Houston may actually be happening!

[Oddjob0226]

Houston IS happening!

I also posted this in the Main forum, so yes, you may see this again elsewhere, but we would really like to make this work and get a lot of people out for a fun and unique time. Also, we could use some help in orgainzing and keeping things running.....

It looks like plans are forming for a future Houston gathering. No details as of yet, but the Texas contingency met so many nice people at NEST that his is something that we’d like to do. Not only for ourselves, but also for both those living in the southern states who have fewer options in exploring their interest and of course for those people everywhere who simply like to meet, socialize and play.

Don’t know when it will take place yet; personally I don’t think I could really do anything until 2008, but that's just me; I need to connect further with the Houston organizers. The talented JCaine had a successful gathering in Houston a few years ago, I’ve done some events in Dallas which were either great successes or noble failures depending on who you consult with, and Alchemy will be a major personality in making the Houston thing a winning event as well. After this NEST especially, I think us Texans have both learned a good deal and are feeling inspired & hope-filled.

A Space City gathering also has some decide advantages over Dallas. We’ll have access to a private, equipped club; we’ll have access to a private (non-hotel) swimming pool when the TK events are not underway, and Houston in general is a more fetish-friendly town than Dallas.

We’ve had some good feedback from some of those at NEST, and I know that there are people in the Lone Star State who are wanting to be a part of something once again in this neck of the woods.

This is just a first little step, but hopefully we can pull of something that is long overdue. Watch this space for details.

 

[Oddjob0226]

Right now we're going to try to set up something before August.... maybe the end of July. Still working on the details.

 

[Oddjob0226]

Okay, an update on the Houston event -

The date we have planned for the Houston event is this Labor Day weekend: Thursday August 30th to Monday, Sept 3. Specific times and places, as well as other details, are still being worked out, but I do hope some of you can attend. Unlike some of the Dallas events, we will be having more experienced people attending, there will be more meet-and-greet social time in a private home with a pool, we are striving to have a better male/female mix, and our equipped private club will be more accommodating to our play schedule.

If you have any questions please PM me here at the TMF.

For those of you who have attended the Dallas events this one looks to be an improvement. And for those who have never been to an event before, it will be a new world for you to safely explore your interests. I look forward from hearing from you!

 

[Oddjob0226]

I'll have more details in the coming days of course. However, like NEST and other gatehrings, the specifics will be released only to confirmed guests!

M.

 

[ticklem]

from houston

I'll have more details in the coming days of course. However, like NEST and other gatehrings, the specifics will be released only to confirmed guests!

M.

if u are having a gathering in houston please let me know i have yahoo messanger my id is txdude2010 and email is [email protected] would like to know into tickling alot would like to go

 

[storyteller]

I just read about this this morning and think it's GREAT!!!!! I just might actually get tickled this year!!!! Count me IN!!!!

 

[Oddjob0226]

Hello all;

We are still working on fixing a date. Looking to do it on a weekend that doesn't conflict with a similar Californina event, but the house is already hosting a Labor Day weekend event with a BDSM group. That's no problem though as long as the ticklers are comfortable with it. I'll be posting a new update and a poll in the next couple of days.

M.

 

[Oddjob0226]

Here is an update - please refer to the corresponding polls regarding location and dates!


A BIT ABOUT THE LOCATION --

The Houston event will be different as we will have two play spaces. The first one will be a private home with a pool and three equipped rooms. Along with this, there is available to us a two story privately-owned playhouse, fully equipped as well as having the usual amenities (bathrooms, etc.). It is actually a condo that has been converted into a dungeon clubhouse. We are being given the opportunity to play in the house, the club, or both. The house and the dungeon club are about 20 miles apart, so there will be some travel & scheduling involved (carpooling).

But we need your feedback -- if this seems like too much of a distance we can still play at the house as our 'home base' although from what I understand this condo is a great, well kept, well-invested space. Dallas has nothing like this available to us.


ANY MONEY INVOLVED? YES AND NO --

If we do choose to use the dungeon clubhouse we are NOT being charged for
space by the owner. However, the owner is a friend, so as the organizers
we are asking a $20 per person “tribute”, or thank you, for her donating such a nice place for us and for being fair with us ( donating her equipped play space free of charge with no time limit on its operating hours).

There is no “profit” involved for anyone, this fee is strictly in appreciation for the condo/dungeon owner and is a surprise for her. Considering that in the past our 2003 Dallas play space cost $500 for only 5 hours of play and in '04 & '05 we had NO equipped space, yet I asked for & generously received $20 from attendees to offset room costs, I personally feel that $20 each for a fully- equipped private dungeon accessible all weekend is something I hope we can all consider fair. The private home is cost-free (see the poll).

Snack food will be provided by our two co-hosts, although anyone wanting
to bring anything surely can. Feel free to bring your own favorite equipment or toys.



DATES--

This is where we really need your input! Again, please check out the polls I have set up and leave your feedback.


** Evening of Friday, August 17 - afternoon of Monday, August 20, 2007

** Evening of Friday, 24th - afternoon of Monday, August 27, 2007

** Labor Day Weekend:
Evening of Friday, August 31 - evening of Monday, September 3, 2007
PLEASE NOTE - while this date gives us more time to play, the private home with pool will also be holding a BDSM party that weekend. Please be aware - bondage and domination scenes other than tickling well be going on! You do not have to participate of course, but if this is something that makes you uncomfortable, this is not an event for you should this date be chosen.


Basically, we can hold the event almost anytime in the near future as long as it is before the second weekend in September since one of our co-hosts must travel out of town after that date.

Once we have a Houston party date established from YOUR feedback we will be able to send out specifics (hotels, payments, etc.) and a deadline date for attendees to sign up.

As always, while play is encouraged and certainly hoped for, we can not
guarantee that everyone will get to play. Nonconsensual touching is not
allowed, and any 'gang tk' type activity should be discussed ahead of
time with the 'lee and 'lers. Even when it comes to any spontaneous, off-the-cuff gang tickling, consent from the 'lee (or the 'lee's dominant partner if they are involved with a deeper D/S relationship) must be given. Safewords will be used at this event.

This is the first time in Texas we have had a chance to do something this big. We had “fun” in Dallas, but I think this will go beyond that! Safe, trustworthy, experienced players will be attending as well as some enthusiastic newcomers. There will be two well-equipped locations. A private pool available during the hottest months of the year. Please let us hear from you!

The Poll for the dates:
http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?t=108205

The Poll for the location:
http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?t=108206

 

[Oddjob0226]

Hello all; as promised, the latest update.

This will be one of the best events in Texas, if not THE best yet!

Our Houston event has been confirmed for the Labor Day weekend; for those who can, we will all meet in Houston the Friday evening of August 31 and the event will end Sunday, September 2. The main “play” event will be that Saturday, while Friday will be more of a meet-and-greet casual get-together where smaller, more personal tickling scenes may occur.

If you aren’t sure if you can attend, or are undecided, this will be an incredible gathering. Some very exciting things will be going on in Houston that the Dallas events just never had -

* A private house is generously for our use rather than rented hotel suites.

* This home includes a swinging pool & multiple private rooms equipped with restraint devices; more equipment can and will be set up, and I know other confirmed guests will be bringing even more equipment with them.

* While we can not guarantee that play will occur for any one guest, we seem at this time to have the most even male/female ratio ever with all of the events that I have been involved with. It is possible that a few experienced NEST attendees will be making their way down south as well for this event.

*Food and drinks will be provided free of charge.

There are both Houston locals and other out of town attendees who will be doing airport or motel runs for those arriving/departing. The event will be held in Northwest Houston which is about 20 miles from downtown, 15 miles from uptown. I am still researching hotels - real life seems to get in the way of cyber-life at times, doesn’t it? - however, the hotel information will be sent to you once you register. Nobody’s private information will EVER be shared! Your identities will be safe with me, that is of utmost importance. However, if anyone wishes to share rides or rooms, please fell free to use this thread to organize these activities among yourselves.

**Now there is one thing I must bring up - **

This event is also being attended by a Houston BDSM group as guests of our host. As such, there will be other play scenes besides tickling going on, things that traditionally go with BDSM - spankings, whippings, etc. By NO MEANS do any ticklers or ticklees have to get involved with any such scenes. They will not be expected to do so, and the BDSM folks here are good, experienced, respectful people who will not press anyone into anything they are not willing to be a part of. But they are going to be there they are going to play their way just as we are, and they should - it is a party! If such things make you uneasy or you are opposed to them, this is not the event for you. Also, if nudity disturbs or offends you, again, you will not be comfortable at this event. While this is in no way a swinger event or an orgy, some guests when they play will be at various levels of undress. Those of us in the tickling realm are not expected to take part in any of this, but I do want TMF attendees to be fully informed. We’re all grown-ups with an interest that we often do not get the chance to indulge in as part of the larger society; I think we can all play together just fine here at this event!


The Rules ---

The basic rules of the NEST gatherings will be in place for this event and will be provided to you upon registration. NEST has been so successful for so long that they are, in the eyes of many including mine, the model for this kind of event.

But boiled down it’s all just common sense and civility:
Respect and consent are the key things. Don’t touch anyone that does not consent to it. You will not be touched if you do not want to be. If does happen in a way that makes you uncomfortable and a polite rebuff does not put an end to it, approach one of the hosts and we will step in. Have fun, however, and be relaxed; we are all here for the same thing no matter what our experience levels. Again - and especially for those of a more submissive nature or those who have never attended a party like this or those who may still be somewhat new to this kind of thing - you will never have to be involved with anything you do not want to be involved with, and do not feel compelled that you “must” play with anyone.

And always feel free to ask questions!

Registration ---

For those who will attend please contact me here at the TMF in a private message. At that point you will receive both a questionnaire to fill out with some basic information and an official set of party rules. Hotel information will also be forthcoming.

Our cutoff date is for you to register is Friday, August 3rd. After that, the Houston guest list is closed. Please understand that if you post that are “interested” in knowing more or “hope to attend” that is not the same as confirming your attendance by registering! The only way we can help make this event run as smoothly as possible is if you confirm your attendance with us, you get registered and receive the proper information.

And that’s about it! I would add this thought: do remember that someone is opening up their own home and providing us with their personal equipment to use. Meanwhile, our co-hosts and their friends are proving us their guests with food and drinks. All of this utterly free of charge. Even as small as the Dallas events were I always asked for about $20 to offset suite rental and snacks. For the Houston event there are no financial obligations for any guests whatsoever. In all my years of being in the BDSM community - I’m going back to the late 80s here - I have never heard of an event of this scale being undertaken without some reasonable fee involved. Nope - this one’s free.

With that in mind I am asking (NOT requiring) a donation be made by each attendee as a thank you or “tribute” to out hosts for their efforts. As I‘ve written, it is not required in a any way, nor is this the hosts‘ idea - it is totally my doing and rests upon me.


There’s no set amount -whatever you think is fair - and all donations will be made in confidence. I also understand that for many the travel costs alone may be substantial and a donation isn’t economically realistic. That is fine, I have been there myself, and I do not want this to keep anyone from the party! For those that can, I have a PayPal account set up that I used for the past Dallas events, or we can make arrangements for a check or MO to be sent to me. Once I get to Houston the tribute will be given to the hosts. And for those who can’t do this, that’s no problem at all. The event is not about making money; it is about having fun and exploring that which we so often cannot. All are welcome.

This is going to be a tremendous event!

 

[Oddjob0226]

Just to let everyone know, applications to the Houston event are now closed. However, if you missed the event this time around we will be doing this again in the future.

 

[storyteller]

Thanks to the organizers!

As an attendee of the Houston gathering (Saturday's "main" event), I want to repeat my "thank you" to our host, John (sorry, don't know you're TMF identity!) and to Oddjob for coordinating and communicating all the various details.

Our host welcomed us into his lovely and equipped home in which ticklers and those into BDSM intermingled. Before things got started, we briefly introduced ourselves and all were reminded to be respectful of one another and to heed various other common-sense behaviors (NEST rules). Tours of the various play sites were given and explanation of various tools and equipment provided.

As a single woman and a newbie in the tickling arena, I was a little nervous about attending such an event alone and probably wouldn't have if people I had not already been in communication with on this forum and through various emails hadn't been attending. Safety is a big consideration and one our host completely understands and stressed. I was fortunate to talk with and briefly meet our host before the event and felt completely welcomed, safe, and at ease in his home and in meeting the various attendees.

I got to meet several Texans from the forum, some who I hadn't communicated with previously, and several BDSM locals. It was a party folks, albeit with specific interests, but also with conversation on a lot of usual non-fetish topics, food (including great barbecue provided by our gracious host--THANKS again!), drinks (some alchohol, lots of sodas, and even more water), jazz music playing in the background, and lots of laughter. Several of the non-TMFers participated in some tickling too--as lers and lees.

In short, I enjoyed myself and enjoyed interacting with the various attendees. The organizers of this event, as well as attendees, expressed interest in having more local gatherings because apparently there are lots of local TMFers. Well folks, we should pursue this. A local, equipped, safe site has been offered by a long-term TMF member and NEST organizer/attendee (John, our host). All NEST rules apply. And, at this event, all such rules were adhered to willingly and without incident or the need for reminders.

Hope to see more people at the next Houston gathering!!!

 

[Oddjob0226]

Thanks for the kind words, Storyteller! It was really nice to meet you. Here's a little something I posted in another place on the forum:

http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?p=1498413#post1498413

I’ve had some time to finally sit and think back on the event, and I have to say that this was one of the best I have ever attended.

But first, I do need to apologize to Bugman and Ticklehound. Due to several things in my “real life” going on I wasn’t able to stay on top of the start time of the Saturday as I would have liked. I will of course try to be better prepared for future events and I hope that both of you will consider once again attending one of our Texas events. I’ve never helped pull an event together “from a distance” and am that much more impressed with what Jan B, Bella, Lee Allure, Jeff, DVNC, Dave & Ayla NYand so many others have done for us in the past.

Aside from that, our hosts JCaine/Big Daddy and Michael’s put so much work into this weekend party I was stunned. It was held in a private home - safe, clean, well-lit and relaxed ( and no tickling “feeding frenzy” involving our female guests! Respect and common sense reigned.) There were wonderful restraint devices for those who were interested in such, comfortable chairs and a pool for others who just wanted to socialized. And the food was plentiful and delicious! I truly don’t remember having home-cooked barbeque that good. This was an incredible experience.

The guest were fun and varied. We shared the Houston event with lovely BDSM folks from The Violet Society - people not so much into the tickling, more the “whips and chains” crowd - and we all got along well. Everyone was aware before the event what would be going on, safety was our biggest concern for all of the guests, and anyone who wasn’t particularly comfortable with one “scene” or another had plenty of other areas within the home to relax in , as well as a multitude of attendees, to socialize with. I Didn’t see any tickling folks dabble in the BDSM side, but I did see a few leather guests ‘crossover’ into some tickling!

After years of trying to pull together Dallas events, I realize that what happened in Houston is really what I had been trying to do in Dallas. I encourage all TMF members to make it to NEST - you will never feel alone or weird in this interest again, and you’ll meet some incredible people - but these smaller events do have their place as well. This Houston party was what I always wanted the Dallas party to be but Big D just doesn’t have the resources. Being an apartment dweller didn’t help.

I’ve also noticed that, in Texas, most people into tickling (who are open about it) live more in the southern section of the state. There are certainly ticklers/ticklees in D/FW, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, but they tend more to keep to themselves I think. With this recent experience in mind, I think any future North Texas events will be put on hold and Houston should be more the focus of such gatherings. I know some Austin events have been attempted as well, but this event was incredible; I can’t praise the hosts or guests enough. For those of you here who have been to any of the Dallas events, those were armature dress rehearsals compared to what occurred this past Labor Day weekend. After every D/FW event I knew there could have been - should have been - more to it. The Labor Day weekend event was what the Texas tickling events need to be. If our past events in D/FW didn’t meet you expectations or seemed to be somewhat of a let-down, Houston will change your mind!

And speaking of the guests, I enjoyed meeting so may friends from the TMF. Storyteller was there, brave and ready to take the plunge into her first event. Saeria showed us all not only how ticklish she is but that she seems to be a woman without tickling limits. And our friend and creative soul Alchemy did his prolonged best to find those limits.

I missed Labyrinthgddss Friday since I couldn’t get off work, but as long as she had a good time that’s what mattered most. Tickler BC was there with his partner Nikki - they both plan on attending NEST next year, their first. Bugman, due to my inattention, ended up coming in too early and therefore had to leave early as well, but I hope that won’t keep him away from our next event. It really was good to see him there, but I know the next one will be better. And we’re saving a place for you, Ticklehound! All of those attending who were not from the TMF, it was a nice experience meeting them as well.

I left our hosts Jcaine and Michael’s a bit of tribute, but it was by no means enough to convey my appreciation for what they, gratis, provided for us. As one host said, it is the people that make the party; this was an unforgettable party.

We hope to do this at least every year, possibly every six months. Let's see how many locals we can get to attend. For those thinking of travelling (Lee, Spencer, Kis - even Laugher???), we here in the Lone Star State encourage you to consider attending one of our events in the future. As always, details to be posted here

 

[Bugman]

But first, I do need to apologize to Bugman and Ticklehound.

No need to apologize my friend,things happen sometimes that are beyond our control.As i mentioned in alchemys thread i had a great time and met some very nice people.You can bet i want to be at the next gathering. 😀

 

[Oddjob0226]

Great to hear! I look forward to seeing you at the next event.

 

[TickleKnight]

I am sorry that I missed the event, but it was due to the fact that I was ill and well during a time I spent a month in the hospital which so sucked because I had planned on being there from the moment Oddjob made the past.

But I shall try my best to make it next time 🙂

In the interim guess will have to settle for my local friends that I am getting into tickling, lol.

Wide skies and open waters,


~ Each of us has within him a dark chamber where the real desires flower; and the horror of it is that they never see the light of another's understanding, those strange blooms. It is as lonely as it is dark, that chamber of the heart ~

 

[Oddjob0226]

TKnight, you were absolutely missed. Remember the fun we had at the second Dallas gathering (your first)? It went well beyond that.

When you are feeling better we are looking forward to seeing you again. Until then, wear out those locals!

M / O.J.

 

[solarcharger]

Same here.....I always seem to miss out on the local happenings, even though I am in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, Houston isn't that far away.

 

[ticklehound]

Not to worry, Things happen. It was a bad timing on my part as well. Mark my words though, nothing will keep me from making the next one. Thanks anyway.

Speaking of next one, y'all know the Texas RenFaire is coming up real soon in Plantersville. Mayhaps, those interested can meet up or something. ... What do yall think...

 

[Bugman]

Not to worry, Things happen. It was a bad timing on my part as well. Mark my words though, nothing will keep me from making the next one. Thanks anyway.

Speaking of next one, y'all know the Texas RenFaire is coming up real soon in Plantersville. Mayhaps, those interested can meet up or something. ... What do yall think...

I'm sorry you missed it also man,i wanted to meet you.Getting a group up for RenFest sounds like a great idea.Shoot me a pm or give me a call if you still have my cell number.My phone won't work when i'm at my brothers house but leave a voice mail and i'll get back to you. 😀

 

[Imlatino]

Are you ever gonna do this again? Seems I missed it before I joined the site :'( Any time could be 2010 or 2011...or

 

[Oddjob0226]

A new event will - possibly - be going on soon:


http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?p=2594822#post2594822