Kyudo Kai

Bill sensei remembered me from six years ago. I again enjoyed my visit.

Multimedia Extravaganza (MME!)

The Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona in Tucson frequently has free concerts. This evening's included computer-modified (enhanced?) instruments, computer-generated imagery and remotely-accessed musicians.

The Final

This was before the one above. It's not clear who is bowing to whom, but I ask you, "Have you ever seen a happier group?"

I had to add the one below too. I couldn't get over how animated each person looks.

Conclusion (18 secs)

Soloist & Imagery

Soloist & Imagery Conclusion

Note her pants

Four Singers

OwwoooooOOOO

(Yuh gotta give 'em credit for

doing this in front of an audience.)

In these "post-modernist" events, I sometimes wonder how much humor is intended. 

In front of the

School of Architecture

First Saturday Art Walk

Divine Feminine: A Celebration of Diversity

at The Steinfeld Warehouse

Paul

(just a guy)

Installation by 

Tumbleweed Witch (instagram)

El Jefe Cat Lounge

 

Getting our cat "fix."

Las Puertas Amarillas

Michelle arrived Sunday afternoon, the 26th. We're at the same Airbnb Kristen and I stayed in a few weeks earlier. It's a few blocks from downtown in a gentrified "barrio."

Parking is by permit and the prevalence of BMWs, Mercedeses and Porsches means Phoebe gets parked in the back of a nearby lot while the 2015 Honda FIT gets pride-of-place on the street.

Since Michelle made the reservation, the lighted poster welcomes her. I prefer to travel incognito, though Chris & Sally, the proprietors, remembered me.

Morning Light

It was melted by the time we emerged.

Sexuality, Sensuality & Spirituality

Description:

Come explore the different intersections of sexuality, sensuality, and spirituality in life through structured, confidential group discussion. This discussion group is for folks who are LGBTQ+, spiritual-but-not-religious, sacred BDSM practitioners, sex magick witches, energy workers, Tantrikas, mystics, seekers, philosophers, neuroscientists, and those that are just curious and open-minded.

There were two couples, and me; all younger than my children might be (my daughter is 52); it was interesting to see how focused and empathic they were.

The main topic was chronic pain. There was disussion of coping techniques including attempts to transform it into masochistic pleasure (no one had had much success).

My notes, edited for anonymity:

I tried to give an example of psychic vertical & horizontal split, but hadn't grasped the concepts sufficiently.

Moderator was familiar and described being spanked -- administered as punishment -- up to the age of 12.

Once she asked her Dom for a beating.... something beyond her "comfort level." As it proceded, the onion (I had mentioned the metaphor of "peeling") CRACKED open...to her core; her psyche collapsed. (This was tough listening to)

The Dom stopped immediately and -- she didn't give details -- but comforted her while she went through it. She said she was so grateful he was an older man (I got a very brief glance -- do I project? -- of interest) and knew what to do.

We were nearing the end and, uncomfortable about probing further, I emphasized how impprtant my relationships, both personal & w therapists, have been and are. I explained I view "caring" as synonymous with spirituality and gestured to indicate to them the importance (sanctity, if you will, though I didn't say it) of their relationships. I choked (brought close to tears) as I spoke and mentioned She-of-the-Capri, her Ph.D. and work as my "personal" clinician.

I don't know if they heard the catch in my throat but I could see from their smiling, youthful faces they were hearing me and appreciating the love they shared with their partners (spouses).

The other couple were also sensitive, articulate and wrangling psychological stuff plus chronic pain.

Moderator's spouse made the point that psychological pain can be chronic.

It, the session, was as much therapy as anything, but WAY better than any group I've prev attended.

Their website.

Mountains

Do you mountains laugh at us,

We humans who are so temporary?

Our paltry concerns,

Our poignant compassions.

Do you feel the exquisitness of love?

Orgasm?

Do you envy our senescence?

Do you extend your beauty to us

As a gift

That we accept and that augments our Ecstasy?

'Til death takes us beyond.

Tomorrow I'll accompany her West for a day or two as she returns to her other life.

Desert Dominion Orientation

The Vice-President of the Board of Directors of Desert Dominion is an AMAZING woman. From the very beginning she met me -- in all my weirdness -- head-on.

She is a retired military sargeant, a sadist, VERY sensitive, has no compunctions about setting me straight...all the while being very open and kind.

Molly leads the Triple S group: Sexuality, Sensuality & Spirituality. She holds a Masters degree in counseling and though she doesn't identify with a specific denomination, she's an ordained minister.

We were impressed by the attire. One young non-binary wore a tight top (black) over their chest, mid-riff tastefully bare. A short, bright-pink skirt with a cute ruffle accentuated their hipless waist. On their feet were black go-go boots ala the 60s. They had several rings, one of which was a large dragon head with a "tooth" that  when they bent their finger could be used to "bite." As we stood in line waiting to sign in, they showed us, and the others around us, how it felt.

There was a very slender "Mistress" all in black. Her short skirt had a subtle sheen, perhaps linen & silk. She wore some jewelry and a thin black scarf loosely thrown around her neck accentuated her long black hair. And there were others. They were all distinctive in their own way and showed little hesitancy about commenting. I'd have liked to have gotten to know more about each of them.

Their website

Tucson Botanical Gardens

 

Marina

The hip pain has been interfering with my sleep but no one would work on me cuz of the shingles. 

Dorothy Hodges called me back about 45 minutes later & suggested Marina. Marina said she'd had chicken pox and wasn't worried.

Over the course of the time (on her table) she nagged me about how it wasn't time for me to die.

Her new rug from rugs.com

I told about meeting Wayne a couple of days ago who'd had bypass surgery done by Dr. Raj Bose and claimed he'd recovered in a week. But, I explained to Marina, I had nowhere to stay or anyone to care for me while I recovered.

Marina said she's a trained medical-grade care-giver and would rent me a room for $500.00 a month and help me while I was recovering. 

Her partner in San Diego, who owns a home there, has been living in a van for years and has been encouraging her to join him. But her mom bought her this nice house and she doesn't know what to do with it.

I'm gonna see if I can get an audience w Dr. Bose & find out what bypass surgery costs. In the meantime, I may rent the room from Marina so I don't have to commute from the wilds of Sahuarita (an hour each way) to partake of Tucson culture.

There's an ichibana festival coming up the 23rd through March 5th and the Gem & Mineral show is in full swing and if Marina fixes my leg I could start swimming again.

Naughty Knots Part III

The group was larger this evening, but equally as comfortable as last. 

After a humorous (topless) tutorial on "the zipper" by the female presenter and her adjutant, we were invited  to help ourselves to the equipment -- this was a bondage workshop. 

After a quick glance around disclosed we weren't gonna have to fight for our choice, I practically lifted her out of her chair and flung her onto a nearby (padded) table and had half a zipper in place before you could say Jack Sprat. 

When I paused to look around, I was pleased to see we'd led the way and many others were in various states of disrobement and concentration. The presenters were circulating, answering questions and offering assistance.

The second half was about binding using saran-wrap and how to use different kinds of plastic tape. There were rolls of the yellow CAUTION tape used around open pits and some of the narrow pink used to mark trees and designate routes. Using some of each, I tied her to an a-frame with her hands above her head and wrapped her chest and abdomen in saran-wrap. This was new for us both and she enjoyed it. 

I was first introduced to BDSM in 2004 when a woman in the produce aisle asked me to tie her to her massage table and spank her. Over the years my own proclivity (for dominance) emerged and has developed into an interesting, to me, dimension of my personality. And also over the years, I've been honored to be entrusted in ways I never imagined which has opened doors to ever deeper levels of love and compassion. And, perhaps strangest of all, I discovered my own delight in having a (willing) victim, something I was brought up to never even remotely consider.

Neither of us have strong exhibitionist or voyueristic tendencies so aren't particularly inclined to be in a group, but it's a great way to get new ideas. 

Casa de Puertas Amarillas

 

I've been lucky in love.

January 22nd

Univ of AZ Art Museum

 

Click or tap on images to largen,

but it takes you out of the post and can be annoying

A Wonderful Day!

Maestro Gomez led the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (TSO) through an astounding performance of the overture to Der Meistersinger followed by several of Wagner's leider. Then came Beethoven's 9th symphoby with an 80-member chorus. 

All of it was world-class. The ovation was rousing but I was surprised to see many did not recognize the quality of the experience. Oh, well.

I hooted, hollered and coaxed a few more to their feet by shouting, "If you're not standing, you don't know what you just heard.

Packed house.

Dinner was Japanese at Yoshimotu. It was WAY over-rated. An example of people applauding too loudly out of lack of experience. We're slowly learning not to rely on other peoples' reviews. But the stout beer was good and we had a splendid time discussing the performance.

She then hung on the last minutes of the score between the 49ers & the Texas somebodies. Myself, I pride in having gotten through life with only about ten minutes of football; soccer, maybe 45.

A wonderful day!

Naughty Knots

I've known of Desert Dominion for a few years but hadn't been able to attend an orientation so thought I was ineligible to participate in their events. This workshop, on the fundamentals of rope bondage, or Shibari, was open to the public -- street legal dress required to the door.

Desert Dominion hosts many events and is a major presence in the Tucson and surrounding areas kink community. The space is about 40' x 40' with an easily accessible bathroom, several couches and comfortable chairs and a variety of devices for restraining "victims."

I've always been a light-weight when it comes to absorbing information. After an hour of the three-hour workshop I was totally saturated and left. 

It was a comfortable, relaxed presentation with strong emphasis on safety, both physical and psychological. The presenter's running commentary, which included a wealth of information, was also, in parts, hilarious. 

As I was leaving, I was gifted, by a man with four hanks of new rope. I hope to put them to use in the near future.

I look forward to returning.

 

All Souls Procession 2021

Happens November 7, 6-9pm 

in Tucson, Arizona, USA

Photo by Jody Greer Cummins

2019 Procession: Still images

2020 Video

https://vimeo.com/470881781

2019 Video -59 mins

https://vimeo.com/467619584

Working From Home - MOCA Tucson

Pathetic. But it DOES capture the times wonderfully: painful boredom. One can only imagine the gall it would require to charge admission. As it is, they're offering solace by letting everyone stroll about for free.

There's humor in the black blocks that -- similar to the cordoned entries of some stores -- mark the entrance and exits. They could've done better; pylons with yellow tape to funnel visitors toward the ticket booth would be nice. Each block supports a placard alerting visitors that proper face attire is required. (The complete exhibit is in this single room.)

You have to step over the line to exit from the center area. OMG!

On the back (of the blocks), even though the entire front of the building is open, they painted NO EXIT. Will we follow the signs? Obey the new rules? 

Backlight makes it hard to see

Rocks on rollers (Ha, ha!)

I know! I know! Oh! Oh! Teacher!! (waves hand vigorously)

It's a postmodern reference to tv programming!

EXIT in white block letters on backs of blocks.

(somebody has a sense of humor.)

It is interesting how willingly most comply. Go to school; get a job; get married; have children; acquire stuff. Watch tv. Do what you're told.

When did you last sequester yourself? HhhmmMMMMM?

                                                                Thought anything?

It's A Wrap

It all came together pretty loosely. Considering everyone is hunkering-in-space, the geoproximity worked well enough to prompt me tuh look up (online) some of the folks in the sound-healing community. Next time maybe I'll get to chat with a few.

Peace, Brother

I had a nice two-day run up to Cottonwood where Marie surprised me with a Thanksgiving Feast of turkey, smashed taters with gravy and stuffing, greenbean casserole, celery sticks with kalamata-laden cream cheese lounging in their recesses, some cranberry sauce and a wonderful cranberry dessert!

After off-loading the art supplies we visited for a bit and then I headed south and west....toward warmer climes, we hopes.

A splendid repast! Thank you, Rie!

Tucson Ho!

I'm taking some art supplies to NONEATALL in Cottonwood, Arizona. 

Easel For Rie

On the way I'll visit with Rex & Robin.

Then it's on to Tucson. Due to Covid, Desert Dominion is still not holding in-person events, but I hope to get a tour of their facility. 

I'm also carrying a set of the Zadrozny (Zuh-drohj-nee) wands, the sound-healing device developed by Andy Zadrozny, former bassist for the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. I hope to find some connections among the alternative-therapy community that will result in sales of the wands and his sound-healing table. 

The wands are silicone-encased transducers that impart tones and/or sound waves into a person's body. Amazingly, this can ease or relieve muscle and nerve pain and, when placed appropriately, induce orgasm (in females).

A video in which Andy talks about the origins of his interest. For more information, contact Andy at 206-748-0153.

Michelle painted my walking stick.

That's Michelle's serigraph Raised In Captivity above my left shoulder. Warhol and other American serigraphers typically used 6 to 10 colors; Michelle often used over 40. For a number of years after she graduated her work was shown to other students at the University of New Mexico as an example of what is possible.