"Rent"
Another Day

I live this moment as my last
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today

This year Zita and I went to SouthEast LeatherFest for the second time. We were busy the entire weekend. Through the encouragement of my friends and family, I was competing for Mr. SELF 2009.

We stayed with Zita's boi Andy and Margaret. Not only did I compete, Margaret ran for SEBootblack. Even though we had a handicapped room so Margaret could move around in the wheelchair, it was still crowded. Normal luggage, gear bags, and auction baskets for two contestants... I think we really needed an annex. We arrived much later Thursday night than we intended and barely got any sleep, but we had to hit the ground rolling on Friday morning. Notice I said "we." I entered the competition, but it was definitely a group effort. Zita and Andy put so much time and effort into this contest. And, just for the record, it wasn't just one contest, it was two. I came in first runner-up for NCLC, a feeder contest for SELF. I had very good feedback from the judges so we decided to take that work and support SELF.

Carnival was Friday night. It was a fundraiser including the auction baskets. I got to meet some of the judges, but not all. Oops. This is what happens when I get hyper-focused. I had a great time mingling with attendees and we raised $2000 for the contestant travel fund. Lady Catherine was distracted when she tested a very wicked implement on my little girl. Somehow she ended up buying that basket. I can't blame her, though. I know that I'm distracted when I see her welt-up...WEG!

Saturday was interviews with the judges. That's what it was, a job interview. Later that evening during the contest, it was an interview with an audience. Once we got going, everything flowed. The nerves stopped and I took the basic advice that everyone had given me: be yourself. "Take what you do seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously." I threw straight-lines up for the emcee to hit out of the park. The introduction, pop question, and speech went really well. The fantasy, on the other hand, was out of this world. Even if nobody had seen it, it was fun to do. We incorporated objectification, retro-service, and bootblacking; does it get any better? I had a blast, those helping me enjoyed it (thank you everyone!), and we got great feedback from the audience.

The only downside was that I wasn't in the audience enjoying the other contestants' parts. We got to see some of the fantasy run-throughs, and what we saw we enjoyed. I do wish we had been able to see and hear more. We snuck out behind the curtain to listen to Bettie's and Andy's step-down speeches. We got to see the community awards, and then we huddled behind the curtain to await the results. Zita and I both were teary-eyed as we watched Andy pass her title on to Margaret. Ms Jan ran well, but Miss Rae took Ms. SouthEast LeatherFest. I've known Ms Jan for a long time, dating to my pre-kink years. How time flies. Congratulations to Miss Rae! We had a great time getting to know you and I'm proud that you and Margaret are my title-siblings.

Yes, I did get the title. It was surreal. Mr. SouthEast Leather 2009. I had a very long talk with someone I respect after the social that night. He discussed that it's rite of passage in our community. I came here from the bedroom-bondage side of things. I was asked this weekend if I considered myself a Leatherman. I don't know if I would call myself a Leatherman, but I see this as a part of my journey, acceptance into the tribe. Sunday night, Zita got a tattoo to commemorate her graduation from nursing school (4th in her class, thank you very much). I got my first tattoo to commemorate SELF weekend.

So, for all the people who helped me along my path, I am truly thankful. I can't describe how much of this experience I owe to the support and love of my partner Zita. Thank you, beloved. My little one (someone else...lol) couldn't be with us for the contest, but I'm so thankful for your love and the work you did as well. To Andy and Margaret, thank you for everything you did for us. I'd also like to thank Lady Catherine and nic for their encouragement and support. I wouldn't have had the courage to run the second time this year without it. Elcca, Beth, Kim, and Bettie, your help was greatly appreciated. I'm sure we'll all be seeing much more of each other over the coming years.

Now, onto the work. It's going to be a busy year. Zita's going into her first year of nursing so our schedules will be hectic. It's all part of the journey, one that I'm looking forward to with eyes wide open. "Everyone holds a piece of the truth," and I hope over the next year the people I meet will share those pieces with me. Growth comes with learning, and I want to keep growing and learning.

Some of you may know that I competed in the North Carolina Leather Contest last month and placed first runner-up. Blue will be a great title-holder and the highlight of the weekend was getting to know him.

There was excellent feedback from the judges and encouragement from people whom I respect highly. Their input and the encouragement of my family has led me to register to compete for Mr. SouthEast Leather at SELF. I had a great experience in NC and hope to have the same in Atlanta.

Here is the fun part. Contestants build auction baskets to raise money for the travel fund for the title-holders, so now I'm working on building these baskets. I am asking everyone to help by donating items to help support SELF and the title-holders. In exchange for these donations, your business cards or other promotional materials will be included in the baskets.

We've decided to build three themed baskets instead of one large basket.

• Bondage basket:: items related to bondage, especially rope (go figure!!!).
• Medical play basket: bloodsport items, sharps, all kinds of fun stuff
• Domestic service: it's not glorious, but putting together a fantasy domestic service basket

Please contact me offline at nefariousinnc (at) gmail (dot) com  or at fetlife (nefariousinnc).

Thank you all in advance for your generosity and well-wishes.

There are a lot of folks who've wanted to go out and hang with Zita and me and the common response is, "in a couple of months when she finishes school." This lovely Sunday afternoon means that she's almost there.

She got up and went to her last day of Senior Partnership, the days she works the floor with another RN. She has an assignment to turn in on Wednesday and she takes her school final on Thursday. Barring major problems, she will be the first of her family to graduate college. I couldn't be prouder. She'll apply to sit for her NCLEX (NC nursing license) and after three years of hard work, ups and downs, she will be an RN.

Yesterday I was talking with her younger son. He asked what an RN was. After I told him "Registered Nurse," he said, "No, Michael. I think it should mean Real Nurse." This is the same child who starts medical questions to his mom as, "As a nurse, [...]."

Another post is forthcoming about the ROCKING day Andy and I had with the boys.

This is 'Nita. She played with other puppies in Houston but they didn't know that she was a "good girl," not a "good boi."

She had fun anyway and gotted treats from pretty boys.

Life is gud.

She also just showed me how to put peekchurs inna post!!!!

Inna post! Inna post! Inna post! (Extra credit if you know the reference).

Kthxbai!

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One of my dearest friends, Amanda, came to visit our house this weekend. Amanda has been taking care of my boots since the beginning of the year. I asked a favor of her for this visit which I had to share.

After dinner this evening, Amanda sat side-by-side with my slave Morgan and taught her how to take care of my boots. It was a beautiful act of love for her to teach my slave because it is the only act of service that she's had with me. She only asked that she be allowed to do it when she comes to visit or when we're at an event together.

It was beautiful. I just had to share it.

"Reply to this post, and I'll tell you one reason why I like you. Then put this in your own journal, and spread the love."

First off, I would like to thank everyone who showed up and supported
the event. It was one of the best that I remember and we can't wait
until the next one.

I need to acknowledge the driving force behind our performances. Many
of you have seen me rigging for quite a while at Dirge then
Temptation. As a matter of fact, that's how I met Gatita then Zita.
Lyria asked us a while ago if we could start putting some stage shows
together and I (without thinking what I committing us to) said "Sure!
No problem!" What people need to know, though, is that Zita, the
lovely young lady who was served up for dinner on Friday night, is
the driving force behind our shows. She is the one who makes sure
everything goes smoothly, on time, and is crowd pleasing, and I just
wanted to make sure that everyone knows it.

Gatita has been there from the very beginning, and I think she's the one who helped us see that what we do is art and performance. She's been a great inspiration. Morgan has been helping us for a while, and this was the first time that Amanda was part of our troupe. Their help was indispensable, and I was very, very proud of all of their hard work.

We also had a first-time suspendee, and I'd like to thank her and her
partners for that fun.

We'd love to hear from folks about things that they'd like to see.
Let us know... you never know what we might come up with.

Until next time,

Nef

I spent 1 1/2 hours in line Friday at a "one stop" register and vote polling station in NC.

Today is the big day. Remember, if you don't vote, you can't complain about the outcome.

I'm what could be referred to as a "Second Coming Democrat." I read the term a long time ago and fell in love with it. Basically, it means if the Lord Jesus Christ returned and ran for office as a Republican, I'm still voting Democrat. Devout Christians and my Republican friends, I mean no offense.

What matters is that people let their voice be heard by casting your ballot. We are in a once-in-a-lifetime election season and it's our responsibility as citizens to participate in this process. If we don't, we have no room to complain about the result.

Someone forwarded me this clip. I hope you enjoy.

I haven't been here much at all, but I want to let folks know that I am around. Best way to reach me lately is via phone, but e-mail works too.

I miss reading and posting, but have been swamped beyond belief.

Ciao for now.

We've been fighting a no-help desk for two days getting this issue resolved. Why oh why!!!!

Thunder peals loudly
Want my beloved here now
To feed from her veins

The sad thing is that I think it matches the tartan of my field kilt.


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Fail clips... enjoy

Zita's heading up to the Virginia Women's Music Festival at Camp Outva. She stopped to see a friend and found a used-book store. She just called to tell me that she found a first-edition hard-cover of the uncut "Stranger in a Strange Land." It's one of my favorite books ever!!! I'm so excited. I'll have to read that one too because you can never truly own a book unless you've read it.
She got a nice present for my little one too. I'm not telling; you're just going to have to wait and find out for yourself.