Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Rope!
After a few months of headaches, returned shipments, and a LOT of long distance calls to Eastern Europe my first direct shipment is here. A QUARTER TON of the best hemp rope I have ever seen is now sitting in my livingroom.
Please pardon me while I do the happy dance.

Now I just need to start clearing out my back log… let me see there is that rope for Jane, and Bridgett, and Matisse and Toys and…..

Monday, June 28, 2004

A funny thing happend on the way to the gangbang. PT2
When we last left our intrepid hero he was listening to Rocket, tell him all about the surprise gangbang her partner Red threw for her. Little does Rocket know that Monk already knows the story, he was there, but she has yet to realize that. Let’s join back with the conversation.

Rocket: “So where was I? Yeah he had me lay down on my back and they proceeded to tie me down”

By this point in the story, the rest of the party had joined to listen to the tale. S, having just refilled my glass, sits at my feet, hugging my legs and resting her head on my knee. The rest of the party sit silently, hanging on Rocket’s every word.

Rocket: “Like I said, I was naked, blindfolded and laying on my back on the bed. Hands bound me to the four corners of the bed. I recall trying to feel if the rope was hemp or not”
When she says this, she peers deeply at me, as if looking for a signal from me that yes, in fact it was I who bound her. Not wanting to end the game yet I shrug and respond in my best poker face,
M: “Well my rope is quite popular…”
Undaunted, she continues,

Rocket: “The next part is a bit of a blur. I remember hands, lots of hands. I figured that there must have been at least six other people there.”
M: “Six? How did you come up with that number?”
Rocket: “Mostly from the way they all kissed me. I could tell Red’s kisses. And Kreig’s beard gave him away. I already established that Silk was there from her laughter, but the way she kissed me told me for sure. However the other ones… I just could not place them. They kissed me with such energy.”

I can feel S’s hand grip my ankle as she sits at my feet. She is trying not to smile.

Rocket: “I must have cum a dozen times, then somebody put their hand in me and I went through the roof. I’m fairly certain that it was a woman. All you guys have catcher’s mitts for hands. No these hands were wonderful.”

S’s grip on my ankle tightens.

Rocket: “After screaming for mercy, everyone took a break. I remember hearing the tell tale click of Kreig’s Zippo lighter so I assumed everyone was outside smoking. After untying me, Red sat next to me as I lay there panting. A woman, I assumed it was Silk, gently caressed my face. I tried to say something to her to try to address her by name, but Red asked me if was sure that it was Silk. I thought so, but… maybe not. Her touch was different. Laughing, Red set my hand in her lap, placed it onto what had to be the loveliest bush I have ever touched. It was soft and thick and… and well it was… just… powerful.”

Rocket is now looking at T, perhaps hoping to get a reaction out of her. T just sits there and smiles. S, on the other hand, has now pressed her face into my thigh. The casual kinkster would associate that as pretty normal behavior for a sub when in sitting like that. The truth was she was trying desperately to hide the fact that she was blushing. I try to help the ruse along by absently stroking her hair and letting it fall in front of her face.

Rocket: “When they all returned, I was turned over onto my hands and knees. I kept hoping that finally somebody was going to fuck me. God I was ready for that!”
M: “What? Up till now it was just foreplay to you?!”
Rocket: “Well no, but nothing beats the real thing! And oh was I in for it…”

At this point we, the 3 men all took stock of our god given talents. I, thanks to a little help from the Pfizer Corporation, was up to the task. As S and Silk prepared the re-enforcements, I marched into battle.

Rocket: I swear to god they must have invited the Flying Karamatzov Brothers to the party.”
M: “Why do you say that?”
Rocket: “Cuz I was being fucked with a bowling pin!”
M: “What, like a big strap on or something?”
Rocket: “Oh no, you can totally tell the difference. This was no strap on”

She was obviously trying to bait me. I can feel her gaze cut through me as she watches for a reaction.

M: “Well you did say you were hoping for some black men.” I respond, holding my coffee mug close to my mouth in an attempt to hide my smirk.
Rocket: “Well whoever it was, was big AND knew how to use it”

Add an afternoon in S’s bed, some good pharmaceuticals, and the desire to please and maybe you could say that I was showboating, just a wee bit.

Her eyes continue to stare hard at me. I try hiding further behind my coffee mug.

Rocket: “I dare say he profoundly fucked me”

With a choke I stare over my glass, trying desperately to keep my cool. S is now biting down on my thigh in order to keep from bursting into laughter. Out of the corner of my eye I see Silk, watching me, as if trying to will me to not blurt out my guilt.

Rocket: “My only complaint was that he did not come. I would have at least like to have the satisfaction of knowing I made whoever was doing this wonderful thing to me come. “

If it were possible for me to crawl into my coffee mug and hide, I would have.

Rocket: “By now I was exhausted. I just had to stop. I begged Red to let me see who was in the room but he made me lay there and wait. Eventually they each kissed me as they left the room. When the blindfold came off, there I was with Red, alone.”

After frantically packing our gear away and slipping off into the darkness we, Silk Krieg S and I stood under the street lamps of the hotel parking lot and exchanged exhausted glances. 6 hours had passed since she walked through the door of that room.

Rocket: “It’s too bad really, I never got to say thank you to them. They did something wonderful for me. “

Later that evening on the drive home, we (T, S and myself) replayed the events of the night.
T: Wow, now that was a hell of a story.
S: Yeah, I have a powerful bush! Roar! Fear my bush of power!
M: Oh man that was close, I totally thought I was going to loose it there at the end. But I think I covered it well
T: Yeah… sure you did. Aside from the eyes as big as saucers and the ear to ear blush you were made of stone… total poker face.

Sunday, June 27, 2004

Sometimes it is the simple things you do that carry the most meaning. One of T’s favorite dishes is macaroni and cheese. That familiar blue box was one of her childhood comfort foods. Now I on the other hand, HATE the stuff. Just the thought of the bright orange cheese power makes my skin crawl. Since I do most of the cooking, you can guess that it seldom made an appearance at our dinner table.

Sure, we always had a box of the stuff in the house. She would eat it whenever I was not home for the evening. Pretty soon it became a running gag. Monk had a date so T made sure to plan on Mac & Cheese for dinner. I started making a point to having it on hand for her before I left for the evening.

Eventually a lover taught me how to make the real deal, white cheddar macaroni and cheese. There are no more blue boxes in our house. Now whenever I go out with a potential lover for the first time, I make T this dish for dinner as my way of telling her thank you for loving me so much.

Now go make some for someone you love.
1 medium onion -- chopped
1 clove garlic – minced
1 cup ham - diced
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
4 tablespoons margarine
4 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 cups skim milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups white cheddar cheese -- shredded, divided (or a mix of Romano, Parmesan, and Assagio)
8 ounces macaroni -- cooked
1/3 cup toasted bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 375-degrees F.

Melt the butter in a skillet. Add onions, garlic, and red pepper and sauté
until tender. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture
bubbles slightly, about 2 minutes. Add milk, a little at a time, mixing
thoroughly after each addition. Bring to a boil, add salt, peppers, and one
cup of the cheddar cheese. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes more.

Spray a 1.5-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Place cooked macaroni in
the dish. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and mix gently. Sprinkle the
remaining cheese (1/2 cup) over the top. Spread the breadcrumbs over the
cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and
the sauce is bubbling.

Friday, June 25, 2004

My date with Dancer

So there I was, sitting on a leather couch that probably cost more than my car, sipping expensive French champagne and talking about art with Dancer, a woman who is quite possibly one of the most attractive women in Seattle. Up to this point the evening had gone swimmingly. Sitting side by side rarely breaking eye contact, we talked art, showed each other our portfolios, I told her all my funny stories, we even shared some catty gossip…then she did it, she touched me. Her fingers gently stroked the back of my hand.

Never underestimate the power of a simple touch. Till now the physical contact had been friendly, a hug and peck on the cheek at the door or a gentle pat on the arm after a good story. Of course there was sexual tension in the air, but we were both playing it cool. Then, like flare being fired in the dark night, that single touch said volumes, it was time to make my move.

As she leaned into me, lips moist and parted, I remember thinking to myself, “You got one shot at this. Make it good.” Steeling my resolve I pressed on and the kiss that was returned? Electric, simply electric. In a moment I knew that this woman was going to do things to me that would make Prince blush.

What followed was a torrent, a mad rush to explore every inch of each others torso with our mouths. Hands gripping, fingers caressing we kissed and kissed AND kissed. Then after what felt like an eternity she asks with a wicked smile, “You know, this might be more comfortable upstairs.”

What I did next will either mark me as the great lover or the biggest dolt on earth.

“I’d love to, but not yet. I really am enjoying talking to you. I don’t want to rush this.”

With an even larger smile she refilled my champagne glass and curled into my lap. “So tell me, how did you get the name monk anyways?”
And there we sat talking, touching, kissing and laughing till the wee hours of the morning.


Sitting here typing this, it all seems surreal. There I was, me, with an incredibly sexy woman who wanted to take me to bed and fuck my brains out. And I said no thank you. Not for lack of desire, but rather because I was having too much fun listening to her laughter.

Granted, I know that next time she is gonna use me like a chew toy.

Thursday, June 24, 2004

A funny thing happend on the way to the gangbang, part 1
I recently had the pleasure of attending a small party at my good friend’s, Silk & Kreig's, home. A small gathering of kinky swinger types for an evening of cocktails and conversation. Now while I consider any invitation to their home a treat, this event was not to be missed. Rocket was going to be there.

The last time I had seen her she was blindfolded, tied naked to the bed of a seedy hotel room.

Her partner, Red, threw her a surprise gangbang a few weeks ago. S and I were there, however Rocket does not know that. Part of the gangbang fantasy was to keep the players identities a secret. She and I have talked a few times in social situations, but never played together. This party was the first time she had even met S. Now I am sure that she must have her suspicions, a list of the usual suspects, as it were, but no hard evidence. Silk has done her best to keep Rocket off my trail, providing alibis feeding disinformation.

Sure, you can call it ego, but I wanted to get inside her head. I wanted to hear her tell the story.

Once dinner was over and we were all sitting around the table I made my move.

M: “So I just have to ask, Silk was telling me about your motel adventure…”
Rocket: “You mean the gangbang? “
M: "Yeah, so can I ask? What happened?”
Rocket:“Well I had been feeling really crappy for a while. Work was awful, I was not feeling overly sexy, and you know that whole stressed out thing. So Red was worried and was up to something. He said that he had something that he knew I really wanted and was a sure fire way to cheer me up.
M:“Really? And what did you think that was?”
Rocket:“Either a bunch of black men or tivo”
M:“Wow, I didn’t know being able to pause live TV was that big a draw for you.”

I feel the need here to give you some extra information. Red had been planning this event for weeks with the help of Kreig. It was to be Red, Kreig, Silk, S and me. Like the cast of a low rent heist film, we each had a unique skill to bring to the event. Kreig’s toybag, Silk’s taste, S’s strong nimble little hands, and my… well we will get to what I brought a bit later.

“On the day of the happening I remember being very nervous. Red put me in the car and blindfolded me. We drove for what seemed FOREVER. When we got to wherever it was he lead me into a hotel room.”
M: "Now how did you know it was a hotel room?”
Rocket:“It had that hotel smell, you know. So I’m standing in what I think is the doorway, blindfolded when suddenly there are all these hands undressing me.”
M:“Were you scared? What were you thinking?”
Rocket:“Well I knew that I wasn’t getting a Tivo! I remember being a bit apprehensive but when I smelled Kreig’s cologne I felt much safer. Once I heard Silk laugh I knew I was in safe hands. I knew Red would not let just anybody undress me, but knowing I was among friends really helped me relax.”

Now the truth of the matter is that Silk has a very distinctive laugh and Rocket knows that. I cannot let you think that Rocket passively let all this happen to her. Oh no, She baited Silk with comments and jokes till Silk erupted in her trademark laughter. Once she was busted, the pressure was on the rest of us to not give into our urge to also laugh. This was probably the first and only time I have ever contemplated wearing my own ball gag.

Rocket:“All the hands were very gentle and soft. They caressed me as they removed my clothes. Once naked they lead me up these stairs and into some kind of hot tub. I remember soaking in the warm water while all these hands touched me. Then they started to feed me things. It was really strange and disorienting. You open your mouth and have no idea what is going to show up in it. One moment you’re eating sweet strawberries and cream, the next sharp cheddar. At one point I was laying back getting my neck rubbed, kissing a woman and feeling a water jet right on my clit. Amazing, simply amazing.
Once I was done with the tub, there was some concern about me climbing blindfolded out of it. I guess me falling and breaking an ankle might have put a damper on the rest of the night’s plans”
M:“Yeah that might have been hard to explain to the paramedic”
Rocket:“Red agreed and removed my blindfold while I got out of the tub. As I climbed down from the raised platform of the tub I did a quick survey of my surroundings.”
M:“So what did you see?”
Rocket:“Well first off, the room was bigger than I thought. You know, your typical near the freeway mid priced motel. The second striking thing was the floor.”
M:“What about the floor?”
Rocket:“It was strewn with toy bags, LOTS of toy bags, but no people. Not even any telltale clues as to who else was there. Just lots and lots of sex toys”

Not wanting to break the illusion, the 4 of us (Silk, Kreig, S and I) had all piled into the bathroom to avoid detection while she descended from the tub. As soon as she was out of the tub we thought we were in the clear, until she announced to Red, “I need to go pee” and quickly reached for the adjoining bathroom door. The same door we were all hiding behind. In a frantic moment of sit com inspired brilliance, we all frantically leap into the bathtub and drew the curtain closed. Hunching low, we desperately try to not make any sound as she sat not 3 feet from us.

After what felt like an eternity, she got up and made her way to the door. Looking up, we saw her shadow as it passed in front of the curtain. Reaching out a hand, she ran her finger tips along the closed curtain. Desperately, we pressed our selves further down into the tub in a feeble attempt to hide more.
The next thing we heard was a whispered “Thank you” and the sound of a closing door.


Rocket:“He replaced the blindfold and led me to the bed where I was told to lay down…”

I have rambled too much for one day, dear reader. I’ll tell you part two later.

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Why is it that whenever you see homemade porn photos on the net, they are always taken in somebody’s living room? It is bad enough you have to deal with their crappy interior decor, but there always seems to be a TV on in the background? And it’s always something lame like the news or football?! What, the halftime show was boring so you thought you kill some time before the second half by taking a few snapshots of your girlfriend fucking a bowling pin?!

And while I’m on the topic, guys why in god’s name do you keep taking photos of your cock? Not work safe Do you really think you are going to win over a girl with an extreme close-up of your wedding tackle? “Oh my I just have to fuck this guy; he has such a pretty cock.” There are enough photos of men’s tools our there, we do not need any more thank you! If you MUST take the shot, at least do something creative like dress it in a mini sombrero or maybe a tiny saddle.

Ok, Ok I’ll stop ranting.

Meanwhile in other news, the new rope just cleared customs and will be headed my way in the next 2 days. Dancer and I will be going out on our first “date” tomorrow. I’m planning on putting S in a collar all weekend and doing wonderfully awful things to her.

Some days I have to stop and say “Damn it’s good to be me.”

PS to Galahad. Have a blast this weekend, you earned it. I you need some rope for the event, all you need to do is ask. Just promise me you won’t do something silly like this. work safe

Tuesday, June 22, 2004


So, what did YOU do last weekend?
One of the things about cubicle hell that I will never miss is the Monday morning, "what did you do this weekend" pissing contest. You know the one, where everyone stands there and tries to one up the other one with tales of their REI accessorized weekends.

Well this is how I spent my weekend.

When working at a "non historical" show, the boss sometimes lets me out of the armor and tells me to be creative. This is what happens.

Sure I guess I could have spent the weekend mowing my lawn, but I don't want, "He kept his yard crabgrass free" etched on my headstone.
 


Remember how I said that you can never underestimate the value of a good prop? That rubber skull cost me 5 bucks at a joke shop. Add some old hemp rope and a sharpie and now you have "Bernard". A prop so popular that it acutally got listed in the show's credits!  Oh and did I mention that we also got out photo on the front page of the local paper? Not bad.

Monday, June 21, 2004

I am literally exhausted from the act of laughing; my entire body feels like the humor has been wrung out of me like water from a sponge. What prey tell did this to me? An evening playing Dungeons and Dragons. Yes I’ll admit it; I’m a nerd who likes to play with dice. However the folks I play with are far, far from the overweight social misfits you usually associate with gaming. No these are people who understand that a game is nothing more than an excuse to gather with friends and enjoy each other’s wit and imagination. Folks that believe that laughter, above all else, is the goal of the night. Our insane schedules do not allow us to get together often, but when we do we are every DM’s nightmare.

Don’t believe me? Here is a rundown of the party:
Crow: A half elf ranger. Admittedly the straight man of the group, but somebody’s got to do it.
Og: A mountain of a brute, a half orc barbarian who’s entire vocabulary consists of 4 words, “Smash”, “Meat”, “Squish” and “Verisimilitude”
Gypsy: The seductress sorcerer who enjoys exposing herself during combat to distract the enemy. Oh she also has a familiar. A snake named “Little Og” that she keeps between her ample bosoms.
Smegma: A cross dressing gnome who, when frustrated, solves every problem by repeatedly stabbing the nearest party member in the leg.
Bjorn Agen: A bard and master of disguise, the only problem is that he can only communicate by singing ABBA songs and plays a didgeridoo.

Granted, we don’t get much real questing done and yes we have run off more than a few other players. Somewhere there is a circle of hell reserved for gamers who do not take the game seriously and we are bound for it. Till then I’ll keep brushing up on my ABBA.

Saturday, June 19, 2004

When cover bands go bad.
So T just had to show me her new favorite band. A cello quartet that plays Metallica covers. Heavy Metal Cello you ask? Sure, why not.
Not to be outdone, I countered with this… An album of bluegrass Metallica covers. Now that is just wrong.

Of course, S countered with this. Country twang versions of Kiss songs.

Dear god I am in hell....

Thursday, June 17, 2004


Never underestimate the value of a good prop.
When added to a costume they can transform the mere actor into a cultural icon. What would Sherlock Holmes be with out is pipe or Indiana Jones with out his fedora? Or more recently, Professor Snape with out his long black cassock. The right prop can be the key to unlocking the character.

These are my "topping goggles", a recent addition to my arsenal of kink. My prop for when I want to play the deviant, evil, rat bastard top. No, these are not the thing to wear when you want to do meditative Japanese rope work. These are what I wear when I'm feeling like playing hard. Usually worn loose around the neck or pushed high on the forehead like a pair of horns, this prop helps me channel my inner bastard. Like what I recently did to T.

She got her first taste of fresh ginger. And here all along we all thought it was Mary Anne Once she was sufficiently tied down and warmed up, a sliver of freshly peeled ginger (at room temperature) was placed on various strategic pink bits.

The results went something like this.
M: Ok, now tell me how that feels.
T: umm... kinda cool.
M: uh huh...
T: Oh yeah, now I can feel it, warmer...warmer...oh yeah warmer...oh ...my, that IS warm...oh crap that's really warm...WHOLY FUCKING CHRIST THAT IS HOT!
M: Oh is that too warm?
T: YES!
M: You want me to take it off?
T: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING?! YES!
M: Ok (long pause)
T: Well?!
M: say please...


Don't worry, it's nothing a little fresh cantaloupe and ice cream can't fix.
 Posted by Hello

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Growing up in the cultural pit that is Spokane, one does not get much opportunity to experience, let alone empathize with folks of an “alternative” lifestyle. I was 20 when I met my first gay friend. Oh sure, looking back I can pick out folks in my formative years who were probably gay. I just did not have the cultural wherewithal to pick up on it.

No, it was not till college when I met someone who was openly gay. Of course I did not realize that till after T pointed it out to me. I just thought she was a bit of a tomboy, did I mention that I’m a bit dense at times?

One day over beers after class I got the nerve up to ask her if she got much flack. Here is what she told me.
Invariably when some trucker/cowboy/bonehead type finds out that I am gay, they will lean in close and say, “You just ain’t found the right man yet, missy”. To which I would smile and respond “Ya know, the same thing could be said for you too. Big boy”, and saunter off leaving them with their jaws agape.

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Just got back from a 3 day show out on the peninsula. A mixture of fun, rain cheering crowds and more rain. While I take some time to clean my armor and count my new bruises enjoy a new blog I just found. It is new, but she has some potential.

Friday, June 11, 2004

While we are on the topic of music, I thought I might share some recent finds while this batch rope cools.

Here are a few new cd’s that I have been playing in heavy rotation.

Beta Band, Heroes to Zeros.
Like most of you, I discovered this band via the movie “High Fidelity”, in fact “Dry The Rain” is by far my favorite music to do intricate rope work to. This new album is less introspective than previous efforts, yet still wildly creative. They do more in one album than most artists will attempt in a career. The album spans styles ranging from introspective ballads to fierce dance hall anthems.
Currently on my top 5 albums to fuck to.

The Polyphonic Spree. The Beginning Stages Of..
Boy, how do you describe this band? Think “a post millennial up with people”. This is a band that consists of more than 20 members who all wear long Jim Jones style choir robes. A full choir with harp, horns, and a string section. Oh and they rock the house. The album, save one track that is just too “experimental” for my tastes, consists of bright, powerful and hopeful songs about love and happiness. Yes, this does sound hokey but trust me. These guys (and girls) play their souls out and create the kind of music that makes you want to lay in the grass naked with a beautiful woman and soak up the warm sun.

The Streets, Original Pirate Material.
Is it just me or am I the LAST guy on earth to find out about this band? Every time I try and tell someone about this band, they already have seen them in concert! What did I not get the memo?!
Funny, strange, white English thug hip-hop. Yes it is as odd as it sounds. Think Dizzy Rascal meets Emenem but with a much better sense of humor. Oh and a wicked cockney accent too!
Best line “... out ere we call em birds, not bitches…”

Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose.
Wow, what can I say? I love Jack White. He could produce an album where hobos farted on a snare drum and it would sound amazing. Add his genius to the legendary talent that is Lynn and you have an album that I never thought I would buy. Oh sure, it is hip to like old country like Johnny Cash, but Loretta Lynn?! Come one, what urban hipster would be caught dead listening to this? Only trouble is that the album is so damn good! A solid cd of deep, rich, heartfelt country tinted blues. The kind of album that makes you want to clap your hands and cry at the same time.


P.S. to Dancer, thanks you made my week :)

Wednesday, June 09, 2004

So, I find myself in an odd predicament today. While reading a friend’s blog, let’s call her Dancer, I made an interesting discovery. She intimated that she has a crush on someone. Now I think I know who that someone is… I think that someone could be me.

Upon reading her entry I re-ran the last face to face conversation we had. It was last Sunday, a nice one where she and her primary, let’s call him Sir, and T and I talked about everything from the ins and outs of managing poly relationships to the unholy trinity that is Kink-Science Fiction-Renascence Fares.

In hindsight there were tell tale clues. She was very glad to talk to us. So much so that she all but ignored others who were vying for her attention. We talked about New Horizons and Sir mentioned that they should go there again soon. That and Sir was, well he was really friendly to me. In fact on the drive home I confessed to T that I thought maybe HE was flirting with me.

I even have a half finished blog about how flattered that as a straight male this was the first time I was really flattered by a guy flirting with me. Oy can I be SUCH a dullard some days!

So this is the sticky bit. This is no ordinary gal. She and her partner are two of the coolest people I know. We have just started to get to know them and are enjoying the hell out of it. Professionally they are fantastic allies to have as I grow the business. That and she is probably one of the hottest women on the west coast. All I can say is damn. If this is true then I surely must have done something right in a past life!

Then again, what if I’m misreading the clues? I could be making a terrible, horrible fool of myself right now. It totally could be someone else and I run the risk of offending them if I am too forward. Who am I kidding? It has to be someone else?

What I really need now is one of those notes you sent in Jr. High. You remember the ones where you would write something like:
“Dear Dancer, do you like me? Circle Yes or No”
And then you had your best friend pass the note to her best friend, and so on and so on.

In closing, Dancer if I did read things right then let me say how utterly and completely flattered I am. Wow, thank you. And if I misread the clues? I still think you and Sir are both way damn cool and look forward to be counted among the ones you call “dear friend” someday.

Ahh, what a dark and terrible world it would be with out Monty Python. Enjoy the genius of Eric Idle as he sings about the state of the things. Fuck you FCC

My clothes reek of old cigarettes and my ears are ringing, It is late and I am tired. Who kept me out so late on a Tuesday night? Glad you asked, Just got back from seeing a live show with S, Franz Ferdinand. If you have not heard of these guys yet, crawl out of whatever rock you have been hiding under and take a listen, these guys are not to be missed. Enjoy them now before they get too big and forget how to make an entire club dance along.

Actually, I have been seeing a lot of live shows with S these days. She loves them; she loves the energy of the crowd. I can see why, when your in the thick of it, in a small smoky club, swimming with fans it is easy to get caught up in the energy of the performance. Of course she likes some. Well let’s just call them “Very Indie” acts. Before one show, she described the band as “Imagine a bunch of Russian crack babies, kidnapped by gypsies and trained for the circus." Now with a setup like that, how could I NOT want to see this band?

Both she and T love music. It is scary to hear them compare bands. I think between the two of them we have just about all the musical bases covered. That is of course omitting the sin that is “new country”. What the hell is up with that anyways? But that is a topic for anther day.

Anyways, go listen to Franz. They are definitely the “next big thing”. My only complaint was that the show was WAY too short. This being their first album, clocks in at a mere 38 minutes. That and the lack of a back catalog made for a fast, yet high energy show. I think tonight was the first time I have ever exited the Showbox before midnight. Too bad really, after 3 over priced beers and a hour of lousy opening band, I would have liked a bit more for my 16 buck ticket.

Oh and I should mention that this is one of the albums that S and I scene to. So for most of the show, I was covertly spanking her round bottom in time to the drums and smiling.

Night :)

Saturday, June 05, 2004

Sigh, my apologies for the lapse in postings. No, no sudden illness or kidnappings by the People’s Front of Judea. Rather just the chaos of everyday life. Have you ever noticed that you can be up to your ass in things going on, but when someone asks you “So what have you been up to?” All you can do is shrug and meekly say “um... stuff?”

That said let me take a moment and answer some questions I have gotten recently.

Nope, I did not sell anything at the art show last weekend. In fact nobody sold anything. Swingers, true to form, loved the work but would not open their wallets. Most feared that having a piece of art on the wall that was of a sensual nature might somehow tip off the neighbors about their double life.

Yes, I do actually wear a suit of armor. No, I’m not part of the SCA. I have all my fingers and teeth, thank you. At every show we tell the audience that we are in fact actors, not fighters and that we are not trying to hurt each other when we joust. Inevitably after a show we get some moron who obviously spent way too much time in the beer hall looking to go toe to toe with us. Look buddy, I don’t fight with a rattan stick. I’m an ACTOR who uses a forged steel sword to do his job. Ok I’ll stop ranting.

My next batch of rope will be here in 2 weeks. Fresh from Romania and ready to go! After many weeks of negotiation, translation, and work, this will be the first batch where I have completely bypassed the middleman and bought direct from the growers. We will know for sure in 2 more weeks, but so far it looks like the product will the of the highest quality yet and the price… well we are still working out the new pricing structure, but suffice to say that the retail price for high quality hemp rope just went WAY down.