Master Void Interviews namaste

21 10 2009

And I bet you are asking yourself, who is namaste?  Well for one namaste is the slave who mentored my little esclave. But I will let her introduce herself.

slave – namaste has counseled women and taught about embracing submission for over 15 years. She brings this knowledge into her relationship serving as Master Obsidians’ 24/7 TPE slave as well as to counseling and aiding in the development of other slaves in the lifestyle. Her writings on surrender and absolute slavery have been featured on web sites and in books. She is Founder and co-moderator of various lifestyle groups, including one geared specifically for slaves in TPE relationships. She is into Domestic Service, Protocols, Spirituality and The Art of Surrender.

Obsidian and her make a wonderful pair, and have served as an influence for both myself and my slave.  I wanted to interview both of them, and namaste had her interview ready first.

Read the rest of this entry »





New Feature on House of Void: Interviews

24 06 2009

I have decided to make use of my platform by interviewing some friends I have made (usually of some noteworthiness) in the Lifestyle.  I have asked quite a few already, but I am going to start this with a friend who is also a fetish photographer: Darque de Sade of Indigo Blaque Studios. Now, on with the interview.’

5 Questions with Darque de Sade

1) Who is Darque_de_Sade?

Darque at heart is an aristocrat with a strong hedonistic streak.  A Daddy Dom of 22 years and counting based out Brooklyn, New York. The person you may not want to give an uncensored mic to due to a somewhat intense mentality

2) How did you get into the Scene/Lifestyle?

I was able to put a name to what felt and enjoyed when I was 17. Due to lack of an outlet for WIITWD at the time (pre-internet) I was a bit lost as there was no one I knew of that I could talk to or learn from. After years of being true to myself when I could I came across Black BEAT and considered myself a true part of the scene.

3) What is your claim to fame in the scene? i.e What are you known for?

If I went by what people say, it would have to be my photography (some people think I’m good).  I own Indigo Blaque Studios, a photography and graphics firm.  We’ve launched the Indigo Blaque Project, which is dedicated to featuring women of color in kink in a way befitting their beauty.

4) When composing your photographs, what do you try to keep in mind?

Realism.  I have 2 fan bases (I hate that term), those who like the beauty and art of my work and those who seek the beauty and authenticity of the scene portrayed.  I feel as long as I’m real about what I’m doing everything else falls into place.

5) What is important?

My religion, my family and loved ones,  I tend to stick to the basics. Success would be nice being able to beat some ass all week would be great but in the end I have what I need.

MV





Foundations in Mastery by Catherine Gross

30 03 2009

Ok, I am fresh back from my weekend seminar with Catherine Gross (check out last week’s post for some info on it). I have to say that it was one of the most unique experiences I have had while I have been in the Lifestyle. This was tremendous opportunity to be at the debut of a her latest Lifestyle development class.

I suppose that right now it is best to say a little about Catherine so you can understand why I would spend my weekend on an untested class. First, I should say that the class was the only thing that was untested. Catherine has tested the theory that she discussed by living it for most of her adult life. She is a PCC lifecoach (on of only 2000 in the country). She has been a BDSM educator for longer than I have been in the lifestyle. She co-produces the South-East Leatherfest. And frankly, she runs one hell of a House.

The weekend started out with a great deal of self evaluation, and self analysis. She taught that you need a solid, self-aware foundation before you can begin to develop your skills as a top. I spent a lot of time thinking about answers. There were piles and piles of forms. Each lesson built on the others (for a complete lesson plan look here). That basically made up the first two days.

The third day was different. We spent time reviewing our own creations. We dissected our protocols, analyzing them according to a system that she showed us. This made each and every one of the 30 tops in the room think about what we were doing and why we were doing it. I can frankly say that I walked away with a much larger toolbox that what I came in with.

Now, I could give you the details about the seminar. But I am not. There are two more events on the schedule. One in Georgia, one in Arizona. If you are serious about improving your skills as a top, and I don’t mean better beating, but becoming a better person, then you really should go to this class. Frankly I do not know of anything else like it. PERIOD.

Lady Catherine, if you do happen to read this, Thank you.

MV






Foundations in Mastery

25 03 2009

This weekend I am heading to an interesting event. Catherine Gross, a highly respected Lifestyler, Mistress and educator, is debuting her new Foundations in Mastery class. I have sent my girl to her Servants Retreat (I) back in January, and it was very much appreciated by her. I sent esclave to the class mainly because Catherine has been a big influence in my style of dominance plus I have heard so many great things about the class from those that I knew that attended it. I am looking forward to participating in the class this weekend and benefiting from the Dominant’s version. Frankly, some of the best times I have had have been in a group of Dominants who have left their egos at the door.

If this sort of thing appeals to you, Catherine’s Foundations in Mastery class will be coming to Atlanta, GA (August 7-9th, well really close to Atlanta anyway) and to Maricopa, AZ (October 9-11th). Last I heard, there was one slot open for this weekend, but that slot is probably gone by now.

I will report back on my expierence this weekend, but I am also interested in hearing from those of you who have attended her classes in the past. You know where to put your words, in the comments.

MV

(As an aside, I found her website to be very well put together, and easy to navigate so I wanted to say kudos on the design)






Review: the ENSO by Orpheus

16 03 2009

Life has conspired to prevent me from writing this review, but I feel that I owe this author a fair hearing on my blog (and perhaps a bit of publicity would not hurt either).

Orpheus Black is a Dominant from the LA (California) area, known for exciting scenes and creative fireplay. He has been a presenter at BlackBEAT in years past and did a facinating demo blowing fire across his demo bottom.

His first book, the ENSO, describes his philosophy on the Lifestyle and focuses on educating submissives on how to best process their submission. Often times a new submissive is conflicted in her desire to serve and the script that runs through her head. This book seems to be designed to help her process her duties and cope with the dichotomy that is our Lifestyle and the rest of the world.

His perspective is distinctly Japanese in origin, and focuses on a balance approach. One difference between this work and others I have encountered is the use of the parallel between a samurai warrior and a modern submissive as the framework for most of the books discussions. He talks about the roll of the sub as a Priest, a Warrior, and a Poet. It is an interesting read, and may prove very useful for the novice submissive.

For me though, the best part were his D/s Parables that you find toward the end of the book. These 10 stories I found to be very educational, and at night, I sometimes read these to my girl.

I have to say that my one complaint about the book is the price. At $25 $20 for a 75 page book, I would expect it to be leather bound or something. Being a paperback, I would expect it to be in the $8 or $10 price range. Still, if you can get over the price, I do think it would be an excellent addition to your house’s library.

You can find the ENSO for purchase online here.

Have you read the ENSO? if so, let me know in the comments.

MV






Making Time for Play

15 03 2009

Just a random thought today.  I seem to always be learning something about myself.  I looked in my email this morning and my horoscope that i receive from dailyom.com is about making time for play.

Here is a part of it:

A serious and dogmatic mood can prompt you to approach existence in an extremely formal fashion today. If you are called upon to deliver a presentation or express your opinions, your tone may be formal and emotionless, and you may make less of an impression as a result. This can be a good time to remind yourself that being human need not be a wholly serious enterprise. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that people respond more positively to you when you address them playfully rather than authoritatively. Opportunities to enjoy yourself can present themselves to you today—taking advantage of them will likely help you relax and unwind.

Part of my dynamic with Sir is protocol.  Protocol to me means formality.  Formality to me is serious all the time.  So when I am serving  Sir formally and informally I tend to be very serious.   My demeanor changes and my face gets serious…no smiling or laughing.  Just seriousness.   I wonder though if by me being so serious people do not  don’t see the joy in me or that I have by being Sir’s. I feel such passion and intensity by being Sir’s.  This is my bliss being with Sir but there is no reason why I can’t show the happy side of me serving Sir. 








Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 253 other followers