Why not start a blog? Everyone else is doing it…

Hmmm…my life is shifting in a way that I’ve feel like I’ve been waiting for, patiently, for a while now.  I am consciously and intentionally choosing polyfidelity – a new word that recently came into my life.  I’ve been thinking about it and dreaming about it for years, but having it labeled, having a word for it, feels like a fantastic next step.

And I so appreciate the spontaneous invitation for dinner and a hot tub that came tonight ~ with new to me folks, where I couldn’t automatically figure out their relationship configurations – there is no assuming here – it’s all up for grabs, in a really delicious way.

I realize it took me years to get here – and I sometimes wish my 30 year old self could have experienced all of this (I suppose I did, on some level, but it just didn’t click for me then).  And I want to be satisfied that I’m here, now, and not regret the lost youth…there’s something to be said for the wisdom and growth that has actually gotten me here – I would even argue that there was no other way to do it ~ it is happening exactly as it was meant to.

So, I’m hoping to share some sexy stories ~ to chronicle my ongoing journey into non-normative, alternative relationship space ~ it feels like a movement that is gaining momentum and I am grateful to be in a hub of that movement.  We have so much evolving to do, on many levels, and my hope is that our relationship/love/sex (too much there, almost!) arena is one that can spur on the rest.  I’m willing to give it a try….

A brief glimpse into the Bay Area “play party” scene…

A regular question for me these days is “Is this your first sex party?” It’s hard to answer, because yes, and no. It’s my first in a long while, but I dabbled a bit back in the late late 90’s and early 2000’s. Back then, I went on my own – curious and eager, but ultimately disappointed. I never felt at home, I didn’t know anyone and generally, I wasn’t very attracted to the other party-goers. I never found my “scene” within the Bay Area polyamory community – frustrated and resigned, I continued to date and look for lovers in the traditional ways.

Yet, I would occasionally meet an attractive-to-me kindred spirit – someone who would tell me their stories of threesomes and foursomes and moresomes. I knew it was out there – I knew it was possible – I just needed to be patient and wait my turn.

Well, I went to my second party in so many weeks last night and I am finally feeling a sense of (accomplishment?). They are similar to how I remember them, but something is different for me. I went with a lover, not alone, and knew some of the other friendly faces there. And even wanted to kiss some of them. There was still some awkwardness for me, but the difference is that there was a kind soul willing to listen to me and to keep asking me what I desired, what I wanted. The clarity of what I wanted wasn’t fully there, but even just being in the space felt like I got what I was seeking. And there was dancing, and kissing, and ultimately (skipping many steps), there was even me, naked and cumming, in a room filled with other naked and cumming people. Wow – it exists!

Another piece for me right now is how much these parties are giving me the opportunity to flex my “no” muscle. Probably like most women, who are conditioned to please, my ability to speak a strong “no” has been something I’ve needed to constantly work on over the course of my sexual life. I sucked at it in my teens & 20’s, got a bit better in my 30’s and now I finally feel like I have some control over it. Definitely not perfect – I still try to use body language and “energy” to convey my “no”, instead of using my words – it’s just so difficult for me to find the words that aren’t going to sound like a crushing rejection. I want to be nice, I want to be liked and I don’t want to see the other person’s face when they realize I’m saying no. I like the yes face so much better.

And I had a few different opportunities to say “no” last night.
One was about setting a boundary that felt right in that moment – an “only second base” boundary, that brought me back to 6th grade (with that archaic metaphor for how far you’ll go – I always associate it with Meatloaf’s song, “Paradise By The Dashboard Light”). I was actually asked what that phrase meant to me (above the waist only) – I guess everyone’s second base might be a bit different.
Another one was when my lover and I were deep into it with each other and all of the sudden, there were brushes against us of random hands – we looked over and the woman of a couple next to us was reaching up and caressing us, seemingly while being caught up in her own entanglement, but it was strange enough to let her know that she was infringing on our space. A few minutes later, the same woman peered her face towards ours and asked if we were interested in playing together? I looked into her beautiful face and eyes (definitely attractive) and knew that an anonymous encounter wasn’t what I wanted in that moment. So, I introduced myself and asked her name (where are the manners?) and then spoke my truth – I need to be able to warm up with someone and get to know them a bit before diving in. So, no, but thanks for asking!

How do you hit on your friends?

This is something I have a really hard time doing – mostly, because I just feel like it’s “not appropriate” – a catch-all phrase that bugs me, but also seems to sum up our collective squeamishness about declaring our attraction to those we already love.  Or maybe it’s just me.  I’m fearful of losing the friendship (that’s a big one) and fearful of being rejected and fearful of “being inappropriate” – wow, that’s a lot of fear.  And I’m a big believer that love > fear.  Which just seems to bring it back to loving more.  And telling my friends I love them.  Which I do – I just have a hard time telling them I want to kiss them.  Big difference, apparently.

Talking with my housemate about relationship stuff – how there are so many of us muddling our way along – thinking one thing and finding out it’s actually something completely different – if only we talked more, checked in more about what’s really on someone’s mind.  Invaluable human relating.

Another recent sex/play party ~ I think I prefer play party ~ was on a Tuesday night (Phat Tuesday) and I volunteered for a bar tending shift.  A good way for a single gal to meet a bunch of people efficiently – and to unselfconsciously be a voyeur of all the action around the room.  By the end of my shift, I knew exactly who I wanted to make out with – a blue eyed, curly haired Adonis with an equally masculine name – when I found out he was bi, there was an extra jolt of smittenness…we shared approximately 20 seconds of grinning at each other before we were kissing – tenderly, softly, then harder and more urgently.   I felt he was safe, because another lover had vouched for him, independently and a few week previously.  To hear him introduce himself was a very pleasant surprise and my plan to not go very far at this party was soon just that, a plan.   My reality was much different and I went with it, passionately.  Our noises blended in with all the other sounds of pleasure. And we stopped to check in – to have a safe sex talk.  Trying to be responsible, even as we edged closer to the the boundaries.  And I was even able to express some form of my emotional state and how I’m not very interested in having a one night stand…how I want more connection and acknowledgement of our encounter.  It felt really good to let him know my thoughts on that and he said “I like you, I think you’re rad.  And I would love to see you again.”  Even after all that, I was a little bit dumbfounded that I was actually fucking this man, this almost stranger, in a roomful of people.  And I was getting off on it.

And I did see him again – later that week, we happened to be in the same place at the same time – literally, his father’s house is across the street from my sister’s house (synchronicity anyone?).  We took time to chat for a bit before we had to start fooling around.  This time, it was different – we were alone, for one.  And secondly, he was no longer an almost stranger.  His eyes were still blue and his hair was still curly, and I felt like I reverted back to a younger version of me ~ one that just goes with it and has thoughts and dialogue running through her head, but has challenges with really voicing what she wants.   I felt like I was failing Poly 101.  What happened to communication and honesty and being true to yourself and speaking up and making it super hot?  I lost some self-confidence.  {Why would this Adonis want to be with me?  Don’t rock the boat…maybe he won’t notice my paunch and my tangled hair.  Be hot – make sexy noises.  Breathe.} – part of the thoughts running through my head…

The sex is overflowing…

Damn – three different people (men) in three consecutive days (and an offer for a fourth, that I had to turn down, due to sore nether regions!).  I consider myself a slut and this is still feeling slightly overwhelming.  I’m starting to buy into the idea that a pheromone is released that then attracts others, and so on, and so on…or else I’m truly feeling liberated and able to reflect and respond to something that was there all along?

The first was a man that I’m slowly getting to know – to see if more chemistry develops and I want to get more intimate with him.  We had a fabulous date, driving down the coast in his convertible, white linen tablecloth lunch, walking the beach, back through the redwoods – a classic Northern California Sunday.  Lots of talk of relationships and specifically ours – he’s attracted to me, period.  We had a hot make out session in a redwood fairy ring and I was content to leave it at that, for now.  Well, I guess the fact that I needed to use the bathroom at his place before hopping in my own car derailed that plan.  We ended up naked, both cumming, and leaving a large wet spot on his couch.  It definitely threw off the pacing I had been carefully cultivating, but trying not to regret it or be mad at myself for succumbing before my planned time.  Sometimes I’m an over planner and this unexpected “happy ending” might end up being a blessing (sure felt like one at the time).

The second was an OK Cupid date that unexpectedly popped up, after a few months of back and forth on email.  All of the sudden, there he was, the cute photo was a reality in my kitchen and we almost immediately started talking about sex and relationships and poly and play parties.  So easy to dive into those juicy conversations – and so much more interesting than the typical “get to know you” drivel.  I really wasn’t expecting anything sexual to happen, but it all flowed so nicely and organically and at some point, it seemed a shame to stop such yummy kissing and touching.  We were both marveling at the wonder of it and really appreciating that it was happening.  And I got the sense that he was somewhat touch starved – maybe he’d had sex recently, but he honestly seemed in need of some healing massage and sensual touch – not just sex.  I was grateful he allowed me to be that person to him and it filled me up too.  He spent the night and we got to cuddle and coo – we both say we want to continue something together and I hope we both follow through with that intent.  {real time update – I just texted him to ask him to dinner tomorrow night and he responded with yes, and “do you have a strap on?” and “how wet did that question just make you?”  Ha!  Who is this guy and how lucky am I to be in his world right now?  The answers are yes and very.}

The third man was also an unexpected date that happened late last night, after he put his son to bed.  Here was a man that I was taken with after fooling around with him at a play party (see below for more details on that particular party).  And, I also knew that he had a long-term partner (a primary), a new girlfriend and very little availability.  So, when he called to ask if I could spontaneously come over – even though I was exhausted from the previous night’s adventure, I felt like I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to connect with him again.  And I’m glad I did.  He again confirmed that he can’t be a regular thing, but I was happy to be there in that moment and feeling ravaged and loved by this man.  We performed some pretty intimate acts with each other and I had to drive home afterwards, but the whole thing felt advanced somehow.  Like, it’s okay to have these types of almost purely physical relationships, as long as the boundaries are clear and there is strong communication.

All three of these men are different in many ways – both themselves and the way they’re relating to me.  Overall, I feel good about them all, except, of course, I ask myself, why all men?  Where are the women?

I was lucky to be invited to an intimate play party (~25 people) that was also a birthday celebration for a lover/boyfriend? of mine – a man who is happily married for 20 years (open for the last 6) and has a girlfriend of 4 years and other various lovers.  I only see him about once a week (he’s a busy guy!), but have been really enjoying all of our dates and how as I get to know him more, I find myself falling in love with him.  And dear reader, please don’t be alarmed at that last statement.  I think there’s a popular notion that if I’m falling in love with an unavailable man, I’m bound to be hurt in the end.  I don’t believe that opening myself to the possibility of loving him is a bad idea – I may still be hurt in the end, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take in order to have more love in my life.

Anyway – back to the party – we started with a naughty white elephant gift exchange.  I contributed an njoy stainless steel butt plug and walked away with a g spot vibrator – and the in between was hilarious – with whips and lap dances and ginormous dildos flying around the room.  Then the sexy time started – there were some drugs that came out (mostly X (molly!)) – I wasn’t imbibing, because I wanted to be on my game for a big work event the following day – but I do pretty well with riding contact highs and that night was no exception.  For a little bit, I hung out in the kitchen, unsure of what to do – remember, I didn’t know very many people at the party, yet, and I was feeling slightly self-conscious about it.  Luckily, one of the women I did know, sought me out and suggested we go see what was happening upstairs.  We walked into a bedroom and there were 4 gorgeous people cuddling and caressing on the bed.  We hung out in a chair nearby and talked with them and told them how gorgeous they looked.   We were invited onto the bed and it was super fun to drag out the anticipation, by saying we were fine where we were. So, one of them came to us and we made out and eventually were pulled into the bed vortex.  The birthday boy showed up at one point, with his wife, and it was really fun to kiss her for the first time (she’s a fantastic kisser), with him right there – knowing this was a fantasy for him and that he was enjoying the hell out of it.  It felt like a win-win-win!  Other various things went on throughout the night and I had a great time connecting with man #3 (see above).  I also enjoyed being in the room when the birthday boy came really hard and loud in his wife – everyone in the room seemed to stop what they were doing and there was spontaneous applause at the end of it!   Such a joyful response to someone else’s pleasure.  I actually felt proud to be a part of that community in that moment.  Eventually, things started to wind down, but most everyone had planned to spend the night, so there were a few hours of sleep, before being woken up to sounds of pleasure reverberating throughout the house again.  And then we all ate bacon.  And I floated out of there on a dream cloud, giggling to myself that this is my life right now.  Lucky me.

The downside to free love…

Had a rough week here at love central.

That guy from OKC that I was so excited about in my last post (the one who asked if I had a strap-on) – yeah, he was a huge disappointment.  After many texts about his fantasies and a plan to meet up, he stood me up.  And when I reached out the next day, he apologized, but that was it.  No, “I want to make it up to you” or “this is what happened and why and how I’ll learn from it and thank you for being so cool”  Just silence.  I felt really clear that I wouldn’t/shouldn’t/couldn’t tolerate that type of behavior, so I wrote him off, with sadness.  So, even though I told him I wasn’t interested in a one-night stand, that’s what he became (I guess it’s slightly different, because we had some contact after the one night, but still).  Ugh.

An old friend and occasional lover, M, that I’d been enjoying spending time with (very sporadically) recently, because he’s living back in my area, just told me that he doesn’t want to continue our sexual relationship.  Some shit about how he needs to go after what he wants (which isn’t me) and how if he keeps fucking me he’ll be distracted from his real goal.  I suppose that can be a valid reason to some people, but for some reason, I call BS on it.  I have a hard time relating to that train of thought – why not enjoy what you have AND go after what you want at the same time – why are they mutually exclusive?  Especially when our dalliances are not a regular thing, taking up much time or energy. So, it leads me to conclude that he’s just not interested in me sexually anymore, which makes me feel REJECTED.  Double Ugh.  The worst part is that he told me this as we were getting ready to bed down, and I’d had a few drinks, so I couldn’t flee (drive home) like I wanted to.  So, we got into bed together and then our bodies gravitated towards each other and we ended up fooling around – one last time – it felt like a mercy fuck and I couldn’t get a funeral dirge out of my head.  The next morning I was just profoundly sad.  The end of that.

And it makes me question how I’m setting up my relationships – non-committal, open, free.  I know that any type of relationship can end, unexpectedly, at anytime, but am I setting myself up for more disappointment and rejection than if I was doing things the “normal” way?  Maybe it would happen less often?  The search for love and hot sex continues…

THAT was a lovely three way date…

Oh my, I’m on a bit of a cloud right now.  Went on my first intentional three way date tonight (really, my first?  No wonder I’m in heaven!) and it went rather swimmingly.  I so appreciated the intentionality of it, yet also a sense of looseness – a sense of “whatever happens, happens.”  I know I keep saying this, but a sense of low expectations (and yet, definitely expecting to at least get some nice kissing in).   There was a sweet date with just me and her – cocktails and tacos.  And then he walked in, freshly salty from ultimate – sauntering with a certain cockiness that said, “I’m the only one with a cock here…” (and what a beautiful cock it is!)

The three of us strolled under an almost full moon, just down the block, to my first time at the awesome neighborhood hot tub place – outdoors, private, hot.  Lots of really honest conversation about relationships and poly and sex…I’m happy to be vulnerable with them and feel safe and held.  I introduce them to the trifecta (nothing to do with sex – get your mind out of the gutter!) and think it’s hilarious that we only end up using 50 min. of our hour because everyone is so on board with the idea to head to my four-poster bed.  The fact that we drove 3 cars to my house is a sad commentary on living in the Bay Area ~ a place where you would hope that communal transportation would be far more prevalent than it is.  But I digress…

My awesome housemate, whose wall adjoins mine, smiles knowingly when I introduce her to my two friends, and gives me the thumbs up, as I apologize ahead of time for any noises that might make her uncomfortable.   Feeling reassured to have some fun with no self-consciousness, we tumble into each other and it’s a serious cornucopia of pleasure.  The communication and “Fuck, aren’t we lucky?”s continue to create a container of possibility that is really delicious.  And then she  comes up with a plan and he comes up with another plan and I am simply happy to go along with their plans…feeling really lucky to be loved by them both.

One of my favorite positions with him is missionary (love that I’m rediscovering the beauty of that old stand-by) and she was excited to position herself behind and underneath me, so she could rub up and down my front with her hands (and most importantly, play with my nipples), as my bum was being ground into her mound.  The combination was pretty amazing and we all commented that we’d like to try being in each role, in that particular scenario….mmmmm….

Unfortunately, it was an early night for her, but he said he could hang for a bit and have some pillow talk with me.  And we lazed and reveled and one of us snored.  And then he was hard agin – just like that!  The beautiful cock came to life and I really enjoyed giving him a kick-ass blow job.  I try to be humble, but I do pride myself on my blow jobs – this weekend, a good friend told me I was “the best” – somewhat of a subjective opinion, I understand, but it still felt great to hear, and I do feel like it’s at least partially true.  I believe the key to a good blow job is that you honestly love giving them ~ there is an inexplicable essence to the sucking that conveys joy and gratitude, imho.

Now I’m alone and totally okay with that.  Happy to have the chance to write down the memories while they’re fresh.  I would love to still have a record of these words when I’m 75 – to re-read them and relive them.  J & J.  Of course.

Awake at 5:42 AM

It appears that I have insomnia tonight.  Awoke at 4 am and instantly knew it was a different kind of awake – didn’t feel sleepy, even after I got up and went to the bathroom.  Wondering if my menopause is starting?  My most recent period was super light…so curious what it will be like to not bleed anymore…guess I’m going to find out soon enough.

Attended and worked at a weekend retreat/play party last weekend.  It was pretty surreal, because it took place at a retreat center I’ve been to with another (non-sexy) community.  So instead of lots of people and kids running around, there were far less adults only with lots of nudity and fucking going on.  I was excited to work it – to use my event planning skills in a new arena – unfortunately, the main organizer wasn’t very organized, so it was stressful at times – but at least I figured out that I don’t want to work with them in the future.  And I got to go to it (and work it with) my lover/boyfriend of a year.  That was really fun – we spent three nights together and I felt taken care of and looked after by him.  And I FINALLY had my DP (double penetration) fantasy fulfilled!  Yay!  It felt as great as I thought it would.  And now I want more of that!

Sexy parties and couple dates…

I’d say it was a pretty satisfying weekend all around…aka I am really grateful for my life ~

Celebrated my 46th birthday (3 weeks early!) with an intimate play party at a friend’s house – the guest list was small, intentionally, and really small was what we ended up with – mostly sweet lovers and metamours, with a couple of randoms (which was sorta strange, but okay too).  Even before the party started, I felt well taken care of.  The hostess (A) and one of my sweet metamour/lovers (J) had planned to take care of important details regarding the set up and food/beverages for the party – it was a welcome surprise to not worry about those basics and instead add some fluff on top.  I requested a round of Cards Against Humanity and had some fun creating a few black and white cards with a sexier theme from the blank ones included with the deck.  There were laughs, but also a bit of “okay, let’s get on with the sexy time!”  There was a group check-in, including safe sex info., and almost half of the attendees stated something to the effect of, “I’m not feeling super sexy tonight.”   Which is of course fine and also turned out to be somewhat of a load of crock.  It’s pretty hard not to feel sexy when a few sexy people around you start to feel and show their pleasure.  I’ve found it to be fairly contagious!    The hostess’ housemate set up a massage table and I was asked ahead of time if I’d be interested in receiving a massage at the party – and potentially an erotic massage (he is trained in sexological bodywork – a field I briefly considered for a time, so it’s always been intriguing to me).   Obviously, I said yes.  So, I’m up on the table and he’s kneading me with delightfully long strokes and others start to join in.  Eventually, there were 5 people touching me at once (10 hands!) – one at each limb and my head and all over.  I don’t remember ever having that many hands on me at once and it was heavenly.  Absolutely divine.  And could have gone on longer.  But all of the sudden, they were all gone and the original masseuse asked if I’d like my ‘yoni’ massaged.  And I didn’t right then, so I said no.  I guess I’ll have to wait to see what the sexological bodywork is all about for another time. The rest of the party cruised along and I got a tender cervix at some point (long penis!) and made out with almost everyone there (except the randoms) and watched some lovely fisting.  I was lavished with attention and love from multiple sources and it felt marvelous.

And tonight was my second date with a sweet couple, C & A, a woman and man who have been dating for 6 months and express love to each other…we didn’t really plan much except to meet up at C’s house.  Which ended up being around the corner from Essex, so we took A for his first time to the Berkeley hot tub institution.  Sort of difficult to be silent, but also nice to just “be” in each other’s presence without talking.  At one point, all three of us were lounging on a deck and a black cat came and sat right on my belly, then C’s belly.  The cat communed with us.  Back at C’s house, I successfully expressed my want to share massage and touch and not go too fast, too quickly.  So, we traded lovely touch with each other and I was swept up into the soft feminine – mainly interacting with C, with A lovingly attentive as well.  And there was a natural stopping point that left us all wanting more and promises of another date.   I was still feeling a bit sore from my previous evening’s activities, so the mellower, massagier date really worked for me.  I am questioning if I need to have more in common with them, besides the desire to rub each other, at this point?  I think it would be great if we were able to hang and do cool stuff together and not sure if that’s going to happen or not – might simply be a bedroom focused relationship…