I’m assuming many attendees are on the Dark odyssey announcement only email list, but the group is a chance to maintain the community and promote discussion between events.
This is a closed group – when you join, please mention when you’ve attended a DO event, or if we know each other from real life or another website.
Once you’re in the group, as a member you can post, create pages and edit files. You can also set up your email delivery options.
This is a new group and policies I guess will evolve over time. If you have a blog or website, it would also help if you could mention that this group exists so that we can get more people signed up.
Put on your shiny finery and come help us kick off the fifth annual CineKink NYC in proper style! A pansexual celebration of epic proportions, in addition to music, performances, free cocktails and a kinky fundraising raffle, our opening night gala will feature screenings of these special cinematic wonders:
SCHWARZWALD(Trailer)
(Directed by Richard Kimmel, 2007, USA, 59 minutes.)
A rich, modern tapestry combining elements of Druidic ritual with the passionate, leather-clad goings-on that transpire at NYC’s annual Black Party, SCHWARZWALD follows the travails of the Black Prince as he is pursued through the woods and kidnapped by the nefarious underlings of the conniving Black Queen. Starring Buck Angel, the world famous female-to-male transsexual porn star, along with a cast of literal thousands, this is a sumptuous visual feast. And, featuring a continuous mix of music, truly the movie you can dance to!
plus!
TEAM QUEEN
The best of New York burlesque in a gender-bending, fire-breathing, tassel-twirling, post-punk rock ‘n roll prom! (Leah Meyerhoff, 2007, USA, 4 minutes.) (Watch on YouTube)
A DOG’S TALE
Sensuous and layered, a black-and-white reverie on control and submission, longing and desire. (Steven Speliotis, 2007, USA, 16 minutes.)
Among the prizes:
* An exclusive Schwarzald-edition ticket package to the Black Party!
* Complimentary weekend registration for Dark Odyssey’s upcoming WinterFire!
Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire is less than a month away and our early registration rates and room block end this Thursday, February 28th. *Good News* – We have talked the hotel into extending the initial room rates of $149/night through February 28th! (If you have already registered and requested a room you will be getting the $149 rate as well!)
We are pleased to announce that Melody Sweets & the Ladies of the Rouge Coquette will be performing at this year’s Saturday night Banquet!
Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire is an annual hotel event for people interested in sex, spirituality, and BDSM that features:
-An amazing line up of nationally-known presenters, including sex educators, BDSM masters, top-notch Tantra teachers, relationship experts, and award-winning authors, activists, and community leaders.
-Over 50 unique, dynamic workshops on identity, sex, relationships, swinging, polyamory, BDSM, Tantra, spirituality, and lots more.
-Our infamous special events including nightly parties, a banquet and burlesque show, hospitality suite, incredible vendors and, of course, a huge, fully equipped dungeon and other intimate play spaces.
Registration and hotel room rates go up significantly after February 28th so please register now. Visit our website, http://www.darkodyssey.com for more details. We hope you will join us for this exciting event!
Best Regards,
The Producers of Dark Odyssey:
Greg, Tristan, Karri, and Colten
DARK ODYSSEY: A journey of sexual adventure, where open minded people gather to explore Tantra, Polyamory, Intimate Communications, BDSM, Alternative Lifestyles and more. With nationally known presenters, hands on workshops, intriguing lectures and exciting social events, experience a vacation you are sure to not forget.
You have until Monday, January 28th to register for Dark Odyssey Winter Fire, for only $145. ($135 if you’re member of a participating organization – there are many). After January 28th both registration and hotel rates go up significantly.
Here’s the presenter/class list (I just got the email an hour ago, the DO website hasn’t been updated yet):
Making Peace with Jealousy in Polyamorous Relationships
Introduction to Basic Suspension
Introduction to Rope Bondage
The Joys of Flying “Low”
Intention and Connection
Adaptable Bondage or “Learning to Fly”: Ecstatic Percussion Workshop
In addition to workshops, Dark Odyssey features nightly parties, a banquet with entertainment, hospitality suite, incredible vendors and, of course, a huge, fully equipped dungeon and other intimate play spaces.
There’s also an attendee area which you’ll get access to. Use it to:
* Read Attendee Profiles
* Check the News and Message Bases
* Sign up for a Room and Ride Share
* Create Play/Party Invitations
* Join the Chat Room
* Edit your Badge Information
The best of this week’s blogs by the bloggers who blog them. Highlighting the top 3 posts as chosen by Sugasm participants. Want in Sugasm #115? Submit a link to your best post of the week using this form. Participants, repost the link list within a week and you’re all set.
This Week’s Picks Sexay
“You bite my tautish thighs passionately, and drag my thong off with your teeth.â€
Resolved
“Naked now, I turned her towards him, running my hands across breasts, midriff and down between her legs.â€
Afterglow
“She’s hot, where only seconds ago in the throes and tears of her ecstacy she shivered.â€
Ace of Hearts and I decided to go to the Fetish Flea up in Providence, at the last minute. There were last minute cancellations at the Biltmore, so Rascal, Ace and I ended up there. 2 king beds, with a sitting area which had a sofa, an upholstered chair-and-a-half (which later got named the “Uncle chair”), coffee table and desk. The Biltmore is part of the Hotels of the World chain and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. If and when I do this again, I’ll stay here again.
We went to the Fashion Show, which had great designs, but one spotlight wasn’t enough. Also the musical acts stopped the action cold for me. It’s a little different from the 20 minute shows in Bryant Park during Fashion Week.Saturday, I meant to spend more time in vending but ended up in both of Midori’s workshops. I never got to see pals Boymeat or Rita Seagrave present. I’m really sorry about that.
Midori is a huge draw! You had to be on line before the break was over to get a seat and there’s no standing room allowed. She certainly knows how to speak to a large group – slowly and clearly, pauses thoughtfully so words can sink in, repeats key concepts. In her “Asian Rituals” class, she doesn’t give you specific scenarios or blow by blow instructions but really wants you to think about the underlying intention, and to communicate with your partner. In her “Bondage Outside the Box” class, she demonstrated a whole bunch of pervertables from Home Depot (hay bale carrier, gutter guard, duct tape, toilet flapper ball, etc.). Hilarious. Not only was the Flea going on in the Convention Center, there was also a liquidation sale and on Sunday, a bridal expo. I’m not sure how appropriate it is when kinksters, although street legal, are wearing fetish wear and freaking out civilians pushing baby carriages. A real worlds collide scenario. But, I am stuffy in that way.
On Saturday night, Ace, Rascal, Zelda, Shibari Warrior, Jocasta and I went to Cassalina’s, an Italian restaurant in Federal Hill. Zelda and Jo came back to our room to hang out and we had a *very* instructional evening, with Zelda showing Rascal how to tie a tortoise shell harness on me, having him repeating it on her and then tying it on me again. She also taught Rascal how to tie a chest harness on themself. Then Jocasta wanted Crab Tie (from Chanta Rose’s Bondage for Sex) done on her, where her legs are back and spread and her forearms tied to her thighs. I’ll let Jocasta continue the story (hint: sex party of 5, runaway pony).
Sunday, I caught the end of Lolita’s caning class (Oh hi, you’re just in time! Do you want to see me cane DQ’s cock?) and Midori’s “Erotic Humiliation” class. Good humiliation play reinforces the bottom’s primary core values and kicks out the jams on the second and tertiary ones. Seraphin (who was demo bottoming) almost didn’t make it to Providence. Some idiot Amtrak conductor announced the station, but they got off in Warwick, an $80 cab ride. As Midori put it, Seraphin was subjected to a “screwed up, non consensual public transit humiliation play.”
It was different than a Dark Odyssey event because there was no public play space (although there were bondage and whip lounges) and no ice breaker activites. But for $20 ($15, if you’re a NELA Associate; or a related organization, like TES), it is an incredible value. I barely had time to to try and cover the vending, go to a few classes, eat a sandwich, say hello to friends (from DO, Twitter, and Livejournal).
I’d heard the vending at the Flea was the biggest. They weren’t kidding. All the leather and toys started to blur together after awhile. It was better Sunday to come back and chat at more leisure, when I got to talk to Greg of Njoy (Please, we want to review toys!) and introduce myself to Monk of Twisted Monk (I love your video blog!), Hilton of Purple Passion (I bought my corset from you) and say hello to Bo of De Tails. I did buy an anodized stainless steel ring from Locked in Steel, Bondage for Sex, and Lee Harrington’s Shibari You Can Use, and a Twisted Monk hoodie. But really, it was about the schmoozing, not the shopping. I haven’t been in shopping mode for a long time.
I met Xris of Smack. I told him his promo materials give me a headache. Then we beamed each other our information on our Treos (Treo and Palm users: have you set up your business card? I didn’t think so). Midori hadn’t seen Palm sex before, and proceeded to loudly fake an orgasm.
There was also a favorable article in the Providence Journal.
DARK ODYSSEY : A journey of sexual adventure, where open minded people gather to explore Tantra, Polyamory, Intimate Communications, BDSM, Alternative Lifestyles and more. With nationally known presenters, hands on workshops, intriguing lectures and excitingsocial events, experience a vacation you are sure to not forget.
This hotel event will feature:
-An amazing line up of nationally-known presenters, including sex educators,BDSM masters, top-notch Tantra teachers, relationship experts, andaward-winning authors, activists, and community leaders
-Over 50 unique, dynamic workshops on identity, sex, relationships,swinging, polyamory, BDSM, Tantra, spirituality, and lots more
-Our infamous special events including nightly parties, a banquet withentertainment, hospitality suite, incredible vendors and, of course, a huge,fully equipped dungeon and other intimate play spaces.
All this happens in the comfort and luxury of the same hotel where wecelebrated Spring Fire in 2007.
Registration is now open with special pricing for the first 50 people to register and Early Adopter rates available through January 28th!
To join the Dark Odyssey mailing list, write info At darkodyssey DOT com.
Upcoming Dark Odyssey and Leather Retreat Events:
March 21-23, 2008: Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire, Washington DC
June 18-23, 2008: Leather Retreat, Northern Maryland
September 10-15, 2008: Dark Odyssey: Summer Camp, Northern Maryland
Orgasm Logger is a web site that allows you to keep a running tally on the frequency, intensity, and other information about your orgasms, and optionally share that information with others.
Imagine a vacation where you can explore the many facets of sexuality in a private, intimate community of like-minded people. A wholly unique experience which brings together sexuality, spirituality, education, and play in a fun, supportive, non-judgmenta
a research team at Cornell has published a paper about how proteins in fruit fly semen can control the behavior of female flies. The most interesting part is that these same behavior-controlling proteins exist in human semen, too.
Within our community, there are many big kahunas. Each with PageRank, Technorati “authority” and interviews to prove it. But this is not the type of authority Amanda is getting at.
…we often engage in some good, relatively harmless fun that the Digg community obviously enjoys, yet we aren’t allowed in the the front door because we’re “one of those” sites.
If you were at Dark Odyssey Summer Camp, then perhaps you were lucky enough to take a workshop with Barbara Carrellas, who won the Best Instructor award that weekend.
She will be teaching her Erotic Awakening Massage in Manassas, VA, Jan 19-20. The early bird discount has been extended through Tuesday, January 8th. I watched her demonstrate this massage at camp. The energy in the room was electric – Rascal sat next to me, vibrating in rhythm, and Barbara had to periodically remind us to breathe. Here’s more about the weekend:
The Erotic Awakening Massage is a completely new kind of sexual experience. In this unique workshop you’ll learn how the combination of conscious breathing, sensual massage, specific genital massage strokes and energy orgasm techniques can:
*take you to new heights and lengths of pleasure
*help men learn to orgasm without ejaculation
*help women become multi-orgasmic
*create greater intimacy between you and a partner
*release toxins and heal past sexual traumas
*take you deeper into yourself while stretching the limits of who you think you are
*unite your sexuality and your spirituality
There are two styles of Erotic Awakening Massage: one for people with pussies and one for people with penises. In the course of the workshop, everyone will be taught how to give and receive both styles. You will then have the opportunity to give a massage and to receive a massage. Not only will you learn the secrets for giving and receiving a body-melting, mind-altering sensual and erotic massage, you will also learn how the use of conscious breath and energy work can transform the massage experience into a completely new sexual and spiritual experience.
This workshop is appropriate for people at all stages of their sexual evolution. The only requirement is a commitment to growth, awareness and the discovery of your unlimited potential as a sexual/spiritual being. All genders, sexual orientations and preferences are welcome. We will be working in pairs, so you may wish to attend with someone you want to work with. Solo attendees will be paired up (consensually, of course) at the workshop. Safer sex practices will be strictly adhered to.
To register contact: Beth Lynch at luvstouch at hotmail dot com. Registration Fee: Only $225 per person. Registration includes lunch on both days.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne!For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne. We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
Here’s a toast to the future, A toast to the past,
And a toast to our friends, far and near.May the future be pleasant;
The past a bright dream; May our friends remain faithful and dear. ~ Anonymous
Phew, we made it through 2007. On behalf of all the Carnivalistas, our best wishes for peace, prosperity, happiness and serenity to our readers, and fellow bloggers.
I’m off to the Dark Odyssey New Year’s Eve party with Avah and Ace of Hearts. We’re so looking forward to seeing our DO friends again. I’m offline until the 2nd.
Happy New Year, my darlings.
(Thanks to baal_bill for the photo of Jayne Mansfield)
He said, “I don’t understand what’s going on, but suddenly I feel like I want to make a baby with you.†So I said, “Let’s pretend there’s no condom.†(via Boymeat)
What I do care about is: does that performer want to be there? Is the director/producer respecting her needs and paying her appropriately? Did she get blindsided by requests for acts she doesn’t want to do?
Tranny Fest, the nation’s first transgender film and video festival, returns in November 2007 with a month-long multi-arts Festival that includes film, music, art and dance!
But what good is it to be on TV or in a magazine if the picture they want to paint isn’t you, isn’t your work, isn’t something you’d be proud to put your name on?
‘I am bored of this stereotyping; it’s tiresome to see the same old shit dragged out, whenever we challenge the view that women are ‘naturally’ passive, or when we counter the sexist labels assigned to us through the mainstream representation of
Brooklyn-based filmmaker Marianne Shaneen has spent more than two years following these people around, capturing their lives in and out of their “fursonas.”
how delightful is it to find out that she’s going to be sharing her rare wit and wisdom (and deadly snarkiness) with the world in her very own podcast!
Marcus finally posts something about Dark Odyssey summer camp:
i kinda fell for this one.
i was at a kidnapping scene. i was asked to help kidnap some guy, by his girlfriend. fifteen minutes later, sixteen of us had covered his head, tied him up, and carried him off to an open pavilion. we took turns shoving about seventeen things into his various holes.
but as for me, well, i can’t be satisfied with the usual holes. i had to start fucking around with his ears and nose, too. while he was tied up, and girls and guys stuck dildos up his ass, and did stuff to his balls, i leaned forward and whispered shit in his ears. i blew on his eyes. and then i pushed my fingers up his nose and felt around the insides of his nostrils. then i made him suck my fingers clean. i’m just like that; i wanted to keep him guessing.
so anyway, i stand up – to wipe my hands down – and there, next to me, is this lovely thing. this cute little thing, she is clad in a black rubber mini dress, and she looks kinda tough. i say hi, and she says hi back, with this australian or english accent, i can’t really be sure.
Sorry I didn’t post earlier – I’ve been at screenings for the NY Film Festival since I’ve been home, and haven’t gotten home before midnight .
I’ve been very fortunate to attend four (count’ em) very different conferences this year, related to blogging or sex. (Blogher, Dark Odyssey Spring Fir, Dark Odyssey Summer Camp, & Arse Elektronika). But this was the first time I’d attended a conference in a dungeon. This was 2 1/2 days of philosophical and cultural discourse, some wild demonstrations, and practical knowledge about digital porn, and its cultural implications. There were 10 and 12 hour days of sessions. I’m still digesting everything that was said. I also have a big link list of all the presenters I could find. I met many incredible people. I introduced my good friends Susan Mernit and Violet Blue to each other. I saw a thoughtful documentary about sex and robots. Violet used one of my pics on herposts. And having presenters like Tina Lorenz or Kyle Machulis say to me, “are you the Viviane?” is pretty great for the ego.
We needed name tags with affiliations. And longer breaks, for the schmoozing. And comfier chairs. But it was a really cool event. I’m glad I went, even though there were so many things going on at home at I had to miss.
My profuse thanks to the organizers, presenters and volunteers who made it happen. Now, how can we make this happen in NY?
Monochrom’s blog (conference organizers) have a complete roundup of AE posts and stuff.
This site contains adult content which may include images, sounds and videos of a sexually explicit nature.
If you are not of legal age in your community, please go here instead.
RT @PlanetMidori: Chicago question: Source for 1" x 6' bamboo poles in Chicago? Needed for 5/24 "Wrapped for Pleasure" sex bondage w sca ... 2 hours ago
Gallery Carre
