"Do you think you can turn this into a full suspension?"

Here is a photo of the hog-tie that did my back in.


This was during a particularly challenging and charming scene I had with Max earlier this month. How long I was in this tie is unclear to me, but he tightened it 3 or 4 times, so that tells me it was a while. (Time is hard to keep track of in these instances.) Only my belly is touching the ground. Generally, one makes sure there is a bony structure, in the case of a hog-tie that would be the ribs or the hips, for stability and support.

I have a habit of turning any partial suspension into a full one, which is why Max made his suggestion. In this position it was incredibly hard to gather the leverage necessary to lift off the ground. I did try, though, and I am suspicious that my efforts are the direct cause of my back going out of whack. Well, I am sure there were more factors that just that. In all honesty, I know I am going to play that hard again, so if I can figure out what the "last straw" was in this past injury, I can avoid it in the future.

I need a new title.

Names are very important to me. Each job I have had, if it was a good and fun job, came with an interesting title. Now, sometimes this meant I had to rework the job title a smidge.

When I first started working at LRS, I was Jeff's personal assistant and my title was Grrrl Friday. A strong spin on a sexist job title. While I was the Spa Manager, I took up the moniker "Spa Queen" since I was in charge and made all the rules. A friend thought that title inadequate and dubbed me "The Anit-Gravity Masseuse of Doom." Which has a great ring to it and now that I am not the Spa Manager, is still applicable to my massaging-in-water proclivities.

But now I am the Director of the Little Red Studio shows. So dry and academic. In my zeal to bring back old conventions I teasingly referred to myself as Frau Direktor. That is not quite right, so I am still looking. I want it to be a light-hearted, "I'm not really taking myself seriously but you should" type of title.

Suggestions should be amusing, witty and offered with the idea that it has an equal chance of being ignored or applied literally. Thank you for playing!

New Year's Eve Performance

THe Mean Man and I will be doing an aerial bondage performance at the Center For Sex Positive Culture's New Year's Eve party. We have been planning and plotting a new act for this event.

Since we will be at the Center, in a very kink friendly atmosphere, we see this as a prime chance to inject a strong d/s element into a new act. There has been much discussion of what this will look like and how we can fuel the act with fear and lust. We haven't gone in this direction before. Each act heretofore has played with freedom, connection, and joy. I am curious to see how our plans will convey this new direction.

With more time, we are thinking more story is in order, as well as more spectacle. The biggest pieces to put into place are costuming and music. Music is tricky as the mood changes as we progress through the performance. It is always a little unnerving to work with more than one piece of music. Cues are so easily missed or delayed, espeically when performing for the first time in a venue. What would be optimal is to string the music together into one track so we just need to push play at the start and push stop at the end of the act. Simlicity. But to have that simplicity we need software and know-how. (This is when I yearn for technology from the movie the Matrix; just download the skills into my head!)

I am looking forward to getting into the space to practice. Workshopping and experimenting will be a good way to make the final decisions regarding this act. I love the creative process. That feeling of pulling numerous ideas and pieces together into a whole, something beautiful and interesting, is so satifying.

The conversations we have had while we brainstom are fun, too. Seeing the Mean Man's eyes light up at an idea I have expressed and hearing the new thoughts it inspires in him is exciting, and builds energy. Conceding that some of the things I come up with are a terrible idea is made tolerable by how entertaining his "no fucking way!" safety rants are. It's important for me to keep the ideas flowing, since the really good ideas often roll in after a few bombs.

geeking out

Fixed? Maybe. I think so. Probably. Yeah, fixed for now.

So, the rib at T-6 is back in place. Feels like it's going to say put this time. The T-9, -10 & -11 vertebrae were still in place from last week's chiropractic adjustment. I have been doing my chest stretches and mid-back strengthening exercises, as well as getting some massage yesterday. I think I am back in working order. Usually takes a day or two for my body to settle after getting bodywork. We'll see if I am back in working order on Christmas Day. I had better be, since I have a performance on New Year's Eve at the Center for Sex Positive Culture.

Now the trick is to keep doing all these things even when I don't hurt. In the past, I would be religious about my exercises until I had been pain free for a few weeks. Then I would rationalize not making time for exercising since I felt fine. An awful cycle, especially since I am aware of it. Time to break it. I am not for new year resolutions, but this may be a special exception. Spending half my life recovering from some injury is not fun. (Even if it does make for good stories.)

back troubles

it seems that perhaps 2 strenuous hog-ties in one week is not a good idea.

I have been dealing with a stubborn vertebrae and it's adjacent rib that just won't get into alignment. I have been to the chiropractor once a week for the past 3 weeks and it moves just a little, not enough to get back where it is supposed to be.

Normally, my body responds really well and I heal up fast. Not being better by now is just odd. Is it because I haven't gotten much massage in the last month? Maybe it's the stress around the holidays and work. More than likely those exacerbated the problem, rather than causing it. More than likely, this is a case of too much of a good thing.

Note to self, if you want to have two intense scenes within a 5 day period, make sure to do very different things so as to not break your body. Got it?

Goin' back to Cali...

After a wonderful performance, I am about to finish packing for a holiday trip to visit family.

Thank you to everyone who came out to see me and the Mean Man perform. My pianist and the wonderful singing marionette were incredible people to work and play with. Thank you for making great art with me!

Doing the happy dance!

Last night I had another rehearsal for the aerial bondage performance piece that will be in this Friday's Little Red Studio. The choreography we had set down last week came together quite nicely. Between the three of us, we were able to create a way to tell the story with only actions, as the song is mostly there to convey mood.

One of the things we have to keep in mind is how to conserve my energy. I can perform this type of aerial work for 3-4 minutes. What makes it difficult for me to go longer is holding my core contracted for that whole time. The more dynamic tricks I do, the more chance I have to use different muscles and let my core rest. In this act, I am still much of the time, just holding a pose while I fly around. Very strenuous. Since the song we are using is over 6 minutes, we have to be smart about choreography I want to be able to make it though the whole act without collapsing until I am supposed to at the end.

I am glad the Mean Man is available to perform with me again. His last job precluded the possibility since he worked on show nights. Keeping up with my training has been difficult with no goal to work towards. Now that we will be performing regularly again, that will get me back on track.

If you can't see us this Friday at LRS, you have another chance this month. We are performing a different act on New Year's Eve and the Center for Sex Positive Culture. They have us scheduled to perform early in the evening, probably around 9:15pm. This particular act is a little more gritty and more raw and high energy.

Get on my email list!

One of the things I meant to do as part of last Saturday's Anatomy of Impact Play class was to resume the practice of sending around a list for people to put themselves on. That way I can use email to notify everyone directly when I am planning to teach a class. (Some people plan very far in advance, I have learned.)

I usually get so wrapped up in the material and answering questions that I forget to do this terribly important thing. I am thinking I should do what Max does and have a feedback form passed out at the beginning of class that has a place to include one's email information for inclusion on my mailing list.

If you email me at dynamic.load@gmail.com and tell me to put you on my mailing list, I will definitely keep you apprised of when my next class is coming up.

Thanks to all of you who spent part of your Saturday with me! It was great fun! Next time somebody else better do the demos for me so I don't get so distracted and goofy.

Gold show on Friday the 18th

This month's Little Red Studio show is going to be jam packed with an incredible amount of performance. Normally we try to keep a nice even keel of art and socializing/participation. This time, so many people have come forth with so many great acts that we just may have to extend the evening a bit.

Personally, I am so excited, I am having a hard time focusing on all the directing of everyone else I am supposed to be doing. I will be performing with the Mean Man for the first time in quite a while. We have spent the last month reworking the aerial bondage piece we did in the Obsidian Show last winter.

Ok, how do I tell you about this without giving too much away if you didn't see the piece last year? It is the same idea of the marionette, but minus two and a change of two characters. My dear friend, Christina, an operatically trained singer, will also be a marionette as she sings "Something I Can Never Have" by Nine Inch Nails, while accompanied by Chris on the piano, who just happens to be the former lead music dude for Jet City Improv. I am indeed blessed to have such talented friends.

If you have the evening free, please come check it out. There are going to be skits, a beautiful blonde singing "Santa Baby", 2 different aerial acts, and so much more for you to gaze upon, as well as have a chance to join in the fun.

Little Red Studio - Gold Show
Friday, December 18th @ 9PM
Doors open at 8:30pm, the Bistro is open for dinner before hand.)

Come enjoy our last Gold Show of 2009! This classic show at The Little Red Studio is an intimate, interactive theatrical event with an erotic theme held at our sumptuous venue here in Seattle.

The performances you will see at the Gold Show are created and performed by members of our Troupe and brought together in one rehearsal the evening before the show. Always creative, often amazing - you'll love the surprises that await!

Where: 400 Dexter Ave N.
How Much: $25 in advance or $30 on the night of the show

Advance tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets or in person at our new box office in the Little Red Bistro during business hours.

Kinetic Sculpture from France

A friend floored me with the link to Patrice Hubert's site.

These sculptures are incredibly beautiful, both alien and familiar. Intricate, delicate with a somewhat dangerous feel. I would love to have any one of these pieces in the Seattle Erotic Art Festival.



The site was a bit difficult for me to navigate, but well worth having to search around.

The Anatomy of Impact Play

The Anatomy of Impact Play
Or, "How to whack on every possible surface of the human body without ending up in the ER."

Instructor: Sophia Sky
Schedule: Saturday, December 12
When: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Where: 1602 15th Ave. W. Seattle, WA 98119
Who: 18+. Non-members welcome.
Cost: $20


Description:

As a massage therapist and anatomy geek, Sophia will share her knowledge of the human body and all the wonderful types of impact it is capable of withstanding.
This class is intended for tops, switches and bottoms of all skill levels, genders and orientations.

In this class, we will cover:
~ the basics of human anatomy
~ the inflammatory process
~ how various body parts respond to impact
~ what can be hit, and what should be avoided
~ how to judge how hard you can hit any particular area
~ demonstrations with various implements and toys

Please come prepared to engage in discussion, participate in demos and don't forget to bring your questions and your toys.

Good stuff, pt. 2

The second scene I had this week was another illuminating session in regards to why I should teach anatomy classes. (If I may so smug and boldly proud of myself.) This scene was with a dear friend with whom I play with approximately once a year. He also was in attendance for the Anatomy & Bio-Mechanics for Bondage last Sunday. While our play did not radically deviate from his style, there were subtle ways in which he approached my body differently than previous sessions.

Later he told me how he took lots of notes that were fairly specific to me. It seems I add in enough personal experience when teaching that he learned more than a couple things about me physically that he did not know. It was a really wonderful scene that bumped up against my limits without breaking me on a physical level. That gave me some insight into how my negotiations could be more detailed.

He put me through 3 different positions, each more stringent than the next, working me into greater intensity, pushing my flexibility. It was quite wonderful. I love a good challenge. Halfway through the second tie I felt myself on the edge of my capabilities. He managed to keep me on that edge for the rest of the time! Pushing just enough after each little rest for a nice sustainable level of play.

So here I am, 2 days later and nicely recovered and happy. In the past, to get this settled, I need to play to the point of exhaustion. That kind of intensity precludes playing frequently. I would put that scene on the high on the "working smarter, not harder" scale. I will definitely look at how I can communicate to other play partner clearly enough to work in that same zone of intelligent intensity.

Good stuff.

This last week I have had two great rope based scenes.

On Sunday, after my anatomy class, I had a pleasant first time experience with a gentleman who had attended my class. I was very impressed with his creative application of the information I had presented. During the calls I give a fair amount of time to where in the body one is most likely to encounter nerves while practicing bondage.

The Radial Nerve, that runs the length of the arm, has two areas where it is closer to the surface of the body and therefor more prone to irritation that the other major nerves of the arm. I cautioned that anatomy texts and instructors can give them an approximation of where this irritation is likely to occur, but that each human body one comes in contact with is unique. I used myself as an example of the possible variations that one can encounter.

On my left upper arm, the Radial Nerve is easily irritated, regardless of where the rope is placed. My right arm has no such troubles. I have not yet experienced any nerve impingement from a chest harness that incorporates my arms on the right side.

The negotiations went smoothly and we progressed into the first tie, a chest harness which quickly proved to be different than any one I had ever been put in. After placing the wraps around my torso, he pulled my right hand behind my back and worked my arm into the harness, leaving my left arm free. Asymmetrical ties are always odd because they are harder for the brain to deal with due to being unbalanced. At the end of the tie, he looped just my left wrist to my right wrist, essentially leaving my left arm unencumbered.

The result was incredible. I was able to be rolled around on the ground in a full chest harness without any unintended discomfort. Normally, that would be a recipe for disaster in the form of nerve irritation.

Yay for creative tops who listen well!

Call for Erotic Artists, Writers & Performers

I have been involved with the Seattle Erotic Art Festival since the first show on many different levels over the years.

For the first two years, I was in the artist category as a model. In 2003 & 2004, I was a model in a total of six accepted pieces of art! In 2005 I began performing at SEAF and have every year since. In 2006, I was given the charge of the docent program which started as basic tours of the facility (SEAF was at the now defunct ConWorks which was a labyrinth of sorts and one needed a map to find the lavatories!) asnd selling the exhibition art.

Last year, I joined the organizing committee and as the Director of Docents, or as my dear friend Ragsdale Madison refers to me, Domina Docentia, to raise the quality of the program to provide fully fledged, museum style docents who gave art tours for the duration of the Festival. This was how the Order of the White Scarf was born. The decision to give the docents something to make them easily identifiable to art buyers was made and Anna, the Festival Director/Producer, came up with white scarves. A simple, classy accoutrement that stands out in a sea of black formal and fetish wear.

Now, for this year, I want very much for there to be more of the same as last year in the way of docents and art tours. Tours will be scheduled less often than 2009. Hourly was unrealistic since at times there was no interest and at other times, there was so much we needed multiple people offering tours. We will probably have 4 tours a day, even on Sunday when we are only open for 4 hours. We will be repeating the "free admission on Sunday" experiment from last year. (Please still bring a few dollars for donation, just like in a museum

If you are interested in volunteering as a Docent for the Seattle Erotic Art Festival, please email me at seafSophia@gmail.com and I will gladly you put you on my list for when I start organizing trainings. (Training begins in March and averages 4-6 hours.)

~ Call for Artists and Performers

The Seattle Erotic Art Festival is seeking a wide range of artists for the 2010 Visual Art Exhibition, Stage Shows, Festival Store, Interactive Installations and Literary Art Showcase.

Artists age 18 and older of all backgrounds, countries, ethnicities, cultures, genders and sexual orientations are encouraged to visit www.seafartist.com for details on how to participate in this destination event.

~Call for Literary Arts

The Seattle Erotic Art Festival is seeking three categories of literary art: poetry, short stories and short one-act plays or scripts.

Featured writers, selected by a panel of professional writers, will have their work showcased at the Festival and may be selected for a future anthology of writing.

For more information about the literary call for art, including rules and regulations, visit www.SEAFArtist.com.

Please write seafinfo@gmail.com

Success!

Yesterday's Anatomy & Bio-Mechanics for Bondage class was a great success for me. Max was very pleased, as well. I am hoping this means that I will be on the schedule for next year's workshop series.

I was a bit nervous going into this class for a variety of reasons. I was teaching for Max for the first time, and he was one of my mentors in rope. This class was the first one that had a lot of my opinions in it. All of my other classes have focused on anatomy and that is mostly cut & dried in terms on interpretation. This class had lots of anatomy but it also had a lot of "I think people should do this". Add in that as you get closer to the holidays, people tend to be busier and not have time for things like a workshop and maybe you can understand my worry that I would have a class of 3.

Next up on the teaching agenda is The Anatomy of Impact Play. I really wanted to name this class "How to whack on every possible surface of the human body without ending up in the ER." But that didn't seem very wise from a marketing standpoint. I certainly don't want to scare off anyone who is just embarking on their explorations into BDSM.