birthday party

[thoreau]

(l to r) Bob, Janet and Meara behind the bar

So - I went to my friend David's birthday bash last evening to help set up - and ended up bartending the event. This was nice and fun - as I got to cruise just about every leatherclad friend of David's that showed up. It also fun to flex that 'service with a smile' flirtatious side of my personality.

Meara (above right in the photo, in the leather tie) was actually the head bartender - but there was a tremendous amount of gender selection going on. Dressed as I was - the men that came to the bar just asked me for drinks. In some cases - not even considering that Meara could help them as well. It was actually pretty shocking. It became a running joke for the evening. Meara started referring to herself as "the invisible woman." She and I actually had a remarkable evening together - discussing everything from gender roles to hanky colour codes to what we thought being a "daddy" when you are female meant. (and of course, what it meant to be a daddy as a man too) it was just - well - a very entertaining evening.

The entertainment was a very talented Buddhist bell ringer. He played for an hour - and it was truly amazing. Men huddled together in groups hugging and holding and eyes closed - listened to the bells ring and bowls sing. It really was quite amazing. Some of the less interested leather guys went out on the street to talk and laugh - and were very respectful of the process inside.

David - the birthday boy - then set up a suspension scene.. where he was suspended in shackles and a blindfold - and folks were encouraged to come up - tell folks something special about their relationship with him - or advice to him on hitting his 5th decade. It was a nice mix of bondage and eroticism with an need from the recipient to hear those things from friends and brothers and sisters in that space. As David described it - although he's turning 50 - he has lots of "boy energy" left to explore.

I love having David as a workout partner - as I probably wouldn't be been party to such an event. I had a great time. I met some new friends - enjoyed watching existing friends truly enjoy themselves - and then came home - (god my feet hurt!) - and collapsed. and slept dreamlessly for 8 hours.

a great time all the way around.

Comments

[grimmbear.livejournal.com]

Wow! That sounds like so much fun!
I love evenings like that. I wish my hubby was more inclined to go to events like that.

btw... WOOOOOOOOOOOOFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!

[danibearess.livejournal.com]

.
It's interesting to see you looking at other takes on masculinity (and other things too). It's something some fags have trouble doing, you can and that's cool.

that (fag [whoever he's with]) SpencerBear

[whiskerfish.livejournal.com]

Last night, like most events that David has anything to do with, was beautiful and amazing.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

i'm beginning to discover that! I met David at the political fundraiser for Marc Leno at Richard and Steve's about a month ago - and that was on Saturday night - and by Monday morning we were workout partners just like that. (snap!) and he's introduced me to a whole CREW of interesting people. (as you can imagine from last night's crowd o' menfolks)

[bukephalus.livejournal.com]

What an original way to turn 50! My 50th was more of a "birthday suit" party, held at a Russian bathhouse with all the guests naked. So it will be very memorable for me!

nice tatoo

[kroyd.livejournal.com]

Nice tatoo. I'm thinking about getting my second one after having it for 30 years. Careful not to detract too much from that sexy hairy chest.

Re: nice tatoo

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

you can see a shot of what the entire tattoo will look like - here (http://low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com/806106.html) - the hair will grow back and (i think) make the tattoo look even HOTTER. Our paths'll cross eventually - and you'll have to judge for yourself. :) (wink)