Miss Bettie: Ms. SouthEast LeatherFest 2008

Miss Bettie's Schedule

Oct. 18th - The Hickory Playground in NC presenting my Role Play presentation
Nov. 1 - Atlanta Regional Munch teaching Role Play
Jan. 17th - KEY Greenville, SC
Feb. 7 - The Mark Nashville, TN
Feb 21 - Hickory Playground in Hickory, NC
Feb 27 - Mar 1, 2009 - South Plains LeatherFest, Dallas, TX
April 9 - 12, Frolicon, Atlanta, GA
May 2nd - TMG in Raleigh, NC Formal Dining Service Demo
June 12 - 14, SouthEast LeatherFest

Febuary 11, 2009

           Is it already February?  Wow, time really does fly when you’re having fun.  And fun I’m definitely having.  Hello everyone!  I’ve been super busy traveling and meeting new people but I’ll try to sum it all up in a couple of paragraphs.  I know you want the hot and juicy details, not all the boring bits.  So, here goes!

            In January, I visited with KEY in South Carolina.  KEY, Keeping Everyone Yearning for those who want to know, is a really WONDERFUL group of people.  Being from a relatively small, homey group myself, I identify very well with that dynamic.  I was welcomed with open arms into a group that didn’t know me from Adam.  But, even though I’d never met any of them before that night, I very quickly felt like a long-standing member of the group.  KEY is fantastic at welcoming new people into their group.

            I listened to a wonderful presentation by one of KEY’s own on BDSM Etiquette and Manners.  It was amazing to sit and hear all the stories as we recalled times in our lives where we had run into situations where the common courtesy had gone astray in the face of “protocol” and “tradition”.  But the dialogue quickly turned to the positive, coming up with practical ideas to counteract this trend.  We ended the conversation hopeful of a better, more respectful future for our community.

            I wanted to say Thank You to Jennifer and Shell for their wonderful hospitality and for going out of their way to make me feel welcome.  I feel like I have found a second home and I’ll certainly be going to South Carolina more often than I have.  Thank You KEY!!
           

           In February, I traveled to The Mark in Nashville, Tennessee.  I was absolutely floored by the generosity and hospitality of my hosts.  If you have not had the chance to make it to The Mark, you are certainly missing out.  I was welcomed to the facility by warm smiles and a grand tour.  The lobby is as welcoming as the lobby of any hotel.  It’s very unassuming and non-threatening, a wonderful attribute for a place that welcomes and relishes in new-comers.  The play-space is unlike any I’ve ever seen.  The amount and variety of equipment and spaces are unrivaled in my eyes.  With playground swings and monkey bars, it harkens back to my simpler days.  However, the massive wooden cross and suspended bed fill my head with very adult thoughts.  As my inner child and my dark side war with each other, I walk around to take in all the art work.  It is not a dungeon, but a gallery of some of the finest fetish art around.  Drawings, paintings, and photos fill the walls and inspire all sorts of naughty thoughts not already running through my head.  Throw into the mix a diverse group of players from all ages, demographics, and backgrounds, and you have one hell of a good time waiting for you.

            The Role Play presentation brought out the creativity in these already dynamic players.  I think I might have sparked a few fantasies as well.  I know I was drooling over some of the scenes being described.  Anyone up for a cold meat locker?  Thank you to the wonderful people at The Mark, including but not limited to, Lord Mercury, nyssa, mandi, Sable, Heavenly, Minx, and Ms. Lanily.  I will see you all again soon, in Atlanta if not before.

            As for the rest of my travels, they are yet to happen.  But the schedule is filling up and quick.  Hickory, Dallas, Atlanta; all are on an agenda of fun and education.  I can’t wait for the next few months to come along.  I’ll keep you posted on the happenings.  Until then, I’ll be on the road!
Yours Always,
Miss Bettie
2008 Ms. SELF

October 20th, 2008
              

Since my whirlwind weekend in June, I have been slowly but surely creating a schedule for my title year.  I have noticed that many of us are in quite a bind in the recent economic slump.  I have realized that this year will be more of a personal journey than I originally thought.  This column is a little later than it was supposed to be because I was trying to wait until after my first official appearance as Ms. SELF to write it.  However, that appearance was cancelled due to economic hardships on all the parties involved.  It will be rescheduled, and it will be better than originally planned.
             
I hope that, in my year, I can help to create a more cohesive southeast region.  We are more of a family than we realize.  I hope to be able to spread the wonderful atmosphere we have here in NC to the other states and groups of the southeast as well as learn as much as I can from them and bring it back here to NC.  My goal is to be able to connect the groups of the southeast and make us the community we can be.  If we work together, this economic slump will not be as big a burden to us.  If we band together, our community will grow stronger and we will grow stronger with it.  We can learn from each other, use each other as resources, as backup, as mentors and friends.

I’ve heard a cry for mentors, teachers, people to pass on the traditions to the next generation.  There are more and more TNG groups popping up in the southeast but many of them crave an older influence, a way to learn the path.  As education is a passion of mine, I understand the drive to want to learn all you can.  What is needed are people willing to share their experiences, their traditions, their history with those who seek it.  If you have a history, a solid foundation in this lifestyle, consider sharing your views, your traditions, your path with those in your area and beyond.

My challenge to myself is to work harder at meeting my goal of seeing every state in the southeast.  I still have to get to Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina.  If you’re reading this and you’d like me to come to your group, even just to socialize or volunteer at an event.  I have a list of presentations as well so please feel free to email me at msself2008@yahoo.com .  I’ll talk to you again soon!

Miss Bettie

 June 25, 2008

           With a weekend full of surprises and joy, I now turn my attention to the Southeast.  I never knew there were quite that many states in the Southeast.  Did you know there were 9 states?  I didn't.  And some of them I've never even seen!  But that will all get remedied in the next year.  I have some big hopes for this year and I'd love to share them with you!  One, I hope to be a part of at least one event in every single state of the southeast before SELF next year.  Second, I hope to be able to teach about one of my passions, role play, to as many people as I can in the coming year.  Third, I hope to have a 2 to 1 ratio of volunteering to teaching.  Service is part and parcel to the title and I hope to be of service to as many as I can.  I will also say this.  I will be the best Ms. SELF I can be.  Please let me know if there's something you'd like to have me do for you and your group.  My email is msself2008@yahoo.com .  I am here to serve you, the Southeast.

            But really, there are quite a few thanks I feel must be given.  Earning the 2008 Ms. SELF title was definitely not a one woman show and I would be remiss in my duties if I did not make that perfectly clear. 

    Thank you to my boo, my best friend for the countless hours of shopping and agonizing over outfits and basket contents for this contest.  It would not have happened without you.

    Thank you to my mother for her unending support and belief in my abilities.  Yes she's kinky and she thinks this is the greatest thing since sliced bread!!

    Thank you to WINK, TMG, NCLC, Hickory Playground, Half Ogre, Elcca, Master Rick and Gypsie, Thomas, Edninja, and Master Jazz and Stewart for donating to my baskets and my travel money for that weekend.  Where would I be without you?  At home, listening to stories of this year's SELF.

    Thank you to Elcca, producer of the NC Leather Contest and constant friend for the caravan ride, the sanity checks, and the smiles you were ready with all weekend.  You are amazing.

    Thank you to Solitaire for being an amazing titleholder to follow, an amazing woman to look up to, and an amazing guide.  I will never forget your words to me that Sunday.  High and Proud.

    Thank you to Girl Kim and Joel for being the best handlers ever!  Never a question unanswered, never a minute off schedule.  I don't know that I would have made it through that craziness without you two!

    Thank you to girl commando for her companionship all weekend and into this year.  We are in this together and I hope to create even more amazing memories with you!

    Thank you to Rickford for lacing me up and calming me down.  You are always there for me.

    Thank you to Sir Kris, Kendell, Jake and Abby for your undying support of me.  You were there to see the hard stuff, now I hope you'll be there to see the good stuff too!  I love you all very much!

    Thank you to Miss Victoria, Mistress Kali, Hardy Haberman, Lenny Earl, and Gloria Brame for being fair, honest, and thorough with your judging.  I appreciate how seriously you took this post and I hope to live up to all your expectations.

    Thank you to Lady Catherine, Kyle, and the whole SELF family for putting your confidence in me to represent SELF for the next year.

    And last but certainly not least, I'd like to thank my Sir.  He came down for 24 hours, put up with sickness and fatigue from driving all that way, put up with my neurotic behavior, and still was the best Sir anyone could have ever asked for.  I will be eternally in your debt for your strength, your love, and your ability to keep me grounded.