Busy week

Wow, what a week I've had. It started as usual but progress to a frenzy.
 was out of town for a few days, attending the The Pennsylvania HIV Prevention Community Planning Committee. I do my part to help. and during free time, I am advocating for the Leather community as well.
raising the awareness of said group.
then came Friday. I had to appear in court for my name change hearing. the hearing was for 10;15.
at 9;45 i was informed that I needed a no lien letter from the deeds office. and that's where it began, first it took a while for someone to determine I was in the wrong part of the deeds office. then arriving at the correct place, it took some time for someone to understand what I needed and why. at 10;10 the lady started typing my letter, and I'm sweating cuz the hearing is 10;15, at 10;25 I got my letter, damn near in tears from all the last minute shtuff needed and being late. Luckily, I had made inquiries earlier at the judges chambers. so they knew I was there. apparently the judge had a light case load that day and the secretary sent me into the court room.the judge and steno came in. I swore at the court. and questions began. the judge read my petition and asked if all the information was correct. asked why I wanted name changed. ask to see no lien letters. only one I could provide. I couldn't get one from the prothonotary's office due to a filing of lien. one of my rentals has an outstanding sewer bill. well that caused me grief before hand also. but that didn't seem to make a big difference for the judge, he granted the name change.
then it was off to the dmv, well i went to the nearest which was up a ways from the courthouse. there I was told that the gender change form i had previously received from my dr. was not very legible and that I'd have to get it redone. new forms were handed to me. I then stopped at the dmv closer to home, to inquire just how to fill these things out. I went in and didn't say anything except I wanted help with these forms. the fellow behind the desk took them, made copies of both the court ordered name change and the Dr.'s letter. he then said that'll be $18.50 we don't take cash. I wrote out a check and was handed a photo card for my new license. click, click photos were taken, I chose the best (best is a relative term) and now had new ID!!
  I had held off registering for the IMsL because the name you register under needs to match your ID.
so with all that taken care of  I then filled out the registration.    whew!!
saturday, I went to a MAST meeting, that's Masters and Slaves Together. A local support group for those in the lifestyle. The woman who heads up that group is a dear friend of mine, and told me her group supports many things and would love to help me out. I had previously been to a meeting to introduce myself, but I stood before the crowd and stated my purpose (whilst holding aloft, a banana), advocating again for the Leather community, of which some in the crowd are members.( if youv'e watch 'family guy' you know that 'banana' is the safe word) the possessing of  the plastic fruit, which i found in the children's play area of the building, brought quite the bit of laughter and giggles. I do love to see folks having a good time.then the afternoons presenters , Don and Dawn, started with a very informative and lite hearted delivery of their relationship together as master and Slave. the MAST meeting was fun and productive.

 then I was off to warren Ohio. GNO, girls night out. a long running (read years) transgender night held once a month. I have some dear friends there also as it was the first place  I really went a distance to, whilst presenting as female. raffled off a gift certificate to Ms. Martha's Corset Shop (one of my sponsor's) and sold spankings. well with the ladies present that night, being a more conservative bunch, I only sold one spankin to a Pittsburgh girl. but wow the advocacy I did that nite
  so, this somewhat conservative group had no clue about  a dang thing. I spent most of the night explaining the existence and purpose of the NCSF . and how that related to the trans community as well as other sexual practices. even the most informed folks there had not heard of NCSF. but I do enjoy speaking to people and informing  them of things they're not aware of. I was proud (as well as humbled) of myself each time someone made comment of just how much I knew and how well I spoke with authority, of the subject. Another productive night! and then the 2 hour ride home to snuggle up in bed with my partner by 4;30 am.
I am such a busy person these days! even my partner said how proud she was of me, for the dedication I have put into my title of Ms. Pittsburgh Leather fetish 2011.




 

stirring some interest

A local blogger had asked a few weeks ago for an interview. after a few cancellations due to snow and other crap. I was finally able to meet with Sue for coffee. we talked for over an hour. and I did my best to explain the Leather Community as well as the BD/SM . Luckily I know some history, I like to share that also.
here's her blog   http://www.pghlesbian.com/blog/_archives/2011/3/8/4763925.html
me thinks it came out well.and i know that her blog does have a following. so the opportunity to educate folks on the Leather community was beneficial to the Tribe. to me the tribe is my Leather/bdsm/lgbtq/trans families, combined.
and I may also be involved with another medical panel. I have been asked by another venue, to speak.
I have, for the last 4 years, participated in a human sexuality workshop at Pitt Medical school.
Dr. Melanie Gold, holds for the second year med students, a panel of glbt folks.
we in turn, relate our stories of experience with the medical field. making the students aware of differences in people, and what they can expect to run into, and what we expect from them. In april I may be doing the same for another group.
this year, I took the opportunity to introduce the students to the Leather/bdsm lifestyles.
making them aware that while it is greatly important to rule out domestic abuse, sometimes those bruises are wanted. In some consensual relationships, no does mean yes, but the safe word ends all play.

I have also started putting together some outfits, gathering up all the leathers I own.
My brother, Boi Mikey, has started to condition the pieces for me. once again , I must say, that Boi does wonders for leather!
several folks have offered to let me borrow some pieces as well, for this poor girl doesn't own everything she wants. and i still need to buy/order a few things too.
things are slowly coming together, IMsL is only 5 weeks away. so many ideas going thru my mind, and i get so damn excited telling folks about it.
and the week after IMsL, I will be celebrating!
A personal win for me, for I will have 15 sober years. I quit drinking 4-24-96.
and hopefully,  I will be fortunate enough  to celebrate those years whilst wearing an International Ms. Leather sash.
and BTW, next friday I appear in court, for my legal name change.