Notes: From Top Shelf

So I go to this thing which is a monthly conversation among Dominants. Frankly, it’s among males Dominants and me. Very interesting. MEN. **sigh**

It’s good because the perspective is different and as a whole this group of people has thought about things differently than I have. I think I have more reference points. What it does is force me to be more articulate and to be more clear. Which is always a JOY.

I certainly don’t agree with all I hear, but I do scribble away at things that I want to think more about. Sometimes they come from other people, sometimes they are thoughts of my own that come out of what is being discussed.

Things from my notes to think about behind the cut:

• Protocols vary depending on circumstance but rituals remain the same
• Can their be respect without protocol? What’s the difference between manners and service?
• If you don’t understand the protocol that you are performing, then you are engagin in a ritual.
• Submissives can ensure job Security by ensuring that their Dominant becomes dependant on their acts of service.
• Public protocols that break the generally acceptable social contract: does this move into the realm of play? Is it conspiratorial? At what point does it become abusive to those involved and/or those in the environment?
• Vulnerabiity of the Dominant: how do we open ourselves up through the provision of opportunities to serve?
• What might the evolution of protocols through a corporate human resources/management model look like?
• Submissives may use their collars as a way to remind themselves about the relationship dynamics that are important to them. (ie touching a collar at one’s desk) Are there tokens or tailsmens that Dominants might use?
• What happens when one reframes the idea of labels so that they define the centre rather than the borders?
• how do Dominants construct their individual identites?
• Power Fluid Play: people who connect without the need for labels.
• What is an ethical Dominant? What does that look like? Talk like? Act?
• What does it mean to be a Citizen of our community? What are our rights? Responsibilities? Obligations? Is their a need to define or to enforce something beyond an understanding of anarchy among common fellows?
• Is it true that most Dominants find people who have a need for assistance in their journey and then seek to provide the guidance that they need?