This election year, the majority of us are hearing the smear campaigns against Obama and McCain.  In California, however, the heat is turned up over proposal 8, the ballot proposal that will decide the fate for same-sex marriages. 

Of course, California has been in the media spotlight for years now with it’s on-again-off-again acceptance of the issue; and now they’re putting it to the voters.  Because the debate is deep, legal, and heated, we will refer you to the Wikipedia entry about the proposal for a more in-depth analysis, however, in a nutshell according to the California General Election Title and Summary page about proposal 8, passing the proposal would eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to legally marry. The outcry about the proposal has created campaigns for and against it’s passage making the proposal the second costliest decision in the nation.

Religious leaders are preaching about it in pulpits. For those who have chosen to skip services, enough pressure is being put on church members to vote to pass the proposal and revert the legalization of marriages to the traditional definition of between a man and a woman outside of the church walls.  The San Francisco Gate, the online version of The San Francisco Chronicle reported that

“Prop. 8 opponents are increasingly narrowing their focus on Mormons, harnessing technology and open-records laws in their efforts. One Web site run by a Prop. 8 opponent, Mormonsfor8.com, identifies the name and hometown of every Mormon donor. On the Daily Kos, the nation’s most popular liberal blog, there is a campaign to use that information to look into the lives of Mormons who financially support Prop. 8.”

Such drastic and privacy invasive acts are creating heightened tension for supporters such as “Michele Sundstrom, 47, of San Jose, who has been married for 18 years and has five children.

She and her husband gave $30,000 to the Yes on 8 campaign and put a sign on their home. But in response, two women parked an SUV in front of their home, with the words “Bigots live here” painted on the windshield.”

Both presidential candidates as well as their running mates have spoken out against the proposal.  School boards have voted against supporting a position despite teachers coming together to give a $1 million contribution to oppose the proposal.

Interestingly, the opposition to proposal 8 does not always come from outside churches, classrooms, and government.  A San Francisco area TV station reports “A group of San Mateo County residents, reverends, church members, business people, a county supervisor, parents, labor leaders and students gathered on the steps of the historic courthouse in downtown Redwood City Thursday morning to garner support for an effort to defeat Proposition 8”.  The basic idea to oppose proposal 8 is that it is a civil rights issue creating legal discrimination if passed.

Also in support of the proposal are internet giant Google and computer mogul Apple who have cited their early support of same-sex couples within their organizations.

 Not nearly as popular, Anchorage Alaska’s proposal 8 is seeking to de-regulate taxi-cab permits.  Boy do they know how to shake things up in those parts!  

 Ever wonder who’s lookin’ for love in your area? Do you spend your time in front of your computer? Want to plan ahead for a hook up with someone on a business trip? Want to make sure you dip you toe in the warm waters of the swinger style in a different part of town? Hook Up Maps is just what you’re looking for!

Hook Up Maps is a technology hookup between virtual community Craigslist and online mapping wonder Google maps. Not affiliated with either site, Hook Up Maps is a new site that organizes Craigslist personal ads to show where personal ad postings come from by area on Google maps to break down who is looking to hook up, how many, and where they are.

Searches can include all dating keyword or be reduce searching parameters by sex, age, orientations, postings with pictures, or specific keywords. Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, you can scroll your mouse over hearts around town to read all Craigslist postings from that area. This could really be good for singles looking to find an area rich with potential for love too since each tab heart shows the number of listings for that area.

Currently the site is showing it’s own bi roots with bi-coastal United States listings. The site is only match making in Los Angeles, California, Maryland, New York, NY, San Diego County, California, San Francisco, California, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. but promises that it is working quickly to incorporate more Craigslist communities.

Once you find the perfect person in the perfect area, you can go to their Craigslist posting and reply there or you can respond directly on Hook Up Maps page which also allows you to post a picture with your reply. You can also post your wanted ad directly to Hook Up Maps.

It’s a great way to begin screening your next date. With Hook Up Maps, you can save yourself hours of work by prescreening not only by the usual categories, but by quickly finding who you’re looking for in the right area. We can’t promise what will happen after you meet them- that adventure is strictly up to you!

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Being nude can have so many positive results, but multiple sclerosis is not typically one of the benefits that immediately comes to mind. However, thanks to the generous spirit of the San Francisco Clown Conservatory class of 2008 and their Naked Clown Calendar for 2009, MS will be added to that list.

The 16-month calendar aims to help those affected with multiple sclerosis by raising $1 million, most of which will go towards research and advocacy for multiple sclerosis through the Judy Finelli Fund. The primary goal of the calendar sales is to raise money for these services, however the conservatory is also accepting applications for those affected with MS to accomplish any dream they have, be it performing in a circus, Wall Street, or anything in between on a scholarship funded by the calendar sales. Each month of 2009, a winner will be chosen for this recognition of their dreams.

The Conservatory became interested in multiple sclerosis when Judy Finelli, the co-founder of the San Fransisco School for Circus Arts became affected with the disease in 1989. Judy was an amazing juggler and saw in circus performances the artistry that has become the standard for modern-day circuses such as Cirque du Soleil instead of the “three ring spectacles” they had been in the past. Sadly Judy quickly lost her abilities to the illness to the point of quadriplegia in 2004.

“The Judy Finelli Fund, created in honor of Judy’s life of performing and teaching, supports research and advocacy for cures and treatment of MS. It promotes artistic expression through circus arts training and enables those affected by MS to pursue their passions.”

The students decided to put together the calendar after discussing the physical conditioning required for the work they were doing. While most people see clowning around as fun and games, the high levels of performance expected of the students had been like a daily workout routine. Deciding that they were probably in the best shape of their lives, the discussion evolved into the planning stages for the calendar. It’s truly a funny way to raise money for such a great cause.

Photos were taken around San Francisco in secret and by a student photographer. The students appear in makeup, but nothing else, with humor added by covering “sensitive areas” with common clown props like scarves and cream pies. Despite seeming like an adults only issue, many of the students were so impressed with the final result that they decided to send it to grandparents and even young nieces and nephews.

We at Shoes Only Travel were happy to see that the Conservatory students chose to pair with Greener Printer who use recycled paper and soy-based inks. They are certified carbon-free which we, of course, appreciate in our efforts with Carbon Fund. The calendar is a great way to inject some humor while planning dates for you nude expedition with Shoes Only Travel! Be sure to order yours on their website.

Our friends at Gentle Nibbles reminded us that Halloween is in the air and that for the lifestyle community it’s time to indulge our wild side.  While many are loading up on candy, leaving cobwebs and their other creepy crawlies to haunt unsuspecting friends, we in the community are having fun imagining what we could be with a little help from makeup, wigs, and, of course, a really great costume.

If you’re planning a Shoes Only Travel vacation in the near future, you can have even more fun looking around and getting the most bang for your buck by finding disguises that you can wear on your trip as well as your Halloween celebrations.

As always, check with your resort to find out what the theme nights are and from there, take full advantage of the wide variety of costumes out there.  You might be tempted to pick up 2, 3, or even enough for your entire Shoes Only Travel stay!

Here are our favorites and the suggested them nights where they would get a reprise.

Pretty much any pirate costume from the Odgirl.com collection would grab attention at Hedo III’s Sexy Pirates and Booty Bottoms night, but our fave this year is the Captain Jones and his sexy first mate ensemble.  With some creative work, this can go from mild to wild in the removal of a shirt!  

You can yodel in the hills and valley that spring to mind with this Alpine Inspired get up.  Again, with a quick adjustment, it would be perfect for Hedo II’s International night!

Take a huge step back to Mod, or as they call it at Grand Lido Braco, Retro Night as Disco King and Mod Girl.

While it’s always easy to pull the sheets off your bed for Toga night at all many of the Shoes Only Travel destinations, it takes something special to be Pharoah and the Greek Goddess Aphrodite. 

This Cowgirl Sheriff doesn’t come with a matching hat or a corresponding bad guy outfit but we’re sure that if you were heading to Hedo II’s Western Night, you could find a way to make it work. (Unless you’re a unicorn in which case, you’re all set!)

For a loose interpretation of Grand Lido’s Black and White night, you can make sure to score in these Referee and Football Player costumes.

Another fun night at Grand Lido is Las Vegas night.  Bring the sin of Sin City to your parties as a High Roller and Showgirl duds.

Not that you’ll have any problems with swimwear at Desire Resort Cancun, but if you want to have a little fun with their Tropical and Sexy Night, Adam and Eve from Costume Craze.com in their natural glory are sure to contend for top prize in any costume contest! 

Our hands down favorite this Halloween season is Marie Antoinette.   Baby Girl Boutique has many to choose from but all are perfectly divine for Hedo III’s All That Glitters Gala!   Though this costume is listed as a Pirate and is quite complex, we can envision it with revisions to the pants to go along with Marie as Louis XVI.

Whatever costume you choose, dressing up as someone else and paying attention to the details is a large part of the fun. Enjoy every minute of it.  If you find yourself having such a good time by the end of the night that you want to wear your costume again, be sure to check out Shoes Only Travel’s non-stop party resorts where you can bring new life to your favorite costume while partying with new friends. (Or old if you can find a way to bring them along!)

Even the most solid relationship can wilt a bit in a partner swap either in the beginning steps or even later into a well established lifestyler’s “career”.  In the heat of the moment, it can be difficult to remember everything that you need to in order to ensure a happy, healthy swap.  Gentle Nibbles received an email this week that gave an easy to remember guideline- the 20% rule.

The idea is simple.  When you’re in the heat of the moment, remember one thing above all- give 20% more of your attention to your partner than anyone else in the room.  This simple idea is really brilliant.  At the end of the night, you’re going to go home with your partner, why wouldn’t you want to give them more than anyone else in the room?!  Locking eyes with your partner and having them raise an eyebrow at you with a wicked smile can do wonders for their confidence.  Besides, what could be sexier than knowing that despite everything going on, you are the one your partner has on their mind?  Also, as the discussion points out, it is very easy for someone to feel left out when there’s bumping and grinding going on all around.  Giving this extra attention to your significant other keeps them feeling that they are wanted right where they are!

Gentle Nibbles is looking for more guidelines that those in the lifestyle use to solidify their relationship.  We hope to see more of the discussion, but better, share it with Shoes Only Travel.  What do you do to make sure your partner knows s/he is the most important person in the room to you?  Anything you do special on vacation?  Hit the comment button and let us know!

“Looking for Paradise ? Here it is ! It is the ONLY resort we have ever visited that is better in reality than in the brochure !” “The food was exquisite, the service was impeccable and the facilities were quite comfortable.”  Reviews like that makes you stand up and take notice, don’t they? Makes you want to reserve a room as soon as possible.  Grab your credit card because the resort described is Hidden Beach Resort in Tulum, the Mayan Rivera area of Mexico and is Shoes Only Travel’s feature resort for the month!

We’ve put up a few clothing optional 101 posts for those new to lifestyle travel.  If you’ve read with interest and imagined your first au naturel trip, Hidden Beach Resort is a great jumping off point.  Experienced lifestyle travelers tend to rate Hidden Beach as “tame” on the mild to wild scale. A three time visitor to Hidden Beach Resort said “This place is still not a swingers / lifestyle type of resort which is why we chose to go there . Being nude but still a little prude is very comfortable at HBR.”  A first time traveler rave about the comfort level from the minute they arrive.  “This was our first trip to an Au Natural resort and we loved it. No reason to feel embarrassed by showing off your love handles as there were all body types being displayed without any thought.”

The “tame” rating does not mean Hidden Beach is a lesser resort.  Instead of a party atmosphere, travelers will enjoy the low-key, relaxing nature of Hidden Beach Resort’s activities.  Snorkeling, kayaking, beach massage, of course swimming, and a special feature, fish feeding, are all activities to enjoy in the Caribbean sun.  The beach is reported to be hit or miss, but the pool always receives accolades and it’s always better to sunbathe nude in a chair so you can avoid getting sand in your “parts”.  Hidden Beach Resorts also offers exciting excursions to places like the bullfights, spelunking in Aktun Chen caverns, and dancing the night away at a Caribbean carnival.  Be sure to ask your Shoes Only Travel agent for more information on these exciting adventures. 

There are 6 restaurants on-site and also 24 hour room service.  La Vista is the main restaurant for Hidden Beach Resort. Open from 6 am until 10 pm, it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Every reviewer raves about the food and a regular even shared a story with us.  “The food was outstanding there also. One night at Hidden Beach, we requested a special meal, and not only did the make it for us, they moved our table to the beach, where we had our own waiter and beautiful candle lit table. What a treat for us.”

The resort earns further raves about the “little” things which returning visitors appreciate.  The king sized beds are ranked better than other lifestyle resorts with each room having it’s own Jacuzzi hot tub and fully stocked bar.  One guest also appreciated the sliding screen doors  which help reduce bugs. “The last several times we’ve been to (another resort) we’ve been bitten by either mosquitoes, sand flies or sand flees. We’ve come home with big welts. During our week at Hidden Beach we did not have a problem with insects. One real advantage of Hidden Beach is that they have sliding screen doors on all the bedrooms opening to the beach. I think one reason we have such a problem with insects at (another resort) is because there are no screen on the doors.”

Even with a resort that is raved about by so many lifestyle aficionados, there are usually some tips from those who’ve been there to help you along the way.  Hidden Beach Resort is no different.  One guest found a $14 tax added to their bill for a beach massage. They said the massage was well worth it, but want other travelers to be aware of the additional cost.  Shoes Only Travel and others recommend having a limousine or other rental car at the airport to meet you for the 90 minute trip to Hidden Beach Resort.  

The reviews are in and Hidden Beach Resort is the place to be for a relaxing yet pampering atmosphere where every need is catered to.  For those seeking the style and luxury of this 5 star resort but with a wilder lifestyle theme, Shoes Only Travel will be taking over Hidden Beach Resort in October 2009.  With all 42 rooms booked by Shoes Only Travel the resort will be transformed into a private lifestlye getaway. Start saving now for the trip of a lifetime!  Our reports say it won’t be your last!

In an interesting move, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) blasted Kevin Smith’s new movie, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, by giving it an NC-17 rating, ranking it with traditional adult movies and virtually unmarketable in a commercial movie market.  Zack and Miri Make a Porno, despite it’s name is actually a more traditional romance where to platonic friends decide to make a porno in order to make money and in the end find romance.

In the motion picture industry, an NC-17 rating is the kiss of death.  The star of the movie, Seth Rogan, had the role of Zack custom written for him by the movie’s director, Kevin Smith.  In response to the initial NC-17 rating, Rogan told MTV “’They [fight against] sex stuff. Isn’t that weird? It’s really crazy to me that ‘Hostel’ is fine, with people gouging their eyes out and sh– like that,’ Rogen shrugged. ‘But you can’t show two people having sex — that’s too much.’”

The title alone would imply a sexual nature of the movie. A movie directed by Kevin Smith would also lend itself to implication of a blatantly sexual movie. This is the guy who tackled love outside of sexual identity in Chasing Amy, plugged his second Clerks movie with an over the top bestiality scene including a donkey, and even when he went mainstream with Jersey Girl, the promo showed Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler were busted in the shower.  (With the amazing follow up, Affleck’s movie daughter asking Tyler “what are your intentions toward my father.”) 

After appealing to the MPAA, Smith was able to receive an R rating, making it more marketable which was a good thing considering the pre-press already buzzing around the questionable content.  Even more impressive, Smith was able to attain the more appealing rating without cutting any of the movie.  In the movie’s production blog, Smith said “All that really means is that what you see in theaters will be exactly what we were hoping to show you in theaters. None of this waiting around for the unrated DVD shit.”

The rating being overturned was the first cleared hurdle.  Next would be the battle over the movie poster. As IMDB, the internet movie database, reports, “The movie’s original poster was deemed too explicit by the MPAA and was banned in the US, because it suggested the characters on the posters are engaging in oral sex. It featured two separate images of Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, who are fully clothed, and the back of the actors’ heads close to each other’s crotch.”  Instead, the marketing team brought more attention to the ongoing debate about the movie by creating a new and “improved” poster which points directly to the problems they had with the poster for US audiences.

The movie is set to open October 31, 2008, however, the buzz is already very strong.  Across the world, the challenges to Zack and Miri Make a Porno continue to show the close-minded nature of certain Americans when it comes to sex but not when it comes to violence or gore. Unfortunately for Kevin Smith, the cast and crew of the upcoming movie, the MPAA appear to be of that American mindset.  Fortunately for Americans, Smith is smart enough to fight and shine light on the problem.

Women of Wall Street, have no fear about your, um, bottom line.  Hugh Hefner has a stimulus package of sorts for you.

Despite laying off some of his infamous Playboy Bunnies in a move that looked very economic, Hef’s looking for some day-trading divas to grace the pages of Playboy in a Women of Wall Street pictoral set to feature in it’s February 2009 issue.  

“Given the current economic climate, we thought that Wall Street could use something to smile about right now,” stated Gary Cole, Playboy’s Senior Vice President and Photo Director.

In keeping with it’s women of big business spreads which have included Women of Enron and Women of Home Depot, Women of Wall Street is actually a repeat performance of a pictoral of the same name done 20 years ago. 

If you have experience in the investment game and the desire to show off your remaining assets, information on the nationwide search can be found on Playboys site.  The deadline for submission is October 24, 2008.  As always, potential playmates must be verifiably 18 years of age or older.

A reader replying to the story on Huffingtonpost.com said “How about Women of Main Street instead, I could use the money.”