February 4, 2016

• Synergistic Research Quantum Black, Part 1

  I'm of the age where, when we were in high school, we spoke in hushed tones about condoms. And when we had to do more than talk, and actually shop for condoms - GULP! We'd go to drugstores, kind of walk up and down aisles, and eventually gravitate close to the condoms which happened to be out in the open, as opposed to being behind a counter. Most of us were too shy or embarrassed, to walk up to the counter, and ask the pharmacist about or for condoms. Neither did we want to get caught, lingering in front of the condom stocks. I was with female friends, and even though we were not remotely sexually involved with each other, we, paranoid or not, felt judgmental stares. But damn, there could be such a wide variety of choices, so we HAD to stay, observe, read, check out, and discuss.

  Almost all of my friends were virgins, until well into our high school years. Since most of us did not have much money, many started off gingerly and in baby steps. After all, if you were not sexually active, it did not make sense to buy large quantities of condoms. Since everyone was in the exploratory and beginning stages, s/he often started off with a 3-pack of condoms. For those who did become sexually active, and use (or waste) the initial 3-pack of condoms, it was time to move up to the 12-pack boxes.
  
  Just as condoms protect from pregnancy and STDs, fuses protect electronics. Among the myriad fuses I have reviewed, you've already read about Synergistic Research's Quantum Red. Well, while keeping the Red ($90 for 20mm, $100 for 32mm) in production, Synergistic Research have introduced a higher-end Quantum Black.
  
  The Quantum Black's box is the exact same size as that of the Red's. To give you an idea of the box's size, I have shown it among standard-sized Trojan condoms. The Quantum Black retails for $120 (20mm) and $130 (32mm).

  Yes, I'm so old, that my college neighbors and friends were using the Today Sponge, before its production was halted in 1994/95. When used properly, the Sponge's effective rate was around 90%. Yikes; that meant that, in 1 of every 10 uses, the Sponge wouldn't prevent fertilization/pregnancy. Facing that relatively high risk or failure rate, my college peers used the Sponge (a) as backup to other birth control methods, or (b) during times when not at peak fertility. Obviously, the Sponge did not offer any protection against STDs. And some users (and their partners) were allergic to the nonoxynol-9 spermicide. In our dorm meetings, several girls said they liked the Sponge, because it then allowed them to have bareback (i.e., no condom) sex. Thus, they could feel their partner's penis, rather than a condom. That worked both ways; the male partner could then come in contact with, and thus feel, the girl's vagina and fluids.

  One side of the Sponge had a strap, by which you could grasp the product. The other side was dimpled, to fit over your cervix. To use a Sponge, you placed it under running water. Most girls who talked about the Sponge preferred warm water. The water supposedly activated the spermicide. I do know that water made the Sponge all foamy. My neighbor Andrea once told me that, during the first time she tried a Sponge, she was in the shower. After getting wet, the Sponge became so slippery, she dropped it on the dirty shower floor! Thus, she lost that one, had to use another.

  Placing a finger or two under the strap, you inserted the activated Sponge into your vagina. It should fit over your cervix, nestled in place.

  Back then, the Sponge was effective for up to 24 hours. However, you had to leave the Sponge in place for 6 hours after the last act of intercourse. Then, it was okay to remove it. Girls had to keep that waiting period in mind, and plan sexual activities around that.
  
  While the Sponge was a pretty dove-white in color, the Quantum Black is nestled in ugly gray foam. But hey, the gray foam should work more than 90% of the time. Get your mind out of the gutter!

  • 9:43 pm
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