Lisa Lewis writes on www.stuff.co.nz : Wednesday (September 23) week will feature a different type of parade in Auckland City with its own type of temptation: boobs.

I imagine Steve Crow will be dusting off the Harley in his shed and polishing the leather seats with a suitable lubricant for the cheeks of an international porn star flown in for the Auckland Erotica Expo (that is if the bike hasn’t disappeared along with other items following recent news that companies Vixen Direct and Erotica Expo had been put into liquidation).

I have been an active crusader for such an event like Boobs on Bikes and Erotica, but this year I pulled the reins on the horse to talk fine lines in contracts (one year I did make suggestion of riding bareback down Queen Street – but being a strong animal lover, was in fear of the loud bikes alarming the stallions).

The result is that I won’t be appearing at either.

The parade is part of the 10th for Erotica Lifestyles Expo in Auckland. I think back to my first ever Erotica 10 years ago when I was 18 and involved in Brian LeGros’ group of girls “The New Zealand Angels”. Brian LeGros is the current CEO of The White House (the strip club in Auckland, not the official residence of the president of the United States).

Long blonde and curly haired from a perm crave back in the day, I wore the stage name Sapphire and remember my earliest interview that year on television with Paul Holmes about the sex industry and its appeal. I performed a Janet Jackson number with the other five girls in my group; but my individual show had me strip out of a cowgirl outfit and doing a country and western dance (which may explain my current Dixie Chicks and Dolly Parton passion and the fact I later moved to Dallas, Texas).

I had watched the adult stars at Erotica with such fascination.

Ten years down the track I feel comfortable about where my days in the industry took me. I learned a lot, met many people and feel I achieved a great deal. At Auckland’s Erotica in the Star Zone Area, where famous people in the adult industry can be found, and where the public can get free signed photographs, I was the only paid New Zealander.

Also, thanks to me appearing on the Naked News Television show, more people recognised me. After I appeared on TVNZ’s 20 / 20 women approached me on the level of being able to relate to me. I would sign thousands of my photographs which had been printed by Erotica, and perform two or three stage shows a day naked on the main stage. A 45 hour week over 4 days would leave me feeling shattered.

I also gave Erotica complete copyright to hundreds of photographs of me, fully clothed and nude, for them to use in publications.

There comes a point in your career, though, whether you are a sports star, business manager or adult entertainer that you must ensure you are getting what you deserve. Welcome to the world of negotiation – and if you don’t get an offer that will be worth your time and energy, you move on till a better offer appears.

International stars who come to the Erotica events have limousine rides and penthouse suites, while the New Zealand girls are given food vouchers worth less than a McDonald’s combo and are expected to parade for free.

While I was Christchurch, on codeine because of my broken nose, I remember all the ”stars” staying at the Copthorne while I was bunked at a budget motel with no room service or mini bar. After a 12 hour day in stilettos that can be quite a day dampener.

A pageant girl gets the chance to win a sash and a crown and title at ‘Miss ….,’ an exam has reward of a potential internship – but what do girls get from the Boobs on Bikes parade? Is it a freedom of speech movement act or has the campaign become a trumpet march of free advertising and promotion for only one establishment?

In any case, this year’s Boobs on Bikes and Erotica will be minus Lisa Lewis as a feature, but there is a possibility I will be standing on the side of Queen Street this time giving a commentary of the event… fully clothed.