Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Annual Savor Life is Here!

One down, one to go. We had planned 3 Savor Life events this year, but unfortunately two of the bars had problems. That said, we still managed to get 2 events set up for this year thanks to the hard work of Novice Oralee aka Emma Jizer Bunny.


We had a blast at Friends for our 2nd Annual Savor Life brunch, and have a great event coming up at Apollo's called Holy Kaereoke! This is a fundraiser for Aunt Rita's Foundation, a great little organization which you can learn more about here: http://www.auntritasfoundation.org/

Join us March 7th, 9 PM at Apollo's Lounge. Pay to get a sister to sing or perhaps to get her to stop....$1 Sacramental Schnapps Shots!!! http://www.apollos.com/

Put on a Positive Face

Recently on November 22nd, I had the honor of helping Body Positive staff during their staff retreat with a little fun and bonding. Novice Oralee Wunderbar (who I like to call the Emma Jizer Bunny) and I explained a bit about what a Sister is, and then showed them how to put on a happy, Sisterly face. This one reminded me of Sister Pixie in San Diego's Asylum of the Tortured Heart.

They created their own coronet, veil, and Sister face out of a shower curtain, visor and a very few bits and pieces of makeup, glitter, feathers pins, and glue. The scarcity of supplies meant they would have to beg, borrow, negotiate for or in some cases sneak off with the supplies they wanted. (I didn't expect that one! apparently thar blow some pirates matey!)

It was fun and to be honest, empowering to help others explore possible Sisterly personae and what it means to be a Sister. The winning entry into the contest at the end was Anita Cure who truly understood not only the joy we spread, but the message behind it.

Runner up had the most amazing makeup for a first try... And reminded me of Sister Maryposa Flutterby who passed on last year. I wish I'd had more time to get to know her.







She must have been watching over us and inspired this one:

Saturday, February 23, 2008

South West Leather Pride in 1 Week!

If you would like to buy a package to Southwest Leather Pride Weekend 2008. They will be available Saturday night at the Cell Block from 9pm to Midnight in the leather shop. Below is the schedule and what is included in the packages. PACKAGES ARE LIMITED.
This is the list of events

Thursday February 28, 2008

Apollos Lounge

Southwest Leather Pride

Kick off Party 7-9pm

Friday February 29, 2008

Cigars, Uniforms, Men "OH YEAH"

Arizona Men of Leather presents:

"Jail Cell Party"

Bunkhouse 9pm - 2am

Saturday March 1, 2008

Plazma 6-9pm Leather Cock-Tails

Leather Formal Dinner 7pm - 9pm "My Mothers Restaurant" Hosted by Tuff Stuff Leather Wear

(package holder or purchase separately)

Southwest Leather Pride Blowout Black Party 9 until 2am

Bunkhouse Saloon

A Celebration of the Leather Communities across the Southwest

Sunday March 1, 2008

The Final "Sling"

Arizona Women of Leather presents: Leather Brunch

(Package holder or purchase seperatley)

Friends 10am- 2pm

WWW.SWLEATHERPRIDE. ORG


Southwest Leather Pride Packages

COMPLETE WEEKEND
PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • Cigar & Uniform Party
  • Drink Specials
  • Raffle Tickets/Drawings
  • Receptions
  • Cocktail Parties
  • Southwest Leather Formal Dinner
  • Saturdays Southwest Leather Black Party Celebration
  • The Last "Sling" Sunday Brunch
  • Tshirts

$30 for a full weekend Package

$20 for the Leather Dinner

$10 for the Leather Brunc

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Celebrating Black History in the GLBTQI Community

Regina Shavers, who died Jan. 29, 2008, founded the GRIOT Circle, "an intergenerational and culturally diverse community-based social service organization responsive to the realities of older lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, two-spirit and transgender people (LGBTST) of all colors."

Regina Shavers had a long history of community involvement and activism. As co-chair of District Council 37 (NYC), she advocated for workers' rights, and served on the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Lesbian and Gay Rights Advisory Board. She played an active role in the Campaign for and Inclusive Family Policy, the citywide coalition that negotiated with Mayor David N. Dinkins to obtain Domestic Partner benefits for New York City employees.

She also helped found Pride at Work, and much more. Regina was quite actively of service to our community, which is why I have chosen to highlight her actions this month. And you can learn more about her at on Wingspan's site as they celebrate black history month. Or check out Blabbeando's blog entry in Regina's honor.

To learn more about other people of note like Ms Shavers, and about Black History Month in general, check out the National Black Justice Coalition.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy National Condom Day

Protect yourself and those you love.

Here are the facts:

* Every year, there are approximately 15 million new cases of STDs
* More than 65 million people in the US are living with a chronic STD such as herpes or HPV.
* Two-thirds of all STDs occur in people 25 years of age or younger.
* One in four new STD infections occur in teenagers.
* At least one in four Americans will contract an STD at some point in their lives.
* At least 15 percent of all infertile American women are infertile because of tubal damage resulting from an untreated STD.
* Each year it costs more than $8 billion to diagnose and treat STDs and their complications.

From: http://www.ashastd.org/news/news_pressreleases_condom_day_2004.cfm
Take care of yourselves out there, and play fair!

Friday, February 8, 2008

For Sister Wisteria Weisenheimer With Love

1957 - 2008

"People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle." - Thich Nhat Hanh

Wisteria was an activist, a prankster, a storyteller, and a joy with a big heart. Last week he asked that Agape Network be listed in his obituary, and we will be carrying on his love and support of Agape Network, a wonderful program here in Phoenix which delivers healthy meals to those living with HIV/AIDS who have need.

As I told him when I first met him, he has always been our Sister in his heart. I am glad he got to live that out in his lifetime, and I am sure that he is partying it up with the nuns of the above right now, dancing, singing, and telling his stories and jokes. Today I ask that you please take a moment to sit peacefully and send energy and love to Wisteria and her family.

I wish for Agape Network, that they may find new volunteers and continue their good works for years to come! Please contact Agape Network to find out how you can help! Or donate online at http://www.agapenetwork1.org/donate.php Wisteria will surely bless you for your efforts.

With thanks for the miracle that Wisteria was, is and always will be,
Mischif S. Marymaker

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Paper Crane Anyone?

We reached our goal! We folded over 1000 paper cranes. We have boxes and bags full of paper cranes. If you would like one, let me know! To learn how, read on below.
We held our darshan at 1 VCC, and I charged everyone there to commit random acts of loving kindness by distributing paper cranes of peace, love and joy to people wherever they go. Not to be outdone of course, I took home all 800 of the leftover cranes, and have been giving them out wherever I go, as well as using them in artistic photographs to spread peace, love and joy all over the internet.

So if you would like a paper crane for peace, visit this art blog and leave a comment. All comments in that post are screened so that only Sean-Michael can see. Leave your name and address, and you will be sent a paper crane, that you may be blessed with the combined wishes, of all who participated, for peace, love and joy.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Memories from Friends and the Eagle

I would like to give my thanks to Friends and all who attended there for helping make Bead Bingo a fun and productive fundraiser! I enjoyed running into the winner of the IPOD later at the gay friendly Denny's over on 7th and Camelback (or as we like to call it Genny's) Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture to share with you, cuz he was the hotness!

And the Costume Contest at the Eagle was a blast! I hope next year many of you will plan a costume or sexy leather outfit and mask like some of our contestants did. This year I wore a paper crane necklace, I think next year I may wear balloons! What costumes can you think up?

Unfortuantely Aspirant Felicity was home sick in bed, I was looking forward to seeing her naughty leather pirate outfit! But perhaps we can convince her to wear it to Nuns of Steal during Leather Pride :D In the mean time, look at the 6 studly contestants we had on stage with Sister Odora this year!


After receiving their prize, each contestant posed with Sister Bend, who put the entire evening together!

Keith won second place! I think Sister Bend wanted to take him and his prize home later!

Each contestant was such a good sport, and several really got into the spirit dancing, showing off, and answering the question "If you were a Sister, what would your Sister name be?"

Thank you Daddy Ron and the Eagle for bringing such great energy to our first Mardi Gras Costume Contest.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Kostumes and Kreativity


Yup that's tonight, so put on your sexy best, and I hope to see you there! I'm gettin' out my leather, some oragami, and a mardi gras mask, what about you? How creative can you get? Come show off those sexy bods in skimpy gear, or cover yourself in balloons, it's all good!

And here's some pictures from the Mardi Gras Madness Kreativity and Krane Darsana at 1 Voice Community Center and Opportunities Cafe last night. We decorated masks for Fat Tuesday with paint, gems and feathers, painted together about the joys of family on a large piece of cloth that you'll see turning up places in the future, and handed out some of the over 1000 cranes we and members of the community have been folding over the last couple of months. Now go forth and create random acts of loving kindness and creative joy!

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Mardi Gras Madness


It's a week of Mardi Gras Madness around here! Tomorrow join us at 1 Voice Community Center for arts and craft fun, the final releasing of the Paper Cranes for Peace...

And on Fat Tuesday, put on your sexy best and join in the Kostume Kontest at The Eagle!

In the mean time, thought I'd share some of the fun we've been having
At the Rock...
Blessing Off Chute Too...
Art Walk and Amsterdam...
The Bunkhouse, Friends, and all over the place!