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I headed over to Berkeley a bit early to stop by one of my fave skin product store, Body Time, before my flogging class at the Good Vibrations store over there. I needed a refill of my signature scent that I'd let long run out of - as well as beat the rush hour. While I gaze upon the hills of Berkeley and Oakland from our back deck, I don't often travel over there. Pretty typical of a San Francisco-centric life I suppose. I don't really do the bridge-&-tunnel thing citing various lame excuses. While I lived in the East Bay for 5 years, I never quite felt at home there. I can't say that they were happy year for me as I struggled with poverty of supporting myself and a sense of academic mediocrity . The parts of campus and the city that I lived in weren't particularly pretty. It was pretty gritty. Back then, MBA's, engineers and boom year capitalism ethos seemed to rule the campus atmosphere even in the symbolic liberal bastien of the Golden Bears. A recession was about to hit and things seemed pretty pathetic for simple, idealistic liberal arts students like me. As soon as I could, I crossed the water to the magical City by the Bay. (or as it used to be lovingly called, back before the various Gulf Wars, "Baghdad By the Bay") I didn't look back and I didn't miss it.
Today, given how badly I get lost anywhere in the East Bay, you wouldn't know that I lived there for 5 years. I rarely cross the beautiful Bay Bridge, except to spend time with wonder-twins and their parents, and I get lost going to see them too. (BTW, the Bay Bridge suspension span is my favorite bridge. No offense, Golden Gate.) I am more frequently in London and know my way around there better. Berkeley stresses me out - and while I usually blame the traffic, in all honestly it's probably because it was such a time and place of melancholy, stress and frustration for me. I take that Hwy 80 exit and feel the aimlessness seep up from the bones of memory.
After picking up my perfume from the impossibly young shop girl (did my skin look so good when I was that age?) - I walked in search of something quick nosh before class and came across Triple Rock brewery. They had just opened while I was an undergraduate. The micro beer movement was a new trend then. When I had a rare few bucks to spare I'd go there for a burger and a beer on the roof top garden. Even when dirt poor I was a foodie. While my peers would spend money on the cheapest brew possible to get sloshed, I'd save up a few bucks to buy one bottle of exotic and rare foreign brew once a month for a cultural and culinary adventure in a glass.
The brewery was unchanged. It seemed smaller than I remembered but everything was the same, down to the vintage knock off beer posters. The burgers were still exquisite - better even. Opting for a coke rather than a beer, I sat in the shade on the roof garden, over hearing conversations of TAs, undergrads, grads and neighborhood residences. The gadgets were different. There were no cell phone then, much less lap tops and waitstaff computer stations.
Then I realized I'd not been there for... twenty years. Had it really been that long? In a puff of smoke moment I felt the rush of time flow over me and dissipate into thin air. It's pass so quickly and now I'm here. Am I any less naive then I was then? Am I any wiser than I was then? When the pop culture icons of my youth are still huge and active contemporary pop culture icons, I'm deluded that I'm still as young as when I first heard them or saw them. Maybe that's why we're so invested in continued success of this star or that celeb. When they die, change or retire, it's like that box of smoke that washes us over with age and the realization of time passed.
My life flows and moves rapidly - with all the changes around me and the adventures I have, the sense of time passed is evaded.
Sometimes. that which doesn't change show our changes and passing of time all the more starkly.
They're making a free class available for everyone. This is also one of my most favorite classes - a class I wished I could have taken long time ago - it would have saved me a lot of bad scenes and given me greater satisfaction.
:)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Free class "Beyond Twisted: Kink Outside the Box" with Midori
When: Wed 7/15. Doors open at 6:45, and class starts at 7, continuing until 9pm.
Where: The SF CITADEL, 1277 Mission St (at 9th St.)
The Kink Network and the Stop Aids project have enabled this class with a special focus toward gay, bi, and trans men, however all folks over 18, of all genders and orientations are welcome.
Ever feel boxed in by the definition and expectations of kinky sex? Find your self dissatisfied with scenes or frustrated at not having your desire accepted? Want to figure out how to create a multi-person scene and with everyone happy? You're not alone! Ever notice the expectation that sadist must of course be a dominant and a submissive must of course be a masochist?
Is this right? Wrong!
Come along as Midori explodes the standard definitions of kink roles and expands the idea of what kink is all about. In "BeyondTwisted," she maps out a fine-tuned and flexible framework that anyone can use to help describe their deviant desires. And as we all know, that's the first step to fulfilling them! This is a class for those who don't quite fit into the standard boxes... and for anyone who's curious about their own possibly untapped potential!"
The doors open at 6:45, and class starts at 7, continuing until 9pm. The SFCITADEL is located at 1277 Mission St (at 9th St.
For more information please contact Jorge Vieto... phone 415.575.0150 X 208 or Email: jvieto@stopaids.org
~ ~ ~
Monday, July 13, 8-10 pm
$25 if pre-registered, $30 for drop-ins
Please call 510-841-8987 to reserve a seat.
Ahh… the flogger. It’s often what comes to mind when we think of kinky sex, but picking one out and learning to use it can be quite a challenge. If you’d like to learn the skills of using floggers and get some tips on finding one that works for you, come join Midori for a hands-on evening full of useful tips. You’ll learn how to find the toys that will create the sensations that you want and that will work for your body, as well as how to use them to deliver powerful sensations without fatigue. If you have a flogger, please bring it. Midori will also bring different types to experiment with.
We strongly recommend reserving your seat in our workshops. Some of our classes fill up and signing up up early will make sure you can attend them. Other workshops have smaller attendance and we may cancel an event if only a few people are signed up in advance. Early pre-registratio
Please call us at 510-841-8987 during store hours to register for this class. We’ll need your name, phone number and a credit card number to reserve a seat. However, we will only charge your card if you don’t come to the class and you don’t cancel your reservation by 3 pm on the day of the class. Registration fees can be paid in cash or credit card when you arrive. We’ll be open at 7:30 pm and all workshops are from 8-10 pm. We suggest that you plan to arrive a few minutes early to check in at the counter.
I'm in search of a stage assistant for an upcoming performance
When: Sat 7/18. Late evening show. Ideally be available for afternoon rehearsal.
What: Marquis Fetish Ball www.marquisfetishball.com
Where: Supperclub www.supperclub.com, 657 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94107-1312
Duties include: Load-in equipment, help stage set-up, help costuming, general runner, crowd monitoring assistance, stage clean-up, light to moderate lifting, fast reaction and quick thinking. Must not be clown-phobic.
Included: Small stipend + 1 guest
Drop me a line here or e mail me at midori (at) fhp-inc (dot) com
I guess there isn't much interest in that sort of rope play in LA...
So unless there's more sign-up by Thurs, I'll cancel. Why pay rent on a space when there's no interest in the topic, right?
If you've signed up and purchased tickets on-line in advance, I'll make sure that you get a full refund. I'll send you an apology gift as well...
But if you're still interested in signing up, here's the link.
http://bit.ly/x3iDZ
below is the class info:
===
[Rope Dance: Dynamic Passionate Movements]
Sunday, July 12
2pm – 5pm
2811 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(Next to Syren / Stockroom)
Cost:
$60 / pair in advance at www.FHP-inc.com (in Classes page)
$70 / pair at the door
Class Limited to 20 Pairs
A hands-on movement class using rope in an entirely new way... Learn to dance, stretch, seduce, power-exchange and connect at a deeper level using the rope in a whole new way. If you think rope bondage is just about tying knots, you're missing the core of rope seduction! This is the foundation of truly sexy and evocative rope bondage scenes.
No rope experience necessary.
Adjustable to all fitness and mobility levels.
Special 10% discount for all purchases at Syren / Stockroom
How to Prepare:
Wear comfortable clothing.
Bring 1 rope of 15’ to 20’ per person.
Bring your own ropes or use ropes provided by Midori.
===
Thank you!
I just wrote my opinion on the "Best of Bondage" photo book from Goliath on my new FHP blog.
I'm using that blog to keep my shiny new education site fresh and a venue to talk about my art work & sex ed op-ed.
http://fhp-inc.com/goodies.php
I'm sitting waiting for my allergy shot so I thought I'd review the Transformer movie I saw last night with K and JW. Some movies I love immediately - "Up" as an example. Some I hate immediately - "All The Vemeers in New York". Some I'm not sure of in the moment but then I come to love and appreciate it more and more as time goes by - "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" for one
Transformers isn't any of these. We saw it kn IMAX so all the special effects of flash, boom, bang, zoom, and clang kept my attention and my monkey brain engaged. Look, it's not like I expected a deep dramatic masterpice-I went for escapist big kid toy filled entertainment. Even consisting that it was bad. The only good things I can say about it is that it's a good vehicle to show off IMAX capability. The movie would be miserable on smaller screen and ordinary sound system. It would be like being stuck in a fender bender on the 405 during rush hour instead of watching a train wreck. You actually DO want to take your eyes off of it, there you are, stuck in the middle of clanging metal and scratchy noise.
The only other good thing of the movie was spending time with loved ones and bitching about the film afterwards.
First obvious thing - it's one giant military recruitment advertisement. All the soldiers are moral, team playing knights of justice. No one sweats in the desert. They don't seem to have to wear helmets or half the gears soldiers usually wear. The high tech equipment works and shows up on time. Since they're fighting alien robots there's no moral conflict. Even as they bash in ancient ruins, not a flinch. At the treasury of Pertra the set designers installed the most hideous wall fresco that I'm sure was meant to be ancient Roman art but looked more like a Nevada brothel's Roman room mural as done by Hallmark. As an American I've got war fatigue already. Can I just get some science fiction not a Go Army comercial. Oh and apparantly Presidential orders and call for diplomacy can be ignored. Diplomacy is wimpy-let's blow shit up because America always wins.
Then there was the rampent sexism, even worse than Independence Day. I guess it was supposed to be progress that they showed two female communications soldiers but they looked more like old movie phone operator chicks. All sex pots or ding bat moms that needed strong men to protect them and hold hand under fire. Oh the mom? As if she wouldn't know what a pot brownie is! After all her generation invented it. All the female college students, at this Harvard-like university, must have been cast as hiring program for unemployed car show booth babes, now that most American car companies are broke. It's good for the economy. Speaking of which, how do the AutoBots fight effectively when they're all American cars from bankrupt comapnies? Maybe they would have fought more precisely if they were German carbots, been more energy efficiently as Japanese carbots, or better designed as Italian carbots.
Once the claw to claw robot combat started I couldn't tell where one bot ended and other began.
All the testicle jokes got old fast.
Oh and a fist fight broke out in the theater while we were watching. Not the sort of live action movie experience I want. That I immediately grabbed my purse and scoped put the nearest exit thinking there could be bullets flying soon just speaks so well of the world we live in.
Oh did I mention that I didn't like the movie?
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
MIDORI'S MUSINGS NEWSLETTER July 1, 2009
1. Current Trends in Sexuality
2. Forte Femme Weekend in August: Women’s Dominance Intensive in SF
3. Registration now for Seattle Rope Dojo in August
4. July classes/events (Santa Cruz, LA, Berkeley, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Rafael, Victoria Canada, Seattle)
5. Preview August classes/events (Seattle, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Chicago)
6. On Twitter now, and Other On-line Haunts: Twitter, FetLife, Yahoo, Tribe, FaceBook, etc.
= = = ( Read more... )
I met Hendrix today. He's a Main Coon like King David. I've never met a sheared cat before. Aparantly they call it a Lion Cut and not a Poodle Cut for the sake of his dignity. (it gets hot n muggy in Ottawa in summers so he's been getting this summer cut since he was young.)
I waonder what David would look like....
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
As part of setting this up, I need access to / get a hold of / borrow a classic recording security camera. You know, the kind that watches for shoplifters, bank security and surveilance of parking lot and stuff? The wall mounting style is nice.
Can someone help?
The on-line registration for Forte Femme: Women's Dominance Intensive in SF is now open.
This is a 3 day intensive where I pour out everything I can, from my head, heart and experience, to bring you towards a place of authentic power and fulfillment.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
If you could pass this on to relevant lists and interested parties, I'd be grateful.
:)
Midori
When: August 14-16
Where: San Francisco Airport Hyatt Regency
Limited to 10 women
Tickets: $650
Online ticket purchase at: [Fire Horse Events Ticket Sales]
= = = = Official Blurb = =
Event Details: ( Read more... )
I'm waiting for my ride to take me to the airport. LeVing lovely Toronto. Heading to Ottawa today to reach. Some snaps from moments here. I love the summer here.
( Read more... )
This is for the San Francisco Bay Area folks that might want to come to a class of mine.
What's your thoughts?
On Sunday, July 19th in San Francisco I'm teaching at Mr.S/Madame S. It'll be in their special, private upstairs space.
We've narrowed the topics down to
* "Hands-on Flogging" or
* "Fun with the Family Jewels: CBT"?
would love your input!
Later the same day I'm teaching a CBT class through Syren/Stockroom.
Please pass it along.
:)
Midori
= = = =
A Special Class with Midori
Brought to you by Fire Horse Productions, Inc.
Rope Dance: Dynamic Passionate Movements
Sunday, July 12
2pm – 5pm
2811 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(Next to Syren / Stockroom)
Cost:
$60 / pair in advance at www.fhp-inc.com/classes.php or HERE
$70 / pair at the door
Class Limited to 20 Pairs
A hands-on movement class using rope in an entirely new way... Learn to dance, stretch, seduce, power-exchange and connect at a deeper level using the rope in a whole new way. If you think rope bondage is just about tying knots, you're missing the core of rope seduction! This is the foundation of truly sexy and evocative rope bondage scenes.
No rope experience necessary.
Adjustable to all fitness and mobility levels.
Special 10% discount for all purchases at Syren / Stockroom
How to Prepare:
Wear comfortable clothing.
Bring 1 rope of 15’ to 20’ per person.
Bring your own ropes or use ropes provided by Midori.
Midori is a San Francisco based sexuality educator and the author of “Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage” and “Wild Side Sex: The Book of Kink”. Find her at www.PlanetMidori.com and www.FHP-inc.com
It's likely that I'll have one half day of personal time between classes, e mail and writing.
I will have limited transportation and staying near Venus Envy... and need to be able to return in time to prepare for evening classes.
What are the Must-See museum exhibitions going on? (My preference leans towards contemporary art but goes well beyond that as well.)
What's that market called? ByWays, I think? What are the must-see places there? I love good markets (Like St.Lawrence).
Gardens, parks, botanical gardens, urban oasis and nature trails are also faves.
Somewhere I read that there's some easy flat water kayaking place with good rental / guide shop. Do you know of any?
Street fairs or festivals going on?
Hidden gems of Ottawa that a visitor would enjoy?
Thanks!
~ Wed 6/24 “Hands-on Flogging” for novices and experienced. Bring your flogger or test drive one of Midori’s personal collection! At Come As You Are. 701 Queen St W, Toronto M6J 1E6 Tel. 416.504.7934 http://comeasyouare.com
~ Thr 6/25 “How to Eat a Peach: Pleasuring Her” for women only!
at Red Tent Sisters. 810 Danforth Ave. Toronto, ON M4J 1L6. Tel. (416) 463-8368 http://www.redtentsisters.com
~ Fri 6/26 “Hands-on Rope Body Harnesses” at North Bound Leather. 586 Yonge St. Toronto. Tel (416) 975-1337 http://www.northbound.com/ ; (Advance ticket purchase encouraged)
Feel free to pass this along!
Midori
The registration will be through http://www.FHP-inc.com.
I just wanted to give you a heads up as the space will be limited to 15 pairs.
Below is the class description. Think of it as assisted stretching meets yoga meets tango meets contact improv dance meets fight club.
Anyone interested?
Mark your calendars.
===
“Rope Dance: Dynamic Passionate Movements"
A hands-on movement class using rope in a entirely new way... Learn to dance, stretch, seduce, power-exchange and connect at a deeper level using the rope in a whole new way. If you think rope bondage is just about tying knots, you're missing the core of rope seduction. This is the foundation of truly sexy and evocative rope bondage scenes. No rope experience necessary. Adjustable to all fitness and mobility levels. It’s also a great new path to explore deeper leather intimacy.
How to prepare: Wear comfortable clothing. Bring your own ropes or use ropes provided by Midori.
Stop by and enjoy it, help out by volunteering or getting them the items needed.
Please feel free to forward
= = =
artana@hotmail.com wrote:
Hi Midori,
I am trying to put together a Buzz Cut, Bootblack, & Bake Sale booth benefiting PAWS <http://www.pawssf.org/> at the Folsom Street Fair. http://folsomstreetfair.org/
PAWS is a non profit that offers food, vet services, and grooming plus much more for the companion animals for people with AIDS.
Being new to San Francisco I don't know a lot of folks. I was hoping you might forward my request to some contacts who would be interested in volunteering their time at the booth. I am looking for 9 volunteers to do one 2 hour shift a piece; either boot blacking, buzz cuts, or selling milk and cookies. I'm also looking for folks willing to donate cookies, boot polish, and cotton rags.
I will be providing an air conditioned van to work out of that has electricity, running water, etc as well as an awning to keep us cool and comfy.
Hope you are well and thanks for the help!
Artana
Drop me a line at: artana@hotmail.com
= = =
