It was a great weekend but way too quick.  Friday I met up with David and his friend Jill who were making the Castro rounds.  Somehow we ended up half naked at the Edge (yeah go figure).

Saturday in the park (you know the song by Chicago) we watched the annual SF Mime Troupe performance.  Although I didn't think it was as good as it usually is, it was still pleasant and enjoyable.  

Afterwards we headed to a friends house for a  BBQ which was a lot of fun.  Lots of meat (both kinds).  Finally ended up at Marlenas which was really nice to spend time with her.  She was celebrating her 35th year of doing drag.

Finally Sunday, I hit the Eagle for beer bust.  The Defenders hosted a great afternoon.  Met some new peeps and ended the day in Castro.  
Hard to believe another weekend gone but it was fun.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

I finally got my Palm Pre yesterday.  Ihated waiting but 3 weeks for $150 is a lot.  All I can say is it was worth the wait.  Apps aren't plentiful yet but its so nice to have a raised keyboard again, not to mention Pandora works great through my bluetooth headset.  I'm in love and feel I can now blog on the go again. 

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

I was searching for information this morning, and came across a company that was pitting the new iPhone up against the Palm Pre. I only had to read the first paragraph about price. Although I do have to say, its pretty impressive (and maybe more so than the Pre), but the first thing they touch on was price. The iPhone has an 8gig model which they have reduced to $99. I still dont think this compares for what you are getting, not to mention the contract price you are paying in the long run.

I went to post a comment, and the thing I hate the most is when they make you register, click to accept the terms and conditions and FORCE you to sign up for their emails in order to opt-out. I really believe this should be a part of the CAN-SPAM laws but its not.

Further, I looked into it, and not only do they force you to sign up for spam, they also store cookies on your computer.

Beware of these sites that want to hurt you rather than provide information. fastcompany.com is NOT a reputable business or site.

So as many of you know, I have wanted to start a social group where people of all skill levels can feel comfortable, talking to each other, about what we do in the BDSM community. Two terms that Ive grown to hate are TNG and SSC.

TNG (The Next Generation), is nothing more than a way to define age. Its generally a group for younger people who no longer fit into a youth group because theyve grown too old by youth groups standards. I dont think it applies to the gay community or the BDSM community since the term "new" is more about when you come out which could be at any age for either one.

SSC (Safe, San Concentual) is a term that was used to say "hey, just because we are into BDSM, we arent crazy, and we have talked about it". This was at a time where people into BDSM and Kink, we considered to have a screw loose, or something had to be mentally wrong. People are finally viewing us a Sane, and we have a term called RACK (Risk Awareness Consensual Kink)which I think suits things much better. It says there is a risk to playing. Be aware of your risks, what you will be getting into, the outcome, and is much more knowledge driven.

Introducing Old Guard, New Guard. Old Guard says Tradition. We need to honor those old traditions keep the history, respect each other, earn your gear. New Guard says "Those rules have changed". So who is right, and who is wrong? Both!

We need the old guard to give us the history, tell us the stories of what it was like. To help us keep alive an image that was the reasons our dicks got hard to begin with. The Tom of Finland look, in tight leather, smoking a cigar. WOOF! My nipple just got hard talking about it.

We also need the new direction, the new kinks, the new fetishes. People are coming in all directions with new things that get them off from looning to adult babies. From cross dressing to puppy play. There are people in sports uniforms, firemen uniforms, as well as big furry costumes. These are the new people who are also enjoying leather, tradition, bondage, dominance/submissive play. There are rubbermen, and neoprene, spandex guys, and wetsuits. So do we say they cant play? These are the next generation regardless of age.

So how did we evolve? As much as people want to condemn it for keeping people inside, its the internet. Finding out there *are* like minded kinky fucks out there, who have similar needs. We may be ordering in but we are also living out our fetishes and kinks at a younger age, knowing we arent alone. This venue is a bit tough for an old guard mentality to understand mainly because its not a lifestyle they grew up with. Its a life experience, they didnt have at 15 years old so the mentality is much different and someone who is now 25, may have more knowledge than someone coming out at 35, or even 50.

So a social group where people of all ages, and all skill levels, can come together, talk about the "thing", play with things brought to the table "literally", and teach or learn through a common space. A cocktail in hand doesnt hurt either.

Hopefully this is something that will be a good thing, and now Im happy I have time to organize it with the help of Jorge, The Stop AIDS Project, and other people willing to pitch in.

SF LNK which get married with Teach Me Kink

REAL MEN WEAR KINK!

(if you made it this far, thanks for reading)

Im not sure why I lost the urge to post, part of me feels its because I gave up my Treo for an Instinct and being that the keyboard fucks up underground in MUNI, and that its not a raised keyboard, it become more difficult to update by phone. I used to update on my way too work, and from work. It gave me something to do to kill the time.

Hopefully when the Pre is released (and I know you all are sick of hearing me talk about it), Ill start posting again.

So whats been up with me? Im getting excited to head to Chicago for IML. David isnt going and although it would be nice if he was there (I know he'd have fun), it will still be fun. I normally stay with a friend in Chicago but every year, he has about 5 or more people staying there, and it becomes crazy to get out the door, and get to the hotel, for any event.

After competing last year, and staying at the hotel, I realized the value in being there. A quick elevator ride to escape when needed, and to have a bottle of vodka in my room which can easily be poured into a giant cup and taken into the lobby. Not to mention being around so many men who are staying at the hotel, its like having a smorgesborg of hot times. This year I have my own room just to have some fun. Anyone going and up for it??? :)

As for other things, June 1st will be my 5 year anniversary in San Francisco. Its tough to believe its been 5 years. Ive been thinking about it and I was in Rochester for 11 and already nearly half the time has been spent here. If 5 years goes by that quick, Ill be 50 in no time. WOW!

Which brings me to my 40th birthday in August. Ive enjoyed my 30s but now its time to say goodbye. We are going to try and get a room at the Russian River Resort and hopefully have many of our friends go too. It would be great to spend my 40th up in the sun, drinking beside the pool, surrounded by men. mmmmm

Also worth mentioning is David and my 2 year anniversary the beginning of June (June 9th I remember *smile*). Im not sure yet what we are doing but should be a nice time together.

Finally work! *sigh*... Im not sure its the place for me but until life tells me its time to move on, Ill keep doing what I do, and working. I really hope next year allows me to get a camera since Id really love to start getting more into photography again. Just seems I need a new camera to take that direction. Who knows, maybe tax time, a camera and a couple of classes.

For now Im off to work.

Since I couldnt login to the account I created a year ago, and dont really want to play around with creating a new one, here was my post to the thread regarding the Samsung Instinct which was started nearly a year ago and told it was being developed. Finally after 10 months you say its nearly ready. Heres my thoughts...

It looks good but here is my situation now. Ive had my Instinct nearly a year. I have wanted loopt to work with it for nearly a year. Now Im looking to get rid of my Instinct and get a Palm Pre when it comes out. Ive pretty much lost my steam about wanting Loopt on my Instinct just from waiting. Im pretty sure I wont be adding the app to the Palm Pre which Im sure will be popular.

A recent posting in the WebOS forums showed side by side the features from Palm Pre vs the same features in the iphone. Its a matter of opinion still Im sure however I have to say, the Palm Pre looks prettier and from what I know so far will function just as good as the iPhone. Take a look and feel free to give your thoughts.

http://www.desmondsdoghouse.com/prevsiphone.html

I know, so many of you people are probably tired of hearing me talk about it but one thing I can say is my blogging has decreased since its impossible to type without a raised keyboard. Ok so I *can* type but when I am on my way to work (or from work) and Im on MUNI, theres like gremlins in the phone and it suddenly will lock up my typing and takes forever. I certainly blogged more when I had my Treo (prior to 7/08).

So last night I dreamed I had a Pre. Funny part is, it was big and bulky and nothing like what I imagined. It reminding me of this old handheld fishing game I had when I was younger.




With all this anticipation, and excitement from the first day I saw it in January, why would I dream a horrible dream like that.

Id call it a nightmare since Ive been one of the biggest Pre promoters there is....

So I dreamt that David and I were heading to a movie together. We split up when we got there (kind of like the metreon, where he could go one way and Id go another). After he didnt come back for a while, I went looking. Finally found him at the bar, drunk, out on the deck with his friends. I was pissed off and left. Apparently we were on vacation because I headed back to this hotel where we were staying. The landlord (who apparently didnt like me), came by to try and get us out. She noticed cats on the bed and asked whos they were. Funny thing, they werent mine or Davids.

After pulling the cats off the bed, we noticed some woman sleeping in it. After asking what she was doing there, it turned out she was some section 8 woman who was kicked out and needed a place to stay. The landlord decided she had to stay and that I had to leave. With David not back, I was worried how I was going to pack our stuff, and how he would find me.

Then my alarm went off so I dont know how it ends....

I just found out that Adobe released a free, online version of Photoshop. Although its the basic photo editing tools, it does have some fun advantages and will allow you to directly edit photos from flickr and facebook.

www.photoshop.com

Along the lines of new apps, netflix has also integrated with facebook and updates your ratings of movies to ypur fb wall

So Ive been neglecting my blogging and although no one noticed, I still feel obligated to write things down. Its been a great feeling after stepping down and realizing there isnt anywhere I "have" to be. It was nice sitting back watching someone else in the limelight, and being able to sip my cocktail. It reminded me of the times when I was getting stoned, going to party after party, and several of us would hide in the darkness and watch people. It once again felt like the outside looking in (a fly on the wall so to speak).

With it, I also realized there are things I wanted to do with the title but I was running around so much being seen. Now I have time to actually accomplish a few things, and Ive started working on making connections. Finding people who can help.

On my agenda is getting LNK going again. I was thinking about seeing if I can get a Friday night in May before IML, to put together a night of demos and fun. Hopefully getting some younger players involved.

I also want to plan another fund raiser at Marlenas which will raise money for either RWF again, or perhaps another charity. We will see once things progress. I dont think Ill worry about it until Im ready to.

Several new developments worth mentioning. David is finally moving back to the city (although the southern border is pretty close to being south bay to me lol). He will only be about 30 minutes by bus or about 15 minutes by car. Its better than 45 minutes to an hour though so Im excited.

So he is moving the weekend of Mr San Francisco Leather which is April 4th. He doesnt have much and although I offered to help him, he still insists I do what I need to do. He's the best that way.

I have my plane ticket and hotel reservations for IML set for May and we are planning on hitting western NY in the fall when the leaves are changing, frost crunching under our feet, spook houses, pumpkins, and halloween. Im really looking forward to it.

As for work, its been annoying lately. Seems like the software doesnt work, and a good majority of the calls are people bitching. I honestly believe its the nature of the beast and with the economy the way it is, people are really starving to make money any way they can. When you tell them they cant make money with you, or if something fails, they are ready to fight. Guess its tough times all over.

So this weekend we are going to be saying goodbye to someone who has been a great influence on my life. I used to flirt with him a few years back, and he was a huge support for my running for Hayes Valley Leather. He is moving back to TX (I know, who moves *there*?). Jay, since I know you read this (and Sean), thanks for everything. I appreciate your friendship, and will definitely miss you. Family brunches wont be the same.

So thats the update. Ill be certain to neglect my blog again, and write a ton more later.

glossadmrsfleather.jpg

It means we care about our environment...

So one of the fun parts about doing support for an email marketing company is that sometimes a priceless moment comes across me desk.

Today a man calls regarding a high click rate from comcast. Aftef investigating, we discover the link was to a young girl in leotards, and the recipient of his email may have posted the link to a forum or blog leading to over 13000 clicks....

On another note, I found a round trip ticket for IML for $230 total. Leaving from SJ and short layover in Salt Lake City. Leaving on 5\20 returning 5/25

Wow, its been a while since Ive blogged. I keep wondering how I kept up with it before. I seem to think about things to blog and then dont get a chance to do it. Maybe before with my Treo it was much easier to send it from my phone. *shrug* who knows.

Anyway, things have been pretty busy lately. I went to my first Coronation last weekend which was drunken good fun. The event is huge for San Francisco, and was mixed with leather men, drag queens, friends of leather and drag queens, not to mention all of the above from places in Alaska, Phoenix, and Portland.

The event lasted about 5 1/2 hours (although we left after about 4 1/2). Everyone walked to give their regards to Cher and John who were stepping down from their title as Empress and Emperor of San Francisco. I wish them well as they enjoy having their lives back (at least somewhat since no title ever really ends).

Congratulations to newly elected Paul Maka Poole (Our new Emperor of all of San Francisco and good friend), and Angelina Josephina Manicotti (Our new Empress of all of San Francisco) on their newly elected titles. You Paul, will do the community proud, and truly deserve the title.

David and I snuck in some vodka and still managed to spend a fortune. Combined with my Hayes Valley Leather family, and some really close friends, it was a lot of fun. David and I even made it up to Level 5 (Heroes reference) although we did have security ask us to leave. Guess level 5 is off limits :)

The rest of the week has been mild but Im prepping for a very busy weekend. Last night I judged another SOMA Bare Chest Calendar semi final. The 2 contestants were both really great and I think they will both go on to the finals in May. I met some new people and some new hot men. Flirted with some old friends (isnt that what friends do?).

Tonight is dinner for a friends 40th birthday and directly after that will be the Mr Truck Deviant contest. Tomorrow is brunch with the HVL family and my last brunch as the current Mr Hayes Valley Leather. Sunday is the Mr Hayes Valley Leather contest and my step down.

With it approaching, I have a lot to say however I wont deliver a long, dragged out speech. Instead, Im putting some thoughts down in my blog, for anyone to read.

Although I dont feel Ive done enough, I feel Ive held true to myself and what I wanted to do with the title. Titles are a blank canvas which some people tend to do nothing with, and some paint masterpieces. Although mine may not have been a masterpiece, I did express myself, who I am, and held true to the things I believe in.

My goal was to bring out new people, and show a younger generation that its ok to be kinky and queer. Its ok to express who you are, and welcome them with open arms. I kept myself visible in the eyes of a younger generation, made myself approachable, and have welcomed a few new people to our community. With this Ive found more confidence, a larger voice, and a strength above one that I thought I already had. I grew yet remained true to who I am.

There are several people I can openly thank for being where I am. First is my roommate, who almost 5 years ago brought me to San Francisco. 6 years ago when I met him and we got together, I was still afraid. He asked me "what are you really afraid of" which made me think and come to the conclusion, I was only afraid of the unknown and was not rationalizing what would actually be real. I came out of the closet again.

I thank the Imperials who have really made my year, and supported me greatly. Its appreciated.

My Hayes Valley Leather brothers (I prefer brothers instead of fathers and grandfathers), for giving up so much to support me, and although you may say "thats what we do", its not true to most families. Ours is the best family, the closest family, and the most giving family of any leather group I know.

With that Marlena has been a wonderful sponsor, providing a wonderful bar in which everyone has been welcomed. She has shown me what it means to care about something. I already cared about our community, but I never dreamed I could care any more than I did. I was wrong. I now know that the ability to care for something is truly endless and we need to fight for what we believe in.

Finally Id like to say thank you to my partner David who has been a part of the family as much as I have. He stood behind me for many events where he may have rather do other things. He was told he would become a sash widow, I would be a drunk, and we would break up within the year. The person who told him that was so far off. If anything I feel closer to him, and truly appreciate him being my support. I love you very much.

So this Sunday is my step down. Marlenas, 488 Hayes Street, 6pm. Its going to be packed.

Postbox has now been released... Thank you :)

http://www.postbox-inc.com/features