A post in which I have my first real toys!

I'm so incredibly proud of them! A matching set of four paddles in curly maple. Isn't the grain gorgeous? These are toys that I can grow with and use for years. Plus I got them used on me Saturday night by Beth, a very sweet woman whom I like a lot. Yeah, getting them was pretty much perfect.

You can see more of these beautiful things here. If you have any questions, just email Gene Whitesides over there. He is a SUPER nice guy.

I'm going to post about the camp out later. Today is my time set aside just to enjoy the afterglow :)

A post in which I get my first big boy whoopin'

After dinner, it was time to play! There was already a scene in process as we started moving chairs and tables out of the lodge so we could move the barrier to increase play space. Ms Jan was running an all-sub game similar to musical chairs, only with paddles and the like. It was funny and fun to watch. It also broke the ice and started getting people warmed up, and everyone could watch and enjoy.

After the game was over, folks started pairing up, talking, etc. I noticed that Beth was missing. She had gone to lie down. When I went to check on her though, she was in the shower, so I figured she was up and getting ready. Later on though, she told me that she was getting a migraine and didn’t know if she would be able to or not. She told me to play if I got the chance, and we could play another time.

There was one really cute girl there with her partner. She had been in the game and had this sassy, almost bratty type of energy. She told me she liked my butt, and we had talked a while the night before. I told her if she wanted to play, she really couldn’t injure me with a flogger. She was unsure though, and so we recruited Russ to help her and kind of do a tutorial and monitor the scene. Things started off a bit rough, but we ended up having a good time. Since she was pretty and flogging me topless (wearing only some pretty pastel teal satin panties with bows on the hips), it was a hot scene to watch, and apparently several people really enjoyed watching it.

When she got done, I started to get up, but Beth was there. I noticed she was carrying the towel that my new paddles were wrapped in. And then the real scene started. She told me later that she thought we would have a giggly fun girl scene like she had had in the past with Billy, but when she got into it; she realized that I really wanted to play. And oh man did I! I really needed a whoopin. We had a great and very intense scene together, and she gave me my first big-boy whoopin really. It was fantastic. Beth took me further than I have been before. At times I was worried I had bitten off more than I could chew, but I know and trust her. That made all the difference. Also, being on the horse helped as well I think. I could just concentrate on what was happening and not have to worry about things like if my legs were going to sleep, or keeping my balance. I haven’t done a scene on a horse before, but once I figured out where my hands and legs and stuff should go I liked it.

Afterwards, I strolled out on the smoking porch, flying on endorphins, and visited and smoked.

Meanwhile, a beautiful woman I had noticed the night before had been checking me out. Her name is Big Red, and she’s from Atlanta. She’s also a good friend of Ms Shay’s. That’s a pretty big recommendation for me. We started talking with her lover Dyllan and Beth. She started a-vampin me, and I liked it. Apparently Big Red came to the scene through the gay leather scene, and really likes to play with gay boys, which of course suits me perfectly. I really enjoyed talking to them. She wanted to play, but I was already torn up pretty well at this point and it was getting late. So we made plans to meet at SELF in Atlanta next month. It’s gonna be like waiting for Christmas!

I went back to my room and slept at Beth’s feet. Just like in the Marketplace books. I was very happy.

A post in which I buy my first real toys, and get my camp job done

Today started out the best way for a camp out to start. I got up and went to the lodge for coffee on the smoking porch as the sun came up. The woods are gorgeous, and Mother Nature has all the plants decked out in finery for the weekend. It’s that time of year in the south when everything blooms, and aggressively green shoots are just aching upwards everywhere.

After breakfast, the vendors set up. There was one AMAZING man – Gene Whitesides - selling beautiful hand-made paddles and canes in all varieties of gorgeous and exotic wood. Absolutely works of art, sanded to a glossy gleam and waxed, not varnished. I was immediately drawn to the table. Now paddles aren’t something I ever thought I would like, but Ms Shay made me love them when she used hers on me for the first time. There were many pretty ones, but the curly maple in particular caught my eye. The grain of the wood was so outstanding. But I only had $50 with me. I talked to Beth when she came in to look, and she told me that the prices on these pieces were very cheap. She said painted paddles with not anywhere near this level of workmanship sold for almost twice as much. I really wanted more than one, so I had to decide which ones I would pick. That took a while. I finally took Billy over with me, and we looked together. I finally decided I had to have the curly maple frat paddle, and really wanted a long “slapper” that matched to go with it. Billy told me he and Russ would go in on the slapper with me so I could get both.

I went on, very happy, but then found myself wandering back through the vendor area. There were two other matching pieces as well: a round “ping pong” type paddle, and a shorter slapper. I had showed my first two to a couple of people who told me that the long slapper I had would probably break eventually. I figured the shorter one would be more sturdy, as well as being more versatile. Mr. Whitesides kindly offered to hold them for me until I could get to the ATM a bit later. His partner was very nice as well. They were just super folks, but then I tend to meet super folks at LOCK.

I had helped clean up a bit after breakfast, but left one of the pans to soak. Apparently they had done an egg casserole without spraying or buttering the pan first. Even after soaking, it was a big job scrubbing that thing. All I had was a little non-stick scrubber, and it just wasn't cutting it. I ended up having to get a spatula and scrape the whole thing down, then scrub it to get it clean. It was a chore.

After a bit more visiting, I went home to assemble desserts. I was in a tither. Getting the desserts to the camp out intact is the most nerve-wracking part. I’m always afraid that something is going to fall apart or get dropped. First, when I got to the house, the bathroom had been trashed again. I got a broom and cleaned up a bit. I started putting the dream whip together for the trifle, and realized I had made a mistake, so I had to run back to the store for more mix. With a (lot) more mix though, it went together fine. I finished up what I was doing, straightened up, and started getting ready to head back up the mountain. When I got out my glaze for the cake, though, it had separated. I was upset, because I thought the glaze was so good. But I stuck it in the car with my cornstarch, and just headed back.

Into interminable traffic. First, I ran into a funeral on Augusta road. When I finally got through that, some ancient woman decided she had to turn left – while all the backed up traffic from the funeral tried to get through. When I finally got around her, there was a bicycle in my lane – in the middle of the lane – refusing to let the traffic by. Then the city had shut down Main Street for yet another dildonic street festival. By the time I got through downtown, I was a nervous wreck. I had a fragile, recently mixed whipped cream trifle in the car, plus two icebox pies, and it was 89 degrees. I had the air on full blast, but my nerves were shot.

I managed to get everything back to the campground OK, and had helpers to get it all inside. I paid for my paddles and got them back to the cabin, and then just tried to chill out a bit before dinner.

When dinner time came, I was out on the smoking porch. People started showing up dressed and I went on back and put on my outfit, my super-slutty jeans (which – yay! – I’m back down into) and a purple fairy t-shirt I bought for the camp out but have never worn. I thought I looked pretty good. I got back in time to go in and for the announcements to start. While everyone ate, I started slicing things and getting them ready to put out. When I went to take the icebox pies out, I realized that I had left the rice crispy treats in the fridge. I popped them in to make sure the chocolate was firmed up, but intended to leave them in only for an hour. They were still in, and the chocolate on top was hard as a brick. There was nothing to do but start trying to carve them up. I got a decent knife, but it wouldn’t work as far as the sides go, and my arm was wearing out. I got a cleaver, which worked OK since I could slice down into them, but then the cleaver handle broke.

Meanwhile, the kitchen is roasting and I am trying not to let sweat from my face get in anything. I had a paper towel to blot with, but it got in the chocolate crumbs and I smeared chocolate all over my face. I went and washed my face. I eventually got everything cut up and plated, and ate a bite of supper. After I ate, I went out on the porch for a mo, and looked for Kay to find out when I should serve dessert. As I was asking where she was, I heard a chorus from inside “DES-SERT! DES-SERT! DES-SERT!!” I decided just to go back in and serve. I grabbed some guys, put my toppy boots on, and started giving orders. While I was heating the glaze for the cake, they got everything else out and ready to go.

Dessert was a huge success – probably the best one since I have been doing them. People come expecting to be wowed, and save room. When I ducked back through the dining room to see how things were going, I got a spontaneous round of applause, and many compliments. It was very gratifying. That’s one of the best things about cooking for LOCK. People realize that you’ve gone to trouble for them and they really appreciate it. I get my best feedback from LOCK. It was worth every minute of work I put in this week.

A post in which I finally get to the camp out!

I was panting with impatience all day long, so of course we had a crisis right when I was about to leave that I had to attend to. But I took care of it, and got the heck out of the office.

I have men coming at me from all directions. I have a date Monday night, I met a guy at the barber shop last night, and today Kay texted me to tell me that she was bringing me a man to the camp out as well! I couldn’t wait, so I had been texting her today at work. It rained cats and dogs for about an hour this morning, but then cleared up. I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow! Sunday I don’t care about.

I got home, threw things in the car in record time, and was just about to jet out of the house when I realized that a) I had forgotten my cigarettes; and b) I hadn’t taken the frozen cakes out to thaw. I took the cakes out, but couldn’t find my cigarettes anywhere. I just stopped and got more on the way.

I made it to the camp ground in good time and proceeded to start greeting people. There were a lot of new people though. I went in to eat something because I knew I needed to or my blood sugar would be messed up. Russ and Billy had thoughtfully brought me some sushi to eat, which I thought was super nice of them. I ate as fast as I could and still be reasonably polite. I was ready to start socializing!

Kay introduced me to Patrick, the guy she wanted me to meet. He was really nice, but just not at all my type. But if Kay likes him there has to be more to him than I could see.

I found and greeted Joanne, Rob, and Mikah. It’s always good to see them. I know them well enough now that I’m not shy around Mikah anymore. He’s straight, and at first that was hard for me, but he’s such a nice guy that I’ve gotten over it. Rob was his usual flirtatious pretty self. That is one good looking man. Joanne was just like she always is. She’s brassy but she has a heart of gold.

Little Brandy came up on the smoking porch and threw herself at me. She is the sweetest little thing.

As the sun went down, we all greeted each other and settled in to play.

Well some people did anyway. I really wanted to play, but couldn’t seem to get it put together. Kay was too tired; but bless her heart she had worked herself half to death putting everything together and I couldn’t blame her. We decided to play tomorrow afternoon. I had already asked Beth if she wanted to play tomorrow night. I’ve gotten less shy about asking people to play now that I’m a bit more sure of myself. And Beth is super nice. We had a really good talk the last time we shared a room and I got to know her a bit. I really like her.

So I relaxed and smoked and talked, and watched some of the scenes. A very sexy woman with a white streak in her dark hair (ala Lily Munster, only sexier) was working a guy over pretty hard with a single tail. The scene just went on and on. I was amazed he could take so much. I found out later that his wife had a heart problem and couldn’t whoop him anymore, so she came with him to get him what he needed, and sat and watched the scene. I found that very touching.

Rob had some girl on the cross on the other side of the room, flogging her. She was so short he had to get down on his knees to do it, and again it was a long scene. I thought that had to be killing his knees, but he just kept on going.

I hung out with Russ and smoked and talked the evening away. It was good to see everyone. I felt very peaceful; as if I was where I needed to be. I watched the moon rise over the trees and the pond you can see from the lodge, surrounded by friends, and all seemed right with the world.

When we turned in, Joanne was on Ambien and had stayed up too long. She, Russ, Billy, Rob, and Mikah were having quite a high old time giggling and tickling each other and singing little songs like kids. I wish I could remember the words to the “My titties are pretties” song – that was a scream!

A post in which I get my hair done, and get the low-down

It was pretty much a red letter day today.

I was up at 3:30, again, but I just went ahead and ate something so I could go back to sleep. It worked. I was bleary when I woke up, but at least the reports are pretty much over. By the time I got to the office I was OK though. I had a great day at work.

I was able to clear a bunch of odds and ends off my desk (despite my boss’s new bureaucratic roadblock announced today). I’m almost completely caught up, which almost never happens. I can take Monday off with a clear conscience now.

I had a fraud guy call this afternoon that I could play with. We’d already caught him, so we hadn’t shipped him any product, and I held all the cards. I am just sadistic enough to really enjoy playing with them like a cat with a mouse. Sadly, he realized all too soon that I had his number and he was making no headway, but he still tried to bluster his way through for a bit longer. Not as long as I would have liked, but it was still fun.

I had a big set of documents I have been dreading putting together, but they were in better order than I thought they would be. That task went much more easily than I thought it would.

After work, I went to get my hairs did. On the way there I talked to the new guy, Allen, and asked him out for Monday when I get back. It’s nice to have an actual dinner date to look forward to. That hasn’t happened in a while. Of course once I got to the shop, Russ knew who he was and gave me the skinny on him. I’m taking it with a grain of salt for now. I think I have the fortitude to make it through dinner in any case.

There was also another guy in the shop that Russ introduced me to. He was nice, and I think I may have detected a spark of interest. I hung out at the shop and talked to him while he had his hair cut. He’s a nice guy. He’s not my physical type, but I find that becomes less important the longer I’m single. Sure there needs to be some attraction there, but at this point I’m looking for a companion. I want sex too – I love sex – but that isn’t the definitive thing at this point. Either way, it made me feel good to have a coupla bees buzzin around my honey tree a bit.

After that I went by the post office and mailed my last Mother’s Day card, so that’s done. On my way back I passed a dirt lot where some boys were playing volleyball. There was a shirtless Hispanic guy out there who was so purty he made my teeth hurt. Of course he was in his 20’s, most likely straight, etc, but I didn’t mind looking.

I really needed to do my packing tonight when I got home, but I just felt like sleep was hanging all over me. I washed a load of clothes so my favorite shorts are clean, and put some clothes in a bag. I got some of my bedding stuff together. But I didn’t pre-load the car, as I really should have. I also didn’t toast my coconut tonight, which was my last dessert job. But I guess I can do that on Saturday when I come home to pick everything up. I was just too sleepy to keep going.

A post in which I maintain my sanity

And for today, that's saying a good bit. It has been an exceptionally tough month end.

Despite how tired I was I was up at quarter to 5 this morning. Worrying about desserts, plus looking forward to the camp out, has whipped up the insomnia. After trying for 45 minutes to go back to sleep, I just got up. I addressed the Mother's Day cards, except for one. I have to get a new address.

I actually got to work feeling pretty fat n sassy today. My desserts are going pretty well, my schedule for the week is laid out, and I got tons of work done yesterday. My official camp out song this year is Beyonce's Sugar Mama (I am, after all THE sugar mama for the camp out. I may not get to play with everyone there, but I can make sweet love to them all with my sugar bowl, baby!), and I grooved to it in the car all the way in. Sadly, my good mood didn't last for long.

I had intended to mail them from work today, but when I opened up my email, that Canadian bitch had taken a big dump in my inbox and I forgot all about the cards. I spent the morning doing her twit bidding, and arguing with IT about a report that is screwed up. About 2pm, I figured out the screwer-upper was in the credit department. My boss likes him. Good thing for him. I will reserve my opinion. For once. I was able to get it all straightened out and actually started digging myself out of the Hellacious Report Vortex this afternoon. I was really grateful for that.

I broke for lunch and talked to Anna a bit, which is always good for dramatic renewal of purpose. She's as interested in cooking as I am. She commiserated on the sponge cake story, and was encouraging about my chocolate fears.

On the way home from work, I figured out how to do things the easy way, and then relaxed. Tonight I'm making chocolate rice crispy treats with cocoa crispies and chocolate chips in them. That's for the chocolate people. I've learned not to try to be subtle or balance flavors for the chocolate people. All that really counts to them is how much chocolate you can possibly pile into a dessert. To that end, I wanted to dip the treats in melted chocolate when I got done and make those pretty "dip swirls" on them like the ones you see at the bakery. The problems were a) working with the double boiler with some expensive stuff that I really couldn't re-do if I screwed up; b) what the hell to put them in so they would stay fresh until Saturday night; and c) where to hide them to keep people out of them. I solved all three problems by just deciding to leave them in the pan and pour the chocolate over them. That eliminates the double boiler. I can melt the chocolate in the microwave just fine for that. If I leave them in the pan, they'll be easy to seal, store, and transport. Also, the chocolate will kind of help "seal" them to keep the cereal from getting stale. And if they aren't cut, that will keep little hedonist hands from getting in them before I'm ready to put them out. Most likely.

When I got home, I talked a bit to the new guy. He is nice. I hope we get to meet.

It rained cats and dogs at lunch, and again on the way home today. It has rained every day this week. I really hope things dry up in time for the weekend. Camping in the rain is yuckky. Any camping with the LOCK folks is good, but it's much better dry.

I ran by the post office on the way home and got all but one of the Mother's Day cards in the mail. That means I don't lose a day, since it would have taken them all day to get back to the main post office anyway.

Putting the treats together was really easy, but incredibly messy. I have never made them before. If you decide to try this, I highly advise buying stock in Pam. Spray your hands, your clothes, the counters, the mixing bowl, the utensils, and the pan. Spray everything you don't want rice crispy goo stuck to. Since I was making double batches, I had to get out the Big Bowl. It's a pain to wash, but when you need something washtub sized to mix in, it's pretty damn handy. I also had to go get more marshmallows. It takes a LOT of marshmallows. A pound for every six cups of cereal. A pound of marshmallows is a lot more than you would think. Almost two bags. Since I made two double batches, I used almost eight bags of marshmallows! They did turn out tasty, but really sweet. They won't last ten minutes once I put them out, but I called Billy and ran down what all I had made and he said we had plenty, which I'm sure we do. I just don't want anyone to be disappointed because they missed out.

I had a bite of supper, and then did the chocolate for the top. One pan is made with semi-sweet chips, and one with milk chocolate chips. They were then topped with semi-sweet and milk chocolate respectively. There ended up being almost two pounds of chocolate in each pan. That ought to hold my chocolate people :)

And HOORAY! I'm done!!

Hopefully I can sleep tonight. Of course I'll knock myself out Friday and Saturday, but it would be nice not to be a short-tempered zombie tomorrow at work. Tomorrow I get my hair did, and then toast coconut for the trifle and pack when I get home. One of the great things about doing the desserts is that since I get my work done the week before, I can pretty much relax and enjoy myself once I get there. And that's a good thing. Cause I need a whoopin'.

A post in which I'm on track

And that's a very good thing. I was up early, so was able to go by the post office on the way in to the office to get my thank you card and Eve's birthday card in the mail. I'm planning to do the Mother's Day cards tonight. Ever notice how everything seems to come up at once?

Work continues to be a bottomless vortex of report hell.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! And down with the French! LOL I love Mexican food, and usually use today as an excuse to get me a heapin plate o something - usually nachos, even though they aren't really Mexican. But there just wasn't time today. Fortunately, one of the vendors brought in a fiesta luncheon for us and Anna fixed me a plate full of black beans, rice, seasoned cabbage, nacho cheese, and sour cream. I threw hot sauce all over it and grabbed a coupla tortillas and chowed! It sure did hit the spot. It's too bad the Mexicans can't celebrate today because of the Swine Flu. God bless them.

When I got off work today it had rained, and of course the South Carolinians had all gone nuts on the highway, so I just went to the break room and read for a bit. I decided to get my receipts together for LOCK. It's been one freakin grocery store week. I've spent a little over $86 on desserts. But the run ticket was $65 anyway, and they comp me for food, so I'm not too far in the hole.

When I got home I relaxed for a bit. Tonight was my easy night. I talked to a nice guy I met on line for a bit. Almost too long, but I really enjoyed talking to him.

Tonight I made the sponge cake for the tropical fruit trifle. I'll put it together later, and it's actually better if the cake is a bit stale so that works out great. I usually cheat and use a fallen pound cake or just a mix cake, but I found a recipe for a real British hot milk sponge cake. I fooled around with the recipe though, and almost screwed it up. It did rise. Not much, but more than I deserved after what I did to the batter.

***warning - cook talk, anyone else will be bored shitless***

Apparently a traditional sponge cake gets the leavening from beaten egg whites, like for an angel food cake. But for a hot milk sponge there is some baking powder in the recipe. I got the recipe from www.recipezaar.com, my all time favorite recipe place online. One of the commenters said that she whipped the egg whites, as for a traditional sponge, before she put the batter together. I can only think she never actually made this recipe. I whipped my egg whites, which rose beautifully. Then I followed the instructions, which said to beat the eggs with the sugar. Four egg yolks just don't have enough moisture to dissolve two cups of sugar. I ended up with a mass of grainy yellow paste. No to be dissuaded, I mixed it with the egg whites, but the sugar wouldn't dissolve properly a) because I couldn't whip the egg whites too hard now, lest I lose all my lift; and b) because the sugar was coated with egg yolk. It incorporated, but looked kind of like ice cream with swirls in it. Next I added the dry ingredients, and then the hot milk and butter. It went together, but the batter was about the consistency of pancake batter - pretty thin. It baked up OK. It didn't rise much. But that doesn't matter for a trifle. The main difficulty is that it will be hard to split the layers to put the jam in. But I'll figure something out. If worse comes to worst, I'll just sprinkle some brandy over the cake and call it a day.

*** end of detailed cooking stuff***

Of course that is the beauty of doing cake for a trifle. It makes no difference what it looks like. It tastes great, so I'm good. The undissolved sugar kind of crystallized on the outside of the cake, which made it sticky, but gave it a really nice little crispy kind of shell on the outside. Of course that will be lost in the body of the trifle. I'll whip the filling and put it all together on Saturday. I'm not brandying the fruit or anything, so the work on that one is done.

When I finished that and cleaned up the enormous mess I made in the kitchen I got to work on my glaze for the pineapple coconut cake. It turned out delish. Pineapple, butter, powdered sugar and some praline liqueur. A great way to gussy up a deceptively plain looking sheet cake. And all because I didn't want to throw out the pineapple juice.

By the time I got the kitchen cleaned up it was about 10 and I was ready for bed. Tomorrow night is the night I'm worried about . Working with chocolate is just something I haven't done that much of. And I've spent big bucks on all this chocolate, so I really want things to go right.

I guess we'll see.