Before Tacky podcast talks to Phil Cody about his shoe brand Cody & Co.
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Author: Editor
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Sexual Healing Technology
I had an online interview with Mystery Vibe’s Soumyadip Rakshit about his Sexual Health Start Up and technology’s role in relationships.
Does the device make a noise?
Yes! It depends on the settings. There are 16 settings from soft to strong.
Is this a dildo or vibrator?
It is a vibrator, additionally, a high tech toy.
How easy are the devices to use?
The Mystery Vive devices are simple devices. User friendly. Anyone who is not tech savvy can use it with ease. The download apps are easy to use. The Crescendo is customizable loaded with many options for specific zones. Both ends can stimulate the prostate. Also, there are devices for stimulating nipples.
Sex Toy
Is “Sex Toy” the right term to use for the devices?
You can use that term. It is for pleasure but also a health and medical device. Our health device or adult tech help improves the quality of life.
Is there gender specific usage?
No. All our devices cross gender lines.
What is the product material?
Outside it is made of body safe silicon. Inside, the material is electronic plastic. They are adaptable and stretch.
Is “sex toy” the right term?
You can call it that. We want people to have pleasure with the devices. It is also a healthcare device.
Is a lubricant needed with a toy?
We always recommend a lube to counter dryness.
Your background is originally not in adult toys.
No. I have a background in defense electronics, hardware research was an easy transition to sexual research.
Why this tech field?
My business partners and I, all of us are married, wanted to develop a product that would keep the marriages alive. Mystery Vibe products help couples reconnect.
When I saw you at IFA Berlin, a bit of a shock.
Mystery was the first adult device at IFA.
Where can you buy Mystery Vibe tech devices?
Online, duty free shops, Amazon and in Selfridges.
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Black Mirror is REAL!
Walking down the Berlin’s most commercial Boulevard on Saturday during the midday. After three months in lockdowns, this is the surreal result. In the old times the side walks would be bustling with shoppers, people hanging out, restaurants teeming. This year, no! As the New Normal grips the world, this once prominent location feels abandoned. Lost in a bygone time, stores are closed, shop locales permanently shuddered. I hope this is not a glimpse of physical retail’s future. Dystopian, a scene from the television show Black Mirror.
Imagine,,, walking on a cold, lonely street with no people, no place to sit. All because you have a shopping appointment at an exact time. Pretty Bleak.
Saturday at 12
Primark Closed
Across from the Apple Store
A third lock down is on the horizon.
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Click and Meet Berlin
Today I got a message from the KaDeWe regarding my Click and Meet experience. How do I out it? Horrible. If I ever wanted to feel what it was like to live in the U.S.S.R circa 1972. I had a taste of it on Saturday at 1:00, standing outside in the cold wet weather waiting in a long line to go shopping in Berlin’s luxury department store.
After three months of closure, German retailers reopened on the March 8th. Finally, a place to go other than a discount supermarket. But, there is a catch. Spontaneous shopping is no more. A relic not fitting in today’s world. As we can read, Merkel and crew are grasping by finger nails to the Covid situation, but had to bow to economic pressure.
Click and Collect means making an online shopping appointment online for one hour. I made three wanting to see what was on sale. As my friend said, “ they will have to pay us to take their unsold merchandise”. Stores have 3 seasons of unsold merchandise. Snazzing myself up a bit for a shopping day. Be careful what you wish for. I had to wear a Ffp2 mask for the 35 minute metro journey to City West.
Appointments
I arrived at my first appointment, the flagship Peek and Cloppenberg store. Normally, the six door grand entrance buzzes with customers rushing in and out. This time you have to check in through one door with security staff all asking if you have an appointment. I did, but the awkward sensation of being asking to shop, strange. Not a lot of people shopping in the store at 11:00. The end result, I bought nothing.
Having a bit of time, I went next door to KaDeWe for my next appointment one hour early. Not a long line, perhaps I could get in early. Not happening! Security enforced the appointment times, 1:00 meant 1:00, no early entrances.
Standing in a long line 
Inside the KaDeWe 
Wet and Cold in front of the KaDeWe
Wondering around a dead Kudamm, no cafes, no random shopping cause I made no appointments. Rain, cold, wet with no where to go for for seventy-two minute wait.
Finally, 13:00. Walking up to the KaDeWe, a long, long, line. I asked two guys, “All of you have an Appointment?” “Yes!” I walked to the back of the line after asking security how long of a wait. The five minute reply was met with scepticism.
I met a woman waiting to enter. Asking her opinion of the situation, the response, “CASTROPHE!”
Finally, people moved towards the door. Heading up the escalators, mens area first floor. Busy, busy, shoes on sale at half price. Tempting. In the end, I left the menswear floor empty handed.
Wondering up the famed food area, really crowded. My standard buys are the cakes and bread from Lenotre. Then, a wonder around to the Champagne area. Nothing on sale in the sparkling wines section.
On To The Next One
After thirty five minutes, enough. The feeling was lost. A cordoned off luxury store, a timetable to shop, not for me, exit, left door.
My Appointment Number 
Not in the mood 
Front Entrance
My last Click and Meet appoint, the most French spot in Berlin, Galeries Lafayette. Arriving early, I managed to get in however I had to take a number. The sales were ok, but the far from crowded store had a sort of Twilight Zone feel. I kept asking myself, “Why Do I need to buy this?”
The food section, my favourite, I bought baguettes, cheese and a brioche, leaving the store through the side door.
An honest opinion of the Click and Meet plan, another knife in brick and mortar retail. The government wants us to shop online.
Categories
3 Tales of Chances
What happens when three by chance meetings turn into moments of self realisation? Japanese director and writer Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy provides clues, but no answers.
The triptych film centres on emotions lost and rediscovered over the years bringing along with it consequences of past decisions. Life is based on decisions.
The second story, Door Wide Open, in my opinion the strongest of the three, concerns a plot of revenge and humans abilities to injure ourselves actively and passively. Actor Kiyohiko Shibukawa’s melancholic performance as an acclaimed university professor stands out. His character’s incapability of escaping from an emotional box was memorable.
Magic, the first story, concerns intertwined relationships and outcomes.
The last of the trio, Once Again, is about reconnecting, longing, then rationalisation.
Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy runs for 121 minutes.
4 Stars out of 5.
Neopa Inc and Fictive LLC.
The Before Tacky contributors discuss Milan Fashion Week in the the 2nd part of the show.
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The Before Tacky podcast discusses the virtual Milan Fashion Week for Fall 21. What did we think? What are the upcoming trends? Who designed the sexiest looks? Click Below for Part 1.
What is our option on Milan Fashion Week 2021. Stay tuned, the fashion panel on Beyond Tacky gives its opinion and breakdown.
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The Shooting Stars 21
This year I rejoined the press junket for the European Film Promotion’s European Shooting Stars Program, virtual of course. The initiative serves as a platform to promote and showcase European Talent on the global stage. Since 1998 many famous faces have passed through the door moving on to becoming recognized performers in the entertainment industry. Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, Michaela Coel and 1917 star George McCay are a few examples of the talents who leaped to fame after their EFP debuts.
This year casting directors and filmmakers chose 10 European talents:
Abrecht Stork from Germany, Fionn O’Shea from Ireland, Natasa Stork from Hungary, Nicolas Maury from France, Alba Baptista from Portugal and Sara Klimoska from North Macedonia and Gustav Lindh from Sweden.
For 2021 I interviewed Martijn Lakemeier from The Netherlands, Seidi Haarla from Finland and Zygimante Elena Jakstaite of Lithuania. Normally there is face to face time but for 2021, we had one on one Zoom conferences. Hopefully, in June the live ceremony will take place in Berlin. I have my fingers crossed.
It is always inspiring to be one of the first to interview a raising media figure. I like saying “I interviewed him or her when they started”.
Congratulations to all the winners. Well deserved. I look forward to seeing them on the screen.
Stay tuned for the one on one interviews on the Chat Cinema Podcasts.
From the International Film Festival Rotterdam an interview with Actor Shogun on his unsympathetic role in Sexual Drive. How did he feel about Ramen Noodles? Click below to find out.