On the first Sunday of every month a group called MAsT Metro NY (Masters And slaves Together) meets to explore Master/slave and other power exchange dynamics. Although I do not fit into a M/s structure, power exchange is something I very much desire in my intimate relationship(s). An other expression that some feel is synonymous with power exchange is authority exchange. Plus some, like myself, find appeal in hierarchical relationships. Each meeting customarily has a chosen topic or a special speaker who has a subject of interest that they share their knowledge of with the group. What makes his monthly meeting special in the NYC area is that the focus is on How to do relationships versus How To do XYZ style of “play”.
So, this Sunday I went with my best girlfriend and participated in a lively topic on “Reconciling M/s Structure to Accommodate Change”. It seemed like a timely topic considering the evolving status change in my relationship. The discussion started with how relationships can evolve and moved to how restructuring can be an aid in longevity of relationships. There was a lot of participation from both sides of the slash. One person who is a bit newer to the scene asked about what service was? There were many views of what can constitute service and that generally the types and forms of service are as wide and varied as the types of dynamics that can exist. Then we moved from a round circle discussion to separate groups, dividing Dominants in one space and slaves/subs into their own separate space. These separate safe space circles have always been a favorite of mine and are a unique part of their format.
After the meeting nearly everyone joined up and walked over to a diner to socialize. There we encountered possibly the worst waiter we have had in a long time. He got nearly every order wrong. He then went on the argue with each person who had a wrong order, telling them they were wrong about what they ordered. I think this happened to five people, before I so brilliantly explained to the person who had inquired during the meeting, “What is service?” that “What this waiter is doing, is NOT service!” In spite of the bad service, it was a good Sunday with my friends at MAsT.
Leeta and the City 