This is made of win. And brand.
http://community.livejournal.com/egl/12031671.html

Sorry i haven't been commenting. Unless y'all want random driveby comments like "OMG KITTY!" in your v. serious post. Do you?

Plans for tomorrow: Possible hangage outage early in hte morning (meaning noon), eyedoc appointment, then paaaaarty with the Laura Goffstarr.


Is it wrong that I still want a suicide door Continental?

Maybe I should get a pet or something that the roomie won't be allergic to. I'm thinking turtles and/or Venus fly traps. :P Speaking of, what's the best way to get rid of fruit flies? F'n flying ninjas.

Over the past few days, I've been having the most amazing orgasms during sex while using an Instead softcup.

So: I was wondering if the angle & position of them has done any wonderfully orgasmic work for anyone else (especially during sex!)

• 11:21 FRIENDS OF AMANDA AND MEGHAN - Thursday night at eightish for goodbye parties??? #

For all you gamers:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/57998.html
Greg, Chris, Kris, and all gamers? Yeah. You'd get a kick out of this.

So I'm finally in East Lansing, doing the law school thing. I've decided that it's maybe time to upgrade my livejournal to an official personal blog, and so that's what I've done.

It can be found here: http://commentsquestionscomplaints.blogspot.com/

Mostly, it will chronicle my life in law school (since that will pretty much be my life) in the form of random comments, questions, and complaints. Fun fun! I may (or may not) cross post things to here, but I'm trying to ween myself off of el jay. I'm sure it'll take me awhile to eventually stop checking it on a daily basis, so no immediate worries.

----------------

First law school class, and I'm beginning to realize what I've gotten myself into. Which is to say, a deep amount of [insert corresponding four letter word here]. My first impression? Intimidating. I can't say I didn't see it coming, but it's hard not to be scared by the train heading straight down the tracks that you're standing on, even if you did choose to step there. Hundreds of pages worth of cases to read weekly, along with briefs to write, and outlines to prepare. Yes, outlines for the final exam, in case you aren't familiar with the way the system works. One exam, do or die, better not die.

We were also bombarded with the expectations of the American Bar Association today. I will slowly have to begin editing my facebook because, apparently, pictures with alcohol (despite the legality of usage) are deeply frowned upon. Hey-o, Big Brother. We were also highly encouraged to purchase law review courses for the most intense and important standardized exam of our lives, the Bar Exam. *insert dramatic tones here* Yes, it's important, and we are all striving towards it... but seriously, you want us to buy review sessions for an exam that's 3 years away? We haven't even officially started law school yet. Cool it, will ya?

Beer? Yes, I think beer.

Okay, bookmark folder thing malfunctioning in FFox3. Addons: Close Button, Facebook Toolbar (meh), Forecast Fox, Yahoo!MailNotifier (meh).

Delete, reinstall. NO BOOKMARKS SAVED. WTF.

So. C'mon, people, who wants to hang with me tonight? P'haps see that movie where there's a guy dressed up as a bat? Or a comedy?

CALL ME.

• 21:47 OMG I AM SEEING XIU XIU! #

I didn't see a tag for yeast infections, so if there's tons and tons of info on this that I missed, I apologize and please guide me in the right direction.

I've been on strong antibiotics for about a week now. Unfortunately, they gave me the WORST yeast infection I've ever had. Horrible. And to make matters worse... I just got my first period since quitting hormonal birth control. It's VERY heavy.

My question... if I use my Diva Cup while I have this yeast infection, will boiling it be enough to completely clean it of the yeast? Or should I just stick to tampons (pads are absolutely not an option).

 I have a few things to say.

We nearly died twice getting to Sherwood Park on Monday. Mostly because I have mini breakdowns when trying to cross the highway. I thought we were pretty lost for a while there. There was some freaking out, Nick tried to calm me down, and despite all of the anxiety we made it to the RCMP station. Then we were worried for a while that I wouldn't get my application in on time, but that was all right. Then we got lost on the way back, so we stopped to ask for directions at a gas station, which finally pointed us in the right direction. Except that it was rush hour, and the merge lanes were at a standstill while everyone let in one person at a time. It was bloody nuts. I've concluded that I'm never ever trying to enter Edmonton again at rush hour, unless absolutely necessary.
Oh, and I almost ran over a pedestrian on the way back from APG. That sure taught me to speed around downtown in the middle of the night.

Yesterday was fun at Adrian's place. It was nice to see so much of the Physics gang again. And we could all still talk together, which was great. We got some coffee and donuts from Timmy's and made fun of the police having nothing to do in Garrison, then watched I <3 Huckabees. I really liked that movie. It's comforting to see reminders that I'm not the only one who thinks like that. It's all about connection. I've been saying that long enough in my head that I think it constitutes a motto now.

I had a dream this morning that was so cool it's now going to be a story. I found something to write about! Yay! I'm just so worried that if I don't write it all right now I'm going to lose interest. It's just a whim kind of thing. ... And uh, more on that later.

I'm on my second cycle wih my new diva, and im quite excited about it.
Seeing as I stack my pills, I haven't gotten to play with my diva in three months.

So my question.
I can't turn the cup to make sure its sealed.
I can put my finger in and run it around the cup, and from my understanding ur not supposed to feel any dents.
But I do feel it denting in towards the front of my body.
It doesn't feel like its not opened, but more so theres a muscle of some sorts that is leaning up on it and smooshing it a little. Like that's just the shape of my vaginal walls.
Is that normal, or is it not sitting right and I'm gonna be leak prone?

Even though you have to wade through copious amounts of sales hype in the Insteads Softcup video, I like referring folks to their site because the video eventually explains a woman's vaginal and cervical anatomy very well with the use of animations and a clear life-size cut-away.  It's great for those "Where's my cervix?" kinds of questions that are often asked here.

I went there this morning and the site has been SUSPENDED!

Are the Insteads folks switching hosts?  Is there a problem with their carrier?  Has their server crashed?  Did someone forget to pay the bill?

I hope http://www.softcup.com comes back online soon.

Oh, good. The intrewebs are working. Good. H'okay, peoples, today and tomorrow are my days off. Plans?

So, I'm back after a long time. I'm not new to LJ, but it's been a LONG time. I was curious about how things were going here (I lurked about when I was debating buying a Diva cup)
I did and I love it BTW. College is much easier when I don't have to buy over-priced women's products from the school store.

Here's a question though. I started birth control about a year ago (Yasmin 28) and it was going fine till I went swimming with my cup in. That night My vagina became SUPER irritated and I had GOBS of white thick fuzzy discahrge. When I saw the Gyn, he said it wasn't anything(IE: disease, pregnancy), but I switched BC to something else(Tri-cyclen). I stopped using my cup for 2 cycles and it cleared up for the most part, but now all of my discharge is thicker, white (think egg white) almost all the time.... and I have occasional gobs of cell shedding.

Is this because of the Diva (I don't think it is), maybe an STD (Not likely either), or maybe just hormone changes? Has anyone has a sudden (permanent) change in Vaginal Discharge like this.... and I mean EXTREME change... and no, I have not experienced pregnancy.

Any help would be great!

This isn't a particularly important post, but I got my Lunette this past Saturday. I decided to order the size 2 since it was larger and I'm turning 20 next week. I ordered it off this online store called Leastore  because they were offering a deal for the cup with a bottle of cleaner. Well, it came in and I was surprised at how small it was. It looked bigger on here, but that's probably due to the zoom on the image. I'm going to try it as soon as I clean my bathroom and I hope it goes well on my first dry run. One question though: Do I have to boil it before I use it? I remember reading that instruction for the Diva Cup on the Diva Cup website.

I wrote a review of Mooncup a few months ago and thought you folks on here might want to have a read.I've put it behind the cut because... ( it's quite big! )

about half way through Spencer smells Jon. Funniest thing EVER

Okay, I was completely squicked out at the idea of paintings in blood.  Then I saw this journal:

http://spiralingmoon.livejournal.com/ 

Now, I'm amazed.  I thought I'd share it with the folks here... perhaps there will be more blood art to come!

 

I'm back in BG!

Fundies week (band camp) starts tomorrow for me. I was out reviewing the ranks of the nugeyes (freshman) yesterday and I'm a bit disappointed in my saxes, they aren't very loud at all. Maybe after they see all the vets march over and our intensity, they will understand.

School starts Monday. I still have to get a few books and things. I also have an 8:30 class ew.

Alright well I guess that's it.

Bye for now!

Hi everyone, I've been using pads and tampons for the past six years (I'm 18) and I'm dissatisfied with them both! I first heard about menstrual cups a few months back but due to all the horror stories I've heard about insertion & removal, I held back. But now I'm going to give it a shot, and I've been deciding to choose between a Lunette and a Moon Cup. It looks like the Moon Cup is much smaller and would be easier to insert and remove for first time users. Is it? I think the Lunette seems pretty good too, especially because it has a larger capacity but I'm afraid I'll have a hard time of it in the beginning! If you can give me some advice, I'd appreciate it very much!

Edit: Thank you to everyone who commented! They've definitely helped, and I've decided to go with the Lunette.

• 22:18 Oberon is thumbs up. #

Alex, Jess, & CNN, Circa Sunday Afternoon:

CNN: FLORIDIANS BRACE!
Jess: We're bracing?
Alex: I guess?
Jess: For what?
CNN: FLORIDIANS BRACE FOR HURRICANE
Jess: There's a hurricane?
Alex: Well, we better brace.
Jess: Yeah, let's get to doing that.
Alex and Jess change the channel and do nothing differently all day.

In retrospect, I feel a little stupid about not taking it more seriously. On the other hand, Alex's list of hurricane supplies for my trip to Publix today consisted of "Water, Beer, Batteries" and I feel that's pretty much all you need for a tropical storm. I find it amusing that the CNN anchors, weatherman, and RANDOM GUY OUTSIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM are all visibly disappointed that the storm will most likely not strengthen into an actual hurricane. Sorry about your ratings, guys!

First post here, be gentle ;-)

I haven't seen any reviews of the Femmecup yet, so I thought I'd jump in.

I started with a DivaCup and tried 3 cycles with it, but it became clear after reading here that it was just too long. I reviewed the very helpful stat post and found the shortest cup (at the time - I think there are more listed now) and ordered my Femmecup from England, since I couldn't find it for sale anywhere here in the States.

Delivery was *very* fast!

Overall, I'm totally happy with the Femmecup. The length is just right (I cut off the stem) and the thicker rim makes it pop open much easier for me than the Diva. My cycle is short and light, and I swear I'm down to only a day and a half of bleeding now. I like that the holes are large - easy to squeeze water through when suctioned to my palm.

If you find the Diva is just too long, try the Femme - you'll be glad you did!

Edited for location - duh!

The sizes are as per the manufacturer's sites.  I know there have been some questions about this recently.
-----

Hello,

I've been lurking on this site for a while & want to first say thanks to everyone for their candidness, patience & willingness the help others.  Just by reading through this site, I feel like I have 'friend' who understand what I'm dealing with.

I've been using the DivaCup (after 30 size) for about 4-5 month now & have to admit that I love it.  I've been wearing pad for over 20 years (I think tampons were invented by the devil), & the cup has been an absolute Godsend.  

Until....  This month.

About 2 weeks about, I did something really stupid.  I had a tiny pimple about my clitoris that was irritating the bejesus out of me.  So like any normal woman, sprayed Bactine on it (and all over the rest of my vagina vicinity).  Needless to say, I woke up the next day with the itch from hell.  Everything was red & swollen & itchy, but no unusual discharge or anything.  It's taken a while, but it's gotten much better with some OTC healing & anti-itch cream.  But i'm still a little swollen.

Right before my period, I usually use Instead Cups to protect the panites.  I had no problem inserting or removing them.  Once I got my period, I started using the DivaCup.  I've been have some pain inserting.  Once the bulk of it is in, I'm fine.  I always have slight cramping the first & second day, so nothing unusual there & just the usual 'sucking my cervix out pain' on removal, which is also normal.  Besides the insertion pain, i noticed the cup is riding very low, or at least the stem (which I cut most off) is poking.

Could it be that my cervix has dropped because of the irritation?  Could it be that I'm just so swollen still at the vaginal entrance that this is why it hurts to insert & feels like it's poking?   It feels like it's sticking out, but when I go to push it back in, it doesn't feel any more forward that usual per my finger.  Would I just be better off using  pads for this period & let the swelling go down.  It's made huge progress in the past weeks and the itching is just about gone... swelling is down much & redness isn't as bad.

Any suggestions?

we should feed our jewelry to the sea.

So the lake was all right yesterday. I felt kinda unfulfilled because I never actually did anything. Like waterskiing. Nick and I swam around for a bit. Honestly, I was kind of upset with him. I love the kid, but he's such a hypochondriac sometimes. Like, there's always something wrong with him physically. So he was nauseous on the boat yesterday, and I wasn't going to ditch with him, except that my dad and my mom were fighting so I figured it might be a good time just to leave and see if I wanted to ski later. Except out of boredom we went back to the cabin and ended up watching the Olympics. Sigh. 
We did go visit Randy's (taxidermist guy with tons of neat animals in his cabin) place to drop off his dog Buster, but he wasn't around. At least we ate hot dogs for supper. I was quite pleased about that.

Then after we got back Terry (Nick's mom) assisted me in figuring out how to get to Sherwood Park to drop off one of my record check things. The other one is downtown. I'm a bit nervous about driving on the highway out to Sherwood Park and back, but I guess I gotta do it some time.
Nick and I talked about writing, too. He borrowed my computer to try getting something down last night. I ranted on and on about SOAC for a while and how it's going nowhere and I should just write a new story. He told me about one of his while we were trying to come up with inspirations. It was nice to hear about, but I didn't really get any ideas. The problem, you guys, is that every time I think of some new character or some kind of plot element, I end up relating it to SOAC right away. It's hard to get away from when you've put what seems like all your ideas in one basket. 
Anyway then I went home and instead of writing I drew the first page of SOAC as a comic. But already I'm second guessing how that went down. It's a bit different from the way I wrote it. 

I think generally this would not bother me so much if I had other things to do, like work or school. But then I think about last year, and how I hardly did anything creative besides poetry, and how it bugged me but I just ignored it.
I dunno. I have no directions. Has anyone suffered from two years of lack of motivation? What was I doing that whole time that made me lose it? (IB high school, duh.) How did I do it before? How do you get going again? How do I not stick EVERYTHING I think of into SOAC? Why am I avoiding it so much?

Well i bite the dust a couple weeks ago, and purchases the pink cup online. Only after waiting a couple weeks, my period has come early instead! I know I had tampons to use up etc, but this is riduculous!!! I was hoping for early delivery of my cup, not my period! Hoping this is my last cup-free period.  

Any tips for which fold is best? And im getting a little worried about the removal process too. Does the blood pool in the bottom of the loo? Am I better off trying in the shower at first? Does it spill when removing? This may sound really stupid, but where is the cervix?

First off: I'm 20, have not given birth, and technically sexually active (assuming penis-shaped objects count...haha).

( cut for babbling )

Basically, my vag is cutting off the entrance and it's hard to get the cup out. Oh, and pushing isn't working like it used to because I can't seem to isolate the right muscles. BM pushing was working, but now it's only working for, well, BMs...

So, any ideas what's going on? I might be tense, I have to remind myself to breathe. I hold my breath when pushing, which is why I gave up on the pushing. But on my dry run I could just push a little and it would pop out enough for me to grab it. Even when i was breathing and feeling pretty relaxed, I had the same problem. Help?

And yes, even after that incident, I popped it right back in. So now I'm having the same problem...

I've just started my second cycle with my DivaCup :]

Usually I'd be happy about this (I get to learn more and gain experience), but I'm spending all day with three guys and my best friend. I'm going swimming with these three guys (ugh!) and then going to a movie with the guys and my friend. And since this is my first day and my second cycle, there are going to be plenty of trips to the bathroom (I have fairly heavy flows) and the trips will most likely be long since I'm still getting used to things.

I'm stressing out, and actually pretty close to just wearing tampons for the day. Someone talk me out of it.

But on a more optimistic side, I really do love my cup and take the opportunity to discuss it with anyone who asks. I'm still baffled by girls who call it "gross." I don't think having a period is the most clean thing in the world, but it's a natural process and I wouldn't go so far as to call it "gross" or "disgusting." I think pulling out a bloody wad of cotton is worse than dumping out the blood.

Things that happen with tampons that don't happen with cups:

I was camping with one of my best friends. I was getting ready in front of the mirror and she was in one of the stalls. I suddenly heard this horrified gasp from the stall and asked what was wrong. The night before, she had put in a tampon while she already had one in. It really, really freaked her out.

The rest of that trip was pretty bad for her. Leaking, cramps and making me carry tampons in my backpack because she refused to carry a purse. Granted, a cup won't completely take away leaking and it certainly won't eliminate cramps. However, I've basically talked her into getting one but the price is scaring her away.

You'd be surprised how many of your problems can be solved by doing that. Of course only if involves a milk trolley rigged to explode if it drops below 4 KPH....but hey it works.

I have decided for various reasons to buy a cup. I'm expecting AF Wednesday or Thursday, but I won't be able to get a cup until Saturday when I go to Birmingham. I figured I would jump start everything by using the instead cup until then. I'm very excited, but I have a few questions. I have already tried a dry run for the instead, and although it was short, it was comfortable and actually easy to get out, but it felt like the cup part pulled up, so I would think it would spill a lot on taking it out. I also plan on using the Instead for sex, and I'm concerned about the cup shifting since my guy isn't exactly small. Has anyone had issues with either of these? I have never been heavy enough to need the towel, but I don't exactly like having to see blood all over us when we finish which would be the only reason I would use it.

I will be getting the Divacup next Saturday. I'm extremely excited and I want to be able to start with it straight away. Is there any quick way to clean it before use away from home? I want to know if I should get the large or the small size. I am younger than 30, no kids, but I do have a heavy flow sometimes, and as I've stated before, my guy isn't small so I don't know if that should factor in at all in choosing a size.

Thanks to anyone who helps me out. I'm so excited for this period to come so I can try it all out.

This past weekend I was in a wedding. I was expecting my period so I put it in Friday for the first time and it worked because after the rehearsal dinner I saw that I got my period and didn't even know it. Put it in again Saturday but was checking it a lot because I definitely didn't want to leak in my bridesmaid dress! Today, however, I've been leaking. I'm doing the same thing and I use the origami fold because I hear it's the easiest for it to pop open. I checked it throughout the day and it seems to be open. I can feel the bottom and it seems alright although I can't feel all the way up, although, sometimes it seems to be in the shape of an oval instead of a circle. When I pull it out, it seems to have suction and it was definitely catching so it just seems like it's not catching all of it.

Is it not popped open? And what can I do to fix it?

I'm definitely doing the same thing I did the last two days so I don't know what changed. Really appreciate any help! Thank you!

This last week was pretty awesome. Tim was here, so I wasn't online much. We went to a wedding, visited with his Aunt and Uncle in Vancouver, went to Warped tour and saw mc chris (got a picture and an autograph :D), went to coast (complete with a late night trip to the ER for my mom. Long story short - kidney stones), and had dinner at the Gasthaus, the Widmer Bros. brewery in Portland (for those of you who have had Hefewiesen, you're welcome).

It was a good week, despite my shoulder and neck hurting the WHOLE TIME, and my awesome sun allergy acting up (google PMLE if you're curious about it).

I also had game last night in Eugene. Do you know how unnerving it is to have EVERYONE staring and pointing at you while you sit outside trying to look inconspicuous because you know you fucked up? Yeah. Kind of intimidating. Note to self: Stop accidentally putting hits out on people.

But I have to say, having one of Vance's characters threatening me, while the other talks me into a threeway... pretty fucking funny. XD

I've been using the small Lady Cup. Insertion is easy, and I can wear it comfortably for 12 hours (or more) without leaks.

My only problem is the dang thing will not come out. I've read all the tips on here about how to make removal easier. I still have had no luck and I end up spending about 30 minutes each time wrestling in frustration with my cup to get it out. Not fun. There have been times when I've worn it for 24 hours because I just could not remove it. During my last period I gave up, resorted to tampons, and decided that the small Lady Cup will never again enter my vagina.

Has anybody with similar problems found that the larger sized cups are easier to remove? I wonder if being able to reach the base more easily to squeeze and break the suction would help? (The Lady Cup sits very high for me. I try to bear down, reach up to break the suction, pull the stem etc, but I always lose my grip. The cup always re-suctions itself, instantaneously slides right back up, and I have to start over. grr).

Maybe a large Lady Cup would be easier?...or a large Lunette? Are the firmer cups easier to remove? Why does the Lady Cup get soooo stuck?

Thanks for any input.

I've been using my Diva Cup with no problems since Thursday, which was the first day of my cycle. I'm at the end of my cycle today, and I noticed I was having trouble with my cup sitting VERY low, almost hanging out of me. I reached up with my finger and felt that my cervix is sitting extremely low, I hardly get my finger in to the second joint and I can feel it.

Do any of you have trouble with cups at the end of your cycle? I decided to use nothing since I'm hardly bleeding anymore, I'll just wear old undies and deal.

My laptop just died a grisly, sudden death the way I imagine most people do. My laptop screen, rather, as it functions fine in it's new position, make-shift Xbox wireless adapter. The screen just blanked out while I was reading and doesn't show any sign of life. Goddamn. I'll figure out how to get information off of the disc sometime. I'm currently on Elizabeth's behemoth laptop, which is fun.

I have a 2 week break from my Wayne State job because of semester change, which I didn't know until Thursday, because I have my fingers on the pulse of the community. So, that's either going to be a lack of a pay check or two small pay checks. Good times.

This semester is going to be fuck-nut-crazy due to my two jobs and full time class obligations, so these 2 weeks of just one job will be nice.

Red Bull apparently makes your blood sticky and increases the risk of blood clots. So I won't be drinking that ever again - not that I'm surprised it has been found to lead to heart problems, it's just that the thought of blood clots makes my skin crawl. I don't know why, maybe it's just me knowing I'm a blob of organic tubes that could get blocked up at any time scares the shit out of me.

I don't usually drink Red Bull, but I imagine a giant can of Monster has equal or worse effects.

hmm where to begin...

I'm a 16 year old virgin and I'm winding down yet another week of being on my period.

A few weeks ago I was doing some "exploring", as I guess i have a right to at this age, and Freaked! when I found my cervix and didn't know what it was. I'm very dissapointed that after many years of squirmy sex ed lessons through middle school that I couldn't figure out that I might actually be able to FEEL my cervix. anyway TMI. But I while I was on the internet figuring out the mystery of the frighteningly large bump inside if my vagina (and finding a surprising number of girls my age with the same concern) I ran across this site and another thing they didn't teach in Sex Ed- Cups. It was like "What! I have a choice? I don't have to use tampons for the next 50 years of my life?!!?" It all seems very right to me. Pads have always seemed much more natural, but tampons much easier and cups seem to be somehow both in my mind from what I've read)

But at the same time I'm not sure about th