I start to wonder, if the only things that make me take a step back are the things that most of America is going to step back at (pony play? piercing play? electrocution?), who's kinky anymore?

By the meara definition, I definitely qualify.

Except for the piercing play. Although I'd probably try it.

t /TMI

Uh, yeah. See, you ask a question like that, and you're going to be sorry you asked.

These folks know nothing about their kid, I suspect. Sad, but relatively convenient for him.

You can ask these ladies anything.

Bless.

When aforementioned kid brought his interests up to me (he was carrying a how-to book considered the 'bible') he didn't even blink and I shifted smoothly into the safeword discussion. It was an honor, I tell you.

I'm just hoping he doesn't use the 'issue' to beat his clueless 'rents with. Not because they don't deserve it on some levels but because that way lies some stuff I honestly don't think he'll be glad of in the long run.

In the meanwhile, he's got me for a safe place. It will ever be thus.

Heh. I'm not saying any of those are bad or that I totally rule them out, it's just...I feel like anything "less" than that is not going to shock middle america. And I feel like it would've used to. (Huh, does this tie into that "Raunch Culture" discussion the other day? I think that was in Natter, though)

Ah, yes. The "How did you meet?" issue. Generally, saying "oh, you know, the usual -- through friends," tends to work, except when you get really nosy people like *my parents* (eeeeek!), who ask, "Oh, what friends?"

Ah, never thought you'd long for the internet friends who'll sell you into white slavery discussion, huh?

For instance, when my mom and stepdad went to Vermont to visit my brother a couple of years ago, Trudy and megan walker happened to also be in Vermont, and so I had pointed Trudy and megan towards my bro's restaurant, and my mom and stepdad hung out with them.

Granted, my mom had met Trudy before, but still. I wasn't even *there,* and my mom hung out with my friends. That's what my parents are like.

But then you meet friends who enjoy a little recreational bondage, and that's really not a family activity, so then the parents don't know *all* the friends.

'Tis true. And, really, if your Mom had bondage pals you likely wouldn't want to know about it either.

Funny story: At my MMA studio the other day I was watching a class practice choke holds and was talking with some of the instructors (who tend to be big gorgeous things in their twenties) about how it looked scary and I'd be afraid of hurting someone.

BGT: You use a tap system. If something feels wrong you tap your partner.

Me: Oh! Like a safeword!

Turned. Those. Boys. Scarlet.

(It's fun scaring them)

he was carrying a how-to book considered the 'bible'

The fact that he can talk to you about it, AND the fact that he's clearly educating himself (the how-to book), is awesome. Some things are too oogy to talk about with parents, frankly. At least, that's *my* feeling. They don't need to know about my sex life and related extracurriculars.

(Although apparently I feel that all y'all *do*....)

Except for the piercing play. Although I'd probably try it.

Tangentially - at the Folsom Street Fair last year, there were some AWESOME Morris Dancers (v. non-traditional, with women and vinyl clothing and just awesomery). Some of them had threaded their bells on to fishing line and treaded THAT through the skin on their arms - one bell to a piercing. It looked so bloody cool.

For instance, when my mom and stepdad went to Vermont to visit my brother a couple of years ago, Trudy and megan walker happened to also be in Vermont, and so I had pointed Trudy and megan towards my bro's restaurant, and my mom and stepdad hung out with them.

God, that seems like a lifetime ago. But I do remember it was very fun.

Some of them had threaded their bells on to fishing line and treaded THAT through the skin on their arms - one bell to a piercing.

Hmmm. On the other hand, maybe I *wouldn't* try it.

Although the "corset" play piercings look SO cool. I think I'd try *that.*

From 2005 - White Rats dancers at rest, and performing.

Although the "corset" play piercings look SO cool. I think I'd try *that.*

I always want to try it, and then I remember that I scar like crazy. So NSM. Well, and now there's a gigantor tattoo in the way, but still.

The fact that he can talk to you about it, AND the fact that he's clearly educating himself (the how-to book), is awesome.

It really is.

I'm so proud of him for turning his repressed background into healthy expression. And, right out of the box, no pun intended...he found a seemingly great, thoughtful, kind playmate. If she breaks his heart I will, of course, have to go all 'splodey on her narrow behind, but for now I'm grateful for what he is learning and how.