Kim - IROP 2004

Kerr jinxed everything.  He had talked too much about my room being next to theirs, and this year it wasn't.  Thanks whole heaps, Kerr.  Fortunately, Laura arranged the travel.  Or she said she did.  From the good flight in, to the near-escape from a downpour on the flight home, and quick luggage at both destinations.  I can't imagine the phone calls she made to arrange all that!

This year was the first year I arrived on Thursday.  Any travel-tired feelings were gone for the event, and I got to sleep in on Friday versus dash to catch a plane.  What a great idea.  I need to do this every year.

A small group of us had dinner Thursday at Olive Garden.  Our waitress hated us, but we didn't care.  Arrick couldn't follow the conversation, so he made up his own.  Monkeys fell from the ceiling.  Caitlyn produced the prototype for the Quotable Quotes Transcription Tools.  Katherine relaxed without a major panic.  Actually, the major panic for Katherine this year, almost from the get-go, was that everything was going too well.  She even managed to correct a  mix-up with my hotel room before I arrived!  We hung out in Arrick and Maya's room for a bit with them and Caitlyn and watched CSI.  Some music prompted our departure.

Friday morning was breakfast in the hotel room, glancing over the morning paper, and a nice hot shower.  We listened to the winds pick up, and I was grateful we'd flown in on Thursday.  I never care for landing in Cleveland with the crosswinds, and found out later the winds hit 59 mph on Friday when most people were arriving.  By the time we had meet and greet I'd already caught up with a lot of old friends.  I enjoyed BDSM Bingo as I do every year, although I noticed most of you asked me to sign the "has worn a corset" box. Well, fooled you. This year I didn't wear a corset!

Amanda and I had barely sat down together when I asked her if she brought her floggers.  She said, politely, she had indeed.  She knows I like her collection.  I asked her if she was interested in a beating, and got sucked along behind her as she sped out the door.  Playing with Amanda is always a good time, and she had some of my favorite pieces from her collection.  I got to try the bear claw on her, and found it was much more effective when I didn't have it on the wrong hand.  I had also wanted to try her chain flogger on her, and had the chance.  I've never worked with chain before, and wanted to give it a go.  Versatile little thing, with the ability to offer thuddier with the right throw...or raise really nasty red welt kisses when you pop it off the skin!  When I left her, she was going to take a nap.

Truth or Dare this year was spent torturing Tuatha again.  My dare?  "Fake an orgasm."  Difficult to do with a birthday party for 13 year old's down the hall but I gave it my best shot.  Threw my back out too.  Good thing the chiropractors were next door for the rest of the weekend.

I got good loot this year.  Arrick gave me a new mahogany paddle.  Katherine got me more chocolate than I could eat, and also candles and a great votive holder.  Kerr got me Godiva chocolate and a red Porsche, which is now sitting on my desk at work.  I get a lot of compliments about the car, Kerr!  Amadeus brought me chocolate dip and something that shall remain nameless.  The Brat Pack was back this year and there were more nameless things all over the tables on Saturday morning.  Lizzy got me crayons.  Maya got me a scented candle.  Thank you to everyone!

Saturday morning came too early, but it was a packed house for Laura's presentation.  She was amazing, as always.  I understand Match Game was great fun.  Fred bought SilentBob for me at auction and then gifted his auction to me, which meant I got to shave his head Saturday night in the main room.  I had a date for the tea party, and tried a new tea that I liked for the second year in a row.  Me, who doesn't drink tea.  Thanks to Falina for being hostess to the party and for sharing part of her collection.  Thanks to everyone who served.  As always, I was at the worst behaved table, and we had a merry discussion about Japanese toilets.  No, I'm not kidding.  Later, I attended the presentation by Beau, and then the one by Richard, both of which were great and informative.

Later in the main room, I did shave SilentBob's head.  Photos were taken!  I also took the opportunity to beat Maya.  Photos were not taken.  Maya made noises that gave Kerr a run for his money on the "best noise" category this year. The dirty look Kerr shot her Sunday morning when he heard that was enough to let everyone know the competition is on.  As Kaard said, "Now is not the time to grow complacent Kerr!"  Indeed!  We'll see what sorts of noises are elicited next year!  I watched the wrapping Richard did, and liked the stripe of red across the toes!  Got to see some violet wand and fire play.  Saw Lizzy's new tattoo, but still like Her Girls the best.  I wished Alyana could have been there to see whether she or Lizzy took their boots off first.  Maya gave me my blue nail polish fetish fix since Alyana could not attend, and showed off her fingers and toes.  People are so accommodating!  I received some special attention that wore me out, and departed soon thereafter.

Sunday morning came far too early, but I managed to drag my butt into the main room around 10 or so. I totally forgot Sunday morning photos. Oops!  We had the contest winners announced, the raffle items were distributed, we packed up the main room, and lots of hugs followed.  Tuatha finally fulfilled his annual obligation Sunday morning while I was bleary-eyed over coffee.  Some people have no honor!  I took some time alone with Katherine in her room to loll on her couch and say how well I thought it went.  She went to find food.  By the time I rolled down towards the restaurant looking for people, I discovered a group having lunch and joined them.

The extra day stretched IROP for me in a comfortable way.  By the time we were at the airport, I was ready to go home.  I got to visit at least a little with everyone, which made me happy.  The group seemed cohesive this year and we stayed to the schedule which was a dream.  Thank you to everyone for helping make Iron Rose what it is, and for attending the party I don't plan...but show up for!!

Till next year,
Kim