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Mon 07:20:24 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . Hello, everyone.

With sincere apologies there is no scheduled discussion topic for this evening due to unexpected RT issues.

You are, however, welcome to discuss any topics you may have in mind, under the principles of Timeout.

Thank you.

Mon 07:23:02 PM EDT Aug 21 pupknight . . . *hmms lingers a few more to see if any show*

Mon 07:29:21 PM EDT Aug 21 mata mangsa . . . ~looks in to see what's topic...or may be discussed~

Mon 07:29:23 PM EDT Aug 21 pupknight . . . *supposes not, heads out*

Mon 07:29:54 PM EDT Aug 21 pupknight . . . just heading to the D, mata.... *blows a kiss*

Mon 07:33:09 PM EDT Aug 21 mata mangsa . . . ~shrugs and poofs~

Mon 07:40:49 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . Here's a possibility.

How about Community?

Do you see Beauty's Castle as a community?

What does a "BDSM Community" mean to you?

What do you think makes something a community? And what sustains it?

Mon 07:48:29 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . hmmm a community is a group of like-minded people that get together to support and encourage each other.

can have lots of communities. church or religious communities, college frats/sororities, fitness communities, AA communities, you name it!

i would say that Beauty's is a community. it's where we all gather to grow in understanding and experiences of BDSM.

Mon 07:50:39 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . as for what sustains it.... the people. can't have community is no one is there! and how welcoming and open-minded.... and invested... they are.

Mon 07:51:23 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . Thanks, chrissa. ~s~

What do you think it takes to sustain that feeling of "fellowship"... that is, "like-minded people getting together to support and encourage each other", and "growing in understanding and experiences of BDSM"?

Mon 07:52:13 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . What do you mean by "invested"?

Mon 07:53:54 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . invested in growth of those involved... contributing... making it a safe space for those in the community or those who may visit...

Mon 07:55:13 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . ~nods~ I agree. But I would add, involved and interested enough in what we have in common, to be willing to contribute and support even in difficulty.

Mon 07:56:08 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . *nods* yes that's good too.

Did You have any separate thoughts to those questions?

Mon 07:57:29 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . Is there anything within this community that you think could be improved by... well, more investment, more supportiveness, more open-mindedness...?

Mon 08:00:24 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . hmmm i think it would be nice to see different types of BDSM. my exposure here made me feel like most things are Sadists and masochists, though im aware of more now. it would also be nice to have more P/people contributing topics or lessons. ive read how some play parties will have demos of a scene to teach how to do some technique.

*thinking some more*

Mon 08:04:03 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . Would you care to give examples of what types of BDSM you would like to see more of that you're not?

Things like demos are difficult in a VT environment, since demos are visual by their nature. To simply describe with words how something is being done... well, anyone can get that with a simple search on the internet. ~g~

Mon 08:05:23 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . would also be fun to have games and lighthearted conversations. actually a few of U/us were in the pub and courtyard over the weekend. that was nice. connecting with O/others outside of topics or BDSM specific things.

i know there were games before. but even i noticed how Time Outs already have nearly died off with little participation after the first one. so... again, how much do certain individuals invest if others aren't willing?

Mon 08:05:31 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . As for contributing topics, I agree. This is a venue of words, after all, so discussions and descriptive scenes/interactions are really all we have here.

I would like to see more initiative taken.

Mon 08:08:17 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . .
just glimpses of pet play and little play here, but don't think ive watched a scene even. id like to see different forms of service - i enjoyed china shaving One the other day. also more sensory deprivation. suppose im not sure what other segments of BDSM there are!

Mon 08:08:42 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . I will admit that 99% of the time I come here, it's for D/s or BDSM discussion or interaction. "Light chatter" is not something I tend to seek online. ~s~

Also, anyone can take it upon themselves to start up a T or D or Q&A type game in the Courtyard or Pub... or even the Tower... or any other room besides the roleplaying areas.

As I said... initiative. ~s~ It's not necessary to wait around for "something to happen". Anyone can make it happen.

Mon 08:11:25 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . Well, the only active "littles" I know here are pupknight and sacrifice (I think her "little" name is aiden). So you can ask them about scening more. ~s~

I agree china's shave was lovely to watch, and very well done. ~nods~

We talked a bit about the difficulties of doing sensory dep in a VT setting, but I suppose with some creativity, something could be set up.

Mon 08:11:37 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . that's very true! all about initiative~ just gotta start doing it. *nods, thinking of ideas*

i wonder if people come for community or just to find O/one....
i personally want the community aspect, if One happens then great.

Mon 08:14:22 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . I've seen creeper talk about an interest in bootblacking. Perhaps you could approach her about doing something along those lines.

Also, heather was for a time an Events Manager and she set up all kinds of games and events for everyone to participate in. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time and effort and there was not much participation. So she gave it up.

That's kind of what I meant about asking about what it takes to sustain a community... and about investment and interest. Without that, there is no community, even if we are a group of "like minded" individuals. It takes more than just that.

Mon 08:15:24 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . That's a good point. Perhaps not everyone cares about whether it's a "community" or not... they have their own motivations and goals and that's it.

Mon 08:16:53 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . *nods* yes i did hear creeper talk about that. i should ask her!

yes, that's true about it being more than just people. that's like saying a bar is a community, just because everyone is there for a drink... doesn't mean there's investment, connection, or support.

Mon 08:18:27 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . Yeah... good analogy. ~chuckle~ Some people come to the bar for a drink (or the get drunk) and some people come for companionship, connection, support. Or all of the above. ~chuckle~

Mon 08:20:42 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . *nods, going with it*

Mon 08:20:45 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . Every community has leaders... those to set the tone, beat the path, show the way...

But if there is no participation... none adapting that tone, traveling that path, following the way... or even others beating their own paths...

There can be no community.

Mon 08:23:49 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . There are also massages... foot or shoulder or hand massages for a "less intimate", and other areas for more so ~g~

Maybe human furniture... footstools for a tired dominant wanted to put up their feet, or being a table for them to rest their drink after it's served to them...

Offering to be a candelabra in some form to provide light for someone to sharpen their blade by...

That sort of thing. ~g~ There are all kinds of possibilities.

Mon 08:27:11 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . oh i like the thought of inanimate furniture for some reason... *grins*

Mon 08:29:53 PM EDT Aug 21 chrissa . . . alright, need to go tend to RT for a bit... wish more checked in, this was a good topic... thanks for Your thoughts Alexandra

*slips out for a bit*

Mon 08:30:26 PM EDT Aug 21 Alexandra . . . Thanks, chrissa. ~s~ Goodnight.

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