4th Annual boy patrick chees Memorial Teeter-Totter-a-Thon

For Immediate Distribution
7/20/2008

(Dallas, Texas) - The organizers of the 4th Annual boy patrick chees Memorial Teeter-Totter-a-Thon are pleased to announce this year’s marathon teeter-totter ride will be held at the Sterling Hotel located on Highway 183 at Regal Row in Dallas, Texas. The teeter-tottering will begin at 6pm on Friday, September 26 and continue non-stop for 24 hours before concluding at 6pm on Saturday, September 27. This event is once again being held in conjunction with NLA-Dallas’ Pantheon Award winning educational event, Beyond Vanilla.

The organizers of the event encourage community members to put together a team and come out and ride. The team that raises the most money in a two hour time will win a ipod Touch package valued at $350. Contact the organizers for more information and to sign up your team.

All funds collected will benefit Bryan's House (www.bryanshouse.org), Dallas' only special care facility for children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS. Collection points for monetary donations will be available on-site during the event at the Sterling Hotel or by an electronic method through the event website.

The Teeter-Totter-a-Thon is open to the public and will be videocasted to allow viewing and participation from supporters across the World Wide Web.

For additional information on participating as a rider, donor, sponsor, volunteer or to discuss other ways you can support the event please go to www.TeeterTotteraThon.com or contact the organizers at teetertotterathon@sbcglobal.net.

Contacts:
Kiki Baughman, Founder/Co-Producer
Dawn Knowlton, Founder/Co-Producer
972-742-8082
teetertotterathon@sbcglobal.net

Date:	2008-07-22 23:49
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	excited

4th Annual boy patrick chees Memorial Teeter-Totter-a-Thon

For Immediate Distribution
7/20/2008

(Dallas, Texas) - The organizers of the 4th Annual boy patrick chees Memorial Teeter-Totter-a-Thon are pleased to announce this year’s marathon teeter-totter ride will be held at the Sterling Hotel located on Highway 183 at Regal Row in Dallas, Texas. The teeter-tottering will begin at 6pm on Friday, September 27 and continue non-stop for 24 hours before concluding at 6pm on Saturday, September 28. This event is once again being held in conjunction with NLA-Dallas’ Pantheon Award winning educational event, Beyond Vanilla.

The organizers of the event encourage community members to put together a team and come out and ride. The team that raises the most money in a two hour time will win a ipod Touch package valued at $350. Contact the organizers for more information and to sign up your team.

All funds collected will benefit Bryan's House (www.bryanshouse.org), Dallas' only special care facility for children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS. Collection points for monetary donations will be available on-site during the event at the Sterling Hotel or by an electronic method through the event website.

The Teeter-Totter-a-Thon is open to the public and will be videocasted to allow viewing and participation from supporters across the World Wide Web.

For additional information on participating as a rider, donor, sponsor, volunteer or to discuss other ways you can support the event please go to www.TeeterTotteraThon.com or contact the organizers at teetertotterathon@sbcglobal.net.

Contacts:
Kiki Baughman, Founder/Co-Producer
Dawn Knowlton, Founder/Co-Producer
972-742-8082
teetertotterathon@sbcglobal.net

Date:	2008-07-18 00:01
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	relieved

It has been a very very long time since I have posted. One, because I felt like a failure and Two it was just too depressing to put into words. Today I got some good news.

Part One
In Feb 07 I got my lap band. It was a tough road and I cheated some and had some bad times but over all I LOVED it. I wasn't worried about losing tons of weight fast I just wanted to be lighter and healthier. In a year I lost 90lbs and was very happy. Mid Feb 08 I took a trip to LA for the fun of it, wanted to see the Ocean and Hollywood Blvd. etc... On the plane ride there I started getting terrible heartburn (I don't normally get heartburn) As the weekend went on it got worse and worse then I started throwing up bad. Frighten that I might slip the band I went to the ER. They didn't want to open the band no one there knew how to do it or much about lap bands and the doctor didn't want to touch it. It turned out I had pneumonia, they pumped me full of meds and put me back on a flight to Dallas. I saw my GP when I got home and he confirmed the pneumonia and I had stopped throwing up and seemed to be feeling better. First mistake I didn't get the band opened up even tho I was feeling better and food was going down just fine. A week later I had a relapse and got violently ill and throwing up bad. Back to the ER in Dallas this time. I have never never ever been in that much pain. The morphine didn't even help!. They admitted me to the hospital and call my lap band doctor he came to the hospital and opened the band up and ordered some tests. The test showed that I had slipped the band but not in the usual way. I slipped the stomach up thru the band, so it was like a basketball sitting on a golf tee. Next came the only decision that could be done. Emergency surgery to remove the band or I could possibly tear my stomach. Knowing my insurance has a one per lifetime clause for any gastric surgery I asked if there was any other options and there weren't. He removed the band but left the port and the wire in.
After 5 days in the hospital and a lot of pain, now I was feeling this huge sense of loss and failure. Let face it our bands become a part of our life 24/7 we nurture it, take care of it, depend on it and when it is gone it is crushing. As I started feeling better and better I started eating more (I was hungrier more) I started have horrible intestinal problems, basically my intestines weren't used to such solid food and more of it going though it. And i kept getting this sharp pain that moved a round alittle, they determined that was the wire poking me in the bladder and else were because it wasn't attached to anything.

Part two - Insurance
So I have healed up now and feeling better, The insurance covered 100% of the hospital stay and surgery and they would pay for the rest of the band to be taken out. But when we applied for the band to be put back in they denied it, stating the one per lifetime clause. Our argument was this isn't a new band, it wasn't my idea to take it out, it was life or death and had to be removed. Ist claim denied, 2nd appeal denied, The my companies HR department took over and talked to the Insurance company. 48 hours after they denied the 2nd appeal HR called and the insurance company approved me to get the band back in!!! I don't have a surgery date yet but as long as nothing else health wise has come up it should be a go and I couldn't be happier. Did I mention my company has a killer insurance plan and they pay for it! the best! And a killer HR department that will go to bat for you! I'm sending her flowers tomorrow.

A lot of people have asked the question everyone wants to know. I had the lap band and know what life is like with it. Not being able to eat some of the things I loved and being restricted on some things. And then I got the chance to go back and be able to eat all those things again and be "normal". Do I really want the band back. Having been on both sides now my answer is HELL YES!!!! I want it back. I know it is only a tool and I still have to eat right and workout, but over all for me it worked and was the tool I needed.

Date:	2007-04-09 17:55
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	exhausted

i haven't posted in awhile life has been getting in the way of everything!

i'm still trying to catch up from a week ago. Not only did i work my regular job i put in 59 hours in at the Film fest. Good news with that is they have ask me to do a paid postition next year as well as a paid once a monthly gig organizing the AFI film premiers.
During that hectic week i had 3 hours of dental surgery and Bob, christina and allisons wedding which was absolutly beautiful. Then i had company in for the weekend so that was shot but i did get some fun play in. Then i had one day to get some flyers done for the Premier Club (trade for my membership) and get out to Bob and Christinas to help Bob's mom watch the kids. She pretty much had a handle on the kids i think i was more there to keep her sane.

With all that going on i have been so behind on all my other work. Which is what i have to get done tonight.

i do have an event i'm really looking forward to this Friday. It should be alot of fun but i still have alot of work to get done for it. Maybe this weekend i will actually get some peace and quiet.

Had my second fill today. i have lost almost 40lbs since this all started and almost two dress sizes. i haven't been working out enough so for this next month i'm not as worried about the weight lost as the dress sizes i need to build muscle. There was a lady in the office today that was having problems with her band but i think it was more her than the band. Everyone else in the waiting room had good things to say.

Date:	2007-03-12 17:24
Subject:	Interesting day
Security:	Public
Mood:	accomplished

My day started out pretty cool. boy barry and i did a photoshoot in Deep Ellum (the arty farty part of town and out in front of LM) with barry in full puppy mode and outfit. Puppy hood and all. We turned a few heads. i thought the bus driver was going to wreck the bus doing a double take. Yes, we were out on the street him on all fours pretending to pee in fire hydrants and walking with other real four legged pals. We even had a few real photographers (i just pretend) come out and takes pics and take pics of me shooting him (go figure). Look for the photos on www.pupout.com and The International puppy and Trainer Conference info (along with BV).

Then off for my first fill of my lap-band. This is when they fill it little bits at a time and slowly restrict how much you can eat.
OH my G*d!!!! if they would have shown me that 5" needle first they would have had to knock me out to do this not just numb me! Took forever to find the port. And then they had to go back in and take some out because i couldn't swallow the water. But it is done and i have lost 23lbs since Feb 8th so i'm happy. i have already notice can't eat as much. On to the next stage of this journey.....
working out more!

Finished the logo for Leather Radio Network. It makes me happy when people like what i design. Master Bob seemed to really like it so i'm happy.

Date:	2007-01-15 10:56
Subject:	A good read!
Security:	Public
Mood:	amused
Music:	Virgin Radio UK

One really good thing about working in a book store is all the great books you get to read. As an employee i can check-out books like a library and return them when i'm done reading them which fits in perfectly with my budget...lol. As a result i have found a whole new list of authors i love to read!

The book i'm reading now is different then my usual. i'm reading "Julie to Julia"- my year of cooking dangerously....by Julie Powell

It is a true story about Julie a temp secretary for a government agency in New York. She is bored and decides to spice up her life by cooking every recipe in Julia Childs "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" in one year and she blogs it. The book is a combination of stories of that year and her blog. It is kind of like "Bridget Jones" meets the "Joy of French Cooking" it is hysterical!!!!! In one chapter she is at work for a government agency that deals with victims and families of victims of 911 (the book was written a few years ago) and she takes a call from a women that owns a Dungeon in Manhattan in the "hot zone" she has a good business and needs to expand and her lawyer suggests she call for financial aid. She tells of a client that comes in and brings 4 pairs of wooden clogs and wants to lay naked on the floor while they clog dance naked around him which is funny in it’s self because she is a large black woman...lol...not the kind of story I thought I would read in this book. And I’m wondering do I know this person! The coolest thing was she was ok with it and thought the whole Dungeon idea was kind of cool.

If you like cooking this is a great book to read!

Date:	2006-08-09 01:51
Subject:	Titles my two cents
Security:	Public
Mood:	thoughtful

There has been a lot of discussion about “earned titles” here are my 2 cents. It may not be the most popular opinion but it is how i feel and believe.

i believe in the Leather traditions i was brought up through the community with. Master Dean taught me that anyone can put on a Masters cap and call Him or Herself a Master or a slave can dress right and call him or herself a slave. But it is a true Master and/or slave that have earned the title through the respect of T/their peers and community. In my heart i was a slave long before i earned the title but the elder that guided me realized i still had (and have) growing to do. When i did earn the title of slave it met a lot more to me because my peers recognized the slave in me by my actions, attitudes, convictions and commitment to slavery and the Leather way of life. i have known Doms and slaves that have been in the community for years. They have acted the part and said the right things and have thought “very” highly of Themselves as They were "the best and do everything right". Yet the community and Their peers saw a different side of Them one that still needed growth and time to become real. Do i think there is a know-it-all jury out there that makes the call????..no…but there is a lot to be said for respecting the elders in the community and traditions. Does there have to be a huge ceremony and parade announcing, “this person has earned T/their title???…no….but through public acknowledgment W/we show respect and help to teach and carry on our traditions. i know i keep mentioning Master Dean, He was an elder that taught me more than anyone about traditions, respect, honor, service and being real than anyone i have ever met. He was the first but not the only one, to acknowledge me title of slave and i felt proud and honored. It had nothing to do with who i was collared too, (I wasn’t collared), or how long i had been in the community or how much community service i had done. i believe being slave or a Master is in Y/your soul and heart and it takes patience, effort and an open mind to learning to cultivate it and allow it to grow. When it does the true Master or slave in a persons heart will shine through and Y/your peers and community will see Y/you for who you are and honor that. Sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are patience and humility. i may know in my heart i am a slave and I will be the best slave I can, always learning and growing and it is my slaveheart that the community sees and earns me the title of slave.

A generation which ignores history has no past and no future – Robert Anson Heilein

i am not the all knowing slave to end all slaves nor do i have all the answers but i know what i believe as true. Take it or leave it.

Date:	2006-05-10 20:07
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	determined

i have a job interview on Friday ...Woo Hoo. i really think i can nail this one. It's not a glamorous job but it is a start and pays a hell of alot more than my last job. i'm keeping a very positive attitude and going in with a let's wow them thought. And i so need the job right now. Money is getting tighter and tighter. The one thing i do know is that i am a survivor. i have lasted through some tuff shit in my life and pulled through. And i don't just have me to count for that. i have great freinds, my parents have instilled certain beliefs in me that keep me going and i think we all have a natural instinct to survive no matter what. Kinda like today i taught dyson (my 9month old lab puppy...yes i have dogs named dyson and hoover) to swim. Ok so i tricked the poor puppy i threw her frisbe across the pool and she ran after it right into the pool. BUT SHE SWAM! i called her to the steps and she climbed out and it was soon after that she was back in the pool (of her own accord) swimming after me. Now she just needs to learn how to float on the pool raft like hoover does.

Found out earlier this week that someone i thought i trusted and i tought was my friend sent out a few emails with some info that really stirred up alot of shit for me. i feel really betrayed right now. i hear so many people say that they don't trust anyone. my problem is i trust too much. i want to think the best of everyone and that everyone will do the right thing, keep thier promises and committments and not lie to me and i get burned now and then. Actually i get burned quite often, by friends, past dominants, family but i'm a trusting person and i keep on trusting and to be honest i don't think that is wrong. and at times i have let people down too, no one is absoultley perfect.. i have learn my lessons from each burn ... i always have liked fire play...lol

i took care of one of Master Bob's kids yesterday and had a blast, except i think i should get hazzard pay for having to watch 2 Wiggles episodes in a row, i love those kids. my nieces and nephews are 3000 miles away and most are now having their own kids. So i never really got to spoil them so i'm having a blast spoiling these two. Saturday we are making Mothers day cards and gifts for Christina and it is so much fun. my relationship with Bob and Christina has been a series of up's and downs but seems to be pretty smooth right now and i am really enjoying their friendship and company and i am very thankful they allow me to have such a part in their family and with their kids.

Date:	2006-04-23 15:03
Subject:	Choices, expectations and other evils
Security:	Public
Mood:	disappointed

i recently had a birthday and it got me thinking.....
We all make choices, everyday choices and more choices....i know i'm not the first person to ask this question but i sometimes wonder???? What would have happen if at some point in my life i would have choosen opposite from what i did? Would i be married and living in suburbia with 4 kids? Would i be in the BDSm lifestyle? Would i have that corner office with the windows? Woul i still be exactly were i am today?There are so many possibilities. Reality is i have made my choices and it is up to me to do the best i can with those choices. That doesn't mean that i'm going to make right choices from here on out ...who knows what is the right choice?

i usually find that the thing that gets me introuble the most is my own expectations! My birthday was last Friday and it sucked and i was getting really upset about it and then i realize nobody did anything wrong it was my expectations that made me feel bad. As a matter of fact i got a ton of e-cards and phone calls. There was just one person that didn't do what i Expected him to do. This happens in the lifestyle all the time it isn't that the Dom/Master did something wrong He/She just didn't meet my expectations. i find it is so hard not to confuse expectations with anticipation. There is no way i can go through life without expectations, learning to not be controled by expectations that is the trick.

If i ever doubted if i have friends i don't doubt it anymore. Since i was released from my job on Friday i have recieved tons of calls and emails of concern. i appreciate everyones compasssion, concern, thoughts and passion about this incident. It is nice to know the we are a community that watches out for it's own.

The way i look at it is "Business is Business" The company did what they thought was best for their business, i can't fault them for that. i DO feel that the reasons for my release had more to do with redundancy than my quality of work. Anytime new management comes in they more than likely get rid of old management. i DO feel they waited to get rid of me till they had gotten all the info out of me they could possibly get to run the business. i feel that the company DOES NOT value their employees and all the employees have put into the current store and the previous store. Without the current employees and myself they wouldn't have had a great Leather store to buy. i DO NOT feel the company values the Dallas Leather Community. i DO NOT wish to bad mouth them or tell people not to shop there. i feel people are smart enough to make their own decision, but they should be informed so they can make the right moral decision for themselves.

i DO NOT expect anyone that has made a obligation to the company for an event or etc. not to fullfill it. i would expect them to show up and do their best best. i know the people that have made committments to be there on the 15th and they have great intergrity and would expect nothing less from them but their best. Whether they choose to continue with the company is their decision. We still need to support our community just decided for ourselves where we put our loyalties and support.

Master Z and Roger and Master Bob have been wonderful in their support of me and of my future i'm extremely lucky to have them in my life. Not to sound like a Queen but "i will survive" The Leather world will go on without me in my previous position. This just gives me time to do more volunteer work with the community and some freelance leather work.

There are many chapters to our lives, a chapter has ended and now it is time to start writting the next one. My book is still a long way from "the End"