Another convention has come and gone. :) This one took a
little consideration and cogitation, letting it all sink into my brain and
bubble around...
Yup. Bondage Expo. Not your ordinary convention.
This was hosted in the Crowne Plaza in Dallas Texas, and the
hotel was conveniently located near Tiff's Treats, home of the world’s most
wonderful cookies, available by delivery. :)
I arrived on Thursday, which gave me plenty of time to
wander, explore the area and obviously, find the best bakery around. Once my
roommate arrived (the fabulous J.A. Rock) we were off and running, attending
workshops, a short signing, a play party and of course, the free range roping
area. Being Texas, there were subs running around being lassoed and
hogtied...just like a scene from Doms of Dark Haven!
I didn't get to attend all the workshops I wanted to,
largely because of the book signing, but there were three that were outstanding
for various reasons. Because of a situation I'm wrangling with in a manuscript
(Destiny, anyone?) I decided to gird up my loins and attend those that focused
primarily on pain.
Pain.
Ouch.
The workshops were "Because it Hurts," "Pain
and Fear Play" and "Semenawa: The Beauty of Suffering."
Every workshop approached the giving and managing of pain
via different perspectives. In "Because it Hurts" the presenter
showed us pressure points that could be manipulated with rope and knots. His
focus was on shifting the sub between the endorphin rush created by pain, and
the adrenaline that negates the pain dulling properties of the endorphins.
In "Pain and Fear Play," the approach was similar,
but the intent was more to keep the sub on an adrenaline high which is created
not only by fear, but by the anticipation of fear. The presenter bound his
partner to a chair and throughout the presentation, occasionally tipped the
chair, keeping her on the rise and fall of fear.
The third presentation was the most difficult for me
personally. The presenter took elements of Japanese tortures and adapted them
to an erotic, BDSM environment. Like the others, he was manipulating the pain
and fear of his partner, but on a higher level, as the methods were indeed
derived from torture. He bound his partner in painful and difficult positions,
suspended her, taunted her by simply sitting and watching her hurt. He also
brought in breath play, which is frightening on so many levels. His intent was
to keep the sub in a pain/fear state, leading to a state of hopelessness and
surrender. This was play on a different level, and while I admire both the Dom
and his volunteer, he scared me on a visceral level.
All three were of immense value to me as a writer, giving me
insight to some of what my characters see, experience and crave. The workshops
I attended were all hands-on, so I not only had the opportunity to watch the
presenter, but the attendees as well.
Hopefully, I'll get the chance to attend again next year. In
the meantime, Destiny is about to show her Dom the meaning of pain...
Happy tails! And happy May! I'll be on the convention trail
for several weeks; hopefully I'll get a chance to post from the road.
Bel
