Ace of Hearts and I decided to go to the Fetish Flea up in Providence, at the last minute. There were last minute cancellations at the Biltmore, so Rascal, Ace and I ended up there. 2 king beds, with a sitting area which had a sofa, an upholstered chair-and-a-half (which later got named the “Uncle chair”), coffee table and desk. The Biltmore is part of the Hotels of the World chain and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. If and when I do this again, I’ll stay here again.
We went to the Fashion Show, which had great designs, but one spotlight wasn’t enough. Also the musical acts stopped the action cold for me. It’s a little different from the 20 minute shows in Bryant Park during Fashion Week.Saturday, I meant to spend more time in vending but ended up in both of Midori’s workshops. I never got to see pals Boymeat or Rita Seagrave present. I’m really sorry about that.
Midori is a huge draw! You had to be on line before the break was over to get a seat and there’s no standing room allowed. She certainly knows how to speak to a large group – slowly and clearly, pauses thoughtfully so words can sink in, repeats key concepts. In her “Asian Rituals” class, she doesn’t give you specific scenarios or blow by blow instructions but really wants you to think about the underlying intention, and to communicate with your partner. In her “Bondage Outside the Box” class, she demonstrated a whole bunch of pervertables from Home Depot (hay bale carrier, gutter guard, duct tape, toilet flapper ball, etc.). Hilarious. Not only was the Flea going on in the Convention Center, there was also a liquidation sale and on Sunday, a bridal expo. I’m not sure how appropriate it is when kinksters, although street legal, are wearing fetish wear and freaking out civilians pushing baby carriages. A real worlds collide scenario. But, I am stuffy in that way.
On Saturday night, Ace, Rascal, Zelda, Shibari Warrior, Jocasta and I went to Cassalina’s, an Italian restaurant in Federal Hill. Zelda and Jo came back to our room to hang out and we had a *very* instructional evening, with Zelda showing Rascal how to tie a tortoise shell harness on me, having him repeating it on her and then tying it on me again. She also taught Rascal how to tie a chest harness on themself. Then Jocasta wanted Crab Tie (from Chanta Rose’s Bondage for Sex) done on her, where her legs are back and spread and her forearms tied to her thighs. I’ll let Jocasta continue the story (hint: sex party of 5, runaway pony).
Sunday, I caught the end of Lolita’s caning class (Oh hi, you’re just in time! Do you want to see me cane DQ’s cock?) and Midori’s “Erotic Humiliation” class. Good humiliation play reinforces the bottom’s primary core values and kicks out the jams on the second and tertiary ones. Seraphin (who was demo bottoming) almost didn’t make it to Providence. Some idiot Amtrak conductor announced the station, but they got off in Warwick, an $80 cab ride. As Midori put it, Seraphin was subjected to a “screwed up, non consensual public transit humiliation play.”
It was different than a Dark Odyssey event because there was no public play space (although there were bondage and whip lounges) and no ice breaker activites. But for $20 ($15, if you’re a NELA Associate; or a related organization, like TES), it is an incredible value. I barely had time to to try and cover the vending, go to a few classes, eat a sandwich, say hello to friends (from DO, Twitter, and Livejournal).
I’d heard the vending at the Flea was the biggest. They weren’t kidding. All the leather and toys started to blur together after awhile. It was better Sunday to come back and chat at more leisure, when I got to talk to Greg of Njoy (Please, we want to review toys!) and introduce myself to Monk of Twisted Monk (I love your video blog!), Hilton of Purple Passion (I bought my corset from you) and say hello to Bo of De Tails. I did buy an anodized stainless steel ring from Locked in Steel, Bondage for Sex, and Lee Harrington’s Shibari You Can Use, and a Twisted Monk hoodie. But really, it was about the schmoozing, not the shopping. I haven’t been in shopping mode for a long time.
I met Xris of Smack. I told him his promo materials give me a headache. Then we beamed each other our information on our Treos (Treo and Palm users: have you set up your business card? I didn’t think so). Midori hadn’t seen Palm sex before, and proceeded to loudly fake an orgasm.
There was also a favorable article in the Providence Journal.
