Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/541346
JULY 15-21, 2015 UCW 21 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM ADVICE GODDESS Requiem For A Scream I'm a 28-year-old woman in a relationship with a really great guy. The problem is, it started as a hookup, and I faked my orgasm. I didn't announce I was having one, but I, um, made certain noises. I was enjoying myself, but I just didn't feel one coming, and I didn't want him to feel bad. Now that we're "a thing," I can't keep faking, but I'm not sure how to tell him. — Unsatisf ied There are a number of reasons women fake orgasms, like that the guy is taking FOR EVER. Movies — and not just the dir ty ones — also lead to orgasm faker y, giving us distor ted expectations of how orgasms look and sound and how quickly they happen for a woman, even in casual sex with a stranger. Back here in real life, research by sociologist Elizabeth A. Ar mstrong f inds that, on average, in a f irst or second hookup involving intercourse, a woman has only a 35 percent chance of getting to the big f inish (compared with a 75 percent chance if she's having sex in a relationship). A woman's chances do increase the more she hooks up with a par ticular bedfella. As you've discovered, the problem comes when Hookup Guy becomes Boyfriend Guy and is under the impression that he's providing happy endings and not the never-ending middle. The right time to cor rect this is as soon as possible (though not while you're in bed). Explain why you love sex with him and then confess: You faked it the f irst time and didn't quite k now how to roll back from that. Pledge that in the f uture you'll only cheer when your team is winning, and tell him that the next time you're in bed, you'll show him what works for you. (Basically, guide him like you would a f ireman: "This way! No, over here! HUR RY!!!") After a few test r uns, he should feel secure that if you're screaming during sex it's because he's tr uly showing you a good time — or because you rolled over on a Hot W heels tr uck his nephew left in his bed. AMY ALKON Copyright 2015 WEEKLY HOROSCOPES NEWS OF THE WEIRD by CHUCK SHEPPARD Cultural Diversity A low-caste minor girl was beaten up by several higher-caste women in the village of Ganeshpura, India, in June (in retaliation for the girl's having disrespected a male relative of the women — by allowing her shadow to partially cover the man). The girl's family managed to get to a police station to file charges, but in some remote villages like Ganeshpura, higher-caste aggressors can intimidate the victims into silence (and in this case, allegedly threatened to kill the girl and members of her family for the shadow-casting). [Press Trust of India via Times of India, 6-16-2015] Yunessan Spa House in Hakone, Japan, recently began offering guests supposedly soothing, skin- conditioning baths — of ramen noodles (elevating to health status what might be Japan's real national dish). The pork broth that fills the tub is genuine, but because of health department regulations, only synthetic noodles can be used, and it is not clear that the artificial ramen achieves the same (allegedly) beautifying collagen levels as actual noodles. [Metro News (London), 5-12-2015] Government in Action The federal Medicare Fraud Strike Force obtained indictments of 243 people in June in a variety of alleged scams and swindles, and among those arrested was Dr. Noble U. Ezukanma, 56, of Fort Worth, Texas, who once billed the government for working 205 hours in a single day (October 16, 2012). Other indictees were similarly accused of inflating the work they supposedly did for Medicare patients, but Dr. Ezukanma clearly had the most productive day of the bunch. [Dallas Morning News, 6-18-2015] A brief Washington Post review in June heralded the new edition of the Routledge International Handbook of Ignorance Studies, covering "different types of ignorance" in a range of subjects by authors from various countries. Among the valuable conclusions in the book is that while "individual ignorance" may be rational in some cases, it is unlikely that "collective ignorance" advances the society. In any event, the author concluded, "The realm of ignorance is so vast that no one volume can fully cover it all." [Washington Post, 6-16-2015] Copyright CHUCK SHEPPARD ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, don't be fooled by appearances. Sometimes there is more than meets the eye, and finding the truth beneath the surface can prove enlightening. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, use this week to experiment in the kitchen. You will benefit from exploring new cuisines you have long been wanting to try but have yet to prepare. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, now is a perfect time to explore social events that can expand your social circle. You have plenty of friends, but you can always benefit from meeting new people. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, your creativity is at an all-time high. Take advantage of your inspiration and get involved in a special project. Embrace this opportunity to put your creative energy to use. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, now is the time to explore a new hobby. Invite others to join you to make your exploration that much more rewarding. Afford this interest ample time to grow. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, seek situations that are peaceful and surround yourself with like-minded, mellow people. Enjoy the respite that relaxing atmospheres provide. LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 You need a confidence booster, Libra. Take action and seek ways to feel better about a situation that has been bothering you. This proactive approach may be all you need. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 You may seem like you aren't able to get ahead in your career, Scorpio. But it could be that you're looking to advance too quickly. Be patient and allow your skills to grow. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Take credit for your ideas, Sagittarius. Remember to be humble, but don't feel shy about expressing your pride in a job well done. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Get the facts before drawing any conclusions this week, Capricorn. Allow some time to assess a situation that has proven difficult to handle. Things may be more clear tomorrow. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 A longtime friend may evolve into something more soon, Aquarius. A spark has always been there, and you might be ready to explore a new relationship. PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, don't fret when plans are canceled at the last minute. Try to reschedule as soon as possible and make the most of your newfound free time. Amy Alkon Chuck Sheppard