As promised, now that summer's officially ending, the special "HOT GUESTS" feature is back! Our special guests for September are Master Jim and slave marsha, holders of the International Master/slave title for 2001. I'm delighted to welcome them to the Boards and am sure they will be fascinating guests. Both are treasure troves of information on lifestyle SM and, as a gay male/lesbian Master/slave couple, bring a unique perspective to consensual power exchanges.

In the next message, you'll find their bios, so you can learn more about them before they (officially) join us on September 1st. Meanwhile, read on to learn about these two exceptional individuals and please join me in welcoming them as our very special HOT GUESTS.

Glory

*The following bios were provided by our guests*

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Biographical Information for MASTER JIM and slave marsha

Master Jim
 
> Master Jim, International Master 2001, is a leatherman who has been involved in BDSM for over 10 years. He is a frequent speaker at national and local leather events on topics such as structuring Master/slave relationships, problem-solving in M/s and D/s relationships, contracts and protocol.

In addition to his work in the leather/SM community, Master Jim holds a Ph.D. and is the director of a research center. Master Jim's current projects in the leather/SM community include co-producing South Plains Leatherfest (February 28-March 2, 2003), which will feature an extensive selection of seminars on Master/slave relationships as well as the International Master/slave title contest.
 
Although Master Jim is well-versed in many SM tools and techniques, he is most interested in the dynamics of Master/slave relationships. For Master Jim, the psychological, emotional and mental elements of Mastery and slavery are the heart of M/s relationships. While he believes in and enjoys living in what has been described as a "high-protocol" relationship, Master Jim believes that it is not enough for a slave (or a Master) to learn external rules of behavior - living in a long-term Master/slave relationship requires
deep internal understanding of who you are and what fulfills you.

Master Jim identifies sexually as gay/queer; however, he is comfortable being served by persons of any gender or sexual orientation. Currently, he is the owner of a biological female slave, slave marsha, who has been in service to him for over 5 years.

slave marsha
 
slave marsha, International slave 2001, has been involved in BDSM for approximately 7 years, and has been honored to serve Master Jim of Dallas, Texas for over 5 years. slave marsha frequently is permitted to speak with Master Jim at national leather events on a variety of issues relating to Master/slave relationships, and she also assists him with producing and presenting longer format programs on M/s such as "The Journey" offered at Thunder in the Mountains 2002.

One of her special areas of service to Master Jim is her practice as an attorney. slave marsha also is serving as a co-producer for South Plains Leatherfest and the International Master/slave title contest.
 
slave marsha views slavery as a "calling." Those who are called to slavery do not respond to the call because they can do nothing else - they respond because for them, nothing else will do. Slaves have an intense need to live their lives in a structured and service oriented way that is neither common nor generally accepted in modern society. slave marsha believes that for those who hear the call, slavery offers a way of life in which they can best use their strength, talents and intelligence in service to another.
 
slave marsha's sexual orientation is lesbian/queer; however, her desire to serve transcends sexual orientation. Thus, it is her joy to serve Master Jim, a gay/queer biological male.

Well, folks--fascinating enough for you? :-)

Please feel free this month to ask them all your questions about power dynamics, responsible Mastery, marsha's view of "the calling to be a slave," and probe their excellent minds on any other issues you've wondered about regarding the Scene and Master/slave relationships.

Having read a number of their often provocative, always articulate messages on the Internet, I personally can't wait to read more of what they have to say here this month!

Glory

I had the pleasure of meeting both Master Jim and slave marsha at a "Boy's Camp" held at the Sanctuary in Atlanta last year, shortly after they had won the titles. I was assisting Master Doug during the event and did, in fact, "moderate" the Master's forum that was held on the last day.

I was most impressed by slave marsha, whose articulate and moving speech about submission, and her feelings about who and what she is, and her dedication to being the "voice" for the submissive, gives one opportunity to "see", at first hand, that the "labels" some may wish to give submissives such as "weak-willed", "unable to voice their feelings", "unaware of what feelings are theirs and which are merely absorbed" are simply not true, at least in her case.

One need only meet slave marsha or the late boy bob Harris, converse with them, and one, or at least this one, comes away with a feeling about the true meaning, in their opinion, of what being a "submissive" or a "slave" truly means in their lives. I would recommend the writings of either of these two people if one wishes to "understand" more clearly what their "choices" in this life mean to them.

I also welcome Master Jim and slave marsha to this Board, and await reading their views.

Knyghtflyher

Master Jim and i are delighted to be the "Hot Guests" for the month. As you may have guessed, Master/slave relationships are our passion, and we look forward to sharing with and learning from you all.

Master Jim has chosen to open our life up for discussion because He believes that by sharing our experiences, i grow in my slavery and He grows in His mastery. People are often concerned about asking "personal questions" -- in fact, there's almost no topic that is "off limits" for us, and Master Jim and i welcome the hard questions about M/s relationships.

Again, it's an honor and a pleasure to be here.

In service,
marsha
slave to Master Jim

Oh i am so glad to have been pointed here! People do not understand. People do not understand what it is like to feel like one is a slave and that is all there is. i am a scientist but a slave first. i am not weak or incapable of taking care of myself. i am not stupid or co-dependent. It is just that it has always been this way--the slave part, not the scientist part. And marsha's words were like hearing my own because this is a CALLING and it is something that compels me and it has been this way since i was a little girl. i cannot remember a time when i did not feel this way. i used to go days or weeks pretending that i was a slave even as early as 4 years old probably although, it is impossible to date for sure. i only know that it was before i went to school. i swear this is true. i just lived life in my own little world and mom would wonder why i was so quiet and why suddenly i was going about doing housework or whatever without ever letting her in on my little secret. Because i was in this private world and not just picking up the toys. i was picking up the toys for my Master or my Mistress in my head and i stayed there, and went there, as much as i possibly could. And whatever that was never went away, but has grown stronger.

And now i am and adult and i am owned, have been owned since i was 16. And i have been happy for the most part but also feel so different too. Because it is not like what i used to see in the leather communities when i was out there (i do not get out anymore). And i never met anyone who felt the way i do. It is something totally different. It does not have to do with sex for me or doing a scene or any of that stuff although, it is fun to get out and see everything sometimes. i do not even know what my sexual orientation is, because i have never felt it important to find out. i only know that i am a slave and this part of who i am is more important to me than orientation and so things like orientation do not seem to apply to me. This lifestyle is not something i do for fun. It is all i know and it is my life and it is a huge part of who i am.

i almost want to cry from joy because when marsha said it was a calling and that it was like something we are compelled to do, i know there is someone else who understands. And i am not alone.

And i am NOT alone! i am so happy, i could jump for joy (well after crying for joy, of course)!

To: Master Jim with regards to slave marsha

Welcome 'a-Board' -- and congratulations on your respective 2001 honors. Perhaps as the month wears on, you'll take a moment to discuss what goes into that sort of selection process. :-)

In any event, glad you're with us. I look forward to reading about your experiences, philosophies and solutions in what I am sure most would agree is a very unique approach to our very unique way of living.

Be safe,
Thorn

Thorn, what a great idea for another topic thread (the process of running for International Master/slave)! :-)

I think I'll start it.

hugs,

Glory