January 4, 2007

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Just Some Views... by Tatu

Disclaimer: This newsletter is just a collection of my ramblings. It is not intended to be authoritative in any way. Just reflections of my personal explorations. If anyone finds it interesting or helpful for me that is a plus. I don't know it all and stay far away from the elitists who think they do. I am no Master of anything, just a student on a journey who loves to explore life, art, relationships and hopefully will one day learn to at least be the Master my own soul and the loving leader of another self empowered one who wishes to walk along side me.

The Pet Movie   ... a review and response

by Tatu

Well The Pet Movie has come and gone. It is not hard to figure out why it was not picked up for general distribution, duh....  it was awful.  The acting was atrocious. The editing amateurish and the story convoluted.

Others got to see it before I got to, and outrage was immediate from the alternative lifestyle community. I look back and ask myself, "what were we thinking?"

I think we were very misguided. Yes by the movie producers who saw a potential market seeking it out because of it's lifestyle content. I guess we had become too idealistic after the CSI Lady Heather series, which was actually quite well done and very fair to the community, despite the story line of a murder or two and a screwball on the loose.  Lady Heather intrigued us all with her keen sense of psychology as well as Grissom's fascination and implied affair with his new muse, it was very fun to watch. I hope they have new episodes. There have been three so far.

The Pet Movie on the other hand was a total disaster made by people who don't have a clue about the lifestyle, they only sought to use us in order to sucker in an audience so they could get their message out about a real tragedy, non-consensual slavery. If they really knew what we were all about they never would have associated the two for a story line.

Now for the other side:

When I was in graduate school, taking a class in world religions, I had a professor who always asked us "what can we learn from this religion".  Surprising actually since one would expect a religion professor in a denominational school to ask us to find all the bad or the faults with each religion.  So I ask with this movie, "what possibly could we as alternative lifestylists learn from this movie?"

For me something hit me squarely between the eyes when I watched this movie. I saw something totally different here. What I saw was a huge warning to lifestylists, to beware of the wolves in sheep's clothing. I have often said over the years that "we live on the edge, so we attract some borderline people and personalities".

I have been around this community long enough to know that there people out there who are not what they appear. 10 years ago everyone was very leary of letting on to their real identities in the community for fear of what might happen if people in the vanilla world knew what were were up to. Now with all the favorable erotic images in the media, CSI, Madonna, The Secretary, etc, I fear, are we perhaps creating a coming disaster for ourselves.

I think we were all moved by the relationship of "the pet", as a young impressionable woman, emotionally vulnerable, who found in her new owner. The fantasy for us as we watched was deep erotic. Yet in the end in spite of the fact that her owner wanted to keep her, he was in fact involved in the non-consensual slavery world, so we really cannot have any empathy for this man. He was evil, out for the money, in spite of his momentary affection he developed for his pet, "GG"..

BTW, I have always used the term "good girl" with a lovely female submissive... now I may gag when it comes out of my mouth.

I think people delude themselves with their DS fantasies, especially female submissives, to the point that they take risks that end up in disaster. Yes I know all about RACK, Risk Aware so it's her own fault.

I my short 15 years or so in the public arena, I have encountered masquerading in this lifestyle, multi-felons, professional con-artists, felony stalkers, extortionists, registered sex offenders, etc etc ,ad nauseum....  

The one that really gets me are those, and I have known personally about 5 or 6 who try and con us by saying they are or were in some branch of the special forces, or black ops and their resume is so top secret and classified that no one can ever verify the information.  Oh brother, if these people were really is such a classified position, they wouldn't be telling YOU about it, hello??? duh??? I don't mind anyone having a fantasy they wish to role play, but personally I think it is shameful to use the US Military to try and impress and scam the community.

I'm not trying to scare anyone here, because those same people walk in the vanilla world, it's just that because of our desire for fantasy and play, we can be easy targets for the cons. Ok maybe I am trying to scare you. Maybe this movie both in it's story line and in how we were scammed by the producers should serve as a clear reminder to us all, to be really careful. I know first hand what it is like. I have been outed , scammed and victimized myself, because I was not careful enough. I have had friends who were in what they thought were dream relationships with felony stalkers or Doms beat them up, broke bones and went to jail for it.

So dear community. Be careful. Go slow with your explorations and fantasies. Ask questions. Don't always believe what one person says, ask several people, get references.

Now for my psychologist / counselor mode:  If you are just out of a marriage, do NOT make any major relationship decisions for at least 2 years after the divorce is final. Kick back, have some fun, and stay safe.

Wishing you all a very happy and wonderful new year.  This Sunday, Oshugatsu (New Year's Celebration) at Morikami Japanese Gardens and Museum. My sweet friend "sumi" and I will be attending.  I'll take pics.

~Tatu

Tatu@ds-arts.com
http://www.ds-arts.com

So I'm writing a book...

My Book / DVD Project
Topic: Japanese Rope Art
Please Take The Marketing Survey

Many of you know because you have already participated in the marketing survey, that I am writing a book in 2007. It will be focused on the Japanese Tying Arts from Torture to Erotic Surrender, a fully illustrated guide to safe sane consensual rope fun the Japanese inspired way.

Thanks to everyone that has already taken this survey. Some 300 people from all over the world have already participated. Thank you. The survey will be ending on January 31, 2007.  It would be nice to at least double that number.

I met and had dinner with the project's producer last night and we had an excellent discussion. We have been putting together a "production team" and have some wonderful volunteers for this project. I never realized such an undertaking would take so much organizing and help. I'll let you know who is who down the road, but right now the team at this time includes:

*Producer

*Publisher

*Editor

*Typesetting Specialist

*Graphic Designer

*Photographer

*Legal

*Sound

*"Models" I also have a few new very lovely models lined up and will begin shooting this month, which will probably go on through May. I will also be using at least one male model for this project.

*"Writer / teacher / rope artist" Oh yeah, ..... that's me and a little help from my friends ;)

I have already learned so much from this survey. I have received some individual contacts from people that have helped me to see and understand some very important things about my potential audience.

My good friend, "Docc the Magician" who has written about 30 books and performs around the world, encouraged me to do this survey. He was right. I have learned so much and hope to learn a lot more.

The topic of course is Japanese Rope Tying Arts. As a simple rope artist, researcher, and writer; every author feels he has something valuable to contribute, but I am more so interested in delivering a product that clearly speaks to your needs and wants; as well as one that you think would be worth owning. Otherwise my efforts are in vain.

Yes there are several good books out there on rope, but I think you will find this one very different. Not to mention that it has become clear that you want a companion instructional DVD. So that will be a part of the project.

So, your responses to this marketing survey will help me and my production team make critical decisions over the next few months. Thank you in advance for your participation in this survey. Your participation is completely anonymous.

Go Here to take the survey now
 (closes January 31, 2007)

Finally, if you would like to know when this publication is available and how to order it please send an email to: JapaneseTyingArts-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

NOTE: This is NOT a discussion group. The only email(s) you will receive from it will be from me and about the availability of this Book / DVD.

Thank you again everyone for helping me with this phase of the project.

Respectfully,

~Tatu   "Harmony, Purity, Respect, Tranquility"

Update on The Pet Movie....                                           It sucked, lessons to be learned.  Read the above....

Partners En Twine are coming to LAC "Fetishizing Florida" Saturday, January 6, 2007 8:00pm Yes, Eric and Ginger will be at LAC this Saturday, cosponsored by Shibari South Florida and LAC!!!   I met them at Shibaricon II in 2005. They had planned a scene one evening during that event and asked me to assist. The scene was Eric suspended face up as a Kayak, and Ginger on top in a kneeling position over Eric paddling. It was a hoot. Here's a pic. Yep that's me sitting behind the scene with The English Tart sitting at my feet... woo hoo. They have gone on to create some wild imaginative scenes. At Shibaricon III in 2006 they showed up with a giant picture frame, and had fun creating some interesting rope scenes suspended in that frame. Check out their website for lots of fun images at: http://www.partnersentwine.com Here is a favorite of mine: The Thief

Catherine Gross - Servant's Retreat is coming to the LAC in January 2007. Limited space available. Sponsored by Wolfe. SPICE - OTC our south Florida educational and support group holds it's monthly discussion meeting, "Off The Cuff" on the 1st Saturday of each month.

So how is LAC doing? Our local alternative lifestyles community center here in south Florida is coming along slowly. It has been scary at times. We wonder if the bills will get paid. We have about half the members we need to cover the nut, but some have stepped up to the plate and helped in ways above and beyond.  We really want this to work.   I want to thank several of you, from California, to Chicago, to Michigan, to Ohio, to New York and probably others that I am not aware of, who have made special contributions to LAC. Thank you. If you ever come to Florida, please be my guest to visit the facility.Here is information about LAC: http://www.lifestylealternatives.org

Want to help LAC? As in any start up in a venture like this financial support will take some time to establish. They are really in the crunch here in the beginning. Anyone from around the world can make a contribution by going to: Click here to make a donation for LAC If you are someone of some means, please consider a contribution of $500 or more. They are in need of significant underwriting. If you are on a strict budget, please consider a gift of $25.00 or more. If you live in Florida, please consider becoming a member of LAC.

MY SPACE

Are you on My Space?  Look me up and add me as your friend: http://www.myspace.com/jimitatu

Upcoming Rope Related Events:

Shibaricon IV
May 25-28, 2007 Memorial Day Weekend - a four day event.
An International event in it's 4th year featuring an amazing
64 Workshops and 3 Play Party Nights
This event  historically has been attended by about 250-300 attendees each year.

Event Organizer, Diana, tells me that things are coming together nicely. The old hotel will be closed January 15th which they just got notice of a few weeks ago, which put them into a scurry to find a new hotel. They have found 2 that are available Memorial Day weekend and will be signing a contract this week and making further announcements.

See:  http://www.shibaricon.com

Austin Rope Symposium

September 1-2, 2007

Austin, Texas

Mark it down. Website not revised yet. We will let you know.

(Image by Tatu)

What is Shibari South Florida / SILK ?

http://www.ds-arts/SSF

In 2000, I started something I called "Shibari South Florida".  We met in my home for a while and have met periodically since. Our numbers grew too large for my residence and so we have now ventured out into renting space for our workshop and social gatherings. Each workshop features something about rope, knots, ties, etc. followed by a social time we have named
"S. I. L. K." which stands for:

"Sensuous Intimate Loving Kinbaku"

Or,  Sadistic Insane Lascivious Kink, depends on our mood that night...

And sometimes we even enjoy:  

Sensuous Uninhibited Sexy Hot Intimacy

If you live in South Florida, and are interested in rope, please contact us about future gatherings.

Our next meeting will be Saturday, November 4th.

D/s ARts & Shibari South Florida has teamed up with Sir Michael of Erotic Hemp in Chicago to provide a quality hemp rope product to the Florida Community. Tatu will have 30' & 15' lengths of 6mm finished hemp rope available at SSF and other South Florida events. Also available will be the Tatsushi Rope bags.  See their new website:  http://www.erotichemp.com

Hemp rope is the traditional material used in shibari; a Japanese form of rope bondage. It is becoming more and more popular among bondage enthusiasts. Hemp rope is strict yet soft, it holds knots tighter with less slippage and it doesn't stretch. Erotic ropes are created from grade Romanian twisted hemp. Twelve hours of work go into each piece of erotic rope. Each length of rope is washed and then dried. The rope is then oiled, boiled, dried and singed to remove stray fibers. This process is repeated three times by a most loving rope slut so we can offer you the finest quality twisted hemp for all your bondage perversions.

(Image by Tatu)

C.A.R.E.   D/s ARts is also hosting a page for the Cincinnati Area Rope Enthusiasts, which meets once a month for what they "Rope Rendezvous". They have been having their maximum for the space which is 25 and have had had to turn people away virtually every month. This event is led by Master David of Kentucky and subshevah.

See: http://www.ds-arts.com/shevah/CARE.html

subshevah... We are also hosting a page for lifestylist and educator, subshevah. See her essays and teaching schedule at:

http://www.ds-arts.com/shevah

"Gabriel" is home safe and sound !

Also remember "Matt" a good buddy and professional co-worker of mine who ships out to Iraq January 15th. 

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Comments?  Email me at:

NOTE:
(c)  2006  Tatu
S.I.L.K.
"Sensuous Intimate Loving Kinbaku", or
Sadistic Insane Lascivious Kink,
and
Sensuous Uninhibited Sexy Hot Intimacy
are
copyright logos used to describe the
Japanese or Eastern School of D/s.
All rights reserved. Tatu