Friday night We were at that last minute meeting for OPEP to go over any details.  We arrived early and
were fortunate to meet Sir Shadowfind.  I had heard about him from lady and looked forward to seeing his
demonstrations with the whip.  He was kind enough to give Me and lady a brief demonstration prior to
anyone else arriving.  He is fantastic with the single tail whip and snake.  Later that eve after the meeting
W/we went to a private party with a few O/others.  While there Sir Shadowfind continued his
demonstrations.  As lady appeared most interested (and I as well) I offered her as a target for Sir
Shadowfind.  Again he was totally amazing with the skill and delicacy of his lashes.  At times they were
almost caresses.  lady especially liked when he "flicked" her hair with the tip.  Sir Shadow left some very
nice "marks" upon her back, however he did not bruise nor take skin.  Later that eve he did a more serious
demonstration with Another's slave.  It did not take long for his whip to send her into sub space.  I am
seriously considering taking up the snake.  However it would be quite some time before I lay it on lady's
back for I would have to trust My own hand not to harm her.  I will or have included a link to Sir
Shadowfind's page.  I would encourage you to go there.  He and his wife run an Alt life friendly bed and
breakfast in Michigan.  I hope to visit there someday soon.  He and his wife were excellent people.  Here is a
link to their page, take a look.   The House of Shadowfind

As for the Ball itself it was fabulous.  I will save the info on the seminar for lady to write.  I would tell you
instead that I enjoyed finally getting lady over the prayer bench and on the St. Andrew's cross for flogging.
She has a wonderful alabaster ass that the flogger loves.  I was able to borrow many differant floggers to
caress her with.  One that she particularly enjoyed was of a rough suede.  I combined this with a rough
leather lace that I had made for a unique experience.  At one point I had another female bottom join Me in
lady's flogging.  lady seemed to enjoy this as well.  Due to the circumstances surrounding the Ball I could
not send lady into subspace she so deserved.  But all things considered..........

The Ball was more designed to open the BDSM life to the area.  Were W/we live is well in the Bible Belt so
it was a fantastic opportunity.  We had a diverse range of people there ranging from experienced kink, gothic,
as well as those just curious.  I was fortunate to second an experienced Domme in a one girls first flogging.
I stayed by her head as she was on the prayer bench and talked her through the experience.  The girl took to
the flogging right off.  She was taken through a medium flogging.  She found she enjoyed the touch of the
flog far more than she anticipated.  It was great seeing her go through this and being there with her.

Having watched Sir Shadowfind's work not only on lady but O/others as well I decided it was time for Me
to experience it for Myself.  I took a stand on the whipping post as he laid some fine lashed across My
back.  I felt it was an honor to stand before him.  It was quite and experience to feel the silk cracker stinging
My back.  I would say that if you are lucky enough to find One as skilled to experience it yourself.  I
suprised lady by doing this as I had not told her I was going to do this.  she was quite suprised when she
heard and then saw I was up there.  she came up to ensure all was well which it was.  I was quite suprised at
the experience and would repeat it again under Sir Shadowfind's whip.  I felt I had to do this to better
understand lady's own experience.

One Domme had a male sub in the stocks.  She had taken him through the paces of a thorough flogging yet he
continued to want more.  She was soon getting tired and asked if I would like to take over and I was happy
to do so.  It was apparent that the soft leather she was using was not going to do enough as he still had his
jeans on.  I decided to use My own rough leather and test My heavy hand.  Using a whip like motion I was
able to lay the tips on his ass and find his sweet spots.  It was good to see that I got his attention and made
his ass dance a bit.  After about a dozen very good stinging strikes he decided he needed a rest.  He wanted
to remain in the stocks and just get a drink of water.  While his second was asking the Dungeon Master
about water in the play area the DM looked at Me and I nodded to no as it the Domme indicated he had
been in the stocks for a while.  As safety and well being are always a concern it was time for him to be
removed from the stocks.  This is a Dom/Domme's duty to ensure that they do not push Theirs too much.

Just as the Ball was about to close I found a girl who had not been under the flogg before.   I had borrowed
a fine deerskin flogg and had it in hand.  She allowed Me the honor of having her on the St. Andrews Cross
for her first time.  As I did not have alot of time she only got a mere taste of the flogg, however as she was
scared it served to ease her concern.  To be sure I used a very light hand.  Later as I was talking to her she
said that she would like to meet again that she may be under My flogg again.  I look forward to this.

I have decided that I must add to My meager collection of floggers.  There were many fine floggers of so
many differant material ranging from silk, rabbit skin, and various leathers.  There are floggers for warming
up, medium floggers, heavy floggers.   I must admit to being as  a child in a candy shop.  I have found that I
greatly enjoy My floggers in pairs, whether identical or varying I enjoy a flogger in each hand as it allows
Me to fully vary My targets experience.  I have found the floggers a very sensual experience for both the
Dom and sub alike.  I must say I also watched many Others practice their skill with them as well.  I am
fortunate in getting to know Lord Wraith who is also head of OPEP for He demonstrated outstanding skill
with his floggers.  I look forward to learning much from him.

I thoroughly enjoy the Leather & Lace Ball.  I not only got to better experience the life but have found what
I hope to be very good friends there as well.  I would greatly suggest to A/any and A/all no matter what
your flavor to seek out such a group in your own area.  No matter whether Dom, Domme, sub, slave, or just
kink you will be able to learn much.  I look forward greatly to continuing My journey in this life.  I also plan
to be at the Ball next year.  Perhaps I will see you there.