Editrix Abby |
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Two Knotty Boys: Showing You the RopesBook & Event ReviewThere are dozens of how-to bondage books out there by everyone who’s ever tied a square knot, but Showing You the Ropes is the first one I’d actually buy. It has numerous selling points, in my opinion. Foremost is that it is about as illustrative as you can get. Every loop of every knot was shot by Utley, so you can follow along with each step. The fact that it focuses solely on “sensual and decorative bondage” is also a plus. It’s a great place to start; I’d much prefer someone learn how to handle their rope with ties that are pretty to look at as opposed to bondage designed to hogtie me and hang me up by my ankles. That way, any screw ups are easier to, um, swallow. And the fact that this is “sensual and decorative” makes it all far less threatening, not just to novices, but even more experienced tie-ers and tie-ees introducing partners or lovers to the art. There’s no reliance on hard-core dominance and submission -- though it is implicit, I suppose – and no headaches about how long you can leave someone with their arms suspended. Don’t get me wrong, though; there are plenty of ties here that will render your partner helpless. But there’s nothing overly complicated or terribly limb-threatening.The tone is chatty and friendly and completely accessible. The step-by-step instructions are pretty much idiot-proof. And the actual “designs” that the authors have chosen to include are all gorgeous! The star-shaped Good Luck Knot is one of my favorites, being the star fan as I am, so I’m drawn to the Good Luck Knot Harness. I’ve always admired the way rope bondage corsets look; now I can actually hand a friend a bunch of rope and have him or her give it a shot, regardless of their prior experience. The Rope Gauntlet is a wrist restraint that looks like, yes, medieval gauntlets; the dragonfly sleeve is symmetrically restraining; the Rope Panty is completely irresistible! And don’t get me started on the Rope Strap-On! There’s a useful little glossary in the back for quick and easy reference and a list of recommended reading. But perhaps best of all, this book is such an enticing introduction to the world of bondage! Who wouldn’t want to learn more? Play more? Tie up more? Congratulations to Dan, JD and Larry for putting together such a delightful lesson plan. Showing You the Ropes is published by Green Candy Press and is available at www.greencandypress.com for $16.95. A Review of the San Francisco Book Party for "Two Knotty Boys: Showing You the Ropes" Book parties are usually dull affairs, with mousey authors sitting behind tables stacked high with books and perhaps offering an uninspired reading. Yawn. Maybe some white wine, a few cubes of cheese. Well that was hardly the case at the recent fete for the new book “Two Knotty Boys: Showing You the Ropes.” The two authors, Dan and JD, were onstage at The Porn Palace in their amazing Gothic dungeon room to present a two-hour workshop. The place was packed with eager learners when I arrived and everyone was busily slip-knotting and half-hitching. Or somesuch. Students were in various states of dress and undress, in latex and leather, corsets and fishnets, blue jeans and tank tops, peasant skirts and bras, practicing on each other or on themselves. The Boys were equipped with those little Madonna microphones so they’d have their hands free to demonstrate, which they were entertainingly doing non-stop on a delicate, lithe little redhead. The class ran from 7 till 9 and it appeared to be not only informative but engagingly hands-on! In the adjacent social room, a DJ was spinning dance classics and the bar was doing brisk business. I took liberal advantage of my drink tickets as well as the generosity of visiting friends from New York and caught a delightful buzz. Ron Turner of Last Gasp was working the book table and I spent some quality time hangin’ out with him, even assisting with sales when Ron took advantage of his free booze privileges. People were snapping up copies like crazy and The Boys were accommodatingly autographing them, as was Larry Utley, who shot the hundreds of illustrative photographs accompanying the instructional text. Larry has photographed every kinkster in San Francisco – myself included! – so he really knows the subject matter. Plus, he’s a sweetheart! He was sans camera this evening, however, leaving that to the Kink.com crew. The crowd consisted of the usual suspects: Tsblonde woman? And her date, fetish photographer Michael Blue, Dr. Sandor Gardos of MyPleasure.com [LINK] and WebMD, magical performers Paul Nathan and Eric Masters, Drag Strip Productions’ Fudgie Frottage, to name a few. The delicious and delightful Sadie Lune made a rare appearance, seductive in black latex and a vintage hat. Anon Salon impresario Geogh Bullock popped in with Robin Hood following the Design Center party. And of course, the always charming Peter Acworth was bustling around making sure things were running smoothly and Kink.com PR cutie pie Cat was doing her best to make everyone feel welcome. I was given a peek onto the private roof space, where a few naked guests were cavorting in the hot tub and other folks were shivering and smoking as close to the heat lamps as they could get. That space is usually restricted to the uber VIPs, so I was lucky to gain access at all! Ordinarily I eschew such tactics, but I was somehow seduced by the promise of special treatment. Or of that aforementioned hot tub. Hmm, good thing it was so cold and rainy… [Written Jan. 2007] |
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