I was recently assigned to a new project that has me travelling between New York City and Toronto, with the added bonus of potential travel to Stockholm, Sweden.

Needless to say, I’m in Sweden during a Canadian long weekend.  What’s a boy to do?  Ask permission to go to Amsterdam to meet one of my favourite European-based Leather Families, that’s what!

With how drained I’ve been for the past two years with two extremely intense projects, I’ve had very little time for Leather and energy-wise, I just haven’t been there.  Time with Master Chuck has also been limited because of His own schedule.

With the change to a new project, it is clear that the last project was impacting me mentally and emotionally more than I realized.  Within 6 weeks of being on the project, I am a considerably more up beat than I have been.  I’m not swearing and frustrated as much.  It’s a really nice change.  I like getting back to the real me.

In terms of sex, play and Leather; I feel like I’m getting my mojo back if my time in Europe has anything to say about it.

I was very privileged to receive an invitation from Master Dave, of the Amsterdam Kink Academy, to stay with Him and be His guest within the city.  How could I pass up such an opportunity – to spend some time with men I highly regard and visit Amsterdam?

Needless to say, calls were made to Master Chuck who gave His approval and tickets booked right away.

I’ve been fortunately to have spoken with Master Dave, boy arne and pup squeak for a while on Twitter, and more recently Facebook.  More recently also, i’ve had a chance to talk with boy blue as well, through Recon.  I also had a chance to meet Sir Charles in person, and pup sniffer virtually.

What an incredible family with a drive to share kink as they do it.

Much of our time was spent talking, comparing stories of family, attitudes and ideology; sharing our experiences along our Leather and life journeys; serving as I hope was apropriate; seeing sights of Amsterdam; spending time at The Black Eagle and Dirty Dick’s; shopping for rubber and leathers at the famous Black Body, Mr. B’s, and RoB – which was, admittedly, a reason for me to visit Amsterdam – It’s hard to find good quality rubber in North America, though it can be found if you know where to look.

The time with Master Dave helped me to reflect on my relationship with Master Chuck.  I have been very fortunate to have had a relationship with Master Chuck since I was 30.  The highs and the lows have been worth it, from the steep learning curve of life that Sir provided and the discipling that went with it, to the learning what it means to be a boy, to be a slave and back to being a boy.  The guidance of learning to be a dominant, the challenges of having my own boys and learning how to balance both sides of myself.

It’s clear that in North America and Europe, Leather as we do it is slowly going away.  Bars have shutdown, bars have had to diversify to bring in an income.  We were among the few in full fetish gear in the bar on Saturday.

Meanwhile, we know the there are heaps more kinky fuckers out there with their fetishes, whatever that kink is.  Hence why Leather and Fetish events are even more important, especially the education aspect that goes along with them.

I have been trying to figure out, what do I want my involvement to be within the broader community.  With the lack of energy and travel schedule I’ve only been able to get to Rough House in Toronto, once or twice a year over the past few years.  I’ve not had the energy to teach somewhat because I’ve not had the energy but I’ve also not been sure what my place is in the ever changing kink scene.  Even when I’ve been involved with Totally OUTRight through ACT –   how I present which has not been as well organized or thought out as well as it has been in the past.

When I stepped down from my title year I gave a commitment to my community, that I wasn’t going away, and I don’t feel like I’ve been true to that commitment.

I am very much hoping that I can get back to it.

What is clear to me is that I’ve found similar extended family, to the family I am part of, in another part of the world.  An amazing connection of brotherhood and kinship I hope to foster and maintain.