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On the lifestyles front, Rich's second book is titled "UnLearn Vanilla Marriage (in editing), and it contradicts the warmed over platitudes written by traditional "relationship experts". "I offer no apologies for who we are and what we do. These sanctimonious shitdicks in the self-help business make the claim that monogamy is the singular path to thrive in a marriage. I beg to differ. The most extraordinary marriages I have ever seen are in this lifestyle, and I think its about time that someone has the balls to say it." says Woods, who travels the country giving his relationship seminar by the same name as his new book. He has appeared at such events as "The Exotic Erotic Ball" in San Francisco, "Swingfest" in Hollywood Fla., "Lifestyles West" in Las Vegas and "Exxotica NY". "My background is in construction in NYC, and I never pretend to be anything different. That makes me adept at two things. Spotting people who are full of shit, and being able to tell those very same people how to go fuck themselves a thousand different ways."
It would seem that this blue-collar guy has found an unlikely lifestyle friendly venue, however Jane's story is even more unlikely... and unique.
"When I was offered the position as President of the company by the board of directors, there was no doubt that our lifestyle was one of the reasons why" commented Jane, who runs CMSC Spirits www.csmcspirits.com, a liquor company in New Jersey. With a background on Wall Street and an extensive resume' as an entrepreneur, it was her social interactions and the lifestyle she leads that set her apart from the other potential candidates. "Spirits is an exciting, sexy business, and your associations outside of the office are as important as the numbers you crunch sitting behind your desk."
Indeed it is, as Jane has been able to parlay her business experience and her social interactions into unprecedented success for the company. "You need to get out and meet people, and engage them both a business and a social level. The Spirits business has dynamics that encourage libertine lifestyles," she says. Their latest product, "Love Potion #9®" is no doubt inspired by such a perspective. "It's just such an erotic taste, and we have several more formulas that will stimulate similar reactions. I absolutely love being able to legitimize sensuality like this. It's so liberating to be able to be the same person at work as you are at home."
But when it comes right down to it, it's all about business. "Last week I was in a meeting with a potential investor when we mentioned one of the adult expositions we were sponsoring. Without any prompting he began asking about Swinging, and volunteered that he and his wife are curious. But regardless of how we connected personally, the accounting still had to be a sound one before he would invest any capitol. When people make investments, it doesn't take them long to get past the boobs, which is why I need to be able to perform competently on both levels."
However both Jane and Rich will tell you that their relationship all started as a matter of happenstance a little over 13 years ago... and if you knew them before they met, it would be difficult to picture where they have wound up. Just as both were emerging from oppressive Vanilla relationships, they met commuting to work at what could only be described as an inopportune emotional time.
"I was just getting out of a horrid, loveless marriage that lasted for the longest 346 years of my life," commented Rich. "I see how people stay in these types of relationships and it amazes me. When I think that had my ex and I not made the mutually beneficial decision to part ways, I would have never met my lover, consort, best friend and wife. I wake up every day and look at her not being able to wait for her to open her eyes so I can hear the first thing that she says. Fortunately for me, the girl of my dreams has a "thing" for crass, boorish oafs with a penchant for hair gel and a 30" inseam."
“ I love how honest and constructive our marriage is... This is the way it's supposed to be.”
"I would wait all over for him again" according to Jane. "I never knew that guys like this existed. Anyone I had ever dated, and my ex of 11 years in particular were always so possessive. I never felt like I could express my feelings. I love how honest and constructive our marriage is. After 13 years we are still madly in love. This is the way it's supposed to be."
"We discovered this lifestyle together in our 30's, and now that we are in our mid 40's we are less inclined to dress up as Pirates on a silly theme night. We definitely do things at a different pace than we used to." Rich says, as Jane adds" Which is fine with us, because now we do everything on our own terms" Both Rich and Jane credit the support of the other for their success, and they have each made overtures that had they remained in their prior "Vanilla" relationships, neither would have been accorded the encouragement to pursue their dreams ... And to think that according to Dr. Phil, this is the type of relationship that he has never seen work.
This year, Rich will be attending the Exotic Erotic Ball, as well as conducting two seminars at the Expo. 
Photos by GlennTuttle.com
