Year in Review: BDSM Style

Given that this is the first week of the new year, I thought I would take a moment or two and reflect on some of the bigger stories (in my humble opinion) of the last year. It was an interesting year with a lot of events and stories, but some rose to the top.

  • FetLife: I think this site continues to be the biggest story in the world of Fetish and BDSM. This is now the premier Lifestyle site without a doubt. The have almost tripled in size this past year to over 300,000 members. While other sites may have more members (I am not sure of the actual membership of sites like CollarMe and Alt), FetLife is unique in the quality of the members and the discussions that happen every day in the groups found on this social networking site for kinksters.
  • The Economy: The economy has had a serious impact on the Lifestyle this year. Many conferences were either canceled this year or were cut back drastically (my favorite event, BlackBEAT, was one of those that had to cut back). Many of us were laid off with the rest of America. This has made running BDSM oriented events, clubs and businesses even more challenging than they already are.
  • Jack Rinella Runs for Congress: Joe Laiacona, who writes BDSM related books and articles under the pen name Jack Rinella is running for congress. I think the outcome of this election may have some significance for our Lifestyle, especially if he manages to win later this year. I wish him luck.
  • Atlanta Eagle Raid: When the Atlanta Police decided to raid the Eagle, earlier this year, I do not think that they foresaw the consequences that would come out of it. From rallies, to possibly even altering the outcome of the city election, this has had a serious impact on Atlanta, and will continue to do so in the coming year. This may even serve as a warning to other cities who embark on these kinds of policies.

What stories do you think were important this year?  Let me know in the comments!

MV

Service Book of Days 1/4/10 – Happy New Year

  • Outside my window… (weather, what do you hear, what do you see?)  it is really cold outside.  Unfortunately the cold is not my type of weather and it just makes me feel tired and unproductive.  But this week despite the cold I don’t feel unproductive.  I feel really good.  Could be the leftover feelings from a really good time spent with Master and the kiddies.
  • my thoughts…are mindful.  Realizing that my emotions do not govern everyone else’s actions.
  • Today’s Quote… When you relinquish the desire to control your future, you can have more happiness.      Nicole Kidman, in The Scotsman

    This is where I am at the moment.  I seem to have picked up somethings that are not mine to have.  They are Master’s to control.  My happiness does not come from fighting his control of me.  I know this without question.  It seems that surrender is not a one time thing but ongoing and filled with awareness.

  • i am thankful for…for my family.  For being able to live life out loud J
  • From my service training…(any skills, training etc; notes you want to share this week) Grace.  Learning what it means to top from the bottom.
  • From the kitchen…(menu for the week, what are you cooking?)  this week will be centered on warm and comforting foods.  Tonight we had chili and tomorrow night I think I am going to make a stew.  I do plan on buying a smaller crockpot as I would like to make meals using it.  The one I have now is way too big.
  • i am wearing…my workout cloths.  Keeping true to my goal of not gaining my winter blubber…LOL
  • i am creating…(crafts, sewing etc;)  I am a work of art being molded and formed by Master.
  • my adventures this week…(where are you going this week?)  No adventures this week.  Getting back into the groove or being at work fulltime.
  • Becoming well read…(What are you reading this week?)  Listening to several podiobooks by Scott Sigler.  He is a horror writer with great visions.
  • i manifest and co-create…(what are your hopes, dreams, and prayers this week) Peace and tranquility in my house and with my children.
  • Today’s Melody…(what music are you listening to? even if it’s just the sound of a bird…) A little bit of this, a little bit of that, a little bit of good with a little bit of bad   (for some reason this song keeps playing in my brain in the background)
  • One of my favorite things… has become the endorphin rush from working out.  I always love to just get out doors and run.  Such a freeing experience.  There is always a challenge to be met in running so I never get bored of it.  I am glad that with my physical limitation I can get back outside and run.
  • further plans for this week…Continuing to fix the house to sell.  It has been extremely windy on the east coast and such wind tore pieces of siding from my house.  Sighs…something else to add to the list.
  • Still….life(share a picture you’ve taken OR a picture you found online that speaks to you)

photo used with permission of creative commons license agreement.

http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=746341

Want to start something different for the new year.  Here are the directions:

Once a week on Monday you will respond to the above prompts.. more is better. Post your response on your blog or website.

Mention my blog (service savoir faire) and offer a link back to the main page of the blog. This way others can participate in the project as well!   www.servicesavoirfaire.blogspot

So now that you know how, please feel free to join me. 🙂

Happy New Year

I just wanted to take a moment and thank those that have been reading my blog of the past couple of years. I think that I have grown a lot while doing this and have had a good time writing each post.I have tried to take the time to focus my blog on BDSM related activities or events that would interest as many as possible. I also hoped that you guys had as much fun reading it as I had writing it.

In the new year, I hope to bring you more of the same. I would also like to get better at this, so if you guys have any constructive criticism or feedback let me know.

That said, I wish you all a wonderful New Year. May it be a good one.

MV

Photo used with permission per creative commons license, some rights reserved. For details see http://www.flickr.com/photos/hanadi/340716499/

More on BDSM and Feminism

Very early this year (way back in January), I did a quick post on BDSM and Feminism, linking to an interesting article on Feminist Philosophers. Today, I will point you to an article on SF appeal. The Sexual Manifesto: Can BDSM be Feminist? is an excellent defense of BDSM and makes some very good points about how the Lifestyle is not anti-Feminist.Continue reading “More on BDSM and Feminism”

Service Book of Days 12/28/09

Outside my window… (weather, what do you hear, what do you see?)  it is really cold outside.  Unfortunately the cold is not my type of weather and it just makes me feel tired and unproductive.

my thoughts…are mindful.  Realizing that my emotions do not govern everyone elses actions.

Today’s Quote… It’s not that some people have willpower and some don’t. It’s that some people are ready to change and others are not.    James Gordon, M.D.

i am thankful for…warm brownies with ice cream J

From my service training…(any skills, training etc; notes you want to share this week) Nothing at the moment

From the kitchen…(menu for the week, what are you cooking?)  for my one new meal this week I think I am going to make kabobs.

i am wearing…blue jeans, black cowl neck shirt and Master’s bathrobe…lol  Did I mention that I don’t like the cold.

i am creating…(crafts, sewing etc;)  peace and tranquility.

my adventures this week…(where are you going this week?)  Having the chance to serve Master and the kid this week.

Becoming well read…(What are you reading this week?)  I am not reading anything at the moment

i manifest and co-create…(what are your hopes, dreams, and prayers this week) Peace and tranquility in my house and with my children.

Today’s Melody…(what music are you listening to? even if it’s just the sound of a bird…) No tunes today

One of my favorite things… warm dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar…mmmm comfort food

further plans for this week…Continuing to fix the house to sell.

Still….life(share a picture you’ve taken OR a picture you found online that speaks to you)

This is where I would like to be right about now…mmmmm

photo used with permission of creative commons license agreement.

http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=456696

Once a week on Monday you will respond to the above prompts.. more is better. Post your response on your blog or website.

Mention my blog (service savoir faire) and offer a link back to the main page of the blog. This way others can participate in the project as well!   www.servicesavoirfaire.blogspot

So now that you know how, please feel free to join me. 🙂