In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s another installment of Let’s Talk About Kink. The guys are again joined by Tony aka Cubziz to discuss their experiences with visiting the Leather Archives and Museum located in Chicago, IL. From rotating exhibits to archiving the leather kink dynamic, listen in as the cubs give their thoughts on the relevance of this piece of queer history. With connections to many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community, find out more about what the LA&M has to offer to everyone; from established kinksters to the fresh-eyed “baby gays”.
Show Topic
Let’s Talk About Kink: The Leather Archives and Museum
We’re joined once again by kinky boy Tony aka Cubziz for a chat about their experiences with visiting and supporting the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago, IL.
In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s another installment of Let’s Talk About Sex. The cubs are joined by the adorkable Tony aka Cubziz to discuss sex toys and internet security. While it seems like an odd topic of sexual discussion, listen in as Tony and the guys break down how safe (and potentially unsafe) our pleasure devices can be. From hacking the system to displaying your location, the cubs give you the lowdown on your toys and grant you insight on how to keep yourself safe when you’re looking to get off.
Show Topic
Lets Talk About Sex: Internet Security
In today’s tech age, how safe are the newest ways we enjoy ourselves alone and with others? Are the ‘internet of things’ sex toys secure? Can they be hacked? Let’s talk about that.
Location Data is rarely considered as a security risk, especially for IoT, but these devices identify themselves.
He avoids talking about specific toy brands. I will use brand names as that is what people are familiar with, but I cannot correlate his research with those specific brands, so don’t use my references to interpret what HE found in his research. (IE I’m translating for a different crowd, so I’m trying to make it easier without dancing around toy names.)
Imagine if suddenly the entire hotel is filled with screams as every device is cranked to max and then the wireless capabilities are disabled (so they cannot be disabled remotely). Imagine the chaos. And it’s all radio frequencies.
Type of service:
Cloud – Internet/Cloud based. May use Wifi to talk directly to device, but usually do through phone. Examples: Hush, Cellmate, Pavlok.
Local – Control is local only, no cloud/internet server involved. Common with “knock off” devices which don’t have the back end devices. Examples: Wireless remote devices with no phone app involvement.
Other – Intelligence in the device. Example: Dog shock collar when a loud noise is heard.
Why is this important?
Answer: How does it fail on a loss of connection? Loss of service entirely? Can it be “seen”? Can it be “replayed”? And is there an emergency OFF?
Cloud services are internet based and as such can be blocked, hacked, go down. Does the device fail open or closed? (Fail open = Powered off. Fail closed = In an ON state.) Imagine if your ISP decided to start blocking adult content and your cock cage is now permanently locked on and you don’t even realize the ISP is blocking that traffic on cellular to your phone. Thankfully this traffic is ALMOST always encrypted as most devices are using HTTPS at this point, but not always.
Bluetooth can be blocked as it sits on the same frequencies as Wifi in the 2.4Ghz realm. (Wifi can go into the 5Ghz range as well though.) Wifi “jammers” are cheap. Bluetooth “jammers” are more difficult as you must be closer. But flooding is still flooding. Bluetooth does have SOME encryption, but it isn’t impossible to break but they do tend to identify themselves. ESPECIALLY if your device can be hacked (laptop, tablet, phone).
Local – MORE difficult, but rarely encrypted as a result. Software defined radios can usually allow replay attacks. (Thing of recording and replaying a command to turn on and go to 11. A replay attack allows that to be rebroadcast and do the same actions again. IE no encryption or tokenization.)
Location Data Issues:
Cellular – Allows devices to have a by-the-moment track of where you are located. Some applications provide Google Maps level details on where they are located. Imagine being in a church and setting off the electrified cock cage. 😛
Wifi – Limited to areas with Wifi, obviously, but how many of us at home disable devices?
Bluetooth – CAN be used to determine location, but more specifically it tells someone that THIS DEVICE is located within 100 ft.
Why is location data an issue? Imagine traveling for work and being sent to a nation which executes gay men. And your cock cage is advertising all over.
Also a danger because, for example, Fitbit used to track GPS routes to “demonstrate” your running path, but also included things like times for passing certain points. Imagine someone wanted to setup an attack (physical) using this. They’d know EXACTLY where you paused for a breath, where you were most tired and started walking, where you lost cellular signal and where it caught back up. And all of this data was public for a while… yet even after it was locked down, many people SHARE this because they want the feedback from others. Convenience will always block security.
Should you be concerned?
ALWAYS figure out what happens if you lose connection. Determine how long this is? IE if the server doesn’t respond for a week, does it auto-unlock? Or will it stay engaged forever?
ALWAYS know how to respond should it go badly. Usually is just taking the device off.
Don’t just assume it is malicious… Microwaves screw up Bluetooth and Wifi for example, so your sub might be in the sling screaming while you went to nuke lunch for the two of you. They’re not screaming because they’re hungry.
ALWAYS have a backup. Example: CODEX for cock cage.
In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s another installment of Let’s Talk About Kink. The guys are again joined by Tony aka Cubziz to discuss gear. In this fourth part, the guys discuss headspace and how it can relate to gear. From placing you in the proper role to play to enhancing your personal play, learn more on what headspace is and where it can come from.
Show Topic
Let’s Talk About Kink: Gear – Part 4
We’re joined one again by kinky boy Tony aka Cubziz for a chat about what is headspace and how ‘gear’ adds we see and experience when it comes to leather/BDSM/kink. Previously we discussed…
General Terminology – see episode COL549
Kinds/Types/Categories – see episode COL549
Common
Social Acceptability
Owning/Usage – see episode COL553
Intent – what it does for you vs others
Storage/Cleaning
Safety
Acquiring Items – see episode COL557
Purchasing/Using
Building an Inventory
Where to Locate
Headspace
Definition – by Merriam Webster: [informal] mind-set, frame of mind
In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s our What’s Going On for the month of February. This month, the guys get snowed in and deal with some wintery fatigue. From binging shows and geeking out over DnD, listen as the cubs bring you up to speed as we continue through the 2nd month of 2021.
What’s Going On?
Jeff: It Was A Cold-Hearted State
Damon: 2nd Verse, Same as the First!
Gary: February Fatigue
Feedback
Facebook Likes:
Gian Carlo Durland
Dominic Joseph
Chris Armo Dmirjian
Patrick Temple
Eric Jenkins
Facebook Comment/Post:
Robert Miller – Happy 13th guys
Joshua R. Pangborn – Happy Anniversary!
Instagram Followers:
I2cngo2002
Mattkyle9
richardmu
YouTube Subscribers:
Ju Glar
YouTube Comment:
COL589: Losing Our ‘Gay’ Space
Eduardo Maciel: Top left corner bear has no audio.
In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s another Let’s Talk About Kink. The guys are again joined by Tony aka Cubziz to discuss gear. In this third part, the cubs break down the purchasing of gear. From thrift stores to online sites, Tony provides some handy information to build your gear collection from sparkling brand new to slightly flavored.
Show Topic
Let’s Talk About Kink: Gear – Part 3
We’re joined one again by kinky boy Tony aka Cubziz for a chat about the ‘gear’ we see and experience when it comes to leather/BDSM/kink. Previously we discussed…
Once you have determined your interest and intent, now you can start purchasing. There are companies that sell full uniforms and there are places that will make custom.
Back to the Leather analogy. I can buy a harness from Wish dot com for 10 bucks, or I can have a custom made harness from an IML vendor for $400.
Again depends on YOUR interest level.
And you will start at one level and move up in time.
In short, until you are happy, you will try to remove the negatives with your gear. (Too loose, too tight, not bulgey enough, not “real” enough…)
The store bought harness is probably not perfectly sized. But if your only use is to wear during the puppy mosh, it may not NEED to be better. But if you want to be inverted and suspended by it… you probably want better quality.
Rubber is a perfect example here. Cheaper rubber tends to be thinner and thus does not last as long BUT… may stretch more. It depends on what you want. And if you plan to wear it once, thinner may be fine. But if it is your new image, you’ll probably want something that will last and can be repaired.
How to build an inventory of items
As mentioned, you WILL “up your game” in time as you will gain/lose weight, find a pair of pants that “feel” better, or just one rough play too many and the old gear shreds.
Recommendation is to ask someone IN that gear category.
(I’ll give some examples from sportsgear.)
For example, someone getting into wrestling gear… RIGHT NOW is the time.
Now is NOT the time for Baseball gear though (as it is in high demand so not a lot of sales.. BUT you can get a lot of fancier designs that may not be available after the season… Again depends on your purpose.)
Now is also not the time for Football gear. Been too many months and so excess stock is very limited.
Consider the availability of gear.
In Iowa, you can walk into any sports gear store and they will carry wrestling singlets for adults.
In Missouri, just one state south, you RARELY will find any singlets at all, youth or adult sizes.
The culture is different. Iowa is a big wrestling state whereas Missouri isn’t.
Likewise, in Minnesota, I can buy hockey gear… In Iowa, not so much.
Your ABILITY to buy gear is another factor.
Police Uniforms are a great example.
You won’t be able to buy a full uniform at once unless you have LOTS of money. It will be piecemeal.
Baseball Uniforms are another example.
This depends on your level of interest. Do you want a full uniform from a particular school/team/player? Then you’ll only focus on THAT particular gear.
Likewise depends on style. If you want an all grey or white baseball uniform, that’s easy to come by. Want a Royal blue pinstripe on white pants and a matching jersey? That’s going to take more time and searching.
If you want custom leather, going to IML or another run is your best bet if you don’t have a local leather shop. But again, if you are willing to settle for not a perfect fit, ordering from Mr. S is perfectly fine or even Amazon. (Mr. S will do some alterations whereas Amazon won’t. Again, various levels of support. Likewise Mr. S can do custom on some items, so they may be able to see you at IML..)
Where one might locate some gear
Depends on the gear.
For work style uniforms, usually from supply stores, goodwills, ebay. Mechanic uniforms for example are typically just Dickies pants and a generic work shirt that you can get from JcPenney (are they still around?)
For a police uniform, you’ll have to hunt for that and probably build your own piece by piece (shirt, then pants, then patches, then accessories…)
For sportsgear, fortunately it is designed typically to have a range of styles; some is easier to obtain than others. (Again, my main thing is sportsgear so I’ll give examples.)
Wrestling Singlets – Earlier mentioned walking into a sports gear store and getting a singlet. Probably will be a generic kind. But if you want a particular style or team, you may be hunting multiple places, like ebay, Facebook marketplace, hell maybe the school’s own website
Mail order. Suplay for wrestling. Baseball Express for baseball attire. Goaliemonkey for hockey. Etc. But also Police uniforms can be via mail order. After all, policemen have to buy it from somewhere too.
Garage sales/Swap meets/Charity yard sales at the bar/event.
Some of us gearheads have WAY too much and are more than happy to GIVE it to someone who shows a genuine interest. (Or sell it, or sell it for charity… Depends on how much space we don’t have left…)
Likewise, some of us tend to hop on sales and buy WAY too much. For example, I picked up some Under Armour baseball pants for $0.50 recently, so I bought six pair. Do I need six pair? Of course not, but I know I’ll give some away to friends…
So ask your gearheads as they may have spares and it’s probably better quality than what you’d find on your first search.
Above all, set a budget before buying. It is VERY easy to chase the rabbit hole and spend $2,000 on a football uniform worn by a particular player which may not even fit you…
However, just because one can’t wear it doesn’t mean it isn’t fetish attire. Sniffing, holding, putting someone ELSE in the gear, are all possible.
Above all, decide what you want and enjoy it.
One benefit of FULL uniforms can be that you can play rougher, roleplay better, etc.
Sex in a full football uniform can be FAR rougher than you could otherwise do.
But wrestling in a full football uniform is quite painful… (and you will lose.)
And this doesn’t even include topics like bondage in gear or forced roleplay (IE hypno/captured play).
Above all, no one path will work for everyone. But go with your desires. Focus on what YOU enjoy and go from there, even if it is just enjoying how it makes someone ELSE act.
In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s another installment of Let’s Talk About Kink. The guys are again joined by Tony aka Cubziz to discuss their experiences with visiting the Leather Archives and Museum located in Chicago, IL. From rotating exhibits to archiving the leather kink dynamic, listen in as the cubs give their thoughts on the relevance of this piece of queer history. With connections to many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community, find out more about what the LA&M has to offer to everyone; from established kinksters to the fresh-eyed “baby gays”.
