cross posted from Midori's Yahoo Group

Hey Midori,

Just stopping in to say thank you for such a great weekend!

Everyone involved had a great time and would like a return visit.

On a personal note, I think I learned the most from "Beyond Twisted:
Kink Outside the Box". The cocktail napkin friendly formula you
showed us is a fantastic negotiation tool to help make sure both
parties are on the same page before starting a scene. Looking back I
think if I had had this graph a few of my own failed scenes would have
turned out quite different. And of course the highly competitive auction of the Midori original stick figure drawing was quite unexpected. LOL

I didn't get to see much of the Foot Washing, but I KNOW there was toe
sucking happening...lol. People left that class very happy and
relaxed though; and the room smelled wonderful. Anyone that attended
want to give a quick review?

The Predicament Bondage class was a hoot!! We had two fantastic demo
models for that. Midori capitalized on various environmental situations and showed how predicaments can be used to not only satisfy desires with tricky and amusing puzzles for tops and bottoms; she also showed us how reaching an attainalbe goal can bring players closer emotionally and spiritually as well.

We finished with the Hands on Hand & Foot Bondage class, where we
learned how to immoblaze and torture those fingers and toes using
esthetically pleasing and fully functional bondage techniques.
Willow, you have already posted your experience here; thanks for that
and for being our model for class. The look on your face while
undergoing said "torture" spoke volumes.

Thank you so much for coming! We look forward to having your and Kelly come teach again.

Safe Travels,
Mateo

PS The humming birds showed up this morning; no chicken men though....

To be posted on various yahoo groups: please feel free to repost if you belong to a group that might be interested.

Hi folks,

Dropping a line to let you know that I have finally re-vamped the addvertisement page for Midori's Wild Side Weekend. It has all the cool stuff now: the new flyer, times, dates, location & a map; even a link to send me a request for Paypal tickets.

Visit: http://www.nawayoi.com/midori.html to see the add.

Here is the scoop so far. The two intimate classes "Couple's Sensual Spa", and "Hand & Foot Bondage" are now filled. I am starting a waiting list for these classes in the event that someone cancels. If you have reserved tickets with me please note that I am hoping to have all the pre-registration transactions complete by June 1st.

There are still pleanty of tickets available for the two afternoon classes: Beyond Twisted: Kink Outside the Box, and the Predicament Bondage Demo. $15.00 is a steal to see a speaker of Midori's caliber. I can't begin to tell you how fun her classes are. See the website for all the juicy details.

We are closing on the ticket sales paying for speakers fees, space rentals, and class supplies; so I think its time to state my goal for this event. I would like to take the proceeds from Midori's Wild Side Weekend, and use that money to book Midori for another weekend event. If we can sell out the room for the afternoon classes there should be just enough to reserve space on Midori's calendar and place a deposit with the Onyx theater for a return visit.

So now I need y'alls help. Get the word out, repost this message, put the links up, tell your friends, and feel free to grab some flyers from me at the next SinCity D/s munch.

Lets make it happen!

Peace,
Mateo

Things that make me think.

So I ran an instance this morning in WoW (thats that game I play for the uninitiated), and ran into an interesting situation. First those of you unaware you need a little background.

An “instance” is basically a dungeon in the game where a specific set of monsters live. What makes it different is it takes a committed group of people a serious amount of time to finish the dungeon and if you die you will have to start over again. That can be really frustrating if you have spent 4 hours getting to the main boss.

I am a total WoW geek, I ended up as the Leader of a guild after the one I was part of blew apart due to personality differences. There was a core group of about 5 people that I played with regularly and we started a our own guild. That guild is known as <firefly> and is based around the sci-fi show of the same name. The group left it up to me to get the charter, and oddly enough we were a tight little family so the theme fit really well.

Anyhoo, over time our little group has grown to about 54 characters, I’m not too sure how many actual people that is since you can have several characters. The point is that we have a fun little group going.

This morning I signed on and the first thing I see is a member J has left our guild to join another. Standing in front of me next to the mailbox in Honor Hold with her new guild’s name floating over her character she gave me a big wave.

Not a big deal, really except for one catch: about a month ago I had given J my first and only epic drop. Again for those not in-the-know a “drop” is a piece of treasure that a monster will drop after is dies. An Epic drop is usually a magic item that give a really killer bonus, and only drops maybe 2% of the time or less. Its a huge deal; I have seen only one and I gave it to J because it matched her characters abilities and I was hoping she would use it to help the other guild members.

Now she has left our guild for another and that epic drop has gone with her. So my first thought is, that I was kind of sorry I gave her that drop. My second thought was this is just a game and its not really a big deal after all. You didn't give away the epic expecting anything in return after all.

Ten minutes later J, myself, and R (another <firefly> member) have grouped for the afore mentioned instance with two people I haven’t met before, and frankly I didn’t find them terribly friendly.

Note for my guild-mates: if I get quiet and start passing on all drops, that is a good signal that your captain is unhappy. ;-)

Another recent event is that one of our members, M, is canceling his account for the summer and hopes to be back in the fall.

There is one more piece to this puzzle that I am building, recently I have been approached about merging <firefly> with another guild, from both inside my guild and by leaders of other more developed guilds. Put all these things together and I had a morning that helped me define what kind of “guild” I would like to be a guild leader for. Yeah, this is just a game, but I do put in a lot of time, and seriously enjoy the people I play with; who are scattered across the US and Canada.

Like the people I know from my Circus days <firefly> is very much my extended family. So if you ran with us for any length of time and find that another guild fits your game playing style better, god speed. In my mind you will still be extended family, and thereby a member of <firefly> by default. I understand that beginning players will find comfort in a family guild, and might eventually want to move into a another style of guild as they learn the game and better their skills. So if you put on another tabard please don’t forget where you got started, make us proud, and don’t forget to say hi when you see us fishing off the peer of Menithil Harbor.

On the Circus, the name of the show really comes second. Once I find out a person has run with the circus, I know that I am talking to family; and you always take care of family. The bond happens that immediate, and there is an almost fierce devotion to it. Even if I don’t get along with that person in the long run I will still have that person’s back. I might let them take a few lumps if they deserve it, but I will be there to help protect against any outside threat.

If you ran with <firefly>, you are still a member and we will back you up. If you decide to come home, the door is wide open and there is a tabard ready for you.

As for merging guilds, y’all are welcome to join up anytime. Any Browncoat can invite you into <firefly>; if you are a decent individual we would love to have you. Ten years from now if <firefly> dwindles down to its original 5 members then so be it. A small, tight group if friends is what this family is about.

To quote the show: You Can’t Stop the Signal.

Lets keep her flying!
Matt

Current Mood: satisfied

Hi all! Please feel free to repost this wherever you see fit. Thanks,
Mateo



Love the spring mornings!!!
Get up in the morning and open up the doors to air out the house.
Open up the bird cage and say 'morning to my little family.
Start the coffee, feed the birds and do a little training (Jean blows
me kisses on cue now).

Fix the gang their breakfast, start the laundry, fill the pool.

Now its coffee and getting messages from my friends while paying bills
and printing out
a few tickets for the Midori Weekend in June; with Migra by Santana
playing in the background!

I LOVE SPRING!!!!

WOW now Peter Gabrial. Mornings rock.

Those Tickets to the Midori weekend will be on sale tonight at the Sin
City D/s munch tonight. I will have available spaces for the two
Lecture style classes: Beyond Twisted, and Predicament Bondage at the
low low price of $15/person. A steal to see Midori work her stuff!
Just be aware that Predicament Bondage is not for the faint of heart
or skweemish. ;-)

I will also be on hand with some rope to practice some rope fashion.
Folks seemed to like the rope gauntlets I did last week so we'll try
it some more. If you want me to create you some, or you want to learn
to do it on your partner I'll be happy to oblige. Look for me around
9:30 or so. I'll head over when I am done at work...and puddles, I
promise to wear some leather for you this time. =-)

Here are the class descritions; keep in mind these classes aren't rope
specific. Come and learn some tips for keeping your relationship
interesting and exciting!!!

Peace,
Mateo

Date: June 23rd Afternoon class.
Ticket Price $15/person

Beyond Twisted: Kink Outside the Box
A sadist must of course be a dominant. A submissive must of course be
a masochist. Right? Wrong! Come along as Midori explodes the standard
definitions of kink roles and expands the idea of what kink is all
about. In "Beyond Twisted," she maps out a fine-tuned and flexible
framework that anyone can use to help describe his or her deviant
desires. And as we all know, that's the first step to fulfilling them!

This is a class for those who don't quite fit into the standard
boxes... and for anyone who's curious about their own possibly
untapped potential!

Appropriate experience level: A class for the curious beginner as well
as the advanced, experienced player.

Date: June 24th. Afternoon class.
Ticket Price $15/person

Predicament Bondage
Here's a class for fun-loving, wicked tops and for bottoms who enjoy a
challenge. Predicament bondage creates a situation where the bottom is
'between a rock and a hard place.' Whichever direction the bottom
moves has consequences, either physical or psychological. It can
challenge your endurance, your pain threshold, or your pride.

The class will include several demos, and you may have an opportunity
to volunteer for one. If you're a service bottom or an escape artist,
you may get a new challenge!

Appropriate experience level: Some bondage experience preferred but
not mandatory

Current Mood: energetic

Please feel free to repost this message to any other boards that you think would like the information. Thanks. Mateo


Hi Gang,

This announcement is to let y’all know that I will be releasing a limited amount of pre-registration tickets for the Midori lecture series coming in June.

Here is what will be available:
5 pairs of tickets for Erotic Foot Pampering for Lovers
5 pairs of tickets for Erotic Hand and Foot Bondage
10 tickets for Beyond Twisted
10 tickets for Predicament Bondage.

Prices are listed with the descriptions. Just a couple of notes; first there will not be any individual tickets available for the Foot Pampering and Hand and Foot Bondage classes.

Second, if you plan on attending the full weekend there will be a $10 savings. Just tell me you want to purchase the complete weekend package.

The dates are considered firm, though the exact times are still in negotiation.

Here is the plan, first review the class information and dates one more time. Then send and email to the following address: mateo@nawayoi.com. I will then send you an invoice via Pay Pal for your tickets. You can then make a secure payment through pay pal. You should not need to have a pay pal account to purchase your tickets.

Here is the information I will need to send you the invoice:

1. Your email address. This is where I will send the invoice.
2. Which classes you will be attending.
3. A mailbox address to send the tickets to, along with your scene name if you plan on using it during the seminar.

I will be printing the tickets at the beginning of March and plan to have them in the mail no later than March 15th.

Here are the class descriptions along with the dates for you to review.

Thanks for your time,
Mateo

Date: June 23rd Afternoon class.
Ticket Price $15/person

Beyond Twisted: Kink Outside the Box
A sadist must of course be a dominant. A submissive must of course be a masochist. Right? Wrong! Come along as Midori explodes the standard definitions of kink roles and expands the idea of what kink is all about. In "Beyond Twisted," she maps out a fine-tuned and flexible framework that anyone can use to help describe his or her deviant desires. And as we all know, that's the first step to fulfilling them!

This is a class for those who don't quite fit into the standard boxes... and for anyone who's curious about their own possibly untapped potential!

Appropriate experience level: A class for the curious beginner as well as the advanced, experienced player.


Date: June 23rd Evening class.
Ticket Price $35/person
Class Limited to 30 people. This is a couple’s event.

Erotic Foot Pampering for Lovers
A special new class for sensuous couples!

Learn how to create total body erotic pleasure in your lover through his or her feet. In this interactive class you'll learn how to sensually wash, create sexy foot spas, massage for sexual pleasure, over come foot-shyness, and incorporate foot pleasures into fantastic sex.

Midori, the author of 'Foot and Shoe Worship' tells all. A class for couples and intimate friends. Bring two or three fluffy towels. Other equipment provided.

Appropriate experience level: This class is suitable for beginners and experienced alike.



Date: June 24th. Afternoon class.
Ticket Price $15/person

Predicament Bondage
Here's a class for fun-loving, wicked tops and for bottoms who enjoy a challenge. Predicament bondage creates a situation where the bottom is 'between a rock and a hard place.' Whichever direction the bottom moves has consequences, either physical or psychological. It can challenge your endurance, your pain threshold, or your pride.

The class will include several demos, and you may have an opportunity to volunteer for one. If you're a service bottom or an escape artist, you may get a new challenge!

Appropriate experience level: Some bondage experience preferred but not mandatory



Date: June 24th Evening class.
Ticket Price $35/person
Class Limited to 30 people. This is a couple’s event.

Hands-On Hand and Foot Bondage
A rare treat! Midori dedicates a whole class to hand and foot bondage.

This uncommon bondage can be very intimate as well as effectively binding. It can be psychologically intense, and sometimes even meditative. It's certainly a delight for foot fetishists, whether as top or bottom.

Learn the delicate intricacies of binding hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Bring parachute cord, cotton twine, or other thin cord to class or purchase some at class at an economical price.

Appropriate experience level: No specific experience required.

Wow I am a geek.

Been working on World of Warcraft pretty regular for the past week.

Went Solo

Joined a guild

Had fun with guild members

Took a nap

Got labled troublemaker by guild leaders (husband and wife team)

Was booted with 4 other really cool people that were tired of having their good nature taken advantage of.

Woke up from nap to discover we had been booted.

Dealt with the drama.

Formed new Guild.

we are called Firefly! after my fav sci fi show.

If you play look us up. we are on the echo isles server.
our "under construcition" Guild website is here:

http://www.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=148508&TabID=1260701

phhhhttttttt!!!!!!!

Current Mood: happy

Hey gang,

Just wanted to make a general post about an upcoming event that is being put together for the Las Vegas scene.

In late June Fetish Diva Midori ( http://www.fhp-inc.com/ )will be arriving to teach a weekend of classes. Most of the little kinks (ahem!) are still being ironed out, but here are the current firm details.

These classes are to be offered to the entire Las Vegas Community so please feel free to re-post this to all your favorite lists.
Prices are currently tentative, but they shouldn’t change too much from where they are set at now.


Thanks
Mateo



Date: June 23rd & 24th
Location: Currently In Negotiation
Classes:

Beyond Twisted: Kink Outside the Box
A sadist must of course be a dominant. A submissive must of course be a masochist. Right? Wrong! Come along as Midori explodes the standard definitions of kink roles and expands the idea of what kink is all about. In "Beyond Twisted," she maps out a fine-tuned and flexible framework that anyone can use to help describe their deviant desires. And as we all know, that's the first step to fulfilling them!

This is a class for those who don't quite fit into the standard boxes... and for anyone who's curious about their own possibly untapped potential!

Appropriate experience level: A class for the curious beginner as well as the advanced, experienced player.

Tentative Ticket Price $15

Predicament Bondage
Here's a class for fun-loving, wicked tops and for bottoms who enjoy a challenge. A predicament bondage creates a situation where the bottom is 'between a rock and a hard place.' Which ever direction the bottom moves has consequences, either physical or psychological. It can challenge your endurance, your pain threshold, or your pride.

The class will include several demos, and you may have an opportunity to volunteer for one. If you're a service bottom or an escape artist, you may get a new challenge!

Appropriate experience level: Some bondage experience preferred but not mandatory

Tenttive Ticket Price $15

Erotic Foot Pampering for Lovers
A special new class for sensuous couples!

Learn how to create total body erotic pleasure in your lover through his or her feet. In this interactive class you'll learn how to sensually wash, create sexy foot spas, massage for sexual pleasure, over come foot-shyness, and incorporate foot pleasures into fantastic sex.

Midori, the author of 'Foot and Shoe Worship' tells all. A class for couples and intimate friends. Bring two or three fluffy towels. Other equipment provided.

Appropriate experience level:This class is suitable for beginers and experienced alike.

Class Limited to 30 people. This is a couples event.
Tentative Ticket Price $35

Hands-On Hand and Foot Bondage

A rare treat! Midori dedicates a whole class to hand and foot bondage.

This uncommon bondage can be very intimate as well as effectively binding. It can be psychologically intense, and sometimes even meditative. It's certainly a delight for foot fetishists, whether as top or bottom.

Learn the delicate intricacies of binding hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Bring parachute cord, cotton twine, or other thin cord to class or purchase some at class at an economical price.

Appropriate experience level: No specific experience required.

Class Limited to 30 people Tentative Ticket Price $15


Tickets will probably go on sale Late in April. I understand that cost is an issue for folks so I wanted to get the word out early so those who want to set aside some money for tickets can get a jump start on that. I will be posting more info as things shape up.

So to recap:
Keynote Speaker: Fetish Diva Midori
Dates:        June 23rd, & 24th
Classes - Predicament Bondage
                Beyond Twisted: Kink Outside the Box
                Erotic Foot Pampering for Lovers
                Hands-On Hand and Foot Bondage


Mark Your Calendars Now!!!!

As I sit here at the computer thinking about the past year I find that I had a good year overall. I switched jobs at the beginning of the year, not because I needed to; but because a killer opportunity presented itself. Then work for me during the spring and summer months consisted of some really freakin'' hard work installing Phantom at the Venetian. This was made all the more difficult due to the fact that the theater itself was still under construction. It makes me laugh to think back to the design team trying to dry focus lighting set ups with the sound of drywall screws zipping away as the balcony was being built just about 20 feet behind them. I now have an unspeakable phobia of hardhats.... One of my favorite sounds of all time is the "BA-CHUNK" sound my hard hat made as it rebounded off the wall and into the garbage can. LOL Mike Palmer's face when I did it was classic too. But you kind of had to be there for that one.

I also remember the wave of relief that swept through the crew when the other half of our new family arrived to begin rehearsing on the new stage. It was an almost tangible sense that the end of the tunnel is near. Now work has settled down into the routine and the show goes on. I would like to mention that this cast of Phantom of the Opera is the friendliest and happiest batch of performers I have had the pleasure of working with yet. Interacting with people like these is why I can take a step off the ladder of success and a enjoy being a deck electrician. While seemingly on the bottom rung so to speak, no other position allows for so much interaction with the full cast and crew. I begin every show with a good belly laugh talking to those around me on "stage left". Good people! I enjoy them immensely.

The family front is well. Mom came out to visit this fall and we had a great time. One big blessing is having family members visit. Just talked to her and apparently Albuquerque is under a good foot of snow at the moment. I have to say I do miss a real winter. The South West is good for that; you get all four seasons with nothing really trying to kill you. I hope they get more as that slow melting snow will soak into the water table and help with the coming summer. Dry summers in the mountains can bring big fire hazards.

Anyway the end of this year marks my sister and I beginning a dialogue. This is good as I am sure it will make my Mother happy, and I know Dad and Steve wouldn't have cared for the silence either. Small steps I guess. The nephews are both in high school now, geeze how time flies. It wasn't that long ago that I had spring break in San Diego and was tossing a 1 year old Jeffery up in the air.

On the work out side the school continues to shrink bit by bit. This past december marks the 1 year anniversary of receiving my black belt Certification, and it has been almost 3 years now that I have been wearing my black sash. Having watched the classes go from packed houses down to about 10 steady member has been a trip and a half. Soon the small space we are renting will turn into teacher teaching in his living room and garage. I am looking forward to having a regular routine again.

What makes me chuckle is remembering Teacher say "Black Belt Club? Yeah, we have a Black Belt Club. Do you have a Black Belt? You're in!" It is funny how once those of us that remained got "certified" how quickly the student base halved itself. I guess the finish line was reached for some. All this time my understanding was that the belt system equated to high school. Once you graduate it is time to move into the world on your own. I guess the metaphor still works, not all people go on to college. This is what the sash represents. You have been accepted as a student. After all these years you now have the basic understanding needed to learn the art form; and it turns into a way of life. There is no finish line. The black color of my sash represents the darkness, I can be taught but I'm still wandering around bumping into things.

Today begins 100 days of exercise for me. Time to re-kindle that flame. I have much work to do my body tells me. So we start small and build. April 10th marks that final day. Right around easter time I believe. Funny to how this goal has changed. I am no longer worried about looking good to attract a girl, now I just want to be able to walk around on my own at age 70.

Christmas was great this year. I got out to Sandy Valley to visit Ray, Jenn, and Christopher. LOL Chris is now over a year old, and you can definitely see his parents in him. Lucky little kid to have them as parents. He should do well.

November saw me taking a vacation in Montreal to attend Midori's Rope Dojo Intensive. I caught up with old friends, made some new ones and reminded myself of how much fun learning about yourself can be. The best thing about Midori's classes is that you walk away from them feeling good about yourself; whatever your particular kink is.

The beginning of December saw me teaching my own small class on rope bondage down at the Onyx Theater. Wow what fun that was. People everywhere; rope everywhere and all having a good time. I look forward to doing that again, maybe this summer. I also started up my photography again. I found a new vivacious muse in Crystal Eden. Can't wait to develop more projects with her. The very end found me booking Midori to have classes in June. Things are already falling into place with that as well. I can't wait to see how that turns out. Midori's classes are always lots of fun, just what the scene here in Vegas needs.

So farewell 2006; a good year though lots of hard work. And hello 2007, lets see what you've got in store. To quote an old friend "There isn't anything dangerous around the corner; its just a little scary making the turn."

Peace!

Current Mood: calm

I'm Baaaaaaack!

Wow! I am exausted, happy, and pretty darned relaxed. It does feel kind of strange to not be heading into work for another 15 hour day. But somehow I know I will get over it. HA!!

It seems like it has been a year since I have had any fee time; and yet I know it was only 2 months. I have a new rule of thumb for my life. "Don't work in a theater that doesn't already have a Temporary Certification of Occupancy"!

In the long run though, much like the rest of those briar patches I search out and jump into head first, all the effort has paid off in spades. Phantom Las Vegas is a fantastic show that should keep me employed for years to come. The people are pretty much all friendly and community oriented. My crew mates are fun, insightfull, and hardworking.

I enjoy this theater as well. I have beautiful room to come to work to, and during the show you can hear how the audience is responding. I have an active deck track to run that keeps me in touch with the other folks on the show, and even makes me break a sweat.

And I have lots of toys to play with in between shows.

What more can you ask for?

Life is good.

Peace

Phantom of the Opera Las Vegas played to our first preview audience tonight!

All I can say is Wow, I'm proud to be a part of this one!
Congratulations to the cast and crew!! Y'all Rock!

For all of you who saw the Tony Awards last evening you saw Hal Prince
accept his 21st Tony Award via video feed. This one being the life time acheivement award.

I am happy to say that we watched that onstage here in Las Vegas with Mr Prince who basically told the whole New York Theater community to stuff it so he could be here working with us as we get closer to our opening night.

It certainly made everyone feel better after all we've been through to get this show up.

And to all my old theater Teachers, friends, and mentors; Thank You and eat your heart out baby!

Peace,
M2

Wow,
It seems like a year has gone by since my last post. Here is the update.

The onstage construction is done, and most of the props are constructed. The house is still under construction but there are now seats being installed. Dry Tech has officially started. For those not in theater that means that we are rehearsing the technical cues and scene changes. Performers should begin to arrive later next week I think.

The construction being behind has now eliminated one full week of preview shows. It is rather surreal to have a desing team trying to work with the sound of dry wall screws being driven into the walls at the same time.

Ah, what can you do.

The people I am working with are great. After 6 days of 15 hour shifts we were giggling and slap happy rather than ready to kill one another. We ended the day horsing around backstage laughing while the rest of the crew just looked on in amazement. It was one of those "this is your brain/this is your brain on 6 days of working 15 hrs" moments.

I got to see the chandalier gag being rehearsed. Wow is this going to be cool! One of the best effects I think I have seen yet in my career.

Okie dokie. I am off to rest before starting again.

Peace.

Last night we began focusing the rig. So far we are only able to work onstage as the construction in the house continues. The good thing is that the decible level has dropped considerably now that the framing for the concrete is done being cut down to size.

Man I tell ya, it is no wonder people snap after a week of listening to a gas powered saw cutting through corrigated alluminum. I wonder if anyone has done a study on noise pollution and domestic violence. That kind of "loud" definately puts you on edge.

On the good side though, once the work day is finished and the crews have gone home, the energy in the theater is already apparent. I haven't felt it since leaving the Circus, and had just attributed the feeling to a young idealistic kid's imagination. There is a quiet excitement/comfort feeling to a theater that is one of the reasons I started in this field. No other showroom I've worked in in Las Vegas has had it.

I was taking a few snapshots after work and was the only person in the room and the energy was almost crackeling. I think a lot of people must be excited to see this show.

I have taken to getting some coffee on break up at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. It doesnt fail that someone in line asks me if I am a part of the construction crew (did the hard hat give it away?), and then there is a 5 min. conversation about how they love the show and are already planning to see it on their next vacation in town.

After 10 years.....it's good to be back in legitimate theater baby!

Cant wait.

I'll try to edit some images of the construction up tomorrow. Now I am off to get ready for today's activities.

Peace all.

Hey all,

So for those of you who ask about how Phantom is coming along here is an update on where we are at the moment. Things are progressing in a kind of start and stop fashion. Construction is about 3 months behind. Construction will complete an area, and we will move in and do what we can then wait until another area opens up for us.

The good news is we are now fully off generator power, and the lights are slowly being wired around the building.

On stage things are pretty complete and our carpenters are busting ass assembling the set pieces and rigging the show. Automation has most of their equipment installed and are now running the cables to move the set pieces and what not.

The onstage lighting is hung and we now have controll over most of our dimming systems. We starting checking all the circuits last friday and are starting to focus a few of the lights.

The house is still a major construction zone. The concrete is now fully poured and the dry wall is up. Painting is commencing and romour has it that some carpet is now down.

We set up lighting in a rehearsal studio here in Las Vegas and the new cast is working away.

There you have it folks. Things are starting to look like a show. I am now off to the Land of Nod.

Peace.

Wow,
Ok what a day today. First I will be interviewing a model that is interested in some TFP images. She is an ameture body builder that wants to do some artistic work. Looking at her profile I got some cool ideas right off for some body sculpting work.

Then I went to her website and it turns out she is also a pro domm apparently; and she offers some sessions that are way different than the norm given her status as a body builder. I am hoping that she may want to work in the fetish area too. That would bring a very new element to my work.

Just got an email from another model I worked with in Feb that loved the shibari work we did and wants to set up another shoot. Dig this, she wants cutting edge erotic, and classy.
It is always a huge compliment when a pro model comes back wanting to shoot TFP. Cant wait to shoot with her again.

After my interview it is off to my weekly sushi lunch. Yumm.

Then comes the wonderful afternoon activity of meeting up with an ex I broke up with a few months ago. I usually like to wait a little longer but we bumped into each other at the job site. Hopefully we can be friends, and she won't bust a pool cue over my head.

Any photographers out there might want to check out the new program by Adobe called Lightroom. It is the closest yet to working with a contact sheet I have found yet. The beta version is free until the actual release. The workflow is much smoother than others I have found.


Peace

Just found out that we will be starting our 14 hr shifts 6 days a week to get Phantom up and running. BIG SACKS OF CASH; itty bitty time for sleeping. Ack!

Just so you know. I hate hardhats, miss taking pictures, and am ready for about 3 months off.
My big sacks of cash will be going towards property taxes, a possible vacation to attend Midori's Rope Dojo in Montreal, and hopefully 3 really cool new strobe lights from Calomet. These strobes rock 1200w output and they are self contained units that can be plugged into the wall OR they can be run off a battery for those out-in-the-desert onlocation shots.

I am starting to envision a kink friendly portrait project. Its dim but its an idea that keeps saying hello.

Ok on to cleaning.....

Big shoot this morning! I am excited, and nervous like always before shooting. Fortunately I know myself well enough to think ahead for most things.
Wanna know what I am thinking during a shoot? Its usually something like, "ok, now if I was smart I would have already packed ___; Whew!"

Shooting with Ella M. today up in Red Rock. This will be the second project for my Fashion photography class. On camera flash is the assignment, and I have decided to go a little further with the idea and will be using a ranger flash unit. The theme is winter/fall fashion and we found some cute outfits yesterday.

Still completely unfair that for less than I pay for 3 pairs of jeans, and 5 black work tees you ladies can have a complete new wardrobe. Grrrr. No wonder y'all like shopping.
Anyway I am going with the "little white jacket" that seems to be the rage this season.

Oh no...White...gasp the nemisis of photographers. There is a nice overcast, and just enough wind to play with; or send the flash unit careening down the cliff. We'll see.

C-ya!
M2

Current Mood: excited