NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!

Next week is Leather Fiesta. I have loved watching how it grows and changes.  Leather Fiesta didn’t just happen. It has events that have preceded it, that groomed and matured the people who now organize it.  This year there will be vending, classes, play parties, a show, and a contest.  

My love will be vending. I am so proud of her! So make sure you stop on by and say hello. The vendors are mostly all local, so by supporting them you are supporting local small business in NM. This has a bigger impact than you might think.  Vendors pay for their spots, and being able to cover costs help them feel successful. This then drives them to return. But not just that-  it inspires people in the community to create and explore other parts of their own ability.  Looking at how someone makes a flogger may inspire someone else to start looking at a newer or different way to make toys, rope, chain mail, or furniture. Never underestimate what one’s work can do to inspire another. 

The classes look really good.  I have found that over the last decade or so I have shied away from classes. I have been burned by many a bad class, a bad or flat out dishonest presenter, or an over done topic without an original bent.  At first I would stay in every class, sitting and fawning patience. I found that while my body was sitting there, my face was well- being more open about what I really thought. So now I am at a place where if I am in a class that rubs me the wrong way, I simply get up and leave.  When I first started doing this I felt a need to make an excuse like I would pretend to start coughing really loud.  Now, however I have reached the “fuck it” stage in my leather walk, so I    simply get up and go. 

But it is time to let that go and see what is out there. So, between obligations, I am going to push myself to go to at least two classes. 

The show will be interesting as always. I will be honest. I don’t like spoken word. Poetry makes me itch. But I give a lot of cudos to those that take the stage.  It takes a lot of fortitude to put yourself out there. I do love the dance and performance pieces. I still remember when they had the contortionists. When F did the performance of “Bleed Like You” (that was way back). I didn’t get to see L fist a watermelon, but people still talk about it. I also didn’t get to watch when T and A did a cigar scene, but that one still has people swooning. Those performances stay with a person. 

My love will be preforming this year. I CAN’T WAIT! Last year at Leather Fiesta my Love performed, and those that I respect and love the most in this community came up to the stage for her. I was crying like a baby. I don’t expect to have it be much different this year!

I am a judge for the contest. I was so honored to be asked. Honestly, I have a special place in my heart for the contest.  Maybe because I was a title holder and I have seen what it did for me. How it has shaped me over all of these years.  How the title in many ways gave me a place in this community. The work was mine and the work that I have done ever since was also mine. But it made me feel like I can really accomplish things that perhaps without the title I wouldn’t or couldn’t have. It opened doors and both created and destroyed friendships. 

ABOL is running the title.  I have to give them credit.  Running a title is a lot of work. Finding contestants, judges, organizing what the contestants will be judged on, and listening to all of the loud and unfiltered bitching that always comes with any event. 

Thank you ABOL, and thank you A for making this possible. 

So last time I put out a challenge at an event it was for you to try something new, get out of your comfort zone. Did you? Did you introduce yourself to someone new? Ask a question when you would normally remain silent or try a new protocol? 

So this time- same thing- challenge yourself. What about this event will be different for you? One year from now as you think back on this event- what will you want to say you accomplished, challenged, or experienced? 

 REGISTER HERE:

http://nmleatherleague.com/leather-fiesta-2016/