I also had a great time catching up with Vamp – I know not everyone who reads my blog has been around long enough to remember, but Vamp was the second person ever to be hired to write reviews, probably around 1999 if memory serves. She took an extended break for school, but happily she’s back now for awhile at least. I would say that of anyone I’ve ever had here at the site, she’s the most unbiased, open-minded reviewer. There is no kink that is off limits, or that she can’t write about in a perfectly lovely and enthusiastic way.

One of the ideas we were batting around at dinner was trying to either do some podcasts, or even little videos to release on YouTube about various fetishes and kinks. Sort of a “kink 101″ intro to the hows and whys of various things. I know many of our readers know plenty and don’t need this, but for every sexually savvy, kink-pos reader there are probably 10 others who’ve never heard of some of the activities we list, so it’s with that audience in mind that we’re considering it.

Elliott had never met Vamp before, so once we had our dinner we met up with both him and Vamp’s partner to have a glass of wine and chat more. He was a wonderful guy, and has an interest in sailing so we might be introducing him to that sport next sailing season.

Feeling very positive and happy today…

Anyhow, I am trying to get some things caught up again. Elliott and I leave for a couple of weeks quite soon – our first vacation since I opened my little retail side-project that turned into a time and money hog. Heh – our first vacation in a couple of years, but all of a sudden we have THREE vacations booked within the next 6 months. First two weeks on the water, then Vegas in October (for a concert. Parrotheads.) then Hawaii in February – we’ll be there for our 7 year anniversary.

One thing that Elliott and I agree on after the past two years: we are going to downsize. When I say that, I am referring to downsizing our commitments. No more opening new businesses on a whim, volunteering for major time-suckage projects, etc. We will be careful in what we commit to doing. The past two years have flown by, and while they have been pleasant, I don’t feel as if I have enough to show for them.

Next week I have a dinner scheduled with an old friend. Super-long-time journal readers might remember me referring to her as “Georgette” back in the day. I’m looking forward to it, I was a bit hesitant to write her, but she was gracious and wonderful when she wrote me back. Not really a surprise, as she’s always had those personality traits. Still, it’s weird to reconnect with someone after such a long period of silence. :)

~Janie

I’ve been waking up early, so I was up at 7:30 yesterday reading the paper on the little window seat, waiting for sleepyhead to wake up. He made the mistake of having a couple of glasses of red wine. I tried to remind him that red wine makes him sad the next day, almost without exception, but you know how that can be. It fell on deaf ears. Breakfast at a little place down the street, then back for sex and naps. I do love a late check-out.

I asked Elliott what percentage of guests at the particular place we were staying probably had sex while there. He said he would guess only 5%. I was thinking more like 90%. I mean it IS a hotel marketed as a couples retreat sort of place. Am I wrong? Do people not have sex at places like that? Maybe it’s only those of us who live in households full of kids and pets that need the escape. heh.

The rest of yesterday turned out to be utterly stressful and full. Not anything to do with here, rather it’s the other two businesses. I keep telling Elliott we need to downsize. Like everything. But that’ll take a few years strategic planning. I will say that in about 4 years, I intend to be updating JG and posting my travelogueblog from a sailboat instead of a home office. :)

~janie

It’s hard to believe it’s been so long. The most awesome thing about Elliott though, is that neither of us have to be a certain role to each other. We get to change, grow, do new things, and it’s not threatening. Elliott is doing a ton of new stuff this year, in terms of personal growth and changing what he might want out of life. So am I. The way you know you’re with the right person? They support it, even if it’s NOT something you do together. Heh, funny how that can be sort of akin to polyamory, in that you are developing interests that are separate from each other. But I will always say that the #1 thing I hated about polyamory was schedule maintenance.

6 years, and I look at where we were when we met, and where we are now, and I’m staggered at what we’ve accomplished. I know I haven’t shared any of those accomplishments and changes, I haven’t been around here much in a long time. I needed time to heal from things. Because my personal life was so wrapped up into JG, it was hard to continue at the time. And for a long time, I had nothing to share with anyone, because I needed to keep it all for myself. If that makes sense.

Anyhow, I am looking forward to my 5:30 date tomorrow night with my dearest, darling love. Almost as much as I’m looking forward to the next 6 (or 60, if we get to live really long) years.

~janie

After happy alone time, we went into town to meet a couple of friends for dinner. It was my girlfriend Zale’s birthday so we wanted to take her out. Dinner was on the veranda of one of our favorite Italian places, on a warm summer night, with one-too-many bottles of Valpolicella Ripasso. Perfect way to spend an evening.

Of course today I am paying for the excess, with a very mild headache and way too much to do. Doggie seemed way better yesterday, but again today took a downturn. We’re taking him to the vet again this afternoon, since it’s a holiday weekend and we’ll be away on a boat. His fever is up again. We also have to load the boat, because the loading zone where we’re docked is being closed tomorrow for the 4th. So, we’ll get ready today, then take off in the morning for beautiful Roche Harbor.

We were supposed to go to a party tomorrow in honor of a dear friend who died a couple of weeks ago. However, my friend Rita is coming with us and her ex-husband (and his new wife) pitched an absolute fit that she was going to be there. As I told a friend, it’s the first time in my adult life that I’d been so angry with someone that I wasn’t in the midst of divorcing. First, I don’t think there are any good times to be territorial about joint friends or places. The person with the problem needs to either get over it, or stay away. I chose to stay away from my ex for quite a long time because it was upsetting to me to be around him. I did not try to convince mutual friends to do the same, that’s just lame. BUT, of all the times NOT to be a jerk about “territory”, at the top of the list are weddings, wakes and graduations. I am appalled at people sometimes.

At any rate, what we decided was to have our own small memorial, sharing memories of our friend quietly. I don’t think participating in drama is a good way to honor someone. She was one of the most amazing, big-hearted, courageous people I knew.

Looking forward to the weekend, with doggie, Elliott, a pile of teenagers, Rita, and many other friends on the water… Naomi, we’ll be thinking of you.

~Jane

~Jane