NEST Celebrates 10 Years
Proposed date: June 4, 2006
Now that the buzz has begun, I thought I would weigh in with a few words about NEST to inform people that have only heard about it through discussions, heresay. It's like the story behind some holiday where the tale needs to be told to each new generation. I'm not trying to be preumptuous and make it out to be more than it is. But, I can say, it is as important as Tickling is to you. What may be a silly little 'habit' (as it's looked upon by Muggles or Outsiders) is as important as your very personality make-up. What seems to be a party to the onlooker becomes a profound experience of validation.
History: NEST began in 1996 with a gathering of 8 men (including myself) who got together to share collectables, watch videos, chat about experiences. It was the first time we had ever gotten together with others like ourselves in an evironment that we could talk openly. It was an incredible experience. We met in the early afternoon and the party broke up late at night. It was in my apartment. We came up with the name, the NORTHEAST (for the region we were in) SOCIETY of TICKLEPHILES OR NEST. Some of those Original Eight are on this forum and I invite them to chime in if they'd like. Either way, you'll see them at the next NEST.
The one after that first had about 12 people including 1 woman (LeeAllure). We started having them twice a year at my apartment. Each year it grew in size and more women were brave enough to attend.
Happily, there never was a casualty, problem, upstart, situation, troublemaker, severe annoyer.
The last NEST at my apartment (NEST YTK) was 2000. We had 55 people stuffed in my one bedroom loft-style apartment. After that, we started renting venues. The most people that have attended so far was somewhere around 80 or 85. The last NEST had the biggest attendence of women so far (I am guessing at around 35).
This year marks our 10th year anniversary and we have a team of people helping to make this incredible, catered, tickle extravaganza the best so far.
Here are a few observations I have made over the years:
1) NEST is the Great Equalizer
We read posts from people in our Community all year. We see videos made by people in our Community. We hear rants, raves, tears, laughter, sarcasm, skepticism, praise. But once a year I call all your bluffs. You wanna hide behind your computer or come on out and show yourself. We all do it. It is absolutely, freakin' LIBERATING! The jerks have faces (usually apologetic) and are quickly forgiven, the men and women have bodies - ticklish or otherwise. The Producers have personalities. The Great Celebrities are normal people. The shy ones stay shy but they're in a room filled with others like themselves. It is a no bullshit zone. We are all the same once a year.
2) What's it like to be at a NEST?
It's a venue, usually with multiple rooms or spaces. There are various pieces of bondage equipment. There is a large table laid out with lots of food and non-alchoholic drinks and sweets. If the venue is at a club, there might be a pay bar. There is usually a place where you can sit down and relax. A TV is there showing tickling dvds all day. Many of these dvds were donated by tickling vid producers. In the past, we have had donations from Magic Touch, Frenchtickling, Last Laugh, Gig's videos, Tickle TV, and others. Many times you will see videos never before seen, rare old ones, or videos from private individuals who are willing to show them but not sell them.
The sound of laughter is the only music track in that hall. It's everywhere. People tie each other up on couches and equipment. Spontaneous tickling is always bursting out everywhere you look. You may see someone holding a foot and kissing it and tickling it. The word is EVERYWHERE. You can speak it outloud with no embarrassment. EVERYONE THERE IS EXACTLY LIKE YOU. For the first time in your life perhaps, you are validated, liberated, truly Yourself.
There are scheduled demonstrations where the crowd gathers to see a volunteer tickled. The 'Ler has already asked people in the party if they want to help out. Everyone else just watches and smiles. The 'Lee is strapped to a piece of bondage equipment. Last year, Jeff mummified Kitten and it was an incredible show.
People fall in love, find soulmates. Some who had never even tickled a person before find themselves invited to join in. If you are shy and don't feel comfortable, your desires are honored. There is no competition, no pressure. Just Acceptance.
When it's over, people cry, hug one another, exchange phone numbers, emails. Some have collectables that they picked up by trading, purchasing or won at one of our raffles. You drive or fly home longing for the next year when you can return.
3) Is it Just That One Day?
No. NEST, for me begins the day the first guests check in to a hotel in Philly. That might be 3 or 4 days before the Sunday party. We socialize, meet and greet, introduce, go out to meals, play.
The day before the party, we have a Meet and Greet party. There are refreshments and we all gather in a room or hall where we can introduce each other and finally see the face to match the name. Your 'real' name is NEVER required. You can always go by your screen names. Anonymity is the Number One requirement and it is honored faithfully.
After the Meet and Greet, we generally fall into our own little groups and there is always a lot of playing going on in the hotel rooms. On NEST weekend, it is very common to see people in pjs running down the halls in the hotel knocking on doors and joining in some fun or just hanging out and having a great time. Many times, there are videos going on in someone's room. Friends 'attack' one another and laughter echoes through the halls.
The Sunday morning before NEST we have a nervous breakfast before heading to the venue. The actual party usually lasts about 6 or 7 hours. After that, many return to the hotels for more play and fun.
4) Lastly, some important information
More about this in a separate post, but I know some may need to know this now. If you want to attend you MUST do this:
a) Email the person taking the reservations (TBA)
b) Complete a registration form (first timers only)
c) Send deposit (address TBA)
You will NOT be allowed entry if any one of the follow items apply:
1) You did not complete a screening form (first timers)
2) You are not on the list
3) You have been barred from any Gatherings in the past (unless recently approved)
4) You are intoxicated or visibly high
5) You are under 18
I hope this was informative to anyone who desired this information. I hope it was reflective and nostalgic for those who have already been there.
Registration will begin soon. Feel free to write to me personally if you want any additional information. [email protected]
Hope to see every one of you this year.
Max
Proposed date: June 4, 2006
Now that the buzz has begun, I thought I would weigh in with a few words about NEST to inform people that have only heard about it through discussions, heresay. It's like the story behind some holiday where the tale needs to be told to each new generation. I'm not trying to be preumptuous and make it out to be more than it is. But, I can say, it is as important as Tickling is to you. What may be a silly little 'habit' (as it's looked upon by Muggles or Outsiders) is as important as your very personality make-up. What seems to be a party to the onlooker becomes a profound experience of validation.
History: NEST began in 1996 with a gathering of 8 men (including myself) who got together to share collectables, watch videos, chat about experiences. It was the first time we had ever gotten together with others like ourselves in an evironment that we could talk openly. It was an incredible experience. We met in the early afternoon and the party broke up late at night. It was in my apartment. We came up with the name, the NORTHEAST (for the region we were in) SOCIETY of TICKLEPHILES OR NEST. Some of those Original Eight are on this forum and I invite them to chime in if they'd like. Either way, you'll see them at the next NEST.
The one after that first had about 12 people including 1 woman (LeeAllure). We started having them twice a year at my apartment. Each year it grew in size and more women were brave enough to attend.
Happily, there never was a casualty, problem, upstart, situation, troublemaker, severe annoyer.
The last NEST at my apartment (NEST YTK) was 2000. We had 55 people stuffed in my one bedroom loft-style apartment. After that, we started renting venues. The most people that have attended so far was somewhere around 80 or 85. The last NEST had the biggest attendence of women so far (I am guessing at around 35).
This year marks our 10th year anniversary and we have a team of people helping to make this incredible, catered, tickle extravaganza the best so far.
Here are a few observations I have made over the years:
1) NEST is the Great Equalizer
We read posts from people in our Community all year. We see videos made by people in our Community. We hear rants, raves, tears, laughter, sarcasm, skepticism, praise. But once a year I call all your bluffs. You wanna hide behind your computer or come on out and show yourself. We all do it. It is absolutely, freakin' LIBERATING! The jerks have faces (usually apologetic) and are quickly forgiven, the men and women have bodies - ticklish or otherwise. The Producers have personalities. The Great Celebrities are normal people. The shy ones stay shy but they're in a room filled with others like themselves. It is a no bullshit zone. We are all the same once a year.
2) What's it like to be at a NEST?
It's a venue, usually with multiple rooms or spaces. There are various pieces of bondage equipment. There is a large table laid out with lots of food and non-alchoholic drinks and sweets. If the venue is at a club, there might be a pay bar. There is usually a place where you can sit down and relax. A TV is there showing tickling dvds all day. Many of these dvds were donated by tickling vid producers. In the past, we have had donations from Magic Touch, Frenchtickling, Last Laugh, Gig's videos, Tickle TV, and others. Many times you will see videos never before seen, rare old ones, or videos from private individuals who are willing to show them but not sell them.
The sound of laughter is the only music track in that hall. It's everywhere. People tie each other up on couches and equipment. Spontaneous tickling is always bursting out everywhere you look. You may see someone holding a foot and kissing it and tickling it. The word is EVERYWHERE. You can speak it outloud with no embarrassment. EVERYONE THERE IS EXACTLY LIKE YOU. For the first time in your life perhaps, you are validated, liberated, truly Yourself.
There are scheduled demonstrations where the crowd gathers to see a volunteer tickled. The 'Ler has already asked people in the party if they want to help out. Everyone else just watches and smiles. The 'Lee is strapped to a piece of bondage equipment. Last year, Jeff mummified Kitten and it was an incredible show.
People fall in love, find soulmates. Some who had never even tickled a person before find themselves invited to join in. If you are shy and don't feel comfortable, your desires are honored. There is no competition, no pressure. Just Acceptance.
When it's over, people cry, hug one another, exchange phone numbers, emails. Some have collectables that they picked up by trading, purchasing or won at one of our raffles. You drive or fly home longing for the next year when you can return.
3) Is it Just That One Day?
No. NEST, for me begins the day the first guests check in to a hotel in Philly. That might be 3 or 4 days before the Sunday party. We socialize, meet and greet, introduce, go out to meals, play.
The day before the party, we have a Meet and Greet party. There are refreshments and we all gather in a room or hall where we can introduce each other and finally see the face to match the name. Your 'real' name is NEVER required. You can always go by your screen names. Anonymity is the Number One requirement and it is honored faithfully.
After the Meet and Greet, we generally fall into our own little groups and there is always a lot of playing going on in the hotel rooms. On NEST weekend, it is very common to see people in pjs running down the halls in the hotel knocking on doors and joining in some fun or just hanging out and having a great time. Many times, there are videos going on in someone's room. Friends 'attack' one another and laughter echoes through the halls.
The Sunday morning before NEST we have a nervous breakfast before heading to the venue. The actual party usually lasts about 6 or 7 hours. After that, many return to the hotels for more play and fun.
4) Lastly, some important information
More about this in a separate post, but I know some may need to know this now. If you want to attend you MUST do this:
a) Email the person taking the reservations (TBA)
b) Complete a registration form (first timers only)
c) Send deposit (address TBA)
You will NOT be allowed entry if any one of the follow items apply:
1) You did not complete a screening form (first timers)
2) You are not on the list
3) You have been barred from any Gatherings in the past (unless recently approved)
4) You are intoxicated or visibly high
5) You are under 18
I hope this was informative to anyone who desired this information. I hope it was reflective and nostalgic for those who have already been there.
Registration will begin soon. Feel free to write to me personally if you want any additional information. [email protected]
Hope to see every one of you this year.
Max
( Damn I promised myself I wouldn't cry) 
I'd love to go to NEST. Somebody in the chatroom was telling me all about it and it sounds like heaven on earth.
I'd much rather talk on the phone for a long period of time before meeting, and even when I meet someone, I want it to be like..in a mall or something. That way when I feel uncomfortable, I can just leave. 
