July 31, 2000

i'm exhausted. i've been working on the second issue of the ezine, which is finally up, and in the middle of it, got a job to make a webpage.  One that pays me!  i won't become rich and famous from it, but hey, even pennies are gratefully accepted.

     And considering that i just had to put the spell checker on the word gratefully, i'm thinking i'll just not write anymore tonight.  i think zzzzzzzzzzz's are in order.

Thelma's weekend visit report follows:

(hugging her to death for being a sweety!)

A Trip to Remember – Thelma and Louse on the road

Ahhhh, isn’t traveling a reason for being? Now who could we attribute that comment to?

Much of the joy of traveling is the anticipation, planning, building – in addition to the experience and the memories. laura and i spent considerable time planning who we’d see, where we’d drive, what we’d do – that was half the fun. The fact that much of the focus of the stops were to meet friends
from an internet chat room that we’ve never met made it even more exciting, more of a treasure hunt. At the end of it all, that’s what we were on – a treasure hunt, each stop, finding and enjoying a new treasure for our memory chest. Coupled with the adventure of spending a week in a tiny car with
someone i’ve met face to face one time, i was ready for an adventure. We sort of dubbed it the Thelma and Louse trip – remember the two gals who drove across the country in that big blue convertible – To set the scene: i get the role of Susan Sarandon, laura is Geena Davis (damn, she’s the one who gets to have sex with Brad Pitt and i end up doing all the driving). i
think other people even affectionately referred to us as Thelma and Louse along the way.

Packing the night before, up early, we were on the road before 8 am – only to return to pick up the violet wand (almost a calling card to get us in the door). The first and longest day consisted of delicious pizza, overpriced gas, a speeding ticket, lovely visions of road kill and “beware hitchhiker signs” near the penitentiary along the 600 mile trek (+ 200 more for laura) to visit Kahn and ambrosia – He, a Dom i’ve chatted with for years, knowing many people in common – to finally put a face and tall lanky frame to a
personality. His wife ambrosia was quite gracious, very insightful and a joy to talk to – even when they mentioned the early to bed, early to rise motto (errr, while we were talking at 11 pm) – well, this lasted until after 1 am.

All aboard, next stop is to see dear sarah, sans Shadowfyre who was at work. Not wanting to show up empty handed at breakfast time, we found a discount bakery and picked up muffins (classy folks, aren’t we? Hey, it was the only place we could find). sarah, recovering from surgery was quite content
to let us buzz around, make coffee and torment her cat. The lovely ambrosia showed up later in the morning – so we all had to pile outside for that “picture thang” – of course, four cameras meant a bit of juggling and repetitive pics – what maybe a couple of good pics out of the whole effort!!

Onward to kasha and her Master for lunch (poor choice of words). Dear, dear kesha, i do believe she was one of the first people i met in that chat room. So many years, what a lovely face – and the most important part, was to see a happy woman – after so many years of trials. Her husband and master was also so very delightful – and quite interesting! Good luck on the new house, we’ll be sure to visit when you get moved in!!!

Stuffed tummies, and headed to the campground – my first KOA – and a nice one. Settled in, found aloe for sunburns, naps, and onward to meet dear coffee. What a man – we closed the restaurant, after tales of his life. i do believe i shall have to live vicariously through him. Prolly the first person i’ve met who holds the title of head of the prison volunteer chess
team and quite the ladies’ man – what a delight to hear a submissive man giggle at the memory of being called Sir by big burly prison inmates.. Deep yawn, late to bed, early to rise – and so many laughs along the way!

Another early morning, off to London, ON to see Rathstar, another person it’s been a delight to put a face and personality to. No dark corners and candles are allowed in Tim Horton’s bakery!! Again, so nice to see someone who’s finally found some happiness. Of course, we had to go out, fiddle
with the car, go for a ride and him drove a bit, too.

All aboard, time to go see Domi. Of course, she had just started watering the yard when we got there – and my white zinc slathered face was a sight to see – again, so very welcoming. Plunk our things down and out we go. Off
to the Mennonite farmer’s market – spent too much money, and enjoyed our jaunt to see buggy parking at Home Depot and home meet her wonderful husband – who is pretty damn good on the BBQ, of course with Domi’s marinade. So many discussions the next morning – about journeys through the
lifestyle, Domi meeting Bodyguard, epiphanies and so forth. Brought up many emotions – complex ones.

Onward to the final destination of Seville and shadoe. Oh these people are saints – a tiny place, and welcoming three guests for a long weekend. We were made to feel very much at home, as we have with every stop. Hark, the arrival of Domi and Bodyguard, Jazzy and Hogan (shaking head at Hogan’s greeting – you’ll have to ask HIM) – so piled in close, we’re all laughing and sharing more food.

Saturday morning with Jazzy and laura brought tons of laughs, including realizing the three notes of the subway doors closing, matching the first three notes to Sesame Street theme song. Onward to the shops on Church St. – so many cute men on the street, so little opportunity for us women – darn! Of course, trusty Domi and Bodyguard find us in a leather store in a city of over two million people – now what’s the probability of that?

Ahhh, the munch on Saturday night! More new faces including: Oracle, ginger, jewel, Lustyman, Shadowfyre and several other local folks not from the conf. More laughter, tons of pics, and so many stories.

Now we can’t have this many people get together and not have a play party, can we? On to DebUTaunt’s and Digger's house Sunday afternoon and evening – a wonderful setup with a cross, benches, and so forth. As with so many play parties, the most fascinating part of the scene, for me….is to see that
special moment – for different people it’s different – Seville cradling shadoe on the floor, Shadowfyre’s loving aftercare with sarah, Jazzy’s compassion and attentiveness to laura. Yep, i was in tears a few times. It brought up many emotions – many topics to bring home for more discussion.

Now, this is all rumor, but, Hogan showed up early Sunday morning and says that laura and i errr…..snark! Not sure if it’s true, we were sleeping. You must ask him, we categorically deny it as long as people continue to believe us! Fond farewells at Jazzy’s departure, hugs for all…laura and i
head off in search of chocolate and local shops to find gifts. Back in time to bid Seville farewell as he left for a job, we finally settle down – ok, for an hour or so. On to the city again, taking shadoe for dinner – so much food, so much wine (evil grin) and a damn cute lil gay waiter. Back to the house, a lil bit of weaving, we finally settle down and finish off more beer and a “little” bit of gin – and yes, we’re sticking with that story.

The next day, tight hugs, promises to come back – and in the car again – for another long drive back home. For two relative strangers thrown together in a tiny car for 8 days, laura and i grew very close – so many chances to share anecdotes, thoughts, dreams, fears, anxieties. We took a risk with
this trip and nurtured many friendships with others and also with each other.

Musing – so much for the who/what/where summary. That aside, there were some very moving moments along the way – near tears hearing about Domi’s revelations over the past few years, the scenes, just meeting people!! i’ve been careful to use pseudonyms for people, but, face to face, those
pseudonyms go away, real names come naturally – people become people. It felt so natural… but, isn’t that what much of this is about – meeting people. In hindsight, i also met people now happy in their relationships. In all but one or two situations, i first met these people before they were with the current partners (one case being a couple who recently discovered D/s with each other). i met a lot of single people online years ago, and visited a lot of couples or committed people now. People do move forward in relationships – and while chat rooms can be challenging or tedious at times, if we sift through the gravel, we do find some gems who become true friends.