Chicago Day 3

Today was IML.OH the flesh, the smell of leather, the perfume of sweat and excitement. It appears as though I’ve broken L.A. Witt’s cherry yet again…as she’s never been to a leather event.  Dr. Frantz and I had great fun showing her the sights, explaining various gadgets and guiding her to live demonstrations of vacuum bondage cubes, fucking harnesses and suspension rigs. 

It’s a large venue, the conference takes over the Chicago Hyatt completely — reserved for that event only. Some poor couple apparently parked in the garage, unaware of the partial nudity, bondage gear and fetish wear parading around the hotel and had to escort their child through with hands firmly clamped over her eyes. There’s no junk hanging out unless you’re at an event or in the vendor room (they card), but there is a great deal of sweaty man chest and butt crack on display.

Any way, we had great fun looking at all the pretties to be had. Paddles, whips, Tom of Finland Art. I got a t-shirt and patch and such…souvenirs as it were. Sarah kept going for bracelets and wrist bands. I did buy a leather cuff for myself, one that is actually a two layer affair, so that the inner part can act as a cash wallet…b/c when you’re in chaps and a jock strap, WTF do you do with your cash. Problem now solved.

I bought two treasures to use on my guy. A hard rubber Sjambok, the traditional “whip” of South Africa. I have Sarah Frantz to thank for pointing it out to me…she move to the states from South Africa as a teen.  Think of it as a slightly more flexible riot baton — which is what the hard-rubber and plastic versions are used for in S.A.  The other fun toy was a vibrating sound. Yeah, we’re going to have fun when I get home.

We went to the Purple Pig for dinner. Their slogan is Cheese, Wine and Swine. I had fried chorizo stuffed olives and milk braise pork shoulder for dinner. It was very good.

Tomorrow I head home. It’s been loads of fun, but I’m ready to be back in So.Cal.

My haul: