Sunday night's NYC class recap

Video editing is a work in progress, so I'm taking a break to write up Sunday night's Roleplay and Hypnosis class in New York City.

Of all of the classes I've taught lately, this one seemed to have the best reception. For one thing, I didn't need to do hypno 101. I love doing that, but it was so refreshing to get to the fun stuff instead of explaining what hypnosis is and how to do a basic induction. Instead, I could talk about specific safety concerns, safewords, and how to set up the scenes. It was fantastic, and there were really good questions asked. Some of this I went through on the podcast a few years back, but it's worth revisiting.

But one thing I didn't do on the podcast that I could do in the class was demo concrete examples of scenes. I was lucky enough to have two demo bottoms, one of whom is a regular of mine and the other of whom I'd never hypnotized before. The former I simply demoed scene setup, not playing out the scene at all. The latter we went a little distance into the scene, to the deep appreciation of the watching audience. Because I'd never worked with her before, I also installed safewords and some other basic safety guidelines. (Since I was staying with her and her significant other, I had the fun later that night of hearing the suggestions for the "yes, more please!" safeword take effect posthypnotically... through the wall. I went to sleep rather joyfully, if not without a giggle. ;) )

Afterwards, a bunch of us went to McDonalds (it being the closest place to hang out and just talk for a while) and talked trance. So much fun! I felt really fantastic.

I had the honor of meeting some fantastic new friends, connecting happily with longerterm ones, and got to talk about my favorite thing to do with hypnosis. What wasn't to love? I can't wait to get back to The City and play some more.

"Sex Robot": Me on TV!

Yes, I was on Discovery Health for the documentary "Sex Robot." I am in the process of editing the video to snip out the parts I filmed so I can post them on my website. I'm learning to use a video editor in order to do it, so the process is slow. I want to be sure to get it right.

(Incidentally, and worth its own paragraph by far: A HUGE thanks to Bri_chan for helping obtain the video! I owe you, sweetie... expect me to pay up. ;) )

This was a terrifying and exhilarating experience. On the one hand, I really wanted to get something on hypnosis for technophiliacs out there. On the other hand... being on TV. Especially on a documentary which, let's face it, was more likely to be a "wow, freaky people!" video than a "isn't this neat?!" show.

I was aware that it could provide great exposure. I am also aware that being a BBW is fine for some people, as long as they aren't confronted with the reality of me actually being big and soft. Nevertheless, I decided that it would be worth it to go on and get on film.

I look slightly different in this video than I might normally at, say, a con. Normally, I wear purple. For this filming, I elected to wear red. It pops more on camera. Don't worry, though... I'm going to keep going with the purple. In fact, within a couple of weeks I am going to dye at least some of my hair purple! I also wore makeup, because I knew better than to go on camera without it. Ah, stagecraft!

I was, of course, a bit nervous about seeing the video. Copper and I watched it together after a few other people had seen it and reassured me that they enjoyed it. To my almost total surprise and joy, I found that nothing I said had been taken out of context. The editor did a great job of getting out one of the most important points I felt I wanted to get across. Furthermore, they showed a lot more of the induction than I thought they would. Even better, the couple in the video very much came across as the loving, committed partners they are.

We were not, of course, the full focus of the program. We knew that. I was completely unsure how much we would be in the film at all. To be in as much as we were, in the way we were, makes me very happy. It's something I'm proud to be putting up on my website.

Where I've been and what I'm doing

As you probably know, I took the last few weeks and went up to see my beloved pet Copper up north of the Arctic Circle. While I was up there, I took a lot of time to think. Some of those thoughts I kept to myself, pondering them over the course of the trip. Others I shared with my Chosen.

Right now as I write this I'm on the subway in New York City. I'm here for a training, getting class hours I need to maintain my certification. (And gods help me, but as I look out the window and see the bridge and the Woolworth building, I *cannot* avoid thinking of Cloverfield. My NYC friends are going to kill me!)

It's been a very harsh few months for me. More than once I've questioned my decision to go full-time. Jukebox losing his job put financial pressure on us that has made it impossible for me to maintain my planned CD schedule. The pressure has also sapped my creative energy.

The last few weeks, however, have brought clarity. Being in a place where the electricity was shaky and I could not take calls made me aware of how much I love doing so. I realized that tranceplay and education is, indeed, what I want to do.

The boundless support of my Chosen and pets has made it possible for me to get through things. I want to publically thank them all, from the bottom of my heart.

I have ideas again. I have plans. And I am so very much looking forward to bringing them to fruition.

The next stop is my stop. Time for me to get off. ;)

HELP WANTED! :)

Got your attention? Good!

I am in need of someone who a) has a cable/satellite package that includes Discovery Health and b) has the capability to record to computer. You see, the documentary I filmed back in May is premiering on 24-SEP on Discovery Health, but I will be in Canada! I haven't seen it yet, although I really hoped for a copy first, so I need to know what they will be showing. There were hours of footage taped. Probably if I'm lucky I'll get five minutes, but I still want it!

More on the premiere as soon as I have someone willing to record it and put it in a Dropbox or something similar for me!

A Couple Of Happy Things

One, I'm feeling better today than I have all week. I don't know what bug got me, but I am so very glad to see the back of it.

Two, it's official: I'm going to be in Canada in a couple of weeks, for a couple of weeks! I am very happy about this.

It's caused a change to my appointments calendar, though. Have a look. My phone hours are going to be very different for a bit while I'm up there. I won't say those will be the only hours I'll be on the phone... far from it!... but I will be on for sure during that time. I know they're weird. It's due to scheduling around when Copper can give me the attention I deserve!

The New York trip is definitely on. I'm already realizing that I'll have to go back and just see people, because since I'm attending a training (have to get those CEUs to keep my certification, you know!) a lot of my time is going to be taken up in a classroom. But oh, I do so want to see the awesome NYC crowd. And others in the area: there's always a chance we can get together!

IT'S BAAAACK!!! NEEH(U)2 Returns!

Mark your calendars! Here are the details:

WHEN: Friday, 29-APR-2011 through 1-MAY-2011
WHERE: The Society, Hartford, Connecticut.
HOW MUCH: Early registration: $50 (NELA/Society members), $60 (non-members). Late registration (after 3/1/11): $60 (NELA/Society members), $70 (non-members)
WHAT DOES THAT GET YOU:
TEACHING/LEARNING

The focus of our event during the day is the sharing of knowledge and cool ideas. This year, we will have several pre-arranged programming tracks for all levels in the large rooms of The Society. In addition to the program, we will have dedicated space for impromptu "Unconference style" classes if there is something that just happens to come up. There also will be lots of comfy couches and a dedicated trance lounge.

FUN/PLAY
In addition to the all day trance lounge that will be available for the whole convention, we will also be having a meet'n'greet/stage show with other surprises on Friday night, a fantastic play party on Saturday night, and a delicious brunch on Sunday morning/afternoon.

FOOD
In the tradition of NEEHU, we want you to be well fed and happy at a fraction of the cost of eating at a restaurant. To this end, we will be providing appetizers and non alcoholic beverages on Friday night, breakfast, lunch, and party snacks on Saturday, and the delicious brunch on Sunday.

EVENT RULES
*21+
*No alcohol/drugs/smoking
*No vaginal/anal/oral sex
*No photography

DO YOU HAVE A SCHEDULE?
(tentative)
All events take place at The Society in Hartford, CT. There will be an official scheduling grid up on the NEHG website.

FRIDAY
6-8 PM Meet'n'greet with passed appetizers
8-10 PM Stage show and hypnosis slam

SATURDAY
9AM Welcome ceremony (mephki)
10AM-7PM Conference (schedule TBA)
9PM-2AM Play party

SUNDAY
11AM-5PM Aftercare: brunch, informal teaching, social time, etc.

I'D LIKE TO BUT I'M TOO BROKE:

HOTEL
We will have a group rate at a local (cheap) hotel. There will be room share posts up on the NEEHU group.

VOLUNTEERS
We need volunteers! Our convention has a lot of food, and we need help preparing and serving and cleaning. There will also be various and sundry other things that need doing. We will have a few positions available for hardship volunteers (IE you get in for free). There will be a tasty dinner on Saturday night for staff and volunteers who have worked more than 4 hours.

Contact Mephki on Fetlife or at mephki -at-nehg -dot- info for info on volunteering.

As you can see, this is going to be a lot of fun. More than six months out, we already have a lot going. Yes, I will be there. So should you!

Ahhh... it was a good birthday!

I was greeted with the following IM yesterday when I logged in:

"Happy Ru'mas!"

I gotta say, that made me laugh and made my day at once!

I spent the day with Jukebox going around to various local metaphysical bookstores. I may have found space for my non-ink practice, and that's always a good thing! I want to thank everyone who sent me gifts. They made me so very happy.

Also, HypnoMedia has launched his blog! This is another thing that makes me happy. When you're done here, go there and bookmark. You'll be glad you did.

And in the neatest birthday present of all, I get to widen my horizons with Yet More Travel! I am going up to the Arctic Circle, the furthest west I have ever been, and also going back to some familiar places.

Here's what my travel schedule mostly looks like for the remainder of the calendar year:

• 21-SEP: Leave for Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. During this time, I will still be available for phone appointments. My hours may well change, though, so keep an eye on the appointment calendar! Also, I plan to get some good podcast recording time in, since I'll be in a pretty quiet place.
• 15-17-OCT: New York City for a non-kink hypnosis training! Yep, CHt's have to get training hours to maintain our certifications, but this seminar just plain looks cool: Virtual Gastric Band hypnosis. As a BBW, I wouldn't mind having some of it rub off on me either. (There's another post lurking in that comment somewhere, about D/s and size acceptance and hypnosis. Watch for that.) I would LOVE to get together with the NYC crowd while I'm there! You know who you are!
• 5-7-NOV: Wiseguy and Dani Fantom's wedding. I do not have enough smilies for this!
  
• 2-6-DEC: Charlotte/Raleigh NC for LeatherFet. More details on this as I know them.
  
• Sometime During The Holidays: Raleigh, NC. Available for personal get-togethers, hypnosis by appointment only.

Also, a note that I will be available for phone calls on Labor Day during the afternoon and evening! Bored on the holiday? Relax with me!