Bound & Blissed

Bumpy Reentry

2009-10-02T14:47:00.002-07:00

I went to San Francisco last weekend for the Folsom Street Fair, which was big huge fun. It was right on the heels of a long weekend in Vancouver B.C. with my best girlfriends, and my mother was in town for the few intervening days. So I had a fabulous time, but now I'm working hard to catch up with my day job and the rest of my life, and coping with a heavy case of top/bottom/travel drop (otherwise known as a "had-too-much-fun hangover").

We've also officially reached the end of Birthday Month, which was a riot of celebration. My friends and family are awfully good to me.

In the meantime, while I get my brains together enough to write something cohesive, check out Matisse's photos from the street fair.

Or, consider taking a workshop!

Sophia and Russell are teaching Head Play Saturday October 5th. (That is, BDSM involving the head, neck and face, not mental play.)

Max is teaching Fundamentals of Rope Bondage this Sunday 10/6, and a Two-Day Bondage Intensive on November 14-15. We plan to be at the Bondage party this Sunday after the workshop, so come say hi and tie people up!

Birthday Resolutions

2009-09-07T16:25:00.002-07:00

Yep, it's that time of the year again. Thanks and hugs to all the wonderful people who have called, emailed, texted, and posted shout-outs today. It's made me feel warm and special right down to my toes. I am profoundly grateful to have so many wonderful people in my life.

I find my birthday a better season for reinvention and renewal than the arbitrary January 1st. So, by my next birthday I would like to achieve the following (or something better!):

1. Make my apartment a home. Even after almost a year, parts of the space feel very temporary, and I don't like to spend time there. That means finishing unpacking, getting the right furniture for the space, getting rid of the stuff that doesn't work, and hanging my art, among other things.

2. Continue with aerials classes, and develop a training and conditioning routine (including making training dates with the several friends who have already offered) - and stick to it.

3. Become proficient with my brand new single-tail whip. It might take a whole year to get good enough to use it on a person, and I am determined to add it to my repertoire.

4. Blog more here. My life has become even more insanely busy, but I often think of things I'd like to write about, or ideas I'd like to explore through writing. Besides, several friends have been prodding me to post more often. So I suppose my resolution is to get more of those words onto the virtual page.

5. And on a related note, keep a tighter rein on my scheduling, and make sure to schedule more recharge time for myself. I'd like to reach a point where I don't feel frantically busy and drained all the time.

And now, I'm off to celebrate with my nearest and dearest!

Slippery smooth

2009-05-07T16:42:00.002-07:00

I'm about to embark upon a night of sadistic debauchery, but first, I thought this was worth mentioning: I got my first bikini wax last night!

There were definitely strong sensations involved - this is a very sensitive area, after all - but it was not as excruciating as I expected. My lovely esthetician neglected to apply numbing agent beforehand, so I got the full sensory experience. She claims not to be a sadist herself, but she is certainly a masochist, so perhaps she was just trying to share the wealth. She did a fantastic and professional job.

Now I am smooth, smooth, smooth, save for a token tuft on my mound (Max's request, as he likes to tug on it). I don't really mind shaving, but I could get used to this kind of long-lasting smoothness. Happily, a few other people will also get to appreciate the results in the next couple of days. And on that note, my evening begins!

Happy May Day!

2009-05-01T08:43:00.003-07:00

This is my very favorite day of the year. In celebration, here are my top 3 songs about May Day (which reveal my bizarrely eclectic musical tastes). Pretend I have just rung your doorbell and run away, leaving a basket of flowers on the doorstep.

(Language on this one NSFW. Download the mP3 here.)

This video is of questionable quality - although probably safe for work. Here's higher-quality audio of the song.

Mark Yu - Coming Soon!

2009-04-26T22:38:00.002-07:00

Don't forget, Mark Yu will be in town next weekend presenting several wonderful workshops, as well as sharing an Intimate Dinner with a small group on Thursday. He has an incredible breadth of knowledge about rope bondage, SM play, healing arts, and bodywork, and this is a unique opportunity to ask the detailed questions he won't have time to answer during his workshops. If you're curious about Mark and the work he does, either professionally or in the dungeon, I highly recommend this event. Pre-registration is required and closes Tuesday, so get registered ASAP!

(Also, wow! This is my 100th post!)

Not tonight, I have a headache

2009-04-14T15:03:00.002-07:00

I realized yesterday that I have, for the past couple of weeks, been too tired to masturbate. It actually wouldn't take that much effort - due to the backlog (and some other influences) I have been walking around in a perpetual state of arousal, such that I have been tempted to duck into my office bathroom for a quickie during the day. But by the time I'm at home and settled in, it has seemed like a much better idea to just roll over and fall asleep.

So, official new rule: Too tired to masturbate is too tired, and signals that it's time to re-prioritize.

Luckily I just completed my Huge Work Project, so I will be returning to my usual level of crazy busy instead of frantic. The other draws on my time have been much more interesting. The Seattle Fetish & Fantasy Festival turned out to be big fun. I assisted Max with 8 hours of nearly nonstop education, which included some physically rigorous rope demos, and after dinner, we did another intense suspension demonstration. By the time all that was finished, I was pretty fried, and not really capable of anything more exciting than a soak in the hot tub. We met a bunch of friendly folks (and tied some of them up), and despite a little culture-clash, I look forward to returning to New Horizons sometime with a less demanding schedule. I'm not sure swinging is really my thing, but hey, I'm willing to give it a chance and see. I hear the event producer is planning a similar event in October, so if you missed this one, keep an eye out for it. New Horizons is an amazing facility - just getting to spend some time there might be worth the cost of admission.

There are other exciting things happening in my life, but you'll have to wait to hear about them. Right now I'm getting caught up on things, and indulging in some well-deserved post-project pampering.

Quick Event Notice

2009-04-05T10:00:00.003-07:00

I have been too freakin' busy to blog, but here are some event announcements.

It's last-minute, but today is Max's Fundamentals of Rope Bondage workshop at CSPC. A great class for beginners or to brush up your technique!

Early registration for the Two-Day Intensive ends today, and there are still a few seats open. If you were thinking of registering, this is the last day of early-bird pricing, although you can still register until April 20th if space allows. (ETA: This event is now sold out!)

Next weekend I will be assisting Max at the Seattle Fetish and Fantasy Festival at New Horizons. He'll be teaching three rope workshops, plus one bondage exhibition, on Saturday, and we'll be at the evening party that night. This will be a new experience for me, as I have never been to a swing club/event before. Check it out!

Demanding Footwear

2009-03-26T17:08:00.003-08:00

I'm scurrying around frantically, getting ready to leave for Kinkfest in a matter of moments. Last night found me throwing lingerie all over the room, and shimmying in and out of a number of skimpy outfits, trying to decide what to pack. One ensemble, in which I'll be topping on Friday night, makes me look like the Mistress of Black Shiny. I have never felt so much like a stereotypical fem-domme, all tall patent boots and painted-on PVC dress. Normally I tend more toward the softer side of sadism - lingerie sets, flowing feminine frocks, matte heels, or as often as not, bare feet. But Armani was kind enough to present me with the oh-so-fabulous boots I was lusting after, and these boots are demanding. They demand submission, they demand attention - and they demand a dress with the same attitude.

So, off I go to be demanding - at least, for one night. The rest of the time I expect to be submitting to the demands of my darling top. I wouldn't put it past Max to require service from me while I'm wearing the boots, for that matter, so the boots will just have to follow my lead and learn to switch gracefully.

A Study in Contrasts

2009-03-19T21:29:00.001-08:00

I'm back from my whirlwind tour of distant lands. I had a good time in all locations, though in completely different ways. I had meant to blog along the way, but ended up with a crammed schedule. My hometown trip was busy and intense, as I had some "coming out" discussions and reconnected with old friends and lovers. It was divine to take a mini-vacation upon my return, especially as I was indulged beyond belief by my companion, for which I am profoundly grateful. Unfortunately, now I'm paying for my days of fun, as my day job had an upswing in business while I was gone, and I am swamped with work, and will be for the next month.

A week ago I was in the boondocks visiting with my parents and catching up with old friends. A day ago I was sitting in a gorgeous hotel being treated like a queen and doing things that would make the Marquis de Sade blush. Today I spent 12 hours at my desk, crunching data and wading through resumes. Talk about a study in contrasts. As different as those chapters are, however, they are all examples of me doing what I do best. I have a very eclectic range of talents, which this week included: healing via touch and conversation, building intimacy, sharing food, enhancing connections, being incredibly sadistic, massaging data and spreadsheets, and driving in snow. (Regarding the last, my drive back to Seattle on Sunday ended up taking 9 hours instead of 6, the last 3 with chains. I felt very bad-ass doing that all by myself.)

Big thanks to all the people I saw in my hometown for a lovely (if tiring) visit, and welcome to a few new blog readers! I'm incredibly thankful that I could share so much of myself with you, and be received so lovingly.

Due to all the upcoming work, I'm officially abandoning the idea of going to Norwescon. It will take place during the penultimate week of my project, and I just don't see myself having the time or energy. Max and I also decided to skip Shibaricon this year - sorry, out-of-town rope friends! You'll just have to come visit us in Seattle!

A Counterpoint

2009-03-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

Most of this week has been devoted to running around like a crazy person. I’m leaving tomorrow to visit family for a few days, and will be off the radar in Seattle for another couple of days as soon as I return. In the meantime, there is a hell of a lot to do to prepare for my absence. I am the sort of person who, when packing, suddenly finds it vitally important to get my bathroom and kitchen spotlessly clean. Even without that kind of diversion, I have a lot of moving parts in my life, and they all need to be ready to do without me for a short time.

Before I leap back into the fray, however, I want to do a little follow-up to my retail extravaganza from last week. Obviously I’ve had shopping on the brain lately. That theme was big fun to write about and to share with all of you. Luckily the window-shopping is at least half the fun, because I’m sure not buying everything I featured.

This recession is affecting just about everybody, and I am not immune to it. I know a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. I am incredibly fortunate to be relatively untouched. I have steady sources of income, a nice place to live, everything I need and many of the things I want. I have supportive family and friends, who not only indulge me in my material desires from time to time, but would take good care of me if I lost my job. Nevertheless, I am well aware that this could all change overnight in this economic climate. I am being much more careful with my pennies, questioning luxuries, putting more in savings, and investing for the future.

So as a counterpoint to all the retail lust, let’s take a break from our busy day, and focus for a moment on the priceless experiences that give meaning to the material.

The breath of a lover on my skin, the scent of longing and lust and fulfillment, kissing, touching, sliding across one another

Moonlight across my bed, the blue light of dark-o’clock when I’ve stayed up with you all night, the wonderment of connection

Love letters from years ago, the words that reignite the intensity and remind me of the beauty shared

Your moans of pain and pleasure as I dig my fingers into your skin and squeeze

Rope gliding across my skin, cinching tight, binding and freeing me, commanding my body in words it can’t ignore, releasing me from gravity for a few moments

Hands pulling my hair, dragging me to my knees, slapping my face, cradling my head, telling me in a thousand ways that I am cherished

Crass Materialism Week: Kinky Toys Edition

2009-03-06T17:51:00.003-08:00

It's Crass Materialism Week here in LittleRopeWorld, where I lust after things I want, celebrate those I've already splurged on, and tempt the weak-willed to follow me into retail gluttony.

For our final day of Crass Materialism, before I get all this retail madness out of my system and write about something else, it's all about the kinky toys. I am still a baby kinkster in many ways, but have built a nice little collection of toppy toys. Not complete, never complete, but enough to satisfy most of my current desires.

This Christmas I received as a gift a toy I never thought I would want: a stun gun. I am terrified of them as a bottom: they are one of the few soft limits I have with Max. Little did I know how much fun I would have zapping other people! Besides, the one Matisse gave me is so tiny and adorable, it's hard not to love it. It's about 4 inches long, a lovely pearly mauve color, and packs a 350,000 volt punch.

Of course, now I'm on the prowl for other cute little stun guns to add to my collection. They come in many shades of purple! I actually found a purple one online that boasts 2 million volts. That's probably substantially more effective against a genuine assailant, but seems a little excessive for applying to testicles or any other part of someone I like. I'll stick to under 600K, thanks.

Another recent purple acquisition was some delicious rope, a skein of Twisted Monk's Midori/AIDS Lifecycle fundraiser color "Hope". I've already mentioned how much I love the Bavarian Blonde. This is the same gorgeous stuff, but dyed a deep dark purple. I haven't tied anyone up with it yet, because I've been too busy rolling around in it (NSFW). Big thanks to Monk and his crew for supplying me with my latest hemp fix.

So what else is on my list for enhancing my reputation as a mean top? A single-tail whip, for which I'm hoping to shop at Kinkfest. Max has promised to give me some lessons as soon as I get my own whip to practice with. I'll probably get a 3 or 4 foot signal whip, which is about the longest you can reasonably swing in most indoor spaces.

I'd also like to get an ErosTek 312 someday, although that is a hefty investment at around $500, especially if I want any attachments to go with it. It's just such a neat device, and so well designed for what we do, unlike most electrical toys. What other gadget has a setting called "Orgasm"? That one I'd even play with at home by myself.

I have two sets of sounds already, of which I am inordinately fond, but there's another set I have my eye on: the Rosebuds. A traditional sound is a straight or curved cylinder, sometimes with a slightly different diameter on each end. These have a small (or not so small) oval-shaped ball on the end, which tapers to a much thinner shaft. The guys at Kinky Medical assure me that there are all kinds of neat things you can do with these, and I'm eager to explore the potential on some equally eager gentlemen.

All fancy equipment aside, I can get a lot of mileage out of a length of rope, my bare hands, and maybe a few needles. And in fact, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to go do that...

Common Sense Warning: All these items can be dangerous. Know what you're doing before playing with them, and be aware of the risks.

Crass Materialism Week: Home Office Edition

2009-03-05T14:45:00.003-08:00

It's Crass Materialism Week here in LittleRopeWorld, where I lust after things I want, celebrate those I've already splurged on, and tempt the weak-willed to follow me into retail gluttony.

Okay, this post is going to be all about computers and office things. Most people don't think that's very sexy, although I can think of a few (you know who you are). However, I submit that my home office can be a sexy subject, because most of my computer time is spent:

1) corresponding and networking with kinky friends
2) writing blog posts
3) viewing and storing porn (sometimes of myself)
4) doing paid work that supports all of the above habits

Therefore, my office technology is very important to me!

I finally bought a desk for my apartment a couple of weeks ago. I agonized over this purchase, because I wanted it to be a perfect desk (such a thing does not exist, any more than a perfect purse), and I didn't really want to spend the money. But the absence of it was a logjam in my unpacking process, and I was getting pretty tired of the living room looking like a storage unit. So I finally bit the bullet and chose one, fit it into my very compact space, and unpacked all the office supplies into their new home.

Little did I know this simple purchase would inspire a retail frenzy (or at least a potential frenzy).

My enormous CRT monitor takes up the whole depth and much of the width of the desk, it's incredibly awkward (and physiologically problematic) to use my laptop there without a port replicator or docking station, and my desktop CPU doesn't fit in the cabinet designed for it. So, the shopping list begins: flat-screen LCD monitor, docking station. This draws my attention to the fact that I really need a better backup solution, like an external hard drive. Add that to the list. Oh yeah, I should actually start paying for wireless instead of pirating it, because the desktop won't pick up that weak signal. And of course, now it's time to face the fact that I'm overdue for a computer upgrade, because neither of my machines has enough hard drive space for my needs, and one is decidedly cranky.

Both machines were gifts, and both were lifesavers when I received them. The gift of the desktop also included a bunch of hours of data recovery and transplanting my old drive into a new box. Technically the price of this was meant to be me dancing around wearing nothing but Cool Whip, but I never paid up, so let's call it free and incredibly generous. (Thanks, M!) It has done the job, but it has some chronic hardware issues and the noisiest fan on earth. The laptop arrived in my life just as the finicky desktop was starting to drive me completely nuts, and saved my bacon during my move. (Thanks, H!) I hadn't even started up the desktop since October.

After noodling around with a number of options, I think I'm resigned to shopping for a new laptop, and ditching the desktop entirely in favor of a semi-permanent docking setup for working at home. I love my Thinkpad, and I'm looking at getting another one, unless I find something I like better. They offer big hard drives as an add-on, big enough that I can have all my data in one place with room to grow. I'm still debating other features to figure out just how much machine I need.

So my relatively modest desk purchase suddenly spiraled into a pretty hefty shopping list. Each piece on its own isn't too bad, but the bottom line is a little daunting. Some of that can wait indefinitely (I can live with a big-ass monitor), but now that I have my eye on a new laptop I'm eager to squeeze it into my budget before something catastrophic makes it a necessity. Somehow this doesn't thrill me as much as shopping for naughty underwear.

Of course, in the process of all the web research, I started looking at the iPhone and the Android G2. A new phone is definitely at the bottom of the priority list, but still, it can't hurt to look...

Crass Materialism Week: Naughty Underwear Edition

2009-03-04T16:15:00.003-08:00

It's Crass Materialism Week here in LittleRopeWorld, where I lust after things I want, celebrate those I've already splurged on, and tempt the weak-willed to follow me into retail gluttony.

I may have a panties problem. I like to think of it as a feature, but the quantitative evidence may be against me on this one. It seems I can never go shopping without returning with at least a pair or two. Underwear shopping is one of my favorite ways of pampering myself (and receiving underwear as a gift is just as nice). I used to live near a fetish fashion boutique, and every time I felt a bit sad, I would walk over and paw through their bargain bin for pick-me-up panties.

I went on a big lingerie binge a few weeks ago, and my delicates drawer is starting to overflow. That's not even counting all the bras, top and bottom sets, corsets, and stockings! I had to dump out the whole drawer this morning to find the pair I was looking for. You may notice that, despite a wide variety of colors, the collection leans noticeably to the purple.

It might be time for a little culling. But the way I see it, a girl can never have too many pairs of panties. A pair or ten for any occasion seems perfectly reasonable. Briefs, thongs, boy shorts, lacy, sheer, seamless, microfiber, cutesy, sexy, barely there - I love them all, and my collection is broad (although I prefer if that doesn't describe the measurement). Even with my overabundance of underthings, I'm always on the lookout for a fun new style or yet another perfect black pair.

I took a quick self-portrait this morning of my current favorite pair. It turned out surprisingly artsy (and probably PG-13). Max likes to say my butt is in jail when I wear these, thanks to the vertical stripes. I didn't buy the matching bra, but I like the bottoms so much, I'm thinking I should complete the set.

And now I want to talk about shoes. I know yesterday's post was all about shoes, but panties and shoes are two areas in which I lose all restraint. Luckily that constitutes a whole outfit in most of the places I hang out!

I got a darling pair of satin sandals recently, and have been wearing them at every opportunity. Rather like the panties, this girl can never have too many pairs of black strappy sandals.

Sometimes I find a pair I can't quite see myself wearing, but wow, what a striking look. They just screamed "kinky" at me when I saw them. Don't they remind you of a cock cage? They're even called "Chastity"!. I seem to have a little shwing for shoes featuring zippers - see the zipper up the back of these?

Crass Materialism Week: Kinky Boots Edition

2009-03-03T12:53:00.003-08:00

It's Crass Materialism Week here in LittleRopeWorld, where I lust after things I want, celebrate those I've already splurged on, and tempt the weak-willed to follow me into retail gluttony.

Today we venture into serious lust. I never thought I was much of a shoe person, and I wouldn't consider it a fetish of mine, but there sure are a lot of shoes and boots out there that make me drool on my keyboard. My current obsession is knee-high high-heeled black leather boots. Can you believe I don't own a single pair? That seems like a serious lapse in a kinky leather-loving femme.

I've been window shopping across the spectrum, from the most basic to the most outlandish.

This pair from is on the basic end: sexy but simple, comfortable enough to wear all whole day - and unfortunately, unavailable in my size. A friend introduced me to this line, the lovechild of Cole Haan and Nike Air.

This pair is pretty much the opposite end of the spectrum: frivolous, evocative, more sandals than boots, the kind of shoe you build your whole outfit around, with heels high enough to make walking prohibitive. And ooh, they're hot.

Veering back into the reasonably wearable, we have the slightly old-fashioned lace-ups, perfect for a licentious librarian.

This pair is much more dramatic, and makes me feel toppy just looking at them. These boots are not made for walking. They are made for stepping on faces. They are made to be licked.

I fell madly in love with this last pair as soon as I saw them. The infatuation was short-lived, ending when I realized they're not quite as cool as they look: they have a concealed side zipper, and the ziparound is only for ornamentation. The concept is still amazing but maybe I'll hold out for a boot that really does zip all the way around.

Crass Materialism Week: Convention Edition

2009-03-02T10:03:00.003-08:00

It's Crass Materialism Week here in LittleRopeWorld, where I lust after things I want, celebrate those I've already splurged on, and tempt the weak-willed to follow me into retail gluttony.

It's officially convention planning season around here, and while I know conventions do run year-round all over the country, somehow the ones I go to seem to pile up in spring. Technically this barely falls under materialism, but lordy, do I seem to spend a lot of money when I go to these things.

Kinkfest: Definitely going, already registered and have my hotel room reserved. And it's a lucky thing I do, because the convention is sold out. Sorry, everyone else! This is a fun con because 1) it's within driving distance, so I can overpack shamelessly 2) it's a largely hometown crowd, with a big Seattle contingent and a bunch of friends and acquaintances attending from around the Northwest and 3) I really like the arrangement of the vendor area, which has a bunch of social space. I tend to spend a lot of time there, people-watching, chatting with friends, watching the bootblack, and eying merchandise that I might just need to have after all. I'm also hoping to look at single-tail whips this year, in pursuit of learning to use one.

Shibaricon: This one is still undecided. I went last year and enjoyed myself, but after totaling up the expenses, this is a pricey event. It's in Chicago, so there's airfare, and it's a 4-day event, which means extra fun - and extra hotel nights/meals/expenses. There's also the matter of the other group hosted in the hotel that weekend, which was not a major issue last year, but always has the potential to become unpleasant. If Max goes, I will seriously considering going with him, regardless of the cost. If you're primarily a rope lover, and are looking for a national con to attend, I highly recommend it. You'll meet very neat people from all over the world, learn plenty from a wide range of presenters, and see all the rope bondage you could wish for in the dungeon.

Norwescon: Also undecided. Not a kinky convention at all, although there is plenty of crossover between the BDSM/poly and sci-fi/fantasy folks. In fact, Norwescon always features several adult lifestyle panels, usually led by friends of mine. I went once, in 2006, and had a great time. It's held near Sea-Tac Airport, so I could theoretically drive home at night, which would save me the cost of a hotel room (although I've never been to a con where I actually wanted to leave at night, or get up in the morning, dress up, and drive back). I don't spend a ton of time with most of my geek friends, but it would be fun to spend a weekend fixing that and indulging in some geekery of my own. Downsides: it's sandwiched between Kinkfest and the Two-Day Intensive, and while there's a weekend on each side, that's still a lot of time to commit to events that will leave me very tired. The con hotel block is sold out, so if I did decide to stay I'd be paying a premium or staying down the street - I did the latter last time, and while it worked okay, I don't relish the idea of walking down that street wearing what I wore last time. On that subject, I would feel compelled to create at least a couple of costumes, which is not so much a thing for kinky cons. Much of the programming I want to see is scheduled for Friday evening, and I unthinkingly bought tickets for music show in Seattle the same night, which I'm pretty excited to see. And finally, I don't think I could drag Max anywhere near such an event, so I'd be on my own, which means a) no Max (sad) and b) more opportunities to hang out and flirt with other people (happy).

If anyone wants to try to talk me into the latter two, I'm always open to persuasion...

I couldn't make this stuff up

2009-02-28T13:23:00.005-08:00

Max and I were sitting around together at our computers a couple of nights ago...

Me: Hey, that graphic looks like some work by FormerLover*! But he did it better. I wonder if I can find his website?

(I web-surf and mutter to myself as I find the site. Max is focused on other things, only barely listening.)

Me: Yeah, see? Much better work. Hey, there's a picture of me! Wow, that was a long time ago. I wonder what he's up to?

Max: Wait, so who is this person again?

Me: Oh, FormerLover, from college! I think he lives in Portland now, digs indie music, used to make crazy PVC accessories...Oh yeah, and he's into ObscureHobby**.

Max: Really? I read an article in the paper this week about an ObscureHobby competition in Seattle. You should look it up.

(I surf around and find the article.)

Me: Sir? That's a picture of FormerLover at the top of the article.

Max: You're kidding.

Me: Nope. His hair was that crazy when I was fucking him, too.

* Details have been changed to protect the innocent - or at least, to obscure the identity of the guilty.

** This hobby is pretty obscure, which is why I'm not revealing it, but there are actually other people who do it, it's not like he's the only one.

Upcoming Events

2009-02-27T17:57:00.001-08:00

Remember, this Sunday, March 1st is another of Max's fabulous Bondage Workshops. This month's topic is Mean Rope: Rope Skills for Sadists and Masochists. This is a brand new workshop - even I don't know what will be presented, although I bet some of the techniques will look awfully familiar, since Max is pretty mean when he plays with me. Expect lots of sexy and sadistic demos - which will include yours truly in the nude, as well as opportunities for other brave demo bottoms - and a bit of hands-on practice. If you're a CSPC member, we hope to see you at the Bondage is the Point party in the evening.

(And looking forward to May, Mark Yu will be in town to teach a few workshops - check out Max's website for all the info.)

*****

Monday is Ladies' Night at the Little Red Day Spa - watch Sophia's Spa blog for details and updates. I'll be there, soaking the workshop and party out of my sore bod.

****

And here's an exciting announcement: Max's next Two-Day Bondage Intensive in Seattle will be April 25-26, and registration will open in a few days. (ETA: Registration is open! Jump to it!)

In 13 hours of focused instruction and practice, Max takes you from the most basic knots to full rope suspension. It's suitable for all genders, orientations, and skill levels - no experience required. If you've ever wanted to learn rope bondage from one of the best riggers in the country, this is your chance. In two jam-packed days, this workshop goes from square knots to suspension. I took this workshop in Seattle in April 2006 as a complete novice (and an avowed bottom), and by the end of the weekend I felt confident about planning and executing a good rope scene as a top.

2009-02-26T10:35:00.002-08:00

I finally got around to joining Fetlife last week. It's been called the Facebook for kinksters, and from what I've seen of both sites, that's fairly accurate. It's definitely more geared to social networking than to dating, which is refreshing in a kinky website, although I'm sure you can find a date there too. Most of my kinky friends joined months ago, but I've been dragging my feet. It's been amusing so far, but I'm not sure how much time I'll spend there.

For starters, I definitely won't be blogging there - that's what this space is for, and I don't post very often as it is. I'm also using Fetlife exclusively to connect with people I already know in real life, people I consider friends - and I already have online connections with most of them, via blogs or other social networking sites. (That said, if we're friends, you can find me there as littleropegirl. If we're not friends, don't be offended if I don't add you.) Plus, it seems like yet another marketplace for online drama, which just doesn't do it for me.

Finally, and perhaps more broadly, how much time do I want to spend on "social media", and how much do I really need to know about my friends, and they about me? Is that kind of constant update actually enhancing my life and my experience of these people, or filling my already-crowded head with fluff and compromising my privacy? Here's an article on that very subject, ambient awareness. The author seems to feel guardedly positive about this particular kind of online culture. Call me a stick in the mud - trust me, I'm starting to feel cranky about the damn young people and their newfangled technology - but I'm not crazy about these developments. I've chosen not to Twitter and rarely read other people's Twits, I don't have a Facebook account, and I don't do any instant messaging. This sort of thing probably would have thrilled me in college, when I did a lot more chatting and so forth, but at this point, reading about people's sandwiches makes me yawn.

Nevertheless, there I am on Fetlife. Who knows, maybe it will soon feel indispensable, just like browser tabs and refreshing the Slog every 3 minutes.

And in an unrelated technology note, I've heard from an iPhone user that this color scheme is nigh unreadable on the iPhone screen. Are others experiencing that or similar problems? Are there enough of you to sacrifice my beautiful purple background?

2009-02-12T10:59:00.003-08:00

I've sure been sleeping a lot lately. I'm not sick anymore, but I'm still sleeping up to 18 hours a day when I have the opportunity. Last night I got home from work at 6 PM, scarfed some dinner, and slept through to 8 AM with only a small break to stagger to the bathroom and take out my contacts. Oh no, maybe I have the Yuppie Flu! (Probably not, but wow, I'm tired of being tired.)

Between the weeks of sickness and a little upsurge at the day job, there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day. While all the sleeping has been a great opportunity for more hot dreams (last night's included one featuring Alan Rickman ass-fucking a woman covered in blue mud), it also means I'm behind in pretty much every other aspect of my life. Behind on blogging, behind on emails, behind on paperwork, behind on unpacking (yup, still unpacking at my new apartment), behind on work. If I owe you correspondence or time, trust me, it's weighing heavily on my mind, and I'll eventually get around to it.

There is one area in which I've been getting caught up: service for Max. We've developed quite a backlog for the aforementioned reasons, and also because we tend to have more appealing things to do when we have any time together. However, I'm proud to say I'm plowing through our lists, and have completed some projects. Here's one: relocating and organizing the wine cellar. This took more work and time than one might think, but it's finally done. Naturally, it also included a spreadsheet. Yeah, we're nerds.

If you enbiggen the second one, you may notice that the second shelf is devoted to piercing supply storage. Wine and needles - what a perfect combination!

Reminder to the Ladies

2009-02-02T12:16:00.004-08:00

I mentioned this to a bunch of people this weekend, so here's your reminder.

Tonight is Ladies' Night at the Little Red Day Spa - check out Sophia's Spa blog for all the details.

Buffie and I have been going to these lovely drop-in nights since they started, and it is the perfect way to start the week. Come relax and socialize with us in this warm and welcoming women-only space!

Bang Recap

2009-01-31T23:17:00.002-08:00

The Bang for the Buck evening started rather badly, as there was a large car accident near the venue that snarled traffic for hours, and probably impacted attendance. Nevertheless, more than 200 people showed up, and those intrepid women were extra enthusiastic and committed to seeing nekkid girls (and supporting AIDS Lifecycle). Seriously, women: mark your calendars for next year! There is no earthly reason you should miss this event.

I cannot even begin to describe the wealth of wonderful performances. Pro, amateur, cute, sexy, sultry, elaborately planned, first-time, silly, passionate, formal - they covered the whole spectrum, with performers of all ages, body types, and orientations. The energy of the crowd, shrieking, clapping, throwing dollar bills, was incredible - I have never seen such a fun and supportive atmosphere anywhere but these parties.

I brought an enormous toy bag for the play party, which was overly ambitious. In retrospect, I should have known better after last year, although I suffered no injuries this year. By the end of the strip, my friends and I were all exhausted, and not even the gorgeous eye candy all around me could rouse my toppy side. The only thing that kept us from leaving right away was waiting for raffle prize drawings, on the off-chance that we might score one of the fabulous prizes. The tickets were $1 per ticket, or $10 for an inseam or bust measurement. Well, I'm glad we waited. Of my 30-odd tickets (2 inseams), I won 11 raffle prizes, until it was starting to become ridiculous and I needed 2 bags to carry them all. I must have the luckiest inseam in the world.

Thanks to Midori, Kelly B, Miss Indigo Blue, and Lydia McLane, the charming hosts, for putting the whole Bang together each year. You are amazing! Big thanks to the volunteer crew, working tirelessly so we can suck, fuck, scream, and play in comfort. And an extra-special thank you this year to the sponsors, for donating all my lovely prizes - and also to the ravishing volunteer who got every possible inch of tickets from my inseam, much to our mutual titillation.

***

Oh yeah, I heard there's some sports game thing on TV tomorrow. But wouldn't it be more fun to come tie each other up with Midori?

All Banged Out

2009-01-31T01:41:00.003-08:00

I just got home from the Bang, and am way too tired to put together a coherent post, so I will just say: wow, what a rockin' party. Women, if you missed it, you missed out. More details and stories tomorrow...

Dream Lover

2009-01-27T13:04:00.004-08:00

Maybe it's all the Nyquill I've taken in the last several weeks, but I've been dreaming more intensely than usual. Then again, maybe there's something in the air - both Goose and Hannah have had big crazy dreams lately, too.

Even at normal times I am a prolific dreamer. I remember at least parts of my dreams almost every night, and they are often so vivid and complex that I wake up exhausted, as if I have really been living a nighttime life. I dream of old friends, of lovers, of places I've been or never been. Some of my unreal dreamscapes have appeared dozens of times, until they are as familiar as reality when I find myself in them again. Sometimes my dreams are embarrassingly transparent commentary on my current life situation, and particularly obvious ones have led me to make decisions I had been avoiding.

What's notable lately is the upswing in both nightmares and erotic dreams. These nightmares are not the terrifying stuff of childhood - no crying or screaming or cold sweat - but are disturbing enough to wake me and keep me from sleeping again. The sexy ones, on the other hand...yum. For whatever reason erotic dreams are usually so rare for me as to be nearly nonexistent. Now they're popping up several times a week. Dear my psyche: I am in favor of this! Keep 'em coming!

I'm not going to describe them in detail here, in part because I'm blushing just thinking about some of the scenarios my slumbering brain has created. Besides, a girl has to have some secrets, and I wouldn't want to face some of the unknowing players after they'd read the salacious details.

So far they have mainly featured former lovers, people from way back in my past. Those always leave me with a slightly surreal feeling, and an urge to get back in touch with those paramours. But a small number have featured people I know now, with whom I do not have sexual relationships, and those tend to be the realistic dreams, the kind that leave you wondering the next day whether the encounter really happened. Let me tell you, there is nothing like a saucy dream to catapult a person from my "friend" category into my "potential lover" category. In my lifestyle those categories are relatively fluid anyway, and I'm not going to leap on anyone purely on the basis of a hot dream, but I'm certainly going to look at them in a new light and with considerably more interest.

As a matter of fact, a dream was one of the reasons I approached Max for a first date. I thought he was talented and likable, but after I dreamed about him, I found him absolutely compelling. The power and potency of that dream overwhelmed my usual shyness and helped me take the first step into this amazing relationship. Max turned up in my dreams almost every night for the first year I was his girl.

Regardless of the characters, the best part of my latest erotic dreams is the way they ignite my libido and renew the passion I bring to my relationship with Max. But who's to say they won't also introduce other wonderful things into my life? What do you think - should I tell my dream lovers about our nighttime escapades?

Midori in Seattle

2009-01-27T12:33:00.005-08:00

The fabulous Fetish Diva Midori will be in Seattle this weekend, and her schedule is jam-packed with great events. (Side note: eek, so much to do before she arrives!) She is a charming houseguest, and I'm looking forward to seeing her and Kelly.

On Thursday Max will be hosting An Intimate Evening with Midori, a private dinner party where you'll have the opportunity to chat and mingle with Midori one-on-one, or get your copy of her book signed. Pre-registration is required for this event, and closes today, so get moving if you want to attend. Edit: This event is sold out.

For ladies only, Friday will be the infamous Bang4theBuck. I won't be stripping, but will definitely be there catcalling. I can't wait to see what the other girls and bois have planned!

Saturday evening Midori will be teaching a sex bondage workshop at Babeland. I don't know what she'll be covering, but you can bet it will be hot.

On Sunday, Max's Bondage Workshop Series will feature Midori's Hands-On Body Harnesses at the CSPC. A little more about this one...

Body harnesses are fantastic for creating beautiful, effective and sexy bondage for all types of bodies and many different sorts of scenes.

You can use a harness for very secure rigging. Or you can make a pretty rope outfit. Create intense harnesses for pain sluts. How about sensual breast bondage?

We'll go through at least five different harnesses with plenty of time to practice. If time permits we'll show you more!

I'm looking forward to learning a few new tricks to enhance my own rope bondage work. Maybe I'll even apply my new skills at the party afterward - unless, of course, Max gets to me first.

Really not porn

2009-01-26T18:20:00.003-08:00

I've been amusing myself today by reading about, and watching snippets of, IFC's 50 Greatest Sex Scenes in Cinema - and for counterpoint, their 50 Worst Sex Scenes in Cinema. Both lists run the gamut, in my opinion, from the sublime to the truly bizarre, and while I didn't count, I think there were more clips available on the "Worst" list. For sheer weirdness factor, my favorite was the clip from The Man Who Fell to Earth. (Warning, this video starts automatically and includes drunken gun play and David Bowie's penis.)

Nerve, which co-presented the lists, has compiled an excellent database of Hollywood sex scenes, which was big fun to peruse. My only complaint is that the videos hosted by Nerve Video (rather than YouTube or other sources) don't feature decent buffering, so if you're on a shaky wireless connection, it's pretty jumpy.

Totally unrelated, here's a fun video for Valentine's Day from Agent Provocateur Lingerie. Warning: this one also starts automatically, with loud sound. Definitely worth checking out if you like lingerie, bondage, and a good laugh.

It should go without saying that none of this is safe for work. Good thing I was working from home today...