I’m an avid online dater, and I’ve found a lot of cool guys that way. I’ve also had my fair share of run-ins with creeps. Today, I have a great guest post for you guys about online dating from Brianna with Best Adult Dating Sites. I definitely agree with all of her points, and even though this post is written with ladies in mind, guys – please be equally careful. ~Rori

We’ve all seen those ads.  You know…the ones showcasing the happy couples who smile, laugh and tell the story of how their picture-perfect romances began with a click of the mouse.  And as you sit there watching in envy, the horror sets in that you are spending a Friday night alone in front of the TV, shoveling unhealthy amounts of Ben & Jerry’s down your throat…so you can’t help but think, “Maybe online dating isn’t such a bad idea.”  But before you let the marketing tactics of the online dating industry get the best of you and send you running for your laptop, there are a few things that you need to know…

Online dating is a great method of meeting your match in today’s busy, hectic world.  However, there are crazies out there who use online dating as a means to hurt others who actually have the right intentions.  So that you don’t wind up in a situation that could leave you swearing off dating forever and heading to the convent, be sure to check out the following safety rules for online dating:

Safety Rule #1:  Don’t give away too much.  Okay, this is a tip you might’ve heard with conventional dating…but with internet dating, it’s just as important…especially when applied to the information you disclose.  It can be hard to resist when you’re communicating with a guy on the web who has a profile pic that looks like it fell out of a magazine, but if he asks you for personal info too soon, resist you must.  There’s no telling if that ‘hot guy’ is really who he says he is, so for that reason, when filling out your dating profile and interacting with fellow cyber singles, never give out the following details:  last name, home address, place of employment, phone number or financial material.

Safety Rule #2:  Take it slow.  When you find yourself clicking with an online match, it can be very thrilling and the excitement of meeting this person can take over…but if you rush into things with a guy you met on the net, you run the risk of running into some serious danger.  Once you’ve spent enough time through an online dating service getting to know a guy and you trust that he is legit, then it is okay to reveal more about yourself.  Then wait until you’re completely comfortable and confident that the guy is not a crazed, lunatic murderer topping America’s Most Wanted List before you plan a safe first date.

Safety Rule #3:  Plan a safe first date.  The time has come for your very first date with your online Prince Charming so you’re raiding your closet, you’ve spent a month’s rent on a hot new pair of shoes, and you’re maxing out your credit card on all the latest skin treatments at the beauty salon.  But as you’re crossing items off your first date prep list that will have your guy falling in love the minute he feasts his eyes on you, have you considered how to make it a safe first date?  Well, before you head out the door, don’t forget a spritz of perfume…and these first date safety tips:

• Whether you think he’s Prince Charming or not, tell him not to worry about picking you up in his horse-drawn carriage and hop in your own chariot.  For the first few meetings, never rely on transportation from your online man and be sure to hold your first dates in crowded, public places.
• It’s a given that you’re going to give your best gal-pal the scoop on your new guy…so don’t forget to fill her in on his name and where you plan on going with him.  Keep your cell phone handy throughout the date and call your friend upon your arrival home to let her know that you made it safely…and to dish about the date, of course!
• While on your date, it is important to remain observant—and not just observant of your date’s devastatingly good jawline or eyes that happen to be bluer than the Caribbean Sea—be aware of what is going on around you.  Keep an eye on your belongings and no matter how badly you think that Cosmopolitan is going to help calm your nerves, it is best to forgo the alcohol for the first few dates.

Safety Rule #4:  Listen to your gut.  Think back on all of the idiots that make up your dating history.  Don’t you always wish that you had listened to your intuition when it told you they were losers who weren’t worthy of your time?  Well, when it comes to online dating, your safety is your number one priority so it is imperative to always listen to that gut feeling.  If at any point during your online quest for love should a cyber-suitor make you feel the slightest bit uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to bow out, cut communication and tell the creep goodbye!

Brianna Phillips is a guest post author who enjoys writing about safe online dating.  In addition, Brianna also owns Best Adult Dating Sites where she offers advice on dating and relationships to online singles. 

You take the good…that I have some interesting dates planned this weekend, that I have an awesome new sex toy to tell you all about, that I have new posts coming VERY soon, I PROMISE….

You take the bad…that the flu has been attempting to kill me, that last week I’ve had to completely wipe my computer and reinstall Windows, that I have the sucky task of rejecting someone who I think really likes me…

And then you have the facts of life.

Bounce that Dick from Jenna Marbles, one of my YouTube favorites. I seriously can’t stop laughing.

“Sorry that was racist, I’m bad at rap songs…Ha! No I’m not! I’m fucking awesome and shit!”

Seriously, how can you not be laughing right now?

I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve written about my life. I love giving advice and writing reviews and such here on Between My Sheets, but let’s be honest; one of the reasons I started this site was that I needed an outlet to just…well…talk.

Or write. Whatever.

Tonight, I need that outlet.

I feel like I’m a really, really weird place right now in terms of relationship status. I really liked the guy I was seeing earlier this fall, but it’s been a long time since he’s replied to any of my texts. I heard from him a few times then suddenly…nothing. I’m kinda done with that BS. I deserve better than someone who’s only going to call me every few months.

So since then…went out with an older dom who was nice, but there was really no common ground there. We both felt it. Our date was awkward at best, and even though I think he’s a nice person, we had nothing to talk about and our lifestyles outside of D/s are super different.

I also went out with a few vanilla guys. The first was pretty much the exact opposite of the dom I met. We have TONS in common, but I don’t know…just didn’t feel the spark. I didn’t feel submissive to him at all. He was from a vanilla dating site, and while I am definitely open to dating someone more on the vanilla side of things, I still have to feel that submissive spark. The awkward part of things, though, was that he was really into me. He kept trying to kiss me and hold my hand in the middle of dinner and such, and just didn’t get the hint at all. It was actually really annoying. If a girl tells you she’s not into PDA, that’s a good sign that she doesn’t want you to keep trying to kiss her at the bar. It was super awkward to tell him I wasn’t interested in a third date.

So then a met up with another vanilla guy. I’m kind of on the fence about him. We’ve been on two dates, and they were both nice. Not earth-shattering, but fun for sure. I wasn’t sure whether or not he was into me…and I’m still not sure. We went out last Thursday and the date ended in a kiss (that he initiated). I texted him over the weekend, but didn’t hear back. So not sure it he’s interested or not. I thought the kiss was really nice, but maybe he didn’t feel the same! This guy’s definitely not a dom in the whips and chains sense, but I think he’s dominant enough (in a vanilla way) that I can be happy.

There is another guy. I know, I know, pimpin’! I’ve been out with him once, and we have plans to go out again…over a week from now. We had fun, but there are a lot of life-ish things in the way. Our schedules clash. He lives kinda far away. He wants to settle down in the middle of the city (I want to move farther away eventually). He doesn’t have a car (public transportation is possible, but it takes a long time). He comes from a different culture (not a big deal to me, but a harder sell to my family, and they’re important to me). We have a lot in common and had a good time on our first date, but…we’ll see.

I’m strangely okay with not being in a relationship, but I don’t know that I’m okay with that, if that makes sense. Like, I feel happy with my life and my career is crazy successful right now, but I worry sometimes that if I don’t focus on my love life too, I’ll get caught up in my career and never really find true love. I know, I know, you just have to let it happen, you can’t force love. But at the same time, if I’m not getting out there and meeting people, it’s not going to happen at all. I don’t want to someday look back on my life and be sad that I never found time for love.

So I’m not really okay with being okay, as weird as that sounds.

We’ll see, I guess. Hopefully, there will be some sparks in my future. I miss being in love.

The sexy guys from Paris Intimates wrote an awesome guest post a few months ago about blow jobs, so when they offered another post for you guys, I jumped at the chance to publish it! This time, we’re talking about rope bondage. If you’re a beginner, this is a good post for you!

It’s a beautiful thing when sex and art combine. If you follow Rori’s Beautiful Bondage tumblr, you’ve probably felt a mixture of awe and jealousy when viewing photographs of expert rope tying. Rope play is one of the most graceful and artistic forms of sexual expression out there, but the level of skill involved can sometimes be intimidating. Don’t let yourself be dissuaded! With this guide to knot-tying know-how you’ll be earning your rope play merit badge in no time.

A Bit of Background

The most predominant form of rope bondage is shibari, a traditional Japanese form of bondage. Shibari owes its roots to hojojitsu, a medieval form of torture and restraint. Eventually, the rope tying techniques originally used by the Japanese military to torture (and even kill!) captives slowly made their way into the bedroom. As they did, the art form became even more refined, with several masters dedicating their lives to the creation and perfection of new and traditional techniques. Today, rope tying supplies and information are available to shibari enthusiasts all over the world.

Where to Start

The first thing you’ll need when attempting shibari is the right attitude. Remember when you were a child and felt like the world was collapsing around you as you tried in vain to tie your sneakers? Now you lace up without even thinking about it. The same is true to shibari. Don’t get hung up on making your designs perfectly symmetrical or copying a photograph knot for knot. Shibari takes practice, but that practice should be fun. Don’t psych yourself out.

Gear Up!

The two most important things you’ll need to get knotty are a willing partner and professional rope. Don’t try shibari with the first rope you found at Home Depot, as many can cause abrasions or even splintering to the skin. Ropes made specifically for shibari are constructed with a blend of silk that allows for varying pressure and limited pinching or discomfort to the skin. Make sure your partner is truly invested in the process as intricate ties can take time and require a great deal of patience. Shibari isn’t a technique to try for your next 15-minute quickie.

It’s Tie Time

The best tie to attempt first is a basic wrist tie. Follow this easy tutorial to learn how create this simple knot. Beginning with a simple tie like this is best for a few reasons. For one, it allows you to get used to tying without being frustrated by complicated designs. It also allows your partner to grow accustomed to the feel of the rope. The basic wrist tie can be used to bind your partner into positions you’re already familiar with and allows you to play with a variety of positions. As you develop more skill, you can move on to more complicated ties like the tortoise shell or even ties than incorporate suspension. You’ll have to learn the basic ties first.

Professional photographs can make rope play look as intimidating as it is arousing, but you don’t need to relegate yourself to the realm of wistful onlookers. With the right attitude and enough practice you can earn your stripes (and maybe even an impressive reputation) with shibari. Start practicing now and who knows – you could find yourself roped in to some exciting sessions all winter long.

Awesome rope tips, boys! Thanks for the guest post! The picture used (with permission) as part of this post is from Hogtied, an awesome kinky rope play porn site that I highly recommend checking out! ~Rori