Hero

Been a while since I've updated.  Life's kept me too busy.  What have I been up to?  Work.  A play party.  Or two.  A gear night.  I've met a friend, I've lost a friend.  I've taken pictures, been photographed, drank way too much beer, and slept alone in my bed.  It's been a busy few weeks.  

Amidst the chaos, I managed to listen to the latest podcast from Dart's Domain.  He interviews the man responsible for the "Leatherboy" movement and provides the audience with some insight into that community.  Vincent Andrews is his name, and he also wrote the Leatherboy's Handbook.  I particularly enjoyed the end of the interview where he details why he no longer considers himself to be a Leatherboy.  It was a fascinating interview.  Even with all of my experience, I've learned I still look to these communities, that is, the "Leather", "Leatherboy", "Daddy", or "Bear" communities as a spectator for the most part.  

I just feel I don't belong.

That's not to say that I wish I belonged.  I find myself rather indifferent, really.  As long as everyone present and accounted for is having a good time, then that's the most important bottom line.  I feel like my identity is so mutable, I could be a leatherboy, a rubberboy, a fetishist, a bondeur, a master, a slave, a boy, a boi, a guy, a Fox, or a superhero.  All of course, dependent on my mood, and the atmosphere surrounding me at that time.  What's that old adage?  When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

I think that if it makes you happy, DO IT.  I want to experience what it's like to be a part of every one of those communities, and more.  I'm curious.  I want to learn what they're all like.  I wish that everyone in these communities felt this way, but I am constantly reminded how much all of these communities adhere to those old, rigid standards that don't allow for deviation or exploration into other territories.  You have to maintain your assigned identity until you're allowed to move on to your next one!

I witnessed this even at the Eagle on the last gear night.  (Yes, I was so busy I didn't even have time to post an announcement).  The night was alright.  Much smaller than the April event, but then again, I wasn't inviting people.  My friends and I had fun there, and met some fun new people too!  The bouncer, however, was only reluctantly letting people into the Dresscode-area who didn't have boots on.  One of my friends was in sneakers (his fetish) along with a neoprene shirt, and he almost didn't let him in.

I can understand that.  I will be the first to admit that I may push the boundaries on "Gear Night" as I've been referring to it.  After all, the bar does, in fact, still refer to it as "Leather Night".  The thing that is glaringly obvious about younger, new-generation kinksters, however, is this same attitude I described above.  There's just no rules.  There's no standards or quotas and there are certainly no expectations.   There's just horny guys, with various fetishes.  

But one guy last Saturday was wearing a fetish the Eagle hadn't seen yet, I believe - a wetsuit.  VERY hot.  He that he had coordinated a new event with the Eagle.  It's to be entitled "Alter Ego" night.  A strict dresscode will be enforced on Friday June 4th, and the only ones to be allowed in will be those dressed in their favorite costume of a super hero or super villain.  

 What an idea!  And even though turn out may be small for the first go, if 20 people can get their arms twisted into going, it will be a success.  Personally, I will be there in my Robin costume. You can bet on it.

But the best part about the whole thing is that it's happening at the Minneapolis Eagle in the first place. Some young kinkster came up with some crazy new idea for a fetish night, and the bar owner was more than receptive, hell, was even willing to advertise it for a night and give it a chance. Even when his own staff may not be so accustomed to people even not wearing BOOTS let alone dress like heroes! To be willing to drop the ranks, let go of the past for a second, and give an idea from the New Guard a try? It's so heartening to know that there are those out there, ready for us.

That man, whoever he is, is MY hero.

~Tynan

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A Minnesotan factory worker enjoys your blog, and hopes to see more posts!