CLAW XI 2012

I keep telling myself after events that I should journal or blog about them. Yet I've never really followed up on it. This time, I'm gonna do it.

This past weekend, I traveled to Cleveland for my very first CLAW. Because it was my first CLAW, I looked over the weekend event schedule but made no specific plans. At new events, I really like to see where the weekend takes me. I planned on 2 educational workshops, and left everything else open. Normally, I also plan in pup things, but fortunately the weekend offered multiple options and I was able to really keep things fluid.

I never really plan to play. If it happens, it happens. I enjoy it, but I mostly come to these events because I like meeting new people and I LOVE seeing my friends again. The play is just an added bonus. But since I don't kiss and tell, those parts won't be addressed here.

I arrived Thursday early in the evening. After unloading and getting settled in the room I went out to find friends who had already arrived. I spent a majority of Thursday night socializing. It's what I do. I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning talking, flirting, and cruising. The weekend started off with a blast. I had been told by many people that CLAW is the most fun event they've ever been to, and so far I was not disappointed.

Friday morning, I got up to a slow start and after breakfast and copious amounts of coffee, I was ready to tackle the day. The only thing planned on my agenda was the Kinky Sign Language workshop led by Sir Jeffrey Payne. As soon as I saw this on the weekend schedule, it was immediately written on my limited itinerary. So many woofy deaf Leathermen in our community, and now I know how to sign "Woof", among many other interesting things. ;-)

I spent the rest of Friday socializing, eating, and playing. Fridaty evening was the Puppy Olympics. I hadn't known about this beforehand (one of the reasons I like to keep my event weekend fluid), and I was very excited to sign up. This would mark the very first time my Alpha, Pup Tripp, would act as my Handler in public.

Sometimes, I have a bit of trouble descending into pupspace when I am in public. I don't always feel comfortable or safe. For me, pupspace is a very vulnerable headspace and in public I have trouble opening myself up that much. When we got there, I started to have doubts as to whether I'd be in pupspace or faking my way through it. Regardless, I geared up, got down on all fours, and started using some of my more helpful triggers. And while we never really have discussed them in depth, my Alpha also recognized and utilized some triggers that helped a lot. Between that and being around the other pups, I was able to really slip into the right headspace.

Running the obstacle course was a blast! I got a little confused from time to time, and that made it all the more fun. Then after the games were over, I got a new chew toy and a green puppy dish. And then it was time for pup romping. Wrestling with pups, fighting over toys, getting pounced on, piling up on pups. Yea, it was fun! I spent the rest of the night shifting between hanging with friends and getting piggish.

Saturday, I made sure to be up bright and early for the 10am Design on Mentoring workshop led by Race Bannon and Patrick Mulcahey. Lately, I've been finding myself filling more of a mentoring role for a few boys I know, and this was one workshop I definitely wanted to take. I learned a lot in this workshop, and left with a few things to think about.

I spent some of the afternoon cruising the vendor mart for a while before heading to the Leather Club Discussion Forum. I learned a lot and left with some new ideas to take home with me. After the forum it was time to get ready for the Leather Dinner. Before the dinner, I had the honor of seeing my brother carry our club colors on stage fir the Parade of Colors. And after the dinner, I won a Square Peg toy!

After dinner we went back to the room to gear up for the "main" pup mosh. My Alpha, myself, and my tow roommates/brothers all came down as a pack. And the next hour or so was filled with more puppy fun. And while there were more pups playing, there were less observers and I had an easier time with the transition.

After that, I went back to the room. I felt off sorts. I couldn't seem to come back out all the way from pupspace. Just as it's sometimes hard to get into the headspace, sometimes I have similar trouble fully coming out. The transition is still kinda newer to me. And I kept it to myself when I should have talked to my Alpha about it. After about an hour or two I felt fine, but for that time period I felt like everything was slightly surreal. It wasn't a bad feeling, but it was definitely weird.

Sunday morning, I attended the CLAW Brunch. I had the honor and privileged of watching as Guy Baldwin was inducted into the Leather Hall of Fame. After that, I spent some time getting into trouble before helping friends pack up to leave. I spent some time hanging out in the cigar tent before heading to dinner with my family.

I went back to my room after dinner, packed up my stuff, and then headed out to party hard until CLAW was officially over. The next morning, I made my rounds to say my goodbyes, then we loaded up the van and hit the road. CLAW was officially over.

It was an amazing weekend, and I definitely will do everything in my power to go back next year. Hope to see many of you soon. Next event, ILSb/Dore Alley. Hope to see you in San Francisco!