Monthly Archives: September 2010
BDSM in the 1800′s
The amazing Tall Ships were in town here in Montreal a few weeks back and some of us from the ALCC-CCVA had the chance to go down and check it out.
You wouldn’t believe what we tripped on… many interesting facts about life aboard ships in the 1800’s. Don’t quote me on dates please! The photo above is from the Bounty and I was surprised at what I read. Take a moment to read it and pay special attention to the last paragraph!
It would seem that discipline was well enforced in those days to prevent mutiny. Didn’t work did it? Too bad!
As in many cultures and religious practices, many different types of BDSM was used in those days… read the photo above. Honestly, there were a million CRAZY things we discovered about the lives of sailors who battled the seas.
You’d of had to be a masochist to be a sailor in those days. That, or you’d just be whacked over the head and FORCED aboard. Unfortunately, they didn’t practice the SSCR-A (safe, sane, consentual, and risk-aware).
Imagine, having to make the very tool that is used to punish you!!! I really like this idea even though it is terrible. In the 21st century of BDSM, it’s a GREAT idea and I intend to use it!
Swap the deck scurvy slaves 😉
– Contessa Alura
Mummify me BABY!!! – Sept 28
It seems like the 28th of each month is becoming mummification day lol… wonder if I could get that to spread around the world? International Mummification Day? Whatever!
Thanks to everyone who attended tonight. Especially Glovedsub, who volunteered to be my demo model and was marevlous, and also to Danny A. Godbout, contestant for Mr. Leather Montreal 2011, for bringing a great deal of new people to the ALCC-CCVA from the gay community. There will be more to say about initiatives Danny is organizing for the ALCC-CCVA!!!
Well, we had lots of different preferences when it came to the “type” of platic to wrap with. I am happy to see that people are really out there trying things and enjoying different aspects of BDSM play and mummification play. It was actually great to hear the variety of reasons some enjoyed the bondage tape from sex shops, or plastic wrap from the grocery store. I have already stated my preference in my previous Mummification blog, but after tonight, I have decided to try going back to the other types of PVC wrap that I did’t enjoy to experience it with a new frame of mind and suggestions from the group. Thank you to the lovely male trio who offered their advice!
Of course we covered the usual topics of safety, varieties, and use of mummification and mummification wrap. We talked about the different strategies, time periods for full enclosure mummification and trust. I even had the chance to take advantage of poor Glovedsub all wrapped up on the floor by tickling him, squishing him, and stealing his credit cards lol (JK).
At the end of the workshop everyone had an opportunity to try out mummification, both giving and receiveing. We even had a chance to snap a photo or two! Thanks to those who allowed us to capture the moment with a photograph for our blog, much appreciated
– Contessa Alura
Dungeon Monitor Training course – Sept 25
Dunter’s Dungeon Monitor Training course was filled with interesting facts as well as stories to illustrate important points. He taught necessary information to be a Dungeon Monitor, such as laws involved, health and safety, social interaction, as well as various responsibilities.
I was surprised to learn that being a Dungeon Monitor is a relatively new position in Montreal. A few years ago, you would not have seen a DM at a play party wearing an orange arm band. In the past, it was a less formal idea of having somebody look out for the safety of others. Perhaps it is a good sign that safety consciousness is building more and more.
One of the many lessons that I came away with was that the Dungeon Monitor needs to be very socially aware of the interactions all around. While being concerned primarily with safety, the DM is also very concerned with allowing people to enjoy themselves. In fact the DM helps to allow play parties to continue… because none of us want a dangerous situation where human beings lives are at stake.
Taking the time to be safe goes hand in hand with playtime.
S. Petal
Our last potluck outdoors in the park – Sept 25
What a lovely last potluck in the park. Since the weather will change and of course the days grow shorter, we will be bringing in our potluck to the ALCC room #417. We hope to maybe have a movie to follow a great potluck since lots want to linger and hang out.
There was plenty to eat for all and a great bunch of people who dropped in. A dish that was particularly enjoyed by all were the delicious Imperial Rolls made by Red Rain! We had the chance to discuss ideas for the upcoming fundraiser Candyland (details to follow) and everyone had the chance to offer their ideas.
There was yummy macaroni salad, chicken, chips, cappacino icr cream, fruti snacks, vegetables and dip, and more.
We had our biggest donation at a potluck of $24. Thank you to those who contributed.
See you INDOORS for the next Potluck!!!
– Contessa Alura
Contessa’s Breath Play & Dunter’s Strangulation Play – Sept 22
Since there are many people out there engaging or experimenting in high-risk BDSM activities, Dunter and I felt it was important to offer workshops that explored them, the risks, and consequences in an attempt to make them safer. With a bit of knowledge and some strategies for reducing the risk instead of increasing it, people could be more prepared to deal with emergency situations and also practice better/safer techniques. We also wanted to be clear that not everyone is capable of carrying out some of these types of edge play, that it is may not be appropriate to their personality, coordination, observation, etc.
It takes a very keen sense of observation and connection to your partner when you are doing breath play. The risk is possible death, the risk is injury and that is NOT what you want. It should be a high intense activity that brings pleasure in the end.
We decided to do back to back workshops. Mine on Air Restriction, Dunter’s on Circulation Restriction (strangulation).
The breath play workshop was awesome. Kinky K, my sexy assistant, allowed me to demonstrate various types and techniques of breath play. We demonstrated re-breathing, suffocation with plastic bags, saran wrap and simply the hand. We discussed the signs of needing air, what is too long, how to determine the length of time one can be held without breathing before it is dangerous. I physically put Kinky K in all the situations to show what it looks like so people see his reactions, his body and eyes, his movements.
We had time to do a quick activity so everyone had the chance to learn a bit about their own breathing. I had everyone take out a clock and time themselves on how long they could hold their breath. We did that three times in a row and took a moment to reflect on their times.
I had a really great tie and positive feedback about the workshop.
Thanks to everyone who attended!
– Contessa Alura
… Some of the photos from Dunter’s wokshop are posted below. We hope to have a posting about his workshop soon.
Wax Play with Contessa Alura – Sept 21
I’m really impressed with the turn-out. There were some new faces in my workshop and new comers to wax play itself, and even out-of-towners!
The workshop went very well. My sexy and very wonderful demo model Karl, was very responsive during our demonstraion and provided his perpectivr on his sensations offering a better understanding about the subject. Often it is only the instructor tat explains the how and what to do but when we are doing activities/play, that involve two people, the person feeling what is being done offers a very important point of view.
I had wonderful feedback and personally touching comments given to me about the workshop but also about the ALCC-CCVA in general. This was to the effect of how professional this person felt our organization was and how much this person apprecaiated that suh a community effort and organization for alternative lifestyles even existed. It really feels good to hear those things because it takes many people and a GREAT deal of effort to make a centre grow. It just felt like this person really understood that and it was rewarding for all of us to hear!
A speacial thank you to the wonderful gentelman from Winnipeg who spent time with us when he was only in town for two weeks. He will be missed!
What an amazing evening!
– Contessa Alura
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“Exploring the Meaning of Fetish” – Sept 19
The word “fetish” is used too loosely these days. This workshop was an attempt to define it more precisely. We talked about non-sexual as well as sexual fetish. The participants agreed that Americans make a fetish of their flag and were very interested to learn that section 8 part J of the flag code states: ”The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.”
When we discussed sexual fetishes the participants were very interested in the discovery in 2002 by Dr. Vilayanur S. Ramachandran stated that the region processing sensory input from the feet lies immediately next to the region processing sexual stimulation. This is where foot fetish comes from in my opinion.
A lively discussion followed the presentation.
– Clov Saffron
Another DID – Sept 12
Yet another suprise turn-out for drop-in-day!
We had many lovely folks come by ad spend time hanging out with us, chatting about all kinds of things. There was a great deal of conversation about the BDSM community in Montreal, more the English group dealing mostly with public events. People seemed unanimously disappointed in the events being offered and seemed to be saying they want more private underground play parties. They were saying that the public events are more just social gatherings for dress and that the play doesn’t reflect the old school or long ago nature of true BDSM play. Some said and others agreed that they felt that in a more private context people could really feel free to get in that “space”.
We had a few new people which is always wonderful. One, a lovely lady from Toronto that has just joined our community and an older gentleman who found out about us at the MFW.
There is a very special mention I would like to make and that is of the incredible generosity of someone who dropped in and donated $500 to the help support the centre! We extend a deep and heartfelt THANK YOU to the person who offered this to us! You have no idea how much your donation helped us!
Great seeing everyone, glad you all came out and see you next time.
Remember this is our last day in the Joytoyz location… we are moving to the room next door #417!
– Contessa Alura
Cross-dressers Unite #3 – Sept 11
Our third Crossdresser group had a fun new element- a makeup lesson.
Vanessa Cummings is a transsexual woman who was very generous in sharing her knowledge, time, and experience with us. We learned a lot about makeup, but also especially how to use makeup to hide some of our male features.
We all learned how to change our look. It was a fascinating lesson. Vanessa really knows her stuff and explained so well. I was very impressed.
As in the previous groups, we discussed topics of concern to crossdressers: going out in public, why we cross-dress, places to go, etc. Really interesting things to talk about, that I certainly would not discuss at work for example!
That is one of the great things about the ALCC, it gives people of varying interests, a place to go and chat about things in a totally non-judgmental forum.
S.Petal
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Beginners Flogging Workshop – Sept 7
I had a small group for his workshop, but a very enthusiastic one!
We looked at the various types of floggers and what they do, how the material of floggers change the feel and force of the impact, and how to move the body and wrists.
We talked about starting soft an incorporating sensuality in flogging. I often see people begin wailing on others or starting rough. If you like that, great, but there’s a lot to be said about starting slowly and softly to establish comfort and trust and then progressing to hard. Enjoy the journey I always say.
We talked about safety and areas NOT to flog with too much force. We covered warm-ups and getting the skin ready for flogging.
The students had a chance to practice some of the techniques we covered such as finding their wrists, and aim, by hitting the backs of chairs. Then we moved on to people. A big thank you to Glovesub for being our fabulous demo model and braving the newbie floggers. I was amazed to see how quickly some people progress and how others are truly naturals and just get it right away.
We will be doing an advanced flogging next month, learning how to Florentine (double handed flogging) and as well another basic course for those of you who missed this one.
– Contessa Alura
the ALCC / le CCVA 