A Tip, On Tips.

So it seems a lot of stuff I post on Fetlife means a lot to me and/or I deem important enough to re-post here.
My good friend Boy Rene asked a question regarding tips from boot blacking. The following is my reply, my tribute to a thankful token.

"I believe that once the tip leaves their hands and into yours, it is then yours. What you do with it does not matter.

I tell people that their tip goes to one of a few things: Travel fund for events (even if it just gas money to and from Edmonton to boot black at an event and having a blast), food for my beloved animals, and restocking my boot black kit.

When someone tips you, it is to show their appreciation for you and your effort and skill, a token. I am more than happy and very thankful when someone tips me, but that is not why I do it. I am thrilled when someone tips me because it shows that they acknowledge me and the effort of what I have done. It has nothing to do with the monetary value of the paper they hand me. It has everything to do with their smile and gratitude. The is their requital, only a vessel for their acclamation and appreciation."

After some thought I would like to add a few points. Even thought I am more than happy to do a service and provide care for your boots and leather, I am using my materials to do so. Those materials cost money, money I earned and use to buy my materials. It is very nice when someone helps me restock my kit by tipping me after I helped them with their leather. Don't get me wrong, I won't demand a token tip, but it is very nice to receive one. Yes, it is a service. However, once again, it is nice to have your skill, effort and service admired and appreciated.

Approbation: A New Meaning To "Bootlicking"

Well, not quite bootlicking. I know it was meant in all sincerity and I appreciate it. In fact, Those honeyed words were actually gratifying and a great compliment.Wondering what was said? This last Saturday I went boot-blacking at the Eagle. This one fellow, whom I've met in passing before, said he wished to have his boots done that night. I smiled and told him I would get set up, and set up I did. After massaging the grease into his boots, he commented that it was like I was making love to his boots. I blushed what I am sure was a deep crimson color and smiled a big thank you smile. He then turned close to me and the next spoken words are what really caught me off guard. He mentioned that a local news paper, I believe it was FFWD, had a local peoples choice award, and if I would be offended if someone nominated me. I exclaimed "NO!" Why on earth would I be offended? I am beyond flattered. I am honored and humbled by the fact that someone thinks my skills, my attitude and my commitment are worth appreciating. See's my work as giving to the community, which is exactly as I have meant it; serving that which has served me.

If this does happen, if I am nominated... No. Not even. Right now, I thank you. I give the community, which has given so much to me, thanks. It is one thing to feel accomplished through self worth, but another to have it noticed by those you around you. Thank you.

The Movie With The Reznor Song

I love my music, that much is clear. I am a huge fan of Nine Inch Nails and Trent Reznor's works (more so the older stuff). I stumbled across a video of his remake of the Immigrant Song he did, featuring Karen O and Atticus Ross. If you have seen the beginning of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, you know what I am talking about. I actually think it is kind of hot, so here it is. Enjoy.

Puppy-Play: Leather Darwinism

Adding onto my last post here. It reminded me, I guess in somewhat of an odd way, of another post on Fetlife I made ages ago. I again feel it is important enough to cross post.
"One thing you always hear about in our community it togetherness, cooperation, empathy and growth. Do we see it though? I have noticed, through my nasty habit of over analyzing, that what happened in our community is exactly what civilization does. It fears growth...

People think Puppy-Play is new guard. I am sure we first disagree with this because of the new-guard label. I have met many people who look down on it. I have met some leather folk who look down on it. Puppies usually tend to stick together, while being pack animals, there obviously isn't anything wrong with that, but you don't see them out in the community aside from pup stuff. Puppy relationships are usually a puppy and an alpha pup, or a handler and a puppy. There usually isn't a mix. I have also noticed that people look at it like a fetish, a side dish. They take no notice to the role or how the person identifies. To me, this is fear. This is fear of exactly what they want.

I believe it is a natural evolution in the leather family. Puppy-play is not a side dish. It is a role. Just like that of a slave, a boy or a Sir. A puppy identifies as a puppy, it is who he/she is. I do not think this should just be dismissed as some have done, and I am sure will continue to do for a while, but instead rejoiced. Once again, we have visible growth in our community. This isn't new guard or old guard. It is evolution. Our community has evolved and expanded. Grown. Out of natural causes, a new family member has been born. We should all be proud that what we aim for and talk about so much, can and is actually happening!

I believe we should all embrace this and accept puppy-dom into our leather families. There should be no reason why we cannot see a daddy instruction his boy and puppy. A boy playing his puppy. We can intermingle, it is what family is about. I know of one family that has puppies, boys, Sir and Daddies and slaves. Granted it is a big family, but it is beautiful to see to work. Utterly beautiful.
Hopefully this grants insight on the role of a puppy and the leather family. I hope to see pup-play become more of a part of our families."


With wags, Berith
Man's Best Fiend

No, Thank YOU Sir.

My dear friend Boy Rene asked me if I could go up to Edmonton on Saturday May 19th to bootblack at Thank You Sir. I was very happy he asked and I jumped on the chance.

As of late, boot blacking in Calgary has been... I don't know how to put it politely. Lame? It seems that not a lot of people want to have their boots shined or their leather conditioned. Actually, I have noticed a lot of things in the local community. It seems no one has any inclination to help others out. That, along with some other things (that I won't go into detail) just had me down.

That being said, I was excited to attend an event and have the opportunity to bootblack for a new crowd. I knew it be exciting and fun, but not like it was. New crowd yes, but not new faces. It was exciting to see friends and the like, and to have them see me in my element. It brought a whole new level to the experience. Rekindled, I think that is the right word. I do not know how else to put the feeling into words. We all know I am terrible at naming the emotions I feel. Lightened heart, rekindled love and a content smile. I think that about sums it up. I am so very happy and thankful for the chance, I again feel what I did when I started boot blacking.

Boots: Empowerment, Enlightenment

I wrote a post on Fetlife about a year ago, and I wanted to cross post it here. The time and this post mean so much to me and I believe it is a valuable memory and experience and is important enough to cross post.

"Boots have been a sign of empowerment for a far while now. For most, a sign of the top dog. My night last Saturday, another point of view was imposed.

As some know, I have taking on boot-blacking at the Calgary Eagle Saturday nights. This past Saturday I didn't think was going to very busy, with that dance of sort going on. People where getting their boots done there by my dear friend Boy Rene, plus, everyone was there, not at the bar. However, I made a vow to be at the Eagle every Saturday, so I braved the blizzard and went anyway. It was a very slow night. I arrived around 8 o' clock and it was pretty much dead except for David, who kindly asked me to give him a quick cleaning. It wasn't until about midnight at least that the night became interesting.

At that time, I assume the dance had finished because a flood of people came into the bar. A fellow I had talked to a few times wanted his boots done, so being oil tans, I conditioned them. They were a lighter tan color, with a hint of orange-red. He expressed that he wished they were a bit darker, so I informed him the boot grease I was using, Huberd's, would probably darken the boot a bit. He nodded and smiled and I massaged the grease into his boots. The turned a nice deep red/ tan color. He was enthusiastic. I told him they would lighten up a bit, he was caught up in the hype. People watching comment that I was being so thorough. I was using my hands which enthralled a few, I guess I took a few boot cherries that way, they never had someone use their hands on their boots before.

I actually had a line up! I don't think I have smiled so wide at the bar before. I was invigorated! I've always thought boot-blacking was fun, and it gave a comfortable atmosphere to break out of my autistic shell and actually communicate with people. However, this time, I think I got high off of the hype! Others being hyped up around me with the now shiny boots, the smiles, the excitement.It really brought out my confidence and my spirit. Who knew that having black laden hands and sitting at someones boots would empower me so much?! This, this is what it is about. Boots are power. Not just of the top dog, not just a sign of power exchange, but a the power of ones self. Self confidence. I cannot further explain how grand it made me feel. No wonder this has become such a part of our community. It is not just because the alphas want nice shiny footwear. No, something like that needed more too it. The Blackers. The servitude, and the satisfaction, the hype and the enthrallment. That is what makes boot-blacking a big part of the community."

With Wags, Berith
Man's Best Fiend

Advent

Good day! Or Night. Which ever it is where you are. This my dear friends is your obligatory introduction post. It just seemed odd to me to randomly start posting about crap, so... Here I go. Fuck yeah! POSTS EVERYWHERE!

With Wags, Berith
Man's Best Fiend