Yes, I've read a poem.

Sensual Waxplay Class & Workshop Class- Tues, Feb 13, 8-9:30 pm $5 for BR/Reciprocal Members, $10 for non members, cash only

Workshop/Guided Practice- Sat, Feb 17, 5:30-7:30 pm $10 for BR/Reciprocal Members, $20 for non members, cash only

https://fetlife.com/events/634880

Crucible, Washington DC

Class- Waxplay is pretty simple – melt wax, pour. But to get the best experience possible, there are many elements to consider and harmonize. This class seeks to review the basics of sensual waxplay as well as shove a few years of tricks and tips into one class (learn why baby powder is a must!). Learn everything including making your kit, clean up, mixing wax play with other kinks, and having a creative and connective experience through the medium of wax. Take your wax experience to the next level physically and emotionally. Attendees will take home a one page guide, starter equipment list, and a few trade secrets.

Workshop- Perfect for couples, triads, singles, and polycules of all shapes, this workshop will give you the chance to practice and experience sensual waxplay from start to finish in an open, relaxed environment with guided practice. Walk through equipment set up, bottom prep, massage and deeper connection techniques, pouring styles, wax removal, and sexy clean up. This is an extension of the Sensual Wax Play Class of Tuesday February 13th. Attendance of the class is NOT required.

Provided: Basic waxplay tools to use and take home

To bring: One electric heating device (smaller crockpot or paraffin bath). One device will be needed for every four people.

Recommended: Comfortable washable clothes, blankets/robes for anyone wishing to have wax play done to them, pocket knife.

Liz D (@LuckyAlbatross) has been active in the public scene since 1998 and enjoys merging intellectual theory with real world practicality and a hefty dose of whimsy. Liz was a member of Black Rose in DC and the Baltimore Educational and Social Society (BESS), where she was elected as Secretary for two years and Chair of the Board for one year. Currently living outside Philadelphia, she was previously in Austin, TX where she was the Arbiter of the local group GWNN and Service Leader of Element. Her favorite fetishes are formal wear and connections and she greatly enjoys hypnosis and objectification.

Welcome to the Charmed 2018 Volunteer Raffle! Our way to express Volunteer appreciation and that we know your time and energy is valuable.

Here's all the details:

- For each shift you work, you will receive 2 raffle tickets. Shifts you work after 9pm earn you 3 tickets. Only volunteers can participate in the raffle!

- We will do our best to have available hours posted at Volunteer Check In (near Registration) for those who want to sign up on-site, but feel free to check with the Volunteer Coordinator  [email protected] or @HypnoticImager on FetLife, who will be able to give you the best information

- Tickets will be with me, @LuckyAlbatross and available to pick up beginning Friday morning at registration and available through Sunday morning at 11.

- Raffles will be held Sunday, 11:30am at the end of the Unconference time, just before lunch, at the Registration area. You must be scheduled to volunteer and have your tickets picked up before then.

- You do not have to be present to win so long as you have contact information on your ticket. Please try to connect with LuckyAlbatross by Sunday night to claim your prize.  

CLEARLY print a contact name that is unique and recognizeable to you and legible to us to make sure if you win, you can get your item!

ALL Charmed volunteers are eligible for the annual Black Rose Volunteer party, usually in September.

What's on the board to win?

Fun hypno lovers stuff including coloring books and markers, pocket watches, socks, geeky tshirt, pokemon hat, spiral necklace, various other sparklies.

Larger items like a USB Himalayan salt lamp, large teddy bear, book by Melissa Teirs

Big Ticket items: 1 Charmed 2019 Registration, Baltimore, MD, January 2019 1 MindQuake Registration, SF Bay Area, November, 2018

and VERY generously, Hypnobunny is offering a mini photo session including: -10 minutes of shooting (expect 10 photos) with professional photographer Hypnobunny -can be private portraits, couple's/partner portraits, boudoir portraits, hypno portraits, or pretty much whatever you want. -market value, $75 -website for work examples (boudoir stuff) : www.ankaphoto.weebly.com

I am amazed by the generosity of our hypno people! We will try to post regular reminders to update through the weekend.

Thank you in advance for the time and energy you give to make Charmed easy and smooth for all attendees. It is valuable to us and we truly want to make everyone feel welcomed, appreciated and enriched with their time together. If you have any questions or updates regarding the Volunteer Raffle, or to donate additional items please feel free to contact Liz at [email protected] or LuckyAlbatross on fetlife.

The first time I wore a collar in any bdsm sense was December, 1998. It was on a first play date with a dude I met on AOL. It was actually a really great scene for an utter newbie with the smorgasborg of light common kinky play. He put this normal black leather dog collar on my neck when we started, explicitly stating this was just for play.

I felt RIGHT. I felt such a sense of YES with that collar on me. For the first time I hit subspace.

The first time I wore a collar in terms of a commitment was February, 1999. Yes, two whole months my first playdate ever, meeting the man who would become my long distance master for the next three years of my life, I accepted a collar and called it slavery. And thus it was.

One of the top five topics in any Ds or Ms relationship focused group will always be "what's a collar mean?" and of course the answer is "whatever you want!" but people really don't like that answer. They will debate about levels of collaring, colors of collars, who owns the collar, 24/7 versus literally 24/7, power vs authority (it's authority) over and over to the endless wave of new kinksters trying to get a grasp on what they want.

I wanted to belong. As a chick with abandonment issues deep enough to sink the Titanic into, I wanted to KNOW my place and BELONG to someone as deeply and completely as possible. Even at 18 I knew slavery meant "authority over everything, all the time."

But at 18, I didn't know a speck of the powerful being I would become or what I would possibly be able to give. I think that's what really tends to scare people, especially if they get into kink later in life. The understand much better the wholeness and hugeness of that surrender and what the consequences of bad management would be.

I went through another master, another collar, then another and another- a leather collar with a big oring in the front, a silver collar with blue rhinestones, another dog collar, a delicate anklet with a heart charm. I was devoted to each, I belonged to each. The collar was theirs as was I. But it never worked. I was never fulfilled, I never felt really safe, really cared for.

I had never put myself first, I had never owned myself, I had never prioritized myself. My insecurities were always driving me, my need to belong because I always felt I'd be abandoned the next day. So I could never honestly without abandon surrender to another.

Only once I started putting myself first, owning myself, managing my insecurities was I truly free. And only in my freedom do I feel open to slavery. Only when the choice is open to yes OR no can it be a true one.

I don't have a slavery collar. I have play collars and I love to play. I do not judge my past collars or the reasons I chose them. I made the best choices I could, as do we all. As well, owning myself, just as owning a slave, is not a static state. It is a constant practice I must put effort and focus into every single day. Some days it is easy to see my value, some days it is hard.

Welcome to the Charmed 2017 Volunteer Raffle! An extra incentive to show our Volunteers our appreciation and that we know your time and energy is valuable.

Here's all the details:

- For every hour of volunteer duty, volunteers (you!) will receive two tickets to place in the raffle for your choice of items - We will do our best to have available hours posted at Volunteer Check In (near Registration) for those who want to sign up on-site, but feel free to check with the Volunteer Coordinator @MissIsis, who will be able to give you the best information - Tickets will be picked up at Volunteer Check-in; be sure to check in with MissIsis some point after you register - Raffles will be held Sunday at the end of the Unconference time, just before lunch, at the Registration area. You must be scheduled to volunteer and have your tickets picked up before then. - You do not have to be present to win so long as you have contact information on your ticket. Please try to connect with LuckyAlbatross by Sunday night to claim your prize.

ALL Charmed volunteers are eligible for the annual Black Rose Volunteer party, usually in September. This year there will also be a "Volunteer Scout Badge" to collect.

What's on the board to win? 1 Charmed 2018 Registration, Baltimore, MD, January 2018 1 NEEHU 2017 Registration, Hartford, CT, March 2017 1 WEEHU 2017 Registration, San Francisco, CA, October 2017 CD "Entranced Through the Fog" by MissIsis- Femdom hypnosis, very graphic, very erotic Book "Erotic Hypnosis Scripts" by Chew Toy Himalayan Salt Lamp Amethyst Pendulum 2017 Daily Journal/Planner 2017 Monthly Coloring Calendar Cranium Board Game

There may be more to win by the time the raffle is up! We will try to post regular reminders to update through the weekend.

Mind Control Barrette- BF made this as a surprise for me and gave it to me yesterday.

I highly recommend having sex to this album, start to finish.  Even better when at least one of you knows the songs and rhythm already.  I just know I literally had to lick the sweat from his body afterwards.

Reminder there will be NO latecomers allowed to this class.  Please arrive by 1pm latest!  Address being sent out to people tonight so please sign up!

Saturday, July 23, 2016 ·12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

https://fetlife.com/events/456978

Private home in Wheaton, MD Provided on firm RSVP

Cost: Food/drink to share

Dress code: Vanilla to the door

This month the Black Rose Hypnosis Special Interest Group welcomes LuckyAlbatross to discuss Subject Empowerment.

Being a passive, controlled, overpowered, mindless subject is an amazing space many of us enjoy, however the reality is that we’re all still actively creating the experiences in hypnosis. The more we understand how the process works and how to care for ourselves, the more pleasure we can have. We’ll review and practice setting and enforcing boundaries, putting safeties on your triggers, establishing your personal "control panel," and recognizing types of suggestions. Come power yourself up so you can really enjoy letting go.

Liz/LuckyAlbatross has been active in the public scene since 1998 and enjoys merging intellectual theory with real world practicality and a hefty dose of whimsy. She has presented in events all over the US, including Alaska and Hawaii. Liz was a member of Black Rose in DC and the Baltimore Educational and Social Society (BESS), where she was elected as Secretary for two years and Chair of the Board for one year. Currently living outside Philadelphia, she was previously in Austin, TX where she was the Arbiter of the local group GWNN and Service Leader of Element. Her favorite fetishes are formal wear and connections and she greatly enjoys hypnosis and objectification.

Whether experienced or newbie, you're welcome to come share ideas, methods and experiences in a collaborative setting. At each SIG meeting there are opportunities to learn, practice and play. Singles, couples and more are welcome.

Arrive for pot luck lunch and socializing at noon. Announcements at 1. Discussions start at 1:15 pm. We know things tend to be fairly casual, but we have to put a very clear and hard start time on this and there will be no admittance after 1:20.

I had a painful breakup almost a year ago now. It has been a prolonged process to move forward from that because we had been living together for three years, I was like a second mom to their kids. Also, we're still in the same social circles and would cross paths at the same events. But there has been continual positive progress in my healing and I've handled things extremely well and with integrity the great majority of the time, even if it took extreme effort and getting over my grumpy ego sometimes. I continued to drop attachments and become my new self in a great way.

About four months ago I had the opportunity to start a relationship with a wonderful person, who also happens to be in the same friendship circles as my ex. One of the few worries as we started and the few things I assured my new boyfriend of is that my relationship with me ex would not become a source of friction between us and I could be respectful and encouraging of their friendship.

Mostly this was absolutely fine, we don't cross paths THAT often, though I did have to curtail certain questions and thoughts as they bubbled up in certain situations which recalled my ex. But nearly a year later things were coming to a rougher spot. There's a big gaming con all the friends go to, and my boyfriend and I will be going as our first big outing together. As well there's a weekly game that my ex has been really yanking around lately. Thus, much more often I've been biting my tongue, or wrestling with "being good" and just barely keeping it to a simmer. My boyfriend appreciated my efforts, but I knew it made him uncomfortable sometimes.

But thinking it through last night I realized that was no good for me or my partner. There was no need to carry those negative thoughts, attachments or responses. If I truly wanted to let go and move on and be positive with my boyfriend and not let this be an issue, which he deserves and I want, then I had to stop FIGHTING myself with feeling I had to somehow "win over" his opinion or "get over" whatever antics were occurring. It was baggage and needed to go. So I decided to shift categories and convert "my ex" into "my boyfriends friend."

It was such an easy and quick shift and it changed everything to how I felt about him. I let go of all the baggage (or at least a lot more) and it's SO EASY to just approach with an entirely new relationship perspective. Making choices through the lens of what will be right with me, with my boyfriend, and that my ex may always be my ex, but right now he's my boyfriends friend and that's what I value- that feels SO good.

And all of this was possible because of namaste, because of SOFT, because I don't just stay stuck or fight as a reflex anymore. When I feel something getting to me, I know that's something to attend, and to soften into in order to become who I want to be. Thank you so much!!

The road to Beyond Leather was a strange journey for me.  It was the last event I handled for my ex before closing that chapter thus I ended up with a registration to an event in which my ex would be presenting which did not sound ideal.  In that same timespace however, slave namaste had been my amazing lifecoach helping me transition and evolve so much deeper into understanding, owning and actualizing my needs and desires.  I felt called to ask if I could be their assistant for the weekend and, after some consideration, Master Obsidian said yes!  Solution was created- I had a fulfilling focus for the weekend with two people I respect and honor deeply!

slave namaste talks about the power of the sacred, and keeping things intimate and personal to imbue them with deeper power.  I hadn't really understood that personally until that moment.  I wanted to shout from the rooftops how amazingly blessed and lucky I was to have the privilege to serve them!  I was The Girl for The Weekend!  But I paused and realized I liked it better as just something for us.  I felt more secure and relaxed and happy not having to care about anything except being there for them.  I felt like it was my special secret moment to know I was taking care of myself by taking care of them.  So I went into the weekend with only a few close friends who knew about my trip aware of what I was intending.  That felt very powerful for me and I understood how keeping something personal can make it more fulfilling.

I'm an executive assistant in the "real world" and it suits my personality a lot.  In fact, I've considered a few times just launching into promoting myself to presenters/event coordinators as an assistant but that takes a lot of trust and partnership which isn't always easy to get at a distance, not to mention how poorly we pay our leaders/teachers to be able to support a support staff.  That being said- anyone reading out there who wants an effective assistant for coordinating or events, feel free to ping me!

Leading up to the event itself, my awesome boyfriend had agreed not only to take me to the airport but to stay the night before as that would be a bit more convenient.  Turns out he was intending on feeding my positive addiction to him on a maximum level.  Not only did he read my note about needing to remember to pack a wristwatch and brought over his very own for me to take with me- "It's just a cheap $8 Casio I bought." "But it's YOURS!" but he explicitly said "You're going to be taking care of other people all weekend, I want to make sure you're taken care of now."  I always teach that the best aftercare starts BEFORE a scene/event, and it took my boyfriend to remind me of how true that is.

Being an assistant can be a lot of things but honestly my experience with Master Obsidian and slave namaste was utterly smooth and easy.  They communicated their needs and priorities ahead of time, gave me the right contact information, I came prepared as I could (service bag contents to be another post).  I really enjoy service but I enjoy it as a personal ability to enable others to do more.  My having printouts and pens handy, my texting reminder times, my grabbing or stowing things from their room, my fetching meals to allow them more time to rest together- that's what makes me feel proud in myself.  It might not be as visible as cane marks or rope burns or kneeling (which can certainly be exquisite service in themselves) but it made a real difference to their experience.  I went into the weekend intending only to provide consistent positive service and that intention was completely met.  

And there were downtimes.  You can never know exactly how things will shake out, which is why I had not really planned on attending classes or seeking play for the weekend- I was expecting to be "on call" the entire time.  However, Master Obsidian gave me plenty of time to just hang out on my own so I actually got to enjoy some classes, make friends, read my book, get my own time, and generally enjoy the event itself.  I didn't actually do much play cause I'm not into the hitting stuff or pain stuff and finding, as RebeccaDoll put it "Someone to sincerely connect with but not want to follow you home" is not terribly easy.  

Beyond Leather as an event overall IMO was supreme.  Most places you enter and there's some tension, first day jitters, feeling out the situation, ice breaking that needs to occur before things really get rolling.  Beyond Leather- no ice.  It was simply comfortable, welcoming, relaxed, open immediately.  I loved it.  I wallowed in being around my alternative lifestyle lovers and feeling good together.  It had been a very long time since I chose to do that.  I loved Lady Moonfyre's classes on Master Baiting and Service, and of course being in service I got front row seats to all of Master Obsidian and slave namaste's classes- always evocative and worth hours of self awareness chewing over.

I also attended the speech/fantasy portions of the IPE title holder contest.  When I heard about the fantasy presentation element I was not at all sure how it would work- how can you display, on a tiny stage in 5 minutes, the evolution and story of your relationship and its dynamic?  Well I can say after those two hours and several crying fits, it's pretty amazing how vulnerable people can be with their lives and being able to share their truth so intimately.  The tissues in my service bag were the most desired item of the event for certain.

Plus there was some good hypnosis talk.  I try to be very careful to let people know my ex is a presenter on hypnosis so they don't feel I'm somehow leading them on but I also don't want that to become a relevant point in my discussions.  It was really nice talking with people who were excited and interested in hypnosis as a new kink and only solidifies my resolve to continue to go to alternative events and be a resource for experience and door opening for others.

Stray thoughts: - RebeccaDoll made me feel lovely and perfect in my corset, I recommend her to anyone - A pool party in which people are actually in the pool is a great way to end a weekend - Ponies are the most positively infectious kinksters I know - Yes, cold orgasms on command ARE possible - He let me keep the watch