Amazons International # 15 -------------------------- Topics: Fiona: Spiritual aspects Thomas: Re: Spiritual aspects Jamie: Re: MUD -- Amazons forever! Mike S.: Erotica: Mike & Amanda ********************************************************************** Date: Sat, 30 May 92 15:52:44 -0400 From: fi@grebyn.com (Fiona Webster) Subject: Spiritual aspects of the Amazon concept I've been meaning for some time to write and thank you for putting me on your amazon list. (Thank you!) In the wake of reading the last issue, I'd also like to ask a question or two. The thing is, I'm very interested in the whole topic of the amazon or "warrior woman" in modern society, and am planning to incorporate at least one essay on that topic in a nonfiction book I'm writing. Like others, I've been influenced by the positive images of women bodybuilders, and the women in "Aliens," "Terminator 2," and other films. However, I've got a problem with the content of your list, from what I've read so far. It seems to focus almost entirely on the amazon as a physical being--that is, a woman who earns the label "amazon" does so by virtue of her fitness and physique. This is surprising to me, because I've always thought of "warrior women" as including other physical types than the obviously fit and well-muscled--in particular, I've always felt that the "warrior woman" is as much a matter of spirit and temperament, of personal psychology, as it is one of physique. The movie "Gloria," for example, with the strong action character played by Gena Rowlands exemplifies this less physical type of warrior. Surely in a world with technologies that allow just about anyone with the right weaponry to dominate anyone else, the personality--exemplifying such characteristics as courage, will, valor, determination, and ferocity--is at least as important as the bodily equipment. This may be simply a matter of my own interests in warrior women not fitting in with the content of your list, though. I love women with muscles as much as the next gal or guy, I assure you of that. But I also want to champion the warrior spirit in tiny girls, elderly women, out-of-shape housewives, overworked professional women, and middle-aged political heroines. Are some of these not amazons, too? I realize that this may appear to you to be "watering down" the definition to the point of losing its meaning, but I don't see that the warrior-woman psychology is so prominent or well-accepted in our society that it's not in need of support. I find more to admire in a woman of ordinary body type who uses her personal strength of character to assert her rights against a group of sexually harrassing colleagues, for example, than in a woman bodybuilder who is physically gorgeous, but lacking in the social skills to make changes in her life. But again, I can easily see where that's not the focus of your list. --just some thoughts, Fiona Webster fi@grebyn.com ********************************************************************** From: Thomas Subject: Re: Spiritual aspects of the Amazon concept Fiona, Thanks for a great letter, I think I agree with most everything you said! In particular, I liked: > I've always felt that the "warrior woman" is as much a matter of > spirit and temperament, of personal psychology, as it is one of > physique. ... > I also want to champion the warrior spirit in tiny girls, elderly > women, out-of-shape housewives, overworked professional women, and > middle-aged political heroines. Are some of these not amazons, too? ... > the personality--exemplifying such characteristics as courage, will, > valor, determination, and ferocity--is at least as important as the > bodily equipment. Now, about the focus of my list, you're right that there is an emphasis on muscular and 'bigger-than-life' heroic females. There are several reasons for this, and here are some of them: (1) The symbolic value of athleticism/muscularity/action heroes Muscularity/athleticism is a potent symbol for the heroic; we can see this expressed and concretized in works of art like paintings, photographs, sculptures, movies, literature etc. Or in 'self-made' bodies. However, due to the sexist legacy of Christianity as well as Ancient Greece, this kind of heroic symbolism is very heavily associated with maleness or masculinity. No, not everybody is like that, or need to be like that, and the clerk that stands up to sexual harassment on the job etc. is heroic. But there is a saying: "Sailors look at the stars, not in order to reach them, but in order to navigate by them". So 'larger-than-life' characters, bodies and situations provide emotional fuel and may help us all see our own path more clearly, as well as inspire us and give us energy to follow it. (2) Division of labor There are many individuals, organizations and publications today working for gender equality, individual freedom, cultural diversity etc. Thus, many of the examples you mention already have their advocates and protectors. But the "masculine" woman -- the big, muscular, self-assertive etc. woman, has been ignored by most feminists, is attacked in the media, and by the social and cultural construction of gender, by the beauty & cosmetics myths etc. Nobody speaks up for her, but she deserves credit for what she is and does. Consequently, as a matter of division of labor, this is a main focus of Amazons International. Who else carries this torch? Then there is something you said -- > However, I've got a problem with the content of your list, from what > I've read so far. It seems to focus almost entirely on the amazon > as a physical being--that is, a woman who earns the label "amazon" > does so by virtue of her fitness and physique. Yes, there has been an emphasis on physical aspects of the Amazon in AI this far. Personally I don't see any conflict between the spiritual and physical aspects; we should remember though that each individual has (or, indeed, _is_) her own personal and unique blend and emphasis of these characteristics, and that that is the way things should be -- we don't want to replace old stereotypes with new ones, what we want is to lay the foundation for the liberty to develop a personal expression of self, and a non-gendered conception of personal fierceness. At least that's what I want. A perceived conflict between physical and spiritual aspects may be caused by an equivocation of fitness and physique with 'physical appearance', so let me do away with that misconception. I disagree entirely with equating an emphasis on a muscular female physique with 'physical appearance'. 'Physical appearance' is what we find in the cosmetics industry: something that has no relation to the inner person, something that does not require an effort of character, something that is external and essentially faked. A muscular physique or athletical skills, on the other hand, is something that requires hard work sustained over a long time, will power and self discipline. And it helps building those traits as well as requiring them and expressing them. (I believe this is a main part of the background for the symbolic value that I mentioned above.) So the connection to the inner person is there. To illustrate this point, compare a bodybuilding contest with a 'miss universe' show: the female bodybuilders can and do express themselves, their personality, in their body as well as in their posing routines, while the 'misses', at least in the one or two 'miss universe' shows that I've had the misfortune to watch, are totally anonymous and look very much the same -- even when they're from different cultures or races! (3) Content of submissions The emphasis in Amazons International is to a large extent determined by the individual contributors, so if anyone wants to change focus, the surest way is to submit a posting. I'm glad you permitted me to forward your letter to the entire list, and I'd welcome further comments in this thread, and material about, e.g., the Amazon in modern society, as well as Amazons in fiction, in past cultures etc. - Thomas ********************************************************************* From: gairns@ccrs.emr.ca (Jamie Gairns) Subject: Amazons forever !! ;-) Date: Tue, 2 Jun 92 11:17:52 EDT Thomas, The MUD is a GREAT idea. I don't know anything about them (only what they are supposed to offer). Sounds great though. Comment on your point that muscular women ARE feminine. Kudos. I think that just because some women decide to 'go for it' the same way men do, they are NOT men. Aggressive women are SO REFRESHING. I prefer an 'Amazon' to a mousey woman. I met this woman at a cocktail party last year and her grip/handshake was strong enough to make me wince. She is SO sweet on top of that, but just don't f**k with her or she'll crush you. It was fun ! Men who think muscular/strong/aggressive women are 'men' are not men, in my opinion. Equality RIGHT DOWN THE LINE !!! That is what I say. Jamie Gairns p.s. Bev ... Kick some butt ! >;-) ********************************************************************* From: mikes17@aol.com Date: Thu, 18 Jun 92 02:51:04 EDT Subject: Erotic story: Mike & Amanda In lieu of a bio, I'm submitting an erotic story that someone wrote for me, based on one of my fantasies. She took what I gave her and took it to its extremes. I hope that you all enjoy it. Mike listened to her heart beat, his head pressed against her firm round breasts, his nose nuzzling the top of the cleavage between them. Their bodies moved to the muted sound of the radio, but, even when the music stopped, they continued moving together. He could feel her breath tousling the wavy brown hair cresting above his forehead. His arms were linked around her neck and he pulled her gently down as his lips stretched up to taste hers. Her green eyes smiled and shimmered with just a flash of violet as her 6'9" frame bent to humor him. His gentle kiss was greeted by her hands tightening around his waist. Her long red hair brushed against his cheek as she held him close and thrust her tongue into his mouth. Mike blushed and trembled in her arms. He felt like he should pull away and somehow retake control, but he didn't know how. Her Amazonian stature and strength held him trapped. Mike really didn't mind. Despite her strength, Amanda was the most feminine woman he had ever seen. Her skin was soft and luminous in the room's dim lighting. Another song came on and Mike tried to pull away from her so they could dance again. Amanda held him tightly. They wrestled briefly as he attempted again to pull away, but she vanquished him by lifting him up till his feet left the floor. Still probing his mouth with her tongue, she began dancing once more. Mike could hardly believe it! She was swaying to the music, taking him with her as though he was as light as a doll. He linked his arms around her neck, but relaxed otherwise. Mike liked the way her hips and belly writhed against his manhood as she danced. She seemed to notice the hard bulge, because the more it grew, the more she danced in a way that stimulated it. With a low moan, she began dancing towards the bedroom door. Once more, Mike struggled, thinking somehow that he should be the one doing the seducing. Amanda laughed as he briefly broke from her grasp and began sliding down her body. This time she let him go. She licked her lips with amusement. "Maybe you're not ready yet," she whispered. She tugged on his arm and pulled him over to the sofa. Mike looked at her with mixed suspicion and passion. He wanted her so badly! As he settled beside her, Amanda opened a drawer of the end table and pulled out a bottle of body lotion. "This will help you," she assured him. "Take off your your jacket and shirt." Mike shrugged and then did as she asked. Acting all the while like it was his own idea, he obeyed when she told him to lay on his stomach and pillow his head in her lap. He closed his eyes and breathed in the musky fragrance of her body as he listened to her unscrewing the bottle cap and squirting a little of the liquid into her palm. The sweet odor of the lotion blended with her scent as she rubbed her hands together to warm it. He was so eager for her touch, that it felt like an electric shock when her fingers finally began stroking his shoulders. Her huge, yet delicate hands rubbed and kneaded his back, skillfully working out all the knotted muscles. Mike was so lost in the moment that it seemed both an instant and an eternity. He began kissing her thigh where her skirt had ridden up a little. His tongue stretched out to lap up the pungent, salty flavor of her skin. "Mmmmmm..." she muttered. "Feeling better, aren't you? Ready now?" Mike nodded as he pressed one last kiss against her silky thigh, then stood up. He took her hand, intending to lead her to the bedroom. Instead, she rose and gathered him up off the floor once more. "One more dance," she insisted. He wanted her too badly to protest any more. This time, he let her hold him up and do the dancing for the both of them. After a moment, he found that this left him free to nibble her ear and run his hands over the soft curves of her body. When the song finished, Amanda squeezed him tight and carried him into the bedroom. "There, my sweet," she whispered softly as she lowered him to the bed. "We're both ready now." She smiled, and removed his glasses. His brown eyes couldn't hide his excitement any better than he could hide the bulge in his pants. She caressed his cheek and ran her fingers through his long hair as she sat on the bed beside him. Mike started to struggle again, but she wrestled him flat onto his back on the bed. "Just relax," she crooned. Mike took a deep breath and tried to decide whether he should merely lie back and enjoy her, or fight for dominance. Amanda was pulling off her low-necked gown. Her breasts were gorgeous! Pale and firm, with pink erect nipples jutting towards him. Mike licked his lips without thinking. She smiled again and leaned over him. "Suck!" she instructed him. "It will help you relax." Mike needed no encouragement. His lips already encircled her taut nipple. His tongue teased it till it became even harder. He reached up and fondled her other breast as he began sucking. Amanda began fumbling with his belt. As he sucked harder, she won the battle with the buckle, but she was trembling with an excitement that equalled his own. Amanda pulled away from him long enough to strip off his pants and underwear and remove her own stockings and panties. The sight of her plush triangle of red hair made Mike gasp. He tried to sit up and touch her mound, but Amanda pinned him down. "Slowly, my love," she murmured as she stretched out beside him. Amanda held him almost child-like, her arm under his head so she could press his mouth to her breast again. As he sucked, her free hand wandered over his body. She caressed his shoulders, his chest and belly. Her fingers teased his nipples and traced his ribs. She kissed the top of his head and told him how delicious he was. Then, he felt her fingers tickling his navel, roaming over his wiry pubic hair and ever so gently encircling his cock. Mike whimpered with pleasure as she fondled his genitals. She lightly toyed with his balls then began stroking the underside of his shaft. Boldly, Mike reached down between her legs and stroked her silky hair. When she made no protest, he moved to explore the wet, warm slit between her legs. She moaned appreciatively as he found her clitoris. They stroked and fondled and kissed each other until Mike could stand it no longer. He tried to roll her onto her back, hoping to slide his shaft into her. Amanda resisted, twisting him away until his back was flat against her satin spread. She held his shoulders pinned down as she moved to straddle him. Mike sucked in his breath as he watched her spread her vaginal lips with one hand and carefully lower herself onto his rigid cock. "Oh...yes..." he whimpered as he felt her moist love tunnel engulf his penis. She moved slowly down, her firm buttocks only brushing his legs at first. Amanda moved gently up and down a few times, as if trying to lubricate every inch of him. As her ass cheeks settled against his thighs, he felt her pussy tighten around his cock. Mike reached up and began squeezing her breasts. This clearly excited Amanda. She began moving up and down, her hips grinding down on him. They rode together with wild abandon. There was magic in their passion. His cock seemed to grow inside her, and then to explode with an orgasm so intense that he wondered if he would ever cum again. She leaned forward and embraced him as she spasmed with her own climax. Mike couldn't imagine sex ever being this good again. Perhaps he would never need to cum again. But, he was wrong. Amanda had only just begun teaching him all that she knew about pleasing men. Mike Steiner mikes17@aol.com ********************************************************* * Amazons International: thomasg@ulrik.uio.no * * Thomas Gramstad, editor * ********************************************************* "A Hard Woman is Good to Find" -- The Valkyries