Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Upcoming Events


There won't be a Men's Discussion on July 4th for obvious reasons. Enjoy the holiday!

This weekend is all about making our many, many out-of-town guests feel extra-welcome. 

Friday:

The Men-Only Beat and Greet is for the men who like Percussion Play (flogging, paddling, caning, whipping and suchlike). If you want to be on the list, you have to ask nicely!

Saturday: 

There will be a GEAR-ONLY pre-party at Numbers at 9PM, immediately followed at 10PM by the BELT Party at Numbers, and the Backroom Party at the Eagle.

Sunday:

The Cigars & Boots event on the patio at Redwing at 5PM is our monthly, relaxed tradition for winding-down the weekend.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fri. Jun 29, 8:30PM-1AM: MEN-ONLY Fri. NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. The Men-Only version is on the FIFTH Fri. of each month, such as August 31 and Nov. 30th of 2012. There will be hands-on training for folks who want to learn from experts in a very safe environment. I will be there, teaching flogging as usual.


Sat. June 30, 10PM onward: Wolf's Backroom Revisited!! party at the Eagle.


Sat. June 30, 10PM −1PM: BELT PARTY/FMSD 2nd Anniversary Party at Numbers.


Sun. Jul 1, 5PM, CIGARS & BOOTS on the patio at Redwing. First Sun. of each month. Wear whatever gear makes you feel extra-sexy!  If you like a low-pressure, comfortable event with men that you can relate to, this one is for you. 

Thu. Jul 5, 9-PM-Midnight: Yellow Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. First and Third Thu. of each month.

Fri, Jul 6, 7-9PM;  SDLOG educational event. First Friday of each month. at the Joyce Beers Community Centerby the Aladdin restaurant near Ralph's supermarket on University. 

Sat. Jul 7, 9PM-2AM; BearNight Dance at Numbers. $5 before 10PM. First Sat. of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event, and it comes highly recommended… Here are some reviews

Thu. Jul 12, 9pm-1am; Red Hankie Social Night at the Eagle.  Second Thu. of each month


Fri. Jul 13, 9PM-1AM: DRESS IT UP/STRIP IT DOWN at the Eagle; 2nd Fri. of each month. Hosted by Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012 Eli. It's the nicest, friendliest crowd you'll see at a leather bar. Here are a few reviews, if you haven't been to one yet. Dress to impress if you've got the gear, or show us some skin - I promise you'll be glad that you did. Here are some pictures from Oct.FebruaryMarchAprilJune and September. Notice how HAPPY everybody is. You deserve to be that happy too.

Sat. Jul 14, 9PM onward: UNIFORM NIGHT at the Eagle. Wear Military Gear or Civil Uniform Gear. Second Sat. of each month.


Wed. Jul 18, 7-9PM: MEN'S DISCUSSIONS Moderated by California LeatherSir 2012 SamThis has turned out to be ideal for building friendships by getting to know men outside of the bar/cruising scene. First and third Wednesday of each month. 

Thu. Jul 19, 9-PM-Midnight: Yellow Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. First and Third Thu. of each month.

Fri. Jul 20, 8:30PM-1AM: FRIDAY NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy 2010, tiger - Ms San Diego Leather 2010, caryl - San Diego's premier Sea Monkey Trainer, and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. Third Fri. of each month. This is a GREAT educational event if you want some hands-on training in a safe environment.

July 20-22: SAN DIEGO LGBT PRIDE, featuring the Leather Realm at the Pride Festival.

Sat. Jul 20, 9:30PM-2AM: LL Bear Dance Party @ Rich's San Diego. Third Saturday of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event. Shirtless with a harness appears to be the dress code!

Jul 26-29, INTERNATIONAL LEATHER SIR/BOY, INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BOOT BLACK in San Francisco.


Sat. Jul 28, 10pm: Underwear Party and Contest at the Eagle.  Fourth Sat. of each month. Everyone is invited to strip down to those boxers,  briefs or "street" legal jocks and join in the fun,  you do not have to enter the contest. Although our 1st prize is $100 Cash and 2nd prize is a $25 bar tab., Clothes check opens at 10pm and the contest will be held at midnight. Your evening will be hosted by Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012,  Eli

Sunday, July 29: Up Your Alley Street Fair in San Francisco.


Wed. Aug 1, 7-9PM: MEN'S DISCUSSIONS Moderated by California LeatherSir 2012 Sam. This has turned out to be ideal for building friendships by getting to know men outside of the bar/cruising scene. First and third Wednesday of each month. 

Wed. Aug 1, 9PM: PUPPY NIGHT at the Eagle, hosted by San Diego Puppy Patrol (SDPP). First Wed. of each month.



Sun. Aug 19: Kurt's Welcome Back/Thank You Party, leading into SD Leather Pride.

Aug. 25-26: ROMP Weekend Run, including the Mr. and Ms. San Diego Leather 2012 contests.

Sunday, September 23: Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco.

FMSD Two Years Along: Status Report

There simply isn't any bad news to report.  If there was, I would tell you, so that we could crowd-source a solution. 

It's all good news:

When I started FetishMenSanDiego two years ago, I had a lot of old baggage, but a really big idea.

I wanted to bring Tribe back. I had experienced a glorious, true leathermen's community when I was young, and then everything broke down when so many of us died. So, my main motivation for starting FMSD was pitifully sad. That lasted for about a month. I had to let go of the crisis-mode, and start opening up my mind to the idea that everybody wanted some fun-fun-fun!  We've all had enough of tragedy. Time to let the sunshine in.

With the help of many, many people, our events improved.

FMSD stopped being MY project a long time ago.  It became OUR project. The unity, the kindness, the brotherhood and the openness have told me so. We haven't had to deal with drama, and we have never had to stress out. This tells me that we are all starved for true brotherhood, and are willing to do what it takes to keep it around.

Everything has changed for the better - More events, more superb new leaders rising up, so many volunteers that they are getting underfoot (what a great problem to have) and dozens of successful events coming at us all of the time. That's all just INSIDE the San Diego FetishMen community, which is usually my main focus. I've stayed true to that focus for two years, because I have wanted to help the emerging men's Tribal movement get rolling without hitting any brick walls.

Now, our community is motivating along like an unstoppable freight train!  With around 2,800 followers and a long stretch of accomplishments, breaking down cynicism and resistance to new ideas is no longer a problem. Now, we have success following success at all times.

What is my favorite part about the phase we are in? The younger guys. Probably seventy percent of the newest FMSD followers in the last three months are under the age of 35. This totally messes with my old-guy preconceptions, and I'm thrilled with that. The energy, idealism, authenticity and commitment shown by our younger generations is the engine that is driving this freight-train along. If that surprises you, then please come to our events and take a sharp look around you. Everything new, good, and exciting these days can be traced right back to the men who used to be waiting to have the torch of leadership handed over.  It's now in supremely good hands.

What also excites me? The older guys. The wise, kind, experienced men of my generation (and older) are coming back out to show loving support for our new, rising young champions. This is the fuel that energizes the younger guys. They love to earn our respect, because they want to know that they have a future and a treasured place in the Tribe. The older men provide the validation and admiration that make all the difference.

It appears that the urge to be loving and supportive is a lot bigger in the world outside FMSD than I have credited before. Everybody wants us to succeed. The women's community, the pansexual community, and the cities surrounding San Diego are glad that FMSD exists. We have family that loves us.  As time goes by, we are going to be finding more ways to return that love. 

As an example: Next week, I will be pushing San Diego Pride really heavily. There is so much good news that I simply can't deal with it this week, since I'm so busy with the events coming up in the next few days. In the meantime, just be aware that the rest of San Diego's community is thriving as well, and they love to see their leather/fetish brothers so happy these days. We disappeared from their sight for a long, long time, and we have been missed. We're back, and we're such nice guys, too. Hurray!

There will be times when it is our duty as brothers to come to Family Reunions such as San Diego Pride, and to stand tall and proud among the really, truly wonderful people of the larger community. Anybody that sees us will know that FetishMen in San Diego are numerous, happy, proud and affectionate members of a successful Tribe.

Because we are!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Biggest Event in Ten Years, Continued…

After last week's Taj Mahal of a newsletter (which is still fully valid, in effect and worth reading), I'm going minimal this week.  I just got back from Butchmanns Experience in Phoenix. Based on what I discovered there, I am shifting from being jolly old Papa Tony to Master Tony (at least in private, deeply personal situations).  If you want to get in touch with your inner, true self, I strongly recommend the Butchmanns Experience.

I will see you all out this weekend.  If you are feeling jaded, discouraged, bored or apathetic about San Diego's community and events, then it's time to get over yourself, and get back out with everybody else. This sexy, hardcore, masculine and powerful weekend is where everybody gets the final notice that there has been a massive paradigm-shift. Whatever decisions you made a long time ago about Tribe, let go of them. Life has changed for the better.

UPCOMING EVENTS

There are only a few items to put out this week, and everything applies toward Saturday's monstro gatherings:

Wednesday the 27th:
6PM: Volunteer Coordination Meeting. This is where the dozens of men who want to help put on the massive, messy, sprawling, exciting and innovative third consecutive BELT Party (Sunday at 10PM at Numbers  can show up, get name-tags and assignments, and build friendships with like-minded men. There's enough glory to go around for everybody!

Saturday the 30th:
9PM: If you have fetish gear to wear, show up EARLY (9PM) at Numbers on the 30th. There is a special gear-only reception social (rules for gear are here) that will be attended by ridiculously hot men from many cities, acting very single. You won't want to miss that.

10PM: Backroom Party at the San Diego Eagle, and BELT Party at Numbers. After saying so much beforehand here, it's hard for me to know what to add.

Just show up.

Expect long lines.

Get excited. In fact, be ultra-stimulated. It'll turn out great.

Be proud of yourself. Be proud of everyone around you.

Be a part of a Tribe that wants you back after a long, bad season that never seemed to want to end. It's over now, and the Better Days  have arrived.

LET'S PARTY!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Upcoming Events

As you can tell, this has been a very busy last few weeks for me. It's worth it, because everything good is happening for our Tribe. Once the big, big plans for June 30th and SD Pride are complete, I'm going to be doing my best to help the folks with San Diego Leather Pride in August. These are incredibly good days for us!

CORRECTION


I won't be able to join everybody at this Sunday's party in honor of Kurt - I will be attending the Butchmanns Experience sessions in Phoenix. I will be back in plenty of time for the BELT Party!

Wed. Jun 20, 7-9PM: MEN'S DISCUSSIONS Moderated by California LeatherSir 2012 SamThis has turned out to be ideal for building friendships by getting to know men outside of the bar/cruising scene. First and third Wednesday of each month. Topic: Staying Connected, Cyber Dating And Social Sites On The Internet. Arrive an hour early if you want to help out as a Community Representative during the BELT Party.

Thu. Jun 21, 9-PM-Midnight: Yellow Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. First and Third Thu. of each month.

Fri. Jun 22, 10:30PM: San Diego Eagle Stud Night (party with the bad boyz of porn) featuring Jackson Lawless. Looking forward to seeing all the hot Leathermen,  Pups and FetishMen. 

Sat. Jun 23, 10pm: Underwear Party and Contest at the Eagle, and Kane's Jock Raffle Fundraiser.  Fourth Sat. of each month. Everyone is invited to strip down to those boxers,  briefs or "street" legal jocks and join in the fun,  you do not have to enter the contest. Although our 1st prize is $100 Cash and 2nd prize is a $25 bar tab., Clothes check opens at 10pm and the contest will be held at midnight. Your evening will be hosted by Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012,  Eli



Fri. Jun 29, 8:30PM-1AM: MEN-ONLY Fri. NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. The Men-Only version is on the FIFTH Fri. of each month, such as August 31 and Nov. 30th of 2012. There will be hands-on training for folks who want to learn from experts in a very safe environment. I will be there, teaching flogging as usual.


Sat. June 30, 10PM onward: Wolf's Backroom Revisited!! party at the Eagle.


Sat. June 30, 9Pm −1PM: BELT PARTY/FMSD 2nd Anniversary Party at Numbers.


Sun. Jul 1, 5PM, CIGARS & BOOTS on the patio at Redwing. First Sun. of each month. Wear whatever gear makes you feel extra-sexy!  If you like a low-pressure, comfortable event with men that you can relate to, this one is for you. 

Thu. Jul 5, 9-PM-Midnight: Yellow Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. First and Third Thu. of each month.

Fri, Jul 6, 7-9PM;  SDLOG educational event. First Friday of each month. at the Joyce Beers Community Centerby the Aladdin restaurant near Ralph's supermarket on University. 

Sat. Jul 7, 9PM-2AM; BearNight Dance at Numbers. $5 before 10PM. First Sat. of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event, and it comes highly recommended… Here are some reviews

Thu. Jul 12, 9pm-1am; Red Hankie Social Night at the Eagle.  Second Thu. of each month


Fri. Jul 13, 9PM-1AM: DRESS IT UP/STRIP IT DOWN at the Eagle; 2nd Fri. of each month. Hosted by Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012 Eli. It's the nicest, friendliest crowd you'll see at a leather bar. Here are a few reviews, if you haven't been to one yet. Dress to impress if you've got the gear, or show us some skin - I promise you'll be glad that you did. Here are some pictures from Oct.FebruaryMarchAprilJune and September. Notice how HAPPY everybody is. You deserve to be that happy too.

Sat. Jul 14, 9PM onward: UNIFORM NIGHT at the Eagle. Wear Military Gear or Civil Uniform Gear. Second Sat. of each month.

Fri. Jul 20, 8:30PM-1AM: FRIDAY NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy 2010, tiger - Ms San Diego Leather 2010, caryl - San Diego's premier Sea Monkey Trainer, and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. Third Fri. of each month. This is a GREAT educational event if you want some hands-on training in a safe environment.

July 20-22: SAN DIEGO LGBT PRIDE, featuring the Leather Realm at the Pride Festival.

Sat. Jul 20, 9:30PM-2AM: LL Bear Dance Party @ Rich's San Diego. Third Saturday of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event. Shirtless with a harness appears to be the dress code!

Sunday, July 29: Up Your Alley Street Fair in San Francisco.


Wed. Aug 1, 7-9PM: MEN'S DISCUSSIONS Moderated by California LeatherSir 2012 Sam.  This has turned out to be ideal for building friendships by getting to know men outside of the bar/cruising scene. First and third Wednesday of each month. 

Wed. Aug 1, 9PM: PUPPY NIGHT at the Eagle, hosted by San Diego Puppy Patrol (SDPP). First Wed. of each month.

Aug. 25-26: ROMP Weekend Run, including the Mr. and Ms. San Diego Leather 2012 contests.

Sunday, September 23: Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco.