’s one thing you’ve learned by working at GV that you’d like to share with our customers?

I’ve learned that there is an infinite amount of wisdom about sexual health and pleasure out there—it’s really quite amazing. I think if more people were educated about sexuality and gender, and not afraid of our differences, the world would be a better place.

Judi B. >> a cake eater and the ex-editor of GV Magazine. Her idea of a perfect day would involve: mimosas in bed, Huevos Rancheros with real red chili, a phone call from her mom, a trip to the dog beach, and cocktails with friends while watching America’s Next Top Model. She shares her life with her hot librarian girlfriend and their two brilliant pit bulls. She has over 80 neck-ties.
All posts by Judi B.