Last weekend I had the distinct pleasure of presenting a weekend intensive at the University of Chicago. The buildup to the weekend was kind of crazy – some of my notes from the workshops were missing, so I felt a little frantic trying to piece everything back together. As usual, Synn was a lifesaver, running me around and helping keep track of me and my mess! I was sooo exhausted by Thursday night, she finally sent me to bed and stayed up late finishing laundry and getting me packed. By the time I got on the plane Friday morning I was feeling much better, and things were pretty much in order.
Everyone was freaking me out with all the talk about snow – when I left Dallas it was in the low 70s, and people kept telling me I was going to DIE from the cold! Admittedly, I’m a big ol wuss when it comes to cold weather, but when I got off the plane it wasn’t really that bad. I felt victorious until the next morning when it started snowing and got REALLY cold – if it hadn’t been for the delightful Wren (a thoughtful host with a decidedly charming Shakespearean bent), who showed up on day 2 with earmuffs and gloves, my fingers and ears might literally have frozen off!
So when I arrived Friday, I was picked up at the airport by the event coordinator and Vice President of RACK, Drea, who I had the pleasure of meeting last May at IML. She and I hit it off then so it was awesome to see her again. It’s always wonderful to have such good conversation with another kinky academic. She worked really hard to pull the weekend together, and over the course of the weekend was in the process of working on school requirements (she’s a doc student as well), presenting a grant proposal, and taking care of all the business of the weekend intensive. I was, and continue to be, in awe of her multitasking and juggling skills. University of Chicago and RACK should be very proud to count her among their ranks.
The workshops were well attended, particularly the DSM workshop, and although there were different people at each of the five classes, there was a core group of about 15 or so that were present at all the workshops throughout the weekend. It was a really fun to get to know them, both through their participation in the workshops and during break times and lunches.
Saturday night I went with Wren, Drea, and the lovely and vivacious Belladona (who brought me Molly’s Cupcakes for breakfast!) to LRA, one of the local dungeons. The hidden location and community feel of the place made it feel welcoming and comfortable, almost like our home dungeon in Dallas. Best of all, I spotted a flying pig pin on the vest of one of the first gentlemen I met that evening, meaning we have a mutual friend! I mentioned to him that I knew the significance of the pin, and we immediately hit it off.
Sunday morning dawned early, and Wren picked me up, bearing my first Dr. Pepper of the whole weekend (talk about a lifesaver!). The workshops were well received, and the Feminist Connection class sparked some fantastic conversation. Saying goodbye after the whole weekend was a little sad, but I was exhausted and ready for bed. On the way to the airport, though, Wren drove me to a couple of little shoe shops recommended by the stunning Natalya, a Pro Domme who attended the whole weekend. I ended up getting some killer velvet thigh-high heels at Skyscraper Heels before racing to the airport. It would have been irresponsible of me to go to Chicago and not do ANY shopping!
The flight home was uneventful, other than the fact that I sat amongst the finalists for the Rodeo World Cup – a bunch of cowboys speaking mostly Spanish, decked out in denim and leather… what better company to make my way back to Texas! All in all it was a fantastic weekend and I am so honored to have been a part of it. All my love to RACK and all the people who came out that weekend.
