[Cut ropes and tape in advance!] Shoes at side for all sessions. For this and next two sessions, give everyone a NAME LABEL. Have early arrivals introduce themselves to "neighbors" right away, to encourage conversation and relaxation. Fill out INFORMATION FORMS before session starts. Start session promptly. [Capitalized items are needed today.]

1. INTRODUCTIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS (scattered throughout session)

1. All introduce themselves (full name), giving brief idea of top/bottom experience, if any. Some have experience in certain areas, but are new to others. Opportunities for learning about and trying things new to you, with no "obligation" to another top/bottom; develop a philosophy about topping and bottoming to help in being a good practitioner. I concentrate lots (but not all) on physical; others will bring in more on philosophical and even spiritual.

2. Importance of learning how things feel on yourself (lightly at least), as well as learning proper technique and safety when using things on others. Need for nudity by all at times; bringing in of guest bottoms and tops. I will teach you more than you can remember, but it will give you ideas for the future. Your ideas welcome at all times.

3. At end of session, you'll get future schedule, lots of material, and a copy of these notes. Refreshment setup.

4. Why do we play [get ideas from group, commenting where needed]? Sexually stimulating, challenges the imagination, gives a chance to take/give up control, powerful feeling derived from being totally trusted/giving total trust to another, demonstrate ones knowledge and ability/strength and endurance ... And it's fun!

5. Touch: scalp, "tighten" hair, ears (often neglected!), hand on head and neck, light "abrasion" from hands. (everyone try these now - pair off with neighbor). Don't do it to one another "at the same time." Then switch.

6. What makes a good top [ideas ...]? Cares about bottom, trustworthy, good technique, imaginative, adaptable. Safe, sane, consensual:

• SAFE is being knowledgeable about what you're doing:
  This means knowing your equipment and how to use it, and knowing your partner and how to keep him healthy both physically and psychologically.

• SANE is knowing the difference between fantasy and reality:
  And observing that difference. You may know how to do something, and even get consent for it, but it may be best left for one-handed reading.

• CONSENSUAL is respecting the limits imposed by each participant:
  Consent is an ongoing right, and can be withdrawn at any time. Thus you cannot consent to give up the right of consent! "You can do anything you want to me, even if I really want you to stop" is a statement that only an irresponsible top would take seriously.

Use of "safe words," even if never needed (gives bottom an option that does not insult top); if used, top must help bottom not feel like a failure for using it. Many tops say they don't need safe words, because they keep in constant communication; I do the same, but like the words as an option. Psychology (bottom should leave feeling better about himself than when he arrived). Advantage of being (but not necessary to be) a bottom first. Switching. Heavy vs. light ("building": adrenaline vs. endorphins). Affection throughout (doesn't mean you can't be firm, ...); laughter is fine; holding, kissing, stroking, reassuring (not every moment, of course, as it mustn't break into other moods you're establishing). Don't rush scene; save stuff for future. Top must pay attention to bottom (and, generally, let him know you're there). Bringing bottom down at end of scene. We'll discuss what makes a good bottom shortly!

2. BASIC ROPE BONDAGE

1. Give out 8 FOOT STRIP OF ROPE TO EACH PERSON. Some types of bondage: LEATHER STRIPS, RAWHIDE (bad features ...), rubber, CHAINS (including EXTEND-A-LINK), mummification (future session), Ropes. Discuss ropes (use my "SAMPLE ROPE KIT"): nylon, cotton (I like #8 best for tying hands, etc.; #6 for genitals). Sealing ends [show Plastidip tips, but all use YELLOW COLORED TAPE now on their ropes; at end, keep your ropes ]. Softening only if needed by washing (warm water + very little liquid detergent/fabric softener) and (not too hot) drying in machine; expect 10% shrinkage on cotton! Pass around my ropes to see softness.

2. Teach tying ends of rope together (square knot) to extend or close off rope; "right behind left, left behind right"; all practice now. Show how to loosen and how to "capsize" the knot.

3. Some equipment: SAFETY SCISSORS (bandage scissors; always immediately available); WRIST/ANKLE RESTRAINTS (leather, macrame) . Ankle ones are larger; keep looser (ankles change shape) or use over boots. Use DOUBLE CLIPS on a participant, plus PANIC SNAPS (breakaway hooks) on "WALL". (Where they're sold. Later we'll discuss where we can get them.) Advantage of BLINDFOLDS (several types; contacts problem) - increases bottom's other senses (hearing, feeling), and suspense, surprise, and imagination on his part. Hides top's mistakes!

4. One can tie person to self, wall, bed, furniture; never tie around neck! Don't leave bound person alone much (fire, nausea, fainting, ...); if gagged also, barely leave (can't call out and could die in just 4 minutes!)! Watch for pressure points (no knots there): near ears (but we won't work above shoulders, generally), neck, armpits, elbows, wrists, top of thighs, knees, ankles. Watch for cold hands (feel first), hand color change (look first), veins on hand, numbness or tingling (bottom must say so!) - top then has up to 15 minutes before he must loosen bonds. Never tie more than one person together with a single rope (it will tighten uncontrollably). Neatness, symmetry; take your time.

5. Show how to tie hands together in front (start at center of rope; use quick release). All do wrist tying (on a different partner) - wrists should not start close together! Tie back a bit from the wrist (not on the wrist). Show 2-finger test for tightness. Note that no knots are on pressure points. Using someone whose wrists are not too tight, start (don't complete) to show how to put doubled rope (use 12' ROPE) around back, through elbows, and tied in back again; prevents his using teeth to escape. Wrists mustn't start tight, as they change position during this; advance planning is usually needed!

6. Show wrist tie in back with crossed wrists. All try (different partner every time, of course). Use 12' rope to show (just above) elbow tie in back [use doubled rope, rope through loop, "shoulder pressure" from top, and "rope twisting" (each strand separately) to avoid tension on knot]. Same shoulder pressure and care when removing rope. We will discuss "endurance bondage" at a future session. It's a good idea for a bottom to do some stretching before any serious bondage. Always use separate ropes for separate ties. One rope, when tying different areas tightly, can change what you intended and even become dangerous.

REFRESHMENT BREAK [Then all switch seats]

7. What makes a good bottom [get ideas from group, commenting where needed]? Cares about top, not just about the activity, respectful, responsive, willing to try (most) new things. Makes sure top doesn't feel he (the top) is being taken advantage of; reciprocating vs. simply appreciating (many bottoms don't think to do the former). Bottom should not be playing with top he does not feel trust in. Must be aware and tell top if there's a problem.

8. Discussion when meeting a bottom (including physical problems: contact lenses, hearing aids, back problems, dietary problems, allergies - including to pets, dental problems; play as if all are HIV+). Don't brush or floss teeth for about 2 hours before a scene (mouthwash is a simple replacement). Tops: Don't cum on an abraded body; watch your fingernail length; watch out for cold room (remember that bottom is often naked).

9. Why clean items with HIBICLENS when air kills virus? (oil, grease problem; also, remember that Hepatitis virus can last for months!) For blood (or abrasion) on person, I use peroxide + witch hazel (e.g. MY SPRAY BOTTLE set up is excellent), or BACTINE spray, or Betadyne or Hibiclens (I prefer it to Betadyne, and it works just as well).

10. Show "quick release knot." All try. Not good for extending rope (opens if pulled apart). Using doubled rope, but ties similar to wrist tie, tie someone to chair using chairs without arms. Complete each tie with quick release knot! Chairs with arms are not really good for this bondage. Tie feet so that toes are off ground. Note how this leaves all areas very accessible. Don't tie hands directly to elevated feet, as the hands ropes will get increasingly tighter. Be sure ropes are attached so they cannot "slide." Note problem of "neuropathy" (for people who are HIV+). In general, keep their feet on the ground and be careful with tying their hands overhead (and other positions). All try this (in groups of 3). [Have EXTRA 8' ROPES available, as each group will need one more rope.] Then switch so one other person has chance to be tied.

11. When all are untied, show trick way to make "HANDCUFFS" using two overlapping loops. All do this.

12. Extend the two loop idea to three loops, and show rope GAG. All do this.

13. Show "turkey tie": After making loops for the feet or boots, "cross in front, cross in back, under two."

1. Give out BONDAGE SAFETY BOOKLET, BED BONDAGE SHEET, SAFETY NOTES FOR NOVICES SHEET, "AN S/M PHILOSOPHY" article from CHECKMATE (show sample issue), THESE NOTES, and LIST OF FUTURE SESSIONS. Give out SEMINAR FOR NOVICES notes to those who were not at that seminar.

2. Show "THE MORROW GUIDE TO KNOTS."

3. Discuss upcoming topics, meeting days and time.

4. Importance of notifying me if you can't attend, but note that this is not a "choose what you like" SIG! Everyone keep a careful calendar note of the future session! I'll bring bottoms and tops where needed.

5. Discuss cost [$20 covers complete "course" (includes refreshments; sometimes people bring their own favorites)].

6. Ordering rope from factory (100' package was $4 for #8 and $3 for #6). We'll discuss this at session III, after we use #6 rope for genitorture. We'll also order panic snaps ($2) and double clips ($1) for those interested.

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