Lupercalia MMVIII

Wow, another Lupercalia has come and gone just like that.  It was an amazing experience and certainly ranks up there with the only other large event I’ve been to (Thunder in the Mountains in Denver last Summer).  This was my fifth Lupercalia and it seems like just a year or two ago it was my first one (My girlfriend has been to all NINE!).

It is certainly a different experience helping out on the organizational side as opposed to just attending the event.  I’ve always volunteered in the past at each of my previous Lupercalias so this seems like a natural progression taking on another role but with more responsibility but fortunately the chair and the volunteers who run the event make everything come together and help to turn the vision that the Lupercalia executive has into a reality.  The one big learning I came away with was how little I did know about putting on an event this large.  It will certainly be a personal challenge for me going forward but with the people who are around me I know I’ll get the support to get the job done and it will be awhile before I’m in a position to take over the big man’s shoes anyway; he’s doing a great job!  A big thanks to the volunteers, as always, has to be the first point of order!  Thank you!  You stepped up when you were needed or when an extra hand was required and that’s fantastic.  The vendors were great (and I managed to order some shoes!  yay!).

I only managed to attend a couple of the workshops and I have to admit that the Herman’s are amongst the best speakers I have ever seen and the honesty and integrity with which they conducted their workshops was what struck me the most.  The subject material was entertaining too, especially in the electrical workshop while Mitch was trying to talk to the class and the subjects on the wired up chairs were bouncing around.

It was good to hook up with previous attendees/speakers from out of town like Elwood and my new grrrrrrrfriend Louise   Fun people to be around.

For me, personally, the highlight was the Iron Dom event.  It was a lot of fun to watch and Elwood and Peggy O really had the crowd going.  The short-lived strip-off was really funny but I think Peggy O won that one hands down (sorry Elwood!).  I love the creativity and impromptu entertainment that they both came up with.  What a pairing!  Best of all over $1500 was raised for the charity Little Sisters Defense Fund (you can read more about this very worthwhile cause here :  http://www.littlesistersbookstore.com/index_defense_fund.html).  It’s great to see we can raise a not insignificant amount of cash while having fun at the same time.

The dungeon parties were well run and very well attended this year.  I think the Saturday night was the busiest I have ever seen it.

Lots to learn, busy busy busy and a chance to spend some time with those of my Leather family I hold closest to my heart.  Alot of work, not alot of sleep but very very much worthwhile.  I am glad people seemed to enjoy it.

Feel free to post any Lupercalia stories you have!  I would love to hear about people’s experiences.

Finally a special thanks to my girlfriend who really came through and helped me through the madness by doing more than her fair share!  She knows I love her for it!

I’d love to write more but 2 days after the fact I’m knackered… hopefully I can post more later.