I landed in LA on Friday night and it feels so good to be back in Southern California! The weather is perfect and I'm having a blast already, counting down the days to my 40th birthday on Tuesday. I'm delighted to be celebrating it here.
For those who hasn't known me long, a bit of history. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, finishing grad school with my masters in Philosophy in 2010. I lived in the Philly suburbs after I graduated and worked first at the Philadelphia District attorney's office as a victim advocate and then at the St. David's Planned Parenthood as a reproductive health center assistant. In 2013, my Planned Parenthood branch closed due to lack of funding and I found myself looking for a new job. At the same time, my then-boyfriend Dan (who I lovingly refer to as my "best ex") got a job offer to work at an LA-based startup and we decided to move across the country together. It was the best possible move for my career. I published my first e-book, "A Feminist's Guide to Phone Sex" after working as a phone sex operator for the first year I was living in LA. I met a bunch of new friends, made countless connections in the field of sexuality, from sex educators, bloggers, and therapists to toy and lube manufacturers and adult performers. In many ways, moving to LA made my career possible, especially in the cannabis realm. It feels like home, and I'm grateful to still have so many friends living here (many of whom are coming to my birthday party this week!)
One of whom, who generously hosts me when I'm in town, is my sex ed hero turned friend, Tristan Taormino. If you're not familiar with Tristan's work, she's the author of nine books, the editor of several more, an incredible sex educator and coach, and an award winning feminist porn director and producer. She's also the education director for a sex positive education and event space in DTLA called FWB. I've taught there a few times, and this coming weekend I'll be part of a two day MiniCon specifically geared toward newbies and beginners. Many people hear "conference" and they assume it's for experts by experts, but this one is designed to be public facing and support adults of all skill levels (but especially those who have never taken a sex ed workshop). There will also be a "play parties for newbies" workshop Saturday afternoon and an attendees only play party that night. Check out the schedule of events below:
Tickets are still available and can be purchased here. You can choose to attend Saturday or Sunday, or get a weekend pass for both days. Tristan and the FWB organizers have given me a day pass to the MiniCon for just $20 (a $169 retail value)!!! Come meet sex-positive people, learn from top notch educators (including me!), socialize, and play in one of the most unique spaces in downtown LA! The MiniCon is a weekend of community, connection, education, and pleasure. The event features nine workshops on embodiment, arousal, erotic communication, and sexual techniques and a relaxing sound bath. A delicious lunch and refreshments will be served both days. Instructions to enter to win: We will announce the winner at 9pm Pacific on Monday, April 20.
As a reward to those of you who actually read my emails beginning to end, the first person to email me back and say "the clit has legs" will be the winner of the $20 Day Pass.(Please only enter if you can physically be in DTLA on either Saturday or Sunday!)
I hope to see you this weekend in DTLA! Happy Bicycle Day (today 4/19) and Happy 420!
Yours in Pleasure,
Ashley
PS - if you feel called to share your birthday wishes for my 40th in the form of a gift, travel funds are welcome as I’m saving to go to Italy this summer. Here's my Venmo.
