My View from the Top…
By Judi B. • Aug 29th, 2007 • Category: From the Editor, View from the Top…has been fantastic, and as I hang up my GV Weekly editor hat, I have to say…my three years at GV have been amazing. Next week is my last week here at Good Vibrations, and as I look back at some of the great projects I’ve been a part of, well, the vibes have indeed been good.
Here are some of my favorite GV moments:
*
Conversations with Margaret Cho
How fun was it to sit down with Margaret Cho and get to ask her about sexuality and celebrities? Pretty ***ing fun. I was totally nervous, but Margaret is really nice and after a little bit, I almost forgot there was a huge mic looming over my head. I edited out the part where we talk about my favorite topic, pit bulls, because I can go on and on when it comes to my dogs….
*
I had published some of Tara Alton’s erotica and came across her flickr page. What I saw there was utterly beautiful and delicious. Cupcakes and donuts and pie, oh my! I was super psyched that she agreed to be part of our E-Gallery. Check out the delectables (along with a short companion erotic piece) HERE!
*
I read Daphne Gottlieb’s Why Things Burn before I worked at GV, and so when I had the opportunity to ask Daphne to write for the GV Weekly (and when she accepted), I was really excited. Daphne always writes about interesting topics, and I knew she’d bring her unique vision to the magazine. She did indeed. Her articles touched on such topics as erotic kidnappings, older women, penis size as seen from a queer woman’s view and having a book written about sleeping with her.
*
I love when things come full circle. For instance, we sent Kathy Griffin a GV gift-basket when she hosted the GAYVN (Gay Video) Awards here in SF. Not only does she make a 5 second guest appearance in the GVTV episode (well, her back, actually) but her own show featured her opening the gift basket and “discovering” the toys inside. So, I blogged about the whole affair on the GV Blog (click HERE to read it). Well, Kathy Griffin’s people found my blog and emailed us and asked if they could put it on Kathy’s own site, in the forum section. And, the circle is completed!
*
I have been reading Mark Morford’s writing for years…back in the day, I used to get the Daily Fix email…the highpoint of my morning. Morford had mentioned Good Vibrations in several of his articles, and I decided to take a chance, and asked him if he’d do an interview with us. He did, and as you’ll see, the dude is just funny. Every time I see a cock ring now, I think of his keychain…. (Read it HERE).
*
Everyone loves Haikus, it’s true. We found out when we had a “Sexy Haiku” contest and received over 300 short and sexy submissions! The first place winner was:
YOU BROUGHT A DILDO
TO MY NEIGHBOR’S BARBECUE??!?!
(okay, where’s the sauce?)
– Isabel O’Rourke
Amazing, huh!? Read all of the winners HERE!
*
Another one of my favorite contests was our Interplanetary Porn Writing Contest. Who knew that sexy aliens appendages and lubed-up astronauts could be so…hot? Well, ya’ll did. We received some really creative entries. You can check them out HERE!
*
GVTV. Born from a scrapped commercial, we decided that video was a great medium to get our sex-positive mission out to the masses. So, we hit the streets, armed with educational fliers, a camera and some questions. The rest is history. GVTV has hit ONE MILLION views, on YouTube alone! We’ve sprinkled the videos on many video-hosting sites, so don’t be surprised if you come across a GVTV episode on your internet travels!
Here are some of my favorite episodes:
Good Vibrations Treasure Hunt Contest. “Hey JP, can you play a game-show host?” Besides being Sr. Director of E-Commerce and Merchandising, JP CAN play a game-show host! This contest was fun to create and even more fun to shoot. watch
Finding the G-Spot. I took my camera to the football field with me one fine Sunday morning and talked to some of my teammates and competitors about the G-spot. It was awesome!
GVTV Visits a Dildo Factory. I love the folks over at Vixen Creations…they were awesome hosts and we learned how to pull dildos. That, my friends, is a good day at work!
The Search for the Clitoris. I made (I mean, asked!) my coworker put on a safari hat and pretend to look for the clitoris in the park. And, the other part of the video is shot in a bathroom. Come on folks, that’s funny!
Cock rings! Holy cow, is this episode popular! It’s a runaway hit on YouTube. Funny thing is, one of my friends happened to walk up on the shooting of this video. He was kind enough to participate. It was a pretty awesome day…hanging out in the Castro, talking to folks about cock rings….
*
GV Radio. “We’ve Only Just Begun”……
So far we only have two episodes under our belt, but GV Radio has the potential to be a great tool for educating and entertaining folks. Allison and I got to sit down and chat about celebrities and sex toys…and that was as fun as it sounds! Next up, Carol Queen sat down with the author of The Clitoral Truth, Rebecca Chalker, and they chatted about…what else? The Clitoris. You can see/listen to both episodes HERE.
*
It’s been a crazy, fun ride ya’ll. Continue to enjoy the GV Weekly, GVTV, and now GV Radio, as Good Vibrations will always produce the very best in sex education, sex toys, events and all things sex-positivity. I know I’ll be bookmarking the web site, and going to the amazing events…I may just see you there!
Peace Out,
Judi B.
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.
I know i’ve said it before, but it was a delight working with you and i’m so happy GVTV went as far as it did! all the best and hopefully the future of GV, whatever form that takes, continues to build upon these successes. There have sure been a lot of funny and great moments and i think your reflection did a good job at capturing them! Being reminded of some of these things again really made me smile and laugh…. my only regret is that we never got to make the GVTV outtakes video!
Best,
Dana
Dude! Working with you was the best fun i’ve ever had ever! It’s not always easy being the eCommerce Hostess with the Most-est, mostly because you have to cosntantly keep finding ways to keep your web content and offerings up-to-date/appropriately cutting edge but i have to say, during my own tenure trying to occupy that (hot)seat yours was consistently the voice that kept me entertained. Your writing was great, your ideas/execution top-notch and (maybe more than anything else) I think you really had a handle on what it might take to create an on-line gathering place for folks interested in pursuing sex-related activities, products, etc. in addition to providing compelling, fun and thoughtful information to the masses. You are a superstar and i hope all your future pursuits shine bright!